The Moderate Republican

We're Doomed! Doomed, I Tells Ya!

Some have thought that a Bush win would mean the end of moderate Republicans. Michael Cudahy wrote in an October 15 story for Common Dreams, a progressive journal that a second term would change the party and push the party's moderate heritage, "to the pages of history books."

Well, I have a few problems with this. First, the moderate principles he talks about, like abortion rights, have not been a part of the party's agenda for nearly a generation. The GOP of 2004 is certainly more conservative than it was 20 years ago, but even then, moderates were not in the driver's seat either.

Second, this loss does not and I repeat, does not spell the end of moderate Republicans unless we allow it to. If we lose hope and walk away, then of course, the principles of Roosevelt will die. However, if we see this as a wake up call and get involved, then things may turn around.

Cudahy is also upset that moderates like McCain and Schwarzenegger gave Bush cover during the campaign. He writes:

"Consequently, it is hard to understand why respected and visible moderate Republican leaders like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator John McCain, and former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani went to such lengths at the Republican Convention in New York to provide President Bush with important political cover. It is particularly difficult to understand when this administration has done virtually nothing to support their concerns."

While I do understand his frustration, I can also understand why someone like McCain would play nice and put up with Bush. Remember that he was personally attacked by the Bushies back in 2000 as the two ran for the presidential nomination. McCain got spanked. So, he has learned to pick his battles. He is still a maverick and his support for Bush seemed perfunctory instead of passionate. Cudahy answers his own question:

"In talking with Republican activists who have consistently supported moderate positions for decades, I discovered that none were willing to speak on the record. To a person they are intimidated by the extremely personal and well organized attacks by members of the Bush administration’s political operation."

Moderates like McCain have been targeted, not only by Bush, but by other right wing groups. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that moderates are a bit shell-shocked.

While I sometimes share Cudahy's frustration, it really doesn't help to browbeat moderates. It is hard to be a moderate these days. Going to the GOP caucus back in February was an uncomfortable if not scary event. It is hard to stick one's neck out when it very well might be snapped.

What Cudahy and others need to do is not chide moderates but give them the courage that he wants them to have. Moderates are scared. We need to be reminded that there is hope and the hope lies in ourselves when we get involved and come together.

I think there are many moderates out there who are as frustrated as I and Cudahy are. However, they feel alone and powerless against a well financed and well coordinated far right. We need to find ways to give moderate Republicans hope and courage and give them ways to come together. When they know that they are not alone and that together we can do something, then there will be change.

Speaking of which, as long as this blog is around, I hope it can encourage hope to moderates out there. Bush will end the moderate heritage of the GOP only if we allow it. Let's not give him or others the opportunity.

Posted by Dennis at November 4, 2004 08:27 PM