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.

[CAluvdubya]

The only thing I see that's wrong is you left out the just downright "crazy" category. It's the one that only McCain has an "X" in.

This guy really scares me. We heard of FReepers first hand accounts of some of his rallies against "W". He's crazy alright!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I see what you mean. I could for for Mitt on the issues, if I could be convinced he has been a continual liar up to two years ago. But then I couldn’t vote for him because of bad character!

[Jet Jaguar]

Okay, try this.

What is your absolute deal killer?

Then state the factors.

After 2 days, then pose the question, Other than the (highest polled factor from yesterday) what would be a deal killer.

Then include the 2 highest factors being excluded, what would your answer be?

[Grunthor]

“Phil Gramm and Jack Kemp are supporting McCain.”

Sad to watch those men diminish themselves so.

[firebrand]

OK. Thanks.

[Jim Robinson]

You’re probably right. I gave him the benefit of the doubt rather than say he’s an outright gun grabber like Giulianni.

[roamer_1]

If Fred had been in the Senate, we would have sided with John Kyle and McCain, both his friends, and shoved immigration amnesty down our throats.

Agreed. "Path to citizenship" has passed Fred's lips. He is weak on amnesty and the border fence according to his own words.

[processing please hold]

:-)

[EternalVigilance]

Keyes is still the only one who is the whole package.

[Jim Robinson]

Our polling software was a quick and dirty and unfortunately only has ten slots. Had to do some doubling up. Consider the “/” as an “and” or an “or” as you wish. Either are just as bad in my book.

[mrsmel]

My big question is, what can we, the conservative voters, do, to make sure that the R leadership never ever can get away with a stunt like this again? Giving us such choices as completely do not represent most conservatives, to vote for as President?

[ThreeYearLurker]

Were dead, Jim. Poor Hunter has no chance.

[COgamer]

Ugh... once again I see the fine sentiment of conservatives to stand up for their principles has collapsed in the face of adversity. “I’ll vote R regardless” is in the lead? Don’t people understand this is *how* RINO’s have taken control of the GOP in the first place? How many times now has it been “just this last time I’ll plug my nose and vote?” We need to be more than just vote-slaves.

Very dispiriting. I wish there was a place for people who actually mean what they say when they say they are pro-life, or that they want controlled borders, or that they believe in the right to bear arms. These shouldn’t just be FAKE issues to attack democrats with. Infidelity shouldn’t have been a fake issue to attack Clinton with, and to ignore now that Giuliani is in the running.

Is there a party, anywhere, in America now for people with actual principles?

[what's up]

As far as I can tell, they all claim to be FOR strong national defense

And this is explicit proof why ANY ONE of these Repubs would be better than a Dem.

Far better if one believes that Defense if the #1 issue.

[Perchant]

Thompson needs a “W” at the very least on the first two.

There is a reason that Thompson will be supporting McCain after he drops out and that should be a factor in calculating his conservatism. If Thompson publicly proclaimed that he’d never support John McCain, I’d have to support him if Hunter was no longer in the race.

[LibLieSlayer]

I need a choice of “any of these kills the deal”!

LLS

[Jim Robinson]

Unfortunately, our polling software was a quick and dirty and only allows for ten items and is not very flexible.

[Jet Jaguar]

I did vote for the gun factor, My main issue.

But, Huckabee is good with that factor, but sucks with taxes and immigration positions and history.

I could only vote once.

The results for the Rino do not surprise me, only because the question is not clear, so the anti-rinos split their votes.

[Just another Joe]

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.

Depending on who gets the nod, I may not vote Republican, but I would never stay home.

[kingu]

My big question is, what can we, the conservative voters, do, to make sure that the R leadership never ever can get away with a stunt like this again? Giving us such choices as completely do not represent most conservatives, to vote for as President?

Only thing we can do - become the party leaders.