Posted by
EFuller on Saturday, July 07, 2007 9:38:55 AM
As a conservative, what choices in the primaries and election would cause me the most angst?
The Current Republican Choices
If my choices are limited to the current, official slate of Republicans, I would be trapped into a choice of heart against head. Would I support Romney because my head thinks he has the greatest chance and is more conservative, even though my heart is not excited? Or, would I support Huckabee, who has impressed me, even while my head whispers, "He has no chance"?
I would not support McCain -- the heart is repulsed by his past opportunism. And my head warns loudly. Although Bush has handled the current political situation poorly, I easily think McCain would be worse in similar circumstances. Let's face it, we are most likely to have a narrowly divided Congress or a Democratic one if McCain wins.
Giuliani is also out. Both heart and head are continually suspicious his liberal core will do bad things as President, despite his assurances.
Thankfully, I will be saved from this dilemma by the entrance of Fred Thompson. But it may set up a different agony.
The Potential Republican Choices
My heart likes Fred. My head also likes Fred because many voters will like him. He can communicate complex things simply and with wit. HIs conservatism is solid. So what's the problem?
Newt is the problem. If Gingrich enters the race, I'll be faced with another heart vs. head dilemma. I am enthused by Newt's ideas and energy. He is younger-looking than Fred, and may attract younger voters. But my head says his negatives are too high to win the general election. I may have to go with Fred, even though I like Newt -- unless Newt shows good traction...
The "Stinky" Choices
What about a general election without Fred or Newt? If you take the current slate of Republicans and compare them to Obama and Hillary, what happens?
Well, if it is Hillary, I'll vote Republican any day. Even McCain is better than either Clinton. But McCain versus Obama? Talk about holding your nose to vote Republican! (The analysts will say that McCain and Hillary have strong emotional negatives with me while Obama does not.) I would have a similar reaction to Giuliani on the ticket. Oh, my head would lead me to vote Republican, but my heart would be disgusted.
So, it looks like the most exciting election choice for me would be a surging Thompson, or -- against the odds -- a highly popular Newt. Lacking either, Romney is the most acceptable of the likely remaining choices.