WWRD?
January 6th, 2013 - 6:34 pm
“Utah GOP group disinvites Glenn Reynolds from speech because of Reynolds’ support for gay rights,” Twitchy.com reports today.
But what would Reagan do?
“The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally — not a 20 percent traitor.” Said by Ronald Reagan “as chastisement to his staff for canceling an opponent’s meeting with then Governor Reagan. Quoted on KCBS radio in 1972 by Reagan’s gubernatorial chief of staff,” according to Famous Quotes from 100 Great People.
As the Professor asks in his post announcing the Utah GOP’s decision, the party faces an existential question right now: does it want to be a big tent or a teepee?
Republicans need a ‘big tent:’ the party should adopt all Democrat Party ideas from 1998, thereby enlarging its base. This strategy has worked so well in the past, leading to victory after victory of enlightened governance… by Democrats. If you’re not a RINO now, you’re on the wrong side of the movement, as eventually, the troglodytes will catch up to your enlightened thinking. Forward to the Future!
“But what would Reagan do?”
Make promises, then not keep them; that is, lie about what he will do in office, then “conserve” Carter’s innovation (the Department of Education is still here). No president repudiates the foul deeds of his predecessors. Not in my lifetime.
Now, let’s examine how well the ‘big tent’ strategy did for the Democrat Party: will PJM survey the powerful Democrat constituencies against abortion, against gun control, for free speech, for small government, etc. Oh, wait: there aren’t any. Clearly the path to success in ideological intransigence. Demand slavish adherence to the party line: it’s what winners do.