The Tent is Ripping

Many Republicans have unfortunately taken the position that we need to artificially expand the Party by compromising on principle and allowing anybody to say anything so long as they keep an "R" next to their name. In 2001, Republicans learned the hard way what happens when precious Republican ballot slots are given to people who are unconcerned with the Party and its platform. In 2002, the National Party punished Sen. Bob Smith, arguably the most Republican Senator if the platform has anything to do with it, for committing the only sin that leaders considered unforgivable - changing that "R" if only temporarily. After last year's elections, many Republicans feared that Sen. Lincoln Chafee (RINO-RI) would switch parties.

It should come as no surprise, then, that dissent is becoming the rule rather than the exception. Earlier this year, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) nearly cried on the floor of the Senate objecting to the nomination of John Bolton. Just this week, Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) reprehensibly compared the situation in Iraq to Vietnam. Much like the Democrats redefining losses as victories as they did in the recent special election in OH-2, Hagel has changed the definition of victory for the terrorists. Women have voted. Iraqis are completing work on a constitution. Iraqi sports teams can now compete without fearing torture for losses. Saddam Hussein faces trial for war crimes. Yes, Senator Hagel, we are winning! Being charitable, one could say that Hagel's position is misguided but well-intentioned. No matter how you slice it, someone who cannot see that Iraq is better off now than it was three years ago does not understand international politics sufficiently to be President.

Now Hagel is not only marching to the beat of a different drummer, but apparently considering leaving the parade altogether, if H-Bomb at Ankle Biting Pundits is to be believed. (While I have no reason to doubt the report, I cannot independently confirm his scoop.) If this report is proven true, the RNC will be more angry with this than Hagel's comments on Iraq. Don't get me wrong, I would not be pleased with an independent run by Hagel - unless, of course, the Republican nominee is someone whose social values are indistinguishable from Chuck Schumer's - but the bigger problem of these two is that Senator Hagel is advocating a dangerous, artificial withdrawl of troops before Iraq is ready to maintain order on its own. As bad as the random acts of violence, including those against US troops, are, the situation would deteriorate quickly and completely were we to begin withdrawing our troops too early.

There are two lessons to be learned here. First, Republicans should nominate people who agree with the basic principles of the Party. Doing otherwise risks giving up valuable seats even after the fact. Don't think for a moment that Senators Collins, Snowe, and Chafee would bolt if they had anything to gain by doing so. Apparently the same can be said even for others. Second, Republicans must publicly rebuke members who vocally depart from the Party line. Fighting the Democrats and the terrorists at the same time is difficult enough. The last thing we need is the people next to us in the trenches turning their fire on us.

It is time to clean house. We can start doing so in 2006 in Rhode Island, Utah, and Ohio. (Endorsements to follow in the coming days for UT and OH, and when Laffey announces.)