“Pledge to America” More of the Same?

Republican GOP leaders are hoping that today’s signing of the new “Pledge to America” document will reinvigorate the party image and push up popularity as a similar “Contract with America” did for them sixteen years ago. The signing of the pledge is to take place in a suburban hardware store in Virginia, just outside the Beltway. This is a clear signal that the party wants to give the impression that they are focusing on the everyday issues facing Americans in the current economic climate.

The economy and particularly joblessness were singled out in the Pledge, a final draft of which called incumbent President Obama’s strategy for job creation “heavy handed” and “not working.” The agenda outlined in the Pledge starts with repealing the controversial health care reforms initiated by Obama, extending tax cuts issued by former President George W. Bush and opposing the planned carbon tax proposed by President Obama to tackle issues of greenhouse emissions.

Unsurprisingly the Pledge reiterates Republican Party positions on abortion, gay marriage and further outlines plans to keep terrorism trials out of civilian courts and off US soil. Increased funding for missile defense systems is proposed and increased powers for local and state officers is on the cards as well. Content for the pledge was reportedly culled from over 16,000 online proposals submitted to the party and from feedback received at town hall meetings across the country. The current House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has called the Pledge “more of the same.”