Russ Pulliam Addresses Dan Coats Campaign

Look past Democrats' rhetoric

by Russ Pulliam

If Reggie Miller wanted to return to the Pacers in some capacity, would he be welcomed home? Of course.

So why haven't young conservatives welcomed Dan Coats' bid for his old Senate seat?Some conservatives have joined national Democrats in beating up Coats for the crime of lobbying. Or for being ambassador to Germany. Or for thinking about a retirement place in North Carolina.

It is a puzzle.

Coats, after all, was one of the most effective limited-government conservatives in the 1980s and 1990s. He started in the House of Representatives and then served in the Senate from 1989 to 1999. He also was ambassador to Germany.

Without bragging about it, Coats was an architect of what came to be called compassionate conservatism. He believed that conservatives could match big government social welfare initiatives with private sector alternatives. A key option was to let taxpayers send a portion of their tax bills, through credits, to charities that help those in need.

The theme of compassionate conservatism became a key to victory for George W. Bush. The concept was later tarnished when Republicans in Congress forgot to emphasize private-sector solutions instead of more government spending.

Yet Coats, Bush and former Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith made big strides just by increasing recognition, even on the liberal side, that community-based ministries and churches often are more effective in helping the needy than massive government programs.

Coats also has been a role model and mentor for other conservative leaders, including U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson and Sagamore Institute President Jay Hein.

Coats is a modest gentleman who doesn't brag about his accomplishments. Yet he has always worn well with Indiana voters, through five House campaigns and two U.S. Senate victories.

Clearly, he has scared the daylights out of the Democratic Party. Once he jumped into the race earlier this year, Democratic insiders came up with all sorts of charges against the former senator. He wanted to live in North Carolina. He allegedly lobbied for Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.

The puzzle is why some younger conservatives can't see through the partisan Democratic rhetoric to appreciate the talent that Coats offers. Even Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh appears to understand Coats' strengths. He decided not to seek re-election shortly after Coats entered the race.

Are younger conservatives so jaded about all political figures? Did Coats pick up radioactive contamination by serving in the Bush administration?

Coats may not know how to tweet on Twitter or share his personal life on Facebook. But conservatives of all people should know better than to dismiss a senatorial candidate simply because he has a long, serious record of political service.