It's the second anniversary of the death of President Reagan and there remains no shortage of nostalgia for that great man. His funeral reminded us in the best Michael Deaver produced "Morning in America" style what President Reagan meant to all of us. And as conservatives grumble or outright rebel over the compromises President Bush has made on issues like immigration, many long for the days that are now fondly remembered. We ask: can we find another leader of such character, integrity and good nature to lead us again?
Before we explore that question, a simple reminder: even President Reagan had his conservative critics who thought he had abandoned the movement that they collectively championed for so many years. Fred Barnes wrote a telling piece in the Los Angeles Times in December 1986 describing how some movement conservatives were cooling on Reagan and what the likely fallout would be. (excerpts and additional commentary at Conservative Blog Therapy).
Conservatives Stronger United Than Divided
The conservative movement, weakening itself from within is the greatest danger to advancing the cause, in albeit slow steps, towards the goal of a conservative majority government. I recall years ago doing field work on behalf of the late Congressman John Ashbrook, (R-OH) who sought to unseat arch liberal Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH). Meeting with a group of young conservatives we discussed a range of issues on which they had strong views. But much of the ideological litmus test they wished my candidate to pass would be electoral suicide. Half way through our meeting, one of them turned to the other and said He (meaning me) isn't one of us."
John Ashbrook was one of the early founders of the American conservative movement, and neither he, nor his staff, needed to apologize for his strongly held views. But we did have to win an election by representing a majority of voters, not simply take the lead in polling among doctrinaire conservatives. Sadly, John died before the primary and the great battle with Metzenbaum was not to be.
One thing that John said which sticks with me was his caution that "if you throw mud, you lose ground." He may just as well been talking about some of his conservative friends.
Taking New Ground: Looking ahead to 2008
Looking ahead, how do we gain the ground necessary to advance towards that elusive goal of a conservative governing majority?
Start by holding the ground we have in the battle for Congress in 2006. It's too late to completely overhaul the party this late in the game. Not all the cards have been dealt, but the deck has been shuffled, so place your bets and get ready to play.
Save most of the squabbling for next year when the 2008 presidential election process begins to heat up.
Despite the weariness we all feel of confronting the opposition's blind and unrelenting negativity for the last five years conservatism is alive and well and in some cases growing in key states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The grassroots organization that pulled off the spectacular Bush win in Ohio hasn't deserted the cause. It defeated a 2005 Democrat attempt to use the ballot initiative process to wrest control of the state's political machinery away from elected Republicans like Secretary of State Blackwell. And now Blackwell, a black conservative, stands a good chance of being elected governor this fall.
In Pennsylvania, similar moves are afoot. In the May 16 primary, what's been called a "political massacre" or "payback" against elected GOP incumbents who carelessly ignored the basic principles of Republican politics: less government, lower taxes. The massacre may also have been a reaction to the defeat of conservative Pat Toomey, who lost a very close primary battle with the liberal incumbent Arlen Specter in 2004.
That strong conservative impulse and organizational framework will be key to a conservative victory in 2008.
Leadership, Dedication, Compromise(?)
Just as we continue to advance by recruiting conservative candidates in local and state elections, we must have leadership at the top to advance towards our goal. That means winning the presidency in 2008.
Let's face it, there will never be another Reagan, certainly one that matches the mythic qualities we ascribe to our late leader. Compromise will be essential in cobbling together the various factions and groups necessary to win.
But the ability to compromise is hardly the first criteria for selecting a leader. The ability to lead, to motivate others behind a set of core principles and to foster a dedicated group of likeminded individuals is key.
President Reagan combined deeply held personal beliefs on where this country should be headed, a vision for our future, along with his so evident charisma and humor. It was easy to follow him.
Speaking for me, former New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, in his speech to the Republican National Convention in 2004 was Reganesque in many ways.
Senator George Allen, also has some of these same qualities. As we get closer to 2008 we'll the chance to explore together the quality of character, leadership and vision of these men and others, possibly even a woman.
But I caution my friends on the right to keep an open mind, and not fall victim to the siren song of the "perfect" candidate. It would be bad enough to lose more ground and endure years of "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi." Worse still to have that nightmare combined with a "President Hillary" or "President Gore."
Also posted at The Wide Awakes!
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