An open letter to the Republican Party,
I’ve for a long time believed that, in politics, the person is at least as important than the policies.
That’s why the largely biographical Republican convention works pretty well for me. You can’t argue with a biography, and by any standard, McCain has one hell of a biography – and bearing in mind his accommodation in Vietnam, “hell” is more than emphatic.
It’s very rare for a leader to come along who has, as a matter of fact, displayed a moral resilience beyond that which I dare say exists even in myself. For that reason alone, I am well disposed to McCain and am surely the kind of person whom the Republicans should be looking to hook.
But there’s an elephant in the room of elephants – one huge question that I need answered, arising out of the glaring inconsistency at the center of the Republican movement in 2008.
If voting for a Republican in the presidential election really is a vote for change, then what is this change from? You were this sure about Bush. So have you all had a change of heart to become this excited about your agent of change from the Bush years – your “maverick” – the guy who is so great today because he wasn’t pulling your line before?
I’m really just seeking one line of justification of why formerly Bush-supporting Republicans think we need change from the very Republican administration they voted for. It’s an obvious question, but one not addressed in St. Paul this week.
More bluntly, “Did you, Mr. Republican, make a mistake when you chose Bush?”. If so, just tell me; we all make mistakes and I respect anyone who can admit as much. If not, I’m simply a little confused about what you’re offering me today.
If you did make an error or had a change of heart, and you say so, expect to get votes from thousands who want to know that the people (you) who will be supporting the man in charge have a true power of self-awareness, open-mindedness, humility (the latter of which, by the way, your new leader is blessed with) and the ability to change their minds in the light of new information.
As a party, are you more like McCain, or more like Bush?
The Republicans’ ability to answer this question could determine the outcome of the election, because thousands who would love to vote for the man, McCain, but need to know why they shouldn’t “punish” the Republican party who created the situation from which, you now tell us, we need change.
I’d prefer an answer from a senior member of Congress – an ex-speaker would be preferable.
Thank you.
Robin Koerner is a British-born citizen of the USA, who currently serves as Academic Dean of the John Locke Institute. He holds graduate degrees in both Physics and the Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge (U.K.). He is also the founder of WatchingAmerica.com, an organization of over 100 volunteers that translates and posts in English views about the USA from all over the world.
Robin may be best known for having coined the term “Blue Republican” to refer to liberals and independents who joined the GOP to support Ron Paul’s bid for the presidency in 2012 (and, in so doing, launching the largest coalition that existed for that candidate).
Robin’s current work as a trainer and a consultant, and his book If You Can Keep It , focus on overcoming distrust and bridging ideological division to improve politics and lives. His current project, Humilitarian, promotes humility and civility as a basis for improved political discourse and outcomes.