I posted previously with a list of McCain's direct opposition to conservative principles/positions.  I have just thought of a few more reasons that I will not vote for Rino McCain:

Energy Policy- He is opposed to drilling in ANWAR as well as mere exploration.  The way that I understand the size of area that can be, yes, exploited in ANWAR is like a postage stamp on a football field.  How can any person that says he is so strong on National Security be so wrong on this issue?  The United States must find ways to become energy independent, ANWAR is but a start.  I read the other day that a Cuban-Chinese alliance is drilling within 60 miles of the coast of Florida, the ironic part, US companies are not allowed to extract crude within 120 miles...in fact the Cuban-Chinese Alliance may well be taking oil from right under our noses! Nice...

Endorsements- Anyone else notice that the liberal wing of the Republican party is endorsing McCain?  I was uncomfortable with Rudy's liberal stance on many social issues, and now the Governator is said to be ready to endorse McCain.  McCain is not uniting the conservatives within the party.  Rather, he is consolidating his base within the more liberal republicans...have we lost the GOP?  The Reagan Conservatives?

Greenhouse Emmissions/Global Warming- Well, here's another McCain liberal legislative endeavor: McCain-Lieberman.  Mandatory greenhouse gas emissions caps...ugh...does he ever propose anything that doesn't compromise Conservative principles?

John McCain, yes he's an honorable man, and should get our respect for his service to his country as well as his suffering at the hands of his handlers at the Hanoi Hilton.  This does not, however, excuse him of not being straight with the Republican faithful.  He is closer to Hillary's principles than he is to the Reagan Mantle...his tough stance on the global war against Islamo fascists is his only saving grace.  He continues to be right on the War in Iraq, and his stance on "the Surge" has been admirable. 

I just wonder, and this is mere speculation, and could severely hamper the Conservative Coalition...could we see a McCain-Lieberman ticket?  An appeal to the Center-Left?  That's precisely what John McCain is, Center-Left...

What say you?

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!

McCain won in Florida.  I had really hoped that Romney would have a better showing, but 36% to 31% ain't that bad.  If anyone suggests that the race is over, is putting the proverbial cart before the horse...64% of the Republican Party in Florida chose not to vote for McCain.  He is claiming the Reagan mantle, but how so?

I've said it before, McCain is barely a Republican.  If he gains the nomination I will go limping to the poll and pull the lever with my right hand while holding my nose with my left!  But, this race is far from over.  The next week will be a harbinger for things to come for McCain, a real close look at his record and his disdain for the core conservative Reagan Coalition.

Judges? His gang of fourteen- capitulation to liberal Dimocrats...can we be assured that he would appoint strict constructionists like Thomas, Scalia, Roberts, Alito, or will he cave into the Dimocrats demand for more progressive judges.  We are likely to see at least 2 if not more Supreme Cou.rt Justices retire
Taxes? Voted against the 2001 and 2003 tax relief, and has said that he would not make them permanent (since softened on this when it was apparent that the base would jump...).
Guantanomo? He has made clear that he will shut down Gitmo.  Not a wise course.  Once the ACLU gets a hold of the terrorists they will have every right that we as citizens have.  Habeas Corpus, a right given to citizens and those who take up arms in a military- these Islamo fascists would just as soon be dressed as women, as the man on the street, not a military- does the Geneva Convention mean anything anymore? 
McCain-Feingold? Worst attack on free speech...Feingold laughs everytime moveon.org places an ad...or George Soros throws money at another 527.
McCain-Kennedy? Amenesty...plain and simple.
The Economy? Admittedly, not his strong suit.  So, instead of being a strong counter to liberal Dimocrats, and their socialism he would find a way to "work with the other side ofthe aisle" or better, capitualte...

Need I go on?  Perhaps there are others who can add to my list...

What Say You?

Arghhhhhhhhh!!!!!  I will talk to anyone that is leaning toward McCain and try everything to convince them that Mitt Romney is the better conservative.

This post is in response to my father in-law's query as to how I will vote come Tuesday February 5th, 2008, Super Duper Tuesday.  I thought it might be instructive for others (please leaves comments!):

Hmmm, my choice is, well let's start with who not:

 

1) Clinton, never in a million years do I want to see Slick Willie back in the White House in any capacity, and what has she really done?  She couldn't fix education when Bill made her point in Arkansas, actually they went backwards.  Plus, the whole healthcare debacle is scary to think we might move towards socialized medicine.  No one says that we have an insurance problem, it's always Healthcare...one only needs to look at Britain or Canada to see the failure of socialized medicine. 

 

2) As to Barack, I will never vote for a Dimocrat but there is much there that I am opposed to.  The whole "change we can believe in" gets to me.  He has never said what that change means...that change could be for the worse.  Reaching across the aisle?  Where has he demonstrated that?  What major piece of legislation has he proposed, let alone gotten passed.  He is a lawyer, 'nuf said there.  Plus I am unsure about his true faith.  The Investors Business daily had a piece on the pastor there and it is kind of scary, Afro-centrism...he opposed the war (I'll give him his consistency) from the get go, and would draw us down and out all too fast.  The surge has clearly worked, and if anything it should continue until it is obvious that the Iraqi govt is not going to reconcile.  Reconciliation is occurring, just from the ground up.

 

3) Edwards, puhlease.  Populist vying for the VP spot.  If I hear "two Americas" one more time I will hurl...besides, if he so believed in that, why does he have 28,000 sq. ft. home with bowling alley, basketball court, swimming pool, etc.

 

That brings us to the Republicans:

 

1) McCain.  He has lost the support of every dyed in the wool conservative.  His record on taxes, McCain-Feingold (thanks, now we have 527 funded by Soros), his immigration McCain-Kennedy bill was disastrous.  Now, don't get me wrong, he is still a brave man (if I hear that again, see above). Also, the American Conservative Union gave McCain an 85% conservative rating, until this past year; he now has a rating of 65% (voting conservatively) and that is barely above 50%!  Can't trust him with judges, either.  His Gang of Fourteen really irked myself, and the base.

 

2) Huckabee.  Again, I am not so sure about his tax and economic positions.  He raised taxes more than lowered them.  His stance on foreign policy is directly counter to mine.  I see no valid reason to close Guantanomo...I don't care that the world may see it in a bad light, but if we bring those terrorists here, it is all over.  The ACLU will be on top of it...Also, he seems to back bigger government and government intrusions into our daily lives.  His weight loss was phenomenal, but to push that from the White House or by creating another layer of bureaucracy is too much.

 

 

 

3) Thompson, well he's gone...

 

4) Duncan Hunter was my first choice, and I believe he would be a fantastic VP, shoring up defense and foreign policy of the eventual nominee. He's gone...

 

5) Ron Paul. Ha...whacko, 'nuf said.

 

6) Rudy Giuliani.  Good conservative on most issues.  He's a little squirmy on the Right to Life, I think in his heart he still supports abortion on demand.  Plus, how can I trust a guy on almost any issue when his track record with his wives has been?  He broke one of the most sacred vows a man can give before God, family, and friends...makes it difficult for me to support in the Primary next week...

 

7) That leaves Mitt Romney.  I feel he is the most qualified when it comes to righting the economy.  He has run businesses, turned around the Olympics, governed as a Center Right Governor.  He has the right tax and fiscal positions.  He is strong on the War against Islamo-Fascists.  I believe he would appoint the right judges. He's the most presidential "looking." His family values and values of what's right and wrong are similar to mine as a Christian.  The whole Mormon thing is driving some batty.  But, my argument is that JFK had to face the same bias.  And, some Evangelicals consider Catholicism a cult as well (that' another dissertation!), and Romney's religion speech was fantastic.  I believe he can lead the country in what I believe are going to be perilous times.  We are in the struggle of a lifetime, and we cannot return to the Clintonian Era of trying to arrest terrorists and put them on trial.  They are at war with the West, and we are (at the moment) but Europe is going to burn.  Terrorism will rise in Europe because of their complacency...

 

How was that?  I think I explained myself pretty well.  Any questions?  I feel somewhat like Dick Morris, that was rather long winded!

 

Total Primary Votes:	Romney	McCain	Huckabee	Giuliani	Thompson
Iowa	29,494	15,559	40,841	4,097	15,904
New Hampshire	75,202	88,447	26,760	20,387	2,884
Michigan	337,847	257,251	139,699	24,706	32,135
Nevada	22,649	5,651	3,521	1,910	3,521
S. Carolina	64,970	143,224	128,908	9,112	67,897
Total	530,162	510,132	339,824	59,312	103,553
Total Delegates:	59	32	38	1	4

Via: Hugh Hewitt

I have said it before, I am now solidly behind Mitt Romney for the upcoming California Primary.  Fred thompson is out and Mike Huckabee's campaign is in trouble.  Staffers are going unpaid and many are jumping ship.  I don't see the Huck winning another state.  So, that again leaves us with the 3 top tiered candidates:  Rudy, McCain and Mitt.

Again at Hugh Hewitt he points us to the New York Times endorsement of McCain...one more reason not to vote for him.  The liberal MSM love of McCain has lessened this presidential season, but precisely why I will not vote for him:

    1) McCainFeingold- free speech limitations
    2) McCainKennedy- disastrous immigration reform
    3) voting against tax cuts- and continues to say it was the right vote
    4) Gang of 14- I just don't believe he will appoint conservative judges

So, the only reason to vote for him is his stance on the War in Iraq, and his support for the surge.  Everyone knows that he has an outstanding record as a war hero, and frankly, I am tired of hearing it...what has his record been since he has been a Senator, and it is not pretty.  I can't vote for him.

That leaves me with Rudy and Mitt.  I am just not willing to trust Rudy's judgement.  His ability to throw his marriage vows aside relly concerns me.  Then there is his recommendation of Bernie Kerik without fully vetting him.  What other skeleton's are in his closet?  Going up against the Clinton Mud Machine (see the dragging down of Obama this week) will certainly include more skeletons.  It is looking more like Rudy will lose in Florida.  He must win, or come in a very close second to continue his run.  I also am unable to trust his promise on appointing conservative judges...

So, GO MITT!!!

Race At A Glance

Total Primary Votes: Romney McCain Huckabee Giuliani Thompson Iowa 29,494 15,559 40,841 4,097 15,904 New Hampshire 75,202 88,447 26,760 20,387 2,884   Total 104,696 104,006 67,601 24,484 18,788 Total Delegates: 30 10 21 1 6

Via: Hugh Hewitt

Those are some interesting numbers...this presidential election will set conventional wisdom on it's ear.  The MSM has coronated Obama, and then viola, gee the exit polling was wrong and Hillary won.  The young vote won out, or lost out, which is it?  McCain is written off as a has been political gray hair...then, viola he wins New Hampshire.  Now, the question is, was Iowa a fluke, or was New Hampshire?  Will Michigan be just as surprising?  What about South Carolina?

Dimocrats are dropping likes flies...Dodd- out, Biden- out, RIchardson- out...will Edwards be far behind?  Or will his outrageous ego get in the way (it's as big as his hair is well coiffed!)?  However, on the other side the race is wide open.  Julian hasn't even placed, he is waiting for Super Tuesday- the national race...South Carolina is Thompson's "last stand."  What can we expect over the next 4 weeks, will the Republican's have a clear front runner after Super Tuesday?

The following post was brought on by an email I received from my sister in-law about the South Carolina Republican Debate.  It centered around Gov. Mike Huckabee's defense of the Southern Baptist position on the role of women in a marriage (evidently they placed an ad a newspaper).  While I was watching the debate I was quite impressed by his "mini sermon" but it did not change my mind about my vote which will be cast in the February 5th Super Tuesday.  The current Baptist Minister was referring to the passage from Ephesians 5, and when he said that marriage was not a 50-50% proposition but rather 100-100%, I was happy to hear it.  Submission by the wife is not the only requirement of believers, note Jesus was speaking to believers, husbands have the same requirement of submission:

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing^[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."^[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Here's my response:

Saw the whole thing…Huckabee is one heck of a debater, and catches your attention.  That “mini sermon” was fantastic, and put a lot of people back on there heels.  My biggest hesitation with the Huck is that he is not too strong on taxes- raised taxes in Ark., and is one who wants to use taxes as a social punishment- he raised taxes on everything from cigarettes, to groceries, and even proposed an internet tax…in addition he also forgets the true Reagan Coalition Principle- low taxes, limited government, strong defense (another sticking point with me, he calls our foreign policy “arrogant.”), wants to close Guantanamo (very bad idea, putting terrorists on US soil gains them more protections than if they are held off that soil- habeas corpus, speedy trial, etc.)  not a good idea…

 

Sorry, I am getting very passionate these days on looking at the presidential race…scared might be a description, seeing Madame President Clinton scares the bejeebers out of me!  The Huck is not my first choice (populist), nor is Giuliani (philanderer- if he can break marriage vows so easily, can we truly trust him to appoint strict constructionists to the judiciary, let alone his squishy position on abortion), Thompson (just think he has the passion and is not elect able), Ron Paul (can you say whacko?), McCain (he’s subverted Free Speech –namely on campaign finance reform, not to mention his utter disdain for Evangelical Christians, and is really opposed to tax reductions- voted against 2001 and 2003 tax relief), so that leaves me with Mitt Romney- he’s the most presidential looking and sounding- can a Mormon get elected, I believe he can, Google his speech on Religion and the Freedom of Religion- how can we be truly a society that holds the Right to Freedom of Religion as an inalienable right, if we make our presidential candidates follow some religious litmus test- Christians and Catholics need only apply(?),  on taxes he’s spot on, he’s admitted his position on abortion has evolved (can he be forgiven for making earlier pro-abortion comments if he truly had a life altering moment on the subject?),  and he absolutely is aligned with me on the Global War on Terror, as well he certainly is a family man…

My first choice would be none other than our representative from your neck of the woods: Duncan Hunter.  His campaign is stuck in the mud, and has no or very little national attention, therefore he may very well be a great vice president…

This may well turn out to be one of the most interesting Republican Presidential Campaigns in my lifetime.  I have never had the pleasure (or possibly displeasure) of seeing a negotiated nomination at the Convention.  There may well be no real decisive nominee, perhaps on both sides of the political spectrum.  I believe the Republicans are more likely to work their differences out, whereas the Clintons are likely to wish to share power with Obama, whether she is the President or she were the Vice Presidential nominee (not likely- she has a real distaste for Obama...). 

The knives are being sharpened on the left side of the aisles.  The Clinton political machine is gearing up to really take on Obama, with what will likely turn out to be more than differences between the campaigns, but real muck.  Who can forget that the Hill trotted out the Kindergarten quip, and one of key advisers put out there the the Republicans might take on Obama for his reported marijuana and cocaine use, and even whether or not he might have sold cocaine.  Nice, Hillary puts her attack machine at arms length.  It has always been that way.  The Norman Hsu crime went no where in the MSM, Chinese money being laundered on her behalf.  Does anyone remember the China link during the Bill's term????

One final comment of some of the complaints I continue to hear from supporters of one candidate or another.  I refer to what is being consider attack ads from the Romney Campaign. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with pointing out a candidates difference on issues?  If candidate A voted against tax relief, and Candidate B voted or governed differently (e.g.lowered taxes), how is that an attack?  What Hillary's campaign does is outright PERSONAL attacks (see above).

What say you?

Boy, what a ride...

This is the most interesting presidential race I've ever seen.  No clear winner, no clear conservative, no clear Reagan Conservative...we have lost our way as Republicans...we have fractured.  Why is Ron Paul in the race as a Republican?  Can anyone say whacko?

Who is going to bring about the coalescing around conservative principles:

1) limited government
2) strong defense
3) family values
4) low taxes
5) judicial restraint, namely strict constructionism
6) free markets
7) valuing life before convenience or lifestyle
8) spending restraint- back to limited government

etc., etc.,..

That said, I will hereby object to my current governor's choice in negotiating with local tribes (I am in San Diego County) is beyond belief.  Giving full control over what they decide is appropriate to pay to the State of California is a little beyond the pale...

So, I am completely against the referenda: no on 93, 94, 95, 96...

And, I am this close to endorsing Mitt Romney...

What say you?