Posted on 03/01/2007 3:42:46 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Conservatives see flaws in 2008 Republicans Thu Mar 1, 2007 5:53 PM ET
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - At their first gathering since November's election thumping, conservative activists on Thursday found little to cheer about in a 2008 Republican White House field they largely viewed with skepticism and distrust.
The opening day of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference brought together some sharp critics of the early Republican presidential favorites, who have sparked doubts about the depth of their conservative principles.
"There is some disillusionment, some demoralization and a hope that other conservatives jump in the ring. I don't find a sense of excitement about the candidates at all," said Steve Baldwin, head of the Council for National Policy, a networking group for conservative activists.
Baldwin made his feelings clear about the top three Republican contenders -- former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney -- by wearing a black badge reading "RudyMcRomney" with a giant red slash through it.
"There is an enormous amount of skepticism about the declared candidates. I've never seen anything like it," said Mark Corallo, a Republican communications consultant and a former Capitol Hill and Justice Department spokesman.
Giuliani, the leader of the pack in polls, has dismayed some conservatives by supporting abortion rights, gay rights and gun control. McCain has championed campaign finance reform, opposed some tax cuts and attacked conservative religious leaders during his 2000 campaign.
Romney has shifted his positions on social issues like abortion and gay rights to become more conservative. Visitors to the convention exhibit hall were greeted by a man in a dolphin suit labeled "Flip Romney."
(Excerpt) Read more at today.reuters.com ...
McCain didn't even go to CPAC.
That is because the acronym has a 'C' instead of an 'L' at the beginning.
"There is some disillusionment, some demoralization and a hope that other conservatives jump in the ring. I don't find a sense of excitement about the candidates at all," said Steve Baldwin"
Not too surprising, given that two of the front runners are actually leftists and the other one evidently can't read well enough to understand what the Bill of Rights actually says.
You nailed it. What is developing is that government would be more conservative if Clinton were elected because Congressional Republicans would fight her as they did Bill Clinton. However if a RINO were elected, Congress would get the whole RINO agenda pushed through an agreeable Congress.
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