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I have never been a fan of Rush Limbaugh or Governor Huntsman which makes the false dichotomy presented here all the more ironic for me.
Rush Limbaugh told a recent gathering of conservatives that the party needed to return to its conservative roots to start winning again.
But Huntsman has been attracting national attention as a moderate, thanks to his support of climate change and civil unions and condemnation of his party’s lack of alternatives to the Democrat’s federal stimulus package.
"The poll shows a majority of Americans are in line with the governor’s belief that we need solution-oriented leaders," Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said, . . . "the governor feels it’s important to look at the party in a more inclusive way."
The suggestion that the Republican party must be more conservative or more inclusive perpetuates the myth of the single axis political grid. The truth is that Rush represents a certain brand of conservatism and pushing that single brand to be more prominent in the party is what makes the party less inclusive. Whatever disagreements I may have with my governor, Huntsman is absolutely right that we need to focus on finding solution oriented leaders in the GOP. That does not mean that we have to abandon our principles.
To be fair, it is the article and not necessarily the governor that is suggesting that a solution oriented approach is incompatible with an adherance to conservative principles.
2 replies on “A False Dichotomy”
I think the talking heads are wrong about Limbaugh. I don’t tune into Limbaugh’s show, but I have had enough exposure over the years to understand his style.
Limbaugh believes what he says, but his style is entertainingly combative. He talks politics, but he engages in a format that doesn’t require substantive solutions or dealing with political realities. The Limbaugh style is supremely suited to playing the opposition role. He’s not stupid. He has often admitted on air that he would be inviable as a political candidate.
It’s a bit far-fetched and ridiculous to compare Limbaugh to an actual elected official (or even someone seeking office). This is done for shock value and to gloss over the politician’s own shortcomings.
I have heard just enough clips of Rush’s show to not appreciate his style. I personally think that what Rush does as an entertainer (Michael Green was right even if he did apologize) ranges between damaging and unhelpful to the political process.