Quote of the Day

"During the 18 years I served in the Senate, Republicans often disagreed with each other. But there was much that held us together. We believed in limited government, in keeping light the burden of taxation and regulation. We encouraged the private sector, so that a free economy might thrive. We believed that judges should interpret the law, not legislate. We were internationalists who supported an engaged foreign policy, a strong national defense and free trade. These were principles shared by virtually all Republicans.

But in recent times, we Republicans have allowed this shared agenda to become secondary to the agenda of Christian conservatives. As a senator, I worried every day about the size of the federal deficit. I did not spend a single minute worrying about the effect of gays on the institution of marriage. Today it seems to be the other way around."

Former Republican Senator John Danforth.

I am reminded of these words thanks to Booker Rising. This quote is related to something blogger Bull Moose said today. In talking about the current rifts in the GOP over the Miers nomination he said this:

Who can bring this party back together again? Or will a new GOP emerge from this fratricidal war?

My hope is on a new GOP. The Bushies and the far right have done enough to pull the GOP away from the party Danforth describes. I think this will happen when people like John Danforth and Christie Todd Whitman get some courage and speak out. I'm thankful that these two former public servants have decided to stand up and be counted. They are presenting an alternative vision of the GOP, one that existed, but has gone out of favor long ago. Moderates need to present an articulate version of a new centrist GOP. It's my hope that there are others who are willing to do that.