“Take a risk and lay out a bold vision for the country”
Former Wisconsin governor and 2016 presidential candidate Scott Walker’s advice to the 2024 presidential candidates
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Robert Wright’s review of my book captures the essence of my journey in America.
“There is a right way and a wrong way, always choose the right way.” Abraham Sabrin (1914-2001)
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Scott Walker offers his advice to the growing field of GOP presidential candidates. Walker reflected on his failed bid to win the 2016 GOP presidential nomination because he was told by his consultants “to play it safe and run on my record” in the debates. It backfired big time.
Instead of outlining the domestic and international issues facing the country and solutions to deal with both, Walker highlighted his achievements as a two-term governor. In other words, nice resume, now what are you going to do for the American people?
So, what are the “big, bold ideas” that a GOP presidential candidate could articulate that would resonate with voters in all regions and demographics?
Before I present the bold ideas that are necessary to restore the republic, there is no guarantee that enough voters are ready to elect a president who wants to take on the welfare-warfare state—the biggest, boldest idea in politics.
For that reason, the words of Theodore Hesburgh, former president of Notre Dame, should be embraced by a GOP presidential nominee:
My basic principle is that you don’t make decisions because they are easy; you don’t make them because they are cheap; you don’t make them because they’re popular; you make them because they’re right.
Adding to Father Hesburgh’s insight is Ron Paul’s anecdote he recounted at the Republican Liberty Caucus conference in Atlanta more than 20 years ago. I attended the conference to hear the former Texas congressman and 2008 and 2012 GOP presidential candidate speak as well as get support for my 2000 US Senate race in New Jersey.
Dr. Paul said he was in his campaign office a year or two earlier when he took a call from a constituent who told him that she disagreed with him on virtually all the issues but was going to vote for him anyway. Why would that voter pull the lever for Dr. Paul? The female voter told him that he is a man of integrity and that counts in her mind as to whom she wants to represent her in the House of Representatives.
The moral of this story: Stand your ground, don’t pander to the voters, and inform voters what needs to be done to restore the republic.
What then are the right principles for a GOP candidate to run on that would get voters across the political spectrum to put him in the White House?
First, the nominee must have an impeccable—or perceived impeccable—character. Second, the nominee must state the problems even if it means criticizing past presidents from both parties who perpetuated—and expanded--the welfare-warfare state. Third, the solutions must be founded on sound economics and finance, preservation of civil liberties and a peaceful foreign policy.
The above is the basic outline of a “bold vision” for America. The specifics of the liberty agenda will be spelled out in upcoming essays under the heading, “Emancipation of the American People from Statism.”
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My latest piece on the economy was published in Fortune, https://fortune.com/2023/03/27/recession-2023-layoffs-tech-finance-unemployment-outlook-fed-rates-murray-sabrin/ This is an update of my 2021 forecast, https://fortune.com/2021/12/09/next-recession-heres-everything-bubble-markets-2021-2022-covid-murray-sabrin/
Murray Sabrin, PhD, is emeritus professor of finance, Ramapo College of New Jersey. Dr. Sabrin is considered a “public intellectual” for writing about the economy in scholarly and popular publications. His new book, The Finance of Health Care: Wellness and Innovative Approaches to Employee Medical Insurance (Business Expert Press, Oct. 24, 2022), and his other BEP publication, Navigating the Boom/Bust Cycle: An Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide (October 2021), provides decision makers with tools needed to help manage their businesses during the business cycle. Sabrin's autobiography, From Immigrant to Public Intellectual: An American Story, was published in November, 2022.