The Republican Identity Crisis

Newsweek ^ | Dec. 25, 2006 | Michael Gerson

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...

This reaction previews a broader, high-stakes Republican debate as we head toward the 2008 election. One Republican Party—the Republican Party of movement conservatives on Capitol Hill and in the think-tank world—will argue that the "big government Republicanism" of the Bush era has been a reason for recent defeats.

Like all fundamentalists, the antigovernment conservatives preach that greater influence requires a return to purity—the purity of Reaganism.

But the golden age of austerity under Reagan is a myth.

...

As antigovernment conservatives seek to purify the Republican Party, it is reasonable to ask if the purest among them are conservatives at all. The combination of disdain for government, a reflexive preference for markets and an unbalanced emphasis on individual choice is usually called libertarianism. The old conservatives had some concerns about that creed, which Russell Kirk called "an ideology of universal selfishness." ...

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Gerson was a speechwriter and policy adviser to President Bush. He now is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a NEWSWEEK contributor.

Bush and his GOP cabal view limited government and fiscal conservatives with disdain--"an ideology of universal selfishness." No wonder there is such a chasm developing in the party.

[PeterFinn]

Limited government and fiscal conservatives obviously do not need to support the GOP anymore now that the party has clearly stated their disdain for us.

[I see my hands]

"Bush and his GOP cabal"

No wonder there is such a chasm developing in the party.

[TeenagedConservative]

Abandon the Republican Party. It is dead and deserves to be.

[NRA2BFree]

He now is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a NEWSWEEK contributor.

THAT is enough to label him as an enemy of America! Those who belong to CFR are hellbent on destroying America!

[Jacquerie]

Abandon the Republican Party. It is dead and deserves to be.

And go where?

[samm1148]

"Antigovernment conservatism turns out to be an idealism that strangles mercy"

I've never heard a bigger piece of liberal dogma than this. Why don't the compassionate conservatives just go to the so-called party of helping--the democrat party. Us "extremists" will do just fine.

[TeenagedConservative]

It doesn't matter. Once the Republican Party dies, there will be opportunity for a new coalition.

The Libertarian Party would be good if you must pin me down though.

[kcbc2001]

I'm wondering if we should think in terms of having an efficient and working government. It was really clear that this Congress wasn't working for our interests w/their crazed spending.

I'm not trying to suggest that it will "work" under the Dems, but I'm thinking that instead of talking about how to limit government's influence, how can we work to provide services for people in a cost-effective way - to provide for the defense and security and all the things that are absolutely necessary, while eliminating wasteful programs/spending.

It isn't selfish to want government to be small and non-intrusive; however, I know that I want our government to work in the 21st century.

These are just some thoughts/ideas...I consider myself to be a Republican, but I also want government to work for me - not against me.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Severe lack of testosterone in the Party, IMO. The past six years, the wimps have been wringing their hands instead of fighting back. The only chance the country has is for the GOP to use the RAT'S tactics back on them. Obstruct, accuse, obstruct, accuse.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The new party mascot!

[AmericanMade1776]

Any Republican who is having an Identity Crisis has obviously been watching too much left wing liberal spin.

[AmericanMade1776]

You are a fair weather Conservative, and pretty much subject to weak liberal knee jerk reactions, and maybe you don't deserve to be a Republican.

[AmericanMade1776]

All Lemmings who read an article posted on Newsweek, MSNBC please feel free to exit to the nearest Republican exit door, and join all the other sheeple headed for the Democrat Cliff and please Jump.

[AmericanMade1776]

Here is your party Mascot, Fred

[Jacquerie]

IIRC, the Libertarian Party was formed in 1972. Over the past 34 years they have seen only Ron Paul achieve federal office. Pitiful.

They can boast of no governors nor senators. It would appear that Libertarianism does not connect with any significant number of voters. A party without a base is not a party.

[rob777]

"Unfettered individualism can loosen those bonds, while government can act to strengthen them."



This is pure BS, expanding the role of government weakens these bonds by usurping the role of the institutions of Civil Society.

[Russ]

If you read the history of the Republican Party you will find that except for a few instances over the last 140 plus years, the party has never been a conservative party. It has been the party for conservatives but we were more or less tolerated by the liberal elites who ran the GOP.

It is worse today than at almost any other time in history. The GOP is controlled top to middle by liberal, big government ideologues and with no apparent Reagan/Goldwater type leader to lead a resurgence of the conservative wing. I believe it is time to either retake the party or move on. You don't have to form a new party or join a third party. For a start, just withhold donations and vote for only conservatives.

[AmericanMade1776]

Et tu, Russ! Another Lemming for an MSNBC, Newsweek liberal article. JUMP lemming!

[gidget7]

While withholding donations is good, we must also let them know why. Also let them know that when we start seeing conservatism, we will support it.