I have been given the finger by the GOP since 1988. They always torpedo the conservative, then run the establishment repub against some sort of socialist.
I am not stamping my feet, throwing a tantrum, or whatever,, BUT, there simply comes a point, where it’s insulting for them to always think they get my support, but are not required to ever support MY candidates or causes in return.
And no,, a conservative for veep will not work this time. I as a conservative, must have the wheel for a change.
Easy there, DR.
I understand exactly where you come from. Name me one, one, “solid conservative” candidate running for POTUS on the GOP side that had a chance in Hell of actually winning the primary vote in any race since 1988?
Steve Forbes? Maybe?
Who else?
That’s right. Not really anyone else. Do realize and understand that as the GOP “base” has expanded (more people aligning themselves as moderate or conservative) we are assuming a large number of former independents and Democrats. People who can’t stomach the all-out Bolshevism of modern day Democrats but who are also not Ayn Rand fans either. For people like these, McCain or Dole or....Romney....are perfectly safe and acceptable.
We have had exactly one “real conservative” President in the last 150 years per the current definition. Reagan. Prior to him, “establishment” types Ford or Nixon or Eisenhower. Before that? Herbert Hoover. TR? Great on foreign policy but a real “squish” at home on unions and social policy. The alphabet soup of the latter half of the 1800s. Then, Abe. The ultimate human right’s leader who also championed the supremacy of the federal government over the states in anathema to the “real” conservative today. The only other I can think of that today’s conservatives might seriously gravitate to is.......JFK.
We may all pine away for the next Reagan. In truth, they are rare and seldom people while the rest of history is filled with something in-between that sometimes do great or not so great things. There is no Reagan running today. There may potentially be one in the waiting among the viable potential candidates later down the road, but not today.
You may call it “holding your nose,” but, I call it doing what most GOP voters have done for the last century and half. And, if in so doing, it brings the bow of the country further back toward the starboard than the port, I am content with it. Given the circumstances, it’s the best I can hope for within this Federalist system that I so dearly respect and love.