Republicans Must Embrace Power as a Tool for Good to Stop Losing to Democrats
Source: Nathan Stone. "Republicans Will Keep Losing Until They Realize Power Isn't Evil." February 13, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Republicans keep losing because they're too worried about being virtuous and won't use the political power they have. Meanwhile, Democrats grab power whenever they can and use it ruthlessly. Republicans need to stop thinking power is evil and start using it like Washington and Lincoln did.
Conclusion
Republicans will continue losing politically until they overcome their reluctance to exercise power and recognize that power itself is morally neutral and necessary for achieving good outcomes
Premises
- Democrats consistently use power aggressively when they control government, as shown by Virginia's redistricting that eliminates Republican representation and Washington state's authoritarian legislation
- Republicans refuse to use available power tools like redistricting, ending the filibuster, or passing popular voter ID laws due to misguided concerns about virtue and constitutional principles
- Power is morally neutral - like money, it is neither inherently good nor evil, but rather a necessary tool for accomplishing any goal
- Historical examples of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln show that great American leaders understood and wielded power effectively to preserve the republic
- Power abhors a vacuum - if Republicans don't exercise available power, their political enemies will fill that void and use it against them
Assumptions
- The current political system is essentially a zero-sum competition between Republicans and Democrats
- Democrats are fundamentally hostile enemies rather than legitimate political opponents
- Historical precedents from Washington and Lincoln directly apply to modern partisan politics
- Republican voters want their representatives to be more aggressive in wielding power
- Constitutional principles and institutional norms are less important than winning political battles