What is the history of elected officials with Republican Party affiliations supporting socialist-type programs

Question

Of late, elected officials with Republican Party labels have been innovating or supporting a number of social welfare programs. Is this because of the infusion of socially moderate religious constitutencies, or are the two political parties beginning to rethink the nature of their values?

Answer 1

At the time of Theodore Roosevelt the GOP had a progressive wing.

During the depression as a minority party, the GOP had two wings: The "left wing" supported most of the New Deal while promising to run it more efficiently. The "right wing" opposed the New Deal from the beginning and managed to repeal large parts during the 1940s in cooperation with conservative southern Democrats in the conservative coalition.

Liberals, led by Dewey, dominated the Northeast. Conservatives, led by Taft, dominated the Midwest. The West was split, and the South was still solidly Democratic. Dewey did not reject the New Deal programs, but demanded more efficiency, more support for economic growth, and less corruption.

Today the parties are again challenging each other on the basis of efficency and cost/ benefits.

Answer 2

LABOUR