I like Hunter, but I haven’t developed such a dislike for any of the rest of the Republicans mentioned yet as to contemplate not voting Republican no matter, considering the alternative.
That said, I don’t think the position on abortion actually matters. As long as the house and senate are closely split, the President has no real chance of changing anything, and as long as the President, if a Republican, doesn’t sell out via court appointments, that’s not a problem. The gay rights issue is more problematic because on that one the issue is blurry across party lines and what a president thinks probably would matter. I don’t see much movement on gun control regardless of election outcome.
The amnesty/immigration issue is a big one, and it is the one which should make quite a difference in the election outcome. Right now I don’t think most politicians have worked through their positions, nor the voters either, though they are clear on the fact that they don’t want so many illegals running around, and don’t want to give them anything.
Nanny State and Tax and Spend are big problems. The natural impulse of the congress is to lapse into both these modalities, and a president who is predisposed toward either or both could do a lot of damage.
I don’t elevate campaign finance reform to the pantheon level in my political thinking because I don’t think a president would devote much energy to that issue anyway.
The flip-flopping is annoying, but I am tolerant of it until the nominations are made. There are some issues that a candidate probably has not read or thought much about, and not many of them want to look dumb by answering that they don’t know or aren’t sure.
For me, the war on terror, dealing with islamic extremism, and absolute commitment to a strong military, and proper respect for and treatment of veterans is the elephant I expect to see in any candidate’s living room if he expects to get my vote. If he isn’t absolutely committed to that, forget him.
I believe Thompson also supported the Lautenberg bill.
Abortion is murdering the most helpless. It's an abomination as is gay marriage.
For me, the war on terror, dealing with islamic extremism, and absolute commitment to a strong military, and proper respect for and treatment of veterans is the elephant I expect to see in any candidate’s living room if he expects to get my vote. If he isn’t absolutely committed to that, forget him.
Which is why I support Hunter. Those are his issues as well.
All one needs to do is find the candidate that most closely fits their own ideas and beliefs. I found that in Hunter.