House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, and former Governors Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney visited Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, kicking off a national “listening tour” in a part of the Commonwealth normally overlooked by Republican leaders and campaigners given the area’s solid Democrat reputation. I attended the event, and I am happy to see GOP leaders unafraid to challenge certain orthodoxies. I am happy that they decided to hold their inaugural event in a place like Arlington, and I am especially happy to see these leaders making a conscientious effort to shatter uncomplimentary labels coached through an all-too-compliant media by Capitol Hill Democrats.
Several reports detailing the Arlington event, which was sponsored by the upstart National Council for a New America, continue to mistakenly label Republican responses to President Obama’s agenda as “obstructionist,” “divisive,” and “nostalgic.” Critics also cynically call the listening tour launch an initiative meant to rebrand the party. Cantor, among others, denies that the council is simply a rebranding effort.
That is reassuring. Nostalgia or not, fundamental principles like lower taxes and spending restraint are "real-world" manifestations of more liberty and freedom. Change for the sake of change will not advance the Republican cause; nor will abandoning foundational principles that have already proved to work for America.
The GOP certainly could present a better contrast with President Obama and Congressional Democrats on spending, big government, and looming tax increases. New ideas should be welcomed, but even President Obama recognizes that a low-tax message sells. He has been trying to convince Americans that 95 percent of us will not see any tax increases under his Administration's big government policies. Republicans must continue to call him on it, while offering alternatives.
Apparently, Democrats hope to curtail debate. Republicans should insist upon it. The National Council for a New America may prove to be one such a forum for stimulating this debate.
