I was talking with a friend the other day who is a high-level figure in the Republican Party here in California. I discussed with him my theory that there is a Civil War brewing inside the Party. Two election cycles of defeats have made the party meetings and discussions very rancorous. Moderates and Conservatives have been wrestling for control of the party, and in the end, only one side can win.
"It's too late" he said, "the war is already here."
He went on to explain in great detail about some of the battles that have been fought in the party on multiple levels. There are battles at the local, state and national levels right now, and almost all of them are occurring at the same time. He explained the situation in the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, where there was a sudden coup last year involving a chaotic meeting where voters removed longtime head Linda Boyd from power. I didn't know Linda Boyd personally, but she and her husband had been important figures in the party for a number of years. However, other individuals in the party felt she was being destructive because she and her husband Doug opted to support Democrat James Hahn for Mayor in 2005 instead of Republican Walter Moore. It appears to be true that Doug Boyd was actually paid $30,000 to support James Hahn.
If these accusations are true, then I fully approve of their ouster. It makes no sense to have party leaders who do not support members of their own party. I have heard that there was some complaining and poor behavior by Walter Moore over this issue of non-support of his candidacy in 2005 . Even though I disagree with Walter on many issues, this is one where he would have received my full support. As a party, the Republicans have to support their own. On this issue, there is no room for compromise. Walter may have been a moderate, but you don't throw him under the bus for a liberal Democrat just because the Democrat wrote you a big check.
This is what is happening to Republicans at every level right now. We are suffering in elections because the candidates are abdicating their principles. The Boyds are only one example. Look at Arlen Specter. He is a contemptible and desperate man who only cares about holding onto power. He needs to go, and so do many other career politicians just like him. The Civil War that is brewing is happening because we need to get rid of people like Specter. If we don't, we run the risk of becoming a Party that radio show host Mark Levin says "stands for nothing, appeals to nobody, and is only supported because the alternatives are worse."
I am a Conservative. I believe that Conservatives should be in charge of the Party, and that when we regain control, the Party will start winning again. We have to stop letting Moderates into power. They have shown a tendency to abandon core principles and core value systems. For too long, we Conservatives have been told that we are the ones who need to change. That we need to be more flexible and follow the mood of the electorate. No! I reject this thinking. Leaders who operate in this manner are showing that they have no coherent value system. Conservatism is all about freedom and opportunity for the individual. It was the guiding faith of our Founding Fathers. Abandoning our principles and core values is the antithesis of what we are all about. Moderates have shown us that they can do this easily. That is why Moderates lose elections.
The party is so fractured right now, that the media can't even identify who the leader of the Party is right now. New RNC Chairman Michael Steele stepped up to the plate and told everyone that he is now the boss. That is nice, but he is so new that people aren't comfortable with him yet, and he has already had a few slip-ups while speaking publicly for the party. The Mainstream Media decided to label radio show host Rush Limbaugh the new leader of the party. He is a respected and trusted voice among Conservatives, but he is an entertainer and not the party leader. So...who will lead us into the next election cycle? We have many good options.
Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee are favorites among the Conservatives.
Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are popular with Moderates. Bobby Jindal and Newt Gingrich haven't openly declared their intentions, but they seem to have some support also. Some people have mentioned Eric Cantor or General Petraeus. But it is also possible a new figure will rise to the challenge. Our next leader could be toiling in obscurity right now. The future is always full of surprises.
In 2004 , heavy favorite and lock-certain-nominee Senator Hillary Clinton was making plans for moving back into the White House in 2008. Barack Obama, on the other hand, was only hoping he would be fortunate enough to win his election in Illinois to become a United States Senator.
