Add to that short list, limited govt, opposed to amnesty, no special rights for gays ---- for anyone, no promoting CFR or envirowacko global warming bunkum.
Just a friendly reminder.
“How many times must I say FR is a conservative site? We do not support abortionism, homosexualism, feminisim, environmentalism, gun control, liberalism, socialism, etc, etc, etc. When I say I suspect we will become even more conservative than we already are, possibly via attrition if nothing else, what do you think I’m referring to? When FR starts pushing hard and I mean hard against abortion, gay marriage, homosexual education forced on our school children, pandering to illegal aliens, gun control, McCaine-Feingold type usurpation, global warming, etc, etc, even if supported or advanced by the GOP, then I fully suspect certain types of moderate/liberal Republican supporters are probably going to be a little uncomfortable here. We will be fighting for traditional American conservatism no matter who we have to fight against and I’m afraid that’s going to piss off some folks.”
~~~ Jim Robinson, 3/2/07 LINK
I kept it to four. I could put 15 items there, personally. But those 4 are musts. I say musts because other criteria has shaky chances in any candidate. Other than Ron Paul, no candidate seems interested in a serious philosophical challenge to the size and scope of the federal government, or at least has done anything to demonstrate it in any meaningful way. (And Paul is disqualified for other reasons). Other than Hunter, all the GOP candidates seem in favor of some convoluted immigration reform. (Fortunately, Hunter’s fence was signed into law). And most folks could live with green and/or gay friendly IF that were their only sins.
But my original 4 items are absolutes.