Posted on 02/21/2007 12:06:36 PM PST by Reagan Man
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.]
One thing I noticed about the rudy supporters - they sure as hell can't answer a direct question.
But they sure are quick to resort to the "if you don't support rudy, the terrorists will kill you" line.
Rudy supporters are just like the candidate they love. There's no "there" there.
Whatever you say, Mr. Olbermann. So what exactly attracts you to this forum?
Why don't you start praying that God will raise up a godly real conservative instead of just giving up??
But the Republicans have only themselves to blame, of course...
So I'd be better off voting Trotsky over Stalin? Based on the man's history, the boat isn't headed anywhere near my destination, and I'm not going to shot a hole in it - I'm just going to stop rowing.
The future of the Republican Party is decided by its presidential nomination. If the 'Pubbies choose Rudy, they are not the party for conservatives any more, they're the DPL: Democrat Party Lite. Their entire platform will be "Look - we're not QUITE as bad the Democrats!"
In the real world, there are no true Godly conservatives. Not anymore. Today there are only CFR members and non-CFR members.
I have not declared support for Rudy or anyone else. I am merely arguing that handing our national fate over to Moveon.org until Mr. Perfect shows up is idiotic.
What amazes me is how many FReepers have rolled over on their backs for Rudy, when we have so much time left for another candidate to emerge. And what the hell is so bad about Duncan Hunter??
You're replying to the wrong person.
Rudy is a life long liberal and far outside the conservative mainstream. You're labeling him a moderate. I don't see much anything moderate about Giuliani's politics. Especially his social liberalism. I'm also not impressed with his double-talk in recent weeks, in a futile attempt to appear like some federalist. Not gonna work.
>>>>Again, politics is the art of the possible.
Bismarck had his opinions and I have mine. Whatever you may label it, I prefer conservative politics to liberal politics.
What "whims" are your referring to, specifically? That whim we have about protecting the second amendment? Or are you talking about that whim we have about not murdering innocent unborn children? Please specify, as we are such a whimsical bunch that I am not sure which one of them you are objecting to.
"what the hell is so bad about Duncan Hunter??"
Let me try to explain, it's a little difficult to follow:
Problem 1: Conservatism
1. Duncan hunter is too conservative so he can't win. You need someone who can appeal to the 'moderates'.
(By this they mean "more liberal", but they never admit it)
2. Rudy can appeal to moderates, but he's actually a conservative, despite his record.
So Duncan hunter can't win because he's a conservative, but rudy can. Because he's more moderate. But still a conservative.
Problem 2: Elected office
1. Duncan hunter can't win because his highest held office is a lowly congressman.
2. Even though rudy's highest held elected office was mayor, 5 years ago, he can win. Even though no one has ever gone from being mayor (or ex mayor) as highest office to the presidency.
I know that he turned NYC around and then watched him in the aftermath of 9-11.
These lying eyes will have no trouble voting for him.
"I have not declared support for Rudy or anyone else. "
Well you're certainly echoing the claims of the Frightened Child Demographic quite well!
"I am merely arguing that handing our national fate over to Moveon.org until Mr. Perfect shows up is idiotic."
About as idiotic as saying only a liberal republican can beat a liberal democrat?
Or is it as idiotic as saying that if you don't want to support a liberal, no matter the party, then terrorists are going to kill everybody?
I'm trying to think what that is, but the word "logic" doesn't come into play at all.
You go too far and it shows you are unbalanced and irrational.
The choice between Hillary and Giuliani is not even close to being as bad as a choice between Leon Trotsky and Joe Stalin.
Rudy Giuliani is clearly not much of a Conservative, but he is not a Communist in disguise like Hillary Clinton.
Rudy Giuliani will throw Conservatives some good bones. If you allow the Democrats to take the White House when they also control the Congress, Conservatives will get nothing which will continue for years.
There is no one like Ronald Reagan coming. Until a real Conservative with some national appeal comes along, I am not going to join in the trashing of a Rudy Giuliani.
It is election day, 2008. On the ballot in front of you for President are two names, Guiliani and Clinton (her). Which one do you choose? Repeat the experiment with Obama, and Edwards. Now you understand this article.
Congressman Billybob
It is election day, 2008. On the ballot in front of you for President are two names, Guiliani and Clinton (her). Which one do you choose? Repeat the experiment with Obama, and Edwards. Now you understand this article.
Congressman Billybob
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