Limits of Partisanship
by J. Atticus

What a difference a year makes in politics. Last year when I worked the Republican booth at our Tidewater town's Seafood Festival, there was a steady rush of people asking for Bush bumper stickers and signs. There was an enthusiasm and purpose among the crush of the crowd that smiled and grabbed our little stickers. That sample of 80,000 Virginians visiting our little town of 12,000 through one weekend told me that President Bush would win big in Virginia. It's a different story this year.

A few people asked for the giveaways. The reflexive Republicans would accept a sticker for our gubernatorial candidate with a word about their Republicanness. Many more people were interested in helping our local House of Delegates Representative (represents 70,000 Virginians), who is known for fighting tax increases. A number of folks I knew, and a few I didn't, took the time to stop and fuss at me about the Governor's race. Some of these voters shook their heads about the National Republicans. What caused this difference?

Nothing changed in the hopes, dreams, and values of The People. Nothing. But, many conservative and libertarian leaning Republicans have reached the limits of their partisanship. The waters of their well of trust are run out. This is the part of the base that's there every election to vote for ideas. Like lower taxes and less government spending. Like protecting our Nation by securing borders at home and fighting Islamists overseas. Like ending Judicial tyranny. Like traditional values of life, liberty and property. This reading, listening, observing pillar of the Republican Party is out of 'trust me' IOUs for elected officials at every level.

The state and local level issues will be missed by many pundits when they try to make something of the only two off-year elections. The thin Republican victory in Virginia and close Republican loss - I predict - in New Jersey will be spun for more than it is and less than it portends.

I can speak to politics from my home in Virginia where the two most Liberal Democrats in history are running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Yet, they won't lose by the 6 to 8 per cent that reflects the conservative nature of the Old Dominion. The Republican leadership supports incumbent protection. Even for the RINOs who helped the Democrats pass the largest tax hike in Virginia's history. That is the biggest rub of many political strokes going against the fur and feathers of the Republican faithful.

The politics of power demand obedience. The politics of principles invoke passion. Republican Jerry Kilgore may ride two social wedge issues, capital punishment and illegal immigration, to victory. The size of his win, barring unforeseen actions by the Democrat and apostate Republican-turned Independent candidates, will measure one moment of the declining limits of pure Republican partisanship.

The issue isn't the issues. The majority of the Republican Party in Virginia is with the majority of Virginians for a long list of issues. Individual voters, or Republicans for that matter, may not agree on all the issues. Yet, a significant majority is formed by having enough voters who agree more often, or more strongly, than they disagree. The majority is made by partisanship being in touch with The People.

The Republicans I hear from haven't lost heart in the War against Islamists. They have issues with how the War in Iraq was sold, waged and how it can be won. So, there is no backlash against President Bush. At the same time, no more credit is being extended on trust. Yet, the Virginia election isn't about Harriet Miers' stealth nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court either. The election is about Republican voter party loyalty to a party with too many weakly partisan, elected politicians.

Some Republican activists have asked me if it's time to look to another political party. My answer is, "Not yet." I add that I've reached the limits of my Republican partisanship. Today, I support my Delegate and the state-wide candidates. I've worked for them in labor, cash, and writing. Tomorrow, is another story.

Just before I worked the Republican booth, I'd finished William McNeill's masterwork history, "The Rise of the West". It made me think about the many costumed identities of American Civilization that paraded by. It wasn't the "Triumph of Will". It was much better - what we refer in our Virginia Constitution as The Good People of Virginia. Most Virginians understand family, faith and freedom. Those values are the limit of Republican partisanship.

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