I know for me, that although it's important that the candidate have a conservative track record - that is not the ONLY criteria I use.
McCain is definitely trending more liberal in the last few years, while Romney has been trending more conservative. But beyond that, there has got to be a nicely rounded package. Look at the packages:
McCain: old, bitter, angry, vindictive, long-time incumbent DC rooster, stick it to the conservatives and suck up to the democrats. He's not a very good speaker (WAY over uses the term "my friend" - what a phoney) and he is generally acknowledged by other politicians to be certifiably insane. The thought of him being the President scares me to death.
Huckabee: no gravitas whatsoever. He has a funny sounding name, looks like Gomer Pyle & his family (especially his sons) - I'm sorry - they don't belong in the White House. Not to mention that he oozes populism and exhibits a seething resentment of Mitt Romney's money. He is Jimmy Carter all over again. I don't understand why a preacher would want to go into politics - the sleaziest profession in the world. I've read the story about his fat jerk redneck son torturing and hanging a stray dog at camp & Huckabee covering his a$$. A person that could raise a child that would do such a thing - that raises red flags all over the place for me. I also feel like he is lying through his teeth when he says he & McCain don't have some kind of deal between them. The trick he pulled in WV, although legal - was scummy in my book & not worthy of someone calling himself a preacher of God's word. Huckabee strikes me as a mean nasty man - I could go on & on about the things I don't like about him. Oh, and did you know that he is #6 on Judicial Watch's "10 Most Corrupt Policitians of 2007"? Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007
Romney: Not my first or second choice - although now I wish I had supported him earlier. He really is the candidate that has the most going for him. He is photogenic, has plenty of money (and is spending lots of it - putting his money where his mouth is) an excellent speaker, he has a nice family & the story about him & his wife being childhood sweethearts is just so very nice. I don't guess anyone can dig up much dirt on him, or they would have already. He's a Morman - who cares? Every Mormon I've ever met is super nice, straight and hardworking - only a super bigot would hold his religion against him. He has a proven record of being able to handle fiscal matters very well & even though he has taken some liberal positions in the past - he is head and shoulders above the other two candidates still in the running. He has held himself with impeccable grace and good manners - he is a consummate gentleman - and he has CLASS. On a stage debating the old hag Hillary or the young, vibrant Obama - he would carry himself very well.
We are now at the point where we will not have a perfect candidate. We must pick the best that are left & McCain & Huckabee just have too much baggage. We need to stop nit-picking or we will have another Clinton in the White House.
On a stage debating the old hag Hillary or the young, vibrant Obama - he would carry himself very well.
Point, Romney is confident, well informed and can articulate it, he is ready to debate either Democrat with Russert, Matthews, Blitzer, Oberman.