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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ken Blackwell :: Townhall.com Columnist
Reagan’s Coalition Still Vital
by Ken Blackwell
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Then there are philosophical conservatives. These people are committed to limited government, understanding that the Constitution only empowers the federal government to do certain things, leaving issues like public safety, health, and morality to the states.

Finally, there are national security conservatives. While they may divide over FISA and the Patriot Act, all are united in expanding and supporting our military and being on offense against radical Islamic terrorism.

Some will say all of these conservatives will simply come around at the end of the day. Don’t bet on it. However, if Hillary Clinton is the nominee she will indeed energize and motivate the Republican base. There are literally millions of conservatives who will not vote unless they perceive a candidate who welcomes them in the Republican Party and takes up their cause.

Others will say that a moderate ticket can pick up more votes in the middle than it would lose on the right. Dead wrong. Up to 10 million votes would be lost. And, some of the votes Republicans would lose are not just votes, they are the contributors and the grassroots forces. Without them, the Republican nominee cannot beat what will be a fiercely motivated Democratic Party.

It’s key to emphasize that the Republican nominee need not be the first choice for all of these groups. He does not need to be a crusader for them. He must simply be a friend, rather than neutral or — worse yet — an adversary.

The would-be nominee must simply be someone for whom each group says, “He’s not everything I hoped for, but he’s good enough that I’ll fight for him.” He must show that his agenda will reflect their core concerns, and never abandon those commitments in the face of a Democratic Congress for legislation, or a Democratic Senate for judicial confirmations.

The Republican nominee must do these things. If so, he may well lead a united party to win in November. If not, he will lose, and everything from the Supreme Court to taxes to spending to Iraq to Social Security to border security to health care will be lost as well.

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About The Author
Mr. Blackwell, a contributing editor at Townhall.com, is a senior fellow at the Family Research Council and American Civil Rights Union.
 
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Reply # 1
Date: Feb 1, 2008 - 9:49 AM EST
Bobzmcishl - take a second look pt2
Reagan was not, repeat: -was not- successful because of any "cult of personality." Reagan was successful first because of the ideas he brought to the body politic. Secondly because he worked for years traveling this country, meeting people, listening to people, making speeches, supporting other Republicans, and generally doing the work to become a great leader so that when he was elected, he could lead. He had studies and learned. He was prepared. He laid the ground-work with years of preparation. The GOP, heck people in general, around the country knew him. He spoke with them, listened to them, and he worked for them. He was also a break from the failed Nixon and Ford Presidencies. Note though that he had his 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not put down other Republicans. He lost the primary to Ford in 1976 and then went around the country trying to get Ford elected. He really did care about what he was about, not merely faked it. All this matters.

Compare this to the current crop who want to "assume his mantle" without doing the work. That's the real picture. Public speaking can be learned.
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Reply # 2
Date: Feb 1, 2008 - 9:39 AM EST
Bobzmcishl - take a second look pt1
"Today's Republican's seem to have forgotten Reagan's ability to get along when it was needed."

Take another look. The Republicans have been trying to "get along" with the Democrats, all too well, I think. Of course, the Democrats have not been trying to "get along" with the Republicans. President Bush came to Washington and tried to work with the Democrats as he had done successfully in Texas. He gave the Democrats much of what they wanted. They fought him at every turn. Of course, "b-partisan" to Congress seems to mean, "do what the Democrats want." I think the Republican should have gotten wise to this game and fought the good fight for what we want, oh 6 or 7 years ago. Instead, McCain and his cronies bailed with "the Gang of 14" and other such gutless nonsense. I am constantly amazed that anyone could have watched the Congress during the Bush administration and blame the _Republicans_ for not getting along. Is that in some alternate universe? It sure didn't happen here. The Republicans should have, and should, stand up and fight for what we believe. They're going to get name-called anyway, so they might as well fight to win.

An observer might also notice that inspite of Democratic statements prior to the 2006 election, they have not changed the tone and worked with the Republican minority. They have taken the corruption they complained about and have been much worse! On earmarks their solution has been to hide them from observation. Amazing how the press notices - or not - depending upon which party is in charge.
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