Why Bother Electing Pro-Gun, Pro-Family Candidates Anywhere? (The Rudophile Philosophy)

Reagan did it right.

He knew how to connect with people.

On one hand, he was a social conservative, who didn't get "preachy" with people but appealed to their old fashioned American values. Doing this he got the evangelical vote and the "Reagan Democrats" who weren't necessarily overtly religious but espoused traditional values.

At the same time, he was able to appeal to the Country Clubbers, the defense hawks, and the fiscal conservatives and supply siders by focusing on that side of his philosophy.

Then, he appealed to the libertarian types by focusing on small government.

I don't necessarily think that the Rockefeller Republicans are automatically against a social conservative. But when that social conservative decides that he should use his power to FORCE social values while IGNORING small government common-sense, they get resentful, and that's what has happened.

The GOP of 2006 forgot about that. People say "Reagan's gone, let's move on" and of course they're right, BUT we can't forget the lessons learned that he taught us, on how to be a winner, not a loser, and how to get things done.

Romney CLAIMS to fit the bill. I'm not decided on him. He seems to have changed positions too often, and he basically "gave up" during his Governorship.

Newt Gingrich fits the bill from a policy standpoint, but his personal life leaves much to be desired. I could probably forgive him, but could others? He'd get most conservatives and even probably most moderate registered Republicans, but Reagan Dems and Independents would be tough to get. Although, if anyone could pull it off it would be Newt.

Brownback does well on the social front but poorly on defense and is only "passable" but not great on fiscal and economic issues. The guy is also about as boring as the day is long.

Tancredo shines in all categories, but isn't a very "likeable" guy to most people.

Hunter seems to do well in most categories. He did support the Medicare plan and some of the other GOP big-gov't stuff, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to core values and how much is just going along with his President.

Rudy doesn't fit the bill. He seems OK fiscally, and good on foreign policy but fails in most other categories.

McCain sometimes comes across one way and sometimes another. He's a media whore and a loose cannon and isn't afraid of big government when it suits his agenda. McCain's number one issue is taking care of John McCain.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.