Moderate Republicans believe in community, compassion, pragmatism, common sense, political-fellowship, and, most importantly -- intellectual honesty. This passion is pursued within the broad framework of enlightened Lincoln era principles. Moderate Republicans stand in a crowded room, with the burning spirit of Lincoln in their hearts -- truth, fairness, justice, and limited-compassionate government -- when all others sit during difficult times. Moderates are loyal to serving the greater good -- not an entrenched party leadership. Government, whether limited or expansive, must serve everyone. Moderate republicanism, is an esoteric ideology to many -- a philosophy difficult to define. Extremists and militant social conservatives have succeeded in wrongly labeling moderates as a recent political mutation.
Between 1890 and 1950, the moderate wing dominated the party. Moderate republicanism traces its roots to men like U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts in the 1850s. The impact of the movement, however, did not become apparent until shortly after the Civil War. The GOP emerged as the party of free enterprise. And by the late 1890's two distinct groups evolved -- moderate and conservative. The moderate wing called on government to curtail unbridled capitalism that exploited men, women, and children in the textile mills. It also wanted environmental protections and the ending of corrupt patronage in government. These early reformers recognized that some societal problems could only be addressed by the national government.
Moderate republicans often see limited government as a useful tool that when operated carefully, like a piece of heavy machinery, can improve the quality of life for all Americans. Moderates and conservatives fall under a broad philosophical framework of Republicanism. Although conservatives are a legitimate branch of the GOP who have made many positive contributions, this wing of the party has allowed itself to be dominated by extremists and social moralists that marginalize Lincoln era principles. Moderate republican orthodoxy includes: a passion for civil liberties; a disdain for conformity and suspicion of authority; a belief that the Constitution is a living, breathing document with timeless values that must be made relevant in a modern age; a commitment to protect the environment and not engage in mindless exploitation of the nation's natural beauty. A spirited case must be made for reusable energy sources like solar power.
Modern technology provides many options before the earth is harshly, brutally, and needlessly pillaged; a strong belief that diversity -- gender, racial, social, sexual, ethnic, and religious -- should be celebrated because it gives the United States moral strength. Diversity -- in the long-term, encourages respect, understanding, and a greater sense of community; a commitment to fiscal prudence and limited government; a recognition that government does have a basic social responsibility to help those in need; a belief that the nation does have international responsibilities; a belief that God and religion have a very important place in America -- at the dinner table and in churches, temples, and mosques.
But it should never be used by politicians to advance a narrow moral agenda; a belief that the national government should be used in a limited manner to advance the common good; a commitment never to put party above country; and a responsibility to publicly criticize those who call themselves Republican when the situation merits. Moderate/Progressives have a duty to vote against the party line when it does not serve the greater good. Doing so does not make them less Republican; it demonstrates that they have the honor, political courage, and intellectual honesty to put nation above party.
Interested in learning more about moderate Republicans?
The Republican Mens Club of Clark County, Nevada is a great resource that seeks to educate the public about the meaning behind the name.
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