[Rate_Determining_Step]

I don’t know how to respond further. Should I just shut up and stay in my place?

You have all but stated that you cannot be convinced that your position isn’t the right one.

Tell me, if (IF) Romney got the nomination, would you vote for him?

They could dig up Mark Hatfield if he won the nomination, I’d crawl over broken glass to vote for him or ANYBODY. If that’s what it took to rid ourselves of Obama.

Clearly, with both men, there are many issues which have been “changed”, “clarified” and basically flip-flopped over the years. They are both (usually) saying the right things now.

However, who transgressed under little or no pressure? Remember, Gingrich came from a longstanding Red State and Romney from a Blue. He was under no pressure what-so-ever to “temper” his views. They just came from his fertile mind. As well, they’re more recent.

So how can we judge a man? What other character attributes can one draw on? For me, it’s his marriage vows which are the most apparent. Is there a better indicator of one’s integrity? I can’t think of one.

With that in mind, my choice was easy. Even though I’d love to see Newt pinch hit in one (ok all) debates with Obama.

On a range of important issues (2nd am, life, immigration, etc.) one WILL BE the #1 issue regardless of what I or anybody else cares about. The economy. We’re at a Europe-level tipping point here. And News loses those credentials flat. He shows as much deference to capitalism as your average democrat - “Vulture Capitalism” (Really!?)

With that kind of mindset, if he wins the nomination, the argument will between two experts who distrust the American people to freely conduct business with each other.

The socialism vs liberty clash is the battle that comes over the hill at dawn. That battle MUST be won.

[TheOldLady]

I'm sorry, I don't understand why you're talking to me. I answered a direct question from another FReeper, and neither the question nor the answer was addressed to you.

I am ordering neither the other person nor you to do or say anything, for I was merely stating the facts as I see them here. You are certainly free to state your opinion about anything at all and to vote for whomever you choose.

A good way to evaluate a candidate is by his record. If his rhetoric matches his record, we have a winner. However if the campaign speeches are forgotten after election day, then we have a sleazy political animal.

As far as a candidate's personal life goes, sometimes it is best to temper what one hears in the Mainly Slime Media with what the candidate says about the situation. the leftist media do tend to scandalize everything about a conservative and nothing about a liberal. I take everything they say with a grain of salt, and I certainly do not parrot their talking points about conservative candidates without hearing the conservative's side of the issue, a side that would weigh heavier in my mind than the MSM's version.

You are correct. The battle must be won.