The death of the Republican Revolution

Gerry Ford Republicanism rises Phoenix-like from the Ash Heap of Party History

I hate to say this, but conservatism has been out flanked. For twenty to twenty-five years, conservatives have held sway in the GOP. When "compassionate conservative" George W. Bush was elected in 2000, some conservatives were wary, but most still felt comfortable with conservatism's place in the Republican party. It may have signaled a change in the party's philosophy, though.

Democrats and the press have helped keep conservatives ignorant of the tide change in party philosophy by labeling every Republican and their brother as neo-conservatives. A funny thing happened on the way to neo-conservatism: President Bush filled cabinent positions with formerly rising stars of the Nixon and Ford administrations, hardly bastions of conservative philosophy. Along the way, we've elected to Congress more neo-Fordians than true conservatives. The result has been a ruling class of Republicans who pay lip service to conservative values but who are really big government Republicans of the pre-Reagan mold.

Not many have really put their fingers on this yet, but they experience it every time they air their frustrations with the current Republican leadership. Unless there is a notable personality change amongst D.C. Republicans, expect to see a return to the 1970's era fight for the soul of the GOP. Unfortunately for conservatives, this time it may be Ford Republicans who are in their ascendancy.

As the divide in the GOP becomes more defined, don't expect to see this framed as Gerry Ford Republicans vs. Conservatives for two reasons. The first is that big government Republicans are not going to want to associate themselves with Ford. Secondly, due to the effect conservatives have had one the party for the last 25 years, the neo-Ford Republicans are slightly to the right of Ford's party and the media will never make the connection. Make no mistake about it, though, Ford era Republicanism is exactly what we are watching grow in the GOP. It is a Republicanism that is not based on values and philosophy as conservatism is, but on governing, power, and party machinations. It results in wishy-washy stands on issues that only have the next election in mind. It results in bloated government spending as the party panders for votes. It also results in lost elections.

Part of the rise in Ford era Republicanism may have been inevitable. It is far easier to take principled stands on issues when you are the minority party. Once a party achieves the majority, the first instinct is to abandon principle in order protect power and privilege. While inevitable, it is not pre-ordained. Conservatives are awakening to the changes that are occurring in the Republican party. To borrow a phrase William F. Buckley, I expect conservatives will stand athwart the GOP's changes and yell, "stop!" Their stand will determine what the GOP looks like in 25 years and the future of conservatism in the United States.