A year after Republicans were criticized for playing a major role in the government shutdown , the chairman of the Republican National Committee gave a big speech Thursday in an attempt to tear away at the party 's obstructionist image . `` People know what we 're against . I want to talk about the things we 're for , '' Reince Priebus said Thursday at George Washington University . The speech was part of the Republican Party 's rebranding effort following its 2012 presidential election loss , in which GOP nominee Mitt Romney lost to President Obama in large part because of his weak standing with minorities , young voters and women . Priebus was critical of the way the party operated nationally in the past , saying the GOP had simply become a `` U-haul trailer of cash for a presidential nominee '' once every four years -- an approach he called a `` loser strategy . '' He stressed that the party needs to be `` obsessed over the mechanics '' of voter outreach efforts , especially in the data and digital fields . `` We also have become a midterm party that does n't lose and presidential party that does n't win , '' he said , attributing the pattern to a lack of voter engagement and on-the-ground work . `` There 's something that goes on in presidential elections that we have to get our act together and that 's what we 're going to do , '' he continued . He ticked off 11 topics that he said are `` driving the Republican Party '' -- a policy list that included health care , the economy , national security , and immigration . Priebus named a number of Republican lawmakers in Washington and governors who have proposed or enacted legislation that would address poverty , education and energy . Among them were Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky , Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas , Sen. Mike Lee of Utah , and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin . Gov . Susana Martinez of New Mexico and House Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers , chairwoman of the House Republican Conference . `` One election wo n't fix everything , but we can take a step in the right direction this November , '' he said . `` If the American people hire us , we 'll be ready on day one . '' The Democratic National Committee , which had staffers at the speech , knocked Priebus ' remarks as simply recycled material . `` Reince Priebus just wrapped up his third rebrand speech for the GOP ( not to be confused with his earlier rebrand speech or the one before that ) but all we heard was the same old rhetoric that is out of step with reality , '' the DNC said in an email blast.â€‹ .
RNC Chair Reince Priebus wants the party to lose its obstructionist image . Priebus : `` I want to talk about the things we 're for . '' Priebus spoke Thursday at George Washington University .