Are "Truces" Necessary For Coalition Building?
22/09/10 11:13
There has been much uproar over the comments of Gov. Mitch Daniels and Rep. Paul Ryan regarding a "truce" on social issues within the Republican Party. Many of the social conservatives interpreted those comments to be calling for an admission of defeat on social issues among Republicans. Between the latest David Boaz article on Cato, and the Hogan diary on Red State, I've been giving this debate a lot of thought.
Hogan acknowledges that the current conservative coalition has different opinions on social issues, and correctly points out that the war against government spending is what unites us. I don't think anyone is saying the Republican Party should change its position on social issues. But, we must realize that if we lose the war against spending, we won't have a country left to worry about social issues. I think of it like a house on fire. First you've got to put out the fire, then you can see what is salvageable and start to rebuild.
That's also what I think what Daniels, Ryan and Boaz are trying to say. The fiscal crisis our country is facing takes priority over our differences on social issues. That is not to say that we compromise our principles on social issues, but that we must fight and win the fiscal war first, and then we can work out our differences on social issues.
In order to build coalitions, you have to find common ground. In this case, that common ground is fiscal responsiblity. Let's work with those who agree with us on the principles of limited government and freedom to win that war. Most of the time, those who believe in those values will be in agreement with us on social issues as well...but maybe for different reasons. Regardless, putting government back in it's proper role should be our first priority.
Hogan acknowledges that the current conservative coalition has different opinions on social issues, and correctly points out that the war against government spending is what unites us. I don't think anyone is saying the Republican Party should change its position on social issues. But, we must realize that if we lose the war against spending, we won't have a country left to worry about social issues. I think of it like a house on fire. First you've got to put out the fire, then you can see what is salvageable and start to rebuild.
That's also what I think what Daniels, Ryan and Boaz are trying to say. The fiscal crisis our country is facing takes priority over our differences on social issues. That is not to say that we compromise our principles on social issues, but that we must fight and win the fiscal war first, and then we can work out our differences on social issues.
In order to build coalitions, you have to find common ground. In this case, that common ground is fiscal responsiblity. Let's work with those who agree with us on the principles of limited government and freedom to win that war. Most of the time, those who believe in those values will be in agreement with us on social issues as well...but maybe for different reasons. Regardless, putting government back in it's proper role should be our first priority.
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