I watched the Republican debate on CNN while simutaneously switching back and forth to Hannity & Colmes to watch the Fred Thompson interview.
McCain is really starting to alienate Conservatives with his immigration bill. Moreover; he responds by asking detractors to come up with something else. Romney last night answered this question, though I have a feeling McCain missed it and is still walking around today believing that he can still use the “do you have anything better to offer?” line. Romney said that the visas issued to the 12 millions illegals should not be permanent. Rather, they should be temporary. In his words, to do otherwise is “not fair” to all Americans.
I did not like that Thompson split-voted during Clinton’s impeachment. Basically, Fred Thompson presented himself as a good potential and I would have to support him. However; Mitt Romey is still my favorite among the official candidates.
Ann Coulter was interview on H&C immediately afterwards and made two excellent points:
1.) Thompson is a true conservative from a very conservative state. What this means is that Thompson had to live up to a minimum amount of conservatism to get elected in Tennessee. Romney on the other hand holds many of the same values but manages to get elected as a red-stater in a massive blue-state.
2.) Since Thompson was elected as a conservative in a red-state, we are left to judge him on the outside points. According to Ann Coulter, the split vote on the Clinton investigation was indeed one of those moments and in fact Thompson failed that test.
The fact that Romney got elected in a blue state holds A LOT of weight. He is not shy in answering McCain’s shamnesty bill and is excellent on spending.
At this point, it’s very hard for me to give all of my support to just one of them. I will make sure to observe in the weeks to come before making my final decision.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
Comments
Rasmussen is reporting Thompson as second in the polls and he hasn’t even declared:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/2008_republican_presidential_primary
Thought some might find that interesting.
I really like Fred. I also like Romney- It doesn’t bother me that he’s a mormon, but I wonder: how will the rest of america feel?
Well, as a racist and homophobic Republican, I have to say that I can’t understand what being a mormon would have to do with anything. A faith is a faith, and their faith teaches respect and kindness just as Christianity does.
Besides, he isn’t trying to convert us. It’s nice that some people out there at least have a faith.
Sorry to join this so late. I’m not sold on Mitt. He had too many conversions on the road to Pennsylvania Avenue. I don’t doubt that he is a conservative, but anybody who waffles like that is a career politician offering more of the same.
Fred may have a few flaws. I know of a couple of things that he supported that I don’t appreciate, but he is the real deal. He doesn’t triangulate or back off from his past, and he is a sound conservative.
I’m really thinking electability combined with conservativeness. I think the two candidates who have the best shot in the general election are Fred and Rudy. Fred is the true conservative, but I’d vote for Rudy too despite my misgivings about some of his positions. Mitt isn’t electable in a general election regardless of how you feel about his credentials.
You need to bump Fred to #1, Steve. I’m holding off on a firm endorsement for now. But I don’t mind handicapping the race.
Watch Rudy take the Mass Presidential Primary or ABM (Anyone but Mitt).
Mitt’s see-sawing on issues isn’t his only problem. As a Republican Governor of Massachusetts he had no coat-tails. Romney has a lakeside manse in NH and has been doting on the GOP up there since his election to Governor of Massachusetts. in 02′. He unloaded more Republicans from state government than the current Democrat.
I served on the GOP State Committee (eighty members, by senate disticts) for 12 years and rarely did a sitting governor (titular head of the party) convey greater alienation. Loyalty for Romney is only a matter of convenience, hardly an ethic.
Frankly, Massachusetts isn’t a “king-making” state and went for McCain over Bush 7 years ago.