Republicans Regroup at RNC Winter Meeting

The Republican National Committee is wrapping up Friday its three-day winter meeting in Charlotte, N.C., where it focused on the party's strategy, message and tone in the wake of its stinging loss in the presidential election. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal cited "offensive and bizarre comments" by some Republicans in arguing that the GOP should "stop being the stupid party." He added in his keynote address that Republicans should also stop an "obsession with government bookkeeping" and instead focus on connecting with Americans outside Washington. Members of the RNC's Growth and Opportunity Project, the official review of what went wrong last year, said they are exploring everything from boosting down-ballot primary candidates to leveraging new email strategies. Republicans say they need to find ways to build grassroots excitement, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said the party should work to be seen as a "happy one." Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for George W. Bush, agreed. "If you have an upbeat, optimistic, affable, ideological, strong candidate, that's one of the most important factors," he said.

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