Those running conservative GOP campaigns find themselves in a strong national environment, but it is always difficult to start a campaign. Some challenges affect anyone, no matter the party or political ideology. There are particular issues, though, which affect only conservative candidates Illinois 2014.
Political life is tough for anybody seeking to campaign for elected office. For instance, one needs to gather enough names to qualify. On top of everything else is fundraising, as seeking office is costly whether the office sought is statewide or local. There is no lack of campaigns, even in the strongest years, that sputter and fail due to weak fundraising.
On the Right, raising funds is generally a by-product of strong support among conservatives at the outset. Voters on the Right are highly suspicious of candidates who are phony conservatives, those who might support the Second Amendment or lean budgets, but who are liberal in other ways. The challenge in steering wide of that status is that the Right is split into warring factions, and wars within ideologies are typically more bitter than those between factions.
The oldest, but smallest group is the paleo-conservative or "paleocon" faction. This group, whose most prominent spokesman is Patrick Buchanan, places great emphasis on defending the traditional, "organic" lifestyle of the white, Christian majority that founded the United States against what it sees as progressive predation. This is not only a small movement, it is a movement in which fringe ideas about race gain free expression to a degree that can damage any potential candidate.
Racist views, whether in the candidate or those associated in any way with the campaign, are political suicide for good reason, making "paleocons" generally unelectable. The Tea Party, to give a prominent example, was highly successful during the 2010 elections as its candidates ran on Libertarian values, but it has faltered since drifting more toward a social conservative focus.
The Religious Right is demographically numerous and highly motivated, and it can be good to have their support in parts of Illinois, though identification with it can be disastrous in the Chicago suburbs. This faction's attention is fixed of "lifestyle issues" such as gay marriage and abortion. These people generally support the mainstream Republican Party on foreign affairs, and they are particularly supportive of Israel.
Though typically voting Republican on election day, Libertarians do have a party of their own. They value strict Constitutionalism, free enterprise, and personal liberty. At times it appears that only a passion for gun ownership rights keeps them within the GOP tent at all, and they increasingly act as a third party on Election Day. Their emphasis upon non-intrusive government often pits them against the Religious Right.
Today's Republican mainstream is the heir to the "movement conservatism" of William F. Buckley and Barry Goldwater. This is the broad center of the GOP that has produced all Republican Presidents since Ronald Reagan, and which controls the most influential media outlets whether conservative talk radio or Fox News. They were the faction associated with the Cold War, and to this day remain the political support for American power, both military and economic, across the world.
The mainstream's emphasis on defending freedom worldwide is attacked by paleoconservatives and Libertarians alike. Any Right wing campaigner had better learn to balance all factions. When it comes time to raise funds, however, the conservative mainstream is where the money is to be found.
Political life is tough for anybody seeking to campaign for elected office. For instance, one needs to gather enough names to qualify. On top of everything else is fundraising, as seeking office is costly whether the office sought is statewide or local. There is no lack of campaigns, even in the strongest years, that sputter and fail due to weak fundraising.
On the Right, raising funds is generally a by-product of strong support among conservatives at the outset. Voters on the Right are highly suspicious of candidates who are phony conservatives, those who might support the Second Amendment or lean budgets, but who are liberal in other ways. The challenge in steering wide of that status is that the Right is split into warring factions, and wars within ideologies are typically more bitter than those between factions.
The oldest, but smallest group is the paleo-conservative or "paleocon" faction. This group, whose most prominent spokesman is Patrick Buchanan, places great emphasis on defending the traditional, "organic" lifestyle of the white, Christian majority that founded the United States against what it sees as progressive predation. This is not only a small movement, it is a movement in which fringe ideas about race gain free expression to a degree that can damage any potential candidate.
Racist views, whether in the candidate or those associated in any way with the campaign, are political suicide for good reason, making "paleocons" generally unelectable. The Tea Party, to give a prominent example, was highly successful during the 2010 elections as its candidates ran on Libertarian values, but it has faltered since drifting more toward a social conservative focus.
The Religious Right is demographically numerous and highly motivated, and it can be good to have their support in parts of Illinois, though identification with it can be disastrous in the Chicago suburbs. This faction's attention is fixed of "lifestyle issues" such as gay marriage and abortion. These people generally support the mainstream Republican Party on foreign affairs, and they are particularly supportive of Israel.
Though typically voting Republican on election day, Libertarians do have a party of their own. They value strict Constitutionalism, free enterprise, and personal liberty. At times it appears that only a passion for gun ownership rights keeps them within the GOP tent at all, and they increasingly act as a third party on Election Day. Their emphasis upon non-intrusive government often pits them against the Religious Right.
Today's Republican mainstream is the heir to the "movement conservatism" of William F. Buckley and Barry Goldwater. This is the broad center of the GOP that has produced all Republican Presidents since Ronald Reagan, and which controls the most influential media outlets whether conservative talk radio or Fox News. They were the faction associated with the Cold War, and to this day remain the political support for American power, both military and economic, across the world.
The mainstream's emphasis on defending freedom worldwide is attacked by paleoconservatives and Libertarians alike. Any Right wing campaigner had better learn to balance all factions. When it comes time to raise funds, however, the conservative mainstream is where the money is to be found.
About the Author:
You can visit www.branniganforcongress.com for more helpful information about Conservative Candidates Illinois 2014 And The Right Wing Minefield.