WASHINGTON — The conservative vs. moderate split threatening to rupture the Republican Party played out across the airwaves Sunday. Colin Powell and Tom Ridge denounced shrill and judgmental voices they say are steering the GOP too far right. Karl Rove challenged Powell to lay out his vision and "back it up” by helping elect Republicans.
"We should build on the base because the nation needs two parties, two parties debating each other. But what we have to do is debate and define who we are and what we are and not just listen to dictates that come down from the right wing of the party,” Powell said.
Ridge said if the GOP wants "to restore itself, not as a regional party, but as a national party, we have to be far less judgmental about disagreements within the party and far more judgmental about our disagreement with our friends on the other side of the aisle.”
Rove, political strategist for President George W. Bush, said, "If you say you’re Republican, you’re Republican.” But he wanted more than words.
"I don’t like this thing where people — and Powell is one them — who said, ‘Rush Limbaugh, shut up.’ We believe, as Republicans in the marketplace of ideas. Let that marketplace decide,” Rove said.
All three made their points on Sunday morning television news shows.
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