The Moderate Republican

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I live in the most conservative city in the United States - Colorado Springs, Colorado!!! You know that some of the conservative right want to let their hair down -- but the peer pressure is too great to indulge themselves. In order for the Republican Party to recognize the Moderate, like myself, we're going to have to do it from within. Perot, had the right idea, at the wrong time. But, if we could start our own national political action committee "The Moderate Republicans" we could put pressure on the party --not in 5 or 10 years, but in 18 months to two years, or at least, by the next Republican Presidential Primary and national election. It will be a big undertaking -- who's up for the challenge? Are you Dennis (contact me)? Instead of wondering where we'll (Moderates) be lets do something about it. I personally, will try to start a Moderate Republican chapter here in Colorado Springs. Who's with me? We'll need to take baby steps -- create a mission and vision statement, etc. We can do this.

Thanks for your comments, Dave. I think what appeals to me about Regan is his power to unite people, his charming and persuasive nature, and his strength of convition. Although, yes, he was conservative in many respects, he also had moderate appeal. I especially like the hard line he took against communism and the Soviet Union in the 80's.

Bush, on the other hand, has too many outwardly extreme qualities about him - his sympathy for the religious right, his strong ties to big oil, and then there's his vice-preseident and his baggage.

I mention McCain because he has the same moderate appeal as Regan. Also, he is an honorable man; his Viet Nam experience has been well chronicled. Although, I'd be lying if I didn't say that the media's adoration of him was a little troubling to me.

I know that my Common Sense Party would applaud Bush for not remaining passive in the war on terror (as the left would loke), but would be critical of Bush as a politician; and in his reliance on ideology over a, well, common sense.

Winston,

I find it interesting that you included Reagan in your list of moderates. Considering that Bush has tried to be Reagan's ideological heir, how do you feel that the two differ? In what way was Reagan a moderate that today's GOP establishment is not?

I mean this as a serious question. I feel the future of Republicanism is somewhere between Santorum and Specter, but I think to go too far towards either end of that spectrum is to lose those on the other end and blow up the coalition. I do find it interesting that many Reagan Republicans in the '90s felt that Perot and McCain were the true ideological heirs to Reagan and not the Bushes.

Anyone have insights on this? I may bring it up on my blog.

"Who's with me?"

I'm all for common sense Winston.

Thank GOD! I thought I was the only moderate left on Earth. I agree with most of the posts here.

I am not a Bush fan by any stretch, but it's gonna be tough voting for Kerry. I really think we need a Rep like Reagan again, maybe McCain. Bush has too much baggage at this point - and the HATRED coming for the far left is very disturbing. The political discourse in this country has gotten so bad that I almost want Kerry to win, just so we can get a break from it.

Unfortunately, that might just bring out the fanatical right, just as Bush has motivated the radical left.

Either way, moderates meed a voice. This lunacy has to stop.

I am thinking about starting my own political party - the Common Sense Party. Politics have been hijacked by extremists like Ann Coulter, Al Franken, Rush Limbaugh and, of course, Michael "Hindsight 911" Moore.

Common Sense needs to make a comeback. Who's with me?

I've become distressed over the state of the only party I called home all of my life. When I was 5 years old, I cried when Ford lost to Carter.

Now, I'm hoping for the defeat of my party's nominee for President in order to save the party. Bush winning a second term will embolden the far right which have Bush at their beck and call. Jim Jeffords had the courage to step up and go independent. I'm going further -- I'm going to swallow my pride and vote for Kerry. I think only a sharp electoral defeat can discredit the Jerry Falwell fringe and bring moderates back to the table in the GOP.

This is an interesting question. I consider myself a true "moderate Republican" as I am probably to the right of most people on this board but to the left of Cheney, Rummy, etc. As a Michigan native, I believe the Republican Party can only survive if it embraces a more national agenda and stops concentrating power in the "conservative L" of the nation --- the region that starts near Idaho, swings down through Texas, and heads east to Georgia. This nation is more regionally polaized than it has been since the early 20th Century. Back then, McKinley won two elections with an electoral map that mirrored the 2000 and likely 2004 victories of George W. Bush. Like Bush, McKinley managed to divide the country in half and unite the conservative half of the nation behind the conservative GOP establishment. Like McKinley, Bush will never garner more than a bare majority if he follows this route of polarization.

How did the GOP break out of this 50/50 nation in the 1900s? With a hero of mod repubs named Teddy Roosevelt. TR managed to unite the country and set the Republican Party up for 25 more yrs of dominance by inviting moderates back in the party. In 2000, we almost had our own TR as John McCain generated enthusiasm amongst moderates in the North who hadn't vote GOP since 1988, 1984, or even 1972!

McCain will be too old to run in 2008, but the next GOP presidential candidate must be able to unite Perot/McCain Republicans with Bush Republicans to form a majority that will do the right things for the country. There are plenty of candidates out there for the job, including Romney, Rudy, etc. Most importantly, though, moderate Republicans CANNOT view this as a war on conservatives. Trying to pick fights with Pat Robertson the way McCain did in 2000 will only unite conservatives against you and throw you back into the political corner. Rockefeller Republicanism is gone. Trying to revive it is futile. A new kind of moderate Republicanism, the kind effectively used by Northern governors like Ridge in PA and Romney in MA, is the brand that conservatives will tolerate. The key thing to remember is that you share many of the same goals as conservatives: limited government, a strong defense, etc. Work with the conservatives, and not against them, and we can be a national party once more.

I think this election will be key for the Republican party and their current platform. If Bush loses, its a possibilty they could throw up a republican who supports civil unions for gays and is pro choice (except for partial birth)

But as the years go buy the country will slowly become more and more liberal, because people will start living in big cities. I think its mostly the country folk in the southern states that keep the republican party alive, and their numbers decrease every year

Do you think there is a future for moderate Republicans in the GOP?

Well, if there is it'll be a while, like 10-20 years maybe longer. The religious right is so strong right now having put Bush, Ashcroft, Sen. Brownback and other fundamentalists etc. into some of the highest positions in government, it will take a while for the GOP leadership to change. Sure there are a few moderate Republicans who aren't afraid to speak up like McCain, Chuck Hagel, Pat Buchanan but most of those guys would still vote for Bush (I've heard Pat Buchanan say in so many words that he wouldn't). But where is Guiliani? Where is Schwarzenegger?

Ultimately, what this says is that when you draw a line in the sand and ask who's on whose side most Republicans still believe in George Bush's vision of America. A country without Stem Cell Research, where the federal budget's top priority is giving the wealthiest 2% a tax cut (while cutting Veterans benefits, after school programs and healthcare to avg. Americans) and where the seperation of church and state is non-existent.
This is why I wish more people would run as Independents so they don't have to answer to their political party.

Those who want to be moderate conservatives can join the conservative wing of the Democratic party (ala Lieberman) or just run as an Independent.

The moderate republican must stand up to the neocons. If we wait for the pendulum to swing back to center we are in for a long haul. The Fahrenheit 9/11 proponents are making it so easy for the neocons to justify their position that the undecideds will swing towards the right.

I still find it difficult to subscribe to the notion that the majority of rank and file Republican voters are comfortable with what is happening to this country.

That is a notion advanced by political insiders and the pooh bah's who pimp for them.

Most of the Republicans I know (actually all of them) are not bigots. They are tolerant and compassionate and loving.

Most of the Republicans I know are gradually becoming more and more incensed that a government of the people, by the people and for the people now places corporate special interests above our common interest.

I can only believe, that in the not too distant future, they will be seething.

There is an instinct to circle the wagons that can not be ignored, especially given the attacks coming from the left - and especially given the fact that Democrats are seemingly unable to produce a leader who can span the current cultural and ideological divide.

But all that aside, the real problem here it seems to me, is that Americans (of all stripes) have forgotten that it is our votes (especially our primary votes)

as much as our military service,

that defends our democracy.

And it seems to me that too many of us have forgotten the example of Eisenhower,

who repeatedly made it plain as fresh saw dust, that he placed an allegiance to this country above an allegiance to any political party or any ideology.

How one goes about jogging that particular collective memory, I have no idea.

But then again, I'm in no position to lecture - because up until this year, I never voted in a primary either.

As to where moderate Republicans will end up? -

My prediction is that just as Teddy Roosevelt began the Great American Century, moderate Republicans will begin the Next Great American Century (not to be confused with the Project for the New American Century).

because if you can't get it done, I'm not sure that it can be done.

Yes, there is a future for moderates in the republican party. The moderate republican will provide a balance that prevents the party from swinging too far to the right. Over time, we will bring the pendulum back towards the middle. The struggle will be difficult, but I believe there are enough republicans out there who are willing to fight for the party, that we will save it. If not, then the independents will gain the majority of voters.