Republicans (Three Different Ones)

Whatever happened to being a proud Republican? Not only proud to be your own kind of Republican, but proud of your party for including other kinds as well.

Why does it take “a different kind of Republican” to win? Sure, this year it would take “a different” Republican to win since years of corruption trials, bloated government spending, an unpopular war, a housing crisis, the Hurricane Katrina debacle and an economy in tatters have soured Americans on the party for now.

But let’s remember that this was also true before the Republican brand was in the toilet. In 2000, Richard Cohen reminds us in his Washington Post column this week, George W. Bush ran as a “compassionate conservative” whose strength was his record of unity and bipartisanship. When he ran for reelection as governor of Texas, he went from winning 15 percent of the black vote to winning 27 percent and also went from winning 28 percent of the Hispanic vote to winning 49 percent. “Here was a coalition builder of considerable achievement,” wrote Cohen.

Which leads us to John McCain. Remember when he was running as “a different kind of Republican,” and was going to threaten his opponent’s prospects with his maverick, moderate, independent record of bipartisanship and his stellar experience and judgment on the surge in Iraq? I sure thought he would.

Of course, McCain hasn’t run as a different Republican, and prominent Republicans are breaking away in droves, announcing their support for Barack Obama. Who knows how many un-prominent Republicans will openly, or secretly, do the same.

To help make matters worse — far worse than the public betrayals in the press by high-profile Republicans — there are other party members saying very unhelpful things about how un-American or anti-American opponents of the party are. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has probably sunk her career with her comments, but the damage will last long past election night.

In addition, Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), as you may have heard, announced this week that “Liberals hate real Americans that work, and accomplish, and achieve, and believe in God.” Note to Congressman Hayes — that kind of talk makes winning back majorities of voters, in both presidential elections and congressional elections, exceedingly difficult.

Reps. Hayes, Bachmann and others should know there are Republicans across the country who love America and who think their comments are stupid. These Republicans believe in limited taxation, limited government, limited foreign entanglements and toughness on crime. They want their party to be the party it once was, not “a different kind of Republican” party that lashes out and loses.

DOES IT MATTER THAT THE RNC BOUGHT PALIN EXPENSIVE CLOTHES? Ask A.B. returns Monday, Oct. 27. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-stage.thehill.com. Thank you.