From NRO’s The Corner:
…“I endorsed the Republican who has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, opposes the Obama health plan, signed the ‘no-tax-increase’ pledge, and supports a comprehensive energy plan like I do,” says Gingrich.
Third-party candidates like conservative Doug Hoffman, Scozzafava’s challenger, often serve only to divide the GOP, says Gingrich. “Just look at what’s happening in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race,” he says, pointing to the campaign of independent candidate Chris Daggett, who has siphoned support from Republican candidate Chris Christie. “What’s happening in New York and in New Jersey should be a sober warning to every purist in this country.”
“If you seek to be a perfect minority, you’ll remain a minority,” says Gingrich. “That’s not how Reagan built his revolution or how we won back the House in 1994.”
I don’t think we’re searching for a perfect minority – but we are searching for a cohesive party which is absolutely committed to liberty as the Founders envisioned. Mrs. Scozzafava has indicated support for the fascistic “card check” legislation; only grudgingly signed the no-new-taxes pledge; has not committed to running as a GOPer in 2010; is the most liberal Republican in the New York State legislature – this is someone who is almost certain to cut us off at the knees when the chips are down on core, Republican principles. The rank-and-file are tired of pouring out sweat and treasure on behalf of leadership-approved Republicans who then drop dime on us at the worst possible moment – no more Specters, no more Chaffees. If we are to work for GOP victory, then we want absolute assurance that when the votes are cast, our House and Senate members vote against taxes, against profligate spending, against anti-democratic measures.
If we can’t win on a platform of low taxes, low spending and liberty, then what is the point of winning? It might make senior leaders feel good to be called “Mr. Chairman”, but it doesn’t do us any good if the legislation coming out of Congress is antithetical to GOP ideals.
And, also, I think that this is the path to victory – the people want a party which has strong beliefs and sticks to them. Part of the unpopularity of Congress is directly traceable to the Democrats abandoning their own base in favor of political expediency. Say what you like about our liberal friends, but they believe in the “public option” and are enraged that a health care bill might clear Congress without it. Justifiably, they are wondering why the put all that effort in to victory in 2008, only to have their side run screaming from a core, liberal belief. The Democrats are set to limp in to 2010 with a weak economy, and increasingly unpopular President and a base which is dispirited – just as the GOP base became dispirited from 2005 forward as the GOP leadership threw over core GOP beliefs in favor of political expediency.
If we believe our ideals are correct, then we should unashamedly advance them – not pausing to wonder if such adherence is alienating some voters. Some voters will be alienated – there’s no way around that. Unanimity is not possible in a Republic. To be sure, we should use patience and tact; we should express love and forgiveness for those we oppose; we must shape our message in to the most palatable terms possible – but when push comes to shove, we must show an iron determination that our views will prevail. And we can’t do this if we’re busily electing people with an “R” after their name who will vote against us at the crucial moment.
Gingrich is a wise and intelligent observer of politics, but he’s missing the bus on this new political dynamic. It is a revolutionary time – and the people don’t want weak excuses, but clear action.
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