In short, Conservatives do not have, as history demonstrates, a monopoly on fiscal common sense. Today, the Republican Party has become dogmatic with a tendency to reject intellectual dissent. Moderates have no one to blame but themselves for feeling less welcome in a party that they've contributed to for over a century. But to do so they must be aggressive in re-asserting their place, armed with an honorable history and the intellectual tenacity to offer thoughtful, pragmatic solutions to the pressing social and economic issues of the day. And to do so Moderates and Progressives must have a platform in keeping with their historic crusade for social justice, intellectual honesty, and nation above party.
Republicans are some of the most vocal advocates of the death penalty.
There are few things more un-Republican than support for the death penalty. Moderate Republicans have much work ahead. To achieve such noble Lincolnian goals, they must understand their rich history, be secure in a unique philosophical heritage, and most importantly, be unafraid to fight Conservative ideologues. They must work harder at presenting Moderate Republicanism as a legitimate, long-established Lincolnian ideology.