Posted on 12/18/2014 2:58:18 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In the aftermath of President Obama giving the Castro regime diplomatic recognition, Senator Marco Rubio has been pretty much everywhere, including multiple television appearances and authoring this Wall Street Journal op-ed. According to Senator Rubio, “By conceding to the oppressors in the Castro regime, this president and his administration have let the Cuban people down, further weakened America’s standing in the world and endangered Americans.”
Whether or not one agrees with Rubio’s position–and I’m sympathetic to it–he makes his case clearly, intelligently, and with passion. Despite some differences with him now and then–I found his advocacy for the tactics that resulted in the 2013 government shutdown to be inexplicable, for example–I find Rubio to be one of the best advocates for conservatism in American public life.
Which brings me to the 2016 presidential race. Senator Rubio has signaled that the decision by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to actively explore a run won’t affect what he does. I for one hope that’s the case.
I say that as someone who admirers Bush, who was a marvelously successful governor and someone I’ve defended several times (including here) against the ludicrous charge that’s he’s a RINO/moderate/neo-statist. So I’m delighted he’s inclined to throw his hat into the ring. Yet I’d feel the same way about Senator Rubio and Representative Paul Ryan, who I’m particularly close to; as well as others I have a high regard for, including Governors Kasich, Walker, and Jindal.
Beyond that, I hope that even those I’ve been critical of–including Senators Ted Cruz (for his style and approach to politics) and Rand Paul (who is too libertarian for my taste)–run as well. The same goes for Rick Perry, who seems to be preparing for this run more diligently than he did in 2012; and Governor Christie, who would be formidable if he enters the race.
There are several reasons I hope all these individuals (and others, like Mike Huckabee) run, starting with the fact that it’s impossible to know with certainty how well a candidate will do in a presidential campaign. Some people might look great on paper and do quite well during interviews on, say, Fox News Sunday–but that’s very different from running for president. The scrutiny, intensity, and demands of a presidential race–the fog that often descends in the middle of a campaign–are impossible to convey to anyone who hasn’t been a part of one.
Some candidates who run the first time, like George W. Bush, do very well; others, like Governor Perry, flame out. Still other candidates, like Ronald Reagan, run several times before they win. You just never know. To borrow an aphorism from sports: That’s why they play the game. I’d like to see who does well, and who doesn’t, in the heat of an actual campaign. So should you.
Beyond that, though, I’d like the most articulate advocates to make their case on the biggest political stage we have. Let Rand Paul and Marco Rubio debate America’s role in the world. Let Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush engage one another on immigration. Let John Kasich and Paul Ryan discuss whether governors should accept Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. Let’s find out, too, what areas of agreement there are; what each candidate’s priorities are; and whether they can move people’s hearts as well as appeal to their minds. Let’s give them the chance to elaborate on their views of the purposes of government and the nature of conservatism.
I considered the 2012 presidential field to be, with a few exceptions, a clown act. It was discouraging almost from beginning to end. This time around, I hope the very best in the ranks of the GOP run–and out of that contest the most impressive and attractive conservative emerges. That individual, after all, will probably be a slight underdog to whomever the Democratic Party nominates.
I have my favorites, of course, and I’m happy to offer my counsel to anyone who cares to hear it or read it. But generally speaking my view of the forthcoming race is as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Let the sharpening proceed.
Everyone is positioning and pining for their candidate to rise to the role of Caesar in this Imperial Fascist Oligarchy that now rules us.
As if that is going to save us from where we now find ourselves and the road to decline and diminishment we are on.
POTUS 2016 looks a lot more “winnable” that in did in Dec 2012.
The journ-0-lists were able to keep the legend of Caliph Baraq alive thru then, but it’s been downhill since.
So it’s easy to see the land rush of R candidates.
Blech %^%**#$^...
I want a whole lot of RINOs running so they will split the RINO vote.
There is no way the Ruling Class Establishment GOP Oligarchy permits a Conservative to be the 2016 Nominee.
And if it be Jeb or another liberal Republican, it will make no difference who wins.
It probably no longer matter who runs or who “wins” given our fundamental transformation into this post-Constittuional Imperial Fascist Oligarchy we’ve become.
There is only the State Uniparty.
Exactly!
However, I’m sure Rove is lining up losers and fake conservatives to
once again split the conservative vote.
Who wrote this horse shit?
The author wants as many conservatives in the race as he can get. This will split the conservative vote and make Bush or Romney or someone like them the nominee. Conservative leaders and would be leaders please swallow your pride and don’t run! With one or two guys to choose from we can roll these guys. If we have more choices we will loose. Our nation cannot afford for patriots to loose again.
You are exactly right. All those posters who blame GOPe for anointing Romney conveniently forget Romney had a hard time crossing 30% in the earlier primaries. If one of Ricky or Newt drops out, I am convinced Romney would have lost.
It is obvious there are too many RINO voters out there. It is impossible for 2 or more conservatives to win against ONE lone RINO running.
If it is Jeb, Cruz, Walker, Pence, Jindal remaining in the race, Jeb is guaranteed to win. I am hoping Jeb, Christy, Mitt , Cruz will remain in the final four.
I hope for Cruze and one or two others. We need to have an individual ready to run at Jeb from the left. Heck three or four would be better. Remember leftist pubbies are just like leftist dimocrats, lying, cheating, immoral asses that will do anything and stop at nothing to aquire and keep their power and privilege. We have to fight this no holds barred.
Peter Wehner, a longtime hothouse denizen of the beltway bell jar, who has not seen the cold unforgiving light of the outside world since he became a speechwriter for Ed Secretary Bill Bennett in the Reagan administration. Charitably, a neocon consultant seeking to stay on good terms with any and all potential clients.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.