THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume VI, Issue # 273, December 30, 2004
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
WILL REPUBLICANS SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GOVERN?
By Christopher G. Adamo
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, U.S.A.: THE QUESTION OF ITS ABILITY & WILLINGNESS TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY &
RESPONSIBILITY AS AMERICA'S GOVERNING PARTY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL -- WILL REPUBLICANS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THEIR CONTROL OF THE PRESIDENCY & THE TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS TO PROVIDE AMERICANS WITH EFFECTIVE NATIONAL
LEADERSHIP BASED ON ADHERENCE TO & PUTTING INTO ACTUAL PRACTICE THE PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL
CONSERVATISM? OR, WILL REPUBLICANS YIELD TO THE PRESSURES OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATS & SOCALLED "MODERATE"
REPUBLICANS TO ABANDON CONSERVATIVE & CONSTITUTIONALIST PRINCIPLES & SUPPORT THE ANTI-AMERICAN, AMORAL, &
STATIST AGENDA OF THE POLITICAL & CULTURAL LEFT?
FULL STORY:
Political operatives in both major political parties and on both sides of the aisle in each of the two houses of Congress are
discussing the 2008 election as if it is only days away. But, hardly a dismissal of the important issues facing President Bush in his
second term, this talk of the next presidential race is representative of the pivotal changes in the political landscape that occurred
last November.
Unfortunately, the forces of “moderation” are still at work within the GOP, threatening to undermine the tremendous gains made by
Conservatives in the elections. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends that the Republican Party should move “to the center” (which
means to the Left) on social issues.
Voices from within the Republican National Committee contemplate running a social “moderate” as the best means of countering a
potential Hillary Clinton candidacy put forward by the Democratic Party. And political strategist Dick Morris warned against GOP
senators playing hardball in response to Democratic filibusters of the President Bush's judicial nominees.
But, although the Republican Party cannot afford to become arrogant and heavy handed in the wake of its recent victories, neither
should it be fixated on gaining the approval of its political rivals, or the avoidance of controversy.
Americans voted as they did in hopes of fending off the catastrophe of a Kerry Presidency, but also because they desire the
restoration of Conservative and traditionally pro-American government -- i.e., pro-Constitutional government -- in Washington.
So far, signs have been mixed.
President Bush remains devoted to an immigration policy that, aside from minor window dressing, amounts to “open borders.” In
the best of times, a plan of this nature can be detrimental to national cohesiveness. But, with America facing the ongoing threat of
terrorist incursions, such an approach verges on the suicidal.
Fortunately, the Congress, operating on a level that is much closer to the “grassroots,” is asserting itself against the President’s
effort to further weaken barriers to illegal immigration. Though internal conflict isn’t good for the overall unity of the party, if
Congressional Republicans remain steadfast, they will avert a situation that many Conservatives would regard as nothing less
than betrayal.
Second only to the War on Terror in the minds of Conservatives is the looming menace of judicial activism. And on this front, the
President appears to be rising to the fight. Having perhaps recognized the need to abandon his “new tone” of compromise and
conciliation, he announced his intention to re-nominate twenty of his previous candidates for federal judgeships. This move
constitutes a direct confrontation with filibustering Democrats.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democrats’ new party floor leader in the Senate (i.e., the new Senate Minority Leader), claimed
to be “extremely disappointed,” and described the nominees as “extremist.” Other prominent Democrats have similarly excoriated
the President. Nevertheless, if Senate Republicans remain true to principle and play their strategy correctly, the situation could
prove to be a huge “win/win” for them.
A continuation of the Democrats' filibusters, formerly spearheaded by then Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota,
may well place Reid, a “red state Democrat” on the same track that led to Daschle’s early retirement from public office.
Furthermore, the socalled “nuclear option,” being pondered by the Republicans as a counter to the power of the filibuster, would
gradually lower the number of votes required to end debate and allow an “up or down” decision on judicial nominees. This
process could place an unwelcome spotlight on those Democrats who still choose to obstruct a simple majority vote as
stipulated by the Constitution.
Democrats’ dismay, resulting from the country’s “red shift” during recent elections, has been made evident by some other
phenomenal events of the post-election period. According to a December 24 Los Angeles Times article, the
Democratic Party is actually rethinking its historically radical pro-abortion philosophy.
Meanwhile Hillary Clinton, in an attempt to distance herself from the “Haight Ashbury” Liberalism that was her trademark
throughout her eight years as “Co-president,” now sounds positively hawkish and, on occasion, even “religious.”
Republicans ought to realize that phony posturing towards the political and cultural Center by Democrats only serves to blur
the lines and make it easier for those on the Left to masquerade as Conservatives. Consequently, Republicans should respond
with a bold, unabashedly Conservative agenda. Aside from simply being the right thing to do, this tactic will make nearly
impossible for Hillary, or any Liberal Democrat, to deceive the electorate with a fraudulent Conservative facade.
This is no time for Republicans to become detached from their Conservative base. Any future political fortunes are critically
dependant on their ability to recognize and take advantage of this chance for leadership that will otherwise remain only fleetingly
in their grasp.
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Politics & Political Competition
Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming and works in the field of industrial instrumentation.
He is actively involved in Wyoming's political process, serving as a delegate to successive Wyoming State Republican Conventions
and as a member of the Wyoming State Republican Central Committee. He has assisted Republican candidates for local and state
legislatures and for the United States Congress. His articles, which appear regularly in The Progressive Conservative, U.S.A.,
and on a number of other websites, reflect a major concern with the damage being done to Conservatism and Conservative causes by
the Liberal Leftist faction in the Republican Party as well as by the much larger and more powerful Liberal Leftist faction in the
Democratic Party. During the early and middle 1990s, Adamo was Editor of the Wyoming Christian Coalition's official news organ,
The Wyoming Christian. Adamo maintains his own Internet website, which is located at
www.chrisadamo.com.
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