America Needs Neoconservatism

Written by David Frum on Thursday December 10, 2009

In 2006 and 2008, Americans rejected a conservatism they saw as incompetent and irrelevant. But that rejection did not mean they wanted to hand the keys to the car to an unchecked Democratic Party. Americans want a practical, modern, secular conservatism that delivers results that benefit the ordinary voter.

I offer a contrarian take in this week's Newsweek:

Conclusion:

The original neoconservatives felt a deep optimism about the United States. They despised alienated radicals who flung epithets like "fascist" at U.S. institutions and leaders. Now similarly angry talk is being heard from an alienated right. In 1967, Ronald Reagan signed a law forbidding the carrying of loaded guns in public. Today guns are again reappearing at political rallies—and this time there is no Reagan to say no.

It will take tremendous discipline to transcend today's partisan anger and rebuild conservatism as a broad national movement. Yet this work is essential to sustaining a competitive political system in the United States. In 2006 and 2008, Americans rejected a conservatism they saw as incompetent and irrelevant. But that rejection did not mean they wanted to hand the keys to the car to an unchecked Democratic Party. Americans want balance in their politics.

To provide it, America needs a practical, modern, secular conservatism that delivers results that benefit the ordinary voter. Maybe we need a new label. Neoneoconservatism anyone?

Category: News