THE NEW GOP- GOVERN BY SOLVING PROBLEMS

A bigger tent, or “dance with the one that brung ya.”

The by-line sums up the apparent dilemma facing conservative Republicans as we look beyond the coming November massacre.  Even with John McCain in the White House, no sure thing as of this writing, Republicans will have little leverage to oppose a Democratic majority.  What can Republicans do?

Of course we need to elect John McCain!  With McCain in office, Republicans can play good defense and buy the needed time to get the offense ready to go back on the field in 2010 and 2012. Yes, McCain will go his own way on global warming and amnesty for illegal immigrants.  But he can provide a barrier to bigger government programs, more spending, and a more liberal judicial branch. Let’s hope President McCain has gallons of ink for his veto pen!

Beyond November, the Republican challenge is to find a path back into the political mainstream, thus the need to re-direct the Republican Party. The choice presented by most observers is between expanding the base by becoming more moderate or standing resolutely by the principles and values now associated with the party in hopes of winning the American people over.

Or, is there a way to do both?   I recently heard a cogent criticism from a very conservative observer: “Republicans don’t solve problems.”  Perhaps this critique points the way back for a party that ignored opportunities to solve major national problems in preference for ideological jousting.  Let’s review.

Immigration is the most blatant case of Republican failure.  President Bush and John McCain aside, Republicans championed the approach favored by many, if not a majority, of Americans.  A vacuum existed after the defeat of Bush-Kennedy that could have been filled with an incremental approach supported by most Americans.  A congressional staffer told me, “immigration reform is dead until 2009.”  No doubt he read the Republican mood better than I.  Opportunity lost!

Energy is a second lost opportunity.  The nation badly needs a coherent energy policy that increases supplies short term and develops domestic alternative sources for the long term.  Some envision a Manhattan Project for energy- clearly something on that order is required to develop cleaner energy sources and reduce dependence on foreign oil. The Bush Administration did nothing; the Republican Party did nothing, and now we have $138 per barrel oil and $4 per gallon gasoline.  Americans would applaud any sensible approach to reach well enunciated energy goals.

Even for those of us skeptical of man-caused global warming, environmental protection is an important national and global priority.  Of course we need to breathe clean air.  Of course we need cleaner and more efficient appliances and vehicles of all types.  Of course we must find ways to protect the oceans while simultaneously extracting the oil beneath them.  But, because Republicans opposed the environmental agenda, we are faced with cap ‘n trade, no domestic oil exploration, and aging and insufficient nuclear power plants.

Healthcare, social security reform, public education, tax reform, are recognized national problems thus far unaddressed, much less solved.  The initiative on these issues comes from the Democrats, who dazzle the public with promises of even more government restrictions and largesse, while Republicans offer slogans about limited government and less taxation instead of reasoned, problem-oriented solutions. 

To become the party that solves problems, Republicans must recognize the peoples’ agenda. We need not abandon principle to do so, but we must show the American people that conservative principles produce workable solutions to the problems they think important.  The principles can be ours, but, the agenda is theirs. Ever a practical people, Americans want solutions to major national problems, not attention to things they consider peripheral or simply partisan.

Yes, adopting the peoples’ agenda requires moving some issues dear to conservative hearts to the back burner.  According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans worry about the economy, energy, the environment, immigration, Iraq, and healthcare.   Republicans must respond with proposals that apply conservative principles to these issues.  We must put the peoples’ agenda first, viewing our constituents as they are, not as we wish them to be.

Tactics must change, as well. With control of Congress firmly in Democratic hands, Republicans must find ways to solve national problems from outside the Beltway.  State capitals provide a forum for experimenting with new policies and programs, such as the very different healthcare approaches of Massachusetts and Florida.  Education, welfare, drug abuse, gun control and many other issues lend themselves to state initiatives, as well.  In some cases, Republicans must appeal directly to the people to overcome the inertia in Washington- the defeat of Bush-Kennedy demonstrates the power of focused popular will.  Perhaps a third front can be opened in the courts, where conservatives might oppose the harmful aspects of the Democratic agenda (cap ‘n trade, protectionist trade policies, agricultural subsidies, big labor). Using these three avenues, a great deal can be accomplished with little help from Congress.

With problem solving as our organizing principle, let’s restructure and coordinate our efforts. A Republican ‘kitchen cabinet’ is required to fill the leadership vacuum and focus the efforts of all.   Let’s put some Republican faces on efforts to solve major issues:  John McCain can focus on national security (whether in the White House, or not); let’s draft Mitt Romney to lead the charge (pardon the pun) on energy; Senator Sessions leads immigration reform; Steve Forbes develops tax and regulatory policy; Rudy Giuliani- healthcare; Fred Thompson- Social Security; Dick Armey leads an effort to put some spending controls in place; Newt Gingrich develops ways to make government part of “the world that works.”  All of these support a more robust economy. And throughout, let’s develop implementation strategies that recognize the party’s minority status in Washington.

This is no time for Republicans to pout from the back benches. Rather, the party must redefine itself in ways that solve problems for America and, in the process promote confidence in basic conservative principles: less government, greater local control, a free market economy, individualism, liberty, and the rule of law.  Only by positioning the party to solve problems can Republicans become part of “the world that works.”

Fritz Mehrtens

Irvine, CA

October 2, 2008

fjmehr@usa.net