Letter: GOP has become a party devoid of principles Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, front, followed by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., walk from the House Chamber following a Senate procession carrying boxes holding Electoral College votes to the House Chamber for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College votes, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) By Louise Ewing | The Public Forum | Jan. 31, 2021, 1:00 p.m. The current Republican Party should not be confused with the GOP, the Grand Old Party of Abraham Lincoln. Today’s Republican Party values raw power, devoid of heart or soul, over deeply held principles.