There are many folks who for any number of reasons could never be Democrats. Some understandably don’t agree with the party’s support of a larger role for the national government in regulating the economy, taking responsibility for health care, support for environmental and climate actions and a host of other issues. Others simply dislike anything and everything about the Democrats on an emotional level, feelings frequently derived from family and peers over the years.
Given the current state of the Republican Party, these anti-Democrats, especially those who are legitimate conservatives, have lost their way and are increasingly in need of a new identity. They can’t and shouldn’t think about becoming Democrats, of course. The Republican Party of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Hoover, Stimson, Taft, Dirksen, and, most recently, George Bush is gone. The bad news is that there is only one major party left that still works on behalf of the nation. The present Republicans are engaged in disruptive tactics, character assassinations and unconstitutional actions for personal and political reasons only. They have clearly put forth no substantive ideas about pressing issues. They remind me of the Federalists who with their base in decline and a bleak future turned to desperate acts in a losing effort to remain relevant.
The country needs two strong parties for a healthy democratic republic. I have always believed that the genius of American politics has been its two-party system which moderated the extremes in both parties, existing just to the left and right of center. This approach ensured a stable, predictable and reliable political context for most Americans.
Moderate Republicans, true conservatives, restless independents and disgruntled Democrats should join together to create a new second party dedicated to the Constitution and traditional American values combining the best ideas of both the left and the right. Call it the Conservative Party or whatever name might resonate with like minded citizens.