The future of conservatism

I have been saying for the past several weeks something that this election conspicuously confirmed to me, although I'm aware that many pundits and talking heads would disagree. Republicans need to decide whether we are going to be a center-right party, economically and socially, or just a "Me too, but not quite as much" carbon copy of the Democrats. It is time for some serious soul searching. I understand the need to build winning coalitions, and that that is what political parties do. But there is a point when the tent gets too big. And there also comes a time when heartfelt convictions informed by genuine knowledge need to carry the day rather than unconvincing talking points.

Tony Blankley has written 2 excellent columns (here and here) in the last couple of weeks. He discusses first the temptation to check our convictions at the Capitol (or 30 Rock) doors once our people gain power, and simply become part of the establishment. Thus, of course, we lose our identity and even worse, our ability to shore up the country's foundations.

But, he also states that our win in 1994 came because we learned how to talk to the country where they were, rather than "standing on our high horse declaiming to a nation" about conservative principles (I love that phrase and was briefly tempted not to put it in quotes, so some of you would think I came up with it, but alas, honesty prevailed).

The temptation to simply declare the other side as inadequately educated and simplistic thinkers is compelling when we lose an election. But Reagan did not do that, and neither did Newt Gingrich at his best.

Yes, the country needs an education, especially in economic principles. TV and broad media in general have reduced us to a soundbite culture, where most of us can easily list far more of our favorite TV shows and movies and pop songs than we can the non-fiction books we've read lately. This, along with a built-in media bias, is certainly a deficiency that we must overcome.

But, we will only do so through humor, warmth and mesmerizing truth telling, not sourness, acid sarcasm and bitterness, as inviting as that may be. John Stossel, who is not a conservative but more of a libertarian (which means he is more conservative on economics than most Republicans) is a great example in the pop culture of someone who tells profound truths in a simple way, but with articulate humor and a disarming style. On today's political scene, Congressman Mike Pence is as good an example as I know.

I do not believe that America is finished or destined for doom. I know that conservatism works. To quote Tony Blankley once again:

Conservatism always has been and always will be a force to reckon with because it most closely approximates the reality of the human condition, based, as it is, on the cumulative judgment and experience of a people. It is the heir, not the apostate, to the accumulated wisdom, morality and faith of the people.

I am looking forward to being part of the conversation is constitutional conservatism mobilizes and marches on! I have my ticket to CPAC 2009; I will be there all 3 days. I am having fun being part of a Student Steering Committee that has input on the list of speakers, the general theme, etc. We are energized!

One last thought: SARAH PALIN WAS NOT A MISTAKE! She was the best thing that happened to this campaign, and McCain's loss would have been ever worse if she had not been on the ticket. The modicum of excitement I had at voting this time was due first to her, and second, to the memory of McCain's performance at the Saddleback Civil Forum. Palin will not be on a national ticket in 2012, nor do I think she probably wants to be. But she is not going away, and has endeared herself to millions of Americans. Alaska will never be the same!