Who Wants To Go Back Into The Big Tent?
The standard-bearer of moderate Republicanism was the late Senator John Chafee. Back in the day, when you called yourself a Chafee Republican, everyone knew what you meant. John Chafee’s political philosophy expressed itself in fiscal restraint, a live-and-let-live attitude, environmental stewardship, and an active concern for those in need. He had faith in the ability of government to improve people’s lives, but a suspicion of government that grows so big that it lives people’s lives for them. Neither hawkish nor isolationist, he was a great proponent of diplomacy, international cooperation, and free trade. He recognized the importance of profitable businesses to the economy and labor unions to the well-being of workers, but had a tolerance for the excesses of neither. And he insisted on civility at all times. Not too long ago, citizens who believed these things had a comfortable place under the Republican Party’s Big Tent. But these days, many of the old Chafee Republicans inhabit a
