Oddly enough, it is not the disagreements at the convention that matter, but the major intersections. This means that by agreeing with each other halfway, both end up getting more than half of what they want.
To start with, let’s look at the sticking points to see “how sticky” they are.
The thing about Paul that upsets most conservatives is his foreign policy that is both non-interventionist and wants to bring much of our forces home. But oddly enough, a lot of our military is deployed on frivolous and non-critical missions around the world, in some 100 countries. We need to be in about a dozen permanent stations, with the navy handling the rest.
Likewise, the Pentagon is as ridiculous with its budget in some ways as the state legislature of California. It needs to have its priorities straightened out so we are no longer buying $3b destroyers that can’t pass their sea trials.
As such, the Pentagon could be streamlined by hundreds of billions of dollars annually, yet give us a *more* effective military. I think conservatives would agree with that. In exchange, Paul gives up the “total isolationism” part.
Another problem is abortion, but not really. Paul is not pro-abortion, but is instead for leaving it up to the states as not federal business. Since most states are red states, the end result would be *less* abortion. No problem with that, either.
While Santorum is heavily law and order, he is fighting against the tide when it comes to drug decriminalization. The War on Drugs is an unmitigated disaster, and by downgrading it, at least by declaring “soft drugs” no longer a federal matter, the US saves tens or hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
Bottom line, though he *wants* to exercise federal power for social issues, most conservatives would be happier if he just left it up to the states and exercised *less* federal power. We all benefit with *less* federal everything.
Once over these issues, the areas of agreement are pretty broad, like ending Obamacare and the welfare state, reducing the size and cost of the federal government, etc.
Now if the two of them agree to use their delegates to block the onerous Romney, we are getting somewhere.
Paul will never get the nomination, nor will Santorum. But another conservative, a real conservative will have a very good chance on a second ballot.
Good analysis and I agree, but I don’t think we’re going to see any “balloting” or the possibility of another nominee. The cards at the Presidential level have been dealt. We get a fresh deck for Congress.
Try substituting the stripping away of any other God-given, unalienable right for the word "abortion" in your paragraph, and see how this holds up to inspection.
YES! The second ballot will get the Conservatives out to vote in November!
Obama has proven that the Democrats can easily be led to mimic the Feudal European Slave State.
Romney has proven that the RINOs will endorse anyone who promises to not rock their precious little “elect me” boat.
Step number one is to DUMP Romney in Tampa, 2012.
Step number two is to choose a Nominee who will cut BASELINE Federal Spending.
Step number three is to take over control of the Republican Party.
Realistically, Romney is Obamalite, if elected he will not abolish Obama”care” or reduce Federal Spending, and will lose to Hillary of the “Hilly and Billy Show” in 2016.
Therefore, the time to DUMP Romney is in Tampa, 2012.
If we don’t we will either get Obama again, or have to repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 in 2016.