Michael Smerconish A surburban GOP Manifesto

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/opinion/16024504.htm

<snip>

My support of less-conservative social positions didn't win such decided support, but I wasn't in a lopsided minority, either. On embracing embryonic stem-cell research, half of the respondents agreed. The same result greeted my arguing for a party that has room for both pro-life and pro-choice folks, makes Plan B available over the counter and rejects federal intervention in end-of-life cases like Terri Schiavo's. Even when I said marriage between a man and woman is not threatened by same-sex unions, half agreed.

So, when the GOP leadership is decidedly pro-life, against Plan B dissemination and for federal intervention a la Schiavo, or opposes gay rights on the grounds that it has an effect on heterosexual marriage, we are turning off 50 percent of the suburban base.

And therein lies the future for the GOP. It's time for moderation on social issues in order to advance a suburban agenda for the GOP. There seem to be many of us who want a party ready to kill bin Laden, willing to profile at airports, desirous of closing the borders, looking for an Iraq endgame, tolerant of homosexuals, willing to entertain multiple views on abortion and stem cells.

In short, a party that's tough on the bad guys and not too preachy, and no longer willing to allow fringe elements to take over their platform. We're not monolithic and should not be treated as such.

The GOP future depends on a blend of pragmatism, moderation and conservatism of the kind advanced by Barry Goldwater, the man who started the movement and simply wanted government off our backs, and out of our pocketbooks and our bedrooms.

[wtmusic]

1. "Willing to profile at airports" -- lost my vote right there

How about profiling at the lunch counter, Michael? Hmm, I don't remember Goldwater promoting racism, but that was a long time ago...

[wryter2000]

2. I'm with you

The rest of it was okay. Not having read the whole piece, I should probably reserve judgement, but I'll bet his idea of suburban conservatism doesn't include much sympathy or help for the sick and the poor. That kind of Social Darwinism is why I'll never be a conservative.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Well he's not talking to DU'ers but to the Repuke leadership

that so catered to the freaks in their party.

[bbernardini]

4. "In short, a party that's tough on the bad guys and not too preachy..."

In other words, the Democratic Party.

[TygrBright]

5. You notice he entirely omits any details/discussion ot...

...the five of fifteen issues where more than 50% of his respondents DISAGREED with him.

feh.

o~ "...spin, you hepcats, spin!"

dismissively,
Bright

[struggle4progress]

6. Republicans: moderate when in the minority, but wackos when in control

[Demit]

7. I think you've hit it on the head right there.

Or, they're like the abusive husband begging his wife to come back—"I'll change! I'll be different! You'll see!"