As I’ve noted many times before, the four GOP ideological factions don’t all agree on very much; the continuing existence of the party as we know it is grounded in a contract in which the Reactionaries and PBPs grudgingly acquiesce to the other’s principal objective (white nationalism and traditional family values for the former; tax cuts and deregulation for the latter) purely for tactical reasons. There are, however, two areas in which the factions are in complete accord. One is the need for judges who support both traditional values and limited regulation of business; the second is opposition to socialism.
Here is where the factions stand on socialism:
CLs: Ugh! Socialism means growing government to control everything! It’s the very negation of all that we stand for!
PBPs: Ugh! Socialism means high taxes and lots of regulations for business! It’s the very negation of all that we stand for!
Reactionaries: We’re not opposed in principle to a robust welfare state for white Christian workers who have earned a bit of protection from the consequences of failure and misfortune. Socialism, however, means unwarranted government interference in our personal lives, and it disproportionately benefits immigrants and lazy minorities who threaten our values and demand cuts in line. Don’t tread on me!
CDs: We’re not opposed to using the government to reduce inequality and support the poor. We’re completely in favor of a strong welfare state. Socialism, however, usually comes with a side helping of secularism and contempt for traditional values; we can’t support that. We reject materialism and the politics of envy!
And so, for the Democrats, the message is clear: if you want to reunite a badly fragmented GOP, call your program “socialism,” and you will succeed, to your electoral cost.