By Phil Kenny
No one should not promote or settle on the idea that Mitt Romney's losses in the south had anything to do with anti-Mormon sentiment. Such suggestion or idea could only produce a negative result for Mitt in the remainder of this election and 2012.
Imagine if we talk about how Mitt lost the south because of religious bigotry. If that argument sticks and Mitt runs in 2012, people will say that Mitt has no chance because we already saw that southerners won't vote for a Mormon.
So if it wasn't his Mormonism, why did Mitt lose much of the south in 2008? First off, he did great there and was narrowly beaten in almost every state.
Who beat him? The "Southern" Baptist preacher. If you go county by county, Huckabee won the rural areas. Those are the areas where being a southern Baptist minister is going to rally numbers around you. And Mitt's loss in the tight race in Florida gave McCain a boost and discouraged Mitt-leaning voters.
And why didn't Huckabee do well in Nevada or Utah? It's not anti-evangelicalism.
In addition to many other demographics, Mitt happens to do well among Mormons, Obama happens to do well among African-Americans, Hillary among women, Huckabee among southern evangelicals, McCain with seniors.
Keep in mind the future of our party and the possibility that this may be Mitt's down payment on a run in 2012, where HE will be next in line.
If that's the case, we need to highlight that evangelicals DID vote for him (yes, they did!); that he was able to unite conservatives behind him (even if they came late -- which is better than never); that he does represent the conservative coalition that Reagan built, and which we, the conservative base, must keep strong.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The Faith to Try, and the Willingness to Serve
By JEBEE Kenji SOLIS
A few days ago, Governor Romney made this comment regarding running for President:
"This is not something I'm doing because I need or I want it desperately for myself. I believe the country could benefit from the experience I've had, but that is not what motivates me."
So, what is it that motivates Mitt Romney?
People now in their 60s -- with lots of money, who worked hard and saved what they earned -- would rather be well in comfort, vacationing, running a charity, living a quiet life.
But Mitt Romney has been more than willing to get out of his own comfort zone, as well as his wife Ann who has MS, and theirs sons, all of whom have happy lives of their own because they have faith in the American people. They have the courage to try even though the prospects may not be as bright at the end, and because they have the willing heart and mind to serve.
Mitt said the following in Michigan back in September. The whole speech is worth reading, but here's a part of that speech:
"I don't have to tell you that my Dad made a mark on Michigan. And he made a mark on me. And I guess that is at the heart of things; he's a big part of why I'm running for President today. In 1957, when he was the President of American Motors, he gave a speech in which he reported the following conversation:"
'My nine year old son' – that would be me – 'came home from school and said "Mom, we really build the best cars, don't we?"' "She said, 'Why Mitt, of course we do. Why do you ask?'"
'Well, if we build the best cars, why is it that less than three percent of the people agree with us?'
"After my Dad heard of this conversation, he took me aside and said, 'Look, Mitt, size doesn't always indicate strength and popularity doesn't always indicate truth, and sales volume doesn't always indicate value.' "
And then he added: 'Right always prevails.'"
What has happened in the last few state primaries has confirmed my fear, that instead of moving forward we are moving backwards. Instead of choosing the right candidate for us, the true conservatives, the choice might be someone who has trampled our belief and ideals, and will continue to do just that, and who has and will abandon our dreams and aspirations.
Mitt Romney has demonstrated in his leadership that he is a servant of the people, because he rightly believes that service to his countrymen and service to the world is a selfless act. Sometimes, when you are truly blessed, you have a burning desire to serve, and to bless and lift the lives of others.
Mitt Romney not in it for the money; he already said he would donate his salary to the charity once elected president. He doesn't need fame, for he is already well known. He doesn't need honor or glory. All he wants is to make sure his grandchildren and the generations that will come after them will have a better, safer, and more secure world in which to live. The kind of country people look up too for goodness, justice and freedom – the America that reaches out to people around the world, and has served, and will continue to serve, as a beacon of hope and success.
Mark Steyn over at The Corner said: "This was conservatives' last chance... The only chance was for a really good conservative leader to be elected and make a Reaganesque impression on the country that would delay the liberal fate. If Romney is defeated tomorrow, that will not happen, and tomorrow will live in infamy as a monumental defeat for conservatism."
We will find out today if Americans stand for something. I can only wait and see. The choice is ours.
The choice is exclusively ours.
A few days ago, Governor Romney made this comment regarding running for President:
"This is not something I'm doing because I need or I want it desperately for myself. I believe the country could benefit from the experience I've had, but that is not what motivates me."
So, what is it that motivates Mitt Romney?
People now in their 60s -- with lots of money, who worked hard and saved what they earned -- would rather be well in comfort, vacationing, running a charity, living a quiet life.
But Mitt Romney has been more than willing to get out of his own comfort zone, as well as his wife Ann who has MS, and theirs sons, all of whom have happy lives of their own because they have faith in the American people. They have the courage to try even though the prospects may not be as bright at the end, and because they have the willing heart and mind to serve.
Mitt said the following in Michigan back in September. The whole speech is worth reading, but here's a part of that speech:
"I don't have to tell you that my Dad made a mark on Michigan. And he made a mark on me. And I guess that is at the heart of things; he's a big part of why I'm running for President today. In 1957, when he was the President of American Motors, he gave a speech in which he reported the following conversation:"
'My nine year old son' – that would be me – 'came home from school and said "Mom, we really build the best cars, don't we?"' "She said, 'Why Mitt, of course we do. Why do you ask?'"
'Well, if we build the best cars, why is it that less than three percent of the people agree with us?'
"After my Dad heard of this conversation, he took me aside and said, 'Look, Mitt, size doesn't always indicate strength and popularity doesn't always indicate truth, and sales volume doesn't always indicate value.' "
And then he added: 'Right always prevails.'"
What has happened in the last few state primaries has confirmed my fear, that instead of moving forward we are moving backwards. Instead of choosing the right candidate for us, the true conservatives, the choice might be someone who has trampled our belief and ideals, and will continue to do just that, and who has and will abandon our dreams and aspirations.
Mitt Romney has demonstrated in his leadership that he is a servant of the people, because he rightly believes that service to his countrymen and service to the world is a selfless act. Sometimes, when you are truly blessed, you have a burning desire to serve, and to bless and lift the lives of others.
Mitt Romney not in it for the money; he already said he would donate his salary to the charity once elected president. He doesn't need fame, for he is already well known. He doesn't need honor or glory. All he wants is to make sure his grandchildren and the generations that will come after them will have a better, safer, and more secure world in which to live. The kind of country people look up too for goodness, justice and freedom – the America that reaches out to people around the world, and has served, and will continue to serve, as a beacon of hope and success.
Mark Steyn over at The Corner said: "This was conservatives' last chance... The only chance was for a really good conservative leader to be elected and make a Reaganesque impression on the country that would delay the liberal fate. If Romney is defeated tomorrow, that will not happen, and tomorrow will live in infamy as a monumental defeat for conservatism."
We will find out today if Americans stand for something. I can only wait and see. The choice is ours.
The choice is exclusively ours.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
McCain? Are You Sure?
By Lance Thompson
Super Tuesday will likely decide who the GOP nominee is for 2008. John McCain has a good chance of being that nominee. Conservatives are understandably agitated about this possibility.
If you like McCain because you agree with his positions, then none of the following will change your mind.
However, if you favor McCain because of the many endorsements he has received from the media, then consider this: The mainstream media serve the liberal political agenda. They do not want the GOP to field a conservative candidate, in case our side wins. They do not want the GOP to have a strong candidate, because they don’t want us to win. When it comes to the general election, none of the media outlets that have endorsed McCain in the primary will remain in support of him. They will all be endorsing the Democrat–Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. The media endorsements bestowed upon John McCain have been awarded because he is the least conservative Republican. Those endorsements will migrate during the general election to the least conservative Democrat.
If you favor John McCain because he seems able to "reach across the aisle," consider this: In 2005, John McCain "reached across the aisle" to Russ Feingold to limit free political speech with McCain-Feinglod-Cochran. The same year, McCain reached across the aisle to Ted Kennedy to offer citizenship to illegal aliens. John McCain said he would "consider" being John Kerry’s running mate in 2004. John McCain has said that Hillary Clinton would make a good President. John McCain’s maverick status is based on his diversion from conservative principles and his embrace of liberal ideas. Instead of reaching across the aisle, John McCain should walk across the aisle and sit on the Democrat side where he belongs.
If you favor John McCain because he’s not a hard right, ideological conservative, consider this: Conservatism is the spine of the Republican party. Yes, there are Republicans who are more and less conservative, but at the heart of the GOP is a belief in conservative principles–small government, lower taxes, strong defense, secure borders, traditional values. Every election, we are urged to stray from those principles to appeal to "moderate"or "undecided" voters. When the GOP chose moderate Gerald Ford over conservative Ronald Reagan in 1976, we lost.
Those who are "undecided" about their principles are not conservatives. John McCain falls into this category. He sponsored the McCain-Feingold legislation, created to limit the effect of campaign contributors on candidates. But during the 1980's he gladly accepted cash contributions as well as other favors, such as use of a private plane, from Charles Keating, who was later convicted of fraud in the Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal that stuck taxpayers with a multi-billion dollar bailout.
Once we begin to trade principle for votes, our candidates have no basis upon which to ask for votes. The conservative principles we stand for are the very reason we can ask voters to support us, believe in us, and sustain us. Without them, we are indistinguishable from the opposition.
Just like John McCain.
*********
Lance Thompson lives in Idaho and supports Mitt Romney for President.
Lance Thompson
208-898-1451
lancet@q.com
Super Tuesday will likely decide who the GOP nominee is for 2008. John McCain has a good chance of being that nominee. Conservatives are understandably agitated about this possibility.
If you like McCain because you agree with his positions, then none of the following will change your mind.
However, if you favor McCain because of the many endorsements he has received from the media, then consider this: The mainstream media serve the liberal political agenda. They do not want the GOP to field a conservative candidate, in case our side wins. They do not want the GOP to have a strong candidate, because they don’t want us to win. When it comes to the general election, none of the media outlets that have endorsed McCain in the primary will remain in support of him. They will all be endorsing the Democrat–Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. The media endorsements bestowed upon John McCain have been awarded because he is the least conservative Republican. Those endorsements will migrate during the general election to the least conservative Democrat.
If you favor John McCain because he seems able to "reach across the aisle," consider this: In 2005, John McCain "reached across the aisle" to Russ Feingold to limit free political speech with McCain-Feinglod-Cochran. The same year, McCain reached across the aisle to Ted Kennedy to offer citizenship to illegal aliens. John McCain said he would "consider" being John Kerry’s running mate in 2004. John McCain has said that Hillary Clinton would make a good President. John McCain’s maverick status is based on his diversion from conservative principles and his embrace of liberal ideas. Instead of reaching across the aisle, John McCain should walk across the aisle and sit on the Democrat side where he belongs.
If you favor John McCain because he’s not a hard right, ideological conservative, consider this: Conservatism is the spine of the Republican party. Yes, there are Republicans who are more and less conservative, but at the heart of the GOP is a belief in conservative principles–small government, lower taxes, strong defense, secure borders, traditional values. Every election, we are urged to stray from those principles to appeal to "moderate"or "undecided" voters. When the GOP chose moderate Gerald Ford over conservative Ronald Reagan in 1976, we lost.
Those who are "undecided" about their principles are not conservatives. John McCain falls into this category. He sponsored the McCain-Feingold legislation, created to limit the effect of campaign contributors on candidates. But during the 1980's he gladly accepted cash contributions as well as other favors, such as use of a private plane, from Charles Keating, who was later convicted of fraud in the Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal that stuck taxpayers with a multi-billion dollar bailout.
Once we begin to trade principle for votes, our candidates have no basis upon which to ask for votes. The conservative principles we stand for are the very reason we can ask voters to support us, believe in us, and sustain us. Without them, we are indistinguishable from the opposition.
Just like John McCain.
*********
Lance Thompson lives in Idaho and supports Mitt Romney for President.
Lance Thompson
208-898-1451
lancet@q.com
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