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Conservatism Crumbling

By: George Mantzidis, Tue Apr 14th, 2009

Conservatism is in bad shape. Fiscal conservatism is viewed as ineffectual regarding our current economic mess. Foreign policy from a traditional conservative standpoint - heavy on defense, light on diplomacy- is increasingly viewed with negative connotations as well. In fact, many believe the nation is in such dire straights because of conservatism's influence. How did conservatism, marching at heights not before dreamed of in 2004, fall to the place at which it is now? Communicationisms Conservatism will carry with it for some time the failures of leadership from the Bush Administration. What is of particular note is that through the eight years of the Bush administration - from domestic policy on everything from taxes to abortion and on foreign policy - from everything to interventionism to realpolitik, was similar to Ronald Reagan's. George W. Bush even characterized himself as Reagan's ideological heir, never deviating completely from his ideological standpoints. The big difference between the two was not thier ideas, but how well they communicated them to the public. The Bush administration simply did not put a premium on public support for the issues that it came out strongest for, from the Iraq war to reforming Social Security. It was not an administration bereft of passion nor execution - it held that in droves - but it came up extremely short in honestly communicating its ideals with the American public. The administration's low point regarding communication was Dick Cheney's bombastic 2008 declaration regarding U.S military deaths in Iraq, in which he replied to an interviewer, "So what?." It is of little surprise that in 2008, among 16 serious presidential contenders, America elected the one who was by far the greatest communicator. A failure of leadership, of which communication is its centerpiece, is why conservatism is in the doldrums. So, who then is conservatism's new standard bearer? Who is its new Reagan? don't rush to any conclusions. Ditto me this The Obama administration, under the purview of chief political strategist David Axelrod, has hit conservatism's weakest spot - its lack of leadership. In response to opposition regarding the stimulus bill, President Obama publicly declared to the Republicans on the hill last February that "You guys cant just listen to Rush Limbaugh and expect to get things done." This was a shot across the bow - Limbaugh is seen by most of the American public as an angry radio show ideologue that is followed too closely by wing-nut conservatives. And verily so- some listeners agree with Limbaugh's positions so wholeheartedly that they have even self-branded themselves "ditto heads." By doing this, Obama painted conservatism's favorite radio DJ as the ideological heir of the Republican Party. It would have been the similar if President Bush had appointed Bill Maher as the ideological heart and soul of the Democratic party following a disagreement over legislation in 2001. The only real results of Obama's comment and political grandstanding have been to increase Rush's ratings by several points. Nevertheless, the Obama administration's comments revealed just how bad conservatism is in need of a flagship. Who wants to ride the elephant next John McCain lost by 6 points and will have to work hard to defend his Senate seat in 2010. Sarah Palin is viewed caustically by a strong minority of the public and by the vast majority of the news media. Its wealthiest public figure- Mitt Romney- is not poised to take the reigns at any point too soon. Recent political polling does however suggest that registered Republicans would most like to see Romney as the next presidential contender, albeit at a dismal 20% of those polled. Bobby Jindal is too young - at 37- and too much of a regional politician to be considered the next standard bearer of conservatism. Remember that there has not been a presidential administration since Eisenhower's that has not been rocked with significant scandal. There is little to suggest that the Obama administration will be lucky enough to avoid its own- especially considering Obama's poor vetting regarding cabinet picks. Predicting what or even how the scandal will commence is as difficult as predicting who the next star of the GOP will be. But you can bet that he or she will ride in on the wave of resentment and public outrage that it causes. Obama has promised a new politics. But the next wave of conservatism depends on either time or President Obama's indiscretion. There is no one looking to ride and lead the elephant today because there are too many droppings behind it that are in need of a good clean up. A new GOP leader will only take the reigns when the mess has disappeared into the ground and out of the public consciousness or if and when the Donkey falls under its own weight.