According to a recently leaked memo circulating the Republic National Committee, GOP candidates seeking RNC support may have to prove their conservative credentials by adhering to ten core principles.
It's important to note that this information was leaked to press, and only represents an one of many ongoing discussions within the RNC. Regardless, there is actual support for this measure and it very well could become a reality. Any GOP'er with a history of straying from three or more of these principles would be ineligible for any RNC funds or support.
This idea reeks of the GOP's newfound penchant for party purity at all costs, even political irrelevancy. This may be all well and good for Republicans running in the Southern states, but it's a death knell for politicians running for office outside this region. Conservative ideology, as represented by the ten distilled blanket statements, are of only limited appeal depending upon the locale. It's natural for politicians to tailor their campaigns according to the specifics of an area, having to adhere to a preordained set of ideals would make this practically impossible.
The GOP needs to figure out whether it wants to be a small gathering of the pure with little political impact or a big-tent party representing a variety of interests. The current political atmosphere is in dire need of a functional opposition, an unlikely event as long as a resolution to their crisis of identity continues to elude the number 2 Party.
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4 comments:
This is crazy! Politicians are elected to represent the people and their voice not the GOP. All people have beliefs and are going to make choices based on those beliefs. If the GOP does this More moderate Republicans are going to say they are conservative Democrats or a third party will become more active. Voters will not like the politicians being the GOP's puppets.
I've been seeing signs of this for the past year now, but this is the first time there's been anything official indicating it. Back when Arlen Specter left the (R) behind, I noticed that several GOPers, such as Limbaugh, were thrilled by the increasing purity. I have my issues with a winner-take-all system, but that's what we have, and the Republicans need to recognize that or risk self-destruction.
For the record, though, I do support the booting of people like Lieberman and Zell Miller, but that's different. When they're actively stumping for the other party, and exception needs to be made.
first of all id like to know why you brought up southern states and why it would work there, and second i think if they are going to have a party orginization they should be allowed to do this..if you dont adhere to party principles find another party, sounds fair to me.
HellHound, I have absolutely no issue with the matter from an ideological standpoint. As you say, it's their party. That said, there is a major problem with it from a STRATEGIC standpoint.
Our current political system follows the winner-take-all approach. Now, that has major flaws, certainly, but it's what we've got at the moment. Under that system, a party NEEDS to appeal to the moderates if they are to win anything. The GOP can isolate themselves to the fringe 10% if they really want, but they won't be able to win elections that way, and the party won't survive without a win here and there. Nor will they be missed, as the two-party system will find some replacement for them, just like the did for the Whigs, the Bull Moose Party, and the Federalists.
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