Gay Conservative

Ok.  I lied.  A couple of months ago, I said on this very blog that I would endorse nobody in the GOP primary.  My intent was to maintain unity against the Hillary machine (though Obama seems primed).  I am, today, going to give my anti-climatic endorsement for the GOP primary.  This is primarily because of the “hot” candidate who seems to be the talk of the primaries – Mike Huckabee.  Though I will vote for Huckabee if he the GOP’s nominee, I believe he is not the best choice for the GOP.

I will officially cast my lot with former Senator Fred Thompson for the GOP nomination.  Among the current frontrunners, Fred is the only true conservative.  I will agree with Steve that Duncan Hunter is a more pure conservative than any.  I would vote for Hunter in a heartbeat, but Fred is best positioned when it comes to the primaries.  I have nothing but respect for Fred and his positions.  I disagree with his support of McCain-Feingold, but that is his only strike with me.

Fred has garnered the support of the National Right To Life Committee.  His support of socially and fiscally conservative positions as a Senator is impeccable.  He, along with John McCain, did not favor a Federal Marriage Amendment which would preclude myself and my partner, Patrick, from marrying if we so choose.  That won’t gain him many points with evangelicals, but many have chosen to overlook that in favor of his incredible conservative credentials.  This is a plus for me and a tribute to his staunch embrace of federalism.

Rush Limbaugh struck first, so I consider it fair game.  Mike Huckabee is not the best choice for our party.  His social views are acceptable.  But he is a fiscal populist.  I have been critical of President Bush for the same reasons.  The former GOP majority in Congress spent money like drunken sailors.  That is part of the reason that they are now a minority.  The secret that no one seems to address is that Bush enabled their addiction to spending.  I can’t deal with that.

Huckabee seems to have a similar affinity for this and has a record for embracing taxes.  His past statements on AIDS and other issues also makes him vulnerable to the press.  I am not sure that Huck has the ability to win over the voters in a general election.  As I said before, I am concentrated on seeing the GOP retain the White House in 2008.  And I will speak my mind to help that effort.  I do not believe that Huckabee will be the answer.  I may slap myself a year from now, but I feel that I need to speak up as we approach the primaries.

Giuliani and Romney would be good choices.  I am not here to sink them.  I would gladly support either.  But given my choice, I feel that Fred Thompson is head and shoulders above the rest.  Fred has been lackluster in his campaign, but he still has a shot.  I hope that GOP voters will take time to examine his record and determine, as I have, that Fred is the one true, viable conservative in this year’s race for the GOP presidential nomination.