While researching my piece today — which spends a paragraph or two talking about the recent history of Republican populism — I must say that I came away with renewed respect for George W. Bush’s political skills. He’s the only Republican since 1988 to win a national election, and the only Republican to win a national majority. If you look at his primary record, he’s the only Republican to unite the populists, movement conservatives, and establishment — from the beginning — under one banner. That’s no mean feat — especially considering that the party was only four years removed from Pat Buchanan’s “pitchfork” brigades.
Bush combined populist-style charisma (including a genuine affection for working-class Americans) and a populist conservative platform with unimpeachable establishment credentials. True movement conservatives chafed at “compassionate conservatism” but swallowed their objections for the greater good of first beating John McCain and then defeating Al Gore. No politician can be all things to all people, but particularly talented politicians can be enough things to enough people to build a potent coalition. The GOP has changed enough that the next successful presidential candidate will likely have to generate real affection from both the populists and the small-government conservatives to win — with the establishment this time swallowing its objections. And always there’s the risk — pure devotion to one faction so often alienates the others.
One can certainly criticize Bush’s record in office — though I think he’s underrated overall — but it’s worth remembering how difficult it is to win and appreciating the skill of the last Republican to make it happen.