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 ...
I keep telling people Idiocracy is coming to life. We go from Mountain Dew to Not Sure.
Thank God that Ricardo Perry exposed himself for what he is: the same man who was an enthusiastic Demonrat all through the Reagan Revolution, a man who supported rich Ivy League playboy dope-smoking punk and son of a career Demonrat politican (supported by Commie fellow-traveler Armand Hammer) Al Gore.
Perry has been exposed. He is just a stalking horse for the immoral, unprincipled, "winning is all that counts" Pubblie establishment. So please quit spamming FR with your garbage.
How can you tell the difference? Rick Perry does not flip flop on his positions. Even if they are unpopular, he stands by them. How many statewide healthcare plans did he enact? Rick Perry does not support cap and trade to curtail global warming.
Rick Perry may lean right but I have my doubts about his core conservatism.
Granted, he is not a socialist like Romney but that is not good enough this year.
We need a strong leader that has a good grasp of the English language, Perry is not the man for the job right now. His pockets are lined wth money from big donors...this should tell you something.
I could accept Perry's level of conservatism - though it lacks.
The problem is that he is not electable. He can't articulate his thoughts clearly or handle himself in a debate.
Whenever a perplexing question taps his ears, his brain falls down and his mouth starts stumbling aimlessly about the room knocking over lamps.
I don’t think I would disregard Perry’s accomplishments. Who else has his kind of record? It certainly isn’t Romney, Cain, or Bachmann. Newt is a possibility; as well as Santorum being a possibility. Forget Huntsman.
With all due respect... bullsh!t!
LLS
Huh?
Perry cannot communicate well under pressure - never has. Obama would clean his plate.
Pandering to illegals and the fact that it was just revealed he’s been a useful idiot for the RINO establishment to prevent the rise of a legitimate Tea Party Conservative are two HUGE reasons to thoroughly discount this fraud.
But CSI007 (in post #2) was CRITICIZING Perry.
Pointy Boots Perry is just another established, entrenched politician.
Did you support him for his re-election as governor? Heck if enough would have sent him packing last year then we wouldn’t have this endeavor to put up with now.
Christian conservatives don’t break down that easily. I am not just limping away in my support, and it doesn’t look like Perry is either. We’ll all see where the Good Lord leads, but I don’t think Perry will just give up like Fred Thompson did.
This is a thread about Rick Perry, not the boogey man of your nightmares.
Your post if offensive. Rick Perry has worked hard to combat illegal immigration. What Reagan Revolution? You mean the man who gave amnesty to all illegal aliens. You mean the man who also used to be a Democrat. It’s okay for Ronald Reagan to give amnesty, but if Rick Perry gives instate tuition to a limited number of illegals it discredits his over ten years of experience.
You are like the people who support and have supported Barack Obama. Facts are elastic and you stretch them to suit your concept of how it should be. Either Reagan and Perry are Communists, or they are patriots. I think they patriots.
Shouldn’t this have been posted under Humor?
He will be everyone's nightmare (except La Raza) if he ever becomes president.
Nice...
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