Keep winning the war of ideasStar Tribune, October 31, 2005 We asked Annette Meeks, CEO of the Center of the American Experiment, to have a discussion by e-mail with her friend, Republican strategist and former member of Congress Vin Weber, about the state of conservative politics. Meeks: A few weeks ago, I attended our State Policy Network annual meeting. That's where 300 conservatives affiliated with state-based think tanks, foundations and the like get together and share ideas. I was amazed by the anger directed at the White House on a number of fronts (this was before Harriet Miers' nomination). Many of our friends on the right feel betrayed on a number of core issues -- private property rights and, to a much larger extent, President Bush's big-government policies. They feel that conservatives have lost their way and no longer share a common vision -- that the conservative movement in America is cracking up. Weber: Our fellow conservatives need to get a grip. In a way, you answered your own question. You said you just got back from a meeting of "300 conservatives" affiliated with state and local think tanks. That doesn't sound like a movement that's cracking up to me. President Bush has been a great leader for conservatives on most social, national security and economic issues, but there have of course been disappointments. That just means your 300 demoralized friends need to get back in the saddle and keep on working. They're actually doing better than they think. Meeks: But, Vin, if things are going so well for conservatives, then why do many of us feel so lousy and disappointed about the current state of affairs? I agree with you on your first point -- for the past 25 years conservatives have been doing the hard work of organizing and developing ideas that would propel us into a majority. I can't recall a single transformational idea from the left during this same time. Welfare reform, historic tax cuts, deregulation -- conservatives have been on the vanguard of all of these profound and successful societal changes. So we have been winning the war of ideas. It seems that much of our depression comes from playing defense against members of our own team. We haven't seen the commitment from some elected officials to these fundamental conservative values. Many friends look at what they consider outlandish spending in this current Congress and sadly shake their heads. What happened to our revolution to reduce the size and scope of government? Newt Gingrich recently said that he was considering running for president only because no one else was speaking out on the issues of importance to many conservatives. I hope he continues to do so. At least someone is giving voice to this agenda that led us out of the 40-year congressional wilderness. Weber: I can't deny the demoralization of many conservatives. I hear it from lots of folks. And yet, as you point out, we've been winning lots of major battles for a long time. Does that mean we're entering a new liberal era? Don't believe it. It does mean that conservatives have to do better than simply bash government. We have to lead the way toward reform of government. We need to look at the whole government and think about how to empower the consumers of government benefits, rather than the bureaucracy. Conservatives who simply look to abolish agencies are going to be disappointed, but conservative reformers still have an open field. By the way, did you see how the NEA and Americans United for Separation of Church and State are pounding Ted Kennedy for supporting vouchers for school kids who are victims of Katrina in Louisiana? Seems the left stands ready to defend the fundamental right of those poor kids to attend a lousy school -- or none at all. Newt gets all this. The old phrase "conservative opportunity society" always envisioned a reformed welfare state. It just got sidetracked. If he runs, are you ready to sign on? Meeks: I believe education reform is inevitable. Our newest Americans won't stand for a system that promotes and graduates students who can't read and write. I believe they alone can put enough pressure on the existing system to force change. As for your latter question, I would encourage Newt to continue speaking out on these issues. He's talking about stuff (health care, education, Social Security reform, homeland security, to name just a few) that very few candidates of either party have the courage to speak about. If Newt did throw his hat in the ring, he would be at the top of my list of contenders. How about you? Would you lend the "Newt for President" campaign a hand? Weber: I completely agree with you about educational reform. It's happening all over, but the education establishment fights to the death everywhere it comes up. This is an interesting issue in that, outside of elective politics, there's a lot of bipartisan agreement. One of the most eloquent voices for school choice is John Brandl at the Humphrey Institute, and he's a liberal Democrat. But the Democratic politicians can't buck the NEA so they "just say no." Real shame. As for '08, I really don't know. I've thought Bill Frist would be our candidate, but he's got to resolve his SEC problem. I don't think the party will nominate a social liberal like Rudy Giuliani or George Pataki. John McCain's the front runner. George Allen. Who knows? |