Posted on 12/28/2015 10:32:08 AM PST by Kaslin
We are eleven months away from a decision that will shape the future of America—the choice of our next president! In America, according to a recent Gallup poll, registered Democrats hold a slight advantage over registered Republicans, 30 to 26 percent. But it's the growing number of registered Independents (43 percent) whose election choices ultimately determine the outcome next November.
As much as either political party likes to believe, neither the left nor the right owns the future. America's electorate tends to have a self-corrective tendency to react against political extremes. After eight years of liberal leadership, many independents are likely to switch horses to counter perceived excesses. President Obama's aggressive liberal agenda and use of far-reaching executive orders has taken America to the left. For evidence, take note of the passing and implementation of Obamacare, the new global warming agreement, and our exploding deficit spending.
Conservatives are motivated; they're already celebrating Obama's looming exit! That same motivation has helped secure a Republican-controlled House and Senate. The Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that only 46 percent of likely U.S. Voters approve of President Obama's job performance. With 52 percent disapproving, it's easy to understand why pundits would expect Republicans to take the final piece of the political trifecta—the 2016 Presidency.
But with thirteen Republican candidates still fighting to become the standard bearer by beating down their opponents instead of taking on their likely challenger, Hillary Clinton, the GOP's ability to unify around any one candidate or platform is seriously in question. Will the eventual winner be so damaged by the primary fight that needed Republican voters will stay home instead of supporting the eventual candidate? That's the GOP's nightmare and the Democrat's wish.
With a weak Democratic candidate embroiled in trust and credibility problems, the time is right for a Republican victory, if only we can come together. United we can win. Divided, we will fall. How are we to come together behind any one candidate? Here are some perspectives worth considering:
1. First and foremost, make winning in November the primary objective, no matter who the candidate selected. Four years of Hilary Clinton is a nightmare worth motivating even the most disappointed and frustrated Republican voter.
2. Vote party and principles, not personalities. In difficult times, it's way too easy to focus on finding a presidential savior who will wave a magic wand to cure the problems America faces. But true change comes with a candidate who can rally citizens and appoint a team of leaders and advisors who can make his or her vision of the future a reality. A GOP president would appoint the head of the EPA, the head of the Department of Defense, the Attorney General, and new Supreme Court justices. That list of appointments will most likely include some conservatives and some more moderate. It takes a diverse and committed team to change the course of a great country. Commit to vote the party that best matches the principles and platform you feel must guide America's future at this time. Think team, never just candidate.
3. Kill the myth of perfection for any candidate. There will be misstatements, changes in positions, and even talking points designed to confuse instead of clarify. Winning an election today is a daunting challenge. Every speech is recorded with an eye toward attacks or errors that can bring eyeballs to the news hour and sizzle to the talk shows. The only place that perfect candidates exist is in their own political ads. Republicans have a tendency of letting "Gotcha" politics weaken their own candidates.
4. Don't let emotions rule out intelligent due diligence. Americans are angry about what has happened to their country and the frustrating inaction of the politicians they've sent to Washington. As a result, they're susceptible to candidates who can reject political correctness and give strong voice to their frustrations. But does getting coverage today translate into election victories and leadership competency? Getting things done requires a shared focus, strength and diplomacy.
The election is coming whether we're prepared or not. Stay informed. Vote party and principles. Support a unifying candidate, and we can and will win in November.
We Cantorized our weasel last year. The rest of the country needs to do the same
I wonder if Terry Paulsen will take his own advice and vocally support Cruz or Trump when they win the nomination.
Party over principle. Blah blah blah.
Not a chance. The GOP is a one way street.
This is the same dreck the GOPe gives us every four years, and which results in political giants like Dole, McCain and Romney. The party’s princes have become addicted to losing and to the cocktail party circuit, giving them a comfortable life without the need to fight or stand up for a principle. Given the definition of insanity, it’s tempting to think of these lame, flaccid has been/never were sloths, but the better bet is that they’re just corrupt, having given in to the siren song of the DC party givers and the overrated talking heads of TV.
How right you are. If you win by putting party and winning above principles, then all you win is four more years of the same old thing: the increasing destruction of the US.
NEWS FLASH: NOT!!!
We can see on this very thread why they do it. Because they have drooling lapdogs that will parrot their line no matter what, create division and help ensure the liberal candidate remains in or takes power. History is crystal clear in showing the truth of it here on FR and on every other right wing site.
We have to clean our own house before we can hope to fix America.
Sure they can. They won’t because of party drones repeating that lie.
This kind of thinking gave us Bob Dole (loser), Geo W Bush (winner, but still a loser), John McCain (loser), and Mitt Romney (loser). Anyone see a pattern?
It will be interesting to see what he says after Trump wins the nomination.
The 2016 election will be won or lost based on relative enthusiasm. The best Republican candidate will be the one who motivates the Base to show up.
When enough of the GOPe LOSE their seats, chairmanships, and earmarks because conservative Republicans held their feet to the fire, then they will change their liberal voting behavior.
And not a moment sooner.
So, we must always aim to elect conservatives over GOPe / RINO types.
Otherwise, the strategy is lose (electing GOPe Liberals who vote for 100% of 0bama’s priorities) or lose (electing Dem Liberals).
Romney would have been a thousand times better than that arrogant pos occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave who only won because people like you and others sat on their butts because you didn’t like the nominee or wrote some third party candidate in for the same reason, who had no chance to be elected. When are you going to learn?
What is to be done? If you could command obedience to your orders, what are those orders? Please be specific.
This guy is so FOS that he doesn’t even deserve a response! Just another paid shill for the GOPe.
If they’re writing articles like this already in December, by spring they’ll be telling us we have to poke out our eyes to save our eyesight.
Who the heck said anything about third party voting? I sure didn’t. I vote on the person, not his/her political affliations. I will simply not vote if the candidates are not good enough. We ask for very little in our candidates but for a sense of patriotism, a commitment to his/her beliefs, and the desire to do what’s best for America. If none of the front-runners can cut it, I will not participate in voting.
“And you advocate the actual losers like Mitt who want to force liberalism on us. Thats your history here. People should look it up before considering anything you offer.”
Thanks Norm for beating me to it. This poster personnifies our problem. If we elect another GOPe a$$hole, we haven’t “won” anything. No Booshes, no Cabana Boys, and none of those spoilers currently in the zero to 3% range!
A president Rubio or Bush would be almost as frustrating as a President Hillary. These guys can stuff it.
Like the lady said, “what difference, at this point, does it make?”
Take a chance with Trump. Nothing to lose.
Mitt won the independent vote and still lost by 5 million votes. The demographics of this country have changed rapidly in favor of the Dems. The Dems have won the popular vote 5 out of the last 6 elections. Unless the GOP can attract more Dem voters, it will lose.
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