On June 30, 1992, the Register published an essay I wrote titled "Iowa GOP Needs to Hear All Voices." I noted that the legacy of the Iowa Republican Party "demands that we safeguard the right to hear the voices from the margins."

I also expressed my reasons for becoming a Republican, based on the party's historical record of opposing slavery, expanding the frontier to the West, extending equal rights to women, pursuing an American global presence, appreciating the arts and humanities, promoting civil rights and welcoming diversity from all nations. Today, looking back, I would add that I joined the Republican Party because I felt welcome.

I regret to observe now that many lifelong Republicans do not recognize the Grand Old Party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan. Sadly, voters old and new do not feel welcome.

I read with interest the Nov. 12 essay by Bob Vander Plaats, who contended the problem with the Republican Party at large is: "We have followed the misguided advice of 'experts' to abandon our principles and move to the middle so we can supposedly win." He further argues: "If Republicans are to win again, they must authentically embrace their core principles and effectively communicate a compelling message of bold-color conservatism that inspires faith, family and freedom."

I see a different, more alarming situation reminiscent of what I observed 16 years ago. We are not winning because the present core of the party is represented by a consortium of ideologues who insist on rigid litmus tests. Specifically, the Republican Party has become the domain of evangelical denominations and the far right. Their views do not reflect Republican or conservative principles. Even George W. Bush's compassionate conservatism would appear "too lukewarm" for their primary core values: opposing abortion and xenophobia.

Vander Plaats' reference to classical conservative economic principles of limited government, lower taxes, balanced budgets, the Second Amendment and local control of education belies the truth about who qualifies as an acceptable representative of the Republican Party. In Iowa, the primary acceptable Republican characteristics are anti-abortion and anti-immigration. Even pro-life GOP candidates are scorned if they express an exception to preserve the health or life of the mother. Mainstream conservatives are no longer welcome because they are viewed as not authentically embracing Vander Plaats' adherence to core principles.

Reagan in his 1984 acceptance speech for the Republican nomination said: "We do not lump people by groups or special interest. And let me add, in the party of Lincoln, there is no room for intolerance and not even a small corner for anti-Semitism or bigotry of any kind. Many people are welcome in our house, but not the bigots."

The Republican Party I observe has failed to embrace Hispanics, the only population segment of any measurable increase in the state, who came to Iowa to work, are family-oriented, church-centered and desire freedom. What is not Republican or American about those characteristics? Instead, the Republican Party greets them with English-only laws and the politics of fear and ignorance. Not surprising, 67 percent of Hispanics nationally voted for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Vander Plaats' admonishment to let those seeking to move to the middle "go their way" begs the question: Why are so many from the traditional Republican base abandoning the party? The answer: We have lost the vital center of the party.

There is something wrong when Jim Leach, who served Iowa in Congress for 30 years, embraces the Democratic nominee for president. There is something out of sync historically when Eisenhower's granddaughter addresses the Democratic National Convention on behalf of its nominee.

In fairness, the present state of the Republican Party is not completely the fault of evangelicals or the far right. If we are honest, the cause of the party's present pathos is what I observed 16 years ago: Mainstream conservatives and moderate Republicans have neither stood up for their views, nor engaged the evangelicals and far right.

Mainstream conservatives and moderate Republicans can no longer allow the party to be controlled by narrowly focused and narrow-minded interests. There is a great need for protagonists who will fight for the return of the traditional Republican Party.