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Nov122008

Conservative movement at a crossroads

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 10:37PM

It's safe to say that the Republican party -- and the conservative movement more specifically -- are at a crossroads.

Republicans find themselves completely out of power at the national level, and with diminishing numbers at the state level. They're leaderless, rudderless, and without a coherent vision. They wield no power, have no influence, and are of virtually no importance to the incoming Obama administration. Not since the time of FDR have the Republicans been of such little significance.

And amazingly, they're still in better condition then the conservative movement, which lay in shambles tonight.

Birthed by Robert Taft, nourished by William F. Buckley, energized by Barry Goldwater, and legitimized by Ronald Reagan, the movement that defined the second half of the twentieth century finds itself on life support and with no vital signs. That's no small feat considering that it produced two presidents (Reagan and George W. Bush), helped a third get over the finish line (George H.W. Bush), and broke the Democrats fifty year hold on Congress -- all in the span of a generation. The one silver lining -- if you're a conservative that is -- is the 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court, though that could very well change in the next four years.

But essentially that's where it's at. So the question becomes: What next for Republicans? What is their path back to power?

The conservatives' reflexive answer for the past 60 years has been the same: cut taxes, beef up national defense, get tough on crime, and emphasize values. It worked for Reagan and George W. Bush, and Nixon too, even though he governed as a liberal. It was a winning formula for six decades, and conservatives had little reason to stray beyond the playbook.

But as John McCain found out, the playbook doesn't work anymore, mostly because those issues lack relevance. Cut taxes? Bush did that, and now we're facing a trillion dollar deficit. Obama ran on a platform of tax hikes for the wealthy, and nobody seemed to care. With the Federal government doling out a trillion plus dollars in bailouts this quarter, it's hard to see how permanently low taxes work anymore.

Crime? Immigration? Not sure the two words were even mentioned during the campaign. No doubt immigration will heat up again in the future, but law and order doesn't seem to resonate the way it did during the 60s, 70s and 80s. Willie Horton ads are a thing of the past.

Values seem to have lost all meaning. Twenty years ago George H.W. Bush was elected almost solely because his opponent a. belonged to the ACLU and b. thought it silly to jail school teachers who refused to lead the pledge of allegiance. Today Bush would be castigated for raising either as an issue.

And where does one even start with foreign policy. In the simplest terms, Bush railroaded the country into war and made us pariahs on the world stage. We're now left with few allies and almost no moral standing. In the eyes of many, we're the evil empire that Reagan once railed against.

Trying to win elections on these issues is a one way ticket to extinction. The bedrock that served as the foundation for the conservative movement has turned to sand, and yet everyone can feel it except those standing atop it.

A new set of issues -- energy policy, climate change, healthcare and global citizenship, to name a few -- are going to define elections of the future, and conservatives need to address these and develop solutions if they want to claw their way back to relevance. Otherwise, life support is going to fail.

Nick Ragone |

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Reader Comments (18)

2 excellent posts, Nick.

November 13, 2008 |

Sebastian

amazing post, nick. If Sarah Pfailin is the future of the party, as her endless media tour seems to indicate, they are in that much more trouble. Can Newt really be the one to save this mess?

November 13, 2008 |

Mitch

Nick, does this mean that you'll consider becoming a Democrat ;)? SP's extended media tour reinforces Nick's initial thoughts that it would have been better for her to get out in front of the media early on. While she may lack intellectual curiosity, she comes off as genuine, sincere and upbeat. In brief interviews, this could have overshadowed her shortcomings like it did during the first week or so after the RNC announcement.

November 13, 2008 |

The Libs went thru the same identity crises 4 years ago. Bobby Jindal will be a major player in the years to come. Conservatism will be fine.

November 13, 2008 |

the gooch

This is what happens when the pendulum swings the other way, the GOP is now, where the democrats were in 1980, and it only got worse for them after that.....The GOP was in worse shape in 76 than it is now, the difference then was all the money was tied up in government programs and unions while the countries mood was swinging to the right and the GOP was able to sieze on it in 1980 by electing someone who was able to free up that money and send it back to corporate America by passing it through the middle class on its way.
Now the money is in corporate hands and the country is in a left wing mood, if this president can free up that money by allowing it to pass through the middle class on its way back to left wing programs he will be as popular as Kennedy.
The GOP won't see another Reagan until all that money is tied up in left-wing/government programs again....it's a good system for middle class Americans

November 13, 2008 |

Frankeneinstein (ECSF)

I couldn't disagree more. The republicans are in trouble because they became democrat light. If that's your bent, might as well vote for the real thing. It's the RINOS who are losing elections not the conservatives. This election tipped on the October market crash and bailouts. The supreme court will probably have 2 openings Stevens and Ginsberg both liberals, so the 5-4 potentially remains. So far the democrats won 6 senate seats 3 of which were open due to retirement, Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado. Three incumbents lost, Sununu, Dole and Smith, the first two are moderates and the Smith is a RINO. Conservatives won all seats they ran in McConnel, Wicker, Cochran, etc. The only righty in trouble is Chambliss in Georgia and he's in trouble because he veered left on the bailouts. A runoff is planned and I don't think the black vote will turn out as strong since Obama is not on the ticket, but we'll see. BTW, cutting taxes does work as Obama used that issue very effectively.

November 13, 2008 |

Playov94 (ECSF)

Doesn't mean I'm becoming a Democrat; just means that the Republicans need a new roadmap. I thought I'd help them out and provide one.

November 13, 2008 |

Nick

Nick Ragone for President 2012!

November 13, 2008 |

j zaetz

Nick:

Are you going to link to my blog? http://thenewrepublicans.net/

November 13, 2008 |

newrepublican

It'll be added

November 13, 2008 |

Nick

Nick, will you connect to my blog also? http://jessicaalba.net/

November 13, 2008 |

Mitch

You do come across like a chick, Mitch )

November 13, 2008 |

the gooch

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