Al Schmidt is the senior adviser to the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and is working on recruitment efforts in the city.
What do you take out of Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts for Philadelphia?
It’s very exciting and it’s already led to an outpouring of support and interest. Lots of calls, even before the election itself in the days leading up to it especially. The local impact is that it helps restore hope to a minority party. … Seeing a Republican run independent of the local political machinery is an exciting thing.
What needs to change in the messaging and politicking of local Republicans to win again here?
I think focusing again on what the fundamental core principals are of the party when it comes to fiscal responsibility and job creation. That focus was lost in the last 10 years. It’s encouraging to see that it’s back.