Welcome to the Inaugural episode of Polite Company! Donald Trump may no longer be President, but Trumpism is still a vital force in the Republican Party. Several state and local parties have censured the seventeen representatives and Senators who vote to either impeach the former President or convict him. More and more rank and file Republicans are leaving the party in the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol as the party becomes more and more a home for conspiracy mongers and authoritarians.
Is it time for a new center-right party to replace the Republicans? Over 100 conservatives met in early February to discuss the possibility and there was strong support. But can a new party arise when third parties are so hard to sustain in America? Would it have an impact? Dennis discusses the drawbacks, and why this might be a chance that must be taken for the sake of the nation.
Questions? EMail at denminn@gmail.com
Articles for background:
To Hell with Duverger’s Law by Dennis Sanders
What Happened to America’s Political Center of Gravity?, New York Times, June 26, 2019
Dozens of former Republican officials in talks to form anti-Trump third party, Reuters, February 10, 2021
The NeverTrump third party delusion, by Matthew Walther, The Week February 12, 2021
3 reasons why a 'center-right' party will never work, by Chris Cillizza, CNN February 11, 2021
‘There’s Nothing Left’: Why Thousands of Republicans Are Leaving the Party, New York Times, February 10, 2021
Principle over power: Let’s form a new Republican party, by Chris Vance, Seattle Times, January 13, 2021
“The central weakness of our political system right now is the Republican Party”, Vox, January 13, 2021
The New Party of Lincoln