Just to echo Kos’ post from yesterday afternoon, I think we all need to remind centrists, as often as possible, that they’re not only shunned by the GOP base, but that they’re actually being encouraged to join the Dems. The Dallas Morning News reported over the weekend:
“If they can’t agree and support the president and the platform, then they ought to go over to the Democrats,” said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for the conservative group Concerned Women for America.
[…]
The to-do list includes defending traditional marriage, banning human cloning, reforming Social Security, passing more-restrictive abortion laws and stepping up enforcement of obscenity laws, said Ms. LaRue of Concerned Women for America. And if moderates don’t agree with those objectives, perhaps they don’t belong in the GOP, she said.
Ms. LaRue calls Mr. Specter a RINO — Republican In Name Only — and questions why politicians such as Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island remain in the Republican Party when they didn’t even vote for Mr. Bush.
“Get real,” she said. “These are Democrats in Republican clothing.”
Oddly enough, I’m very much inclined to agree. If political figures reject the GOP’s platform, leadership, and far-right base, then it’s time for them to take that short walk across the aisle — or it’ll just get worse.
I’ve said on several occasions that the religious right’s role in helping the GOP on Election Day has been wildly exaggerated, but in this case, perception is reality. Republicans believe the far-right movement has become the key party constituency and will cater to their demands accordingly. Moderates should get the message loud and clear: If you’re looking to stay away from the fringes and engage in centrist politics, join the Dems.
Some are obviously getting that message.
“There is no future for moderate and progressive Republicans in the Republican Party,” said Jim Scarantino, president of the centrist GOP group Mainstream 2004. “The far right wing and the fanatics have seized control.”
Mr. Scarantino isn’t sure where his brand of Republican politics fits into the GOP.
[…]
“The party has ruthlessly exploited moderate Republicans,” Mr. Scarantino said. “I think they’re deluding themselves thinking they’re ever going to get anything more than the opportunity to be on the stage.”
Historically, parties go through cycles. One side or the other strays excessively from the middle and is dominated by the fringe. The only way to bring the party back is for people like Scarantino to leave.
So long as moderates are used and ignored, but stay in the party anyway, the GOP has no incentive to change. Given the circumstances, the whole idea of centrists sticking with the Republicans in the hopes of bringing about change is actually counterproductive. The GOP will realize it’s gone too far when there’s an exodus of what’s left of the party’s center to the Dems and the Republicans start losing elections in a big way. Until then, it’ll stay a dangerously right-wing party.