Politics

A Pro-lifer Hazards the GOP Field

Have you noticed that there is a lot of buzz surrounding Democrats who are running for President in 2008, but not much for the Republicans? One of the reasons for this uneven coverage is certainly that the Democrats are coming out early. But another reason is that conservatives are frankly not going ga-ga over any of the Republican contenders.

A recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal reflects the current Republican malaise: “Now is the season of Republican discontent, extending even to the party’s Presidential candidates. For the first time in decades, no dominant candidate has emerged and GOP voters seem to be in a Missouri state of mind: Show us what you really believe. We know exactly how they feel” (source).

I second that emotion. I’m not swooning over any of the candidates right now, not even the handsome Mitt Romney. At a recent meeting put on by the Family Research Council, Romney dazzled the conservative throngs. The response was very surprising to me, given Romney’s recent flip-flop on abortion. Forgive me if I’m skeptical about a guy who switches from a pro-choice to a pro-life position just in time to run for the GOP nomination. I may be proved wrong about Romney. Nevertheless, I haven’t been able to drink the Romney kool-aid yet.

Rudy Giuliani is pro-choice and pro-homosexual “marriage.” As soon as this fact sinks in with Republican primary voters, Giuliani will be over. Don’t hold your breath for Giuliani. He’s going nowhere, despite the hype from Peggy Noonan.

There is only one other serious contender, and that man is Senator John McCain. Right now, McCain has the best shot at winning the nomination. He has a fairly solid pro-life voting record, but he has so alienated conservatives by his support for campaign finance reform that it is hard to imagine how the base will get very excited about him.

The strongest pro-life candidate is Senator Sam Brownback, but he is polling very low and is still not considered a serious contender for the nomination.

People keep asking me who I like for 2008, but I still don’t have an answer to that question. Anyone I would want does not have a plausible chance of winning. This time last year, I was hoping for a Rick Santorum candidacy. My, how things have changed since then. Until things change some more, I remain uncommitted.

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“A year ago, few could have predicted that the three front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination would be a U.S. senator who favors embryonic stem cell research and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, a governor who twice campaigned on defending abortion rights, and a former mayor who not only supports gay rights but moved in with a gay couple — and their pet Shih Tzu — after the breakup of his second marriage. But after the Republicans’ midterm losses, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani have emerged as their party’s presidential favorites.” –NBC News
[Uuhg!]

15 Comments

  • Don

    Denny, It’s very early on but Rudy gets some good marks, Rommey also has some plus marks but there are many questions unanswered from these guys. Rudy though tough on crime and would be strong on the War on Terror, he is a poor on illegals and the border. Pro-choice, and is a lib. on most social issues. Rommey was pro-choice but has changed his view 2 years ago. I heard both on talk radio this week. Rommey sounds good but we have to see. Rommey tough on Terror and border issues.
    McCain is a train wreck. He is soft so soft on the border is not all that popular in his home state, good on the overall war on Terror but weak on Home Security issues. It may be that when ever he has had the chance he has put a knife in the President’s back. McCain/Fiengold is a violation if first amendment.
    Take a look at Duncan Hunter {Congessmen CA} Today’s Townhall.com George Will has a good article about him. He is under the radar so to speak, but seems solid on most consrvative issues.
    Brownback is Pro-life stinks on the border and may vote for this non-binding war resolution.
    Thanks Denny DonP.-

  • Paul

    All the people in ‘Bama are going to remember is that he was the leader of New York in the days after 9/11. The guy is practically a national hero.

    Of course, we’re also talking over a year out from the first primary. There will be time for a LOT of mudslinging between now and then.

    Just, please, please, pretty please, get someone nominated who is smarter than the boy king! Between the racists hating Obama and everyone else hating Hilary, y’all will be able to nominate a monkey (wait, you already did that…) and get it into office in ’08.

  • D. Taylor Benton

    I am not impressed with any of the candidates as of late. The assessments by Don are pretty spot on and I think Brownback or Hucklebee have already debilitated themselves in the eyes of the media, so don’t expect and press on those two.

    I have heard the name Gingrich thrown around by several pundits. Although He has three strikes against him in the dinosaur media, I think his experience, and his stance on issues would be a safe and promising vote for most evan’s like myself.

    I don’t know all of his positions on hot button topics, but his experience in politics and tried and true record of conservatism is appealing.

  • Kris Weinschenker

    You don’t seriously beleive Romney is REALLY pro-life do you????

    The record shows he’s flipped-flopped on ALL the major social issues. He even once said he’d do “more for gay rights than Ted Kennedy”.

    Romney is about as phoney as a 3 dollar-bill.

  • Paul

    “Romney is about as phony as a 3 dollar-bill.”

    Just like McCain, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Hilary, Kennedy, Richardson, Kerry and practically every other politician ever to serve America, save for maybe Santorum and definitely Paul Simon.

    Nice wholesome guys who read the Bible daily and live by its teachings, for the most part, don’t get into politics, and certainly not at the national level. And in those rare cases when they do, they usually don’t stay there long.

    So, face it, you’re going to be voting for a scumbag. You’ve done it before, and you’ll do it again. It’s just a matter of which scumbag can you tolerate the easiest.

  • Don

    Denny, Just read yesterday in News Max McCain’s own state GOP not fond of his run. Also now wants to overturn Roe v Wade. This guy is all over the place. Newt trying to play it cool. I hear him every week on Sean Hannity. Maybe a good VP pick for say Rudy to tie in South and Pro life group. As one poster said there all politicians and they lie……. DP- take care Denny

  • Don

    Denny, Just read yesterday in News Max McCain’s own state GOP not fond of his run. Also now wants to overturn Roe v Wade. This guy is all over the place. Newt trying to play it cool. I hear him every week on Sean Hannity. Maybe a good VP pick for say Rudy to tie in South and Pro life group. As one poster said there all politicians and they lie……. DP- take care Denny

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