Comment E-mail Print

Page 2 of 2

And as for the "big tent," let's be honest. Republican Blue Bloods have never been comfortable under the same roof with the Republican base. They've always looked at social conservatives as people to be tolerated (barely), but not embraced. Truth be told, the Blue Bloods would rather live in a Log Cabin than in a tent big enough to include pesky social conservatives.

The idea that social conservatives are to blame for Republicans' current crisis does not hold water. The GOP's systematic abandonment of core conservative principles is at the root of its current irrelevance. History shows that successful Republican leaders--like Ronald Reagan--stuck by traditional conservative values. They believed, as Mr. Reagan famously observed, that government is all too often the problem rather than the solution. They understood that a just society is only as robust as the virtue of its citizens. They did not doubt that the Judeo-Christian world view animated our country's founding. The Republican Party's actions in the last eight years stand in stark contrast to these ideals. Following the dictum of Bush's Brain--Boy Genius Karl Rove--Republican leadership shied away from doing the right thing, abandoned principles in favor of pragmatism, and followed the path of least resistance. The rest, as they say, is history.

The way ahead

In order to regain relevancy, the GOP must once again become the party of principle. It must once again select leaders willing to tackle the hard issues with wisdom, eloquence, confidence, and goodwill. The party must be willing to stick its neck out and stand by what it believes. Attempting to cater to every interest group is a losing strategy. Compromising a clear message in favor of artful ambiguity is not how the GOP became a great party. The American people want resolve and integrity. They want decency and class.

Ronald Reagan exemplified these traits, which is why he is revered and emulated by devotees of American conservatism. Mr. Reagan, the Great Communicator, was a great leader because he projected strength, confidence, and calm certitude. He knew what he stood for and communicated his party's ideals to the American people in a clear and winsome way. He was a person of goodwill, but only fools mistook that quality for a lack of will. He was not called the "Happy Warrior" for nothing.

Today's GOP leadership would do well to follow Mr. Reagan's example. It's the only road to reclaiming the mantle as the party of ideas--ideas derived from a coherent conservative tradition: protecting innocent life, projecting a strong defense, limiting government, expanding freedom, lowering taxes, keeping government off of the taxpayer's back and out of his pocket, valuing families. These are the ideals that made America great.

For the Republicans to recover their vitality, they must reclaim the principles that are at the heart of the Republican tradition. They must return the party to its roots. If they fail to do so, the voters will inevitably conclude that the Grand Old Party is not worth saving.

---

Ken Connor is an attorney and co-author of "Sinful Silence: When Christians Neglect Their Civic Duty" He is also Chairman of the Center for a Just Society. For more articles and resources from Mr. Connor and the Center for a Just Society, go to www.centerforajustsociety.org

--------------------

Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

>> Back -- Page 1 2

++ Discuss this topic in The Forum

Current rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 (6 total votes)