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.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
Comments
My opinions:
Huck = landslide victory for any Dem candidate.
Hunter = sickened me with his anti-gay views on 60 minutes last week.
Romney = Is the John Edwards of the Republican Party (Pretty smile but no substance.)
Fred Thompson = ???????? It’s been months and he doesn’t seem to be even trying.
Giuliani = IS THE MAN! I want the toughest prick we can put in the White House, and I think he’s the one. No more trying to make the world and the Dems and the Christian right happy.
I appreciate the input, Mike, but this is exactly what I was hoping to avoid by withholding my nomination for so long. I don’t want to get into a compare and contrast bout of GOP candidate-bashing in the primaries. Our main goal is to stop the Dems from moving in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Any one of the GOP candidates would be better for the nation than any of the Dem candidates. I know that for a fact.
I love Duncan and Rudy and Mitt and McCain. I even like Huck although I find him to be way out of line when it comes to our chances in 2008. I just think that Fred has the best credentials among the viable contenders. I don’t want us to nominate someone like Huck who, at this point, seems to be an easy pick-off for the Dems. And I strongly disagree with his fiscal policies and lack of foreign policy background.
To be honest right now, I am even giving John McCain and his resurgent candidacy a second look. I just don’t want to see the Dems control both the Presidency and Congress. Time is growing near, and there are a lot of possible scenarios. It’s wide open, and I’m not sure what to expect 2 months from now.
Please folks, don’t bash. Be constructive in your assessments. I for one don’t want my words to come back and haunt me.
I would love to see Fred in the White House. The other candidates are good, save for Huckabee who seems to be a bit of a loose cannon. But Fred I think will get votes from across the Aisle- he’s very charismatic and smart.
Merry Christmas Eve!
We shouldn’t forget Dr. Ron Paul. In truth, most of my wacky Sedona friends are voting Ron Paul — and they have to register Republican to do so here. Most of these folks have never considered voting Republican in their lives.
I forgot about Paul. He’s so forgettable. Raising lots of money, but the man is marginal at best.
Okay I’m guessing this serious talk about Ron Paul is just to give me heart failure on Christmas Eve? Let’s cut it out folks!
We don’t want to see our women being fitted for burkas anytime soon.
Nobody here loves Ron Paul. Settle down, Stevo. I’m just shocked that you didn’t beat the crap out of me for officially supporting Fred.
Nah, I don’t “hate” Fred. I will vote for any Republican nominated that is against a Democrat. I just felt it necessary to support my favorite which was Hunter. By the way, what anti-gay remarks did he make, Mike?
I’ll vote for Fred if he gets the nomination, but I’m still voting for Rudy in the primary. If the Huckster or Romney get the nomination though, I’m going Independent.
Steve, I just wrote a long comment, and the page crashed, so it didn’t publish. Ugh. Oh well. So, I’ll just log-off with this:
Happy New Year, my friends!
Sorry I can’t forget that Fred didn’t vote to impeach William Jefferson Clinton. A big negative for me.
Plus he looks ghastly and he is a Senator and worked for Hollywood.
I prefer my candidates to have executive experience. I never trust lawyers.