Unlike many pundits, Buchanan says the GOP should not abandon its stance on social, moral and cultural positions. He says that was part of the downfall of Sen. John McCain's candidacy.
"When African-Americans, who gave McCain 4 percent of their votes in California, gave Proposition 8, prohibiting gay marriage, 70 percent of their votes, why would the GOP give up one of its trump cards -- not only in Middle America but among minorities?
A conservative who could have sharpened the social, moral and cultural differences might, from the exit polls, have done far better."
A conservative who could have sharpened the social, moral and cultural differences might, from the exit polls, have done far better."
Buchanan left the Republican Party in 1999, but returned to the fold in 2004 endorsing, perhaps reluctantly, George W. Bush. Buchanan has been a vocal critic of the neoconservative movement, which he blames for the many ills of the GOP.
It's clear the Grand Old Party got it's backsides handed to them in 2008. President Obama's supporters delivered him to Washington on a tidal wave of support. What will it take for the Republicans to become a national contender again? Right now it's hard to say, especially with the infighting the party is seeing. It's difficult to say what the GOP can do to have a shot at the White House. Regardless of the plan, it will start with a strong candidate and a cohesive message.
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Buchanan is right about one thing: George W. Bush lost the 2008 election for the GOP, just as he lost the 2006 congressional elections. But Buchanan has to take responsibility for the internecine warfare over ideological purity in the GOP. His culture wars led to the "Republican in Name Only" epithets seeking an ideological brand of ethnic cleansing.
I wouldn't bet on Buchanan's ability to reunite the party. Jack Kemp, who died last week, had the right idea, that success in politics means bringing people together, not forcing them apart.
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