compassionate conservative

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.

Other Words From

• compassionate conservatism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of compassionate conservative¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Goldberg made sure to clarify right off the bat that he is not a “compassionate conservative.”

From The Daily Beast

It's tough out there these days for "compassionate conservative" Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

No one would brand him a compassionate conservative, the term that Bush coined in his first race for the White House.

From The Daily Beast

A Bush-style compassionate conservative, circa 2008, would be laughed out of the race.

From The Daily Beast

This was the warmup for the original Compassionate Conservative—the one who campaigned as a different kind of Republican.

From The Daily Beast