Posted on 06/26/2006 5:41:53 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
a nice post. a little light, but on the right track. more than can be said for that other "Marx."
Groucho?
I'd also add that nobody should try and "swiftboat" James Webb. That would backfire. He's a single issue candidate and events will pass him by before November.
Okay, everyone. Let's make a choice.
What are the pluses and minuses of each candidate? I'd like to at least narrow this field down.
Of those mentioned, I think a Pence/Brownback ticket has the better conservative credentials (although BB doesn't help himself with his views on amnesty).
It's way too early for conservatives to pick their candidate. Instead, let's wait and see which candidate picks us. I have misgivings about each one of those listed so they are going to have to convince me they are true conservatives and not not just a CINO.
Easy, Senator George Allen
Anyone but McCain.
I've been told Allen doesn't have a strong stand on the Second Amendment.
We need to look into all these people.
Here's some suggested things we need to think about and get facts on for all our possible candidates.
Electability:
Experience
Charisma
Name recognition
Speaking ability
Negative facts media/Dems will exploit
Stand on the issues:
War on terror and war in Iraq
Tax cuts
Appointing judges
Energy policy
Iran
North Korea
China
Taiwan
Russia and the WMD missing from Iraq
Securing the Border
Prisoners at Gitmo, Patriot Act, Homeland Security, C.I.A., F.B.I.
Abortion, embryonic stem cell research
Second amendment
reforming Social Security
Legal immigration/Guest Worker program
Deficit spending, budget control
Kyoto treaty and climate change/environmental issues
Strategic Defense Initiative (anti-missile defense)
U.N.
NATO
Reagan's 11th Commandment
This guy should be. He talks like the conservative "movement" is a religion.
We'd have to be desperate to be left with McCain as our only alternative to the Dems.
I don't trust McCain. I don't think he has the maturity of personality to be trusted with the presidency.
Bernard, dese guys be dissin' you bigtime...
Uh...I'll take three new cards, please. ;)
Pence needs gubernatorial experience first - but he's OK otherwise. Romney would be an effective President, but will have a very hard time winning the primary. The others should just go away.
"It?"
So far Allen has not come across on TV as having any charisma.
Not that I've seen much of him.
It's not an easy choice, is it?
Frist lost my interest when he couldn't lead the Senate effectively. Not that I wouldn't vote for him if he was the last man standing.
I'm concerned about this report that keeps popping up about Allen not being strong on gun ownership.
Who is Mike Pence? And who ever got to the presidency from the House? Even Senators make me wonder if they have executive ability.
I'd like to know more about Brownback. Anybody want to tell me about him?
Don't know why Romney makes me uncomfortable. Maybe that square jaw look belongs in a superhero comic and is hard to live up to. Anybody who can get elected in Massachusetts has got to have some flaws. Any comments?
Gov. Mitt Romney-- Pluses blue state and soccer mom appeal, pro-life, pro-immigration enforcement, gets the war on terror, demonstrated economic competence.
Minuses squishy moderate on some social issues such as gay civil unions, will alienate a lot of the religious right with his moderate rhetoric. Does he have the balls to take on the Hildebeast without looking too macho?
Senators George Allen-- Pluses congenial, likable, genuine and demonstrated competence both as a Governor and Senator. Right on most of the issues, would have no problem being accepted by the base.
Minuses smokes, not the most polished debator, hails from a solidly Republican state in presidential politics, might be a mild turn-off to some moderates.
Bill Frist-- Pluses visibility, leadership experience, fairly high likability, moderate appeal.
Minuses low testerone, caved on illegal immigration, more concerned with likeability than standing up for what's right. Would probably not fare well with the Hildebeast in a debate.
Sam Brownback-- Pluses fairly conservative voting record, projects an image of heartland values.
Minuses soft on illegal immigration, really brings nothing to the ticket as an undistinguished senator from a small, safe Republican state. Not likely to come out on top in a debate with the Hildebeast.
Rep. Mike Pence-- Pluses my personal favorite with real solutions proposed to the immigration debate to at least attempt to separate the bad apples from the illegals before passing out amnesty. Has great ideas on economics, tax policy and understands the difference between free trade and giving away the store. Could probably hold his own in a debate, even with the Hildebeast.
Minuses nobody has ever been elected President with nothing more than time in the House. There is no reason to suggest that Pence could be the first. Hails from a safely Republican state, albeit one with double digit electoral votes.
That's my skinny. As I said, Pence is my personal favorite, but Romney could be the most electable if he can manage not to alienate the base. Allen certainly has the necessities to actually serve as president, something I can't say about either Frist or Brownback.
However, if capability was the major criteria for picking a president, Barry Goldwater would have beaten LBJ hands down.
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