Some further thoughts about the election (I noted a few
bright points in last night’s results earlier):
There’s going to be a fight—multiple fights really—in the
Republican Party over its future direction. That, indeed, would’ve been the
case even if Romney had won. But his loss—and a 300+ electoral vote win for Obama—ensures the intraparty conflict is going to be intense. There will be
many factions involved, and shifting coalitions.
For my part, I would like to see a GOP that:
Takes
environmental issues seriously, rather than mocking them and ceding them to the
left. Ditto, issues of science policy.
Has room for
multiple perspectives on social issues, rather than being monopolized on them
by the religious right.
Offers
generally market-oriented economic proposals without reflexively advocating tax
cuts and tight monetary policy as if it were eternally 1981.
Seeks to
limit the growth of government without unrealistically or reflexively proposing
wholesale slashing of agencies and functions.
Recognizes
that a key reason why entitlement reform is needed is to enable the federal
budget to include adequate discretionary spending.
Includes
civil liberties among its key concerns in limiting government.
In foreign policy seems neither to be spoiling for a fight
nor eager to retreat from the world.
Shows with
its tone as well as its policy substance that it wants new members, rather than
just to fire up the old members.
There’s much more to be said about all of that, of course,
but it’s a start.
