I sure do understand that sentiment, but I see so many people being driven by fear about general election polls when the general election is over a year out.
Frankly, I think we need to do more than just beat Obama. If we elect another Bush type, we're not going to SOLVE any of the problems we have now and we can kiss our future goodbye.
Jim DeMint once said "I’d rather lose fighting for the right cause than win fighting for the wrong cause." I submit that the right cause is to elect a conservative with a record of LEADING on important issues. We need someone who doesn't need to be smacked in the head to know what common sense is. We need someone who doesn't put his/her finger in the wind to see which way to go on an issue.
If we give that up to pick someone who 'can win', based on polls this far out and the commentary of pundits who are wrong on every major issue of the day, we've already lost.
When looking at potential candidates, I wish we'd stop looking at the superficial and start looking at real substance.
Does --insert candidate here-- have a record of tackling corruption in both political parties? This is a very important issue to me, since damn near everything in this country from the President on down to our local community, is filthy and corrupt at every level and in both parties.
Does --insert candidate here-- have a record of educating people about issues and swaying public opinion on them? The Democrats are going to use their usual demagoguery to vilify everything we want to do to actually fix things. We need someone who can break it down and is willing to put in the time to change minds and make people aware of what the plans are?
Does --insert candidate here-- have a record of actually getting big changes that nobody ever thought possible done? Because we have a lot of big things that our political class thinks are impossible to do. And if we don't do them, we're going down the tubes.
I'm going to add more to this list of questions, but if I don't hit post now, I'm going to lose my whole work day typing this. ;)
If I could plug Rick Perry or any other candidate's name into those questions and answer 'yes', I'd be maxing out contributions to any of them and working my butt off for them through the election. So, if someone comes up with another candidate who fits that bill, I'm ready to support them.
Don't mistake that statement by me as support for Rick Perry. I did say at this point, given the current field, I wasn't ready to dismiss him out of hand. Hardly an endorsement.
Your points are well taken, so we don't need to play "who's the biggest, baddest conservative" game and obviously it's far too early to give a hoot about polls.
Your choices of leadership, teaching and convincing, confronting corruption, inate common sense, and bringing about major positive course correction are the proven, demonstrable qualities the nation needs. Sarah Palin clearly comes to mind.
It is certainly imperative that such a candidate emerges and wins. America can not long endure less.