News Archive: Sen. Case sees end of "way-out" conservatives

n. a. (1965, June 27). Sen. Case sees end of way-out conservatives. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p. 19.

This brief news item records New Jersey Republican Clifford Case's prognostication that anyone advocating the elimination of Social Security, public housing, federal aid to education, et. al. are "the voice of the past."  Case named Ronald Reagan specifically as a candidate whose appeal was based solely on nostalgia for an America that had passed. 

Leaving aside, for a moment, the point that I don't believe Reagan ever called for the elimination of Society Security or public housing (though he may have once advocated elimination of federal aid to education), it is somewhat ironic that 48 years ago an Establishment New Jersey Republican was critiquing upstarts representing a more Libertarian wing of the party.  Not at all like today, right?

   For further reading:  Jacobs, G. (2013, August 2). Liberty: a dangerous, 'esoteric' idea? The Daily Caller.

Donovan on Republican prospects in the wake of the Goldwater defeat

Donovan, R. (1965, February 14). Republicans overcoming ’64 defeat. The Spokesman-Review, p. 4.

In this article discussing the broad outlines of how the GOP sought to rebuild itself following the Goldwater defeat of November 1964, Robert Donovan mentioned Ronald Reagan in passing as a leader—alongside William F. Knowland, Walter Knott, and Joseph Shell--of “a new right wing group called Citizens for Constructive Action”

The electorate’s insatiable (and rarely demonstrated) appetite for moderates.

What if the pundits are—GASP!—wrong?!  Virtually every election cycle we’re told that we must appeal to the “independents” (sometimes called the “moderates”).  These people don’t like Republicans or Democrats…conservatives or liberals; Rather, they are supremely interested in “common sense,” “toning down the rhetoric,” and “getting things done.”  The interesting thing, of course, is that every time Republicans nominate candidates seemingly tailor-made for these elusive voters, they lose. 

                                                                                                      

In 1966, some were convinced that what California wanted was a moderate--someone in-between Pat Brown’s liberalism and the supposedly “extreme” views of Ronald Reagan.  Democratic mayor of Los Angeles, Sam Yorty, even went so far as to threaten to give his endorsement to Reagan’s primary challenger, George Christopher because, “I don’t have nearly as many differences with Christopher as I have with Gov. Brown and his machine…Certainly Christopher is more of a moderate and has more executive ability than any of the other announced candidates.”

The California GOP decided to throw wisdom to the wind in the 1966, however, and handed their nomination to the fire-breathing Ronnie Ray Gun.  And it’s a good thing they did.

News Archives: Sen. Scott warns [CA] Republicans

n. a.(1965, December 4). Sen. Scott warns state Republicans. The Press Courier, p. 14.

As I’ve said before calling conservative candidates “unelectable” is a tired old canard that’s trotted out in almost every GOP primary.  As in today’s historical flashback, the charge is almost always made with great passion and sincerity…sometimes even with a twinge of “righteous anger.”  Such terms are never thrown around merely as a way of cementing one’s own power.  No, no, no!  It’s simply out of concern for the “good of the party.”  Case in point, listen to the words of PA senator Hugh Scott to California Republicans forty-six years ago:

“The only way to win is to offer candidates who are responsible and responsive to the late 20^th century aspirations of the American people…I believe the sentiment within the Republican Party today is more than 80 per cent against the viewpoint expressed by the 1964 candidate [i.e., Barry Goldwater] and perpetrated by some of the more horrid parts of the 1964 platform.” Scott…gave his plea for moderate candidates at a news conference Friday.  He wouldn’t back any of the contenders for the governorship, but warned that anyone espousing Goldwater’s views would lose. [emphasis added]

Remind me again, who won that ’66 governor’s race?  Oh yeah, the guy who campaigned for Goldwater.

Rearview Mirror: Reagan uses the soft-sell and comes off like Barry. (October 4, 1965)

Evans, R. & Novak, R. (1965, October 4). Reagan uses the soft-sell and comes off like Barry. Lawrence Journal-World, p. 4.

In this missive, Evans and Novak report on Reagan’s attempts to build bridges among the warring California GOP factions.  They conclude, however, that despite enlisting the suave Spencer-Roberts marketing firm to help craft the message and image, Reagan’s quest would likely fare little better than Don Quixote de la Mancha’s. 

Reagan’s stand against the Birch Society is much too qualified to win applause from the Kuchel [liberal] wing of the party.  Most moderate leaders have shrugged off Reagan’s friendly advances so far.  And though a staff of experts is preparing a wide variety of positions for him, there is no certainty Reagan can master the complexities of California state government in time to survive the rough-and-tumble of a nine-month campaign…California Republicans more interested in victory than doctrine suspect that Reagan is another Goldwater who can win nominations but not elections.  These pragmatics will continue the search for an alternative…

Of course, Reagan did go on to win the GOP primary convincingly.  Then, with a united GOP behind him running statewide candidates ran as a unified ticket for the first time in a long time, he trounced three-term incumbent Pat Brown by over  a million votes.

Bear this in mind whenever you hear talk of how "stupid" or "unelectable" any  current or future conservative candidates are.