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 Word Forms

• compassionate conservatism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of compassionate conservative¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The Republicans he admires include Jack Kemp, the rare member of his party who focused on urban poverty, and the George W. Bush of 2000, who ran for president as a “compassionate conservative” with a strong record of bipartisan accomplishment as Texas governor.

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When Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, a compassionate conservative who championed civil rights and environmental protections, announced his intention to run against John F. Kennedy in the 1964 election, Didion embraced his candidacy.

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In 2000, George W. Bush won with a "compassionate conservative" message that papered over the sadism that fuels anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ politics with paternalism.

Read more on Salon

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez painted himself as a forward-looking “compassionate” conservative.

Read more on Washington Times

He calls himself a “pragmatic progressive,” a phrase reminiscent of George W. Bush’s “compassionate conservative.”

Read more on New York Times