Dick Morris warns against nominating centrists
By Brian Kirwin | Sunday, December 13th, 2009 | PoliticsNow that fear of conventions has taken over the Virginia Republican Party establishment, (despite the fact that conventions have given us Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, Ken Cuccinelli and both GOP Congressmen from Hampton Roads Randy Forbes and Rob Wittman), the 5th has decided on a primary, and the 2nd district is shaky on its decision for a “canvass” given the problems managing one for State Senate in only half a city.
In primaries, Democrats can vote their own Operation Chaos into Republican primaries and Republicans spend BIG bucks against each other while the Democrat incumbent whistles and builds his war chest.
The fear is that “conservatives” win conventions, and we need to elect a moderate. Yeah? How’s John McCain doing?
But the mastermind of moderation, Dick Morris, told Virginians last week that where we are now, moderation is a losing strategy.
“This is not the year for the Republican Party to run centrists. This is not the year to triangulate, which is what I brought to the Clinton White House, because the voters right now are not in the mood for that. They want sharp contrasts to Barack Obama. They want someone who is a vigorous apostle of free enterprise and low taxes to fight the socialist agenda of Obama.”
“The conventional wisdom was always ‘go with the moderate,’ because they have a better chance of winning. Now I think it’s almost the opposite. ” Dick Morris
GOP, are you listening?
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The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
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21 Responses to "Dick Morris warns against nominating centrists"
Brain,
Couldn’t agree with you more. Have you ever noticed that, at least on a Presidential level, triangulation has only worked for the Democrats?
Yes, although in 2000, George W was actually moderate in that field of candidates in the primary, at least before it came down to him and McCain.
Good for you to point out that conventions have given us more conservative candidates. The general perception is that “party” controlled conventions give us liberal or moderate types. Truly, a primary would give people the power we should have but since we CAN’T have a republican primary without allowing non-republicans to vote in it (crazy), a convention appears the most likely to give us a candidate that conservatives will vote for.
I agree with Morris, that this is NOT the year to put forth a moderate. I know in that case I would go third party.
I’m going to have to disagree with you here. I really do think dick Morris is an idiot. How is the GOP going to become a majority party once again without candidates that are more centrists? All I am saying is that we have to match the candidate to the district. Like William Buckley quote vote for the most conservative that is electable. I am quite conservative but We need moderate members to become a majority again!
Regardless of “moderate vs. centrist”; the 2nd District has the highest concentration of military servicemen in nation. A primary is the only method of nomination that allows our brave men and women serving overseas, away for reserve duty or out-of-district training that allows them to participate via an absentee ballot.
You can’t vote absentee ballot in a canvass or a convention, and during a time of war we should always make it easier for our military personnel to participate in the GOP.
76, congratulations. You can cut and paste the same comment on multiple post. You must be so proud.
Brittney, disagreement is cool. I just look at the record and moderates lose. Conservatives are winning. It may not have been true while Bush was in the White House, but it sure is true now.
Brittney – moderates lose, it is a historical fact. What we need are conservatives that can articulate clear conservatives values. Most Americans are conservative where it counts, but too many buy into the liberal clap trap that conservatives are bad people and therefore you should be “moderate” when there is no clear conservative actively articulating what they themselves believe. I think the perfect example of this is Ronald Reagan. We had had years of “moderate” candidates that gained only tepid support, Reagan drew people to the party, not by being moderate and equivocating on issues but by clearly explaining conservatives principles and WHY they are the best for America. Morris is right on this, when more people say they are willing to vote for a Tea Party candidate over a Republican, the party should take notice, people are not in the mood for moderate, they want candidates who they know will fight for what they believe in, not try to just get along.
vbfirstlanding76, while it was exciting for me to go to the 2009 Convention in Richmond, as a Veteran, I will always choose to include the military who are serving us their right to vote. Disenfranchisement of any voters is a bad idea for our way of life in America. We have all fought too hard for too long for our right to vote, especially our military.
Kathy, you didn’t seem to mind “disenfranchising” military voters in the 8th Senate race.
Brian, that was not my choice, I didn’t have any say in the matter. Did you?
Nope. And neither of us have any say in this one. It’s funny how you suddenly pick up the talking point on absentee ballots that didn’t bother you until after 3pm on December 5th.
Brian, please do not assume anything about me, I am honest in my postings about my stance on voter rights, all eligible voters. I will not apologize for supporting who I feel is the best candidate. One half second after 3pm on December 5th was the appropriate time for all Republicans to lay their weapons down and unite behind the winning candidate. It seems some cannot do this still. So sad.
Can’t agree with any disenfranchisement of military votes. Republican principle dictates that we must include those from across the spectrum when we decide the nominee.
But Kathy, what about the “disenfranchisement of military voters” in the 8th Senate canvass?
Did you have too much chocolate cake tonight? Good Night Brian.
Speaking of nominating liberal republicans, the latest is Pat Herrity is thinking of running for Congress. He’s a big government liberal scozzafava republican.
After attending the City Committee meeting last night and listening to the 2nd district candidates it is abundantly clear the candidates who have the least reserve in money want a canvas or convention, not a primary. It is unfortunate that the reality is this: perfectly good candidates need the alternative of leaving out the military vote because of lack of funds. These particular candidates are also Veterans. In a utopia world, it would be wonderful for richly qualified candidates to be able to run for office regardless of personal wealth, and at the same time be able to include the military’s right to vote.
Yes, Kathy. It’s always better to listen to the candidates with the most money. Those are principles worth fighting for.
sheesh
I have never in the 32 years of voting supported a candidate based on whether or not they had money, only upon their experience and character.
Brian, before you post a comment, maybe you should really read what is being said. In no way would any thoughtful reader be able to interpret what I said to mean your interpretation, “It’s always better to listen to the candidates with the most money”. Do you like to argue for the sake of it?
Kathy, you were the one that said you were listening to people and judging them by the money they raised.
The most conservative candidate usually wins a convention (ie. Cuccinelli, Early, et cet.) while the most moderate or liberal has an easier time in a primary.
Rigell’s consultants want a primary because they know it gives him a chance to overcome his negatives with his money.
The Obama and Yes Campaign donations, at its very least, means Rigell cannot claim the mantle of most conservative. He has no chance at a convention. His consultants know the other candidates (all more conservative than him) will cut a deal with each other at a convention to make sure he doesn’t get it. That is why he wants a primary.
A primary is very risky for the GOP. It isn’t like the Wilson/McWaters race where McWaters’ could get beat up for being the liberal he is on heatlhcare and still win the Senate race.
Rigell may spend a million dollars on this nomination, but so will Loyola. Anyone who didn’t spend money on TV, radio, and mail educating the voters about the Obama and YES Campaign donations is an idiot.
Rigell could indeed triumph in a primary whereas he has no shot in a convention but he could wind up becoming the McCain candidate. This VA Beach voter has no intention of voting for Rigell if he wins the nomination. To donate to Obama and then become the GOP nominee would show me that our candidates and electeds are truly not accountable for their actions.
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