A Lesson for the GOP: 'Conservative' Isn't Just 'Religious Right'
In a New York Times op-ed today, Romesh Ponnuru notes that the modern GOP moves right after it loses the White House (Nixon/Ford gave way to Reagan; Bush the Elder gave way to Gingrich). And once again, as House Republican leader John Boehner writes in today's Washington Post, there is a hue and cry from conservatives to get back to basics. Standing for something is always better than standing for nothing, and the GOP will need to resist the calls that it moderate its views to appeal to the "moderates" in the middle of the spectrum.
But Ponnuru, a senior editor at National Review, makes the salient point that retrenching isn't enough. While the GOP shouldn't move to the middle, it should move to the middle class. In other words: Embrace conservatism, but don't forget (as McCain did) to explain it with more relevance.
One line from Ponnuru's piece, however, sticks in my craw: "The way to court these moderates is not to abandon social conservatism, which would alienate many of the voters Republicans still have."
If Ponnuru means to warn against the wholesale repudiation of the social values that the Republican Party stands for, then I agree. But if he means that that social agenda should retain the pre-eminent status it has enjoyed in the Republican Party in the last 15 years, then I do not.
For too long, Republican Party officials, and George W. Bush particularly, have mistaken conservatism broadly for social conservatism. The latter is an important (and vocal) element of the movement, to be sure, but it is only that: an element. Conservatism's adherents are broader than the Religious Right.
There's very little doubt among voters that the GOP stands more for traditional cultural values than the Democrats. Where there is considerable doubt, however, is about whether the GOP stands for commonsense tax-and-spend policies. As the deflated conservative base in this election shows, the Bush belief that any fiscal or spending apostasy could be made right with a push on social values is wrong.
So, by all means, play defense on social values. If the fight arises, the GOP should fight back. But Republicans shouldn't waste time and energy pushing new values-oriented proposals. And besides, as the defeat of a gay marriage proposition even in pro-Obama kooky California showed, America's voters don't need help from the Republican Party on social issues.
Tags: Democrats | Republicans | George W. Bush | religion
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Reader Comments
It will get done.
The GOP will regroup, and that bias that the media caused between the churches and the values of citizens will not work for the left-wing illuminati.
go with the flow
If I was the Republicans I would not go against, soon to be President Obama or the Congress. I would go with far left leaning ideas. For example the Democrats always want to raise the minimum wage and they talk about a livable wage. I have heard a livable wage is $18 an hour for a family of four. I would suggest the minimum wage be raised to $18 an hour. You could get the Liberal congresswoman Maxine Waters to introduce it and vote on it for passage, if it passed I know we would probably have massive layoffs and high inflation if not who would be for Americans getting higher wages. Which I believe most sound minded Democrats would believe should not be passed and they would go to the left leaning media and try to explain the reason they voted the way they did, this would put them on the defensive which is a path you have more or less been on for the past many years. You could say you where just trying to help the little man and if your conscience bothers you vote present as Obama did in his Illinois state government days. Don’t try and be to confrontational say that you want to help the current government media has pegged you mean and evil. Right now I would stay away from social conservative issues unless just want be smaller because the demographics are not in your favor. Also the Democrats talk about soaking the rich go with that. You lost the investor class in this election. I would tax luxury items like the ones Hollywood stars uses and wears and tax Hollywood say it is an art tax so high schools could get band instruments. Also go for tariffs especially on imported autos I know this would cause a world black lash on our exports. But have democrats defend free trade not you and if another free trade agreement comes vote present. Have the democrats have to defend it.
OK
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