A crucial moment in the Republican Party’s future takes place this weekend in Hawaii, where the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting is being convened.
A resolution to promote a “purity test”, a conservative litmus test, and require it of all Republican candidates for public office, will be coming up for review and possibhle adoption. It would require that every candidate adhere to at least eight of ten points of the document to gain GOP backing.
This, however, would eliminate moderate candidates who don’t wish to follow such a document obediently. The debate will develop within the national committee whether it is a good idea or a disastrous idea to mandate such a loyalty test.
It is clear to observers who understand the American political system that IF the conservative litmus test is adopted, the strong likelihood is that it will kill the chances of the GOP to gain independent backing and win back control of the Congress and state offices, as the country is a centrist nation that does not respond well to ideological purity tests!
It looks as if the Republican Party establishment is attempting to consolidate itself along its party base. By doing this the Republican’s set the precedent that they are not open to compromise. The party leaders, through the establishment of a litmus test, will probably drive away many Americans from supporting the Republicans. A strong party base alone cannot win a Presidential election. Hopefully, the Republicans understand this and do not submit themselves to the party’s biggest ideologues. Both parties need to remember, that through the usage of cooperation and compromise are we truly able solve national problems. The Republicans are drawing a line in the sand. Only time will tell if this gamble, (if they so choose to move forward with the party purge), will pay off politically.