Differences on the right remain. There are pro-growth, pro-immigration optimists in the mold of the late Jack Kemp. There are balanced-budget, green-eyeshade types whose agenda is both simple and simplistic (cut taxes, cut spending). There are reformers such as Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) who want to improve, remodel, decentralize and reduce the federal government, and there are those who think the greatest danger we face is the National Security Agency “listening” to our phone calls. There are pro- and anti-immigration reformers, although the consensus is forming that border security first is the way to proceed. But these are shades of red, if you will, in a party that finds remarkable unity in conservative values and themes. The challenge now is to create a 21st-century conservatism that is both attractive and effective. That’s a much more productive activity for the party and the country than wasting millions on foolish candidates who embarrass themselves and their backers.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:56:25 +0000