Traverse City Record-Eagle

Opinion

February 18, 2012

Another view: GOP needs centrist

----

The Republican Party continues to struggle while weighing conservative purity vs. a pragmatic approach as it looks for a way to win the November presidential election.

Speaking before Republicans recently, former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said: "Some voters are seeking purity in their choice. In politics, purity is a dead-dog loser. You need unity, and purity is the enemy of unity." In our view he has explained all the turmoil in the GOP primary elections so far. The GOP has not rallied around a single leader yet.

Early on, Rep. Michele Bachmann captured attention.

She was followed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remained steady, but only in the 25 percent-to-30 percent range of GOP voter support.

Then Herman Cain rose to the top, followed by Newt Gingrich, and now former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum may have some momentum. Ron Paul, of course, also has a loyal fan base.

But it boils down to the GOP deciding whether ideological purity or a centrist approach to resolving the country's problems is the correct campaign theme in the coming general election.

In our view the more centrist position is the best course for the GOP. ...

The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Mo.

Text Only