Ever since I embraced conservative political thought, it seemed very important to dissociate legitimate policy discussion from the baser inclinations of man. That is, it's not hard to arrive at a decidedly non-liberal issue position from a bad motive. Have you ever talked with someone who agreed with you for all the wrong reasons? That's upsetting. But I still think that a robust conservatism can embody all the good things we can envision. That's why it pains me to write what will soon follow. But first, let me heap a pile of scorn onto those candidates who tried to downplay/weasel out of their support for the Iraq war. The candidate I am about to mention is no exception.
Even so, the painful reality is this: Lt. Gov. Michael Steele lost the Maryland Senate race because he is black. Mr. Barone of Fox News did faithfully report that Steele was dramatically underperforming in Republican strongholds across Maryland. It cannot be said that the "Democratic year" was responsible, because GOP candidates lost moderates in this last cycle. There was not, in my view, a fall-off of committed supporters nationwide. But Democrats simply closed the gaps on perceived weaknesses, winning Bush moderates.
I'm more than prepared to vote for a nonwhite candidate who shares my views. The GOP to a man and woman will say that it's ready, pointing to every nonwhite Republican officeholder in existence when prompted. I've done this myself:) But how many Maryland Republicans hesitated? Are we ready for the day when the party's symbols are people of color? If we truly believed half the stuff we say about the universal applicability of conservative principles, we'd be ready now.
Don't hear what I'm not saying. I'm not saying the GOP should have more people of color for its own sake. But what I am saying is this: If racism was not the cause of this, what was? Who the heck is Ben Cardin? If the governor of that state can survive that bad night as a Republican, why not Steele?
Feel free to send any thoughts to jasonkettinger@hotmail.com.
Even so, the painful reality is this: Lt. Gov. Michael Steele lost the Maryland Senate race because he is black. Mr. Barone of Fox News did faithfully report that Steele was dramatically underperforming in Republican strongholds across Maryland. It cannot be said that the "Democratic year" was responsible, because GOP candidates lost moderates in this last cycle. There was not, in my view, a fall-off of committed supporters nationwide. But Democrats simply closed the gaps on perceived weaknesses, winning Bush moderates.
I'm more than prepared to vote for a nonwhite candidate who shares my views. The GOP to a man and woman will say that it's ready, pointing to every nonwhite Republican officeholder in existence when prompted. I've done this myself:) But how many Maryland Republicans hesitated? Are we ready for the day when the party's symbols are people of color? If we truly believed half the stuff we say about the universal applicability of conservative principles, we'd be ready now.
Don't hear what I'm not saying. I'm not saying the GOP should have more people of color for its own sake. But what I am saying is this: If racism was not the cause of this, what was? Who the heck is Ben Cardin? If the governor of that state can survive that bad night as a Republican, why not Steele?
Feel free to send any thoughts to jasonkettinger@hotmail.com.
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