Posted on 10/13/2011 12:19:05 PM PDT by casinva
I have good news and bad news for conservatives. But the good news and the bad news are both the same thing: We have six very impressive, lifelong conservative candidates running for the presidency.
They are the smartest candidates, the most principled candidates, the most patriotic candidates, the most persuasive candidates, and the candidates with the best ideas.
The problem lies in the fact that conservatives do not have a single favorite candidate.
(Snip)
William F. Buckley used to say that he was not for “the most conservative” candidate. He said he was for “the most conservative candidate that is electable.” Unfortunately, conservatives today are not following Buckley’s wise advice and strategic counsel.
The GOP establishment behaves almost entirely pragmatically. They typically try to find the Republican most likely to be elected and back that candidate (irrespective of what that candidate believes) in order to ensure party insiders retain control.
(Snip)
On the other hand, many evangelicals and tea party supporters are behaving as ideological purists. In their effort to choose the most conservative candidate (irrespective of their ability to win) they are violating Buckley’s principle and as a result are unknowingly helping the GOP establishment...
There is only one scenario where this can be stopped: Evangelical and tea party conservatives must immediately unite behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Rick Perry is the most conservative candidate who is also electable.
On all three legs of Ronald Reagan’s winning issue coalition, economics, social issues and foreign policy, Rick Perry should be the conservative’s choice.
(Snip)
Principled politics is an art form. Participating in it with as many candidates as there are now is like a complex chess match. You must capture the tension between principle and pragmatism. Rick Perry captures it perfectly. He is the William F. Buckley candidate.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
It is frustrating. He has the record but lacks the fire in the belly. He needs to liven up and get back in the game.
Being, “n00b”, means I am simply counting on one finger, so far, as to who possibly cares. Congratulations are in order for your 13 years! Party hats, anyone?
I missed it if there is a black out imposed against reacting to a poster trolling Perry posts to negate and name call a candidate who is the very topic of the thread, cast as a positive thread by its very title. “BEST HOPE for SOLID CONSERVATIVE IN 2012? This is not likely a thread, for “All Fall Down” when you speak? Do you think we’re suppose to stand by and not respond at all because you are a 13 year veteran on a website, where you describe yourself as something akin to a czar of discernment?
The hell it is. I read right here on FR that Cain has said he will be glad to be Romney's VP but not Perry's. You can't change that fact.
I also observe what is happening in these debates. First, it was Bachmann that sucked up to Romney and then Cain. You can't deny it.
Thanks for the comment on the Perry-Walker thread.
Boy! Such upset posters.
Sheeze.
Well, aren’t you full of yourself.
Cain’s already naming VPs. What if Perry said he’d like Palin as his energy secretary. Between Texas and Alaska it would be drill baby drill and jobs, jobs, jobs. It seems foolish to discount the governor of a large energy state. He could do great things for this country if “conservatives” could get past the tuition thing.
Rita, you do a great job of analyzing and expressing the truth for Perry. Keep up the good work.
The same people screaming states rights are the ones crying about states passing gay marriage laws, and yet scream about it being the feds fault.
Meanwhile, states like Arizona and Alabama are truly applying states rights and protecting their citizens - and tax base- against illegal parasites.
Like Perry, his supporters can not string together any coherent ideals without flip flopping like Romney.
THAT'S why he's dropping like a stone.
But what do I know. I'm heartless.
You go, girl.
I must say I’m thankful that in this time compressed cycle that Cain has held off the Romney advance, and Perry needs to run up the crease NOW with a campaign shake up. Throw out the spenders, who are spending Rick’s money telling Romney’s old, boring story of fete accompli and not telling Rick’s.
I can tell that is how Rush leans. He’s trying to kick Perry into gear because he also knows Perry is the best hope for a conservative president.
Being a radical states rights girl, I for one in the political sense do not oppose Alabama deciding for their state, but they are not exactly on the Rio Grande. They are not majority Hispanic. In a fiscal sense, however, they do not know how to turn lemons into lemonade. It is not you who will pay their tuition, but they, all while seeking the path to citizenship. Alabama would rather create a scene than resolve the fiscal drag on their economy, it seems to me. Perry was more inclined to provide your nation and mine with half of all the jobs in the country. Pretty cool. Period.
I happen to agree with the author of the linked article in this thread when he said:
We have six very impressive, lifelong conservative candidates running for the presidency.
They are the smartest candidates, the most principled candidates, the most patriotic candidates, the most persuasive candidates, and the candidates with the best ideas.
I have heard a lot of people diss that last entire debate, but I had a different impression watching that debate. Hearing those Republican candidates in that debate the other night made me feel good that I'm on the Republican side of things!
I couldn't help listening to those men and our one woman up there on stage chatting as around a kitchen table, just as it was set up to be, talking about their thoughts on America and our people.
Every one of those candidates was a Republican, some more conservative than others, and (excerpt for possibly Romney and Huntsman) excellent candidates to look at, listen to, and consider, and even Romney and Huntsman at least show a belief in America, unlike Obama! I was proud of all they stood for together. TOGETHER. They all stood for something TOGETHER, and it was good.
Now it's a matter of finding the right conservative Republican who can beat Obama, and we are all working on that.... together... TOGETHER... and it will be good. :)
Conservativegreatgrandma, you are only stating the obvious and what also has been verified in journalistic print, even conservative ones. Some things are apparently not obvious enough even when they are obvious! LOL
So who is Cain naming? This should be interesting. I can’t see Romney accepting second fiddle to Cain.
Rush is very cool—will not expose, or be exposed, but he lays out the criteria for the whole conservative theatre. The ones with a brain can read it like a book and know exactly what he is thinking. He used Palin as his example to expose the media heartily. Some thought that meant he was supporting her, but I believe he is entirely mission focused. He’s a fan of the mythical candidate of high intellect and constant, consistent, conservative principles, and may even be somewhat disappointed in our field as individuals because none of them seem to have both features in one person. He goes great guns after the nomination though!
Thank you immensely.
I heard Perry gave all his campaign money to illegals for their college tuition.
He mentioned Ryan and DeMint
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