I do not support McCain, but I can tell you why I liked him more than Romney.
I am first and foremost a social conservative. Issues like the Second Amendment, Right to Life, traditional marriage, and family values are right now more important to me than small government, lower taxes and illegal immigration.
McCain has been solidly pro-life for 25 years. Although his record is not spotless, he has for the most part opposed gun control. And he does not support special rights for gays. ALL these were issues where Mitt Romney flipped.
I NEED conservative judges and justices. I was less likely to get them from a flipper.
Having said that, I would have voted for Romney without any problem if he got the nomination. Any of our candidates are better on any issue than the ‘Rats.
You don’t like McCain on illegal immigration? You think you would like Hillary more?
You don’t like McCain on entitlements? You think you would like Obama more?
Anyway, sorry I digressed.
The point is simple. Romney, McCain, and Huckabee are conservatives! But they are also all flawed in some areas. None of them are “as conservative as we would like.” None of them are “totally conservative.”
None of them unite the Reagan coalition of fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, and foreign policy conservatives.
Generally speaking the fiscal conservatives were behind Romney, the social conservatives are behind Huckabee, and the foreign policy conservatives are behind McCain.
Why is McCain winning? Conventional wisdom is that it is because he also draws in the indepedents and so-called “moderates.” But I have another theory.
I live in arguably the most Evangelical community in the country — Wheaton, IL. The home of Wheaton College (motto “For Christ and His Kingdom” and alma mater to Billy Graham). We have more churches than restaurants, gas stations and 7-Elevens combined. We voted last Tuesday and turnout was huge — I have never seen so many senior citizens at the polls ever, and it was snowing! And McCain carried our community with 56% of the vote. McCain beat Huckabee in the capitol of Evangelicalism!
You see, I think it is all the Seniors and Vietnam vets voting for McCain. Constituencies usually more likely to vote Democrat.
That hurts the ‘Rats. That is good for McCain. That is good for us. That is good for me getting my conservative judges and justices.
Don’t forget that Wheaton still doesn’t have any taverns, just liquor in restaurants. The Gables bar still stands outside of town surrounded the the rest of Wheaton! (Went to Wheaton College just one year, then transferred)
On that note I think the Almighty is allowing some liberal give here. GB was elected right before disaster from Satan struck. The President held firm and destroyed that wickedness. (Yes, I believe God is in charge of this nation)