Posted on 01/20/2010 10:25:30 AM PST by bmweezer
Massachusetts voters have created a political upheaval not seen in recent memory. However, now that the red, white and blue balloons in Boston have come down, it’s time for Republicans to have a reality check.
Scott Brown is a moderate Republican, at best
There once was a time when the Republican Party was truly a big tent, in the sense that conservative and moderates a like worked together for the good of the country and to a lesser extent, for the party. However, in recent years, as the balance of power in Washington got so close between Republicans and Democrats, causing one or two votes separating the two sides, on key issues certain Republicans were forced to show their left-of-center hands, with some leaving the party all together. (Think: Arlen Specter, Jeff Jeffords, to name two.)
While we are all thrilled about Brown’s victory, in some respects he will quickly become a disappointment. While the Senator-elect will be with us on health care, defense and on ways we can create private sector jobs (less government), he won’t make us happy on other issues. For example, while Brown confirms that he will vote against the current health care package (whatever that is), he also indicated that he is open to restarting the debate to get a bill passed. In addition, don’t forget that Brown is pro-choice, which down the road will certainly cause some conservatives pause. And let us not forget that he will represent blue-state Massachusetts and will be up for reelection in just three years time.
It’s only 41 seats
Brown’s accession will quickly slow down President Obama’s agenda, but not completely. One might recall that when the president was inaugurated, the Democrats did a lot in the U.S. Senate when they also had (just) 59 seats. Then, Arlen Specter caucused with the Republicans, but the president was still able to get enough Republican support to push through the stimulus plan and the like, because people like Specter supported the president. While the GOP now has 41 seats again (the Democrats gained their 60th seat when Specter switched parties last spring), it only takes the Democrats to peel off one GOPer to move their legislation through. The only way a filibuster can stop the president is if all 41 members of the Republican team stay in place and that might not happen in certain cases.
We need moderate Republicans in moderate states, like it or not.
Most of us on the right would like to believe that the entire nation is conservative and because of that, all moderate and left-wingers are bad people with bad ideas. However, Brown's victory needs to show us that for the GOP to survive (and govern), the party needs to return to the days of a 'Big Tent Strategy.' In blue-states in particular, a tried-and-true conservative will most likely not win. However, moderate GOPers will. Therefore, we need to keep that in mind when we discuss our party's goal of taking back the majority - it cannot happen with just conservatives, like it or not. Conservatives, therefore should praise the recruitment of moderate candidates in areas where they are required, while helping to defeat less conservative Democrats in states where true GOP conservatives can be elected. (Think Arkansas, Indiana)
However, 2010 isn’t 2009
And yet, we should be optimistic about the year ahead. First and foremost, the Brown election proves that the president’s popularity is indeed waning. Representatives on the Hill react to presidential poll numbers and with the 2010 mid-terms looming, Democrats know their days could be numbered. Unlike in 2008 and 2009 when all woes could be blamed on George W. Bush, in 2010, it is the Democrats that will get the blame on the economy, national security and the like if things don’t change. Therefore, Brown’s election is simply one battle won in a long war ahead.
“The RINO brigade was bound to come down on Brown. Surprised it happened so quickly.”
Agree. A lot of people here seem to think that you’re either a conservative or a ‘RINO’ and they ignore the reality that there are many shades in between. Today’s RINO might be tomorrow’s conservative and vice versa, depending on how they vote with respect to the latest important piece of legislation. Even among those who are widely accepted as being conservative, there are important degrees of difference. For example, I see John Bolton as a sort of benchmark in conservatism. That is to say, it’s hard for me to imagine anyone being more conservative than he is. But using John Bolton as the standard, even Dick Cheney himself seems pathetically RINO-ish. So let’s not spoil our happy moment today by RINO-Borking our victorious new senator from Massachusetts. Considering what is possible in that state, who were we expecting them to elect, John Bolton?
Less than 1 day and now it is bad news. There are no perfect people and to expect such is very unrealistic. This is a truly a special moment in politics. Can the Republican Party step up and to start with, hit a single? Balance the budget, no more deficit spending. No more bailouts. No more private business restrictions. No more high taxes. No more illegal immigration. No more lying. No more government hiring. No more promises to get re-elected. Nation first, politics a distant second. Doubles, triples and home runs will happen, but 1st base first.
The guy lost me when I got to the “big tent” bullshit.
Thanks....wonder if the gays comprised that 15%...and who was in the 84%...would be nice to know.
I would rather have someone voting 97% of the time with the GOP and able to think for himself and stand on his own convictions, than one who votes 100% of the time and just follows along like a robot.
You got that right, hoss. I backed Romney during the election and was called every name in the book. It soured me to FR for some time. Some people on FR would like it to become “us four and no more, and I sometimes wonder about the other three.”
Thanks for your comment. I agree entirely. There is no standard, defined definition of conservative, and people throw this RINO term around if there is some particular policy a Republican doesn’t like.
Personally, I think the Pubs need to put first principals first: Strong national defense, limited federal government, and limited taxation.
I think the war between the small government/fiscal conservative portion of the party and the so-called social conservatives improves the Dems chances of winning elections, and then we wind up with an Obamunist radical.
I think its time to realize that the majority of the country is center right and drop the firebrand stuff.
This is not to trash the man, more like saying a New England Republican is moderate until proven conservative (if ever).
Celebrate the win, celebrate the 41, but prepare for disappointments here and there.
As a long time fan of Palin long before McCain picked her, I was shocked by some of the comments about her right here on FR the day he chose her. As I was doing cartwheels, others were saying “Palin who?” and “Oh no a another Rino” on several FR post. Who posted those, I don't know. Maybe Mitt, Huckster, or Tancredo supporters, or maybe DU trolls trying to bate us into a fight. In any case they commented before doing any research. The same thing is happening today with Brown.
You either are, or you aren't. In the same way, no one could pressure me to become a liberal. It just couldn't happen! I'd have to lose my soul to become a liberal.
I have argued that point till I'm blue in the face. Too many think in terms of 'black and white'. In everything there are 'shades of grey', degrees of shading, likes and dislikes, dos and don'ts.
Question; 'Care for a hamburger?'
Answer; 'sure, but no pickles please'.
Reply; 'I love pickles, but no tomato for me'.
In black and white we would all love burgers 'all the way', or we would all hate burgers, period.
“PRESSURE BROWN TO BECOME A CONSERVATIVE!”
In reality, that would be the antithesis of why he got elected in the first place. In essence, he would be the next in line to ignore his constituency.
The real issue is for conservatives to open the eyes of their liberal friends to the lies and deceit of the left, and the fallacies of their thinking. Encourage them to question liberal dogma spouted by leftists politicians, academia and the MSM. We need to win hearts and souls of Democrat and Independent voters to a more realistic way of thinking, not set up another politician for a backlash. Only then will you prepare our country, and Massachusetts, to accept a more reasonable, workable role for government.
YOU CAN HELP..
Actually I'm thrilled. I have no delusions that Mr. Brown is a true-blood conservative, but for the moment it is enough that the liberals in DC think he represents all the fire breathing right wingers. The alternative of the Dems retaining their 60 seat majority was so depressing that I can't be anything but happy about this. And for Mass. Mr. Brown is a real right of center guy.
What RINO badge?
Brown’s a moderate? I was led to believe that he is pro-waterboarding, pro military (he’s a Lt Col) anti abortion and pro business. What’s wrong with him? He could be a big player in the party. I (I’m anti abortion, pro military, anti tax and pro business, but not really anti gay) would support him in a heartbeat. I vote for anyone with a “R” after his/her name.
Absolutely....this guy is pretty conservative especially for Massachusetts...he may have trouble holding onto some of the independents and dems that voted for him.
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Excellent post potlatch!
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