Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been struggling lately with conservatives from his own party. They've split on climate change, healthcare and the state budget. The conflict is not just about policy details but fundamentally different approaches to politics. The governor and his supporters emphasize flexibility; the conservatives emphasize principle.
The two sides have different bases of support. Republican primary voters tend to stick with conservative principle, although many campaign contributors favor electability. In 1966, for instance, voters overwhelmingly chose Ronald Reagan in the gubernatorial primary over former San Francisco Mayor George Christopher, who was more liberal, even though polls had shown that Christopher would do better in the general election.
The practitioners of flexibility believe that although the GOP holds the high ground on issues such as tax rates, the party is bucking public opinion on abortion, the environment and other key questions. Voters think what they think, the argument goes, and stubbornness won't change their positions.
The case for flexibility is pragmatic. Republicans lack the votes to get their way in the Legislature, so either they compromise or stalemate. People don't like stalemate, especially in the case of the budget, where inaction jeopardizes public services.
As Schwarzenegger said in February: "What is more principled than giving up some part of your position to advance the great good of the people? That is how we arrived at the Constitution of this country. I can guarantee you, our founding fathers would still be meeting at the Holiday Inn in Philadelphia if they wouldn't have compromised."
Those who stand firm on conservative principle acknowledge that they don't run the Legislature. But for that very reason, they argue, compromise won't win the GOP any additional support. Currying official favor just means helping the Democrats. A minority party, they say, must rely on the power of its beliefs. Only strong causes will rally the troops to write checks, walk precincts and stuff envelopes. "Flexibility" is a lame rallying cry.
Even worse, say the conservatives, the flexibility faction thinks that voters don't agree with the GOP and won't listen. That's defeatism, and defeatism usually ends in defeat. Conservatives think they can win when they make a strong, consistent case on the merits.
