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A New Standard Bearer for Republicans, a New Standard for the New York GOP by KT McFarland
A New Standard Bearer for Republicans, a New Standard for the New York GOP
Mon, 12 May 2008 16:12:00
November 7, 2006 was Black Tuesday for Republicans. The party suffered ignominious defeat nationally, and nowhere more so than here in New York. Today, for the first time in over 60 years, no Republican holds statewide office. And while Republican candidates do still prevail in local races in pockets throughout the state, even those areas are shrinking fast. The GOP is dangerously close to extinction as a statewide party.
Republicans blamed the national party, the Iraq War, economic woes and an unpopular president. While true enough, these reasons don’t excuse the fact that the New York GOP is a party adrift. To themselves and to others, Republicans seem to lack strong principles and clear policies. The GOP may still mouth the platitudes of lower taxes and smaller government, but it’s just a lot of hot air. The party has sacrificed what used to be core beliefs, one after another, in a shortsighted pursuit of incumbency, partnering with the Democrats for de facto support of big government. Those in the state party are like the aging heirs to a once-great fortune, reduced to selling off the furniture to stay in the musty old family mansion.
But I have always believed that when the Good Lord closes a door, He opens a window.
Senator McCain’s candidacy gives New York Republicans that window of opportunity. McCain can knit together a new coalition of Republicans. His practical common-sense approach to finding solutions attracts independent voters, which New York has in abundance. His strong support for the environment, alternate energies and ethics reform brings the Teddy Roosevelt Republicans back into the fold. His fiscal conservatism, personal story and strong national security stance appeal to the base of the party. And finally, his demonstrated willingness to reach across the partisan divide draws in the Reagan Democrats.
That window has cracked open a little more thanks to the opposition party. New York Democrats now have their own set of self-inflicted problems, with a disgraced former governor, a weakened current governor and a membership bitterly divided over which Democratic candidate to support for president. Regardless of who their nominee is ultimately, there will be a lot of disgruntled Democrats in New York come election time who could show their displeasure by staying home on Election Day. Or, if recent polls can be believed, might even vote for McCain.
All of this means that Senator McCain’s candidacy can put New York “in play” and do what no Republican has done since Ronald Reagan: win one of the bluest states on the map. And a Democrat who loses New York will find it virtually impossible to win the White House.
But there is a second reason a McCain candidacy is important to New York Republicans. His very presence on the ticket, and willingness to compete here, gives New York Republicans a candidate around whom we can rebuild the party.
Surveys point to a recurring theme among many New York voters—“I didn’t leave the Republican Party, it was the Republican Party that left me.” These people feel abandoned by the national party and betrayed by the state leadership. But they still believe in Republican principles. There are still plenty of New Yorkers willing to support a Republican Party that returns to the core beliefs of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Reagan.
A Republican Party in New York needs to encourage fiscal discipline at the same time it encourages business. It must realize tax cuts stimulate the economy by unleashing the creativity of the American people. It must insist on the highest ethical standards and seek leaders who seek office not for their own selfish advancement but for the good of their fellow citizens. It must champion the environment and promote alternate energies and energy independence. The party must believe in a strong—but not a reckless—national defense: that we should walk softly and carry a big stick. The party must reach out to like-minded allies to help keep the peace. And, both in Washington and Albany, Republicans must stop the insane and frenzied spending in exchange for votes.
The battle flag of Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan may be tattered and lying in the dust, but it is still intact. With John McCain lifting that flag, New Yorkers may be ready to rally to the Republican Party once again.
Republicans blamed the national party, the Iraq War, economic woes and an unpopular president. While true enough, these reasons don’t excuse the fact that the New York GOP is a party adrift. To themselves and to others, Republicans seem to lack strong principles and clear policies. The GOP may still mouth the platitudes of lower taxes and smaller government, but it’s just a lot of hot air. The party has sacrificed what used to be core beliefs, one after another, in a shortsighted pursuit of incumbency, partnering with the Democrats for de facto support of big government. Those in the state party are like the aging heirs to a once-great fortune, reduced to selling off the furniture to stay in the musty old family mansion.
But I have always believed that when the Good Lord closes a door, He opens a window.
Senator McCain’s candidacy gives New York Republicans that window of opportunity. McCain can knit together a new coalition of Republicans. His practical common-sense approach to finding solutions attracts independent voters, which New York has in abundance. His strong support for the environment, alternate energies and ethics reform brings the Teddy Roosevelt Republicans back into the fold. His fiscal conservatism, personal story and strong national security stance appeal to the base of the party. And finally, his demonstrated willingness to reach across the partisan divide draws in the Reagan Democrats.
That window has cracked open a little more thanks to the opposition party. New York Democrats now have their own set of self-inflicted problems, with a disgraced former governor, a weakened current governor and a membership bitterly divided over which Democratic candidate to support for president. Regardless of who their nominee is ultimately, there will be a lot of disgruntled Democrats in New York come election time who could show their displeasure by staying home on Election Day. Or, if recent polls can be believed, might even vote for McCain.
All of this means that Senator McCain’s candidacy can put New York “in play” and do what no Republican has done since Ronald Reagan: win one of the bluest states on the map. And a Democrat who loses New York will find it virtually impossible to win the White House.
But there is a second reason a McCain candidacy is important to New York Republicans. His very presence on the ticket, and willingness to compete here, gives New York Republicans a candidate around whom we can rebuild the party.
Surveys point to a recurring theme among many New York voters—“I didn’t leave the Republican Party, it was the Republican Party that left me.” These people feel abandoned by the national party and betrayed by the state leadership. But they still believe in Republican principles. There are still plenty of New Yorkers willing to support a Republican Party that returns to the core beliefs of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Reagan.
A Republican Party in New York needs to encourage fiscal discipline at the same time it encourages business. It must realize tax cuts stimulate the economy by unleashing the creativity of the American people. It must insist on the highest ethical standards and seek leaders who seek office not for their own selfish advancement but for the good of their fellow citizens. It must champion the environment and promote alternate energies and energy independence. The party must believe in a strong—but not a reckless—national defense: that we should walk softly and carry a big stick. The party must reach out to like-minded allies to help keep the peace. And, both in Washington and Albany, Republicans must stop the insane and frenzied spending in exchange for votes.
The battle flag of Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan may be tattered and lying in the dust, but it is still intact. With John McCain lifting that flag, New Yorkers may be ready to rally to the Republican Party once again.
