THE   CONSERVATIVE   DILEMMA

SHOULD CONSERVATIVES CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE GOP?

By Fritz Mehrtens

Someone wrote recently that “Conservatism is too important to be left to the Republican Party.”  How true!   Starting with the 1994 congressional majority and ending on January 20^th with the end of the worst presidency since Jimmy Carter, Republicans ran roughshod over every Conservative principle and demolished the Conservative and Republican brands in the minds of the American people.

Whereas Conservatives advocate small government, Republicans enlarged the federal government at the expense of local autonomy; whereas Conservatives support fiscal responsibility, Republicans spent like drunken sailors, with special attention to increasing the number of earmarks each year;  whereas Conservatives promote ethical public conduct, Republicans repeatedly brought scandal to Washington; whereas Conservatives want government to leave them alone, Republicans sought to dictate religious dogma (creationism, abstinence as sole contraceptive, opposition to assisted suicide) as public policy; whereas Conservatives support national sovereignty, our president asked the UN for permission to act in our own national interest, whereas Conservatives believe in using Conservative principles to solve national problems, Republicans did nothing about the economy, immigration reform, energy, healthcare, and tax reform.

The Bush Administration was neither Conservative in its policies nor adept in executing its expansionist agenda.  We had four years of failure in Iraq, an inconsistent foreign policy that left our closest allies hanging, inept management of terrorist captives, a weakening of our military that leaves us helpless in the face of Russian and Iranian expansionism, continued leaks of sensitive information from the CIA and State Department, and not a single veto of pork-laden appropriations.

More recently, the Republican Party nominated the least qualified of its major presidential candidates (Giuliani, Romney or Huckabee would have been better choices), picked a political novice as running mate, and polarized the election with attempts to ‘energize the base’ that belied the candidate’s pledge to ‘reach across the aisle.’  The margin of Obama’s victory might have been even greater were it not for his less than stellar background.

Today’s Republican Party has but one goal: to win elections.  While that may be enough for the professional political class, it is not sufficient for Conservatives, whose goal is to govern conservatively.  What’s the point of winning elections if we govern like Democrats?

Hence the Conservative dilemma:  attempt to reform the Republican Party along traditional Conservative lines, or strike out in a new political direction by forming a truly conservative political party.  While the later course might be attractive, a reform movement within the Republican Party may be the only way to reinstate conservatism quickly. Starting a new party from scratch would require more time than the nation can afford.  We’re looking more like Europe with each passing day.

What might a resurgent Conservative Republican Party be like?  Two overriding concepts must be put in place: [1] a return to Constitutional government, and [2] a revitalization of the American culture that emphasizes our national motto, “E Pluribus Unum.”  There is moral high ground to be taken in both areas.

In restoring constitutional government, conservative Republicans can point to the Constitution to limit the federal government and use the states as laboratories for change.  To revitalize the American culture, the Party can advocate an English language amendment to the Constitution and sponsor public education projects that show American history in an unbiased light that emphasizes the development of the unique American character.

Some structural changes are required, as well.  A larger, more conservative party must include multiple leaders- we can see the disastrous effect of uniting behind Bush and later McCain- each led the party over the cliff to political oblivion.  We should end the fixation with a single leader and draw on a variety of perspectives.  And, let’s also end the leadership litmus tests that drive away so many talented people.  Someone pointed out that Ronald Reagan would have supported gay marriage were he alive today, based on his positions supporting gay rights during his presidency.  Should the party have thrown him over the side, as we did Giuliani and Romney recently, for his ‘divergent’ view?  Finally, Conservatives deserve better than the quadrennial cheerleading that passes for a Republican convention and the papering over of divergent views in the name of party unity.  We must facilitate the contest of ideas that allows the best solution to emerge.

If we intend to attract conservative Americans who don’t identify themselves as Conservatives, we must get rid of Karl Rove politics that promote disunity in order to ‘energize the base’ and that resulted in two very narrow presidential victories and the significant loss in 2008.  Rather, Republicans must reach out to Middle Americans who believe in individualism, hard work, nationalism, less government, and free enterprise and bring them into the Republican fold.  Clearly, playing to the religious base is insufficient.  To repeat myself: it isn’t just about winning elections, it’s about governing!

Conservative Republicans need to emphasize solutions to the nation’s problems and exhibit a tenacious regard for the national good.  Clear adherence to these two principles will, over time, result not only in electoral success, but the ability to govern. To promote conservative solutions near term, Republicans must learn to govern from outside the Beltway by working with state governments and conservative think tanks to solve national problems and by challenging the liberal agenda, much of which is unconstitutional, in the courts.  Perhaps we should create a ULCA- the polar opposite of the ACLU, to litigate for conservative causes.  We know our principles are right and that our solutions can result in a better and stronger America.  It is up to us to place our ideas before the American people unadulterated by personal and political agendas and without baggage from the recent past.  We owe it to succeeding generations to make our case for individualism, liberty, and limited government.

"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.”

 —George Washington, letter to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, September 5, 1789

20 NOV 08

 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