Posted on 12/08/2011 1:13:54 PM PST by hocndoc
Conservatives understand that we shouldn't make the perfect the enemy of the good. Personally, I'm reluctant to criticize Republican candidates before even one vote is cast in the Primaries. But Conservatives also know that if we ignore our principles for expediency, we risk losing both. if we learned anything in 2008, that is.
Even Erick Erickson of Red State says he's ready to go "none of the above." But "none of the above" won't cut it this year. We are fighting an incumbent that is almost guaranteed the black, gay and pro-abort vote, not to mention all of the many people who can only survive by the redistribution of tax money!
We have an opportunity to vote our principles in Rick Perry. If you can't bear Governor Perry or don't believe his experience in governing Texas is indicative of his ability to govern the United States, Michelle Bachman and Rick Santorum are good options. In contrast, Gingrich or Romney would just be the latest version of "it's his turn." We need the consistency and the radical DC outsider that is Rick Perry.
I know that many Conservatives have either been divorced and remarried or have loved ones who have been divorced. Others have family members who are homosexuals. We might even have family members who have been convicted of crimes - and I'm not saying that either of the first two are crimes. However, we understand that messy personal lives are not the ideal, and we prefer that our leaders be someone that we can not only admire, but who will demonstrate that they hold - and live - our principles as their own.
The Newt is everything that we have been fighting since McCain was nominated. The ability to debate does not equate to the ability to govern.He has been selling himself as the next in line, ever since Obama's inauguration, according to the report in the Real Clear Politics' Election 2012: the Battle Begins. The story is that Gingrich hosted a dinner for Republicans on the night of the inauguration.
Worse, if Newt Gingrich is the Republican nominee, we won't have the family values and principles that the base of the Conservative Republicans have rallied 'round. I'm not sure his history of serial adultery can stand up to opposition of same sex marriage. If marriage is plastic enough to support Newt's history, then why not?
I'd like to believe the Catholic conversion that went along with this latest marriage is a good place to reset Newt's sexual morality and ethical credentials. However, Gingrich can't even stay on point on when life begins, telling us one thing on Friday and begging Catholics to tell us he meant something else on Sunday.
If Conservative bloggers are willing to go with pretty talk, will Conservative voters follow? I don't think so. I believe that the TEA Party has proven that we are outside the influence of Party politics. We work from the Republican Party only as long as the Republican Party will honor our principles and at least appear to support *us.*
I am somewhat afraid that the TEA Party is too busy deciding whether personal lives and a true understanding of first principles - life, liberty, "first do no harm" - are important if their property is secured. I've watched in disbelief as uncertainty about the flavor of the month's views on abortion, when life begins, true marriage and Don't Ask Don't Tell is justified because of some mistaken idea that giving up ideology will give us the White House.
It's indeed time to make the decision to support principles or not. But few of us will vote in New Hampshire, Iowa or South Carolina. Our choice of which candidate to support is only urgent if we are blogging, writing, advocating and donating money.
Whether your biggest fear is that Obama wins, or that Romney wins, the next 2 or 3 months are the time to support Conservatives. Don't choose to advocate for or donate to the "electable" candidate long before your own before your primary, for pity's sake!
Are “we” Republicans or Conservatives?
(Why do my typos only show up after I hit post the second time?)
Job #1 is to get Obama out of office.
From where I sit, Newt Gingrich has the best chance of winning the hearts and minds of those who will not automatically pull the lever for Obama.
And it is Romney, not Newt, who is this year’s McCain.
That said, I will vote for whomever ends up as Obama’s general election opponent. (see “Job #1, above)
I’m not convinced we can win the White House if we forget our principles. This may or may not be the “anybody but Obama” election - can you convince me that it is?
Paper covers rock, rock breaks scissors, scissors cuts paper, Newt beats Romney.
Nice piece. Again.
Old Sarge, which State are you from? Do you vote in the next couple of months?
How can you be convinced that Newt will beat Obama?
Thank you, Sir, I worked hard on it.
(Now, if you’d just visit my blog . . . )
(Seriously, the only benefit I get from the hits is personal satisfaction. I get no benefit from blog pimping, only from teasing you.)
Mods, Sure do wish I could get “philosophy” and/or “ethics” on the Bloggers/Personal board.
Just some thoughts, Fellow FReepers!
Simply use some logical thought.
Mods, I wish we had an “ethics” or “philosophy” category for Personal/Bloggers.
I almost always get tempted to hit “conspiracy,” but God doesn’t conspire to make ethics universal. He just made the Universe.
Wow, Jukeman, what an argument! You must blow them away at Toastmasters.
Can you point out what is *illogical* in my hundreds of words, which express my thoughts?
We are not free to choose our own candidates. The Media have already pre-chosen Romney to be the GOP candidate. Once the convention’s over, The Media will destroy Romney without him lifing a fist to defend himself, and Dear Leader will be reelected.
Newt will at least turn and fight against The Media at every turn. He’s our only fighting chance at this cycle.
Great post.
How about “Science”? It’s not completely accurate but it might attract an upscale audience! :)
‘Science’ would be good!
OK, I added it!
No, no. I was not referring to your article. I was saying that people need to apply simple logic to their thought process. My comment was not directed at you, just people and their thought processes in general. I should have been clearer about what I meant.
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