That’s the only answer a true conservative can give. Whether one supports Romney or not (and I don’t), if he wins the nomination the only strategically sound course of action is to vote for him. Staying home or voting third party will be a vote for Obama. Conservatives actually benefited from this effect in 2000—without Nader in the race, we would have inaugurated President Gore in 2001.
Any conservative who refuses to vote for the GOP nominee in 2012, whomever that may be, is not a conservative at all, but a showboater who is more concerned with perceptions and social standing than with defeating BHO.
Bucky, you are soooo right. BHO must be defeated. Period. A vote against i.e. BHO, is better than a vote only for our ideal candidate.
That said, the Mass Rino is not likely to be the 2012 candidate, but I can think of other possibilities that I do not like any better. Just vote the evil, ignorant usurper out!
Would a no vote for McCain be a the same as a No vote for Romney or any other GOPer in 2012? Why not point that out, why not call Grunthor on that as you have numerous others on many other threads when they say they won't support Romney.
Typical Romney/GOP hack boilerplate.
The reason we even have this conversation is because people like you as well as the RNC (perhaps you are working with them who knows) have your own “litmus” test, one the expects Conservatives to roll simply because you put up a candidate. It is the conceit that gives you and other Republicans the gall to put up people like Scozzafava in NY 23 and expect everyone to salivate like Pavlov's dog because there is an “R” after their name.
We saw how well that worked didn't we.
That path, the one the RNC has been on for over a decade is the only LOSER around here.
Here is an idea for you as well as the rest of the Republicans out there. A vote is a personal and precious commodity, the one thing we own out right that gives us a say as to what future we may have. Instead of expecting or demanding the conservative vote try EARNING IT. If you are indeed a “true conservative” and not just another in a line of RNC/Whatever RINO hacks that seem to pop up here like weeds, fight FOR conservative ideas, argue AGAINST the weak sister wannbes while we are 2 years out.
The time to surrender is not now, the time to “make do”, accept the inevitable, the time to compromise is many months from now, in the final days in October before the election. That is when conservatives will have to look deep and decide how much they are will to compromise once again.
Even then the only vote FOR Obama is an actual lever pull next to his name. The failure to win the votes of those who would otherwise vote republican is the failure of the RNC only, a failure on their part to respect and value the vote of the people whose support they should have EARNED not EXPECTED.
Of course we can avoid all of that by actually nominating a conservative. Radical idea ain't it.
Or is that scary, is that not part of the plan for you and yours?
I will assume you will meet my expectations with some wonderful quip, some “loser” comment, some charge that I am not towing the party line.
Well the last one is true, and I do that with pride...
However many of us have heard it before and will hear it again. we know from whence it comes and why so mundane and predicable comments and retorts are made. Nothing new under the sun on that.
Standing on principle has a price, fortunately there are still many of us willing to pay it...
“Any conservative who refuses to vote for the GOP nominee in 2012, whomever that may be, is not a conservative at all, but a showboater who is more concerned with perceptions and social standing than with defeating BHO.”
I did not vote for John McCain in 2008, I will not vote for him if he gets the nod in 2012. This is not because I believe he is a RINO (he is) but because I have a personal, visceral, white hot hatred of the son-of-a-bitch.
While Mitt Romney is certainly further to the left than I am comfy with, I harbor no hatred of him personally. I could vote for him, in the general over Obomba.
“Any conservative who refuses to vote for the GOP nominee in 2012, whomever that may be, is not a conservative at all, but a showboater who is more concerned with perceptions and social standing than with defeating BHO.”
Whomever? Romney? Hilary? Jar-Jar Binks? Whooo-boy. Let’s have a reality check: Romney has already enacted his own Obamacare in Massachusetts (which is already bankrupt); he did nothing as governor to oppose gay marriage, although he’s “personally opposed.”
Mitt Romney is a showboater who is more concerned with perceptions and social standing than with conservatism. That’s the only answer a true conservative can give.
BTW, Mormons aren’t any more Christian than Muslims, who also believe in Jesus Christ; Muslims have Mohammed as their prophet, while Mormons have Joseph Smith (and both supported polygamy!)