A principles-based vision for America

A coalition of more than 100 influential Republican and independent leaders released "A Call for American Renewal" today, demanding that the GOP make immediate reforms—or else face the formation of a rival party. Members of the new political movement say it is their "intent to catalyze an American renewal" and provide "an alternative to the current direction of the Republican Party and growing extremism in the nation."

• — The Call for American Renewal supports "evidence-based policymaking and honest discourse" and making "our system more accessible, transparent, and competitive." It opposes "populism and illiberalism" and "the employment of fear-mongering, conspiracism, and falsehoods." The platform also explicitly rejects the "disenfranchisement of voters," condemns "all forms of bigotry," advocates for a "pluralistic society," and demands that leaders "act with integrity and honor."
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• — "These principles are vital to our individual and collective flourishing, overcoming modern challenges, and preserving our way of life. They're a foundation to unite Americans from diverse backgrounds in common cause. Our nation is calling out for a new coalition of principled, pragmatic citizens to renew America and counter the partisanship and extremism infecting the country," said former independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin. He is leading the effort with Miles Taylor, who left the Trump Administration over his opposition to the ex-president.
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• — Among the other signatories are McMullin's vice-presidential running mate Mindy Finn; former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele; former GOP Reps. Barbara Comstock, Charlie Dent, Jim Greenwood, Denver Riggleman, and Joe Walsh; former GOP Govs. Tom Ridge, Mark Sanford, Christine Todd Whitman, and Bill Weld; Republican strategists Tara Setmayer and Shermichael Singleton; and Trump Administration defectors Elizabeth Neumann, Anthony Scaramucci, and Olivia Troye. —The Hill

Vance: Restoring American principles

"It is extraordinary for a group of leaders to attempt to create a new political movement. How successful we will be remains to be seen, but we must make the effort. We live in dangerous times. Trumpism is, unfortunately, still a threat. The next battle for American democracy is around the corner—and moderates must be in the fight. If enough Americans want it to happen, we can remake our politics. If you agree that it is time to renew America, join us." —Chris Vance in The Seattle Times

Chris Vance is the former chair of the Washington State Republican Party, an adjunct faculty member in the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, and a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center.

MORE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Ed. Board: The Republican Party is splitting apart, and that's probably a good thing —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Just a 'normal tourist visit'

Sure. And 9/11 was just four average commercial flights, right? That’s basically what several Republicans want you to believe about the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. At a House hearing yesterday, Rep. Andrew Clyde, apparently hoping to burnish his MAGA credentials, said it was a "boldfaced lie" to call it an insurrection. "Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol and walked through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes, taking videos, pictures," Clyde said. "If you didn't know the TV footage was a video from January the 6th, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit." Just as a reminder, here's what happened that day. —The Washington Post

MORE: Peter Wehner: In Liz Cheney vs. Donald Trump, guess who won —The New York Times

Violence in Israel spiraling out of control

Fighting between Israel and Hamas has quickly escalated into the heaviest flare-up in the region since 2014. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza, and Palestinian militants have fired more than a thousand rockets at central and southern Israel since Monday, forcing the country to divert incoming flights. At least 83 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip and seven more in Israel in the intensive aerial exchanges, prompting international concern and calls for a ceasefire. —Haaretz

MORE: Biden says 'Israel has a right to defend itself' after speaking with Netanyahu as conflict escalates —Insider

The Economist: Cybersecurity is back at the forefront

"[Cybersecurity] challenges are not unique to America. But they pose a particular headache for President Joe Biden, who is trying to win support for climate proposals in his infrastructure bill. Limiting climate change and fighting cyberthreats are hardly mutually exclusive endeavors. Biden must make a credible case that he can make America's energy system both greener and more secure." —The Economist

MORE: Biden signs cybersecurity executive order to boost federal defenses against hacks —The Wall Street Journal

Focus on infrastructure

President Biden met with congressional leaders at the White House yesterday to try to find a path forward for his $4 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan. The president is hoping to get bipartisan support for the package, but he's facing a Republican Party trying to unify around opposition to his agenda. Democrats and Republicans left the meeting saying they will try to zero in on areas of agreement, but first they'll have to agree on what the definition of infrastructure is.

• — "A few steps forward." Party leaders say they are trying to focus on what, if anything, they agree can be passed on a bipartisan basis in the Senate. Republicans see childcare, housing, and other priorities as separate from infrastructure. Nevertheless, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the first physical meeting on the proposal made her "more optimistic" about a deal.
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• — "That’s our red line." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said tax increases are off the table, despite Biden proposing an increase in corporate taxes as a way to pay for roads, bridges, and a broadband program. "We're not interested in re-opening the 2017 tax bill. We both made that clear with the president," McConnell said.
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• — Biden remains optimistic. "I am encouraged that there is room to have a compromise on a bipartisan bill that's solid and significant and a means by which to pay for it without dropping all of the burden on middle-class and working-class people," he said in remarks after the meeting. Biden is scheduled to meet with six Republican senators about the proposal today. —Politico

Nelson: What happened to Elise Stefanik?

"Ironically, Rep. Elise Stefanik has worked for years to recruit and support Republican women running for office. And now we see her kicking another woman when she's down; attacking the lone female voice in the leadership caucus, for not kowtowing to this Republican Party's twisted, nonexistent election fraud claims. As a sisterhood of women, we need to uphold shared principles of community, honesty, and success. Gunning for another woman's job when she is unfairly being attacked hurts all of us." —Sophia Nelson on NBC News

Sophia Nelson is an author, journalist, and former Republican counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.

MORE: Susan Page: What Elise Stefanik's rise says about the new GOP —USA Today

Thank you, Rep. Cheney, for your integrity, honesty, and courage to stand up for this country and our Constitution. While the bulk of the rest of your party is totally spineless and has once again proven that power takes precedence over truth, country, oath, and Constitution, I hope you will reconsider your stance on reforming the Republican Party. They are soiled beyond redemption. I will not ever consider voting for any Republican Party candidate, as they have proven we have nothing in common. My hope is that a new conservative party will be formed and that you will be part of it. It has been a long time since the Republican Party has resembled anything like a conservative party anyway. Thank you and God bless you. —Tom A., Oregon

There is now only a neo-Stalinist party devoted to the cult of personality centered on the ghost of Stalin, Donald J. Trump. The GOP is dead. I once was proud to be part of the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bush. Now, I am ashamed to admit it. —Dennis S., North Carolina

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