Calling for a Statesman

Like many of you, I was first greeted by a comment from Stephen Sexton. He began with the question, "Do you have a plan or suggestion to help rebuild the Republican party?" Since I read it, I've found myself giving mini-lectures in my mind, to the television, to my dogs. Yes, Stephen, I do. Thanks for asking, and here it is:

My suggestion for rebuilding our party is to recover our party. I've heard over the last several years that we should reinvent our party--to be more liberal, more moderate, more like our opponents. But here's the thing. I am not a conservative because it's the sum of my views on issues. I have certain views on issues because I am philosophically, thoughtfully, intentionally conservative. While issues are up for debate, my principles are not.

When I was in school, I always resented the notion that Democrats are "idealistic" and Republicans aren't. I knew no one who was more idealistic than I. I stand by the ideals that our strength and success have always been tied to our hard work, ingenuity, education and opportunity to rise regardless of who you or your ancestors are.

I stand by these ideals. I will not apologize for them, and I am tired of my party apologizing on my behalf. As a party, we succeed when we stand on our idealism. When we have compromised, apologized, moved to the center, we fail. Our party will be rebuilt when we speak about these things. The people resonate with idealism, with philosophies of hope and duty and opportunity. We will rebuild when we recover and communicate those conservative beliefs. They--not issues, not political ambition, not disdain for the other party--are what hold us together, and what will rebuild our party. I am an idealist, and I believe I am not alone.

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