Is the GOP Due for an Overhaul?

I grew up as a conservative, and not coincidentally I found that I didn't wholly identify with the Republican Party right around the first time I heard Limbaugh speak in the early '90s ["Frum's Right on Limbaugh and GOP: Conservatives, Republicans Must Evolve," usnews.com]. It took until 2003 before I flat out rejected the Republican Party completely (I was more or less independent for a few years). For the foreseeable future, I'm more interested in the reasonable and practical views of many Democrats. You can call me "Liberal," "Socialist," or whatever you want to call me; but I continue to utterly reject the despicable philosophies of Limbaugh, G.W. Bush, Sarah Palin, Tom Delay, Ann Coulter, etc., in favor of anything else available. Reading this article (from both Cary and Frum) leaves open the possibility that one day I could see myself as a Republican again. It's going to be a long, uphill battle to win me back, though.

Comment by Jason of OH

Bush showed us how to be compassionate toward liberalism and lose real bad. We have never needed to be more conservative in this country for the 84 years I have lived in it, than right now! I see evidence by the older best of our party who will join Rush Limbaugh in coming together to greatly strengthen the party numbers for another post recession 40 years in the White House. Or else, as being predicted overseas, states will begin to remove themselves from the Union!

Comment by L. Frank Morgan of CA

Republicans and Democrats refuse to accept that moderates decide every election. There are more independents than registered Democrats or Republicans. If there were a third middle-of-the-road party in the U.S. you might never see another Republican or Democrat hold office again. A mix of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism will be the choice of the American voter for the foreseeable future.

Comment by Toby Scott Mays of PA

What has gotten Republicans in such a bad spot is abandoning their ideals. This is exactly what Frum and Cary are advocating more of. If the Republican Party is going to win elections, it will be to find conservative, not moderate candidates. Politicians like John McCain symbolize what is wrong with the Republican Party; claims to be a conservative, but doesn't attempt to legislate (or keeps from legislating) conservative ideals. While I'm no fan of Rush, he is dead right on this one.

Comment by Geoff of TX

What I find ironic (especially since I am a politically active conservative/Republican) is that the GOP has shunned the one guy who has ignited young conservatives. A man that even the most liberal Democrats admit they like, even when they disagree. He is Ron Paul. And in a bit of added irony, the "new" platform is actually the "old" platform of limited government, a modest foreign policy, and protection of our civil liberties.

Comment by Dave of TX

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