Placemark. You’ve put a lot of time and thought into this, and it deserves equal consideration by readers. I’ll reserve my comments until I’ve had more time to analyze the work you’ve done. Bravo!
So while you obviously put a lot of work into this in an effort to prop up your man, it does not wash with those who are looking for a trusted conservative candidate.
The results would change, of course, depending on what issues are top priority to the individual voter.
Nice work. There is one specific area of concern I wish all the candidates were questioned on as the answers could be very revealing. Birthright Citizenship is that area of concern, and specifically, as it applies to the children of parents not in our country legally.
It would be nice if Cutting Government Spending and Balancing the Federal Budget were included in the issues conservatives were evaluated on.
13- Soc Sec Urgent Devastating Unchangeable 10 10 10 10 10 8
I’m still torn..........
Romney, having been guv of MA, cetainly endorsed left leaning issues. He’s promised to stop.
McCain makes no oppologies for his past actions including his convoluted definition of amnesty, which he says he will carry forward after securing the border. Rudy also would like a legaliztion for a large number of illegals.
Rudy may be harder on the terrorists than McCain who won’t waterboard them. Rudy admits to being a gun grabber, but swears he’ll stop if we just elect him.
Huckabee denies his unconservative positions while guv of AR and still has sympathies toward illegals.
All these fellers are flawed, some admit it and promise to change. Some are either unoppologetic, won’t admit their flaws or just plain plan to go forward with things that we conservatives don’t like.
Based on this, I’d rather have a flawed candidate who promises to change his ways.
I haven’t made my mind up yet on Romney, but he seems the least offensive based on what he promises.
McCain or Rudy will give us millions of new dem voters formerly from Mexico.
Excellent! Agree 100%.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I had to search to find out why Duncan was not your top candidate in your first ten things...
But since it was only becaus you feel that he is unelectable, you are excused...
The only reason Duncan could be considered “unelectable” is because the conservatives are chasing after RINO’s in conservatives clothing...
This campaign for POTUS is based on fear right now
Beat Hillary has replaced...Who will be the best candidate for POTUS ???
If the Republicans keep this up we will get Hillary in the White House...either in person or in the body of a RINO...
If Thompson isn’t the nominee, I’d vote for Romney. At least he’d use the veto pen, unlike Bush 43.
You know Huckabee would green light every tax increase and McCain would be slapping the back of Democrats so that the media would love him. So, yeah, I could vote for Romney over those two.
You left out a “Member of a cult” on your chart.
Bad example. In this case Ms. O’Donnell is the husband.
Your second mistake is to put electability into the list of conservative qualities. A person is as electable as the voters decide.
Thompson may be more electable than Hunter, but Hunter is more conservative. Alan Keyes is probably the only candidate more conservative than Hunter. However, he is the most unelectable candidate running.
Further, your top ten is not mine nor most conservatives. I challenge you to prove me wrong.
My top three, like most social conservatives, are abortion, family (i.e. mainly defending against the homosexual agenda), and freedom of religion (which would be 1st amendment rights).
Of these three things, I think Hunter and Huckabee are both fairly solid. But Hunter is more solid AND is conservative across the board.
Very few presidents have moral awakening during their presidency. Most have a moral base before running. Sometimes they change positions or compromise, but their moral center informs their decisions. The only exception I am fairly sure of is Lincoln, although some would debate that point.
I say this to say that... I could support Huckabee with the hope that his faith might correct some of his liberal views, but of this I have little confidence.
I could support Thompson if he pledged a firm commitment on pro-life issues including embryonic stem cell research (using federal dollars, as this is the only issue under debate).
But my first pick would be Duncan Hunter. He is a true conservative. If he was the party nominee, he would pick up pretty much all of Huckabees votes. He is electable if conservatives get behind him. If we don’t, we are not 100 conservative. Most Freepers are not, sadly.
The BIG factor to consider when it comes to electability is not charisma. The big factor is that our candidate best represents the core values of conservatism. If so, conservatives will show up and vote.
Electability should not include appeasement. That is a liberal approach. For every liberal a Republican candidate convinces to vote, two conservative votes will be lost. Many will say, “why bother... it’s more of the same”. Those with pet conservative causes will not show up because they are left out of the coalition.
The fact that Thompson is a famous actor can help build brand awareness sooner and get the word out, but that is nothing compared to the fame of getting the party nomination.
One other factor on electability. ALL of the Republican frontrunners can be easily vilified by either real or apparent scandals or by their voting record that is likely to break up a conservative coalition.
When mudslinging begins, having someone of unimpeachable character will be far more important than good looks and charisma.
I think Duncan Hunter deserves a higher mark for electability. And I know he deserves a higher mark for conservatism.
Thanks for your contribution to the forum and debate.
Of course, Romney’s positions are based on his rhetoric, not his record.
Wow, you did a lot of work, and it’s interesting to read over.
Like many here, I have a few disagreement with you, but actually not all that many. I would flip the free trade numbers upside down, since I think free trade is inherently conservative and good for us as a country. And I would quibble quite a bit with your “electability” ratings. McCain only gets a ‘10’ there if the only people allowed to vote are the media.
Why go through all of that when you can just write in the candidate you want?
Very well thought out post. I enjoyed it. Well done, young freeper.