Another good column from David Brooks today. Moderately conservative Republicans are supporting John McCain despite the fact that (more ideologically pure) conservative leaders are horrified about his possible nomination. Limbaugh thinks he will destroy the party. This author thinks he will capitulate to Democrats on every issue other than the war.
The irony of it all, says Brooks, is two fold. First, the sainted Ronald Reagan included both ideological conservatives and moderates in his administration, and second, McCain could actually win.
I see a parallel between current conservatism and liberalism in the sixties when after years of success, the movement began to splinter and warring factions competed over which was more ideologically pure. The battles weakened the movement and gave an opportunity for an emerging conservative movement to prosper. Conservative leaders might want to take heed, but they wont.
