Mitt Romney is on his way to a decisive victory on November 6th. He’s got momentum and has closed the polling gap in just about every swing state with less than two weeks to go. The incumbent President has failed in three attempts to make a clear case for his re-election. Instead he’s used his time in our living rooms to spout the tired rhetoric of class warfare and the welfare state, while the economy and our position in the world crumbles.
One of the signs that victory is near is the grumbling of some movement conservatives in the blogosphere about the ‘moderate Mitt Romney’. They're seemingly resigned to the fact that we’re about to elect another George Bush – either one or two – pick your big government President.
Don’t you believe it! It’s true that Governor Romney was elected in liberal Massachusetts and fathered his own version of government health care. It’s also true that he appeals to independents and some disaffected Democrats because he’s not a Tea Party conservative. What’s important now, however, is that he’s going to win. When he does it will usher in a new era of conservative leadership and governance. The Movement comeback began with the congressional victories in 2010 and continued with the recall victory of Scott Walker.
Beginning in January 2013, the Republican Party will be dominated by free market, liberty-minded, value-voter conservatives all responsible for the Romney election. In 1980, conservatives were energized with Reagan’s victory but unfortunately with the selection of Bush and the influence in the cabinet by the Neo-Cons, victory was short-lived.
Beginning in January 2013, the Republican Party will be dominated by free market, liberty-minded, value-voter conservatives all responsible for the Romney election. In 1980, conservatives were energized with Reagan’s victory but unfortunately with the selection of Bush and the influence in the cabinet by the Neo-Cons, victory was short-lived.
Unlike Reagan, Romney moved Right and selected a strong, leading conservative as his running mate whose political identity was based on a budget that is essentially the antithesis of the Great Society. The die was cast immediately upon than decision.
Given the influence of the Republican Study Committee in the House and the conservative leaders in the Senate, future President Romney will very likely keep a center-right course regarding nominations and government spending because the entirety of the GOP leadership in the House and Senate are far more conservative than we've seen in decades – including the 1994 Contract with America Members.
It’s taken the better part of the past two years since the 2010 victories to refocus the party on nominating candidates that have two critical qualities. First that they can grasp core conservative principles and second that they can win. Christine O’Donnell was a product of a very angry and motivated Tea Party movement focused first and foremost on ridding the GOP of liberal, compromising big government, shoulda-been-a-Democrat office holders like Mike Castle. That was Phase One. Phase Two was to replace them with thoughtful, electable strong conservatives. Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Pat Toomey are all cut from the cloth of reigning in government and righting the ship of state. They also have enough broad appeal to be elected, at least in the case of PA and FL, in moderate, swing states.
It’s clear that even without a majority, The GOP leaders in the United States Senate when Mitt Romney is inaugurated will be much more conservative than those that held office during Ronald Reagan’s first term.
In 1992 I worked for then President George H. W. Bush as the campaign’s national youth director. It was increasingly difficult as the campaign recovered from the debate performances and an unfocused four years to energize young conservatives for the incumbent. Higher taxes, new business regulations, increased government spending, all signs of a weak incumbent governing to the center-left and ready for the exit. The national GOP never seemed to fully recover, nominating moderate Bob Dole in 1996 and then eight years of domestic spending under George W. Bush, effectively re-branding our party, followed by the nomination of moderate ‘maverick’ John McCain. This year however is very different. The party today stands on the precipice of victory, with a united front and a focused clear message about limiting the size and scope of government and bringing about the prosperity that only a free market can deliver.
As much as Mitt Romney’s experience is to get along across the aisle, there’s a good chance – despite the negative press surrounding Todd Akin – that the GOP will not only hold the House, but possibly take control of the Senate. We’re potentially 13 days from having a President who clearly understands the need for free markets and American strength abroad. He’s also unique with his appeal to the center because of his experience and demeanor. Combine that with a conservative dominated House and Senate and you have a true recipe for the final winding down of the 1960’s welfare state.
This win and subsequent ascendancy of free market conservatives represented by new Vice President Paul Ryan will solidify the dominance of conservatives at the helm of the GOP for a long time to come.
And all this at a time when state voters are throwing out the big government leaders and electing GOP governors like Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley, Bob McDonnell, and Chris Christie.
The future is indeed bright and this year provides the perfect opportunity, not only to win one for the Gipper, but to truly finish what he started when he first ran for the White House more than thirty years ago.
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