The Problem With Too Much Moderation

Mark Gardner over at WhackyNation makes the case that Joe Lieberman should join John McCain on the GOP ticket this year. Count this blogger as unconvinced.

At its core, such a suggestion typifies the degree to which Mainstream Republicans, of whom Gardner is a proud member, seem so set on establishing their non-conservative preferences that they forget the actual conservatives that are the core of the Republican Party.

Lieberman has all sorts of favorable qualities ranging from his steely support of McCain's foreign policy agenda, his loyalty to and bond with McCain and, of course, his delightful defeat of Ned Lamont in 2006. That doesn't change the fact, however, that Lieberman disagrees with Republicans on virtually all issues of domestic policy.

If nominating a pro-choice Republican with otherwise sterling VP credentials like Tom Ridge would be a poke in the eye of the conservative base, the selection of Joe Lieberman would be a fierce kick in the groin. McCain has enough problems with the grassroots without taking such action.

It is such advocacy that has caused Mainstreamers grief within the Republican Party at times. It shows the same lack of sensitivity to the rest of the Republican coalition as moderates themselves bemoan when conservative activists demand ideological purity, even in the face of electoral and political reality - let alone personal belief.

Thus, Gardner's post serves as a reminder that all sides of the Republican coalition have to respect each other (the same concept applies within the Democratic Party as well). Moderates can't ignore conservatives, and conservative can't be so ready to toss aside people bearing the banner of "Republican" who might not also carry the conservative standard in full.

Both sides are guilty of it, and both would be better served to make a more serious effort to avoid it when at all possible.

Cross-posted at Sound Politics.