GOP Must Define Its Basic Essence, Offer Clear Vision of Future

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Feb. 28, Orange County Voices carried columns on the future of the Republican Party from two thoughtful Orange County writers representing conservative and moderate viewpoints.

At that time we offered this page as a forum and invited readers to join the debate by submitting their views on the future of the GOP and what its themes, appeals and programs should be.

The comments published here are a representative sample of the responses received.

GOP’s ‘Conservatism, Pro-Life Stance Didn’t Cost It White House’

Rob Hurtt’s (recent) tsunami-like (state Senate) victory should dash any doubts about the viability of a conservative Republican Party. In a politically competitive district, Hurtt took 75.9% of the vote--30 points ahead of Republican registration! He did that while sounding traditional Republican themes of less government, lower taxes and conservative social values, including a pro-life stand on abortion.

I imagine the GOP faint-hearts, me-tooers and mugwumps who’ve been blowing the retreat from the principles of Reagan conservatism are now scratching their heads in confusion. How could the only pro-lifer in the race--a man constantly dogged by the “religious right” label in the press and in opposition mailers--have garnered three-quarters of the vote and vaporized six staunchly pro-choice candidates? By sticking with proven conservative principles, that’s how.

Hopefully, Hurtt’s landslide will dispel the clouds of doubt that have enshrouded the minds of some prominent Orange County Republicans. Anyone with eyes to examine the evidence knows the Republican Party’s conservatism and pro-life stance did not cost it the White House; it was Bush & Company’s betrayal of the Reagan legacy.

Republicans should resist the foolish counsel of misnamed Big Tent advocates. They preach inclusion while seeking to exclude anyone who disagrees with their single-minded devotion to legalized abortion. They promote the perception of intraparty division when the reality is liberal Republicans have staged a revolt over abortion and gay rights. It is they who have put social issues on the front burner, not conservatives.

We must have the courage of our conservative convictions; they have served the Republican Party well because they are grounded in the enduring principles of the American founding. If we stand by them, Clinton’s house of cards will fall in short order, and the GOP will be there to pick up the pieces.

MATTHEW CUNNINGHAM

Orange