Reagan’s Children: New Republican Leaders Hail from Blue States
The McCain-Palin ticket was a good example, hailing from Arizona and Alaska. Before that there were Bush and Cheney, from deep-red Texas and Wyoming. Still earlier was Bob Dole of Kansas (although his VP, Jack Kemp, was the exception, coming from blue New York), and before that George H.W. Bush of Texas and Dan Quayle of Indiana.
Contrast this with the current crop. Romney, who of course isn’t a member of the up-and-coming group but who is the nominee, is from Massachusetts, the most liberal state in the U.S. in terms of its voting record in presidential elections during the last two decades. In addition to Ryan, Scott Walker, another up-and-comer, also is from Wisconsin, a state that has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988. Chris Christie’s New Jersey is almost as blue as Massachusetts, Marco Rubio and Allan West’s Florida has a slight Democratic edge, and Susana Martinez’s New Mexico is bluish. Nikki Haley is an exception in being from a very red state, South Carolina, and Bobby Jindal (governor of Louisiana who was slated to appear at the convention but had to cancel because of the hurricane) is from a slightly red one.
Traditionally, conservatives have distrusted Republicans from blue states. The usual path to election for a blue-state Republican has been the RINO road. It seemed to make sense, too, for candidates to think that the way to appeal to the Democrats and independents necessary to win an election in a blue state would be to position oneself only somewhat to the right of the left.
Ronald Reagan, who came from a state that had been seesawing between Republican and Democratic governors at the time he was elected (his term was sandwiched between a Democrat father-and-son team, Pat and Jerry Brown), was unique in many ways. One important element of his specialness was that he presented himself as a conservative rather than a moderate, and yet was able to attract Democrats and moderates. Reagan appealed to voters in his state, and later very successfully at the national level, by being personally compelling while at the same time articulating his conservative beliefs in a clear and convincing manner. That combination was remarkably persuasive.
Reagan was not young when he achieved national prominence. But still, he had no immediate heirs. George H.W. Bush, his vice president, was personally and ideologically quite different. So it is not insignificant that the current crop of conservative leaders-in-the-making were children or young adults during the Reagan years. Unlike those who cut their political teeth before Reagan was president, they didn’t think moderation was necessary for success. They saw for themselves that it was possible to stick to conservative principles and yet remain a viable candidate in a state that was not fundamentally conservative, and then to succeed at the national level. In a metaphoric sense, they are Reagan’s children.
The Democratic Party campaign to re-elect President Barack Obama to the White House perceives a problem with its Jewish voters and contributors. Jews have historically voted heavily for Democratic candidates, and Obama did well among American Jews during the last election. For this campaign, however, his support among Jews, and especially among Jews who strongly support Israel, has declined. Jewish Democrats, and specifically those from the National Jewish Democratic Council, apparently view this decline as a problem they must solve.
Thanks to Reagan, the Right was reborn and now a political revival is now underway in this country and just in time, because the forces against it have been gathering for seventy years and longer. I hope we all have the fortitude to stay the course, it going to be difficult.They will fight what’s right because They have nothing left.
We will stay the course. We were born to deal with these problems.
When I look at the current crisis, which includes but is not limited to: Europe; Islam; debt; generations on welfare; schools failing to teach reality; China, illegal immigration; energy dependance; failing our friends and supporting our enemies; rewarding behaviors that destroy; abortion; a divided country — I am reminded of the verse from the Book of Ester
For if thou wilt now hold thy peace, the Jews (USA) shall be delivered by some other occasion: and thou, and thy father’s house shall perish. And who knoweth whether thou art not therefore come to the kingdom, that thou mightest be ready in such a time as this?
Esther 4:13-15
Bullsh*t. HERE IS the news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2O248VaDpA&feature=related
I’ll continue to man the phones and doorbell and otherwise contribute to local small government candidate campaigns. But the rest of you crooked, fascist, UN toady sons of Lincoln can … do that to yourself. And when Romney loses by Gary Johnson’s margin, you neoconvicts will have only yourselves to blame. You will, of course, be too cowardly a bunch of sniveling crooks to stand up and accept that fact, but it will certainly be YOUR FAULT all the same.
What a looney rant.
Jennifer, is that you??
I used to be in the Libertarian party, but I got sick of everybody congradulating each other on their idealogical purity, while they never got more than 1% of the vote. Now I consider the Tea Party to be a far better vehicle for libertarian ideas. Those guys know how to actually win elections, and are slowly remaking the repub party, as indicated by the deep tea party bench this article disgusses. The repub party is not everything it should be yet, but due to the tea party it is slowly moving in the right direction. Right now, a vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Obama. Mind you, if you are in a non-swing state, a vote for Johnson will probably do no harm, but if you are in a swing state, the priority shoud be getting rid of the socialist in chief.
Exactly.
Looney is too kind of a word
Since the left believe in aborting their babies, it only stands to reason there will be far more conservatives if we don’t allow the schools to indoctrinate them. The right must reach out to young conservatives to teach.
I think the Blue State Republicans have stared statism in the face and they recognize the loss of personal freedom and the high cost. Many red state Republicans want the government to manage the economy to benefit themselves and their cronies. They are Republicans because that is the party that gets elected in their state. They are statists is dispositions and attitudes toward government and a belief that politics is about whose buddies get to take the next turn at the trough of living off the taxpayers.
Reagan became Reagan the Conservative in part from dealing with the Communists as head of the actors union in the 40s. He knew precisely where that government gets to decide rather than individuals led. So do the Blue State Reps. They’ve talked with the devil and looked him in the eye and they have no illusions about what they are dealing with or the actual costs of cooperation or “public/private partnerships” etc.
That’s a good point. When you live in a red state, it’s easy to get a bit more content than you really ought to be. Blue-state conservatives have to fight for the political lives every day; they are honed to a sharp edge. Interesting point: the most prominent Republican from Alabama right now is, arguably, Autur Davis. He used to be in Congress as a representative from Birmingham, an island of blue within Alabama. Birmingham is currently one of the most hideous cities in the U.S., nearly as bad as Detroit, and the county it is in (Jefferson County) has declared bankruptcy. All of the money has moved out to suburban Shelby County. All of this occurred due to brazenly corrupt Democratic government — I forget how many Birmingham ex-mayors are in jail now, but it’s a lot.
So Davis stared leftist rule in the face, and he saw what it did to the citizens he represented. And when he dared to suggest that some things could be improved, the Birmingham machine retaliated. Switching parties was only logical as Davis saw it, but it resulted in his having to fight for his political life, just like the blue-state conservatives have to. It’s made him a sharper and better politician.
“Birmingham is currently one of the most hideous cities in the U.S., nearly as bad as Detroit, and the county it is in (Jefferson County) has declared bankruptcy.”
This is patently false. And your allusion to the bankruptcy is shallow (it was due to an incompetently handled bond issue).
Birmingham has it’s issues with crime and poverty, but on the whole it’s a wonderful place to live. One of the best in the country.
The Blue Staters have lived the axiom – “Your legislation is only as good as your least competent successor” which is really why “that government is best which governs least”.
Politicians are really alchemists, they turn the State’s wealth into debt (or gold to crap, green ink to red ink, freedom io subservience, feast to famine, etc).
If Republicans wouldn’t put up their own personal freedom curtailment fences then they would enjoy a clear majority in national elections.
I definitely agree. Obviously I’m no political delegate, but I was raised in Chicago, IL, and once you start looking in the right places it’s hard not to realize that the city is a mess of failed Blue State policies. Being constantly surrounded by the inflated prices, insane city regulations, sky-high taxation and notorious corruption (I remember being surprised when I heard an Illinois governor hadn’t been indicted) can really make you eager to vote conservative.
I agree, getting a look at, and, for many, an introduction to, the Republican bench was the highlight of the convention (and let’s not forget a favorite of mine, Bobby Jindal, who couldn’t be there). The up-and-comers make me very hopeful. They’re a wealth of political/governing talent that I hope the party, the system and we voters don’t squander.
And may I say to the Tea Partiers (and I count myself among you), well done. Somehow I feel this wouldn’t be happening were it not for you.
That was something that jumped out at me, too. Both parties are weak at the senior level, but the Republican rookie bench is looking much stronger than the donkey rookies. Speaking of senior, the average age of the speakers at the donkey show was almost 60, and at the GOP convention was 49. That’s extremely significant.
And that’s with 82-yo Eastwood pulling the average up.
“Perhaps one of Romney’s greatest strengths as a candidate is to have sensed what an advantage it might be to give one of them the chance to show what he can do on a national stage as the vanguard of a revitalized conservatism.”
And, given a chance, they will do great things. Just look at what the new Tea Party conservatives have done in the House of Representatives in Washington. They’ve managed to bring Obama’s socialist agenda to a screeching halt and to at least slow down the massive spending Obama, Pelosi, and Reid had a fetish for.
There is only so much you can do when you only control one part of Congress, but at least it has changed the dynamic in Washington from unlimited spending to forcing the Democrats to be at least somewhat fiscally responsible. True, little is getting done because the Democrats are stopping everything in the Senate and a budget has not even been passed in over three years. But just think what spending (and by extension, the national debt) would be like if the Republicans did not control the House. We would have seen spending at around 2009-2010 levels, and we would have spent ourselves into oblivion far faster than we are doing now. If the Republicans can win the Senate and the White House while holding on to the House, real reforms can be made. And I think we’ll be able to do that this fall given how badly the economy is doing.
If we are to win the battle, it will be with the likes of Scott Walker, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Allen West. Real conservatives with a track record of achieving wins against the establishments of both parties. There needs to be a revolution wherein the Country Class as described by Angelo Codevilla unseats the Ruling Class which is a bi-partisan mob currently running the Federal Leviathon. There is a huge lobby for larger more invasive government unconstrained by the Constitution. This lobby includes prominent Republicans working hand in hand with Democrats. This unholy alliance must be defeated and it will only be done by people who understand and are fine with the idea that the media is their enemy. We don’t have much time because of the amount of fiscal damage done in the pat 6 years, with Republican acquiescence. Our best leaders will be those most vilified by the media. That is how we will know who to follow.
Hopeful analysis and opinion. With Romney at the top of the ticket, we are all Rockefeller Republicans now.
I was pleased that Romney has been honest and forthcoming regarding his political roots. Conservatives and the “Tea Party” must not forget their historic struggle. Romney’s father was instrumental in torpedoing the Goldwater campaign – the first real volley in our battle against modern liberalism.
Romney is no conservative. He does not believe in limited government. He does not believe in free markets. He is unlikely to address the incipient crony capitalism fostered and promoted in Washington by the Dems and the GOP. He is unlikely to fundamentally address the central bank controlled, politically protected finance sector – the keystone to any revival of our global capital economy.
Romney win or lose will be the end of the Republican Party. He will be the last Wig candidate/President. Jean Kaufman points this out in the above article. The political changes required to rescue and promote our individual freedom, economic liberty and security and future prosperity will be “revolutionary” – a political Reformation against the Wilson/Roosevelt progressive status quo. Romney will not lead that effort.
Remember, Reagan never intended massive deficits. He expected to significantly cut domestic political spending, severely limit federal regulatory intrusion and massively reduce federal government involvement in our daily economic and personal life. With no base of support within the GOP establishment and an entrenched Democrat Congress, he reluctantly gave up those goals. Reagan focused all his attention and energy where he could best exercise Executive authority and power, winning the Cold War. And he did.
What will Romney do? Nibble around the edges of the status quo.
Sydney, I agree with you completely.
Why are there RINOs? Maybe it is because for many decades Republicans were a ‘permanent’ minority in the legislative branch. They had little hope of gaining control and adapted to this reality. They became political eunuchs. That reality may have changed with Reagan. Still many of the Republicans in power have continued to operate with the RINO mentality: Bush I, Bush II and McCain. Romney seems no different.
Fair enough criticism. However, here we are in September 2012.
Romney vs. Obama – pick one.
Romney in 2012 but who in 2016?
Who in 2016?
Anyone but a Democrat.
What we’re looking for, NOW, are Republican coat-tails in November 2012, and in the 2014 Mid terms. To shift the balance, to create momentum, and to force a new “normal” where the hard left is at least recognized by most for what they really are, and not accepted as “centrists” who call (with impunity) any REAL ever-so-slightly-right-of-center positions “radical” and any truly conservative initiatives “racist/facist”
If, by 2016 we have majorities in both houses, or at least a few more old school blue-dog democrats willing to buck the hard left establishment of their party and get some ACTUAL work done, to curb spending and stop this incessant, hate filled, media complicit culture war against All Traditional American Values, I’ll give Mittens another go round if he asks for one.
He’s never going to be Reagan, and he’s never going to be my first choice…
I prefer steak, but I’ll settle for chicken, if that’s what it takes to keep that g’damned hippie-green tofu soy lefest artificial meat from being jammed down my throat “for my own good”.
I think romney is more conservative than he appears to be, at least I think he really beleives in free enterprise, proven by his selection of Ryan. He had to adapt to survive in a leftist state like MA. But the real key is as long as we can take the senate, congress will drive the fiscal agenda, not romney. And congress will be dominated by the tea party repubs. Romney is a get along kind of guy. With a dem congress, that would be a problem, like Bush 1 was. But with a repub congress and senate, he will let them drive the agenda, while he uses his business experience to competantly run the exec branch, and fight wasteful spending.
The bigger problem I see is a possible overeach by the socons, with the Akin mess being one example. The country is strongly with a conservative fiscal agenda now, because we have to be, but they are much more moderate on socon issues. They dont stand with the leftist social radicalism of the dems, but they dont stand with the extreme socons either.
Don’t forget the MC, congresswoman Kathy McMorris-Rodgers, from the blue state of Washington.
Romney is called a moderate only by people who are trying to pretend he’s not a liberal.
Fair point to make is that one reason Bill Clinton is such a masterful politician (and don’t kid yourself that he ain’t), is because he is a blue guy from a red state. Thus, he had to learn from the get go how to swim in red water, while advancing blue goals.
Contrast this with our esteemed Mr. Obama. In his milieu, Republicans did not exist except as “the enemies over there”. Then God cursed Mr. Obama by giving him a Democratic House and Senate, so his entire outlook was summed up by Mr. (Axelrod’s/Emmanuel’s?) famous dictum, “They don’t have the votes, Eff Em!” And we see how that worked out.
All the way down to last night’s speech, there is simply no way around the fact that Obama simply sucks as a politician, and as an orator. And always has (with a couple, a couple, of rare exceptions on the latter).
Somewhere in heaven, Reagan’s celestial golf cart is sporting the bumper sticker: “Let me tell you about my grandchildren.”
I agree that the very deep repub bench, especially the many strong tea party fiscal conservatives, including many in dem or swing states, is very encouraging for the future. It indicates that any repub majority gained may turn out to be a fairly lasting one.
The simple and obvious truth is plain. Romney for President is a no-brainer, unless you’re Left with no brain.See Dem Convention for proof. Also see; “Greatest Line Ever Against Democrats” on YouTube by Bob Hope over seventy years ago and it’s just as true today. Thanks Mr. Hope for the memories and here’s hoping Mr. Change will be a memory after January.
I listened to all of the convention speeches of the “Reagan’s Children” and you are article rings true. This new conservative blood bodes well for the future of the republican party, and more conservative and responsible government in the years ahead.
Great insights. Also; in the past, the only time I’ve heard the phrase “Reagan’s children” was as a put down from a lefty towards a conservative my age. Sort of pissed off that they lost that mind since it came of age when he was president. Great way to take it back / own it.