Also: "The translation is vote Republican regardless of the candidate's position on the issues or the voter having a more favorable candidate in mind."
There are ebbs and flows in politics just as there are in life. Sometimes the party tilts more conservative, sometimes it tilts more moderate. At this point in time, it is tending to tilt a little more moderate. Not an ideal situation.
However, the reality is that, as of right now, there is not a conservative candidate out there that has the remotest shot at winning the Presidency, which is why we see Newt Gingrich's name being bandied about.
Newt, while he may be a master strategist, is beyond damaged goods. He's been demonized to the point of no return, both by the media and by his own actions and will be destroyed in a general election.
"It assumes only Republicans can take a strong stance against the war on terror. That assumption could not be more incorrect. It's a poor scare tactic." I choose to look at the Presidential race realistically. There are issues on which I would prefer the party remain a little more resolute. I agree with you on that.
However, far from being a scare tactic, I would ask you to explain to me how a second Clinton as POTUS would not be an unmitigated disaster?
Far from being a scare tactic, it is reality. Dismissing reality is only an attempt to validate a third party vote, by refusing to recognize and acknowledge the dangers we face from a Dem President.
I do not regard my possible support for Giuliani as a compromise of certain of my principles. I, simply, recognize that it is not an "all or nothing" situation. I am fine with agreeing with him on 50 percent of his platform, because I agree with Her Thighness on nothing, and with Osama Obama on less than nothing and 50% is better than nothing. The alternative is totally unacceptable. I recognize the implications of either of those two becoming POTUS. I have no choice. I must do everything I can, as a citizen, to protect my country and all I have at my disposal as a weapon, is my vote!
Lastly, I must commend you and thank you for discussing this with me. You have been civil and respectful, which is a breath of fresh air because the discussion hasn't degenerated into a mud-slinging contest as this type of debate so often does.
It has been an absolute pleasure discussing this with you, even if it IS as devil's advocate. I respect your positions immensely and will continue to do so as we move through the primaries and into the general election.
Take care.
Thanks for helping me to screw it back on right. Political reality is a stubborn thing.
I want a candidate with a history of successful governance - and not just someone who is winning the conservative spitting contest on Free Republic. Someone who has thrown the money back into the face of the Saudi oil prince, and who fully understands the seriousness of the threat to America in these perilous times. I'm voting for the Commander-in-Chief...not the Moralist-in-Chief. I suspect all of the same social issues will still be around after the radical Jihadists are defeated.