October 07, 2003

New Republican Party

Daniel Weintraub posted a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dee Snider at an Arnold rally. He entitled the post, "The New Republican Party?" On a certain level it is. Arnold, Snider (or even Ted Nugent) aren't your stereotypical, staid Republican. Personally, I don't subscribe to the cliche GOP look. This picture is not what comes into your mind when you think of a conservative Republican. [Yes, I did the Hot or Not thing. That dirty laundry is now out in the open.] Back in college there were a few years where I, at most, got two haircuts in a year. (Eye, can you confirm that?) So with the long hair and the goatee I called myself the Human Hairball. Thankfully, there are no pictures of those years floating around the Net, but with this mention that will change. At College Republican state conventions (college politicos' excuse to satisfy their politics addictions while getting drunk at the same time) I took it as a badge of honor to be one of the few CRs with an earring. I thought (and still think) that too many members of the party are too straight-laced. Of the two major parties, the GOP is the freedom party. Even in the last decade I've noticed a greater live and let live tolerance from party folk.

Unlike the Democrats, we openly discuss the abortion issue at meetings. The GOP is more accepting of heterodox opinions. In my case, I oppose the death penalty and tried to remove pro-death penalty resolutions from CR platforms. (Again, the Eye can confirm.) I was a distinct minority, yet tolerated. So from the standpoint of issues, the GOP is accomdating. Yet when it comes to personal appearance they take the subdued approach.

If the allegations against Schwarzenegger that he's a serial groper are true, do Republicans want that in a party leader? Is the New GOP such a big tent that even sexual assaulters have a place at the table? (Boy, would Sen. Bob Packwood be mad. He was a few years too early.) It's not good for the GOP to accept that attitude of a California Republican woman who said, "In the '70s, if I wasn't groped, I was offended!" It sure looks hypocritical to accept Arnold's wandering hands while condeming President Clinton's "unique" use of a cigar.

On this I'm in agreement with Tom McClintock. If it's true Arnold did violate the rights of women as recently as 2000, then he has no business as California governor. He can still be a Republican and work to get Republicans elected, but the GOP has no use for a person who habitually ignores the equal freedom of others.

"The New Republican Party?"