The Big Tent Theory

The congressional election in NY, where liberal Republican, DeDe Scozzafava was forced to bow out to conservative candidate Doug Hoffman, has prompted political pundits, mostly on the left, too once again advance the big tent theory.

What exactly is the big tent theory? It is the notion usually advanced by Democrats and John McCain types that Republicans must forsake their conservative foundational principles, and embrace far left progressive candidates in order to be a viable party. And of course establishment beltway Republicans like Michael Steele buy into this argument hook, line and sinker. Steele constantly feels the need to play down the conservative base as they begin to define the direction of the party and assure the liberal media that Republicans embrace diversity, he allows his opponents to set the terms of the debate.

But what does it mean to be a diverse party? Does it mean that in the interest of said “diversity” Republicans should nominate candidates who would go to Washington and join the opposition on important legislation? What is the sense of even existing as a political party if you have such lax requirements regarding first principles? How would you ever differentiate yourself from the opposition? None expects to agree on everything, the role of government has been debated in this country since the founding, but if Republicans want to hold themselves up as a truly viable party then they must not be afraid to heartily embrace some basic principles. Namely individual liberties as defined in the bill of rights, limited representative government, property rights, low taxation, sound money, sound borders, equal opportunity through hard work and self determination and of course free market principles. These are not just conservative principles, they are America’s founding principles, there is no bigger tent! When properly articulated these principles are a proven strategy for electoral victory. Those who would try to reinvent the wheel or seek to embrace progressive policies have only thrown in the towel, and accepted the idea of diminishing liberty and the ever expanding administrative state.

While it is true that voters who refer to themselves as Republicans is at a low point, those voters however are not flocking to the Democrats, If that where they case why would democrats have to fight so hard in these elections? The fact of the matter is that Americans are rejecting the modern pressure group framework of progressive politics, The American people will no longer accept having to choose between the lesser of two evils, The American people have awoken to the fact that there can be no choice between liberty and the incremental destruction of that liberty as offered by so-called moderates who would compromise first principles for political expediency.

Anthony D Dolpies