—
The Republican Party continues to struggle while weighing conservative purity vs. a pragmatic approach as it looks for a way to win the November presidential election.
Speaking before Republicans recently, former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said: “Some voters are seeking purity in their choice. In politics, purity is a dead-dog loser. You need unity, and purity is the enemy of unity.”
In our view he has explained all the turmoil in the GOP primary elections so far. The GOP has not rallied around a single leader yet.
Early on, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann captured attention. She was followed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remained steady, but only in the 25 to 30 percent range of GOP voter support. Then Herman Cain rose to the top, followed by Newt Gingrich, and now former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum may have some momentum. Ron Paul, of course, also has a loyal fan base.
But it boils down to the GOP deciding whether ideological purity or a centrist approach to resolving the country’s problems is the correct campaign theme in the coming general election.
In our view the more centrist positions is the best course for the GOP.
There is no doubt that given the current state of our economy, as well as increasing international tensions in the world, President Obama is the most vulnerable incumbent presidential candidate since at least Jimmy Carter.
Americans are signaling they want a change, but we don’t think they are willing to leap across a broad canyon.
Even before the first Iowa caucus was held, we put our endorsement behind Mitt Romney as the best GOP choice to run in the general election.
The Republican Party should decide now, rather quickly, how to unite its efforts.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
inourview.jpg
Discussion
Our View: Centrist needed to unite GOP
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
