Headline of article from the Journal: “Republicans See Template for Rebound in Election of Puerto Rico’s Fortuno”
Republicans’ focus on recovering after sharp blows in the past two elections has put a spotlight on an unlikely star: Puerto Rico’s new governor, Luis Fortuno.
As he was sworn in Friday, the Republican Governors Association was effusive. “Luis Fortuno proves that principled Republicans can appeal to voters everywhere,” said the group’s chairman, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. “He is the type of leader the party needs to revive its base and expand its appeal.”
Party leaders view Mr. Fortuno, 48 years old, as an example for Republicans as well as someone who can reach out to Hispanics and other minorities in the U.S. Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan has already made overtures. At a forum Monday, Mr. Duncan said he was inspired as he watched the Fortuno inauguration in San Juan. The governor, he said, “ran a very conservative campaign in a state, a territory, that has severe economic problems right now. But he said, ‘We don’t need these 11,000 new government employees put on by the opposition party. We can’t tax our way to prosperity. We will have family values.’ “
Late Update: TPM Reader JG adds this …
The particularly sad thing over the Fortuño enthusiasm on the Republican side is that while he’s a Republican, he didn’t get elected as one. He ran as the New Progressive Party candidate. Maybe that’s the new GOP strategy; the party brand is so toxic, so they’re going to re-launch under a different name.
