God-o-Meter just got off the phone with an advisor to Mitt Romney, a longtime conservative activist with strong ties in the movement. Exactly the type of person, in other words, who John McCain needs to win to shore up support from the right. Here's the advisor's take on McCain:
He's a liberal guy who votes pro-life. I dread him winning, I’ll probably vote for McCain but I'll be afraid if he wins and afraid if he loses [because it means a Democrat in the White House]. I know that sounds stupid, and that the media is puzzling over this: how can the conservatives not come behind him. It's an emotional thing. An opponent who kicks you in the public square again and again and again and then he becomes the nominee and you're supposed support him and you can't. I came from a meeting of [right] wingers this afternoon and they were all saying "write-in." McCain will be our Gerry Ford--he'll give the GOP that brand and it will drive conservatives crazy. I dread him winning for that reason.
Like God-o-Meter, the advisor questions McCain's chances in November:
Go to any Republican race and find out who's manning the phones and walking the precincts. It's home schoolers and pro-lifers. They're not going to come out for [McCain.]
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I'm a pro-life homeschooling mother with six foot soldiers (one of voting age) and no one in this house is enthusiastic about McCain or campaigning for him. We were all in attendance (front row seats) in Livonia, Michigan when he was booed by the conservative crowd right before the Michigan primary. We're all hoping Ron Paul goes third party and no one more so than my 19 year old daughter. So that with her conservative principles uncompromised, she will be able to vote for a true conservative in her first presidential election just like my first election when I voted for Ronald Reagan. She knows her history and has a special affection for the writing of Peggy Noonan. She isn't easily fooled and knows that John McCain is no Ronald Reagan, no matter how many pictures he uses to tell us he was there at the Reagan Revolution.
If the choice is a Democrat in charge of the military or a Republican, I will choose the Republican because I know that the Democrat can't handle the responsibility. McCain would be an infinitely better commander-in-chief than Clinton or Obama. I wouldn't trust them with the military.
And now... we conservatives are faced with a decision.
The talk of Pat Robertson endorsing Rudy Giuliani now means nothing (not that it ever did!)
Neither does anyone care about the wide evangelical support that Mitt Romney won over.
We now have, on the left, Senator John McCain whom Dr. James Dobson says "is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party." John McCain promotes amnesty for illegal immigrants, he called Samuel Alito "too conservative" (a good indication of the judges he would appoint), he supports embryonic stem-cell research, and he has little regard for freedom of speech.
On the right: Governor Mike Huckabee, with 10 years of experience governing, a staunch pro-life record, and a proven force for defending marriage and religious liberties. During those 10 years, he reduced welfare roles by 50%, returned $400 million to taxpayers, and was called "One of America's Best Governors" by TIME Magazine.
Governor Huckabee's platform calls for secure borders, supporting the military, and reining in the rising costs of healthcare and energy through practical, market-driven methods.
And today, there is finally justice as Dr. Dobson endorses Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Conservatives need to back Governor Mike Huckabee for the good of our nation. Or do we have Hillary or Obama fans out there?
The lack of enthusiasm for Huckabee is baffling and, frankly, a betrayal of a man who has faithfully served his country--with conservative principles guiding his every step.
Can conservatives of all stripes unite around what we're FOR, rather than what we're AGAINST? If so, our values just might be represented in the White House come '09.
If we just want to sulk on the sidelines of this political race, then forget it. Let the 4 years of disaster begin, as some commentators have put it.
Vote Huckabee! And support his campaign!
-joshMshep
www.myspace.com/joshmshep
www.mikehuckabee.com
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