Cynthia Meyer, Staff Writer
Ideology: Republican | Writing From: Austin, Texas

Since McCain lost the 2008 election, there has been a lot of talk about the direction of the Republican Party. A common argument these days is that we need to be more moderate, and the reason for our loss is that we have become too conservative for the American people. But most of this talk is coming from liberals and moderates themselves. When was it ever wise to take strategic advice from the other side? Of course liberals and moderates aren’t going to recommend that the Republican Party become more conservative, just as I wouldn’t recommend that the Democratic Party become more liberal.

The term “moderate Republican” can mean a variety of different things these days. Often it means you are a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. See Rudy Giuliani or Michael Bloomberg. It can also imply that you are a fiscal liberal. See John McCain. But it doesn’t make a difference whether a Republican supports abortion rights or higher taxes—either way, he won’t see the same success or appeal to the American people in the way that a genuine conservative would.

Moderate Republicans, like our own staff writer Michele Walk, argue that the conservative faction of the party is going to vote Republican no matter what, in a rejection of Barack Obama’s socialistic agenda. But this reasoning relies on the idea that in order for Republicans to be successful in elections, the conservative base must be motivated by the errors of the Democratic Party rather than the excellence of the Republican Party. If we want to win elections, we can’t depend on conservatives coming out to the polls simply to vote against the Democrat. We need a candidate that the conservative base will get excited about and campaign for. Somebody who is conservative, pro-life, and capitalist.

I do believe that the Republican Party should be a “big tent”. It should be made up of people who share the same basic ideology of a free market economy, strong national defense, and/or principled family values. We have our John McCains and our Rush Limbaughs, our Kay Bailey Hutchisons and our Sarah Palins. But the question is, who should define the party? Who relies on whom? Who needs the other more to maintain success?  The answer: Moderate Republicans are dependent on conservative Republicans. Contrary to what moderates would like to think, it’s the moderates who will end up voting for the conservatives in defiance of Obama’s radical policies, not the other way around.

Let’s take a look at2008, the last time Republicans tried a candidate that would “appeal to moderates.” McCain sympathizers will say that his loss was due to the climate of the political environment, and that no Republican candidate could have beat Barack Obama. Whether or not this is true, it is accurate to say that 2008 was in no way a close election. It was no Bush v Kerry or Bush v Gore. Republicans clearly lost, and it wasn’t because Obama was the next Jesus, it was because our candidate was lousy.

Here is the problem of the moderate Republican: How can we properly challenge the liberal policies ofthe Democratic candidate if the Republican agrees with him? McCain couldn’t legitimately attack Obama on the economy—which was undoubtedly the issue of the election—because he was a fiscal liberal himself, to an extent. He supported big government spending and voted against the Bush tax cuts. A big government liberal criticizing another big government liberal on big government policies didn’t convince anyone. McCain tried to sell our message, but failed. Only a true fiscal conservative could have stood up against Obama’s radicalism and actually sold it to the American people.

When considering potential Republican nominees for 2012, it’s probably not a good idea to point to 2008 for a game plan. The logic that we need a moderate Republican to run in 2012 because McCain only lost by six points doesn’t seem promising. Instead, why don’t we look at a candidate that actually won—by a landslide—twice—for our 2012 prospects? This would be none other than Ronald Reagan, of course. A staunch conservative across the board, Reagan rejuvenated the Republican Party. He got the American people excited again, like no moderate ever could. If Republicans want to see victory in 2012, we need more Reagan and less McCain.

The only thing McCain did right in the 2008 election was picking Sarah Palin. She was not a mistake, as liberal journalists and more moderate Republicans like to say. The moment Republicans found out that McCain had chosen an ultra-conservative governor as his vice presidential candidate, his poll numbers jumped. Would the same have happened if he had chosen a moderate Republican? The answer is no. Only conservatives can trigger such wild support from voters.

Mentioning her name anywhere will either generate a reaction of severe hatred (from the media and those who wouldn’t ever vote Republican anyways) or glowing adoration.And while Sarah Palin is a controversial figure at the moment amidst her recent announcement of resignation, I predict that Republicans will warm up to her even more in the coming years. Unlike what you’ve been hearing from your liberal neighbors, her resignation as governor will not be her demise. Her support has actually grown since she announced she would step down. Palin will take an unofficial position of leadership in the conservative movement. As Barack Obama rushes his legislation through Congress and tries to shove nationalized healthcare, cap-and-tax, and spending packages down our throats, Republicans will turn to her for guidance. She holds the winning combination—the charm, integrity, and conservatism of Ronald Reagan.

What I have personally been hearing recently from Independents is that the Republicans and Democrats in Washington aren’t really that different. Is this because Democrats have been conservative? Certainly not. It is because Republicans have been trying too hard to be “moderate”, and have abandoned their conservative values. The fact of the matter is that conservatives mobilize voters, not moderates. Conservatives identify with and excite the American people, not moderates. And conservatives, not moderates, are the future of the Republican Party, and the only means of successfully taking the country back.