Feeling Lost, Republicans? Follow Britain's Lead.
By James Forsyth
WashPost
Sunday, May 10, 2009
LONDON -- A shrinking base, a high-profile defection skilfully managed by the other side, an idiotic delight at how the party is becoming "purer" -- that's the GOP today. And to British ears, it all sounds very familiar. It is distinctly reminiscent of the Conservative Party in Britain during the Tony Blair years.
As was the case with the Tories, many of the Republican Party's big beasts can't see the point in taking up its cause until the party is prepared to change. Tom Ridge, probably the only Republican who could win Arlen Specter's Senate seat in Pennsylvania, has declined to run for it, saying last week that the party is "too doggone shrill" and needs to be "less judgmental."
Ridge is right. The GOP is fumbling for direction. For one thing, it's bickering over sex. While party central remains steadfast in opposition to same-sex marriage, some Republican state legislators in Maine and New Hampshire voted for it last week. But here's a hopeful sign for the Republicans: In recent years, British conservatives have managed to make social conservatism socially acceptable again.
They've done it through three key moves: enthusiastically signing on to Britain's liberal settlement on homosexuality, recasting pro-family policies as part of an anti-poverty crusade and tying support for the family into a broader recognition that people aren't motivated by profit alone.
(More here.)
WashPost
Sunday, May 10, 2009
LONDON -- A shrinking base, a high-profile defection skilfully managed by the other side, an idiotic delight at how the party is becoming "purer" -- that's the GOP today. And to British ears, it all sounds very familiar. It is distinctly reminiscent of the Conservative Party in Britain during the Tony Blair years.
As was the case with the Tories, many of the Republican Party's big beasts can't see the point in taking up its cause until the party is prepared to change. Tom Ridge, probably the only Republican who could win Arlen Specter's Senate seat in Pennsylvania, has declined to run for it, saying last week that the party is "too doggone shrill" and needs to be "less judgmental."
Ridge is right. The GOP is fumbling for direction. For one thing, it's bickering over sex. While party central remains steadfast in opposition to same-sex marriage, some Republican state legislators in Maine and New Hampshire voted for it last week. But here's a hopeful sign for the Republicans: In recent years, British conservatives have managed to make social conservatism socially acceptable again.
They've done it through three key moves: enthusiastically signing on to Britain's liberal settlement on homosexuality, recasting pro-family policies as part of an anti-poverty crusade and tying support for the family into a broader recognition that people aren't motivated by profit alone.
(More here.)
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