I don't often criticize Reagan but he was wrong on that one.
Of course, Reagan spent most of his career running with little intra-party competition. (Reagan's loss in 1976 to President Ford was an exception.) It is easier to follow the 11th Commandment when you're the front-runner.
Regarding the 11th Commandment, what about situations where the Republican has abandoned all conservative principles and is acting like a Democrat? A good example is Mayor Jim Brainard of Carmel. Brainard's administration has spent and borrowed money like, well, a Democrat. Should we Republicans overlook that spending because it is going chiefly to corporate welfare? There is no money tree in Carmel. The City has been able to keep spending at the rate it is because of annexations, increased commercial development and borrowing by the city and the redevelopment commission. Eventually that debt will have to be repaid and when that day comes the city's finances will come crashing down.
Why shouldn't a Republican, someone who believes in conservative values, criticize one of the most liberal, big spending, big borrowing mayors in the entire State of Indiana? The fact Mayor Brainard chose to put an (R) by his name is because of the political realities of Carmel, not because of conservative values which he clearly does not hold. Obviously Brainard's challengers, City Councilman John Accetturo and Internet business owner Marnin Spigelman, have to make the case that the Brainard should not be re-elected. That involves criticizing Brainard and challenging his record, i.e. breaking the 11th Commandment and . If Accetturo and Spigelman truly believe Brainard has put the city on a disastrous long-term course (which I believe they are correct about), don't they have a responsibility to make that case not only as a Republican but as a resident of Carmel who cares about that community?
Then you have Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. Ballard was supported early on by tea party, anti-tax activists. Immediately upon election, Ballard turned his back on those folks, and has pushed through scores of tax and fee increases. He has also been a generous supporter of corporate welfare at the expense of Indianapolis taxpayers, despite the fact Ballard promised to bring an end to country club politics on Election night.
There is nothing about Ballard's governing these past three years that suggest he is a conservative or a Republican. Unlike Brainard though, Candidate Ballard was more of an empty slate. Upon his election a swarm of profiteering Republicans seized control of Ballard's administration and have never let go. Ballard had a chance to position himself as a new kind of Republican, one that rejected the corporate welfare and insider dealing approach of previous Mayors such as Steve Goldsmith. That would have endeared himself to the working men and women of Indianapolis and skewed the political equation. Instead Mayor Ballard chose the Goldsmith model. Goldsmith though had a solid majority Republican base in the county and thus did not need a populist approach to win. Ballard though has a 45% Republican base in the county and cannot get to 50% through subtraction.
So we Indianapolis Republicans, betrayed by the man who sold out our principles, are supposed to just not say anything because Ballard chose an (R) label? Why shouldn't we speak out when people around Ballard are using the Mayor to cash in and in the process inflicting long-term damage on the Marion County GOP?
Over on another blog, a frequent Republican critic of mine frequently suggests that intra-party disputes should always be handled behind closed doors. I know from experience that does not work. People like David Brooks and Joe Loftus thrive when the disputes are kept behind closed doors. The only thing they fear is public exposure and the chance that other Republicans may discover they have sold out the future of the Marion County Republican Party for their own personal profit.
I truly believe the Marion County Republican Party can eventually emerge as a successful, more populist party...a party which rejects corporate welfare and looks out for the best interests of the taxpayers. But that day will only come if we Republicans are publicly open and honest about our failures and insist on a new direction for our local party.