The Mask of Moderation: Unveiling the True Face of the Republican Party

Strategic Insights -

The 2000 presidential campaign is underway, with the Republican Party attempting to present a moderate image through its frontmen, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. However, a closer look at the party's history and the voting records of its leaders reveals a stark contrast between their words and actions. The party's attempt to project a friendly face has been a deliberate strategy to conceal its extreme views on key issues such as abortion, environmental protection, and social welfare.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republican Party has a history of extremism, with leaders like Newt Gingrich, Strom Thurmond, Trent Lott, Tom DeLay, and Dick Cheney holding views that are far outside the American mainstream.
  • Despite this, the party has attempted to present a moderate image through its frontmen, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, who are seen as the perfect face of mainstream America.
  • The party's voting record on key issues such as abortion, environmental protection, and social welfare is a far cry from its public stance, with Dick Cheney voting against legislation to fund AIDS testing and counseling, older Americans Act, Head Start, and fair housing legislation.
  • Cheney's voting record is particularly egregious, with him opposing legislation to ban plastic guns, despite the National Rifle Association's support for the measure.
  • The party's attempt to present a moderate image is a deliberate strategy to conceal its true views, with Dick Armey and Tom DeLay once saying that they encouraged Republicans to be "nasty" in their tactics.
  • The selection of Joe Lieberman as Al Gore's running mate is an attempt to present a moderate image, with Lieberman supporting the Clinton administration's budget and trade policies, and favoring a cut in the capital gains tax.
  • However, despite their attempts to present a moderate image, the party's voting record and history reveal a return to the "nasty" and extreme tactics that characterized the party during the Gingrich era.

Statistics:

  • 13 House members, including Dick Cheney, voted against the AIDS Federal Policy Act in 1988.
  • 8 members of the House, including Cheney, voted against the Clean Water Act in 1987.
  • 21 members of the House, including Cheney, voted against the Safe Water Drinking Act in 1986.
  • 4 members of the House, including Cheney, voted against banning plastic guns.
  • 1 in every 4 Americans (25%) identify as "evangelical or born-again Christians" who are likely to support the party's socially conservative views.

Sources:

  • Norman Rockwell, American artist famous for his idyllic depictions of small-town America.
  • Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and leader of the Republican Party.
  • Strom Thurmond, former Senator and member of the Republican Party.
  • Trent Lott, former Senator and member of the Republican Party.
  • Tom DeLay, former House Majority Leader and member of the Republican Party.
  • Dick Armey, former House Majority Leader and member of the Republican Party.
  • Al Gore, Democratic presidential candidate.
  • Joe Lieberman, Democratic vice-presidential candidate.
  • George W. Bush, Republican presidential candidate.
  • Dick Cheney, Republican vice-presidential candidate and member of the House of Representatives.