Cheney's Second Front

First, it is a myth that a single, conservative message can win everywhere in America. There is no "pure" ideological approach, liberal or conservative, that can consistently carry both Alabama and Oregon. Even at the height of the Reagan Revolution, the Republican Senate included moderate and liberal voices such as Mark Hatfield and Robert Packwood of Oregon, Charles Mathias of Maryland, Robert Stafford of Vermont and Charles Percy of Illinois. A political party that appeals across a diverse, continental nation will be a diverse, ideological coalition.

Second, Powell is correct that the next, successful Republican leader must include an element of nontraditional appeal. Powell cites as his ideal the recently deceased Jack Kemp, who "was as conservative as anybody" but who "believed in inclusiveness, reaching out" to minorities and the poor.

Obama's party has assembled its current majority among groups of growing demographic (and thus democratic) influence -- particularly nonwhites, the young and college-educated voters. It is difficult to imagine Republicans regaining momentum in these groups without an aggressive, unexpected message of social justice, inclusion, environmental stewardship and social mobility -- in addition to the economic and moral conservatism that will motivate much of the Republican coalition for the foreseeable future.

During the Clinton years, conservatives were casting around for this sort of nontraditional candidate and some were ready to turn to ... Colin Powell. My colleague Bill Kristol said he was "open to the argument that the interests of conservative realignment could be furthered by the landslide victory of a moderate Republican." William Bennett urged Republicans to take a "very serious look" at Powell. Bennett observed: "There are some in our party saying, 'No, we shouldn't.' Which seems to me to be crazy. ... There is a very serious move to sort of purge the ranks of people who aren't quite pure enough. ... For God's sake, a man like this should be welcomed with open arms into this party."

Since then, Powell has not proved to be the most loyal of Republicans, but this argument remains valid.