WHAT IS THE REPUBLICAN "BIG TENT?" WHAT DOES GROWING THE PARTY REALLY MEAN?
Republican National Committee Chairman, Ken Mehlman explains it this way: "Our party's effort to reach out to all communities is in full swing, and I am more convinced than ever of its importance to the party's long-term health. I have traveled through the country speaking with African-American, Hispanic, Jewish, Catholic, Asian-American an Haitian groups. My message to these future Republicans - 'Give us a chance, and we'll give you a choice.' - is one that is consistent with the great history and ideals of our party."
The top leadership of the Republican Party apparently agrees we will grow the party by the inclusion of people, not the watering-down and compromising of our great platform. There seems to be a great disparity in approach regarding this, however, among some party members and special interest groups. The social liberals both inside and outside the party are endlessly calling for the party's moving to the left as a formula for party growth. This notion is alien to the party platform and to the good judgment of most party members and national leadership. It is a counter-productive recipe for disaster. We currently have eleven more Senators in Washington than the Democrats do and we cannot even get a conservative justice confirmed to the court without hiding his or her values and anticipating an all-out war in the Senate. That is precisely because of the compromise of social liberal senators. What good is it to simply have more Republicans when they vote and act like Democrats?
To augment the party simply by expanding the number of members is the growth plan of losers.
Our "Big Tent" and party growing efforts need to be focused on the education of the ethnic segments of our society that have traditionally voted Democrat and have been historically taken for granted and disappointed by that party. Our message of compassion, respect, and dignity for their very lives, families, well-being and happiness must convince them they can put their confidence in the Grand Old Party. If we accomplish this, our party will not only grow in numbers, but in strength and integrity as well. If we fail at this, it's our own fault.
Our platform mandates that we care about and value every human life. Our connection and dialog to individual social liberals must always remain on the level of proper witness, good example and gentle persuasion. After all, in many cases, the best conservatives are former liberals who have come full circle in their understanding of human peace, joy and contentment. Our great mistake would be embracing the flawed idea that we must tolerate liberal politics and special interest groups that wish to enter the party and transform it into something it should never be. There are many Republicans who are poised to make this most grievous error.
Republican National Committee Chairman, Ken Mehlman explains it this way: "Our party's effort to reach out to all communities is in full swing, and I am more convinced than ever of its importance to the party's long-term health. I have traveled through the country speaking with African-American, Hispanic, Jewish, Catholic, Asian-American an Haitian groups. My message to these future Republicans - 'Give us a chance, and we'll give you a choice.' - is one that is consistent with the great history and ideals of our party."
The top leadership of the Republican Party apparently agrees we will grow the party by the inclusion of people, not the watering-down and compromising of our great platform. There seems to be a great disparity in approach regarding this, however, among some party members and special interest groups. The social liberals both inside and outside the party are endlessly calling for the party's moving to the left as a formula for party growth. This notion is alien to the party platform and to the good judgment of most party members and national leadership. It is a counter-productive recipe for disaster. We currently have eleven more Senators in Washington than the Democrats do and we cannot even get a conservative justice confirmed to the court without hiding his or her values and anticipating an all-out war in the Senate. That is precisely because of the compromise of social liberal senators. What good is it to simply have more Republicans when they vote and act like Democrats?
To augment the party simply by expanding the number of members is the growth plan of losers.
Our "Big Tent" and party growing efforts need to be focused on the education of the ethnic segments of our society that have traditionally voted Democrat and have been historically taken for granted and disappointed by that party. Our message of compassion, respect, and dignity for their very lives, families, well-being and happiness must convince them they can put their confidence in the Grand Old Party. If we accomplish this, our party will not only grow in numbers, but in strength and integrity as well. If we fail at this, it's our own fault.
Our platform mandates that we care about and value every human life. Our connection and dialog to individual social liberals must always remain on the level of proper witness, good example and gentle persuasion. After all, in many cases, the best conservatives are former liberals who have come full circle in their understanding of human peace, joy and contentment. Our great mistake would be embracing the flawed idea that we must tolerate liberal politics and special interest groups that wish to enter the party and transform it into something it should never be. There are many Republicans who are poised to make this most grievous error.
posted by Patrick Flynn at 10:19 AM
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