As Democrats continue to outperform us in key elections (see: 2022 midterms, 2020 presidential election), the Republican Party is faced with two options. One, keep blaming every loss on election fraud — I’m not saying it doesn’t exist — or, two, learn how to beat the Democrats at their own game.

Here’s the thing. The Democrats now play an Election Season game, while the Republicans largely rely on the traditional Election Day game. I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer — but I’m not the dullest one, either. So it’s become obvious to me that the GOP must step up its own election season game — and win. Then, assuming adequate numbers in state legislatures, if Republicans want to limit early voting and impose other restrictions, they’ll be in a position to do.

In other words, rather than simply continuing to moan about “stolen” elections — an effort which, to my knowledge, has changed the results of zero elections —  Republicans must first learn to beat the Democrats at their own game and then change the rules if they choose to do so.

One popular Republican governor believes exactly the same thing.

As my colleague Joe Cunningham reported in early July, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin launched an initiative to boost early Republican turnout in early and absentee voting; two efforts that not only continue to work well for the Democrat Party but have also been effective in putting Republican candidates behind the eight ball in many races before a majority of Republican voters even cast their votes.

Youngkin said, in an extremely well-done ad:

We can’t go into our elections down thousands of votes. And you can secure your vote before Election Day. Join the permanent absentee list and make a plan to vote early — by mail or in person. … It’s time to go to work.

Exactly.

Youngkin penned a Sunday op-ed for USA Today, titled: “Republicans need to stop fighting early voting. It’s how we can win on Election Day.”

In the subhead, Youngkin continued his bottom-line message from July: “Republicans cannot afford to go into Election Day down thousands of votes – that will all but guarantee a loss.”

Youngkin wrote:

Elections are competitions, and the principles for victory are straightforward – which candidate has the most compelling vision, communicates that vision the best, and builds trust to turn promises made into promises kept. Yes, like any team sport in a tough game, the team that fields the best players, executes the better strategy, and competes the hardest, wins.

Again, what’s a better alternative? Pick up our ball and go home — and fall back into the deflection trap and, again, blame voter fraud after every Republican election loss? What did Einstein admonish? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity? Yeah, that.

“Early voting is key to winning elections”

Youngkin referred to his 2021 gubernatorial win over former Democrat Gov. Terry McCauliffe — who was Virginia’s governor from 2014 to 2018:

One of the most important plays in Republicans’ game plan in Virginia is not new or groundbreaking – it involves an aggressive absentee and early voting program. We turned out early voters in our 2021 win, and we’re doubling down in 2023.

In Virginia, you do not need a reason or an excuse to vote early or by absentee ballot. Democrats put these rules in place while in control of Virginia’s government and have used these rules to their advantage by vastly outpacing Republicans in early and absentee voting.

We can either continue complaining, or we can recognize reality, beat the left at their own game and win elections. I chose to win – to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family – which is why I launched Secure Your Vote Virginia.

Let’s say it, together, shall we? “We can either continue complaining, or we can recognize reality, beat the left at their own game and win elections.”

The Bottom Line

So yeah, we can continue to commiserate among ourselves and blame election fraud on every Republican election loss that comes down the pike, or we can learn to beat the Democrats at their own game.

Seems to me, since Virginian Governor Glenn Youngkin won and chose “B,” while those who lost continue to choose “A,” it’s time to hop aboard the “B” train and heed Youngkin’s — and Einstein’s — advice.

Besides, what is there to lose by doing so?