Nashville, TN (Wednesday, May 20, 2009) - Momentarily distracted from the cannibalism that has characterized its internal politics over the past few weeks, the RNC will end its special session on Wednesday where it is expected to approve three resolutions designed to draw major distinctions between them and the Democrats on spending, earmarks, and philosophies of governance. The most important of the proposed resolutions is aimed at rebranding the Democrats as the "Democratic Socialist Party." Unfortunately, this is a risky proposition for a party in enormous disarray.
Under the best of conditions, this strategy is likely to fail. Not everyone believes that socialism is better than capitalism. An April 9, Rasmussen Poll (which did not define the concepts of capitalism and socialism) found a non-trivial percentage of the American people surprisingly open to the idea of socialism. Given a choice between the two systems of governance, only 53 percent favored capitalism over socialism. Twenty percent preferred socialism, and among the under 30 crowd, 33 percent approved. Thirty-seven percent favored capitalism, and 30 percent of the under 30 groups were undecided. Given the near collapse of the economy, in a campaign, socialism could well win out over capitalism.
Republicans are attacking the wrong targets and pursuing the wrong goals. Until a few days ago, they were attacking each other and even thinking of ousting its first black chairman. Only the distraction of House Speaker Pelosi's quagmire over enhanced interrogation methods allowed them to rally the troops enough to slow the in fighting. Trying to brand the Democrats is a colossal waste of time. A new Gallup Poll released May 18, shows that the Party has lost support in just about every demographic group except church goers, conservatives, and senior citizens who probably stay because of its traditional values on right to life, heterosexual marriages, and First and Second Amendment rights. These declining levels of party affiliation show that it is the Republican Party brand that no longer excites people.
Chairman Steele has taken an official position that there is no reason for further retrospection. I could not disagree with him more. If Republicans are to regain national power, they must understand the multitude of failures and broken promises that go beyond their fiscal imprudence and abandonment of core conservative principles. What Republicans need is a new vision for 21st century America that recognizes where we are today and how far we have come as a nation.
This new vision does not mean that the Republican Party has to forsake its allegiance to traditional values and the protection of human life. But it does mean that the Republicans can no longer be the Party of racial intolerance, religious hypocrisy, and smugness. Rather than brand the Democrats, the Republicans must thrash out their internal differences as they shape and rebrand themselves for the 21st Century. Otherwise, they risk the fate of the Whigs.
Carol M. Swain is a Professor of Political Science and Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University. A frequent CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight commentator on race relations, immigration, black leadership, and evangelical politics, Professor Swain is also an accomplished author of several popular books including: "Black Face, Black Interests: The Representation of African American in Congress" (Harvard University Press, 1993), "The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration" (Cambridge University Press, 2002), and her most recent book "Debating Immigration" (Cambridge University Press, 2007). You can follow Carol M. Swain on Twitter @CMSwain
Just think of the Abe Lincoln who will do it. Inspiring, isn't it?
Moderates and political expediency have been clearly and resolutely jettisoned in favor of a more strident adherence to principles.
Steele's call to end retrospection is a signal that the thrashing has finished. The only calls for continuing the process are by those who've been cast out or marginalized by the new vision. Some, like you, believe the "new" GOP is actually an anachronism, and is unlikely to garner enough popular support to win elections.
I suspect you're right. And, I don't think they care have as much as you may wish they did.