Gotta get this off my chest first:
McCain IS a true American, and I would shun anyone unwilling to stipulate that or to infer otherwise. I would even concede that socialist Hitlery is a true American, but I’m not so willing to say the same about Marxist SnObama.
/annoyed
I’ve stated here at FR several times during the last couple months that the conditions that were present in 1970 for Buckley’s Senate win are quite similar to this environment - that what was needed was a good conservative candidate who had good name recognition. However, I have been unable to think of an appropriate person, and yes, I did consider Keyes. (I supported him in ‘00, and have been on his mailing lists since.) Unfortunately, his IL loss really hurt him for this, I’m afraid, in my opinion. I might be wrong, but I think it was fatal for this purpose. I really wish I knew someone who would work, but I simply can’t. We really would need a “perfect” candidate - someone with presence, with name recognition or at least who would be immediately known, with consistent values and strong unblemished record of leadership - probably a governor or industry leader.
Two reasons contribute to the difficulty with a “conservative” run this year:
1. America really can not afford to lose the WoT, and this is going to make it extremely difficult for most conservatives to vote for someone other than McCain, _unless_ that “other” has a legitimate probability to win. Several other years, given these two candidates, this would not be the case, and it wouldn’t be quite as important that Conservatives field a “perfect” candidate with great name recognition and stage presence. However, this year, McCain’s strong stances supporting Bush on this most important conservative issue really blunts the strength of a third-party run from the right. I’m not sure that its even possible for there to be such an issue of power in any Senate race, and there certainly wasn’t in 1970. The presidency is different.
2. I know it is fashionable among super-conservatives to say McCain is simply a Demodog with “R” behind his name. However, most others who are willing to look at the actual issues, rather than the red-bait issues where McCain goes against the wishes of conservatives (including me) recognize that simply isn’t true. There is a vast difference between the positions of Hitlery/SnObama and McCain on a large number of issues. He really IS more “moderate” than “liberal”. Of course that’s why I don’t really like him, nor do you, but it’s lying to say there’s no difference. (Buckley was far different from the nearly indistinguishable D & R in ‘70.) I don’t think sufficient numbers might be willing to dilute the power of their vote to support a chancy third party run, especially given #1.
I’ll keep an open mind about this, and keep an eye on whether Keyes can get any traction, and would assist a viable candidacy, but I just don’t see that is going to be able to happen with Keyes this year. I’ll be surprised if he could poll more than 1% by mid-summer. Ironically, the stronger McCain gets, the more likely a conservative could pull this off. It is certainly true that the Dems are trying to help strengthen McCain sufficiently to make it more possible. It is unfortunately (and strangely) true that in a 3-way, a Hitlery steal would yield more Keyes support than if the three were McCain/ Keyes/ SnObama.
Long post... hope it satisfies you.
You write:
“McCain IS a true American, and I would shun anyone unwilling to stipulate that or to infer otherwise. I would even concede that socialist Hitlery is a true American, but I’m not so willing to say the same about Marxist SnObama.”
Well, I’m not happy with McCain — and I’m sure you know the drill.
However, I strongly agree, Obama is in a class all by himself.
Even Hitlery seems benign next to Obama!
His association with rev. Wright’s black liberation theology...
>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990117/posts<
... and his most recent statements confirm, that he is the most un-American candidate for President in our history.
>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001084/posts<
Keeping him from becoming President is my #1 priority.
At the same time I would like to see Dr. Keyes as our next President.
You write:
“We really would need a ‘perfect’ candidate - someone with presence, with name recognition or at least who would be immediately known, with consistent values and strong unblemished record of leadership”
Except for “name recognition” I think the above describes Dr. Keyes well!
Why is that so hard to remedy?
Would not all the conservative talk shows have to support him?
He is, after all, the conservative Rush and others ALL claim to be... right?
You further write:
“I’ll keep an open mind about this, and keep an eye on whether Keyes can get any traction, and would assist a viable candidacy”
I think that would be fair enough.
At least one should give Dr. Keyes a chance before closing the door on his candidacy.
You also say:
“Ironically, the stronger McCain gets, the more likely a conservative could pull this off.”
Hmmmm!
That’s VERY interesting!
Thanks for your post!
STE=Q