Martin: Thanks for having me back, Free Press

Columnist David Martin
Columnist David Martin
photo Columnist David Martin

Nearly two years ago, the Free Press published the first column I ever wrote. For that, I am extremely thankful. I had no idea how to draft an opinion piece then, but since that one I've penned many - some (kind of) good, some (very) bad.

And while the rules of op-ed composition have been tough to figure out by myself, those rigors pale in comparison to the challenge of constantly wrestling with my own beliefs and then publicly chronicling them.

What I mean is that while I've always identified myself as a conservative, I've been guilty in the past of being lazy when it comes to political self-reflection. Writing two columns per week, though, has cured me of those slovenly ways since the practice has required me to scrutinize my values by squaring them with current events.

It's one thing to simply declare preferences for the concepts of limited government and individual liberties, but it's a much trickier task to regularly figure how those inclinations position me amid real-world debates on issues such as Insure Tennessee, gay marriage and America's role in the Middle East.

Essentially, I've been learning a lot about myself while simultaneously being published, which is a nerve-wracking proposition for anyone with an iota of self-awareness.

What have I learned? Well, a lot. But the most glaring realization has been that my conservatism doesn't fit too tidily into a prepackaged mold. At first, this epiphany was a bit discomforting, especially when I found myself at odds with other conservatives whose opinions I respect. Over time, I've grown more confident in my political skin, mostly because I've not only grasped more firmly what I believe but also why I believe what I believe.

In a way, I feel my experiences mirror what the whole of American conservatism has been sorting through during the past seven or eight years. Since the waning days of W's presidency, the right has done a lot of soul-searching, asking questions like: What does it mean to be a conservative? Who are its truest adherents? Should philosophical variations be tolerated?

At times, conversations around these questions have been painful to hear. I'm sure I've rolled my eyes as much, or more, than anyone else. Getting past the frustration, the sometimes heated rhetoric reveals a political doctrine awakening from the intellectual laxity that accompanied eight years of White House control. To me, this revival is exciting.

One of the most visible manifestations of this resurgence is the mushrooming field of 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Though keeping up with the full roster can be dizzying, the diverse range of conservatism on display represents an enlivened and engaged movement.

Sure, you might have to squint pretty hard to distinguish the differences among the candidacies of Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson, but when comparing either of them to, say, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush, you can see a political set that is chock full of nuance. Only the intellectually dishonest can attempt to paint the GOP in broad brush strokes anymore. Today, the Party of Lincoln, like me, doesn't fit neatly into a preset template.

That, my friends, is a refreshing circumstance.

I hope I've been able to hone my abilities to meet the expectations of the Free Press readership. I can promise you, on subsequent Fridays, honest and straightforward treatments of local, state and national policy matters.

This page has made an immeasurably positive impact on Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia's conservative discourse. It's my aim to add to that.

David Allen Martin is a syndicated columnist who writes from Chattanooga. Contact him at davidallenmartin423@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @DMART423.

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