John Ashcroft's Coefficient of Unity

John Ashcroft believes that all wings of the party -- social as well as economic and national security -- have to rally around the spending issue, first and foremost. He believes this for both policy and political reasons. Clearly, the debt cannot continue to grow, indefinitely, without wrecking the country. But, politically, for the Republican Party as a center-right party, John believes that "the coefficient of unity is the highest on spending." In other words, the spending situation, now in extremis, draws in all elements of the Republican base as well as the restless independent voters who see the current trend as an existential threat to all that makes this country unique and exceptional...read more