Here is how I see things.
In 1964, I would not have felt good about the purity of Goldwater on the morning after LBJ was elected.
These numbers are far from exact.
I think the country has about 35%-40% devoted conservatives, 35%-40% devoted liberals, and 20%-30% swing voters that some people call independents.
A far right-wing candidate (like Goldwater) will always need the help of voters that are not right wing to win.
A far left-wing candidate (like McGovern) will always need the help of voters that are not left-wing to win.
We also have to know that to win many elections, at least at the national level; we will often need help from those outside our circle.
The Republican Party is a big tent.
I am glad that my party has all of Giuliani, Schwarzenegger, Coburn, Kyl, Thune, Dole, Bush, Hatch, etc. ALL of them.
We as Republicans need to avoid concluding that some Republicans are more equal than others.
In the Republican Party, we are all Republicans and we are all Americans. |
