In 2006, we had Mark Foley and Jack Abramoff to deal with if I'm not mistaken. In 2008, I saw a slew of RINOS and a crazed libertarian running for president.
Tancredo was a one issue politician and not very good with that issue. Hunter, although a good man, has about as much charisma as Dukakis. Thompson could have done well against Obama but I don't think his heart was really in it.
That only left Captain Queeg.
Good points.
In 2008, I saw a slew of RINOS and a crazed libertarian running for president.
I called them front runners...the RINOs anyways. They raised millions of dollars and polled well. Not like Tanc or Hunter.
Tancredo was a one issue politician and not very good with that issue. Hunter, although a good man, has about as much charisma as Dukakis.
Despite those flaws I thought Hunter and Tancredo did exceptionally poorly when conventional wisdom around here was the GOP's watered down message was the problem.
Thompson could have done well against Obama but I don't think his heart was really in it.
You are right. Thompson entered the race to siphon conservative votes from the Huckster and help his good buddy John McCain win the nomination. Thompson was my guy too. Can't believe I didn't see it at the time.
I think it is possible the amazingly inept campaign run by Dr Keyes in 2006,
or complete slobbering Obama adulation of the media,
or abject disgust for war hero McCain by Rush, Hannity, and Savage (Perhaps the real, and unelected conservative leadership) until the nomination was won...
might have had something to do with the election of Osama in 2008 despite McCain's inspired choice of Palin for VP.
Where are the elected conservatives of stature to run against 0 in 2012. I like Palin but I don't know if she wants it. If we look at our farm team of US Senators, only 15 GOP senators voted against the wall street bailout. 4 have lost, quit, or will quit in 2010. And that is just one issue. Add earmarks, excessive govenment spending, amnesty, and personal misconduct and there are probably a half dozen US Senators that most Freepers could agree on as a solid conservative. Take out age and health issues and there are maybe 3 viable Presidental candidates out of the bunch. Out of those candidates maybe only one of them wants the job.
If conservatism is so popular why do so few conservatives hold state wide seats like Senator, or Governor outside of states like AL KS MS OK and WY?
I find that strange.