McCain, Romney, Clinton, Obama...

I read this post by Mark Levin on NRO's "The Corner" blog, and found it to be a good outline of Reagan's presidency and policy views (and his principles) in response to Senator McCain's attempts to say he is no different than Reagan.

Reagan challenged his party from the Right. He sought the Republican nomination in 1968 against Richard Nixon and lost. He sought the nomination against Gerald Ford in 1976 and lost. He fought the Republican establishment in 1980 as well, including Bob Dole, Howard Baker, and George H. W. Bush, and won. McCain has challenged his party from the Left. I don't know how many more times I and others have to lay out his record to prove the point. To put a fine point on it, when he had to, Reagan sought compromise from a different set of beliefs and principles than McCain. It does a great disservice to historical accuracy and the current debate to continue to urge otherwise.

In terms of who I support... at this point I have definitely ruled out Hillary Clinton, who I think is power hungry, willing to do anything for that power, and ultimatly not particularly qualified to be president (despite her "I have 35 years of experience" line, which I find to be laughable). I have also ruled out Barack Obama, though I respect him as a man and I think his hopeful view of the people, the country and the future is in sync with my own views. I rule him out because of his many liberal policies (not the least of which is his pro-choice view).

I have also ruled out Ron Paul (just a bit to crazy, his policies could never be implemented without destroying the country), and Mike Huckabee (His policies are to pragmatically motivated. He doesn't seem to operate on principle, just on what will "fix" a problem. Add to that, he seems naive in some areas, such as foreign policy and immigration.)

That leaves McCain and Romney. For many reasons, not the least of which are outlined in the article by Levin, I don't support Senator McCain. I do not think he is the worst thing that could happen to the Republican party or the conservative movement (like many do) but I don't think he is the best choice.

Not that you should think I am supporting Governor Romney because he is the least offensive to me (which many seem to be doing). I find Mitt Romney to be a generally principled conservative. I have found him to have a similar hopeful view of the country and people as Senator Obama. I find his economic policies to be very well thought out. I believe his social views on abortion and gay marriage are genuine, and I find his views on foreign policy to be intelligent and well thought out.

To those who say he is a "flip-flopper" I would say 2 things.

Number one, almost everyone in this race has changed positions on some issue or issues, and none of them have acknowledge that they changed their mind, only saying it was what they really believed all along (from McCain's major flip on immigration and taxes, Huckabee on the same issues, Hillary on the war... the only ones who seem not to have are Obama and Ron Paul). Romney has acknowledged he changed his mind, and has defended the right of everyone to change their mind as they get older and wiser.

Number two, Governor Romney can point to definite points (pivot points for those familiar with AA) where the change in thinking crystalized. This is important, because it means it wasn't just a politically expedient reason, it was a genuine change in thinking sparked by an event (his abortion view, which is really the only view he has changed a lot on, has a very definite pivot point).

From what those who worked with him and know him have said, he is not a politically motivated person. He is a duty motivated person. He is motivated by duty, and a vision for the country. There is almost universal praise for how he conducts himself and treats those he comes in contact with. You only need to look at how he treats his family, and how they look at him to know this. He is very intelligent, and has a lot of experience not only politically as an executive, but also in the workforce as a CEO, which gives him a much better handle on how the economy actually works.

So, there it is. I have other reasons to support Governor Romney, but those will suffice for now. I would also point you to a friends post at Mod-Blog for the reasons he has changed his view, and is supporting Governor Romney.

But, whatever the outcome, God is in control, which is an extremely comforting thought! It is also helpful to remember that God is less concerned with what happens to this country than what happens to His Kingdom, the Church. He isn't about the business of making countries great, He is about the business of making His Name great, and saving the people of this world. Don't forget that as we move forward in this election season.

Huckabee, Obama... Analysis by Peggy Noonan

Well, the winners in Iowa are Obama and Huckabee. I thought both victory speeches were good, Obama getting the points for most eloquent. Both appeal to hope, the best in Americans, and uniting the people.

Peggy Noonan's column today has some analysis. She has some insight on why Huckabee has surged and become the leading candidate.

From the mail I have received the past month after criticizing him in this space, I would say his great power, the thing really pushing his supporters, is that they believe that what ails America and threatens its continued existence is not economic collapse or jihad, it is our culture.

They have been bruised and offended by the rigid, almost militant secularism and multiculturalism of the public schools; they reject those schools' squalor, in all senses of the word. They believe in God and family and America. They are populist: They don't admire billionaire CEOs, they admire husbands with two jobs who hold the family together for the sake of the kids; they don't need to see the triumph of supply-side thinking, they want to see that suffering woman down the street get the help she needs.

They believe that Mr. Huckabee, the minister who speaks their language, shares, down to the bone, their anxieties, concerns and beliefs. They fear that the other Republican candidates are caught up in a million smaller issues--taxing, spending, the global economy, Sunnis and Shia--and missing the central issue: again, our culture. They are populists who vote Republican.

I think this is right on, definitely the feeling I get from the supporters that I have talked to and read.

So, we'll see what happens. I think Mr. Obama has the chops to go all the way. I think many people underestimate Mr. Huckabee and the support he can engender.

Now, on to Tuesday and New Hampshire!

HuckChuck Facts...

So everybody gave Fred Thompson kudos when he did that video in response to Michael Moore. Frankly, I found it kind of underwhelming, and not that funny, and certainly not much of a response to the content of what Moore had said. It was actually kind of stupid.

This however, is funny and a great use of media for a presidential campaign:) Kudos to Mike!



HT: Between Two Worlds

Mike Huckabee

This article is from the latest edition of Newsweek (at least online). (HT:Between Two Worlds).

It's on Mike Huckabee and why he is the best Republican nominee for President.

Huckabee comes across more hopeful than Giuliani, more believable than Romney, more intelligent than Thompson and fresher than McCain. He would hold the base and capture moderates drawn to his down-home style. His greatest asset is that he alone among the Republicans "speaks American." He connects to his audience with stories and metaphors and a geniality that can't be faked. "I'm conservative but I'm not angry about it," he likes to say, and it's true; his gentle mocking of the intraparty warfare that broke out during the Fox debate—likening it to a "demolition derby"—confirms the point. This was Reagan's secret, and it worked for Huckabee in Arkansas, where he won the votes of independents and Democrats.

I've been discovering Huckabee recently. I generally agree with him on positions. I also agree with Mr. Alter (the author of the article) that Huckabee's presence. He's down home, but also nuanced and intelligent.

I encourage you to read the article, and read and listen to what Huckabee has to say if you haven't yet.