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Union University

Political Science

The Conservative breakup?

Watson

Former Faculty

By Micah Watson, Assistant Professor of Political Science & Director, Center for Religion and Politics

Nov 7, 2008 -

Political soul searching is the norm for political parties who get their hats handed to them in an election. This is doubly so for conservatives and Republicans following two consecutive elections in which Democrats ran better campaigns and connected better with more people.

Recriminations have already begun on the right and it will be very interesting to watch how the various constituencies jostle each other in placing blame and jockeying for position for elections to come. And it's gotten rather ugly rather quickly as evidenced by the anonymous and in my view ridiculous sniping about Sarah Palin from "insiders" in the McCain camp.

Social conservatives will note that the marriage amendments did much better in Florida and California than did McCain, so social issues were not a drag on the ticket there (and ironically African-Americans voted for traditional marriage by an overwhelming margin in California). Fiscally conservative and socially liberal Republicans will likely urge the GOP to abandon or downplay emphases on abortion and gay marriage. More populist Republicans, perhaps best represented by Mike Huckabee, will likely tout a return to some version of compassionate conservatism, though they would be wise to find a different name. And political observers should keep on eye on the major players who came out of 2008 more or less with futures possible in the GOP. Sarah Palin took some hits but is enough of a political talent to make a come back with the right moves. I'm not sure I see Mike Huckabee gaining much traction outside of his comfort zone, but he's certainly a player to keep an eye on. Mitt Romney also is someone to watch as he earned a lot of cred with Republicans as someone who supported McCain despite a rather contentious battle with him in the primaries.

Keep an eye on these debates as the potential regrouping of the GOP will play a significant role in how contested the 2010 and 2012 election seasons will be.