Dividing Lines-The Aftermath of Brown’s Stimulus Vote, Jeb Bush on Charlie Crist’s Socialist Policies

In an article published this morning, The Washington Post details the political backlash against Senator Scott Brown’s (R-MA) decision to vote for increased stimulus spending in the form of the ‘jobs bill’.

A month after being crowned the darling of national conservatives, Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts is being branded “Benedict Brown” for siding with Democrats in favor of a jobs bill endorsed by the Obama administration.

However, according to the Post,

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky wasn’t particularly perturbed about Brown’s vote, saying his election last month has “made a huge, positive difference for us and for the whole legislative agenda.

In other news, Politico reports that Jeb Bush has openly condemned his successor, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and his decision to support last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  A bold move, considering that Bush’s own brother was responsible for signing The Economic Stimulus Act of the previous year into law.  “”I know I’m supposed to be politically correct and I said I was neutral and all that,” Bush said, but added of Crist’s move: “I got a problem with that.” While the former governor called Crist “about the nicest guy I’ve ever met in politics,” Bush called Crist’s support for the stimulus bill a critical “mistake.””  Bush’s words provide a superb example of both diplomacy and leadership, and a sharp contrast to McConnell’s slippery appeal to party politics.

While some may question the significance of drawing fine lines in the political sand, it is nevertheless of the utmost importance that we stand firm on those principles necessary to our country’s success and survival.  Any and all votes for federal stimulus and subsidies, the expansion of federal social programs, and increases in federal regulation of private enterprises must be strongly opposed regardless of their source.

However, it is also important that we distinguish between sin and sinner.  Although All proponents of socialist legislation, whether Republican or Democrat–Scott Brown or Barack Obama–inhibit progress through their acts, there is no reason why we must question their intentions.  Nevertheless, playing nice does not require that we cease to play, but rather, that we play with grace and style.  Kindness is not Compromise.

Jeb Bush to GOP: “Stop Being the Party of No”

The following was originally published and is the sole property of NewMajority.com

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush pushed for the Republican Party to transform itself into a party of ?21st century reformers? in a speech to students last night at George Washington University.

Bush criticized Republicans for giving the impression that the GOP is the ?party of no.? He told the group that Republicans are often ?too nostalgic? and that the party needs to be more ?forward looking? in order to regain national success. Bush reminded the audience that voter demographics are changing and called for the party to become more ?youthful? and to abandon their image as ?the old white guy party.? ?Tone matters,? Bush said, ?in twenty or so years our country will have a minority majority.?

But this doesn?t necessarily mean that the party must move towards the center. When asked by a student if the party platform needed to become more moderate on social issues, Bush replied, ?no.? Rather, he stressed that Republicans ?need to apply conservative principles to 21st century problems.? Emphasizing ?economic prosperity? is an issue which he believes can both unite conservatives from all wings of the party and attract new voters. Bush told the crowd that President Obama was turning the country into a European socialist state and killing innovation.

The former governor went on to say that the GOP must be the ?limited but effective government party,? and stressed, there is no such thing as ?big government conservatism.? Bush pointed to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as an accomplished fiscally responsible politician, and urged Republicans to follow his example.

When asked for actual policies Republicans should be pushing, Bush called for ?simpler and lower taxes,? and suggested a committee similar to Reagan?s Grace Commission to investigate and reduce government waste.

The students NewMajority spoke with were impressed with Governor Bush. One student wished that, ?he would run for President in 2012.? A College Republican asserted that ?Bush is a great leader for the Republican Party, he is a good ideas man, and he?s like Newt Gingrich, a powerful man behind the scenes.? Another student told New Majority that ?Jeb seems a lot smarter than W., much more poised and articulate, I wish he was the Bush that achieved the presidency.?

Sam K. Theodosopoulos is an undergraduate at The George Washington University and the Editor-at-Large of the GW Young America’s Foundation Blog.