Posted on 02/20/2007 9:54:39 AM PST by Spiff
The Republicans, and even some socially conservative and evangelical leaders, are beginning to adjust to the possibility of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the GOP nominee for president. But not all.
The Southern Baptist's Richard Land, for instance, predicts massive defections from Rudy in the event of a Rudy Giuliani vs. Hillary Clinton race. Hugh Hewitt, evangelical talk-meister in the syndicated stream of radio shows doubts this; "... If Rudy is persuasive on the judges he will nominate, he wouldn't have a problem with the social conservatives in the general election." So tell us you'll nominate the likes of Scalia, Roberts, and Alito to the Supreme Court, and we will line up behind you no matter your substantial views that run counter to the Judeo-Christian ethic, he and his handlers are undoubtedly thinking.
Well, I won't.
And I bet I speak for hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions when I say that I cannot in good conscience vote for a man with significant moral problems in his personal life, a radically wrong view of abortion (against it personally, but for women making their own pro-abortion choice), and oh-so-very Times Square and Hollywood on the issues of homosexual rights and guns (for and against, respectively).
Can't vote for him, even if his opponent is Hillary Rodham Clinton? No, I cannot.
Aw, c'mon, Team Republican says, nobody who purports to be socially conservative, evangelical, or who voted twice for Ronald Reagan will be able to muster a vote for Hillary over Rudy.
Probably right. But voting for her isn't the only option. When the electorate isn't excited about the candidates, they are capable of staying home -- particularly those who don't much care to think political thoughts 24/7 and are not enthused about the choices. There are others of us who will either leave the presidential portion of the ballot unmarked or decide for the first time in our lives to vote, say, the Constitution Party.
Next argument -- Then you'll just be putting Hillary into office. Next rebuttal -- No, rather, my precious vote won't be responsible for putting into office a man who thinks we will vote for him because he is best suited and capably prepared to keep America safe but can't guard his own soul from moral perdition.
But, in all of this, there is something else to think about. The President of the United States guides his own political party and its platform. And the party of President Rudy Giuliani will soon become the party of the same kind of governing mushiness that has absorbed the Democrats. Give the party to Rudy and the moral code and political sensibilities of Reagan are lost, perhaps for good. Better to lose an election and reload ideologically than try to cheer on and take cues from a man with a worldview radically divergent from your own.
May the primaries be kind to the GOP; and kindness means Giuliani loses.
Matt Friedeman (mfriedeman@wbs.edu) is a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary. Respond to this column at his blog: evangelismtoday.blogspot.com. Opinions expressed in 'Perspectives' columns published by OneNewsNow.com are the sole responsibility of the article's author(s), or of the person(s) or organization(s) quoted therein, and do not necessarily represent those of the staff or management of, or advertisers who support the American Family News Network, OneNewsNow.com, our parent organization or its other affiliates. The way to electoral suicide -- vote Giuliani
February 20, 2007
"Well if Agape and World Nut Daily are against Rudy, he just might be worth considering" Right on!!
Dammit, we need a PERFECT Candidate Pronto. One who is Conservative enough for the base, yet Moderate enough to win the General Election--- where exactly ARE Gary Bauer or Alan Keyes when we need them most....oh well, good thing we got Brownback..he's perfect, 'cept of course for that Roman Catholic thing...we ALL know about the Catholics don't we...
flame away...perfectionists...kurt busch got screwed on Sunday, and I'm feeling surly....
So far your right.
Then the GOP can look for a broom-whipping come 11/2008.
It's not one issue! It's like banging your head against a brick wall trying to talk sense into a Guiliani supporter. We aren't one issue voters just because we oppose Guiliani! You guys are sticking your heads in the sand and you will be responsible if a candidate is nominated that splits the party vote.
>>>Rudy is the best that we have
Who is WE?
We had a popular Conservative as POTUSA.
Next was a one term moderate.
Next was a two term traitor, who some people think was conservative.
Next was a two term moderate that squeaked by because the democrats nominees were very bad.
Now some people want a far left winger as the Republican nominee that most real democrats can beat because they can run to the right of IT.
US
And what does that mean? I'm not pro-Rudy, but I'm certainly not willing to judge a candidate by whether or not they're "guarding their soul from moral perdition" (not that I even understand what is meant by that statement.)
I know it's a shame for some here that Bush didn't declare a theocracy, but I suspect most of America is a tad relieved.
Go here and 'play' the Electoral Vote game. Electoral College Calculator
Check the states that Rudy would actually "win" (forget about him carrying all the same states as Dubya or taking any Kerry states) and see the disaster - especially after last weeks poll showing him LOSING New York to Hillary.
For fun - and contridicting the above - I just gave Rudy both 'Liberal' coasts (all states touching water), which includes Florida and BOTH Carolinas he LOSES with 206 EVs. That even included Massachusetts (hardy har har)! Take away NY and its 175.
With Rudy as the nominee it's a BLOODBATH. It will be that biggest Dem win since LBJ.
But we could do a LOT better. We're 1 year out from the Primary and there's a whole stable of Republican candidates to pick from. Almost all of which have positions with wider appeal to the base of the Party.
Wouldn't that power fall to the Governor?
um - already happened when we were told to plug our noses and vote gop in the last election - funny thing is......Ive asked repeatedly to be shown a mainstream republican who is well liked, pro life and pro RKBA
such a bird doesnt exist, and what were seeing is the same ole single issue driven bickering which torpedoes us every election
win the seat with a electable candidate
then exert the pressure
If you sacrifice your best player now - Hillary or some other dim is a sure win
remind me to ask the others how that works for them once theyre done destroying rudy
Who is US?
Ok, you can vote for a 1% third candidate or vote for Hillary, Edwards,or Kerry. May your consicience give you a warm fuzzy.
Oops. No, scratch that.
No. We prefer a conservative party. Put Rudy in the White House or even nominate, and the 'Pubbies will be no longer be a conservative party. We'll be limited to a choice between Pink and Red for our parties.
Its better to lose the White House than to lose the party.
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