Moderate Conservatives represent the historically dominant strain of American conservatism: fiscally conservative, socially moderate, institutionally minded, and temperamentally cautious. They believe in free markets, limited government, and traditional values—but without the ideological fervor or cultural warfare that characterizes more activist strains.
This strain traces to the "establishment" Republicanism of Eisenhower, Ford, and the Bushes: pro-business, internationalist, and comfortable with gradual social change as long as it doesn't threaten core institutions. They see themselves as the adults in the room—pragmatic dealmakers who get things done rather than ideological purists who achieve nothing.
Moderate Conservatives believe markets generally work better than government mandates but accept regulation to correct market failures and provide public goods. They lean traditional on values but don't think government should mandate morality in most cases. They support a strong defense and American leadership but are wary of overreach and adventurism.
The strain has lost influence in the Trump era, caught between populist nationalism and progressive Democrats. What was once the mainstream—free trade, immigration reform, entitlement reform, internationalism—is now challenged from right and left. Some have become "Never Trump" voices; others have made peace with the new GOP; many feel increasingly homeless.
At roughly 7% of the population, Moderate Conservatives remain significant—they're the suburban voters both parties compete for, the business community, and much of the professional class. They're influential in corporate boardrooms, country clubs, and traditional media even as they've lost ground in Republican primaries and conservative media.