How Far for a Victory?

So David Frum is mad that some people call him a RINO.

Here’s something I’ll never understand. Why is it that those of us who are willing to do what it takes to beat Democrats are called “Republicans in name only” or worse? Meanwhile those conservatives willing to accept years of Democratic government rather than adjust any point congratulate themselves on their commitment and dedication.

Let me first say that I like David Frum and agree with him most of the time. I also understand his frustration. Being not-always-in-line with the Republican faithful, I’ve been accused of being a RINO myself from time to time. With that said, I don’t know that I like his attitude of ‘do what it takes to beat Democrats’ if that means moving leftward just to win elections. It smacks of opportunism to me and that’s not what you build a movement on.

I have no problem with the GOP moderating on certain policies provided a good case can be made as to why we should. For example I think we can afford to be a bit more flexible on gun control, meaning background checks and a serious effort to control trafficking. I am happy to argue for my beliefs and I think if given the chance it’s a persuasive position that mainline conservatives can adopt. So often though we have ‘dissident’ Republicans advocating moderation / centrism not on principle, but simply because they think it will get us more votes.

I think in order for the party to be strong, there has to be a certain commitment to first principles. We can’t throw them out the window just to score victories. That turns politics into a game instead of an intellectual debate between opposing ideologies. It’s also the surest way for us to end up looking in the mirror 20 years from now and wondering who is staring back. In many ways this is how we got where we are, abandoning certain principles to score victories on the backs of religious conservatives. We can’t turn around and do the same thing now by moving Left.