By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Bobby Jindral, Governor of Louisiana, has caused quite a stir in Republican circles calling on the party to throw off the mantle of the stupid and prejudiced among us. Pleading for an end to dumbed-down conservatism, the former golden boy of the party (before a disastrous 2009 televised reply to President Obama’s address to Congress) begged the party to turn away from being the champion of the “haves” and, most importantly, jettisoning its appeal to the lowbrow of society.
It is no secret we had a number of Republicans damage our brand this year with offensive, bizarre comments — enough of that. It’s not going to be the last time anyone says something stupid within our party, but it can’t be tolerated within our party. We’ve also had enough of this dumbed-down conservatism. We need to stop being simplistic, we need to trust the intelligence of the American people and we need to stop insulting the intelligence of the voters.
That sentiment is being echoed in many of the cloistered salons of the GOP. Even bomb throwing (but weirdly cerebral) Newt Gingrich, responding to Mitt Romney’s childish comment that he lost the election to Obama because of bribes gifts to core Democratic constituencies, seems poised to make a philosophical change of course. “I just think it’s nuts,” Gingrich said on ABC. “I mean, first of all, it’s insulting. The job of a political leader in part is to understand the people. If we can’t offer a better future that is believable to more people, we’re not going to win.” Amen.
The transition appears broad-based and involves more than a little soul-searching for the political party whose victories in the 2010 mid-term elections seemed to leave it poised for a complete take over of the government this time around. The shock of November 6th seems sincere enough and could lead to something we haven’t seen in conservative circles for some time – a push to make the party one of ideas and not just demagoguery.
Not so long ago — before the party was held hostage by that tax-pledging Rumpelstiltskin of the Right, Grover Nordquist, — Republicans felt free to represent conservative values and the nation’s interests. Imagine a Republican congressperson saying today, “I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.” That was the late Everett Dirksen, the horn-rimmed Senator from Illinois, and one of the men directly responsible for the Herculean efforts to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Open Housing Act of 1968. Both laws decidedly liberal, decidedly unpopular, and decidedly needed to realize the American dream of social equality.
Voting for cloture against the southern Democrats who filibustered the measures, Dirksen told the Senate:
Victor Hugo wrote in his diary substantially this sentiment, ‘Stronger than all the armies is an idea whose time has come.’ The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing of government, in education, and in employment. It must not be stayed or denied.’
That’s intellectual gravitas not seen in the GOP in some time. Compare it to the rhetoric from the current Republican intelligentsia, this time in the person of South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer arguing against the Food Stamp Program and free school lunches for poor children:
My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better.
It doesn’t take a physicist to see how far the party’s grip on the American soul has slipped or how fast.
What can a resurrected GOP accomplish? Here are some ideas:
1. Less Government Intrusion Into Our Lives – The GOP has a traditional and noble role of advocating smaller government with an eye on protecting the property and privacy of its citizens. It was Dirksen who said, “It is the expansion of Federal power, about which I wish to express my alarm. How easily we embrace such business.” Few people would disagree that endless (sometimes mindless) government regulations and bureaucratic red tape are social ills that an effective government could end. Henry David Thoreau’s observation that, “[t]he best government is that which governs least” is as true to the American psyche now as it was in 1849.
2. Strong National Defense — The world is still a dangerous place as Einstein used to say. Whatever you think about the military-industrial complex, it’s worth remembering it is that institution that’s kept us safe and free for decades although we can certainly debate the costs of that security. It’s also worth remembering that for all our flaws, America remains the only nation in the history of the world who having once conquered foreign lands promptly returned it to the indigenous people to govern. A strong America means some sense of justice in the world if only an imperfect one.
3. Protection of Privacy – A political party founded on conservative principles could be in the forefront of protecting the privacy of its citizens. Women’s issues should be the cutting edge of that philosophy especially those relating to control over their own bodies. True conservatism means less government interference in personal decisions and a rejuvenated Republican Party could lead on this issue with perfect philosophical consistency.
4.Advocating For Small Business – The backbone for the American economy remains small business. According to the SBA, fifty percent of all American jobs remain in small business (defined as any entity employing 500 workers of fewer). Most importantly small business fill niches in the labor market that are under-served. For example small businesses employ greater proportions of Hispanics than large businesses (65% versus 35%). Also small businesses hire more high school degree or lower attaining workers as well as more of the elderly and disabled than large business. While small business does not match large business in campaign contributions it is the largest growth area in the economy and worthy of support from a party openly dedicated to capitalism.
These are just a few of the areas where bona fide conservative principles aid rather than detract from the national dialogue. A return to them, and away from the religion-based rhetoric that got the GOP scorched in the last national election, would mean a stronger party and a stronger nation.
For the two-party system to work you really do need two viable political parties who are willing to both advocate and cooperate. The GOP has done a poor job of both. If demographics truly are destiny in politics, the GOP will have to change or die. For the sake of all of us, let’s hope they change.
~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Update 7:46 p.m.: Is the dike breaking? South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has added his name the growing number of Republicans rebuking Grover Norquist’s no tax hike pledge. Graham joins Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) in disavowing the now almost two decade old pledge. “I’m willing to generate revenue,” Graham said on ABC. “It’s fair to ask my party to put revenue on the table. We’re below historic averages.” New York Republican Congressman Peter King has also refused to honor the pledge bushing off any of Norquist’s threats of retaliation saying, “A pledge you signed 20 years ago, 18 years ago, is for that Congress.” Norquist was nonplussed and blasted Chambliss. “If he wants to change his mind and become a tax increaser so we don’t have to reform government, he needs to have that conversation with the people of Georgia,” Mr. Norquist said on CNN’s “The Situation Room.” Chambliss retorted that “I care more about my country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge.”
This one is going to get good.
Source: CNN
“I would vote for Elizabeth Warren in the primary if they both ran.” (Tony C)
Right now, I would too, but I’ll reserve a whole-hearted yes till early 2015. I need to see how she handles that cesspool we call the United States Senate and, more importantly, how hard she works to take care of her constituents within the state. Hillary did both extremely well.
Mark:
It would certainly be beneficial for all if the Republican party adopted the items you suggest. I might add another:
Environmental Stewardship The unfortunate reality is that the average American tends to look at Environmentalists as being left wing tree huggers who they do not identify with. The Republicans could adopt a position similar to conservationists in the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt where essentially the same goal is accomplished but without the anti-business, over regulated, hippie reputation the environmentalists have earned themselves.
One approach would be to declare as harmful spill-over costs the practice of harming the environment by industry and offer research and incentives for businesses to clean up: in short taking a platfom of “we are helping industry help the environment.” But still having the teeth to go after those who ignore this and damage it.
Another sample approach would be to declare “Foreign oil is often provided by states with abysmal human rights records (IE saudi arabia). To create jobs in the US, abandon support for repressive regimes and clean the atmosphere we support clean generation of electricity and new technologies for electric cars.”
The above would resonate with just about every side of the political spectrum here.
In addition to the strategic value for the Republicans in bringing on more subscribers to their program, it would not attack the traditional environmentalists who would likely still stay with the democrats but now we would have a situation where both sides are fighting for essentially the same goal and not using this goal as a weapon against the other politically.
More importantly, it would benefit the Earth, which last time I checked was the only place we can live currently.
SwM and others,
Thanks for the name. Duval Patrick
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duval_patrick
But counsel for Coca-Cola etc.? Sold out early?
@Blouise: If there is any time ripe for a female President it is in the Democratic Party in 2016. If you are hinting at Hillary, I do not think Hillary is the only contender; there is a chance that Warren could pull an “Obama” and jump from a first term senator after four years to the White House.
Hillary has baggage; including the blatant lies about ducking bullets when the video shows her meeting children with flowers; including her mismanagement of funds and incompetence in her campaign against Obama. That stuff may be forgiven, but at the moment (and not knowing the future) I would vote for Elizabeth Warren in the primary if they both ran.
BettyKath,
Tony said, “Here would be my prescription for a “real” Republican party: ”
———
I would vote for that party. Oh, I already did. It’s the Green Party.”
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I almost got tears in my eyes while reading TonyC’s excellent propaganda. One can get tears of cynicism, can’t you?
Now Tony’s party will never exist in the form of a reformed Republican one. I am convinced that 75 percent of the party would be lost if Tony’s dreams were realized.
From you BK, I would ask to see some experience in creating an effective third party, which would steal votes from both parties.
http://www.greenparty.ca/media-release/2012-11-21/elizabeth-may-parliamentarian-year
OTTAWA – Green Leader Elizabeth May won top honours at tonight’s 2012 Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, an annual event organised by Macleans’ and L’Actualité. The MPs themselves voted in eight categories to select the winners.
“I am so honoured to receive such an enormous award from my colleagues in the House. I am the first woman to receive the Parliamentarian of the Year award. And certainly I hope by next year, or even next week, I will not be the only Green MP,” said Elizabeth May, Green Party of Canada Leader and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
Runner-ups for the most coveted award of the night were Bob Rae (Toronto Centre) and Rodger Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso). The full list of winners is here.
Gene,
It appears that anyone who has any respect for the constitution is in limbo these days…..
Don’t worry…. One day people will understand that polarization is the problem…..
dredd,
“Big Time bingo!
Sometimes I drift into contemplation of theories which begin with a premise that this is scripted from a layer of planning somewhere above national governments and political parties.”
========================
Didn’t you introduce us to the power of the 148 companies who are supranational and intend to succeed national sovereignity?
Feel like finishing off the week with signing a petition to Obama? Not mine, but I pass it on. A subject we have all debated. Take a look, that costs nothing.
OK, here it is:
http://wh.gov/IXcy
Dredd,
“Like Mark E said, it would be better for all concerned if they could pull it off and eject the stupidity from their midst.
I am not holding my breath, but I am also not sure they will fail.”
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Let none of us forget what we have said repeatedly during the campaign. Both parties are catering to the same vested interests.
Abandoning them is suicide for any party, whose sole purpose is to retain office and power.
They both ride the horse of the MICS&P faction, with excellent support from alcohol, big insurance, big pharma, war on drugs, on terrorism, on true domestic democracy, etc.
How easily we forget.
This is just a trial balloon with the public and the party itself. The district chiefs and the ward heelers and lovers of a graft.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/scocca/2012/11/mitt_romney_white_voters_the_gop_candidate_s_race_based_monochromatic_campaign.html Eighty eight percent of Romney voters were white.
raff,
I just don’t know but I found this rather telling:
“Warren Buffett Endorses Hillary Clinton For President In 2016
Sorry, America. You probably imagined we’d get a break from presidential campaigning, but Warren Buffett has other ideas.
The billionaire investor just endorsed Hillary Clinton for President in 2016.
“I hope it’s Hillary Clinton,” Buffett, the fourth-richest man in the world, told CNN on Wednesday. “I like what she believes in. I think she’s extraordinarily able and energetic for that matter in pushing those beliefs. I don’t see how you could have anybody better qualified.”
Never shy about sharing his beliefs with the public, Buffett sparked a national debate about taxes after penning a New York Times op-ed last year calling for higher taxes on the rich to help reduce the deficit.
Clinton has been toying with everyone since forever, it seems, on whether or not she’ll run in 2016. She has not completely ruled it out. The former U.S. Senator and First Lady was the runner-up in the 2008 Democratic primary contest, and she has served as Secretary of State for the past four years.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/warren-buffett-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president-2016_n_2137285.html
Swarthmore Mom,
Late arriving.
“Swarthmore mom
1, November 25, 2012 at 9:27 am
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/08/gop-respect-women-or-keep-losing.html Obama won the women’s vote 55-44.”
This then means that Romney took the men by ca 52-47.
What makes men so stupid?
Besides … if you keep all the nut jobs … the sociopathic CEOs, the no-tax but give me infrastructure bozos, the racists and bigots, the militiamen gun totters, the charismatic Christians speaking in tongues and rolling down the aisle for a quick healing … all in one party, then you can keep an eye on them.
Constitution … how quaint.
I’ve had enough … I’m going to do something really important … like watching the Browns?Steelers game.
Malisha,
Right on.
Ability to lead and leading properly are not the same thing.
The only blind spot is forgiving accountability for people in your party of choice who turn a blind eye to wrongdoing for political reasons just like Pelosi did.
In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
Both parties are willfully blind to the damage they are doing in eroding the protections afforded by the Constitution. I don’t care a bit about either party. They could both go the way of the Dodo and I wouldn’t shed a tear. The Constitution, on the other hand, is critical.
Blouise, Of course, Obama is healthy enough. Look at the relationship he has with Michele and the girls.
Blouise, nobody gets this because the “rule of two choices” really does work.
When I did day-care for a living my own kid was 3. I found other kids harder to dal with than my own so I read books. One of them said that when the kids wouldn’t agree to an activity or a suggestion, you should “give them two choices” but make the choices actually “one” choice, i.e., “do what I want you to do.”
Examples:
“OK you have two choices: either you can let Jennifer keep playing with the fire engine or you can bring over one of those other trucks and follow after her fire engine with the truck.”
“OK you have two choices: either you can go out onto the back balcony to keep on screaming or you can quiet down and stay here with us in the living room.”
“OK you have two choices: either you can give up snack or you can wash your hands before I give you these egg rolls.”
on and on.
So one day I instituted the “two choices” method in my in-home day-care center. My kid watched. The next morning he came to breakfast before the children arrived for day-care. He sat down and announced, “Mommy, you have two choices. You can either give me ice cream for breakfast or chocolate cake.”
I gave him ice cream.
Blouise,
I think we will see Obama return the favor for Clinton, if Hillary runs in 2016. However, I am predicting that she will not run for President. Just a gut feeling, no facts.
Gene,
Oops … sorry.
Wrote the post that appears at 2:16p but went to fix my latte and get a piece of cherry strudel … then sat down and hit the post button. Thus I missed your post at 2:00p.
“This is part and parcel of the comment about the dangers of single party government.” (Gene)
Now that is my biggest fear and I believe something that has already occurred. And man, if people weren’t so dam interested in defending or attacking Obama they would see that his ego is healthy enough and thus he will do the work of the party … lead the party to that happy place where Republicans exist simply for show … a pseudo-second party covering the reality of single party rule.
Why does nobody get this??!!