Conservative core seeks a contender

The Los Angeles Times ^ | January 20, 2007 | Mark Z. Barabak

[Clintonfatigued]

For decades, the conservative movement has been the animating force of the Republican Party, providing the ideas and energy that catapulted candidates to the GOP presidential nomination and, often, the White House.

But as conservatives survey the 2008 field — and, particularly, the early Republican front-runners — many are despairing. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani have all broken with conservative orthodoxy at one time or another. Many activists have neither forgiven nor forgotten.

"There's absolutely no contender that is a bona fide conservative," said K.B. Forbes, who has worked for a number of conservative candidates and causes since the 1990s. "We have insiders, squishes and moderates running for president."

The candidate closest to the heart of social conservatives, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, plans to formally launch his White House bid today with a speech in Topeka. But even those who admire Brownback, and especially his Senate leadership opposing abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research, question the viability of his candidacy.

"Brownback has to prove he can win," said Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Land sees different problems for the three leading GOP hopefuls. "Most social conservatives at present are uncomfortable with McCain," he said. "They're appalled by Giuliani." As for Romney, Land said, "He has to convince social conservatives he's become one of them."

It's a striking state of affairs, given the ascendance of the conservative movement since 1964. Although he was crushed in the general election that year, Arizona's Barry Goldwater wrested the Republican Party from its Midwest and Eastern roots, starting a realignment that eventually turned the GOP into the party of Ronald Reagan, the Sunbelt and the

[Battle Axe]

You are correct that it will be a vote against Mormonism, the older evangelicals will not vote for Romney based on that.

That would split an otherwise core voting group. We need a candidate who can unite. Romney is not that person.

[proudofthesouth]

I know that he hasn't held any elected office.

Thats one of the reasons WHY I like him - he ISN'T a politican!

Yes, his chances are extremely slim but I still like him and would vote for him in a heartbeat!

[freedomdefender]

If I had to guess, it's going to end up being a Guiliani/Romney ticket or vice versa.

Then Hillary is our next president.

[Ben Ficklin]

"older evangelicals will not vote for Romney"

He can't carry Florida.

[airborne]

The LA Times writes a story like this, totally ignoring (on purpose, IMO) a bona fide conservative right in their own back yard!

DUNCAN HUNTER is that man!

http://www.issues2002.org/CA/Duncan_Hunter.htm

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Hunter does not have the executive experience to make it in a National Presidential election.

Tell me, when was the last time this country has elected a State Level Representative to the Presidency? There is also the money factor, public popularity, proven executive credibility not to mention gravitas.

The current political climate demands a moderate candidate excluding party affiliation. Neither party can win if they run on the most extreme side of their ideology. Both Party's are prone to this fact. And forget about even the most remote possibility that a 3rd party candidate can win.

[Dog Gone]

And the fact that JEB does not want the job in any way shape or form is a shame. He was one of the best Governors FL has ever had.

I wouldn't rule him out in the future. If his name was Jeb Patterson, he'd be a mortal lock for the nomination this time. But "Bush Fatigue" dooms him in 2008 and he knows it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I haven't seen any statistics that said turnout for Independents and usual non-voters was higher than normal.

You don't have any proof that "conservatives stayed home" either too.

[ASA Vet]

We lost almost 100,000 KIA in III.
It wasn't "cold."

[freedomfiter2]

That's why there should be a Giuliani/Hunter or a Romney/Hunter ticket for 2008.


Yeah, and then pray for an act of God to put a conservative in the Presidency the week after the inauguration.

[airborne]

The Media will point out his War Monger tendencies,...

Could you point out (specifically) his war mongering tendencies?

[onyx]

A non pol seeking the highest elected office in our land is somehow qualified?

Perhaps so, but leaders attract large followings and Cox literally has none.

I welcome all voices --- I want a full field of GOP candidates so that GOOD ideas are brought forth and debated and lousy ideas are refuted.

For example, I won't even consider voting for Brownback in the primary, but I like his flat tax proposal and look forward that issue being brought forth on the nation stage.

[Dog Gone]

Tell me, when was the last time this country has elected a State Level Representative to the Presidency?

Arguably nearly 130 years ago. James Garfield had been appointed Senator by the state legislature (back when we did it that way), but received the Republican nomination and was elected before he could be sworn in as Senator.

Other than that unusual case, none, zero, zilch.

[freedomfiter2]

Is Duncan Hunter this person??????


Seems like it.

[Eroteme]

It would make more sense if this John Cox person is a cybersquatter hoping Christopher Cox will buy up the cox2008.com domain.

[Blackirish]

It's gonna be Rudy ...Romney...or McCaine.

The nominee will need a full ground game and 20 mill cash by Sep....only star power can pull that off.

Anyone like Hunter who is totally unknown at this point is already toast.

Could be angling for a VP slot tho.

[onyx]

Agreed.

[billbears]

But a conservative who has held office (and still currently doing so), is continually elected by his constituency (electable), and represents a portion of the great state of Texas has formed an exploratory committee.

Unfortunately he will face an uphill battle against the 'mainstream' Republican party even though 99% of his stances are representative of Classical Liberalism and far more conservative than anything we've seen since Reagan. He's even a Republican!!

[Dog Gone]

I'm not sure I'd waste any further electrons discussing Cox. You have a better chance of being elected President.

[NRA2BFree]

We DO have REAL conservatives running for President. One is Duncan Hunter and another one is Tom Tancredo. I wish they would join together as a team. I would prefer it to be Hunter/Tancredo, but if it's Tancredo/Hunter, I would still be delighted!!!