Even a person with one eye partly open, presumably in need of that first early-morning cup of coffee, can see that there is a power struggle raging within the Republican Party. This is to be expected after two consecutive losses at the polls in 2006 and 2008. And the stakes are high for all Americans as the outcome will determine whether or not the 2010 Election will provide a choice or an echo.

One group of contestants in the quest for Party control, as usual, are “progressive” or “liberal” Republicans whose pragmatic approach to politics is in the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, Robert La Follette, Thomas Dewey, Nelson Rockefeller and John McCain. Opposing them are “conservatives” whose guiding principles have their roots in the thinking of Calvin Coolidge, Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. These two factions pit ever-expanding big government (but not as fast as the Democrats want to expand it) versus a strong government that is limited to national defense, maintaining a legal system, getting out of the way of American entrepreneurs and leaving local matters to the states.

This battle is being conducted at all levels of political discussion.

Few Americans are unaware of the high-profile national sparring. Every week or two, liberals like Colin Powell attack conservatives like Rush Limbaugh. And there seems to be a nonstop effort by former John McCain staffers who insist upon blaming Sarah Palin for their inept campaign that she saved from a truly embarrassing defeat.

It’s certainly happening at the state level. California’s current budget problems feature liberal Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger doing large fundraisers for formerly conservative Republicans who violated their pledge to vote for no tax increases by voting with Democrats to give California a massive tax increase in the midst of an economic slump that has put unemployment at 12%. Soon to be term limited out of office, Schwarzenegger apparently wants part of his legacy to be that of converting conservatives into liberals in his image.

Do you think these matters are happening far away from your home town and are really little more than the residue of publicity seekers? Do you doubt that any of this infighting has an impact on you? Do you think that, since you can’t do anything about it, ignoring such political infighting is the best policy?

There’s an old adage that says you can ignore politics, but politics does not ignore you. If you doubt this, consider the following. In 1966, when I moved from Delaware to California, the largest expense an average American had was either their mortgage payment or the cost of groceries. Taxes came in third. I think it’s safe to say that since then, taxes have come a long way baby.

At the local level, where Republican Party activists play a key role in getting fellow Republicans to the voting booth, the liberal/conservative battles are going on in earnest. This will become increasingly evident as the 2010 Primary Election cycle begins. The classic argument of liberals goes like this. “We all agree that Conservative Republican A is more qualified than Liberal Republican B. But, A can’t beat Socialist Democrat C in the General Election. So, we all need to get behind (inferior candidate) B.”

In California this line was developed and perfected in the 2003 Recall Election by Arnold Schwarzenegger who had a Republican opponent named Tom McClintock. Now a U. S. Congressman, McClintock was a far superior candidate with extensive knowledge of California government. Schwarzenegger even co-opted McClintock’s proposed solutions to the state’s problems for his campaign theme. Many conservative Republicans bought the line and voted for Schwarzenegger. And, as a result of their folly, California simply exchanged a free-spending liberal Democrat Governor for a free-spending Liberal Republican Governor who even worships at the global-warming altar.

You would think California Republicans would learn from their mistake.

Sadly, many have not. As an example, in my neighborhood, we have an opportunity to recall one of Schwarzenegger’s converts, Assemblyman Anthony Adams, who voted for the massive California tax increase in March 2009. Should the recall qualify, voters have an opportunity to replace him with a man who has impeccable credentials as a conservative and a tax fighter, former State Senator Richard Mountjoy. One of the men Mountjoy most admires is Barry Goldwater, and his long distinguished career in the California State Assembly and State Senate attests to his commitment to conservative principles.

The mantra has already begun. With an empathetic smile, a tireless and dedicated Republican activist recently told me that virtually all Republicans agree that Mountjoy is the best man for the job, but Democrats will brand him as being too old (Mountjoy is in his 70s). Sadly, this activist told me, he can’t win because of this and we will get a tax-and-spend Democrat. So, with a look of resignation, the activist concluded by telling me we have to get behind Adams --- a man who has an established track record of aiding and abetting tax-and-spend Democrats.

Keep in mind that it takes a 2/3 vote in the legislature to increase taxes in California. Republicans have just barely enough votes to block such increases. It took just six Republicans siding with Democrats to pass the big tax increase in March 2009. If we can’t count on Republicans to hold their ground on tax increases, of what use is a Republican Party in California?

And, all of this ultimately works its way back up to the national level. Look for the same argument where you live. If you’re from Delaware and Congressman Mike Castle --- who voted for the “Cap and Tax” bill --- has a primary challenger, he will be the “preferred” candidate because only he can beat the Democrat. If you’re from Pennsylvania, you may recall that the Republican Senatorial Candidate Committee endorsed liberal Arlen Specter over conservative Pat Toomey in the upcoming U. S. Senate Primary. It’s a moot point now, of course, because Specter has joined his liberal soul mates in the Democrat Party.

Is it any wonder that the Republican Party has lost its way and turned into America’s second big-government party? There is little chance that the Party’s situation will improve as long as it insists upon running its Candidate B’s rather than its best candidates.

For this reason, it is important that all conservatives join the battle and reject liberals and fair-weather conservative dupes in their attempt to control the Republican Party. It’s a battle America cannot afford to lose.