Maggie's Farm

The divide between Inside Beltway Republicans and the conservatives of Mainstreet while not as large is the widest today since the Goldwater revolution of 1964.

Now, as then, the less polished but more pointed and demanding cries of Mainstreet were derided or neglected by the establishment Republican Party. But, the insiders now have less holds on power. Now, as distinct from then, the Inside Beltway Republicans more realize that their positions depend upon Mainstreet. It makes for a difficult and tenuous relationship.

Formerly, it was the business, press and politicians of the Northeast that dominated the Republican Party. Barry Goldwater, and the electoral shift to the Sunbelt and West, started an end to that, and Ronald Reagan completed the rout.

Republican leaders rooted in the failed Goldwater campaign of 1964 and the successful Reagan rule of the 1980’s came to prominence in the Republican Party. However, many, most who found position and wealth in Washington, pay lip service to Mainstreet while cozying up to fountains of money from Inside Beltway lobbyists and false praise from the Northeast liberal media when they compromise with their similarly corrupted Democrat brethren.

In their defense, usually by themselves, they call themselves “mature” Republicans. Maturity means playing within the 30 or 40 yard lines, sometimes mouthing ambitions for policies at the goal lines but arguing that only short runs are possible or realistic against determined and organized liberals.

The Obama administration, although through a fraudulent 2008 campaign, is stocked with leftist radicals from top to bottom, however, who have gone for the long pass. Sure, it has bred and fueled a widespread rebellion that has seriously weakened their hold on Congress. The Mainstreet rebels are epitomized by the Tea Party who have earned wider support from less activist Republicans and from Independents who are repulsed by the Democrats’ legislative extremism. The rebels seek a more daring game plan. Meanwhile, many entrenched establishment Republicans and their media allies denigrate the voices calling for more aggressive moves downfield.

They have some good reasons. The liberal establishment is very powerful and controls more levers of power, and most centrist Americans are fragile allies and heavily influenced by the traditional liberal media.

Nonetheless, it is irrefutable that the defensive establishment Republicans would not have their comforts without the conservative rebels, and the conservative new media will not let them hide behind their excuses or corrupted transgressions.

One may argue that the radicals who control the Democrat Party have overstepped, which is now recognized by most voters. Yet, they have accomplished many of their goals, from an increasingly entrenched ObamaCare to economy-stifling environmental extremism to displaying un-American timidity and counter-productiveness abroad and undermining our allies.

Most of these extremist laws, regulations and policies are either fait accompli or will take decades to ameliorate, at least if business as usual continues in Washington.

On the other hand, as with the Paul Ryan budget program moving the goal posts, if the establishment Republicans coalesce around and firmly push for radical reforms, the alliance of Mainstreet with the Republican Party may accomplish a quick and real turnaround of the United States’ fate, from decline to revived robustness and confidence.

Myself, I tend toward the wonkish and well appreciate the defensive arguments of establishment Republicans for practicality and restraint. I don’t watch talking head TV and only listen to a few minutes a day of talk radio. Still, it is an inescapable reality that it is these conservative voices that have and continue to lead the conservative revolution and, by carryover, the Republican electoral victories.

While over-the-top extremism must be avoided and refuted for conservative and Republican respect and viability, it is inescusable for establishment Republican voices to attack leading conservative voices as altogether irresponsible. This is false, indeed a slander, and really only serves the interests of the left and of crony-capitalists who place their feeding at the D.C. trough above the ongoing welfare of the country. They must recognize that their Inside Beltway position papers are but waste- and toilet paper without the backing of Mainstreet, and that Mainstreet will not settle for much more.

I’m not naming names, as I don’t want to contribute to the divide. Either Washington Republicans will stand up for where their – and our --  bread is really buttered or just continue to seek pats from interests less nourishing to America’s future. If they don’t resolutely stand up, their and our opportunities for America’s revival will be squandered. Do they care more for lucrative after-careers courtesy of the K-Street lobbies or for America? The next year will tell.