As many of you all are very well aware, I am a Huckabee supporter. I know that it has been an annoying bit for some of you to listen to my reasons for why Governor Huckabee should be President. Well...I am not sorry for supporting the person I feel is best for the country, as I am sure many of you do concerning your candidate. That being said, let me be completely forthright in telling you that I still believe that Huckabee is the best man for the job.
I know that many of you did not like his record of raising taxes in Arkansas, even though they went to improving infrastructure and education, and were voted on by the people of Arkansas. I know that many of you bought into the press' misrepresentations of Huckabee's stances on U.S. foreign policy, yet, he is probably the strongest candidate in regards to the warand America's position in the global community. All of these reasons are valid reasons for not supporting a candidate, but many of the candidates that you supported have done the same, if not worse.
Governor Mitt Romney raised taxes in Massachussetts, but he was smart enough to call them "fee changes". Gov. Romney was also responsible for increasing the intrusion of government in to the lives of his constituents by mandating that every person have health insurance, and if they could not afford it they would be covered by the state. I bet that is what the fee changes were for.
John McCain, "The Maverick of the Senate", stifled free speech in McCain-Feingold, was willing to grant amnesty to illegals in McCain-Kennedy, has said multiple times that he believes that America is responsible for torturing and has vowed to close the terrorist prison at Guantanamo.
Rudy Guiliani with his multiple marriages, support of gun control and pro-choice policies garnered the "moral" support of Rev. Pat Roberson.
I could go on and on about the lack of wonderful candidates the Republicans fielded this election cycle, but for the sake of your time I will refain. I bring this up only to say that out of the myriad of bad candidates, the best candidate that would do the most to heal the wounds of this country would be Huckabee, and that is what I feel America needs now, however, ever the pragmatist that I am, (it pains me to say what I am about to say)...I believe Governor Huckabee should step down and put his support behind Sen. McCain.
As Republicans, we need to begin rallying behind our candidate. We need to start the "get out the vote" campaigns now if we have any hope of counter acting the momentum the Democrats appear to have. Yes, many of us will have to go out for a stiff drink after we vote for McCain, but that in no way means that we should abstain, not vote or God forbid vote Democrat. The last option should not even be an option for any conservative. I know many of you may feel that McCain would not be any worse, but I promise you that you don't know the hell that awaits America should Hillary or Obama take office. Yes, McCain is a Maverick. Yes, he has done many things that force us to question his conservative credentials, but I tell you this, he is still better than the Blatant Communism coming from the Democrats.
The one thing that has made this country great is the personal freedoms provided by the Constitution and the free-market society. If the Democratic agenda, as it stands today, is given a foot hold in this country many of the freedoms we enjoy will be stripped away and will never return. Though painful as it may be, your ability to go to any doctor you want and choose any health coverage you want will be gone forever if Universal Healthcare is passed. Like Social Security, Socialized medicine will never go away should it be enacted. This is one mistake we cannot take back.
Taxes will return to pre-Reagan rates if they are allowed to pass their agenda. Thats right, forget about the Bush tax cuts, you'll be longing for the Reagan tax cuts, because the Democrats will need that much revenue to implement their programs should they secure the White House and maintain control of the House and Senate.
I for one enjoy a low tax burden and so does our economy. I could go into the Democrats platform regarding the military and where it should be, but I don't have time. As Republicans we must do what is good for this country, and that means taking one for the team if we have too. If you have to take an airline sickness bag in to the election booth, then do so, but it is time we "cowboy up" and do what is right for this country, and that is not having a Democrat in the White House. We can worry about the other two houses later.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
"Suffer" Tuesday: What It Means for the GOP
I must admit that last night was both surreal and disappointing. My guy, Gov. Mike Huckabee surprised everyone by winning 5 states, but it was not enough to bring him out of third place in the delegate race. Yet, one claim that Huckabee can make, that the others can't, is that in 3 out of the 5 states he one with well over 50% of the vote, and he barely loss Missouri by less than 1% of the vote. Even with the surprise success, nothing changed in the standings. McCain is still the front runner, and Romney and Huckabee are competing for second. What is most compelling about last night is that the vote revealed a glimpse into the Republican psyche, and what they are thinking. Even thought Mitt Romney overwhelmingly won in the exit polls when it came to conservative issues, McCain still got the overall vote. Why? Simple, the Republicans across the country are trying to beat Hillary with a moderate. This a tactic that is doomed to fail.
In 1976 and 1996, the Republicans went to the middle, because the polls were showing that America was becoming more moderate. However, they ran against a liberal, and when the American people didn't see a difference in the candidates they went to the person with the most emotionally driven argument. The only times the Republicans have won is when they clearly show their difference with the other party. For some reason the conventional wisdom among voters and Party insiders is that when there is a strong Democratic personality running, Republicans need to run to the middle much like they are doing now.
Granted in 2008, there really is not one solid conservative that the GOP can rally behind, but the candidate they are choosing is not even close to what they need to win. Even though I believe Romney to be nothing more than a hair-do, or a convenient conservative who became conservative to win the GOP nomination; he is still a better choice than McCain. McCain's military experience gives him a lot of credibility when it comes to defense, but his willingness to be overly pragmatic makes his nomination sour in the mouths of dyed-in-the-wool conservatives. Many on the right believes that McCain would sell his values down the river in order to get things done. As you all know I love Huckabee, but I know that he has a few weaknesses. He is a little more moderate on immigration as he should be, and he did raise taxes in his state, but not as much as Mitt Romney, and he is not guilty of being a proponent of universal healthcare.
Many of the RNC insiders are gun shy after the spanking they received in 2006, but that was because many of the GOP faithful were disillusioned by their out-of-control spending. So, you would think that the RNC would have learned that returning to basic principles would be the answer, and recruiting a candidate that was conservative would be top priority. By the looks of things...Maybe not.
Leadership seems to be the one thing quickly lost from the Reagan revolution. If the GOP has any hope of restoring this country to its past greatness and keeping this country's economy and populace safe, it must return to the leadership examplified by President Reagan. Over the next couple of weeks this blog is going to take a look at what I like to call Impact Conservatism. I know that this philosophy will return us to Reagan's ideology, but also give it the necessary twist for a 21st century world.
Unless the GOP and the RNC committ themselves to the ideals that resonate witht he American people, they will increasingly lose ground to the emotional policies of the left, and then this country will be irreversibly changed. I pray we never let it get that far.
In 1976 and 1996, the Republicans went to the middle, because the polls were showing that America was becoming more moderate. However, they ran against a liberal, and when the American people didn't see a difference in the candidates they went to the person with the most emotionally driven argument. The only times the Republicans have won is when they clearly show their difference with the other party. For some reason the conventional wisdom among voters and Party insiders is that when there is a strong Democratic personality running, Republicans need to run to the middle much like they are doing now.
Granted in 2008, there really is not one solid conservative that the GOP can rally behind, but the candidate they are choosing is not even close to what they need to win. Even though I believe Romney to be nothing more than a hair-do, or a convenient conservative who became conservative to win the GOP nomination; he is still a better choice than McCain. McCain's military experience gives him a lot of credibility when it comes to defense, but his willingness to be overly pragmatic makes his nomination sour in the mouths of dyed-in-the-wool conservatives. Many on the right believes that McCain would sell his values down the river in order to get things done. As you all know I love Huckabee, but I know that he has a few weaknesses. He is a little more moderate on immigration as he should be, and he did raise taxes in his state, but not as much as Mitt Romney, and he is not guilty of being a proponent of universal healthcare.
Many of the RNC insiders are gun shy after the spanking they received in 2006, but that was because many of the GOP faithful were disillusioned by their out-of-control spending. So, you would think that the RNC would have learned that returning to basic principles would be the answer, and recruiting a candidate that was conservative would be top priority. By the looks of things...Maybe not.
Leadership seems to be the one thing quickly lost from the Reagan revolution. If the GOP has any hope of restoring this country to its past greatness and keeping this country's economy and populace safe, it must return to the leadership examplified by President Reagan. Over the next couple of weeks this blog is going to take a look at what I like to call Impact Conservatism. I know that this philosophy will return us to Reagan's ideology, but also give it the necessary twist for a 21st century world.
Unless the GOP and the RNC committ themselves to the ideals that resonate witht he American people, they will increasingly lose ground to the emotional policies of the left, and then this country will be irreversibly changed. I pray we never let it get that far.
I am not a Conservative!
I guess if you are someone who believes in securing the borders, providing pride for the people of America by stimulating the economy by letting them keep 100% of their paycheck, that every life is sacred no matter if it is inside or outside the womb, and believe in a strong national defense; then you are not a Conservative. These positions are positions are positions held by Governor Mike Huckabee, but according to leading Republican strategists and conservative talk-radio he is not a conservative.
Governor Huckabee was elected to a state that voted for Bill Clinton three times. He was elected for Lt. Governor when Bill Clinton's Lt Governor was elected Governor, and became Governor when Clinton's Lt. Governor was indicted for fraud. As Governor, in a state where major tax initiatives are voted on the people, Gov. Huckabee signed miniscule tax increases that were then used to improve roads in a state known for a horrible infrastructure. However, he was able to cut taxes in areas that were detrimental to Arkansas' economy and was able to oversee the largest surplus in Arkansas' history. One should note that this surplus was a result of Huckabee's restaint in spending. Gov. Huckabee also took the 2nd worst education system and turned it into the 6th best. In a state that is prodominently Democratic a Republican Governor was relected twice. How? By being a populace. I believe if Gov. Huckabee had put his party over the people of his state, he would be the Republican nominee today, but He would never got past his first term and Arkansas would be worse off.
I would love to do what many of you asked, and be like the news media and only focus on a Maverick and a Convenient Conservative, but I would rather focus on the one person who I believe should win. There is only one candidate that could bring this country together, and help heal our wounds.
Even though evangelicals have been relegated to a corner, and labeled a kook wing of the far right; we belive in the greatness of this country. We believe this country operates under the blessings of our Lord, and when we move further from him, we move further from his blessing. Yet, our candidates are not given serrious thought, because in the past many of our candidates have been less than serious. However, Huckabee is finally a serious candidate, and he deserves his due. If you don't believe he is serious, I dare you to explain how he has spent less money than any candidate, and is in a very strong third, and stands to win a lot of delegates today.
Governor Huckabee was elected to a state that voted for Bill Clinton three times. He was elected for Lt. Governor when Bill Clinton's Lt Governor was elected Governor, and became Governor when Clinton's Lt. Governor was indicted for fraud. As Governor, in a state where major tax initiatives are voted on the people, Gov. Huckabee signed miniscule tax increases that were then used to improve roads in a state known for a horrible infrastructure. However, he was able to cut taxes in areas that were detrimental to Arkansas' economy and was able to oversee the largest surplus in Arkansas' history. One should note that this surplus was a result of Huckabee's restaint in spending. Gov. Huckabee also took the 2nd worst education system and turned it into the 6th best. In a state that is prodominently Democratic a Republican Governor was relected twice. How? By being a populace. I believe if Gov. Huckabee had put his party over the people of his state, he would be the Republican nominee today, but He would never got past his first term and Arkansas would be worse off.
I would love to do what many of you asked, and be like the news media and only focus on a Maverick and a Convenient Conservative, but I would rather focus on the one person who I believe should win. There is only one candidate that could bring this country together, and help heal our wounds.
Even though evangelicals have been relegated to a corner, and labeled a kook wing of the far right; we belive in the greatness of this country. We believe this country operates under the blessings of our Lord, and when we move further from him, we move further from his blessing. Yet, our candidates are not given serrious thought, because in the past many of our candidates have been less than serious. However, Huckabee is finally a serious candidate, and he deserves his due. If you don't believe he is serious, I dare you to explain how he has spent less money than any candidate, and is in a very strong third, and stands to win a lot of delegates today.
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