GOP Lounge: Because All Politics Is Local

It is amazing what the American people can do when they engage in the political process. We have seen proof of that on a daily basis this month as members of congress are at home in their districts having face-to-face conversations with their constituents on the issue of health care reform. Yet, many worry that, in a matter of time, the American public will go back to its apathetic ways.

What should instill fear in you is that there are people in the current administration and some members of congress who are counting on the American people to be captivated by new seasons of American Idol, college football, and the NFL instead of the debate over health care reform or other issues of great importance that will impact your life.

What will happen when our representatives leave the hostility of their districts back home and return to the comfort and seclusion of Washington, D.C.? One would hope that they take back with them the frustration and concerns that their constituents voiced over the proposed health care reform bill and find a better solution that doesn’t put one-seventh of our nation’s economy under the control of the federal government. Sadly, we all know our government doesn’t always work that way.

That leaves the American people with only one option. They must continue to find ways to voice their opinions so that they can continue to have an impact on the debate in our nation’s capitol. Accomplishing that feat will be no easy task. We must find ways to continue to apply pressure on our elected officials by constantly reminding them to listen and interact with the people who they promised to represent – their constituents – rather than party bosses or special interest groups.

Here in Iowa, TheIowaRepublican.com has already made an impact on the political landscape in a little less than six months’ time. We helped expose the damage that the radical agenda of the labor unions would do to taxpayers and the state. We were there the night the Speaker of the Iowa House ordered the state troopers to remove the public from a public forum on the largest tax increase in Iowa’s history, and we covered the fallout when the Iowa Supreme Court issued its ruling to allow gay marriage in Iowa.

In addition, TheIowaRepublican.com also provided the people of Iowa their first glimpse at how the Republican gubernatorial candidates stacked up against one another, and for the most part, is responsible for creating the chatter surrounding the potential political comeback of former Governor Terry Branstad after our poll showed that he would beat Governor Chet Culver by a 16 point margin.

Not only has TheIowaRepublican.com provided a new type of news coverage in Iowa and impacted what the traditional media is reporting on in our state, but we have been able to build a strong and loyal readership along the way. TheIowaRepublcian.com has already been able to generate just under 100,000 page views per month, making it one of the most read news sites in the state. Every month our page views and unique visitors continue to grow.

There is no doubt that there is a market for local conservative news on the Internet, and I am thrilled to announce the creation our first sister site, TheLonestarRepublican.com. Why Texas, you ask? We chose the Lone Star State for a number of reasons. First, it looks as if they are going to have a fierce gubernatorial primary between current Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Sen. Hutchison also announced that she will be retiring from the Senate, meaning Texas will also be home to an open U.S. Senate race. In short, there will no lack of substance.

With the creation of TheLonestarRepublican.com, it also became apparent that there needed to be a hub for all of the state sites. Enter GOPLounge.com.

GOP Lounge is unique in its own right. It is there where people will be able to discuss the issues of the day in our on-line community, but the site will also feature must-see political videos, links to local and national content, and provide an easy place for people to navigate to all of our affiliated sites.

GOPLounge.com and its state affiliates are committed to focusing on state and local politics rather than just being another national news site. All politics is local, and for real change to occur, it must stem from the grassroots, not from those in Washington. GOPLounge.com will be announcing more state affiliates throughout the fall. So sign up to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep track of our progress.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who have been loyal readers of TheIowaRepublican.com. Your support and interaction on the site has been amazing.

The best is yet to come!

Craig Robinson