“We should emphasize the things that unite us and make these the only ‘litmus test’ of what constitutes a Republican: our belief in restraining government spending, pro-growth policies, tax reduction, sound national defense, and maximum individual liberty. As to the other issues that draw on the deep springs of morality and emotion, let us decide that we can disagree among ourselves as Republicans and tolerate the disagreement.”

Ronald Reagan

H/T - Rightpundits  Ignatius Reilly a 33-year-old attorney and contributor to Right Pundist wrote a piece covering the resent spat between Colin Powell & Dick Cheney. In the post he gives some background and then provides some very tough commentary for the former VP. Below is a summarised version of what he said and remarks by some of the contributors of the blog.

On an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” former Vice President Dick Cheney stated that former Secretary of State Colin Powell is no longer a Republican. Cheney said, “My take on it was Colin had already left the party,” Cheney said. “I didn’t know he was still a Republican.” Colin Powell, who was the Secretary of State under George Bush, has been at odds with conservatives recently. In 2008, he endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential election, angering many in the Republican party. In an interview on CNN after the election, he declared that the Republican party attempted to polarize the country.

The Video

He also stated that Republicans had to try to reach out to more minorities, including African Americans, who are conservative, but have been alienated by the polarizing nature of many conservative figures. In a speech last week, as reported here, Powell declared that the Republican party was in “deep trouble” and needed to move closer to the center to survive.

Ignatius Reilly Responds: As I reported here, the Republican party is attempting to reshape its image in the wake of the 2008 election. The Cheney-Powell feud further shows that the conservative party is in the middle of a deep ideological battle that may result in its split in the near future. In one corner, we have Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Dick Cheney, who are strong social conservatives who appeal to the Christian base for their views on issues like abortion, immigration and gay marriage.

On the other side are the so-called “RINO”’s like Colin Powell, John McCain, and Michael Bloomberg, who do not have the same views on social issues, but joined the party mainly because of their fiscal views (small government, low taxes).

Frankly, I suspect there will be a split in the party soon. The social conservatives simply will not rally again around someone like McCain. Sarah Palin will likely take over that wing of the party because she inspires the Christian base. Moderate, fiscal conservatives will not rally around Sarah Palin because they view her as a step backward. Like Powell states, moderates believe that social conservatives are increasingly outnumbered in this country and conservatives need to reshape their image to appeal to the center.

Will the Republican party survive?

HHR NOTE: Republicans who wrongly label moderates like Powell as “recent political mutations” and heretics should stop. The historical documents show that they built, funded and died for this party. To demand they leave because is a great offence.

Moderate Republicans often see limited government as a useful tool that when operated carefully, like a piece of heavy machinery, can improve the quality of life for all Americans. Moderates and Conservatives fall under a broad philosophical framework of Republicanism. Although Conservatives are a legitimate branch of the GOP who have made many positive contributions, this wing of the party has allowed itself to be dominated by extremists and social moralists that marginalize Lincolnian principles.

Click Link to read What Moderate Republican orthodoxy includes:

http://moderaterepublican.net/id1.html