"He's not conservative!" is the Republicans leaders warning to its base
electorate when a candidate fails to meet the party's litmus test.
Isn't this a bit silly when you consider the countless issues and the
diversity of the American electorate of which half don't fall into the
conservative category.
Since the Republican Party often reminds us of it unwritten requirement,
perhaps we should look at what the loyal opposition, the Democrat Party,
use to measure its candidates.
First, Democrats rightly understand a label does little good, and attacking
the opposition provides greater political gains. This is why you will never
hear its leadership pronounce "He's not a Liberal!" to ward off a candidate!
Democrat do have a litmus test for serious candidates, but its based on issues,
with the campaign strategy of appealing to groups. Republican approach the
electorate as individuals. Both strategies have been successful enough that
neither party will abandon its approach to the electorate.
But, if our nation is about 50-50, liberal/conservative, does it make sense to
promote conservatism, even in primaries? Yet, this is what the Republican
Party has done ever since Ronald Reagan won the presidency, even though
the party refuses to govern as conservatives!
Until the Republican Party accepts the fact "conservative" will turn off a
significant percentage of the electorate it will always struggle to get over
the 50% threshold required to win national elections!
"Point of View" Blog, Series of commentaries,
welcome to add feedback on blog or via email,
ajbruno14@gmail.com
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