Turning 12’ Into 64’

In politics, a week is equivalent to a year in the rest of the world. So speculating on an election three years away is setting the author up for future egg to splattered straight on the mug. However, speculating on an issue ripe for discussion and debate is too tempting to resist.

In 1964 the Republican Party was split on the direction of their party. Granted there were several extenuating circumstance, such as Rockefeller’s personal life, but the root debate in 64’ was the question “shall the future of the Republican Party be Conservative or moderate”? This is a question being echoed again today.

In nominating Goldwater the party decided to stand on principle, and in essence give in to loosing the battle only to set up a strong base for future entanglements. The party could have gone for a candidate that went to the middle, instead they nominated a man who in his acceptance speech stated: “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” The Arizona Senator was a galvanizing figure that gave a voice to future generations. The Reagan Revolution was the offspring of 1964.

This brings us to the current state of the GOP. Granted, 64’ and 12’ are not identical, but they are close enough to draw comparisons and discussion.

Several of the leaders in the Republican Party fall victim to a bipartisan truth: Hypocrisy is a politician’s third certainty along with death and taxes. If you are in politics long enough, you are bound to contradict yourself or find a change of heart. But there is a limit to hypocrisy, even for politicians. Be it a family values born again Christian who cheats on their wife, or a fiscal conservative who supports large government spending.

(We are all human and make mistakes, so this is not a judgment on any of these individuals – but this is Politics we are talking about, and running for President is the Super Bowl.)

If the GOP is to find their galvanizing figure in 12’ they will need to find an individual who can walk the walk they talk. Sanford looked as though he could fill this void, but then Buenos Aries called. As a political junkie and an American who loves debate, I put forward Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Coburn is a friend and stanch ally to both the Grover Norquist wing of the party along with the James Dobson wing. Some say Senator DeMint is their man, but to those individuals I direct you to this debate and ask if you think he has what it takes to carry the water.

Granted Coburn and Goldwater are not mirror images of one another, and the political make up is not identical, but they are close. In a muted field, people will gravitate to the purest voice. Coburn’s candidacy would insure a loss in November 2012, but, he could very well be the voice a desperate party needs.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites