You might not want to leave the Arizona GOP just yet
In the wake of the Arizona Republican party censuring Gov. Doug Ducey, former Sen. Jeff Flake and Cindy McCain – and reelecting Kelli Ward chairman of the state party – many Arizona Republicans find themselves questioning their political affiliations. Indeed, more than 10,000 Arizona Republicans left the party in January. Lifelong Republicans headed to the exits.
But before you go, I’ll ask you to reconsider.
The loud voices on the right and accompanying media narrative paint the GOP as the party of Trump, but miss a lot of nuance. We aren’t all election-result-denying, insurrection-endorsing, Trump-supporting extremists.
Most of us are hardworking, familyoriented folks still hanging on to basic conservative ideals. In Arizona, those ideals mean a desire for small government that allows individuals and their families to flourish, lowers taxes, reduces regulation and promotes growth. We may not be the loudest voices, but we are here.
How do I know this is true?
I don’t know for sure, but I know enough to want to reexamine the “party of Trump” narrative.
First, the race for the GOP chairmanship was a close one. Ward beat Sergio Arellano, a Latino Republican who ran on a message of unity, by only 42 votes (an election which, ironically, is now being contested). Even those party leaders that participated in that election – often representing louder, more extreme voices – were closely split.
Second, moderate conservatives continue to win Republican primaries. This year Martha McSally beat back a challenge from the right (in another irony, the Trump-aligned challenger refused to concede despite a lopsided defeat).
And just two years ago, the state reelected Gov. Doug Ducey, who easily dispatched a right-wing primary challenger. It wasn’t that long ago that Arizona Republicans elected the likes of Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain.
Third, and granted this is anecdotal, but the Republicans I know, after two decades of running in conservative circles, have by and large rejected Trump (for, among other reasons, his denial of truth and lack of compassion). Not all, but a majority.
How do you square these data points with the national polls showing heavy Republican support for Trump, and the millions of Americans that voted for him?
Loud and extreme voices tend to dominate our political discourse. And party ties run deep. Many lifelong Republicans, despite their discomfort with Trump, by reflex continue to vote Republican. And of course, some made the terrible bargain to choose power over principles. While from the surface support appears broad, it runs shallow. So what happens next?
Long-term, a GOP that is based on extremism will not last. Especially considering the inevitable demographic rise of Latinos in Arizona (and across the country), that version of the party is not sustainable.
Those on the left with a short-term outlook may think this is for the good — the GOP will disintegrate and Democrats will control the levers of power. But anyone who believes in our American system should want robust, rational, functioning parties across the spectrum.
Our government works because it was set up to foster a clash of ideas. Checks and balances and separation of powers are not quirky features of our republic, they are the operating system. Whether you fall right, left or middle, you should want a Republican party that is representative of the decent, hardworking folks that make up this country.
Even though it may not seem like it if you listen to the news, we are not a monolith. Indeed, it is ingrained in the Arizona spirit to think a little differently. How else do you explain a party that produced a Goldwater and a McCain — two entirely unique, free-thinking icons in American history?
If you value the Republican party and the conservative principles upon which it was built, you need to stand up for those principles. Get organized against those that advocate violence and corrode democracy, so that principled conservatives can rise to lead. Don’t let the loudest and most extreme voices dominate.
Don’t go just yet. We still need you.