Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey expressed his feelings about the direction of the Republican Party Sept. 20 during a speech as part of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute's, "A Time for Choosing," speaker series.

"I want to thank the Reagan Library for this very special honor,” Ducey said. “I consider this place the sacred ground of conservatism in its fullest – a monument to not only a great president, but a great man who built the modern conservative movement and inspired many – including myself – to treasure the founding principles and the history of America."

Ducey questioned what today’s Republican Party represents.

“'What does the Republican Party stand for?' is harder to answer but it’s a question we must have a really good answer for, because the Republican Party is a party worth fighting for," Ducey said.

He also stressed every Republican must face basic questions in choosing their political path.

"For me it all starts with a pretty basic question: Why am I a Republican?," he asked. "The answer is pretty simple – I was raised that way. The values were instilled in me. Right from the beginning."

Ducey also blamed the Democrat-led federal government for many problems facing Republicans.

"Today, we all see it clearly,” he said. “Ideas have consequences and policy matters. And there’s a lot of bad ones being put into place at the federal level that are having significant negative economic and cultural impacts. Americans don’t like it, and as it relates to the Republican Party – that means we’re going to win the elections this fall. Good for us."

Ducey claimed Democrat incompetence will lead to Republican success.

"They are in charge and the federal government is seen as corrupt,” he said. “That’s really bad for Americans, but yes, lucky for us.”

Ducey also expressed concern for the tactics used by some members of his party.

"A vocal corner of conservative politics is defined more by attitude – and anger – than commitment to a specific set of ideals,” he said. “A growing segment of today’s conservatives are just as happy bossing us around and telling us – and businesses – how to lead our lives as the progressive left is.

"I look at the party and worry that candidates are more defined by their attitudes than the policies they propose. And yes, a good many small government conservatives have morphed into bullies – people who are very comfortable using government power to tell companies and people how to lead their lives,” Ducey said.

Ducey, who will leave office as governor Jan. 1, shared some advice with his Republican colleagues.

“We can’t beat the left by becoming like them,” he said. “When did grievance resolve anything? We’re the happy warriors. We need to present a clear alternative, embrace the founding documents, persuade on the proper role of a limited government — that’s a much better place to be than proposing more intrusive, more aggressive government."

Ducey also stressed that Republicans should never accept ‘big government.’

"Reagan intended to curb the size and influence of the federal government and demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or to the people," he said.

For that to happen though, Ducey said, the federal government needs to act.

"The solution you’re proposing is… federalism?" Ducey asked his audience. "Yes. And let me make the case for why it’s plausible. First, for nearly a century the transfer of power from the states to the federal government has been a hostile takeover. Congress and the president have continuously usurped authority the founders reserved to the states.

“In the last two decades, as the Congress has become largely dysfunctional, more and more it’s been by executive order and the regulatory agencies – what people call the administrative state, or the non-constitutional fourth branch of government – that’s taken over."

Ducey also reminded the audience that power under the Constitution is supposed to be shared by every level of government.

"There’s much talk about defending democracy these days,” Ducey said. “That’s all well and good. Yet we must remember — we are a constitutional republic. A form of democracy, one intended to distribute power broadly and specifically outside of Washington, D.C. – from school boards to statehouses.”

Ducey’s speech is available on the governor's office website.