Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Move to the Center or Move to the Right? It’s Politics – Not a Line Dance!

I am so tired of the divisiveness in the GOP right now. I’m not suggesting we check our principles at the door, all join hands and sing Kumbaya. I don’t think we need to move closer to the center of the political spectrum. Nor do I think we need to move farther to the right. This isn’t a line dance people – this is politics.

We don’t need to all agree on the position of every single issue. I think our “platform” has gotten too big. We just need 2 or 3 main principles at the most that the majority of the party can agree with and rally behind an inventive, charismatic, strong candidate. For too long we have tried to please everyone in the big tent and it will NEVER happen. You cannot pander to factions within the party. If we try to stand for everything we will end up standing for nothing. We have to not only allow for diverse opinions, but relish in the idea of diverse ideals. Diversity allows for growth – which is what we desperately need.

The big tent party idea has worked in the past and can work again. Historically the big tent approach wins election. There is no need for everyone in the party to agree on all the issues. There shouldn’t be a litmus test on single issues that determines whether or not someone can be truly considered a Republican. If we try to narrow our ideology and “get rid of the moderates” or force the far right to abandoned their principles we cannot win. Sure we might win a race or two with that approach but we cannot regain national power with that approach.

While we are at it, let’s abandoned the term RINO. We are elephants – not rhinos. Let’s just retire the term RINO. If you disagree with a position(s) someone takes, go ahead and disagree with the position(s) – but the name calling just has to stop. The name calling within our own party does not bring us closer to winning any elections nor does it help grow our depleted party numbers.