Those who regularly read my posts know that I am sickened by what the Republican Party, under current leadership, has become. You may also recall that I made the decision a month or so ago (after much soul-searching) to re-engage with the Party, via the Republican Leadership Council, and attempt to advance reforms that will help moderate the Party and refocus it on certain core principles.
In the meantime — on my own, separate from my collaboration with the RLC — I’ve been wrestling with this question: How big of a tent can the GOP hoist before it loses its definition and distinctiveness? The Democrats have done a remarkable job, under Senator Schumer and others, advancing a big-tent strategy for their ranks; a strategy that (along with BushCo’s missteps) played a major role in their return to power after the November elections. I believe the GOP must do the same.
My first shot across the bow, to test this thinking, was fired yesterday at Central Sanity.
Based on the discussion and definitions offered there, I’d be interested to know …
Are there TMV readers who consider themselves Schwarzenegger Republicans?
Alternatively, could you (depending on the circumstances) respect, accept, vote for, or otherwise support Schwarzenegger Republican candidates?
How many of you think the concept (again, as it’s described at CS) is a viable expansion of the Party platform?
Alternatively, how many of you think (as Chuck Butcher does) that this is nothing more than dressing a Donkey in Elephant’s clothes?
And if you do agree with Chuck, please recall the D’s newfound love for the Blue Dogs and their acceptance of Southern, pro-life and pro-gun members, and then please help answer this question: Why can the D’s thus broaden their ranks but the R’s cannot?
Or, for that matter, toss in any category of comment you want … with maybe one exception: Those of you who think I must be smoking crack to focus on the reform of an existing party rather than the creation of a new party, I heard you loud and clear the last time. You made some good points, but that’s not really what the debate here is about. Then again, it’s a free country, so have at it, if you like.