David Frum, a noted conservative writer and opinion-maker, wrote an interesting column the other day.
It has to do with what ails conservatives, and about whether the Right can continue to see the fusion of economic, social, and foreign-policy conservatives. (That's long been an interest of mine--see my 2002 book on Frank S. Meyer, one of the founders of the modern conservative movement and leading propounder of fusionism.)
I worry, though, that in his prescriptions for what ails us, Mr. Frum goes a bit astray. See for example two quotes from his recent piece. He writes: "Economic conservatives are right to want lower taxes on saving and investment. They need to recognize, however, that supply-side tax cuts are no longer a vote-winner." He also writes: "Social traditionalists too need to adapt to new realities. Opposition to same-sex marriage is dwindling. The pro-life cause, though gaining strength, remains a minority point of view."
He seems to suggest, then, that conservatives should not talk about certain things, should perhaps even change their positions on them, because they don't poll well. Beware. For a long time, linchpins of the Reaganite philosophy didn't poll well--tax cuts were seen as extremist nonsense that would wreck the economy, and increased military spending and a tough stance towards the Soviet Union would surely bring on World War III. When Ronald Reagan won the Republican nomination in 1980, there were Democrats who professed to be delighted. Reagan and his conservative stances could never win; or so polling data on some of Reagan's positions indicated. And let's not forget how conservatives used to rip Bill Clinton during his presidency for relying so much on polls to determine his positions, how we used to criticize him for meeting first, on many days, with his pollster.
It's early in this election season. Polls can change quickly. Sure, right now they don't look that great. We mustn't be complacent. I completely agree with Mr. Frum that new thinking is always in order. But we at the same time mustn't panic and change positions because of polls.
