Traditionalists vs Reformers

Ramesh Ponnuru disputes my suggestion that he is on the side of the Traditionalists in their battle with the Reformers over the future of the GOP. His view is that:

The point of my column was to question the wisdom of drawing the battle lines in those terms. Those of us who think that the conservative message should be modernized will fail to do so if we proceed by insulting traditionalists rather than trying to persuade them.

And yes, perhaps I was too hasty putting Ponnuru in the traditionalists’ camp even if his column spends much more time arguing that the GOP needs Rush Limbaugh and not much time stressing the need for a recalibrated conservatism. (Nor, for that matter, does he suggest how the debate should be framed.)Still, his point is well-taken. But again, I don’t think Frum and Brooks and co. want to eliminate the base, they just think it won’t be enough in the future.