The Republican Oddballs
Ross says it best,
This is basically why I’ve enjoyed the rise of Huckabee and Paul: Not because I agree with them on an issue-by-issue basis, but because they’re willing to push the envelope a bit, and expand the definition of what a conservative can stand for in ways that I think are ultimately healthy for the party.
Imagine if Giuliani had done the same, by framing his domestic agenda as a fight against corrupt incumbents who game the system to the detriment of consumers and entrepreneurs alike. The speeches write themselves. Or if Romney had embraced Ramesh Ponnuru’s family-friendly tax reform. Or if … the race didn’t have to be this dismal.
Reihan, while I certainly agree that it would be both better for the country and more interesting if the GOP primary had developed along those lines, I’m afraid that you’re being solipsistic. From your Weekly Standard piece about “respect conservatism” and your enthusiasm for Ponnuru’s tax reform, it’s pretty easy to ascertain that you wish the GOP primary were developing along lines closer to your beliefs or preferences. Doesn’t everyone?
For better or for worse, the front runners – Giuliani and Romney – seem to be pretty decent reflections of where the GOP primary electorate is at. Pro Bush foreign policy, anti-immigration and lower taxes. If the primary were to fold out any other way, that would be weird.
As usual, my standing offer for you to become a Democrat still stands, things aren’t so dismal over here.
— Matt Zeitlin · Nov 30, 10:02 AM · #
Your point is well taken, Matt — but I made the argument(s) in part because I thought they’d resonate with the primary electorate and the general electorate. Moreover, these positions could easily unfold within the boundaries you astutely identify. My personal beliefs re: the ideal reform agenda are somewhat different.
— Reihan · Nov 30, 04:17 PM · #
The race is what it is-not an ounce of serious debate about the real issues facing this country-both parties as they stumble towards the primaries look like a person going down a set of stairs in an office chair trying to fire an uzi.
— E Johnson · Dec 4, 04:45 PM · #