In today’s “The Politico” Moderates Snub GOP Leadership discusses how moderate Congressional Republicans are voting more to reflect the moderate profile of their home districts with the clear understanding from party leaders that this is necessary to keep those seats in the next election.
…What emerged was a large bloc of GOP lawmakers from blended districts who are voting consistently with
Democrats on a wide range of issues. The new majority secured significant GOP support not only on its popular, poll-tested “Six for ’06” package but also on an eight-month stop-gap spending bill to fund the government and other legislation to boost the use of alternative fuels. Most extraordinarily, 13 Republicans voted to ease organizing requirements for employees who elect to form a union — a priority for organized labor.…Both parties have again targeted members in the center — Republicans in left-leaning districts, Democrats in right-leaning districts or members whose constituents could vote for either party…
My quandary is whom to support when moderates with attractive credentials from opposite parties are running against each other. It seems to me to be a shame to lose the wisdom of a Jim Leach, Christopher Shays or Arlen Specter to a less proven and less persuasive young Democratic turk. It is easy for me to decide when the choice is between an ideologue and a practical deal maker.
The decisive factor for me is the larger landscape of which party leans more towards pragmatism. They are whom I want at the controls of government. In the last election I sent money to dozens of Democratic candidates, even some with liberal and populist views a bit extreme for me, because I lost faith in the judgment the GOP leadership.
I am encouraged that the Dems are steering a generally moderate and pragmatic course but a lot can happen in two years. I am also encouraged that the moderate Republican Leadership Council has been resurrected to promote candidates with similar temperament. But ultimately whom I support will depend primarily on the the direction of their party at the time of the election.
Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.