Free Republic's (1/9) poll on Republican candidates' liberal positions that would be deal killers

Free Republic Poll ^ | 1/9/2008 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

(1/9) If the eventual Republican presidential nominee has a record including one or more of the following non-conservative positions, would you vote for him anyway or which item specifically would most likely be a deal killer?

• Abortion/gay rights

• Open borders/amnesty

• Gun grabber

• Tax & Spender

• Nanny stater

• Untrustworthy/flip flopper

• Anti-free speech

• Two or more could kill deal

• Three or more definitely kill deal

• I'll vote "R" regardless

Click on source link above to respond to the poll.

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Three or more liberal positions on critical issues would definitely kill the deal in my book.

The way I see it:

X = Candidate holds or has record of non-conservative position. W = Weak or mixed positions.

Candidate	Abortion/ Gay Rights	Open Borders/ Amnesty	Gun Control	Tax and Spend	Nanny Stater	Untrustworthy Spinner Flip flopper	Campaign Finance Reform
Giuliani	X	X	X	-	-	X	X
Huckabee	-	X	-	X	X	X	W
Hunter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
McCain	W	X	W	W	W	X	X
Romney	X	X	W	W	X	X	X
Thompson	-	-	-	-	-	-	X

Thompson and Hunter are most conservative, but I prefer Thompson because Hunter's going to have a tough time making himself known and jumping from the House to the Presidency.

Please correct me where I'm wrong.

[Domandred]

I’d split open borders/amnesty personally. Many people feel those are actually two separate issues and can be all for building a fence FIRST, then split on what to do with the est 20 million that are here currently (deportation vs amnesty vs citizenship path). Either way closing the border must be done first, both North and South.

[sig226]

I’m voting for Hunter (FL), although it looks like Thompson is the best bet because he is most likely to win. IMO a politician who is good on the second amendment is pretty good on everything else I believe.

Where did you go wrong? You could have said more bad things about Giuliani. :)

[MileHi]

Wasn't sure how to answer th poll. For example gun control OR amnesty are unaccepable to me. Then there are combinations of two or more of the rest that paint a picture too far left.

Put me down for Thompson. I like Hunter, but you are right about his chances. All the rest, I sorry, right now, today, I can't convine myself that I could vote for them.

That is figgin sad, because that feels like admitting that America is lost as a Constitutional entity...

[ThePythonicCow]

I’m shocked at the number that will vote ‘R’ no matter what.

Better to shoot ones foot off, than to blow ones brains out.

[Grunthor]

“Wonder what the new conservative party will be called if one of the RINOs is nominated?”

Free Republican Party?

[TomGuy]

I believe Thompson has disavowed CFR

He only disavowed some parts (non-specific) and said it didn't work the way it was intended.

[Randy Larsen]

If it ain’t Hunter or Thompson...I’m out!

NO MORE RINOS!

[Eagles6]

Do you think that we could convince Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter to run on the same ticket?

[fiftymegaton]

—John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani—

Who are four candidates that represent zero improvement over President Bush?

[processing please hold]

Look at Hunter’s stats. He’s the perfect candidate.

[txhurl]

If any of the positions are a deal breaker and you stay home, you are helping elect a rat who will bring *every one* of the dealbreakers with him or her.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I am 110% pro-strong defense. Without a secure nation, nothing else really matters now, does it? Sealing the borders goes hand-in-hand with our security. I want a President who is strong on national defense & who will put an immediate end to illegal immigration.

[Lurking Libertarian]

I know the poll has just been put up, but I’m shocked at the number that will vote ‘R’ no matter what.

The only two candidates without 3 or more Xs are Hunter and Thompson, with a combined vote total in NH of 2%. Which perhaps explains why some are willing to consider other possibilites.

[wagglebee]

The way I see it, the best conservative is Duncan Hunter, but he has gained no traction and it doesn’t seem like he has tried to hard. That leaves Fred Thompson as a VERY CLOSE second (CFR is crap but we’re stuck with it until the Supreme Court decides to overturn it). Everyone else on your list is pretty much unacceptable.

(Oh, and the Ron Paul wingnut contingent here will probably start complaining that you left the only “true” constitutionalist off the list.)

[Clara Lou]

We could be facing a terrible dilemma. Especially given the fact that Obama or Hillary is the likely Dim nominee. I don’t know if I could stand and watch and not vote against them. ~sigh~

[stockstrader]

Good poll, Jim. I would separate abortion and gay rights, though—two entirely different issues.

[jim from nebraska]

I like Thompson also how do we get some light for him. The guys who look like winners now will be a nose holder when I go vote. I hope Fred can bring it up in S.C.

[BreitbartSentMe]

I’m shocked at the number that will vote ‘R’ no matter what.

I will vote 'R' no matter what, because for me, I see the very real possibility of a couple of retirements from SCOTUS - those liberal justices are just hanging on hoping against hope that a Dem wins in November so they can finally retire. I may not be that enamored of whoever a Republican President will nominate, however I am assured it will STILL be a hundred-times better than anyone a Dem would nominate. Those of you who are saying a loss of the WH in 2008 means a greater possibility of a win in 2012 and beyond are not remembering that a couple of justices retiring in the meantime will affect the courts for decades.

[pillut48]

Not bad! :-)

[pissant]

Not a bad stab at it Jim. I’d include global warming alarmist in the mix. This fraudulent issue is being touted by at least 4 of the idiots. With Huck and McCain completely immersed in Gorgasms.