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The New Conservative Paradigm

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The "New Conservative Paradigm" by Thomas G. Del Beccaro is a needed contribution to the philosophical debate within the Republican Party. Republican losses in 2006 and the erosion of the Republican brand have caused a reappraisal of within the Party.

Del Beccaro argues that Republicans lost in 2006 due to their abandonment of two of the three political "pillars" identified with the Party in current times: Pro-growth and tax-cutting policies and reform, a strong defense, and respect for traditional American values and the family. While President Bush and Congressional Republicans did cut taxes in 2001-02, they failed to keep the engine of government reform running while massively increasing government spending. Further, high profile personal integrity failures of individual Republicans eroded the Party's image as a defender of family values.

Del Beccaro uses economic history and election results to show how Republican Presidents Hoover, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford and George H.W. Bush viewed tax cuts as "unaffordable" and were therefore seen by voters as advocates of government interests over individual interests. Democrat President Kennedy cut taxes and was seen as conservative on defense and values as well. As a result, Kennedy drove a realignment that saw big increases in Democrat majorities in Congress. President Reagan reversed Democrat gains started by Kennedy by cutting taxes, reforming government, practicing a robust military and foreign policy, and promoting traditional values. The first President Bush threw away Reagan's gains when he reneged on his "no new taxes" pledge.

Del Beccaro concludes with a call for Republican renewal quoting President Reagan, "We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing." Del Beccaro also cites the essential optimism of both Reagan and Lincoln as needed attributes to lead the American people to greatness.

The "New Conservative Paradigm" was written for the limited audience of Republican political activists and elected officials and, as such, is not for everyone. The book could have used some added editing and production quality, but the content is first rate. The "New Conservative Paradigm" an inspiring call to arms for all principled conservatives.

Reviewer: Chuck DeVore is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, a California State Assemblyman, he served as a Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs in the Department of Defense from 1986 to 1988, retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel, and is the co-author of "China Attacks."

For all those who are elected to represent, "we the people", and who are not listening, they need to receive a copy of The New Conservative Paradigm. Mr. Del Beccaro bridges the gap between parties and examines the history of Presidents who historically advocated for lower taxes, even in economic hard times, and charts the results of the economy when this happens. It is historically correct and succinct in all it's details -- Is Anybody Listening?
--MMB

As John Adams once said, "Facts are stubborn things." In The New Conservative Paradigm, Mr. Del Beccaro analyzes historical evidence from elections over the past fifty years and concludes that three strategic pillars are common to all winning presidential campaigns. The reforms he encourages Republican leaders to embrace--and his hopeful and optimistic vision for the future of our country--reveal Mr. Del Beccaro's clear understanding of the issues, values, and beliefs that inspire America's silent majority. Read The New Conservative Paradigm today! You will not be disappointed.

I'm taken with how the political right might best evolve in the upcoming years. Might conservatives extend their world view in ways that go beyond tax cuts and fear and into a "new conservative paradigm"? How might they deal with gay rights, a woman's right to choose, and other issues that are broader than the sound-bites offered so freely by FoxNews? My hope was that Del Beccaro might offer up something truly new. Unfortunately he doesn't. Instead, readers should expect to get a pedantic rehashing of time-worn ideas and mediocre scholarship.

Here's what Mona Charen had to say (and I couldn't agree more): "Well at least someone in the Republican Party is thinking strategically. Not since Newt Gingrich in the 90s has a Republican activist so clearly analyzed what has gone right and wrong for the party and the conservative movement."
"The New Conservative Paradigm" is a must read for not only conservatives, but anyone concerned with America's economic freedom and our future. Conservative should pay careful attention to the conclusions drawn by Mr. Del Beccaro and the three pillars of the paradigm,