WHAT IS A CONSERVATIVE?
Who is the most conservative? That was the theme of Sunday night’s GOP Presidential debates. Chris Wallace from Fox News opened the debate by asking former NYC Major Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney about comments that fellow candidate Fred Thompson had made about their not being true conservatives. Both responded that Thompson was not really a true conservative. What is a “true conservative” and why are all the candidates trying to be one?

Defining a conservative can be difficult, but American political historian and social critic, Russell Kirk in his 1953 book; The Conservative Mind lists six tenets of conservatism. They are (1) A belief in a transcendent order, which Kirk described variously in tradition, divine revelation, or natural law. (2) An affection for the “variety and mystery” of human existence; (3) A conviction that society requires orders and classes that emphasize “natural distinctions; (4) A belief that property and freedom are closely linked; (5) A faith in custom, convention, and prescription, and (6) A recognition that innovation must be tied to existing traditions and customs, which entails a respect for the political value of prudence.

Kirk believed in economic freedom. He believed in the free market system. Moreover, because he drew on religion, morality, and a comprehensive view of human nature, Dr. Kirk achieved important insights in political economy that a purely economic approach would have missed. Kirk's starting point was belief in God and a "belief in an order that is more than human," which rules both society and individuals. A transcendent God implies that eternal truths exist, that "human nature is a constant, and moral truths are permanent." Those that oppose a free market system often argue there is more to life than money. That is certainly true and Russell Kirk realized that a free market economy operated by humane, principled people serves all of us well.

If Republicans truly want to elect a conservative- as defined by Kirk- the candidate may not be in the race. Senator John McCain of Arizona said he is the conservative with the best chance of defeating Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a claim often made by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. GOP rival Mitt Romney, meanwhile, deflected charges that he has flip-flopped on abortion and other social issues important to religious conservatives. Romney, a Mormon, said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation" evangelicals may not accept my religion, but they will certainly see me as someone who can carry the standard of conservatives for major social issues."

Romney picked up a surprise endorsement from Bob Jones University President Bob Jones III last week. In endorsing Romney, Jones said, "As a Christian I am completely opposed to the doctrines of Mormonism, but I'm not voting for a preacher. I'm voting for a president. It boils down to who can best represent conservative American beliefs, not religious beliefs."

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has the credentials of a social conservative. He is an ordained Baptist minister. He is definitely pro-life. But according to Club for Growth President Pat Toomey, Huckabee was not a fiscal conservative during his two terms as Governor of Arkansas. Toomey says, "Governor Huckabee says he is a fiscal conservative, but his ten-year economic-policy record as the governor of Arkansas is mixed, at best. His history includes numerous tax hikes, ballooning government spending, and increased regulation. To be sure, Governor Huckabee's record displays an occasional deference to a pro-growth philosophy, but that is only a small slice of a much bigger picture. The Club for Growth feels citizens deserve a full picture of where Governor Huckabee stands on the critical economic issues of the day." Club for Growth has a great deal of influence over fiscal and social conservatives nationally.

What is a conservative. Fundamentally, a conservative is one who tries to conserve things. This presupposes that there is something worth conserving and that this thing needs conserving.
Social conservatives in the GOP want to conserve America’s values and heritage. They are pro-life and pro-family. They believe marriage is between one man and one woman. They believe America was founded upon Christian principles and values.

Fiscal conservatives work to conserve our free market system that fuels our freedom and liberty. They fight for less government regulations. They want lower taxes and smaller government. They hate governmental waste and overspending.

Sometimes, social and fiscal conservatives get on the same end of the rope at the same time with candidates like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Other times they do not. In 2008, they better start tugging together or Republicans risk losing the White House.