I hear some winds of change whistling among the trees of the Republican Party. How refreshing.
Agitatingly dissatisfied with the divisive, intrusive, and expensive actions and attitudes of conservative members, internal factions for change seem to be growing.
Republican Senator Lincoln Chaffee's success over conservative primary challenger Stephen Laffey is being sound-bit as a sign that moderates might be rising to power.
Incidentally supporting this, "The Arizona Republic" wrote on September 13, 2006 (link) that Sen. Carolyn Allen, a moderate Republican incumbent, won the primary against her conservative challenger, Collete Rosati. Rosati was quoted as saying she will not support her primary opponent in the November election. A blow to Republican unity?
And in Ohio, The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes on the same day (link) that an influential group of moderate Republicans have publicly proclaimed support for Ohio's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Ted Strickland rather than support the conservative Republican candidate, Ken Blackwell.
ModerateRepublican.net (link) - a site that looks like it was abandoned after the 2004 election - says that Moderate Republicans date back to the 1860s and are also known as "progressive-conservatives".
The site quotes Paul Peter Jesep, (Founder of Moderate Republican.com, past National Vice President of the Ripon Society; and former member of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee) as saying:
"Moderate Republicans believe in community, compassion, pragmatism, common sense, political-fellowship, and, most importantly -- intellectual honesty. This passion is pursued within the broad framework of enlightened Lincolnian principles. Moderate Republicans stand in a crowded room, with the burning spirit of Lincoln in their hearts -- truth, fairness, justice, and limited-compassionate government -- when all others sit during difficult times. Moderates are loyal to serving the greater good -- not an entrenched party leadership. Government, whether limited or expansive, must serve everyone. "
Another strong voice in the press and media for the moderate factions in the Republican party is IMP-PAC, (It's My Party Too), (link) founded by former New jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. I witnessed an interview with Ms. Whitman on The Colbert Report, and she was pleasingly impressive.
From their web site's fact sheet: IMP-PAC is described as a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially inclusive Republican candidates at all levels of government. They advocate a return to "the historic Republican principles" of individual responsibility, personal freedom, and fiscal accountability and consider themselves True Conservative Republicans - Republicans who believe in smart fiscal values; who believe that government should have a limited role in American's personal lives; and who believe in a strong national defense.
For myself, I was lovingly raised by moderate Republicans. The recent actions and attitudes of the conservative arms cause a lot of conflict with the personal freedom and liberty focus I was raised on.
It's nice to sense that the old forest is still back there, behind the current obscuring trees. The breezes sneaking out smell sweet and verdant, like the GOP's GOVs, (Grand Old Values).
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Comments: 38
(side note: it shouldn't surprise anyone that chaffee won - rhode island is a heavily democratic state so it only makes sense that he beat out a more conservative opponent.)
Today, the northeast and the west coast (plus Arizona) are the homelands of moderate Republicans, while the south is the bastion of the conservative wings. The mid-west and central states are an oft-ruled playing field, but not always.
Moderate Republicans are a huge swath in the Republican party. It's been my impression these past six years that most of them have felt trapped by their loyalty, to vote for candidates they haven't really been pleased with.
A rise in available and viable moderate candidates would be received as a blessing by many members of the GOP.
yes, i'm gla dto see more moderation, but i'd prefer to see a swing heavily to the left...
gee, are we arguing?! i like you anyway!
I wasn't arguing. Your comment had me remembering the geographic distribution of moderate, conservative and liberal republicans that my research showed, so I mentioned it. I probably should have included it in the article.
btw - where in upstate new york?
It's a bad habit of mine to say "upstate." I adopted it from being exposed to a lot of people from The Big Apple during my childhood. Anything other than NYC was upstate to them. It's kind of like that everywhere in the US. Anything that is NY, but not the city is called "upstate."
My understanding is that the republican party supported Chaffee because they were afraid Laffy would loose a seat to a democrat, and Chaffee stood a better chance of keeping a republican in office.
I don't know if it is a sign of change or a sign of cutting their losses, but I'm all for moderation.
I am tired of all the bipartisan bickering back and forth...and the extreme ideas...from one end of the spectrum to the other. What ever happened to middle ground?
You may find this silly or stupid - because many Democrats regard Republicans as stupid ( a huge mistake since the republicans keep winning elections) - but Arnold S in Calif is a preview of the new republican party.
He is a savvy politician who knows when to say he made a mistake and he follows the people rather than ideology.
Like Regan the democrats have sorely underestimated him and he is breaking new ground on what can be achieved. He will never be presidential material but his model will soon be in a state near you.
What a great description of Conservative Republicanism!
Now will someone specify EXACTLY what "Lincolnian principles" means?
One of the strongest tenents of the Republican Party has been party loyalty. In Ohio's statehouse we recently had a heavy handed speaker of the house (Republican) who pulled and rearranged committee assignments to punish those who opposed his leadership goals and missions.
I found it very offensive to think that the person who's job it is to represent and protect my views and interests could be stripped of power for not putting the interests of one party, or party leader, ahead of their district's, constiuent's and electorate's interests and needs.
The dismissive disrespect to the voting taxpayer as nothing more than an individually-worhtless fungible source of revenue is apalling.
1) I believe homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God.
2) I believe that no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child.
3) I believe that adoption and foster parenting by homosexuals is a moral transgression against the child.
4) I believe those promoting homosexuality should not be allowed to hold responsible positions over children or other vulnerable people.
5) I believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle detrimental to the health and well-being of individuals.
6) I believe all forms of homosexuality are morally wrong and damaging to society in the long term.
7) I oppose attempts to legitimize homosexual relationships.
8) I support legislation to keep homosexual acts illegal.
9) I believe homosexual behavior is not normal.
10) I do not believe that known practicing homosexuals should serve as teachers in public schools
The above statements are verbatim quotes from various state GOP platforms, from Oregon to Oklahoma, Texas to North Carolina
Stand for something - or you'll stand for everything
Moderation makes its stand in the middle of the road. Extremists stand along their respective sides hurling insults at and across the middle, while hawking total obedience to their way.
And Moderates ARE starting to stand-up more and more for something. They are standing up to raise a voice of sensibleness amidst the extremist rhetoric.