The McCain Coalition

Despite the apocalyptic cries of Sean Hanity and Rush Limbaugh, the Republican Party is not coming to an end. The Reagan Coalition, despite the suggestion of the above and many others, is not coming to an end either.

In reality, the Reagan Coalition lives on, but is evolving before our eyes into what I believe historians will look back and call the McCain Coalition. It is still true that economic, social, and national security conservatives are voting together under the Republican Party, and, other than the small group of far-right conservatives, these conservatives have begun to support John McCain, who aligns with their beliefs in free trade, taxes, government scope and spending, abortion, gay marriage, gun rights, the war on terror, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. These voters are the same, mostly white, Christian, blue collar Americans the Reagan Coalition brought together in the 1980’s and are nothing new to the Republican Party.

The beauty of what McCain has begun to do however is to expand the party with individuals who were not Republicans before. Bringing in moderates and even some Democrats (who aren’t liberal enough for Clinton/Obama) is not just a tactic to get the nomination, but this coalition expands the party in an extremely positive way. The independent voter is key to not only victory in the presidential race, but virtually every partisan race throughout the country. Being able to bring these voters to the right and in support of the Republican Party is not something to be gawked at.

Also, McCain attracts Hispanics voters, due partly to his more humane response to the immigration crisis our nation faces. The Hispanic American population consists of large amount conservative individuals who have been previously turned off to the Republican Party. These voters not only share our conservative values, but are a rapidly growing demographic, and should be embraced and welcomed into the party.

This coalition of new Republicans, made up of independents, former liberals and Hispanics, doesn’t delude the party, but rather expands the base and increases Republican votes which will lead to defeating dangerous liberals, the creation of Republican majorities, and the ability to advance a conservative agenda.

The far-right cannot go in alone to achieve conservative goals and preserve a conservative America. A broader coalition than an exclusive club of Limbaugh and the like must be formed to create an expanded base and include independents and Hispanic voters. John McCain is the only candidate who can lead this movement and has already begun to bring these new Republicans together. The McCain Coalition is not the end of the Republican Party, but rather a positive movement evolving the party in a way which will allow it to continue a dominate presence in American politics, and further conservative ideals.