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Republican Resurrection Through Reform, or Not at All, By K.T. McFarland
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:54:00
Public opinion polls reverberate with record levels of dissatisfaction that people have in their elected officials. Public confidence in the efficiency, efficacy and honesty of government is at historic lows. This holds true for those in Washington, as well as in Albany. Similarly, what ails Washington is what ails Albany—out- of-control spending, bureaucratic incompetence, unethical and immoral officials. The cure, or at least an essential element in the cure—in Washington and Albany—is ethics and lobbying reform.
While voters may not have much confidence in their elected leaders, they still care passionately about the issues. They care about economic revival. They care about rising deficits, a sinking dollar, and the prospect of higher and higher taxes. They care about the environment. And they’ve concluded that the current batch of leaders—in Washington and Albany—is unwilling or incapable of solving these problems.
But what makes many voters maddest of all is the overwhelming appearance that their elected leaders in Washington and Albany have sold out to the big-moneyed, special interests who help finance political campaigns. And, as partisan as Washington and Albany seem on most other issues when it comes to ethics, voters see little difference between Republicans and Democrats.
This means both parties are starting from the same place on ethics reform, and whichever one champions it, with deeds as well as words, with policies, pre scri ptions as well as platitudes, will be seen as the party of change. Ethics reform would not only help restore people’s faith in their government, it is also likely to be good politics.
That’s why the New York Republicans should seize this moment, now, when they are a party facing generational change, when they are a party in transition, when they are a party in search of principles, to redefine themselves. The New York Republican Party is at its lowest ebb in 70 years. It holds no statewide offices, and has only a handful of good prospects in sight. If the Republican Party hasn’t hit bottom yet, it’s close.
Some argue that the Republican Party has had a string of bad luck lately, with a few officials compromised, defeated, under investigation or forced to resign in disgrace. But those are just the outward and visible signs of a party that has lost its way. A strong and healthy Republican Party would not have tolerated those people as leaders.
Others cite the need for a better grassroots organization, or tighter party discipline, or better funding, or a more impressive farm team. Yes, all those are necessary to rebuild the party. They’re essential. But they come second, following from good candidates at the top of the ticket who attract support because they champion principles, not just in word but also in deed.
Before the New York Republican Party all but disappears as a statewide organization, its new generation of leaders needs to get a new message. New York Republicans should become the party of change, the party of principle, the party of integrity. Republican candidates throughout the state should model themselves on their forebear, Teddy Roosevelt, and insist on the highest ethical and moral standards for themselves and others. They should support John McCain enthusiastically and rebuild the state party around his candidacy. They should take up his calls for budget transparency, campaign finance reform, restrictions on lobbyists and their donations, and an end to member items in the state budget. They should understand that ethics reform doesn’t allow for a lot of middle ground, or compromise. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
Republicans tend to be more conservative by nature, not prone to taking big risks, and not in favor of change for change’s sake. But the time to play it safe is over. Safe isn’t working. So, New York Republicans, run some risks; throw open the doors to reform; revive the party of Teddy Roosevelt; find new leaders; chart a new course; reclaim your principles. As Kris Kristofferson once said, “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.”
While voters may not have much confidence in their elected leaders, they still care passionately about the issues. They care about economic revival. They care about rising deficits, a sinking dollar, and the prospect of higher and higher taxes. They care about the environment. And they’ve concluded that the current batch of leaders—in Washington and Albany—is unwilling or incapable of solving these problems.
But what makes many voters maddest of all is the overwhelming appearance that their elected leaders in Washington and Albany have sold out to the big-moneyed, special interests who help finance political campaigns. And, as partisan as Washington and Albany seem on most other issues when it comes to ethics, voters see little difference between Republicans and Democrats.
This means both parties are starting from the same place on ethics reform, and whichever one champions it, with deeds as well as words, with policies, pre scri ptions as well as platitudes, will be seen as the party of change. Ethics reform would not only help restore people’s faith in their government, it is also likely to be good politics.
That’s why the New York Republicans should seize this moment, now, when they are a party facing generational change, when they are a party in transition, when they are a party in search of principles, to redefine themselves. The New York Republican Party is at its lowest ebb in 70 years. It holds no statewide offices, and has only a handful of good prospects in sight. If the Republican Party hasn’t hit bottom yet, it’s close.
Some argue that the Republican Party has had a string of bad luck lately, with a few officials compromised, defeated, under investigation or forced to resign in disgrace. But those are just the outward and visible signs of a party that has lost its way. A strong and healthy Republican Party would not have tolerated those people as leaders.
Others cite the need for a better grassroots organization, or tighter party discipline, or better funding, or a more impressive farm team. Yes, all those are necessary to rebuild the party. They’re essential. But they come second, following from good candidates at the top of the ticket who attract support because they champion principles, not just in word but also in deed.
Before the New York Republican Party all but disappears as a statewide organization, its new generation of leaders needs to get a new message. New York Republicans should become the party of change, the party of principle, the party of integrity. Republican candidates throughout the state should model themselves on their forebear, Teddy Roosevelt, and insist on the highest ethical and moral standards for themselves and others. They should support John McCain enthusiastically and rebuild the state party around his candidacy. They should take up his calls for budget transparency, campaign finance reform, restrictions on lobbyists and their donations, and an end to member items in the state budget. They should understand that ethics reform doesn’t allow for a lot of middle ground, or compromise. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
Republicans tend to be more conservative by nature, not prone to taking big risks, and not in favor of change for change’s sake. But the time to play it safe is over. Safe isn’t working. So, New York Republicans, run some risks; throw open the doors to reform; revive the party of Teddy Roosevelt; find new leaders; chart a new course; reclaim your principles. As Kris Kristofferson once said, “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.”
