Posted on 02/11/2007 5:15:12 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Here are the three leading candidates for president in the Republican party, a party based in the South and in the interior, rural in nature, and backed in large part by social conservatives: the senior senator from Arizona, a congenital maverick with friends in the press and a habit of dissing the base of his party; the former governor of deep-blue Massachusetts, son of a Michigan governor, a Mormon who looks, sounds, and comes across as a city boy; and the former mayor of New York, the Big Apple itself, ethnic and Catholic, pro-choice and pro-gun control, married three times, and a man who--Neil Simon, where are you?--moved in with a gay friend and his partner when he was thrown out of Gracie Mansion by his estranged and enraged second wife.
None hails from the South, none looks or sounds country, none is conspicuous for traditional piety, and none is linked closely to social conservatives. At the same time, none is exactly at odds with social conservatives either. None is a moderate, in the sense of being a centrist on anything or wary of conservatives; rather, each is a strong conservative on many key issues, while having a dissident streak on a few. Each has a way of presenting conservative views that centrists don't find threatening, and projecting fairly traditional values in a language that secular voters don't fear. In a country that has been ferociously split into two near-equal camps of voters for at least the past decade, this is no small accomplishment, as it suggests the potential to cross cultural barriers, and therefore extend one's own reach. If one of these men wins, it may mark a return to broader, national parties. And the iconic map of the recent elections,
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
It's not true.
This is an interesting way to look at the current make-up of the GOP field. And should McCain, Romney, or Giuliani become the nominee, the electoral map may look different than it has looked for the past couple of elections.
The author is delusional.
The map would be redrawn for the worse, I fear. Better the devil we know.
A real conservative in the mould of a Reagan or Goldwater would have the cajones to say so and demonstrate so. These guys don't inspire any such confidence or enthusiasm.
Yeah, a bright 'Rat RED. :-|
"The map would be redrawn for the worse, I fear."
Your concern is legitimate. However, Bush is no longer at the level of support he had in 2000 and 2004. It may be that conservatives need to think outside the box and take risks in choosing the 2008 Presidential nominee.
It is actually possible that Giuliani could be competetive in California.
But if that's the case, I don't know that that speaks well for him.
I would like to see the "Law and Order" candidate throw his hat in the ring.
"conservatives need to think outside the box and take risks in choosing the 2008 Presidential nominee."
Very very true.
No one should yet be committed to any candidate. I'm not. But I am willing to support one whom I don't agree with on everything to benefit the larger good (not the least of which is keeping Hitlery out of the White House).
If you are speaking about our former estemed actor-turned senator from TN, Mr Thompson, don't hold your breath. My feeling is he got fed up with DC and the dirty games of politics. I think they got to him with information he never wanted anyone to see (and, no, I don't know what it was).
Just kill me now and get it over.
Very good posting.
That a pompous, unlikeable, lightweight trophy husband got 49% of the vote in 2004 shows what we are up against. Winning has to be important to conservatives. So it may be necessary to take chances on a candidate who falls short of the ideal.
"conservatives need to think outside the box and take risks in choosing the 2008 Presidential nominee."
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Why? The higher echelon of the party needs to get the message that civilization exists beyond the big city limits. The worst thing we can do is fail to use the leverage we have, our money, and our votes. Liberalism is creeping in, republican principles are being abandoned, and it will get worse, if allowed to continue.
Uh....I assume you know that Goldwater was pro-choice.
Being pro abortion and twice divorced does not a Catholic make.
LOL!!! The author is either uninformed or delusional.
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