Conservatives in Flux

Has anyone noticed that conservatives have no home? Somewhere over the past decade, the conservative movement has gotten shredded, and we're just starting to notice.

The Harriet Miers incident alerted some to their "change of status" in the Republican Party, but most did not finally awaken until last week's amnesty proposal.

The way I see it, the conservative movement is sorely in need of grounding. We must go back to core principles, if only to remember what we stand for, and why. Or, for those who never had principles, to dig deep and find some. Otherwise, there's no telling what the outcome might be. The coming election will be a turning point in this nation's history, and if our movement has no direction, Hillary Clinton will determine the course. Luckily, at least a few conservatives realize this.

Earlier this week, four leading conservatives outlined some of the core principles of conservatism and asked the presidential candidates on the Republican ticket to sign them. So far, only Rep. Ron Paul has signed. Gov. Mitt Romney has announced that he will not sign, and the group loudly announced their rejection of the candidate.

This group of conservatives includes David Keene of the American Conservative Union and Richard Viguerie, a direct mail genius. I remember these two gentlemen from the early years of the conservative movement. They were essentially the advance team that laid the groundwork for Ronald Reagan before the 1980 election. Joining them is Bob Barr, one of the leaders of the Clinton impeachment proceedings and Bruce Fein, a Reagan administration attorney. For those who have not been involved in conservative politics, the names may not mean much, but let me assure you that these men represent the history of the conservative movement.

I'll be watching to see if any of the other candidates sign the pledge. I'm also going to be watching to see whether the conservative movement can rebuild itself. It appears that its strength has atrophied. Otherwise, how could we see Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain dominating the Republican Party? And with the cooperation of supposedly conservative voices.

Conservatives have been purged. They don't know it yet, but their place in the Republican Party is history. Unless....

Yes, perhaps the tide will turn. This is going to be a story to follow.