Editor, Gazette-Journal:

We frequently hear, and will continue to hear as the election approaches, that the Republican Party needs to move more to the center. We mostly hear this from Democrats, who have their own motives, but there is also a significant contingent of old guard Republicans who echo this same sentiment. They say that moving to the right will alienate the independents and moderates and lose elections.

Funny, but they said the same thing about Ronald Reagan, with his "radical right wing" message of, "The government is the problem, let’s lower taxes, take some personal responsibility and rebuild our gutted military." We saw how that worked out—two solid victories, long-term prosperity and the end of the Cold War. After Jimmy Carter, America was ready.

The old guard Republicans are absolutely right about losing elections—theirs! They very much enjoy the perks, prestige, power and financial advantages they have as career politicians, and they are te...