And Promises to Keep

Although the 2008 presidential election cycle is in its early stages, it’s apparent that neither side is ready to address the details, nor the consequences, of their proposals. The contenders are all stalling. It’s a familiar political pattern. Spouting about the state of the nation from 50,000 feet through tinted lenses leaves plenty of wiggle room.

So far we have heard nothing but standard boilerplate. Within a few degrees, the political platform shared by the leading Democratic presidential candidates focuses on new entitlements, higher taxes, abandoning Iraq, the introduction of nationalized healthcare and their disdain of Corporate America. The platform of the Republican front runners is the anti-thesis of the Democratic message.

There is a new element in this equation that both parties are ignoring—loss of faith. Americans are results oriented and are tired of trivia, bickering, name calling and platitudes. They feel forsaken and betrayed.

The vast majority of voters are moderately conservative, which explains President Bush’s low approval rating. He ran as a moderate conservative and fell in lockstep with the liberals. Setting aside the tax cuts and the appointment of two strict constructionist Supreme Court justices, his record is appalling.

His push for illegal alien amnesty was the last straw. Coupled with his unwillingness to veto out-of-control spending legislation and revenue busting earmarks, the electorate now regards his conservative credentials as doublespeak. The result: He is not a lame duck; he is a dead duck.

The two faces of President George W. Bush is a major problem for all the 2008 Republican presidential and congressional candidates. That he played fast and loose with conservative principles engendered no party loyalty. The current mistrust of the conservative label was also fueled by the congressional spending antics of the Republicans prior to the 2006 elections. They were arrogant, spendthrift fools.

The new Democratic, congressional majority misconstrued its 2006 win as a referendum on Iraq. While they concentrate on losing the war and administer over 300 separate investigations of theoretical White House misdeeds, they have become the ultimate do-nothing-important congress. This pandering to the ultra-leftwing has opened the door to a Republican resurgence.

Remember Newt Gingrich's “Contract with America?” It was a no nonsense litany of promises to be kept. It detailed specific legislative goals. America signed up! Republicans delivered!

It’s time for a new Republican contract—solid, factual, achievable and imminent—one that doesn’t pander, hesitate or shift. Every Republican seeking office, speaking in one voice, should endorse and use it as a rallying point. Rather than untangling the nuances of similar policies, let the voters determine which Republican presidential candidate is the best qualified to implement the plan.

The voters are hungry for action and they don’t want fuzzy answers. It’s the right time for the Republicans to deliver hard and fast solutions. With a clear message and united front, they will sweep the 2008 contests.