Posted on 01/25/2008 10:02:32 AM PST by BplusK
With Thompson dropping out of the presidential race, his conservative supporters are wondering who to support now. He has not yet endorsed one of the remaining candidates. There are four viable Republican candidates left; Huckabee, Romney, McCain and Giuliani. Giuliani is unacceptable to the kind of conservative who was supporting Thompson, because of his liberal social views and reputation as a moderate. He has yet to win a primary and may drop out of the race if he doesnt win Florida. McCain and Romney are currently tied for the lead in Florida polls.
McCain is leading national polls, but Huckabee and Romney have more delegates than he does so far, which is what will ultimately determine the primary outcome. Huckabee is expected to do well on Super Tuesday, February 5, when 21 states, including quite a few southern states, will be holding their primaries. Many of those primaries are closed, so Independents wont be able to vote in the Republican primary, which had helped McCain.
Although not quite as liberal as Giuliani, Huckabee, Romney and McCain have problems with their records which have made conservatives hesitant to support them. Rush Limbaugh said yesterday this may be the first election he doesnt support a Republican.
Huckabees record on fiscal issues is troubling. However, his record on social issues is outstanding and he is to be admired for not hiding the fact hes a Christian. Compare this with John McCain, who not only has a poor record on fiscal issues such as tax cuts, but also has a poor record on social issues, receiving only a 65 rating in the most recent rating from the American Conservative Union, lower than even Nebraskas Senator Chuck Hagel who received a 75. He's also referred to conservative Christian leaders who didn't support him as "agents of intolerance," comparing them to Louis Farrakhan. National talk radio hosts like Limbaugh and Sean Hannity cant stand McCain, and columnist George Will recently said hes no maverick, hes really just a Democrat. McCain received a 75 rating from National Right to Life, and Brent Bozell reported yesterday that McCain aides whispered to reporters that he wasnt really that opposed to abortion and would come around on gay rights. McCain is disliked by the Republican party base and conservatives in Arizona, who consistently rate him as the most unacceptable candidate for president. Last year the chairman of the Maricopa County GOP wore a sticker that said McCain 2008 crossed out.
Romney claims to be a conservative now that hes running for president, and to his credit, did make some changes his last year or so in office, such as signing a bill banning partial-birth abortion. However, supporting Romney is a big gamble, since the pattern is that most candidates tend to run conservative then become more liberal after they enter office.
Yesterday Duncan Hunter endorsed Huckabee. Hunter was one of the most solid conservatives in the race, so this endorsement should not be taken lightly. Even libertarian Neil Boortz appears to be supporting Huckabee, because of his Fair Tax plan which would eliminate the IRS. At this point, Huckabee is looking like the best remaining viable candidate for conservatives to support.
Carolyn
Solid on the Issues and it can have a great impact on the race.
Also would make Hillary or Obama look small by comparison.
Thanks to monkapotamus for the graphics.
That's what the MSM wants you to think, because they have their campaign to paint him as an ignorant, superstitious, snag-toothed, backwoods-Arkansas, bible-thumping, snake-charming hillbilly is in the can and ready to roll in their goal to reelect Clinton, Inc.
Romney is not my choice, but he has chance of beating Team Clinton.
The Huckster doesn't.
You have GOT to be kidding!!!!
The correct answer is vote strategically in hope of the party turning to a Dark Horse (Fred or Newt):
Vote for the least intolerable of the active candidates (your judgement) if doing so has a realistic change of denying an intolerable candidate delegates. If not, and Fred is still on the ballot, stick to your guns and vote for Fred.
For me McCain and Huckabee are intolerable. I see no point in America having two socialist parties.
I was a Thompson supporter and have shifted along with my family to Romney. We are leaving in 30 mins to go early vote here in Florida for him.
Oh yeah, let’s nominate Huckabee and watch the GOP go down in flames in a 40 state debacle.
I was a Hunter’s Ranger but, Fred was my second choice.
Out of the 4 left, IMO, Romney is a very energetic, family man without a marred past. He has proven himself to be a success at everything he’s done and is by far the most knowledgable about the world economy.
I’m still not sure who I will support but, I think it’s crucial to make sure it’s not McCain. (endorced by the NYTIMES)
“man without a marred past” ?
Mitt Romney, the FAKE CONSERVATIVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c3xJdFbJGw
I am sorry, but you are wrong about Huckabee. I think you are simply blinded by Mitt’s charm and optimism.
It would be a 50 state debacle...
Plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands....
And Guam would seek to by annexed by Japan...
I think it was pretty clear at the debate when huck said he would rather have a major public works project instead of tax cuts
It will be Romney for me.
I am terribly disappointed in Thompson. I generously contributed to his campaign and have not received any statement or anything from the campaign since he quit the campaign. Before then, it was several emails a day.
I cannot vote for McCain or Huckabee. I can’t stay home and let Hillary or Obama waltz into the Whitehouse!
we go to buy these, for our noses in the voting booth .....
That’s how I knew his campaign was dead. I didn’t get an email asking for more $ after he lost SC. Oh well.
electability is my top concern.
Bishop Willard has no chance in the
general election.
for me, McCain or Rudy
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