Over the past couple of weeks, many conservative bloggers have debated the future of the conservative movement and the potential electoral strategies that we feel will most benefit the cause. Over the course of that time, the bloggers have appeared to separate us into two camps: Geraghtyites (from Jim Geraghty at TKS) and Tapscottians (from Mark Tapscott at the Washington Examiner and Tapscott's Copy Desk). While I fall rather squarely into the realist Geraghty camp, I must say a few words in Mark's defense.

First, I think people have misinterpreted Mark's position. What people call Tapscottian really follows more closely to the writings of Stephen Bainbridge. The professor has already announced his intention to withdraw his support from the GOP this fall and potentially in 2008 as a protest against their performance on a range of issues over the past few years. I don't agree with Stephen, but he's entitled to his opinion, and he has an argument to make.

Mark, on the other hand, has not totally given up hope on reforming Republican leadership from within the party. What he has done is to take the view that Stephen may wind up being correct and strategizing on the best method to work outside of the GOP if that becomes necessary. Mark has not advocated abstention, but instead wants to find the most effective method of activism, and has been doing some intriguing outside-the-box thinking.

Neither man deserves obloquy for these arguments, but Mark seems to have attracted it:

Well, this has certainly been interesting. Scanning the comments on this post to date, I see that I am a "religious nut" with no credentials as a journalist, the "Republican equivalent of Howard Dean and the Daily Kos" and a "chump." Just another day in the Blogosphere, I guess.

Oh yes, I am also accused of being a Nietzschian in conservative drag. All I can say about that is it's the first instance I can recall from 35 years of public policy advocacy of somebody reading something I've penned and concluded that I have anything at all in common with the failed German philologist. ...

Let me be clear on this point: I don't desire, yearn for or otherwise pine after a GOP disaster in November, nor do I believe such a turn of events guarantees a win in 08. I'm simply observing that, given current surveys and recent political history, it seems fairly certain that many GOP candidates are going to have a rather unpleasant time come election night and we need to understand why.

If you really want to get an idea of what Mark wants, I'd suggest listening to the interview I did with him on Monday. Mark has a very reasonable outlook, but he wants to keep all of his options open. He may or may not be mistaken, but he's an intelligent and experienced conservative voice with a lot of influence. We need him in the fight, not sidelined by his own team.

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» Geraghtyites vs. Tapscottians from All Things Beautiful
Prince Charles of Viana by Jose Moreno Carbonero 1881, The Prado, Madrid I just learned that Dean Barnett @ Soxblog and I seem to share Hugh Hewitt as our Blogfather. Well, Dean just penned a brilliant article, which I want to share with you in its ent... [Read More]

Tracked on May 18, 2006 11:02 PM

» Geraghtyites vs. Tapscottians from All Things Beautiful
Prince Charles of Viana by Jose Moreno Carbonero 1881, The Prado, Madrid I just learned that Dean Barnett @ Soxblog and I seem to share Hugh Hewitt as our Blogfather. Well, Dean just penned a brilliant article, which I want to share with you in its ent... [Read More]

Tracked on May 18, 2006 11:17 PM