The American Freedom Network

Big Tent Revival

Besides being a music group that I like a lot, there is much debate on the “Republican Big Tent”.  Recently, Michael Medved was expounding on his radio show that “winning” is the most important thing.  So the republicrat elefinks should “welcome” folks like Colin (I voted for Obama) Powell.  I think the point has merit to a point.  That point being the famous Reagan “80 percent” rule.

One reason that the Pachyderms lost voters such as I is their willingness to sacrifice originalist and conservative principles in the pursuit of power.  That makes them different than Demoncrats only in a matter of degree.  Certainly a party needs to have a wide base and large constituency.  That base and constituency should be based on COMMON VALUES (80% forumla), not simply on political power.  Principles should matter MORE than power.

Using Secretary (General too) Powell as an example we can see the unsupportable dichotomy.  Here is the problem.  If you open the tent to folks who don’t share (80 percent) of the common political/social principles what difference will power make?  Soon you can lose the organization to the big tent mob at the expense of the principles of LIBERTY.  The key that Medved either overlooks and/or fails to mention is that a MAJOR PART of attracting people to the “tent” is attracting them to the principles of American Freedom.  Rinos should be herded out of the circus tent until real elephants are the majority.  President Reagan proved, using his percentage forumla, that the Republican party can both win governing power AND STAY committed to the principles of conservativism and constitutional originalism.