Posted on 10/26/2009 6:37:41 PM PDT by ellery
There is still time for potential 2012 candidates to stand with Republican voters and the conservative base against the Inside the Beltway Establishment keen on abandoning principles for ACORN supported candidates.
Tim Pawlenty and Sarah Palin, both talked about as 2012 candidates, have stood with the base.
The Hill reports:
Other candidates, like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), have said they will not get involved on either candidate’s behalf.
This is disappointing. At a time when the conservative brand is ascending and the Republican brand is still in the gutter, candidates like Romney and Huckabee have a chance to man up and stand with the base of the GOP — a base that is tired of TARP, No Child Left Behind, indictments, and out of control spending.
If candidates step up before noon Wednesday, we should applaud them for their help. An endorsement by that time can still have a meaningful, positive impact on Doug Hoffman’s candidacy.
But know this: waiting until after noon on Wednesday is a clear indication that the candidate is endorsing for show, and not really to help. We in the conservative movement want leaders who will stand with us, not suck up to us. Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty are breaking with the party at a key moment.
It’s not too late for other Republicans to join them. But by Thursday, we can legitimately conclude such efforts would be just for show by establishment followers, not party or movement leaders.
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Huckabee is a guest speaker for the NY Conservative Party. Despite sepaking before the group tomorrow night, Huckabee will not allow his PAC to give Hoffman any money. At this stage in the game, endorsement mean nothing with out money. Huckster wants it both ways.
Note: minutes before the Palin endorsement, Pawlenty claimed to know nothing about this race. I’m glad he got on board, but I don’t see his endorsement as an act of courage so much as a “me too.”
Bachmann, Todd Tiahrt (R, Kan), and Palin, IMO, have shown political courage.
Exactly. I bet Huck is regretting ever committing to the conservative party speaking slot (he committed long before it became clear that this was going to be a leftist-vs.-conservative intraparty brawl).
I dunno, it seems like Pawlenty was late to the Hoffman endorsement to me. Like he was seeing who else was at the party before he got out of the car.
Give Pawlenty credit: he is gambling. God knows we need gamblers. I am tired of careful men.
Agree 100%. If Pawlenty had said when asked about this race that he was still studying it, that might have been slightly credible. But to claim that he knew nothing about one of the hottest-potato races in the country as late as last Thursday?
Ridiculous.
I now have a simple litmus test in deciding primary candidates. If a candidate “boasts” of his “experience” in Washington, he’s out. Look at Indiana’s 5th District; Brose McVey is making a strong challenge to Dan Burton. While Burton has been in Washington for a long time, and seems to have fallen for the need to address “climate change” he still has some pretty conservative philosophies.
On the other hand, check out McVey’s website. All he does is boast about the endorsements he’s gotten from local Indiana politicians. As for the “issues” page, he says NOTHING of substance. All he does is mention how he was a staffer for various Republicans. I smell a RINO in the making and I’ll probably sit this one out.
Give me an average Joe who says “I’m not a politician, I just want to do what’s right.” And then lays out conservative principles.
The GOP is in real trouble, and faces extinction. I’ll not vote for their hacks any more, and there are too many like me for them to ever get a majority again. They think thisy can’t win with conservative values but the truth is they can’t win without conservative votes. Unless they change their ways, and the party reaction to Hoffman’s candidacy tells me they won’t change.
I didn't know it was a race...
Personally, I don't mind people who struggle a little bit to get to the right conclusion, as long as they end up on the right side.
Anyone who reads my comments here knows I wasn't born with all the answers. But I believe finding the truth matters. In fact, finding the truth, however longs it takes, is all that matters.
Pawlenty is an Establishment figure. Don’t want to imply too much, but Lincoln was slow to commit himself as a Republican, but no so slows as to miss the train. If Hoffman wins, Pawlenty will be in a strong position. If Hoffman loses, Pawlenty has at least taken a stand. Maybe some of Palin’s magic will rub off on Mr. Banality. As an orator he can’t hold Palin’s cap, much less Lincoln’s.
DeMint and Palin have been the two most outspoken Conservatives.
I am not a fan of Newt, but at least he was willing to take a stand. Romney and Huckabee are not. We need a president who is willing to do something other than vote “present.” (of course, we also need a president who is conservative, so while I give credit to Newt for taking a stand, I don’t plan to give my vote).
Mitt and Huck are together under a rock.
“Huckster wants it both ways.”
In more ways than one, and he’s not the only one. I don’t think it’s always possible to know who is sincere and who is not. For instance, I’d be curious to know the number of freepers who are in the (it’s not about party, it’s about principle) Hoffman ‘column’ today, that voted for (principles aside, party to win) McShamnesty.
I love this Hoffman thing. It's revealing who is a real conservative, and who really cares about this country. .. and who cares more about being in power for power's sake.
Give Pawlenty some credit. He is an establishment guy. For him to go against the Beltway crowd takes some courage.
“Give Pawlenty some credit. He is an establishment guy. For him to go against the Beltway crowd takes some courage.”
I agree with your assessment.
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