More: GOP message problem

“In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, it’s the message that appears to be the problem, not the messengers who are delivering it,” the Washington Post writes. “A majority of Americans (53 percent) say the Republicans’ problem is that they are overly conservative and unconcerned ‘with the welfare of the people, particularly those in the lower and middle income levels.’ By contrast, 38 percent say the bigger issue is that Republicans ‘need a better leader to explain and win support’ for their policies. The Republican Party faced similar questions in 1949, after losing the previous five presidential contests. (Today, the party has lost the popular vote in five out of the last six elections.)”