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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 ...
A vote for Rick Perry is a vote for Romney. Take it to the bank.
This article is about 6 weeks too late. Perry has been falling. Reminds me of early Fred Thompson (who I strongly supported) articles.
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La Raza Rick = Epic Fail.
Perry bores me.
For now, I agree with this. Perry has the record of achievement.
The “vote for Perry or else you’ll get Romney” talking point is dead. Go back to Perry’s handlers and tell them to come up with something new.
Q20 If the Republican race for President came
down to Mitt Romney and Hermain Cain, who
would you vote for?
Mitt Romney.................................................... 36%
Herman Cain................................................... 48%
Not sure .......................................................... 16%
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/cain-leads-romney-by-eight-nationally-perry-in-4th.html
Good lord, do we HAVE to do this again?
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How can you tell the difference between the two of them?
That is simply not correct. Rick is a conservative. Romney is not.
Give Perry another month or two to spend his $15 million and we’ll see where he stands amongst the mix of remaining candidates. Perry has a long way to go to rebuild what he was given when he announced. The question becomes, can he?
Just say NO to La Raza Rick.
Yeah, telling conservatives what they “must do” is a sure fire strategy.
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No kidding. SOSDE
Willard = RomneyCare; no principles he wouldn’t abandon to get elected. And what principles he DOES have are liberal.
Perry = less bad, but, immigration leftist, can’t debate = poor “salesman” in the TV age.
Cain = much more conservative, and electable. Can be picked at for not holding prior elected office and for some gaffes, but as to gaffes, who can’t be?
Let’s stick with Cain, at least until we are issued Willard nonetheless. :/
In real life, people who say they support “the most conservative candidate that is electable” mean they support “the most liberal republican.”
Pointy Boots Perry is just another established, entrenched politician. He needs to get a real job somewhere.
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