A new way forward for the politically homeless

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What once distinguished the two major U.S. political parties from one another was their different approaches to solving problems. Now, the parties often seem to live in different universes altogether, where there isn't agreement on what our problems are, or even on basic, self-evident truths. What this tells us is that there's a desperate need for political competition that gives more Americans a voice and produces leaders who deal in reality. The real data shows there is much unity in America hidden beneath our loud, angry partisanship. Unfortunately, politicians currently aren't incentivized to address the issues that Americans by and large agree on, because our current system forces them to pander to the 10% of voters—typically the most extreme in their respective parties—who determine 83% of primary elections. This perilous era demands an innovative, realistic strategy: making common cause with Americans across the political spectrum to enact structural reforms that will allow political
competition to flourish, without threatening good candidates who are already out there. We're taking the first step. We hope you'll join us ([link removed]) . —Mindy Finn

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** Vance: Restoring American principles
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"It is extraordinary for a group of leaders to attempt to create a new political movement. How successful we will be remains to be seen, but we must make the effort. We live in dangerous times. Trumpism is, unfortunately, still a threat. The next battle for American democracy is around the corner—and moderates must be in the fight. If enough Americans want it to happen, we can remake our politics. If you agree that it is time to renew America, join us." —Chris Vance in ([link removed]) The Seattle Times ([link removed])

Chris Vance is the former chair of the Washington State Republican Party, an adjunct faculty member in the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, and a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center.

MORE: Sophia Nelson & Susan Del Percio: Charting a new course for centrists left behind by the GOP —RealClear Politics ([link removed])


** Friedman: Covid lays bare the price of populism
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"As populism has experienced a resurgence in recent years, many have focused on the hazards the ideology poses to democratic systems. But today's complex and highly technical global threats—pandemics, climate change, cyberattacks, financial crises—that demand technocratic solutions have driven home a grim reality: Populism can place us all at risk." —Uri Friedman in The Atlantic ([link removed])

Uri Friedman is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and managing editor at the Atlantic Council.

MORE: CDC: Vaccinated can largely ditch masks —Associated Press ([link removed])


** The Economist: Cybersecurity is back at the forefront
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"[Cybersecurity] challenges are not unique to America. But they pose a particular headache for President Joe Biden, who is trying to win support for climate proposals in his infrastructure bill. Limiting climate change and fighting cyberthreats are hardly mutually exclusive endeavors. Biden must make a credible case that he can make America's energy system both greener and more secure." —The Economist ([link removed])

MORE: Colonial Pipeline paid hackers nearly $5 million in ransom —Yahoo! News ([link removed])


** Flake: Liz Cheney does not stand alone
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"Cheney has proved her fitness, and...it seems that adherents to the 'big lie' will cast her out. Hold your head high, Congresswoman. Those of us who believe in American democracy and who live in objective reality are grateful that you have chosen to take a stand for truth—self-evident truth—regardless of the consequences." —Jeff Flake in ([link removed]) The Washington Post ([link removed])

Jeff Flake represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

MORE: House Republicans vote to make Elise Stefanik conference chair replacing Liz Cheney —CNN ([link removed])
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** Gerson: Kevin McCarthy, political hollow man
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"There is a reason McCarthy now resists an impartial investigation of the events of Jan. 6: his honest testimony about Trump would be damning. And that is what makes his reversion to sycophancy so contemptible. McCarthy stands condemned by his own 10 minutes of moral clarity. His slinking to Mar-a-Lago to repent for disloyal honesty shows a tolerance for humiliation akin to masochism. Is the speakership worth achieving when it involves the sacrifice of your character, your country, and your dignity?" —Michael Gerson in ([link removed]) The Washington Post ([link removed])

Michael Gerson is a columnist at
The Washington Post who formerly served as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and as the chief speechwriter for former President George W. Bush.

MORE: Officer injured in Capitol riot slams 'disgraceful' new attempts to downplay insurrection —CNN ([link removed])


** Baer & Kramer: Keep one eye on Xi and the other on Putin
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"[S]o-called realists argue...we should put aside our concerns about Putin's egregious behavior, forget the Russian invasion and ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and ignore the case of Navalny and the nasty crackdown on human rights inside Russia, because we have larger interests at stake. This position is both strategically unsound and morally repugnant. Strategically, it overestimates the degree to which we could rely on any collaboration with Putin's regime against Beijing and analytically overrates the possibility for a genuine and deep partnership between China and Russia." —Daniel Baer & David J. Kramer in ([link removed]) The xxxxxx ([link removed])

Daniel Baer served in the U.S. State Department as deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. David J. Kramer served in the U.S. State Department as assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. He was formerly president of Freedom House and is currently a non-resident fellow at the McCain Institute.

MORE: U.S. names Russia, Iran among worst abusers of religious rights, slams 'genocide' against Uyghurs in China —Radio Free Europe ([link removed])


** Wolf: The cause of democracy goes on
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"Biden is playing for huge stakes—and knows it. This is not just about securing a strong post-Covid economic recovery for the U.S. It is not just about restoring the U.S. position in the world as ally and as actor on crucial issues, such as climate. It is not just about proving that the U.S. government is capable of doing important things. It is now about protecting the core of democracy—peaceful acceptance of electoral outcomes. If that were to go in the U.S., would-be autocrats everywhere would have carte blanche to do as they pleased." —Martin Wolf in Financial Times ([link removed])

Martin Wolf is the chief economics commentator at Financial Times.

MORE: What now for pro-democracy Republicans? —The Hill ([link removed])
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."
—Edmund Burke, Irish statesman, economist, and philosopher

The Topline hits the nail on the head regarding the fight against Trumpism. If that fight is lost, our democratic republic possibly dies. Serious? You bet! —John W., Georgia

I am very saddened to see the Republican Party in its current state, and I'm even more saddened to see so many Americans following along with them, especially when those people are family and friends. The removal of Liz Cheney from her leadership position is just one more symptom of the disease infecting the party, and with her removal it seems the disease has metastasized to the point of no return. I think the writing is on the wall that a new party will emerge from this maelstrom, for better or for worse remains to be seen.

It seems like those who have continuously supported the previous president are stuck in some kind of echo chamber fed by propaganda, conspiracy theories, and, in some cases, outright lies. The possibility to have real collaboration is shrinking day by day as the polarization between the parties increases exponentially. The majority of those in the Republican Party who maintain fealty to the previous president are accelerating this polarization, and by their actions, they are choosing to abandon what we as Americans should hold dear in the Constitution. With these autocratic loyalists, power and control trumps the Constitution and any notion of decency.

I pray to Almighty God that our nation can endure this internal strife and emerge on the other side as a nation intact, not a nation subdued by external communist and autocratic adversaries who would delight in our downfall. I humbly invite all who are religious to pray for our country. For those who are Catholics like me, please consider praying the rosary daily, and consider fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays for the sake of our country. —Steven R., California
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** The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff or the Stand Up Republic Foundation.
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