Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Ron Paul and more wasted primary votes. So you really want a McCain/Huckabee presidency? And you think Ron Paul's chances are slim...by Owen Bran
(libertarian)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
This past weekend, McCain and Huckabee did well in three more primary states. Hat's off to you guys... My question is why? Seriously, I think I know the answers but I am open to listen to reason.
For McCain's part, it would seem he has now been officially anointed by the GOP brass, plus the MSM, thus leaving party loyalist no choice in the matter but to do their duty in a mindless and most impassionate fashion. Yes, it's the lesser of the evils scenario again. After all, he is the only one that can possibly beat Hillary or Obama. Right? Think again, we'll discuss this more later...
In the case of Mike Huckabee, he is the former pastor and professing Christian. Thus giving him dibs on the Christian Right vote. (I too am a Christian and fell for Huckabee's brand of morality meets Washington with Bush II. Obviously, this experience has not left me with much love for candidates that campaign on their Christian credentials.) That said, unlike McCain, Huckabee does seem to have some passionate supporters.
This brings me to my personal experiences with supporters from both of these camps and they are surprisingly similar. I was fortunate enough to volunteer during a state primary that borders my home state. Of course, I was there in support of Ron Paul. My friends and I were approached with great curiosity by folks from these camps. Many would say they really like Ron Paul and his ideas but felt they had to vote for someone who could win... So American... All were very polite and since they opened the door, we would politely ask why they supported McCain or Huckabee.
Aside from the obvious electability of these two, here are some of the answers we received. McCain's number one reason for support was his Veteran and POW history. Now, I do have great respect for John McCain's military service for this country but there are simply millions of veterans out there, not to mention thousands of former POWs. When do they get their shot at the White House? Why do they deserve less? Number two, I was completely flabbergasted by the number of folks, including one McCain staffer, that were convinced he had voted against invading Iraq! Other than that, I heard little comment, positive or negative, on McCain's stance on current issues. In fact, when we tried to have a friendly debate concerning policy, their interest would quickly fade and the conversation usually ended abruptly.
For Huckabee, the majority stated he was a Christian and a former pastor that would finally return America to it's moral roots. Now that sounds great to me, except I don't believe "outlawing sin" will get the job done. To Huckabee's credit, I haven't seen him campaigning on that platform but the supporters we spoke with surely gave the impression that's what they would expect of him. Again, like before, we were unable to have any real debate on current issues or where Huckabee stands.
My conclusion is that these, well meaning, folks are simply and terribly misinformed. I know, this is nothing new in American politics. However, we are really at a crossroads this time around and the only fellow who can do the job or even wants the job for the right reasons is getting passed over by the masses out of sheer ignorance. Most unfortunate for the GOP loyalists out there, he is the only one that could potentially win in a general election against either of the Democratic front runners.
You may ask why I would say such a thing. With McCain, it's really a matter of common sense. He is a carbon copy of Bush. He publically agrees with the current Administration's policy. Foreign and domestic. The current Administration has a 20 something % public approval rating. Go figure... Do you really think he'll be able to rally the nation for four more years of a slightly more liberal version of what is currently going on? I think not.
For Huckabee's part, it's basically the same. He has been mildly critical of the current Administration but continues his support on most fronts. He has come out in support of most big government spending. No Child Left Behind, etc. and is a strong proponent of staying in Iraq. Most importantly for Huck, the media has really went easy on his, liberal leaning, record as governor so far. Do you really think he would continue to get a free pass should he win the GOP nomination? Or even the VP spot? Again, I think not.
In conclusion, Ron Paul is the only true contrast in this race. He has a rock solid record of upholding the Constitution that cannot be contested. He does not flip-flop. He is not intimidated or swayed by power or money. And he is offering real world solutions instead of feel good soundbites. Perhaps, most importantly, his supporters know exactly where he stands and why they support him. If America really wants the "change" we hear so much about, Ron Paul is her only hope in '08.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Owen Bran only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Owen Bran is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Nice article Owen, well done. While I agree with you, I have been disappointed to learn that most voters simply do not want to learn the truth about the candidates. They will spend more time researching their next television purchase than they will their next Presidential choice. I believe this come from the perception that politics really does not impact their lives. The voters could not be more wrong in that perception. Until voters connect the inflation that is robbing them to the politicians in Washington D.C., they simply will continue to vote for the choice the media suggests to them.
People don't care because it hasn't hit them in the stomach yet! And when it hits, they'll fall for socialism again because they won't have to think about it and someone else from the Department of Health and Human
A vote for ron Paul is money well spent. Where did McCain get his money to continue? Moneyed Aristocracy? He needs to follow the money. To find the coruptors of Government.. Is the Conststution still in effect? Or has it been replaced with soft dollar bills? Ron Moss
1913 was the year America was bought from corrupt politicians by big bankers as if we were their slaves to sell. Ever since then the Council on Foreign Relations has been the new congress. The Federal Reserve bank runs domestic policy, and the International Monetary Fund bank runs our foreign policy. When they need new resources they simply tell the president where next to invade with our troops and the president, who no longer needs a declaration of war from congress, just sends the troops. Vote fraud is reported and ignored in such a scale as to make one wonder if Democracy is what we really have here. Oh and the media... So, "Fair and Blanced", what a joke.
I cannot help but to conclude that the GOP actually agrees with your conclusion - neither Boom Boom McCain or the Huckster can beat either Obama or Frau Clinton. After all, nobody who spends ten minutes assessing this primary could be so stupid to draw any other conclusion.
That being said, we now all have a glaring example of the RepubliCrat one party system. Either Obama or Clinton have been chosen by the elite power mongerers to be the next puppet dictator. It actually seems logical when you consider the recent years' acceleration of the shift toward socialism and away from our Constitution. A Clintobama presidency will provide strong leadership in that direction. The "partisan politics" myth designed to make people think they have a choice has been clearly exposed. But alas, people like the McCain and Huckabee supporters you referenced are just too blind to see it. But thanks for trying to wake them up.
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson
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