Important Canary in the Coal Mine Moment: Susan Eisenhower Leaves Republican Party

Imagine if you were OpenLeft's Matt Stoller -- and he woke up one day and he decided he couldn't take the drift in the Democratic Party any longer -- and he quit. Stoller became an independent or even a McCain-supporting Republican. Of course, that has happened to some Hillary Clinton supporters who have essentially become anti-Obama/pro-McCain operatives.

But quitting a party is difficult. I've seen some friends do it -- and it's traumatic for them. Lincoln Chafee quit the Republican Party and has become an Independent -- and many Republicans -- such as former Republican Congressman Jim Leach and Republican philanthropist and international lawyer Rita Hauser among others -- are remaining Republican but organizing behind Obama.

Christine Todd Whitman and long term Colin Powell aide Lawrence Wilkerson want their party back.

I quit the Democrats and Republicans long ago. I quit the Dems when the Los Angeles City Council, dominated by Dems, shifted its position under the direction of Richard Alatorre and Tom Bradley and issued previously blocked oil drilling permits to Armand Hammer and Occidental Petroleum. At that time, Al Gore's father -- the former Senator Al Gore Sr. -- sat on Occidental's board. I quit then.

I joined the Republicans, but too many bad encounters with "B-1 Bob Dornan" helped me make my slide into long term Independent status an easy one.

But when the Eisenhowers not only abandon a GOP candidate in favor of a Dem but actually quit the party -- that's a "canary in the coal mine" moment.

Story continues below

advertisement

Ike's granddaughter, Susan Eisenhower, a realist/strategist, Eisenhower-style Republican has quit her grandfather's party. This is really a "wow" moment.

Read her entire statement, but here is a clip of her stand which was issued on National Interest Online, a publication affiliated with the Nixon Center:

I have decided I can no longer be a registered Republican.

For the first time in my life I announced my support for a Democratic candidate for the presidency, in February of this year. This was not an endorsement of the Democratic platform, nor was it a slap in the face to the Republican Party. It was an expression of support specifically for Senator Barack Obama.

I had always intended to go back to party ranks after the election and work with my many dedicated friends and colleagues to help reshape the GOP, especially in the foreign-policy arena. But I now know I will be more effective focusing on our national and international problems than I will be in trying to reinvigorate a political organization that has already consumed nearly all of its moderate "seed corn."

And now, as the party threatens to trivialize what promised to be a serious debate on our future direction, it will alienate many young people who might have come into party ranks.

My decision came at the end of last week when it was demonstrated to the nation that McCain and this Bush White House have learned little in the last five years.

They mishandled what became a crisis in the Caucusus, and this has undermined U.S. national security. At the same time, the McCain camp appears to be comfortable with running an unworthy Karl Rove-style political campaign. Will the McCain operation, and its sponsors, do anything to win?

I don't like applauding the shift of moderates away from the Republican Party. It's not healthy for a largely two-party system to find either party hijacked by radicals who appeal to slim minorities.

But I am glad that Susan Eisenhower shared her political course with us. It's something all of us who are interested in healthy political outcomes should note.

Her move also says a great deal about the destructive course the Republican Party has been heading for some time.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[deminmo]

I chose to be a Democrat and a moderate when I registered
to vote, some 30 years ago. But I rarely vote for all Democrats.
Now, over the last 8 years of this current administration, specifically
the last 4, I have become more Liberal. But I am voting for Obama
mainly because I do not want another Bush type administration.
I am so disappointed in the Democratic party not standing
by their 9 point statement, that I will re-register in January as an
Independant. And assuming there is an election, I will hope the
next President will begin to make changes that are promised.

[JaneEyrez]

God Bless Your, Susan! There are probably millions of Americans like me whose first memory of a president was Ike. I've been a life-long Democrat through good and bad, but I would always consider supporting the opposing side if their candidate seemed more thoughtful and able that my party's offering. This year I am truly energized by Barack Obama and truly disgusted, the more I learn, by John McCain. I feel that he is a very dangerous individual, prone to angry and impulsive decision-making and filters all the job of a president through the narrow focus of endless war. Thanks again for making it comfortable for other Republicans to jump ship at a time when our ship of state is in so need of a steady hand at the helm.

[MBryant]

If the Dems had nominated a Biden, Bradly, or Richardson - even Kerry again - they'd be crushing McCain.

The Eisenhower Republicans werea pragmatic pro-business, pro-growth party of perhaps less government,, vigilant security, and promotion of a rising economic sea to float all. Reagan turned the party into purveyors of a nostalgic "Leave it to Beaver" image of America, suburban family life and simple religion, that wasn't even valid a quarter century ago, now it is almost laughably out of step.

Although Gingrich promised a return to Eisenhower style GOP, instead the neocons took some Reagan fantasy, mixed it with fear of change and fear of the boogie man and re-cast the party again.

Now the neocons have trashed so many in the United States - they have betrayed the religious right, abused the military, They've destroyed our foreign policy and insulted many Americans who may only be a generation or two from the many countries on our "enemies lists". The may "klll the brand".

Obama is worthwhile but he is inexperienced and the first black. If the Dems had a more conventional - even boring candidate - it would be a much wider margin.

[laylahb]

Last week I pulled up her excellent February Op Ed piece about supporting Obama, and thought that it would be an incredible "Lieberman Moment" if she would speak at the DNC Convention on "Ladies' Night." Alas, she did say she was a committed, lifelong member of the Republican Party.

Now this. Wow. I don't know what to say..

Susan, I think there may be an open slot for you on Tuesday night in Denver. Interested?

[RobertHenryEller]

I respect Susan Eisenhower's decision to become an Independent. And her decision is certainly noteworthy. Unfortunately, her decision is hardly a canary in a coal mine moment. Susan Eisenhower is an exceptionally intelligent, informed and serious person. Yet, consider how long it has taken someone with far more intellect than most people possess to come to such a determination and decision. How many other people as thoughtful as Susan Eisenhower do you believe there are? I believe there are not very many like her. And I do not believe that many people are approaching their positions as she has, nor will many be swayed because of her decision, or others making similar decisions.

Susan Eisenhower's decision is certainly striking. But it will not be a harbinger.

No, a canary in a coal mine moment would be when "gut-level" Republicans, be they life-long Republicans, Reagan Democrats, or Clinton supporters, start to do the emotional conversion necessary to feel what Susan Eisenhower understands on a rational basis. In other words, when people who understand and are immediately affected by political decisions and who's in power, change in their hearts who they believe shares their interests.