A Conservative Party No More

Not much posting yesterday, because I'm somewhat sick. Don't read this too closely or you might catch it.

Anyway read an interesting article yesterday entitled "Why Conservatives must not vote for Bush," by Doug Bandow, a self described Reaganite Conservative. In it, he acknowledges the pretty self evident truth that a vote for President Bush is, in many cases, more important as a vote against Senator Kerry. But he says that this attitude might not be entirely justified, particularly in the area of fiscal policy.

Moreover, whatever the personal preferences of a President Kerry, he could spend only whatever legislators allowed, so assuming that the GOP maintains its control over Congress, outlays almost certainly would rise less than if Bush won reelection. History convincingly demonstrates that divided government delivers less spending than unitary control. Give either party complete control of government and the treasury vaults quickly empty. Share power between the parties and, out of principle or malice, they check each other. The American Conservative Union's Don Devine says bluntly: "A rational conservative would calculate a vote for Kerry as likely to do less damage" fiscally.

Maybe so, respond some conservatives, but how about the Bush tax cuts? The president tells campaign audiences: "They're going to raise your taxes; we're not." But even here the Bush record is not secure. Bruce Bartlett of the National Center for Policy Analysis points to the flood of red ink unleashed by the administration and predicts that tax hikes are inevitable irrespective of who is elected in November. That is, Bush's fiscal irresponsibility could cancel out his most important economic success for the GOP.

The article is well worth reading, and strikes me as pretty balanced. He does point out areas where an old-school conservative will see better results with a second term for President Bush.