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Many are demanding that the Republican Party, smarting from two disastrous elections in a row, move to the center in order to become more likable to the voters. This idea is what makes people hate politics, and will result in larger, more permanent defeats.
The truth is, most people don’t care about politics or government. They don’t study it, and would prefer politicians handle public issues the way your doctor deals with disease: just fix it, preferably without pain, and without the tedious business of explanation.
On the rare occasions when politics does matter to regular folks, they want to believe that – like doctors, or engineers, or mechanics — politicians are serious people who have devoted thought and study to difficult issues. And that’s why split-the-difference centrism is a recipe for destruction.
Would you respect a doctor who used to prescribe amoxicillin, but stopped because he was afraid patients would disapprove? What voter will ever respect a GOP that changed its position, not because it was wrong, but it in order to pickpocket a few votes?
If a thing is right, it does not lose its virtue by a loss of popularity. Neither does general acceptance transform evil into good.
There are things that can and should be negotiated — not every choice is a matter of principle. How much money should be set aside to pay for wildfire response in 2009? Should commercial truck drivers be required to undergo hazmat training? What is the legal definition of income?
But principles are not a matter of negotiation. What will we say in the next election? Will we mimic John Kerry, and say we were against abortion before we were for it? That we were for limited government and freedom before we were against it?
People would leave the GOP in droves. Those independents in the middle are there because they don’t have any strong beliefs. They will not show up to phone bank, or drop literature, or canvas door-to-door.
A Gallup poll conducted November 13-16 found that 87% of Republicans want the GOP to stay the way it is, or become even more conservative. Of the self-described independent voters, 57% agree — the GOP should be at least as conservative as it is now.
Of the Democrats, 56% think the GOP should become more liberal — and, it will no doubt soon be reported, most mice believe that cats should become vegans.
Let us not make too much of the recent swings of the electoral pendulum. There is no such thing as an undefeated political party.
The Liberal Lite GOP – less filling, great taste? – would become an army of none.
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