What would Reagan say about GOP infighting?

Many Republicans still worship Ronald Reagan, but some of them are having trouble adhering to the late president's 11th commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican." These days, that admonition seems downright quaint. In fact, Republicans seem to be going after each other with energy and enthusiasm.

Bill Bennett joked recently that he is willing to mediate the dispute between Colin Powell and radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh since he likes them both. Their tiff started when Limbaugh said Powell had endorsed Obama "purely and solely based on race." According to National Journal, Powell responded in a speech that "what Rush does as an entertainer diminishes the party and intrudes or inserts into our public life a kind of nastiness that we would be better to do without." Limbaugh returned fire on his show, saying that "what Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party."

If Bennett is serious about wanting to mediate conflicts, then he's in the right party. He could also turn his attention to the divide between Powell and former Vice President Dick Cheney. During a recent appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," when asked about the spat between Limbaugh and Powell, Cheney said Powell's endorsement of Obama gave "some indication of his loyalty and his interest."

Or maybe Bennett could smooth things out between Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and Mitt Romney. While guest host of Bennett's radio show, Steele cited the former Massachusetts governor's penchant for flip-flops. A Romney spokesman charged Steele misfired when trying to "shoot from the hip."

Bennett could also bring together Romney and a likely rival in 2012: Sarah Palin. Told that Palin had been chosen as one of Time magazine's 100 most-influential people, Romney quipped: "Was that the issue on the most beautiful people or the most influential people?"

Or Bennett could play peacemaker between Mike Huckabee and Romney, Rep. Eric Cantor and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush - whom Huckabee mocked for a "listening tour," the first stop of which didn't make it outside the Beltway.

There is nothing wrong with robust debate about the future of the GOP. Nor is there anything wrong with leaders poking at one another. But there is a difference between a competition of ideas and personal attacks motivated by ego, envy and eagerness to get to the front of the line.

The Republican Party has never excelled at diversity, but what it needs now is a tolerance for diversity of opinion. Limbaugh should be free to criticize Powell and express his view about what sparked the general's endorsement of Obama. But at the same time, Powell should be able to endorse a Democrat for president and still be considered a Republican, just as - on the other side of the fence - so-called Reagan Democrats crossed party lines in 1984 and yet managed to find their way home in subsequent elections to vote for Bill Clinton and, later, for Obama.

Instead of engaging in childish infighting, this is the time for Republicans to settle on their values, hone their message, and choose leaders. The GOP needs to re-brand and market itself to the country. It needs to explain to voters - especially the immigrants and young people who represent the future - why concepts such as personal responsibility, limited government, respect for the individual, and local control are still worth championing. Most of all, some of its leaders need to realize that winning elections is about lifting new people into the boat, not tossing the crew overboard.

© 2009, The San Diego Union-Tribune