I don't want to support any of them, and I won't until they earn it
I'm in the market for a candidate. But I'm not in a hurry.
By AcademicElephant Posted in 2008 — Comments (12) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Yesterday Erick decided to throw his hat in the Romney ring--fair enough, he has his reasons. Others among our contributors are leaning towards different candidates--Giuliani, McCain, Brownback--the usual suspects. I find I tend to lean towards whatever candidate's supporter I have communicated with last because I find their supporters among my friends much more persuasive than I do any of the candidates themselves. I'm not deadset against any of them, but none of them have given me a compelling reason to support them and they all have given me cause for concern. Among the frontrunners, I find Romney attractive and articulate and his being Mormon doesn't bother me, but I don't think he's done a particularly good job at being governor of Massachusetts and I'm not sure running the Olympics is the best preparation for taking on Islamo-facism. Giuliani is compelling and a scourge of evil doers both home and abroad, but let's face it, his personal life is a mess and he's pretty far to the left on social issues. McCain has the strongest track record on my hot-button issue, the war, and he's certainly experienced, but I don't agree with all of his strategic recommendations, McCain-Feingold is an abomination and personally he makes me nervous. In the second tier, I'm not finding anything amongst the Gingrichs, Brownbacks, Huckabees, etc. to excite me. Each is interesting in his own way, but they're not exactly setting the barn on fire.
So I don't want to support any of them. And I won't until they earn it.
Read on...
I voted for George Bush in the 2000 primary, but I wasn't really sold on him until he chose Dick Cheney as his running mate. It was a gutsy, out-side-the-box pick that indicated Mr. Bush understood his own weaknesses and was thinking as a leader, not as a stratician trying to pick up a certain number of electoral votes. At that point I actively engaged in the campaign and gave time, money and enthusiasm--in other words, grassroots support. And as I recall, this didn't happen until June of 2000, which would be some eighteen months away in terms of the current cycle, so I'm not giving up now. I very much hope that either one of the current candidates or an as yet unknown makes the sale between now and June, 2008. Don't get me wrong--in the 2008 general election I will hold my nose and vote for pretty much anything that will deliver us from President Hillary, President Obama, President Gore or whatever gargoyle the other side proposes. But I would like to do more than just pull a lever. I would like to find a candidate whose background and temperament make me enthusiastic about their candidacy--and excited about what they could do for our nation. So far, I have not found that candidate. But I'm in the market for one. I'm just not in a hurry.
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I don't want to support any of them, and I won't until they earn it 12 Comments (0 topical, 12 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Excuse me, if you would review what I wrote in the lead up to the 2006 election, I think you would find that you are wrong. I worked hard for my local candidates, interviewed and supported candidates from other regions, and I expect did far more than you to try and win that wretched election. And I fail to see what my chosing a candidate now who has not yet made the sale would do to further our cause in 2008--besides potentially nominating a sub-standard candidate.
"I'm kind of old-fashioned. I like to engage my brain before my mouth." Donald Rumsfeld
At a bare minimum, you want to revise your comments to the point where they no longer constitute libel.
I'm not sold on any candidate right now, either - and I wrote in known Republicans rather than pull the lever for any Democrat last Election Day. You want to talk trash to me, too?
Moe
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC.
But to this point I do not think any of them have "earned" the nomination.
I will vote for someone, the question is who.
I agree with AE that we need to see some solid conservative committments on policy issues (believable ones, not just lip service) before backing a candidate.
I, my self, would very much like to back Rudy. However I have serious questions about where he stands on social issues and more importantly if he would pander to the left on things like homosexual rights (meaning preferential treatment), gun control and things of that nature.
Romney is okay, but to me he seems to be "fake" or "made up" and not what I feel is genuine.
As for McCain, he has knifed us too many times in the back to either gain favor with his buddies in the media and or senate to make me feel comfortable.
In short, someone is going to have to woo me. I do not feel dedicated to any of these individuals.
I support Rudy. He hasn't yet officially thrown his hat in the ring, but he seems likely to announce. I won't go into the details of why I like Rudy, but an old episode of the TV show "Becker" says a lot in one line:
"Becker: The problem's not me, it's the city. Not one place in all five boroughs you can get rid of a dead guy. Damn Giuliani."
Anyone who can get that much hatred from libs for cleaning up a city deserves my vote and I intend to vote for him in the primaries.
So I've picked my guy early. And I'll be talking up Rudy whenever the subject comes up. BUT!.....
That doesn't mean I'll stay home if he doesn't win. It also doesn't mean I'll fight against the other candidates in the primary (except maybe McCain, naw, I'll remember the 11th). Most of the people that are the early favorites are good men. I'll support and vote for whoever wins the nomination (even McCain). I just can't stand the idea of another President Clinton....
So the short version is, I know who I prefer, but that doesn't mean the other guys are bad and I'll be happy with almost anyone who wins the primary. All I ask is that in the PRIMARY, the supporters of all candidates act in a civil manner and only push positives about their guy. The Dems will sling enough mud for all of us. We don't need to help them.
Socialism doesn't work. It looks nice on paper, but it's been tried and it's failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Rudy did a great job in NYC and after September 11th, but we need someone with a little moral fiber in the White House. Rudy is out of touch with the majority of the GOP on most of the social issues and he has baggage. I wish he was on board with the restof us on social issues, then we would be a no brainer. He has the charisma and backbone, but he is from NY and I don't know if I could ever vote for a Yankees fan.
I don't expect any of the usual suspects to ever earn it. It's not possible to "earn it" if you don't "get it". Unless Inhofe or some other unknown takes the nomination I'll probably be voting for Badnarick again.
I'll vote for the best of a bad slate if I have to, but I'm waiting for someone to prove to me that they have my values at heart before I support them.
There's nothing quite so exhilerating as being shot at... and missed. Winston Churchill
I will vote for any Republican over a Dem or a no hope third party candidate. My beef has always been that our side seems too picky and too high on themselves. Sadly, the ideal electable candidate died in June of 2004, and I don't see anyone on the horizon. Depressing, maybe. Butyou have to dance with them that brought you.
Nov 7, 2006 was a day of shame for those who sat out. You let KOS win.
Although the msm won't be his bitch very long, he is popular enough to beat any dem in a general. Rudy could too so he's my number 2.
Yet. But I'm pulling for Giuliani right now. EVERYTHING takes a backseat to the war and he's proven himself in a crisis. Something none of the others have.
I am crossing my fingers in hopes of an ideal candidate (JEB, anyone?), but I won't hold my breath.
Also, I think there are a few things that any of the candidates could do to improve their standing. Choosing Gingrich or Rice as a running mate is one of the major moves...
In the meantime, I will worry about it in Jan 2008. Right now, I'm taking a breather between elections...
"The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal comfort... has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
--John Stuart Mill
[I react badly to people who think that using 'retard' as an epithet is compatible with being a civilized human being.]
[As for 'don't really like': and yet, you post here. Excuse me: posted. One intervention, coming right up. - Moe Lane]
of a blog I don't really like anyway:
You retards who are willing to vote for a McCain or a Giuliani, or a Romney, you are the problem. If the GOP base had any spine the above mentioned big government RINO's wouldn't have a hope of getting the nomination.
Yawn. Another "sit this one out conservative". You did enough damage two months ago. This "my vote has to be earned" line, in the face of near unanimous and 100% Democrat intensity, will only lead to a repeat of November.
Nov 7, 2006 was a day of shame for those who sat out. You let KOS win.