compassionate conservative

American  

noun

1. a political conservative who is motivated by concern for disadvantaged people but supports policies based on personal responsibility and limited government.

   George W. Bush ran for president as a compassionate conservative.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• compassionate conservatism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of compassionate conservative

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

He was “a thoughtful and compassionate conservative leader. Clearly his father’s son, he nonetheless forged his own distinct and influential voice within the conservative movement,” said former California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026

President George W. Bush campaigned for the White House in 2000 as a compassionate conservative.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2020

While Mike Huckabee began his political career literally locked out, he eventually became a popular leader in Arkansas known as a compassionate conservative willing to work across partisan barriers to solve problems.

From Washington Post • Oct. 10, 2017

He did not come across as a compassionate conservative with sympathy for the down and out.

From New York Times • May 3, 2016

John Kasich is this generation’s compassionate conservative, who cites his faith as justification for expanding Medicaid and extending “unconditional love” to gays and lesbians.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 11, 2015