Well, perhaps I did when I was younger, before I spent time reflecting over what political ideals I found attractive and why I considered them preferable to other options. As an adult, however, I’ve always been quick to point out that I’m a “neither” when asked what political party I belong to.
That doesn’t mean I’ve adopted a holier-than-thou attitude toward the GOP or that I look judgmentally down my nose at the whole lot. Not even close, and not even during the insanity of the 2016 presidential primary (though I have had some sharp words for Mr. Trump and his more ardent supporters).
What’s kept me from claiming full affiliation is that there are certain bits of policy that the party and I don’t see eye to eye on, and if we tallied all those items up, making a Republican out of me would be like trying to hammer a circle into a square in that popular children’s game. A frustrating endeavor, for sure.
With that explained, I must say there have been few times I haven’t voted Republican. Except for a handful of instances when I’ve checked the box next to a Libertarian or Independent candidate’s name, if you snuck a look at my ballots, you’d probably think I walk around wearing T-shirts embroidered with elephants and Reagan quotes.
That’s because I’ve always seen tremendous value in the Republican Party. Their policy stances match many of my own values, and there are true champions within the ranks — at the local, state, and national levels — who have committed their life’s work to promoting and safeguarding the liberties given to us by our forefathers.
That’s why I’m rooting harder than ever for the GOP.
If the national party falls into complete disarray (a possibility we can all clearly envision), America will lose its largest vehicle for the advancement of conservatism and limited-government principles. With a paralyzed GOP, there will be little pushback against progressive gains, and what has been a slow leftward lurch over the past few decades will accelerate to a full-on sprint.
Simply put, the Republican Party needs to pull through these troubled times.
Now this isn’t to suggest Republicans needn’t learn hard lessons from 2016. A “this-too-shall-pass” mentality by party elders and operatives is precisely what’s not needed, as it would perpetuate the growing divide that separates elites from middle- and working-class voters, and send the party into a death spiral. If there was ever a time for a serious heart-to-heart kumbaya moment, it’s now and in the months to come.
Indeed, the only way the GOP will healthfully survive is if it figures out how to operate as that “big tent” organization its cheerleaders are always saying it is. Taking it further, they’ll need to learn to treat everyone who wants to take refuge under that canopy equally. No VIP seating for business interests and lobbyists. No cheap seats for Average Joes. They need a come one, come all, general admission approach.
Everyone’s heard the old line “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Well, Republicans are testing that theory in a very public way these days. My hope is that they come out of this primary madhouse scarred but smarter. Wincing but wiser. Because we need them to.
We need them to be strong — a force for individual liberties and a wrecking ball against fiscal irresponsibility. So even though it’s been tough to stomach the GOP’s main act of late, I’m wishing them well and hoping this moment makes them better.
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