Posted on 01/05/2008 3:12:12 PM PST by PlainOleAmerican
Days after the first 2008 primary contest in Iowa, only two things are clear. One of the following five men will be the Republican nominee for 2008 and nobody knows which one.
Mike Huckabee - Mitt Romney - Fred Thompson - John McCain - Rudy Giuliani
No matter how we feel about any of these five men, one of them will be the Republican nominee for 2008. Each represents a very different idea of what it is to be “republican” or “conservative.” The time to make excuses or nuanced explanations for past policy positions has passed. The time to choose the next leader of America’s conservative movement, the Republican Party, has come.
Which of these men we choose through the primary process will determine how well the Republican Party can unite next November to defeat the Democrat nominee, be it Obama, Edwards or Clinton. The wrong choice will leave the party fractured and divided on ideological lines, and the door for another 1992 styled Democrat victory wide open. The right choice will bring all Republican voters into the booth for an Election Day victory.
It’s Time for Republicans to Take a Stand
Iowa voters sent a clear undeniable message. They took a stand. But what did they say?
Iowa Republicans chose Mike Huckabee, an affable guitar playing former Baptist minister who was Governor of Arkansas. A quick tongued jovial man who speaks the language of the common average American, with a pulpit styled sense of humor and a gentle ease of delivery.
Why did Iowa choose a Southern Pastor for President?
He’s clearly not the most conservative candidate in the race. He’s also not the most qualified, the best known or the best funded.
But he is the most “likable” which is to say, someone the people feel they can “trust.”
The Jilted Lover Syndrome
Conservative voters across this nation are still angry over the past performance of the Republican controlled congress and the Republican White House. Both spent money like a drunken Kennedy at a Martha’s Vineyard lawn party, fought for open borders like Howard Dean counting illegal voters at the border and allowed what should have been a six month mission in Iraq to drift into a five year police action while Bin Laden still slips around Pakistan untouched.
In short, Republican voters don’t trust Republican politicians much more than Democrat politicians, whom they don’t trust at all.
So, beyond a resume’, a list of perfect conservative votes or the distinguishing backbone of an obvious leader, voters are looking for someone they can “trust” to carry out whatever their promises might be. After all, broken promises are worthless promises.
Slick vs. Substance – Rhetoric vs. Reality
Liberals have always fallen for slick rhetoric over substance or reality. But conservatives have always preferred real substance, less impressed by slick rhetoric from sly salesmen.
Jilted by the last Republicans they put in power, they are being even more careful than normal in choosing the next leader of their party, as well they should. As a result, the race is far from settled. But the message is clear… Slick isn’t going to cut it in 2008. Reality will trump rhetoric in the Republican primary process, or Democrats will win in ’08.
The Five
Rather than writing my opinions about each of the five potential nominees, I am interested in testing the fire in the belly of the average Republican voter. I want to know if Republican voters are really ready to unite behind conservative principles at the foundation of the Republican Party, or if they are still trying to negotiate the middle ground, split hairs and nominate a candidate aligned only marginally to the right of the Democrat candidates.
Assuming that one of these five men will indeed be the ultimate Republican nominee, which do you feel is best qualified to carry the conservative agenda of the Republican Party forward in the 2008 general election?
Vote only once please. Visit http://www.jb-williams.com to cast your vote. The results will be the subject of my next column, so please vote before Midnight Monday January 7, 2008.
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www.jb-williams.com
NO... Ron Paul was NOT invited!
I’m taking a stand by voting for who I want to vote for.
I’ll vote for whomever we put up there against any of the rats but I’m afraid a democrat prez may already be a fait accompli so we had better get prepared to hunt some rat in ‘09 & ‘10.
You could have at least mentioned Hunter. He makes good points.
Some will divide our vote, some will unite our vote. It matters who is nominated...
I love Hunter, but he needs to move aside at this point in the race and align himself for a potential VP slot.
I am planning on voting for either Rudy of Fred - but I think airbrushing Paul is tantamount to communist.
F jb-williams.
I took a stand. Fred is my man. I wish Hunter the best.
The only guy I could wholeheartedly support at this time is Hunter and you know how that’s going; I’ll hold my nose for any of the others.
I'll take my stand as an independent minded conservative thank you.
Paul simply can’t become the RNC nominee, no way, no how. So why waste time and energy confusing the electorate?
I’ll second both sentiments...
I like him for his actions and ideas. I want both of those to remain ‘out there’.
Thanks Ross!
Fred Thompson 69.2% 27
Rudy Giuliani 15.4% 6
Mike Huckabee 5.1% 2
Mitt Romney 5.1% 2
John McCain 5.1% 2
LMAO!
Apparently, none of these voters live in Iowa??? LOL
GO FRED GO!
I plan to take my stand at the voting booth.
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