Pennsylvania’s Republican Coalition Must Stick Together

To win an election, your candidate has to get the most votes. I could end the column right here –with that reminder to my fellow conservatives. But, as the Immaculate Heart sisters used to tell me in grade school: “You can’t just write the correct answer; you must show your work.”

Even after the debate and the assassination attempt – and, yes, it was an assassination attempt, no matter what Orwellian-terms CNN or the New York Times chooses to use for it – one of the things that could stop a Trump and GOP victory is the Republican coalition pulling apart, or parts of it staying home.

I use the word “coalition” purposefully because that’s what it is. In Pennsylvania, it’s especially challenging to keep the Republican coalition together.

Yes, Trump may get the votes of many Democrats – African Americans feeling taken for granted by “their” party; Hispanic Americans whose values and priorities are often ignored or mocked by “their” party; parents who’ve reached their limit with woke administrators and out-of-control school boards; and veterans who now wonder why they risked their lives for an America when their own party doesn’t seem to like America. Trump might even win a majority of independents.

But Trump and/or the GOP winning the independent vote and breaking, say, 10% of the Democrat vote will matter in Pennsylvania only if he and the GOP get 95% or more of the Republican vote.

Media critics of Trump and Republicans lump everyone together, using phrases like “right-wing” or “fascist.” Alternatively, when the legacy media wants to show the “weakness” of the GOP, they point to wayward Republicans whom they deem the moral conscience of the party.

Unlike the Democrats, the GOP is not in lockstep; it’s a coalition. All too often, it’s a fragile coalition, where some members want to push out others. That’s how MAGA feels about Mitch McConnell; and it’s how too many conservatives talk about Trump.

Even after the debate showed that Joe Biden not only shouldn’t be president for a second term but isn’t capable of performing his duties right now, too many conservative thought leaders still won’t embrace Trump.

Even with the coronation of Kamala Harris by Democratic insiders and billionaires, who are showering her with instant millions like she won the lottery, too many Republicans still feel compelled to criticize Trump: he “isn’t a conservative.”

My conservative friends yearn for a campaign promoting conservative ideals, policies, and priorities. They sense that our priorities are being minimized, replaced, or even undermined. They’re concerned about excessive spending and the deficit; about America becoming isolationist rather than an active, visible leader; and about a trade war, or the harm that might come to our economy from tariffs.

My fellow conservatives: Ronald Reagan brought me into our tent. Jack Kemp taught me the tenets of our beliefs. I’ve read National Review and attended CPAC and lectures presented by the Heritage Foundation. I was riveted to the TV watching Clarence Thomas’ hearings. Heck, I just wrote a column based on some of Justice Antonin Scalia’s words.

But, my fellow conservatives: I understand MAGA, too.

For too long, politicians – including conservatives – didn’t follow through on promises; or told conservative voters that our goals were “too controversial” or “too hard” to achieve, or that the “timing wasn’t right.” For too long, D.C. politicians – including conservatives – focused on insider political debates, not on what was happening in our homes or our towns.

Too many felt forgotten by D.C. – and they were right to feel that way. Too many felt as though Hollywood was running a national joke, and our families and all we hold dear were the butt of that joke.

Americans increasingly wondered why soldiers from Downingtown had to stand a post in Germany to protect Germans from Russia – plus we had to pay for the bullets and tanks, too, while Germans and other Europeans crowed about their free colleges and cheap public transit.

In short, the seeds of populism had been sown by the politicians, the media, and even corporate America, especially as it became more woke.

But there is still much that unites us. Those who are conservative – and many in the middle – share concerns about our unsecured border; the insanity of “defund the police” and cashless-bail “prosecutors,” and the resulting spike in violent, random crime; “green energy” extremist policies that are making us energy-dependent and causing inflation; a military focused on fighting “climate change” and using proper pronouns, not protecting America; anti-Semitism that goes ignored or tolerated; and President Biden’s push to grow the power of the federal government – illegally “cancelling” student loans.

William F. Buckley explained in his inaugural edition of National Review that conservatives see the chaos being done and want to yell “stop.” My friends, most of MAGA is looking at our college campuses, men in women’s sports, an unsecured border, attacks on people of faith and climate madness and they’re yelling “stop.”

Whether you see yourself as a traditional Republican, a conservative, or a MAGA believer, we all understand that Trump and the GOP are the only ones ready, willing, and able to do that.

Secure our border. Make America energy independent. Support our cops. Protect and empower parents as the ones who should be in charge of their children’s education. Reduce the size and power of the ever-growing federal government. Create a military focused on protecting us from actual threats of harm – from China, Russia, Iran, and terrorists.

Reagan grew Team Buckley, building a coalition of economic, social, and foreign policy conservatives. They had different priorities, but they all wanted a strong America, safe communities, a vibrant economy, stable families, and respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. It wasn’t perfect. But our economy grew, and we won the Cold War.

Reagan often counseled: “My 80% friend is not my 20% enemy.”

We have the chance to forge a new and lasting coalition. Yes, it’s largely built, at least for now, on stopping the harm being done. As to what would come next, we may disagree on the priorities and even the policies for how to get us there.

But the coalition agrees on what’s wrong and agrees that it’s time to yell: “Stop.”

To make the Democrats stop, though, you must get the most votes.