The Moderate Republican

You're a Good Man, Bob Faust

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
— Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizenship in a Republic," speech at the Sorbonne, Paris (April 23, 1910)

For those of you who don't know, Bob Faust lost in his primary against incumbent Marilyn Musgrave. While I would have wished for him to score an upset against a person that I believe has sullied the GOP with her sponsorship of a hate-filled amendment, it was not meant to be at this time.

However, I want to use this space to thank Bob for his bravery and courage. Too often these days, moderate Republicans seem to run away from challenging the religious right. Too many think staying in the party and working for change is a lost cause and either jump ship to the Democrats or become independents.

However, Bob was willing to step up to the plate. He ran a campiagn with very little money and tried his best. Yes he lost, but in the long run he might have planted a seed. People forget that it took decades for the far right to control the GOP and it will take a while for moderates to regain control. There will be losses, but the fact that a Republican alternative was given to voters planted ideas in people's minds.

I hope in the future, we will see more moderates make a run for office and get moderate ideas out there to the people. We are not always going to win, that's politics. But if we keep on keeping on, in time people will start listening.

Bob, I hope that you will stay active in the GOP as a strong moderate voice. I hope you will speak out for health care reform, the environment and gay rights. Your loss was not in vain.

Keep the faith, Bob and thanks.

Posted by Dennis at August 11, 2004 11:46 PM