Posted on 01/28/2008 6:47:42 AM PST by TornadoAlley3
Yesterday, I caught up with Mitt Romney supporter Bay Buchanan. Buchanan talked with me via phone from Florida, where she had just attended a John McCain rally (she gets a better feel for the race when she sees what the enemy is up to).
As you might imagine, this outspoken conservative had a lot to say about Sen. McCain:
"We can't trust who he's going to put on the court," she says of McCain. When I ask Buchanan if McCain is a real conservative, she replies with the words one conservative reserves for another when talking about a 'squishy' Republican: "He's not one of us." So what about the recent controversy over "timetables"? According to Buchanan, at the last debate, McCain was especially hurt by Tim Russert's question regarding McCain's admission that he didn't know as much about economics as he would like to. So why did McCain resurrect the months-old issue of timetables? Simple: "He had to change the topic," Buchanan says.
When I asked her about Romney's conservative credentials, she assures me: "He's one of us." And on the Life issue, this long-time pro-Life activist says of Romney: "He's not only solid on life, he's a real convert."
She also adds this interesting endorsement of Romney:
"When it comes to immigration, he's as solid as Tom Tancredo." Putting philosophy aside, and focusing on the horse race aspect of the campaign, Buchanan believes momentum is moving toward Mitt Romney, and that Romney is picking up most of the Fred Thompson supporters.
She also believes the endorsements McCain has received, such as Sen. Tom Coburn, Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. Mel Martinez, and Gov. Charlie Crist, have more to do with the establishment mentality than with ideology. She reminds me: "There's a good 'ol boy attitude in the Senate." She also notes that Mitt Romney is running against Washington, and that probably bothers some of the people who are currently serving in Washington.
Amen, exactly how I feel. If those are the choices I will vote Hildy is it seems close.
and McCain is better?
Though I dislike McCain more that I am comfortable disliking anyone, the Republican Party is fairly well destroyed.
You don't believe it is a coincidence that the two parties look rather similar, do you?
It is about money and power. There is nothing in either Party's mind about what is right for America.
I would be happy to give you some examples, but with little thought you would have plenty.
A fellow senator said as much.
I stand corrected on her personal accomplishments.
However, her brother was also in the Reagan administration but he has since left the party (both actually and philosophically). Did she not leave with him?
They are both unacceptable, as are Giuliani and Huckabee. The fact is this race is down to four RINOs and a libertarian. I will vote for the GOP candidate against Hillary or Obama, but recognize that either McCain or Romney will govern to the left of President Bush, who is certainly no conservative.
Your information regarding Juan Hernandez and the McCain campaign should tell everyone all they need to know about McCain. When McCain stated that “he get’s it now” re illegal immigration, he obviously does not, and is working behind the scenes with pro-illigal immigration proponents. The guy is a menace and is unstable.
Amazing how many or Romney's positions have been distorted here. Tom Tancredo was my first choice, but now Romney is the most conservative running.
The problem with Conservatives is that they are always looking for purity. OK Mitt flipped on certain issues. He being a Mormon I can’t see him ever being a pro-choice crusader (a pragmatist yes, a crusading ideologue def. not). I think there is a certain disdain for pragmatists in many conservative circles. If ever pragmatism is needed among those who lean rightward it is now. Ronald Reagan is dead, and getting deader by the day. Yes, he was an “icon” around which many stripes of conservatives could rally, but the fact is that’s not what’s happening now. Conserv-atives will lament about not throwing their principles away. You don’t have to, but rigidity will break you. It’s something like drawing a line in the sand. If a candidate is 7 out of 10 on the issues I think important compared to the opponent who is a 0 out of 10. I’d be content because I know I am not going to get an 8 out of 10 or a 9 out of 10. Constant kvetching will only give me more acid reflux.
The problem with Conservatives is that they are always looking for purity. OK Mitt flipped on certain issues. He being a Mormon I can’t see him ever being a pro-choice crusader (a pragmatist yes, a crusading ideologue def. not). I think there is a certain disdain for pragmatists in many conservative circles. If ever pragmatism is needed among those who lean rightward it is now. Ronald Reagan is dead, and getting deader by the day. Yes, he was an “icon” around which many stripes of conservatives could rally, but the fact is that’s not what’s happening now. Conserv-atives will lament about not throwing their principles away. You don’t have to, but rigidity will break you. It’s something like drawing a line in the sand. If a candidate is 7 out of 10 on the issues I think important compared to the opponent who is a 0 out of 10. I’d be content because I know I am not going to get an 8 out of 10 or a 9 out of 10. Constant kvetching will only give me more acid reflux.
Romney talks a good game, but so does McCain, at least now. The powers that be in the Republican Party may not succeed in getting amnesty, but they will continue with the status quo in this regard: weak borders and no crackdown. Romney’s record in Massachusetts was more liberal, certainly on social matters, than was McCain’s record in the Senate. I hold little hope that he will govern as a conservative, much less run as a conservative in the general election.
No, I think we all would rather complain about Fred Thompson dropping out, and how the GOP is dead without another Reagan. Then we can all cry while we sit at home at watch Hillary/Obama win in a landslide because of our bruised egos, and watch them backstab Iraq as soon as they start their victory speech.
At least it’ll give all the Iraq vets something to talk about 20 years, how they were screwed over just like a generation ago.
I’m a Fred head going for Romney.
“When it comes to immigration, he’s as solid as Tom Tancredo.”
Why didn’t Tancredo endorse him?
I agree with you, all we have to choose from is RINOs. My hope is that Romney will listen to those who elected him, that we can push him to the right. I do not know that, but I know McCain will only move more left. I have no doubt about that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.