Quick Thoughts on the 2012 Candidates
These comments are taken directly out of my Twitter timeline - follow me if you like what you read:
Can we all stop pretending any of the current GOP contenders are 100% across the board conservatives? None of them are.
Santorum's such a mixed bag. He voted against McCain-Feingold, but for Sarbanes-Oxley. Great record on tort reform, awful record on earmarks. Taking the good with the bad, Santorum ends up above average on the whole. But he was a a go-along to get-along GOPer under Bush. With a Pres Santorum, what will we get? The fiscal warrior he started out as or go-along to get-along type? Or will it depends on the year?
Newt's not close to perfect either. Newt says whatever comes to mind - which creates a huge record combining bouts of brilliance & failure. Newt also has made a LOT of enemies both within & outside the GOP. Some of them I like - like Coburn. Others I don't, like Pelosi. Newt also has personal baggage up the wazoo that many can not look past, as many could not for Giuliani in 2008.
And what of Romney? Romney pushed for lower taxes in MA, but raised a bunch of fees. He opposed the Bush tax cuts early on, too. Romney pushed through some serious cuts in spending in MA, but also supported TARP & defended it publicly. Romney has a great record on school choice, but proposed some terrible policies on environmental issues while Governor. Masscare makes it more difficult for Romney to genuinely attack Obama on Obamacare. Not impossible, just harder without looking inconsistent.
To me, Newt, Santorum, & Romney are equally flawed on the issues. Different flaws, but they average out. All that said - I would gladly vote for Newt, Mitt, or Rick over Obama any day of the week - without even having to think about it.
Impractical? Maybe. Sound Awesome? Yes.
What did Newt Gingrich promise today? A permanent moon colony by the end of his second term in office, if elected. Impractical? Unrealistic? Both may be true. But, it does sound pretty awesome. Here's the quote:
"When they have 13,000 Americans living on the moon, they can petition to become a state...By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American.”
Again - over the top and may be pandering to Floridians, but it's a fairly fascinating concept.
On Newt and Forgiveness
Recently, I came under attack on Twitter for saying that I would vote for Gingrich, Romney, or Santorum should any of them get the nomination. Specifically, I was told that a true Christian would be unable to vote for Newt Gingrich. Why? His previous infidelity. I disagree.
Newt Gingrich cheated on his second wife. He also divorced his first wife under circumstances that, frankly, I do not know. He cheated on his second wife with the woman that would become his third wife. It's an awful situation and a true moral failing on Newt's behalf. Has his ex-wife forgiven him? No. She went on TV recently to make the claim that he asked for an open marriage - a claim that Newt firmly denies. Basically, it's his word against hers and, frankly, without evidence I'm willing to trust Newt.
Now this brings me back to why I was under attack - can a Christian in good conscience vote for an avowed adulterer. Yes, yes you can. Why? Newt has sought forgiveness for his sins. He has repented before the Lord and has accepted Christ as his Lord and savior, following his sins. In 2009, Newt converted to Catholicism and sought repentance for his previous lifestyle. Listening to him speak of his faith, Newt appears genuine. I'm ready to believe him.
The Lord is ready to forgive the sinner of their transgressions. He said as much throughout the Bible, from Old to New Testament. If Newt truly sought this forgiveness, then he is wiped clean of these past transgressions. Remember this verse:
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
-Hebrews 8:12
If Newt has done as he said, then the Lord will remember his sins no more. This is why I can vote for an avowed adulterer. The man has been blind, but now he sees. He has sought the Lord our God and His repentance.
That is not to say that I'm ready to vote for Newt in the primary. Undecided at present since Perry has dropped out. But I can vote for him in the general and will if he's the nominee.
Pets with Newt?
So, apparently this is a real thing. Newt now has a website entitled, "Pets with Newt" where you can send pictures of your pets supporting Newt Gingrich. Here's the cover photo:
Thoughts?
Undecided
I said early on I didn't want a safe choice for 2012. Well, now that unsafe choice has gotten to the point where I can no longer stand behind him. It's not just the claims, it's the fact that Cain has been unable to run a functional campaign. Cain's draw was that he was an outsider who was going to surround himself with the right people. The way he's run his campaign has shown that he's unable or unwilling to surround himself with the right people. So, what of the other candidates? As the title of the post implies, I'm undecided and let me tell you why.
Bachmann - Michele is pretty good on fiscal issues, but comes across as a kook. Why? Well, when you imply 9-9-9 is the sign of the devil, you've pretty much made yourself written off.
Huntsman - Huntsman has a pretty solid platform. He has a solid tenure as Governor, but governed as far to the left as was possible in the state of Utah. Other problems? He keeps poking conservatives in the eye with specifically targeted comments (ex "I believe in science") and the fact that he was running for President (or planning to) while serving as Ambassador to China is upsetting to me. I've discussed this at length before. This bugs me, seriously. I could vote for him in the general, but I won't in the primary.
Johnson - Gary Johnson has an excellent record as governor. He founded a 1 man company that turned into the biggest construction firm in New Mexico, which is far more impressive than the experience of a lot of different candidates. That said, he's pro-choice, he's known as the "pot" candidate, and is unable to raise money. At all. Johnson can't get the nomination because no one has given him the chance and he's unable to raise any funds.
Mitt - Romney has an incredible ground game, is focused on Obama, a decent campaigner, and has the same type of business experience I loved in Herman Cain. The problem? Inconsistent on fiscal issues and Masscare. Both of which led me to not vote for him in 2008, and it's part of the reason I'm still undecided on him now. Also, I frankly don't know if I can trust him. He comes across as disingenuous to me and in the debates came across as condescending. Then again, Obama's always condescending. So, I could still vote for him, but again - undecided.
Newt - Newt is a fascinating candidate. Great debater, former Speaker of the House who helped lead the country in the right direction (pun intended) on fiscal issues and led to serious national reform. But he's on his third wife with a history of infidelity and he's been inconsistent historically on fiscal issues. He's a brain power is unmatched, but as I said - inconsistent on fiscal issues. So, I could vote for him - but still undecided.
Paul - I will not vote for Ron Paul in the primary. Ever. Even if he's the only one left in the primary. In that case, I would write in George H.W. Bush.
Perry - Perry has some great experience. He was a pretty solid Governor of Texas. 40% of the jobs created in the US in the past 2 years were created in Texas - that's hard to overlook. That said, Perry is a terrible debater which could be awful against Obama in the general election. Also, there's the Texas DREAM Act, which as a strong opponent of it here in Maryland who supported the effort to put it on the ballot / overturn it - this is a problem. Deal breaker? No, but an issue for me. Again, I'm undecided on Perry in the primary - but of course would vote for him in the general election.
Santorum - I actually don't mind Rick Santorum. But, he couldn't win reelection in Pennsylvania. He comes across angry and agitated in every single debate. He is inconsistent on fiscal issues. And, frankly, his active campaigning for future turncoat Arlen Specter is disappointing. Honestly, Santorum has very little money and does not have a clear path to the nomination. Also, his name is a filthy expression online that will be tough to combat should he get the nomination.
So, I'm back to being undecided. If the primary were held today, I'm not sure who I'd vote for when I got into the voting booth. Maybe Newt. Maybe Rick Perry. Maybe Romney - I'm not sure. What I do know is that I'm waiting to be wowed by the candidates.
Maryland Blogs / Sites
- Augie "Citizen Watchdog"
- Baltimore County GOP
- Inside Charm City
- Maryland Public Policy Institute
- Maryland Reporter
- Maryland Society of Patriots
- MD Conservative Action Network
- monoblogue
- Potomac Tea Party Report
- PVRC Blog
- Red Maryland
- Right Coast Conservative
National Blogs / Sites
- 2012 Candidates on Twitter
- Anthropocon
- Bearing Drift
- Moe Lane
- Musings – It's Zarf-tastic!
- Oddly Said
- Other McCain
- Pithy Title Goes Here
- Pundit League
- Race42012
- Ramblings…
- RedState
- RightKlik
- Ruby Slippers
- Secular ProLife
- Sundries Shack
- The Quinton Report
- TORARADICALcom
Religious Blogs / Sites
- Challies.com
- Coleen York
- Ed Stetzer
- Edgemere Baptist Church
- Just1Word
- SBC Voices
- Star Wars & Spirituality
- Tally Wilgis
- The 140 Bible
- The Girl On The Road To Self Discovery
- Thom Rainer
- TroyStouffer.com
