A Post-State of the Union Address and Republican Politics in the United States

A Post-State of the Union Address and Republican Politics in the United States

07 Feb 2019

By
Coel Healy

American politics and the current state of the Republican Party formed the focus of an event hosted by the Perth USAsia Centre and the Policy Committee of the Liberal Party of Australia (WA division) on 6 February 2019.

As the governing party of the United States (US), the Republican Party not only has control of the White House and the US Senate, but 27 of the 50 states have Republican governors and the party controls 31 state legislatures. Understanding the policies and direction of the Republican Party is key to understanding American politics today.

Speaking at the event was experienced political strategist, presidentialcampaign spokesperson and past nominee for Lieutenant Governor of California, Ron Nehring. Mr Nehring has substantial experience leading Republican initiatives as Chairman of the California Republican Party. As National Spokesman in the 2016 Presidential Campaign of Senator Ted Cruz, he was able to provide a valuable insight into the Republican view of politics in the USA.

US Foreign Policy

During the event, Ron Nehring offered to critique on the Republican Party’s embrace of protectionism under President Donald Trump. He argued that Conservatives and those who advocate isolationism should not forget the lessons of the past. After a brief rundown of US global influence post World War II, he outlined the benefits of maintaining a rules based international order and cautioned politicians of neglecting treaties like NATO.

He acknowledged the growing threats