Redstate

(Do we need a saviour or a veep from the South?)

By Mark Kilmer Posted in 2008 — Comments (26) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Kathleen Parker, has written a column after deciding that John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Mitt Romney are ideal candidates who should be fine for what she calls, "Red Staters":

[T]he Republican Party has one of its strongest lineups ever. Yet one would think from polls showing that a third of Republicans are dissatisfied with their choices that they were stuck with a roster of has-beens and also-rans. Spoiled and well fed, they're the party of Goldilocks in search of the perfect porridge.

That is a grotesque analogy. The tale of Goldilocks, as I recall it, dealt with respect for property rights; Goldilocks invaded the home of the three bears and was chased away into the forest where she might have died a horrible death. If the "Red Staters" are Ms. Parker's Goldilocks, then we're meddling in an election which rightfully belongs to the Democrats and are selecting which of their candidates we like the best. (The porridge, the beds, the chairs – none of them belonged to Goldilocks.)

And what of her accusation that the "Red Staters" are "[s]poiled and well fed"? By what? Since President Reagan has left office, we have been fed largely with promises and hope, from Joe Gaylord's "Republican Revolution" in '94 to President GW Bush leading with tax cuts in '01. We have no reason, and we know that we cannot afford, to be a complacent movement, idly casting aside perfection for a nicer brand.

Yet once we're over that bit of clumsiness, there's more. Parker has decided why "Red Staters" are dissatisfied with Rudy, McCain, and Romney. (Remember, folks, we should be swooning.)

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For McCain, whom she describes as "as true a war hero as they come" and a splendid U.S. Senator, she thinks Red Staters should support him because he is a "maverick" who has earned "the nickname of 'RINO,' Republican in name only.

But, well, he's just a little too hot.

Very few Republicans who would vote for McCain believe him to be a total maverick or solid "name only" Republican.

For Rudy, whom she describes as the hero of 9/11 who cleaned up New York, New York, "Red Staters" are dissatisfied because:

Still, he's not quite hot enough?

Why not? Giuliani's supporters point to his leadership and personal strength.

For Romney, whom she describes as the natural heir to President Reagan, she completely loses coherency. "Red Staters" are not pleased with Mitt, she says, because:

He's beyond just right. He's too right -- too good-looking, too rich, too successful.

Mitt frightens us with his perfection? Class warfare doesn't sit well with the GOP, and everyone loves great hair.

Keeping it brief:

For me and McCain, it's BCRA and the perceived instability of his demeanor and convictions. For me and Rudy, it is life and the social matters. For me and Mitt, it's the flexibility of values and the perceived say-whatever-it-takes mentality.

And supporters of these candidates can here take issue. I hope they do, as it is why we have had a primary season. We sort it out.

But none of these candidates is ideal, though Ms. Parker disagrees:

On the other hand, maybe there's something about the Republican Party -- that it can't stand prosperity. What Republicans have isn't a vacuum, but an embarrassment of riches.

They are all good men, to one extent or the other. We can do better. Period. And at this point in history, I think it important that we do.

What they need isn't a savior, but a good VP from the South. "Just Fred" may be just the ticket.

"Just Fred" has a JD, served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, a successful government lobbyist, a United States Senator, and a successful movie and television actor. He is as qualified to be President as anyone, and more so than either Hillary (early in her second term) or Obama (in his first). Or John Edwards, another one termer.

Kathleen, think: HONESTY.

What is Romney? What is McCain? What is Rudy? A "recent convert" to conservatism, a man who threatened to bolt the party last time he ran, and an admitted social liberal who has said that the truly conservative position is pro-choice.

It is impossible for me to get excited about any of those three. Fred Thompson, on the other hand, could be a candidate I would enthusiastically support. It has been a long time since that has happened, and I'm due. The party is due.

I want to see what Fred Thompson brings to this race, and I promise that I will play my part in not only helping the dust to settle but also in an effort to determine who still is standing when it does.

Oh, and reread what she wrote: "What they need isn't a savior, but a good VP from the South."

Where is she heading with this? A Veep candidate from the South would geographically balance a Presidential nominee from the North. She thinks that Thompson "may be just the ticket."

Nope. It will not happen. Fred Thompson realizes that he has only so many years to watch his young children grow to adulthood. He has said that the time he has with his young family weighs very heavily in his decision on whether or not to run for President of the United States. Fred Thompson has a lucrative job as a television actor. I do not think he is going to sacrifice such things to attend state funerals and be there in case something happens to the President.

If Fred Thompson is to be anything political at this point in our history, he is our next President.

I am a Red Stater living in a blue Commonwealth. Ronald Reagan's solutions are not now and never have been dated or passé, and it would be a fine thing if someone could allow to be implemented this vision of America with the type of charismatic forthrightness with which President Reagan spoke to us.

This could be Fred Thompson.

If not, I will support my party's nominee, but I will not boast about how fortunate we are that whomever came along when we needed him.

The Republican Party cannot be complacent when we are holding our heads high but still digging ourselves out.

Maybe we do need a savior, and keep your porridge.