In general the “hanging with while he’s still hanging on” philosophy risks McCain getting Florida. Stopping McCain in Florida is the most important goal, and that won’t happen voting for a candidate who:
1) Cannot win because he has no ability to compete in major media markets in the big states Feb 5
2) Is splitting the anti McCain vote, much too dangerously in Florida
3) Cannot do anything in a brokered convention because in 850 million dollar races the big donors will not tolerate elevating a 50 delegate candidate over a 1000 delegate candidate. And 50 delegates doesn’t buy a VP slot over a 500 delegate candidate. If his glowing principles are to be the reason to be VP, he gets that with or without 50 delegates. So . . . there’s no upside to risking McCain in Florida
In the final analysis it is all about last year. The enormous earthquake of conservative rage at McCain’s Amnesty Bill was the single most profound act of the right wing anger since the 2000 attempt by Gore to steal Florida.
To act now in any way that REWARDS McCain for his treachery last year — for his literal sneering in the face of conservatism — renders that entire event last year nothing more than mere petulance. The shouts were that “he will pay”. ANY act taken now to allow him to escape punishment defiles the dignity of last year’s victory.
And so, the choice is clear. It is not one of voting FOR Romney which is a concept the Thompson folks won’t want to fully embrace. It is, rather, one of honoring last year’s effort and punishing the perpetrator.
I agree with you that, unfortunately, we are now at a point where stopping McCain has to be top priority for conservatives; It is not just because McCain is a RINO, which all of the non-Fred candidates are, but he is a VINDICTIVE one who will do everything possible to screw conservatives at every turn if he were elected President. From taxes to “global warming” to the selection of Judges, you can be sure that it will be the liberal media and Democrats who will have more influence over a “President McCain” than conservative Republicans. He’ll sell out conservative principles at every turn.
Further, you can GUARANTEE that the minute he is elected he will once again shove amnesty down our throats - and with likely gains for Democrats in Congress he might be successful this time. 20 Million legalized illegal aliens and tens of million more of their relatives will mean CONSERVATIVES WILL BE FINISHED DEMOGRAPHICALLY in a relatively short time. A good argument can be made that politically-speaking we would have an easier time stopping a President Hillary from pushing amnesty than a President McCain.
I supported Fred more than 100 Percent, was a speaker for him here at the Nevada Caucus, and WISH things had turned out different in this campaign. So many “could have beens” and “should have beens”. Like many of us, I am angry and frustrated over this entire nominating process and searching for answers as to how a majority conservative political party could be in this position. But we can’t keep our heads buried in the sand. Fred’s staying in the race, especially in Florida, unfortunately will continue to help siphon anti-McCain conservative votes without him having any realistic chance of winning at this point.
I do NOT like any of the remaining candidates (Most particularly, the Huckster is indeed that - a total fraud who I would also never support). But right now, the most important thing for conservatives is to recognize the incredibly difficult position we are now in and very quickly face reality and pull together. If we don’t quickly coalesce around an anti-McCain challenger we may NOT be able to stop him. For real conservatives, THAT should be our priority. If we don’t, we may end up in a position where we would be asked to choose between “winning” with McCain or “losing” with Hillary Clinton...a fate that we can only avoid if we act NOW!!!