McCain/Huckabee ticket a nightmare for Democrats…Republicans too

Is it possible? A Presidential ticket that is despised and perhaps even feared by both political parties? In its quest for change, voters are rejecting the extremes of their parties to look at more Middle America, everyday “Normal Joe” candidates to lead them. On the Republican side, John McCain and Mike Huckabee are two candidates that have the establishment shaking their heads.
When conservative talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Michael Medved come out swinging, calling McCain and Huckabee Liberals and saying that their nomination would be the end of the GOP, voters ignored them and flocked to these two men. The establishment’s first pick, Rudy Giuliani, has faded into the sunset and their new show boy, Mitt Romney, despite his personal war chest to dip into for his campaign, can’t seem to gain much traction on McCain.
The truth is, when the “establishment” calls these candidates liberals, they are ignoring their proven conservative record on social issues such as abortion and family matters and instead focus on fiscal concerns and illegal immigration, where the candidates are a bit more moderate, or to put it a better way, compassionate. The extreme Right wing of the party wouldn’t mind going door to door Gestapo style searching for illegal immigrants to burn at the stake. Of course, the left isn’t any better; they would go door to door also, but they would hand out cradle to grave benefits at taxpayer expense. These two men understand the need for a secure border for our safety, but unlike their colleagues, they won’t resort to landmines and an electric fence. They understand the desire of immigrants to provide a better life for their families, even risking death in the process. Of course, they are still illegal, and need to be dealt with, but they should not be the main focus of this campaign. Americans seem to be more concerned with the war on terror, the economy being in the dumps, and with issues like Education and Crime.
And when it comes to taxes, both McCain and Huckabee understand the need to balance tax cuts with spending cuts. Voters understand and voted out the Republican spendthrifts in the last election. When looking at the taxes that were raised in Arkansas under Huckabee, one sees that the money raised was used for improvements in the Education system and infrastructure, as well as creating a balanced budget. In fact, Time magazine named Huckabee one of America’s 5 best Governors. Compare that to the deficit accrued under the Republican controlled Congress. And McCain has promised, should he become President, to veto any bill with pork barrel spending in it. That scares legislators who depend on padding bills with pork for their districts so they can get re-elected.
The Democratic establishment fears these men because they know they would lose to such a formable ticket in the fall. The current Republican establishment fears them because it would lose control of the Party. Fortunately, the rest of America, the America politicians on both sides of the aisle have conveniently forgotten, love them and may just choose them as their new leaders. John McCain and Mike Huckabee: good for America, bad for Politics.

Dishonor Among Thieves

Every once and awhile the Arizona Daily Star will print an Opinion piece that doesn't reflect their bias. While they edited my piece, they were fairly generous in what they printed. The link is http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/education/213597. Most comments were positive on the article.

God relegated to the sidelines

Viewing the new Dollar coin being minted by the US Treasury, one may be astonished by the design. Each coin features on one side a unique design that shows a different President. On the other, the Statue of Liberty and the text “United States of America”. Ironically, something is missing. This symbol of freedom denotes the tremendous liberty we have in this country. Yet the Author of that liberty has been brushed to the side. The quote “In God we Trust” is missing, or so it seems. On the edge, the two millimeter edge, are the “acknowledgement” of God and the phrase E. Pluribus Unum.
With the continual bombardment of court cases by the ACLU to remove any and all references to the Almighty from Public life, it seems that the political correctness of the day has succeeded in intimidating the United States Government. While they will probably deny this allegation, the fact is, they have become ashamed of God. Fearing the security of their jobs rather than standing on principle, the political establishment has become lofty in their own eyes. Seeing no reason to give reverence to the One who has blessed this great nation, they see their own accomplishments as the reason for our success.
Was it an accident? Did they run out of room on the coin? Have they decided that the Establishment Clause refers to the mere acknowledgment of God or is it political correctness run amuck? You decide.

Is Newt’s confession a sign of things to come?

With Newt Gingrich's admission of his shortcomings to James Dobson and with Jerry Falwell’s praise, we may be hearing an announcement soon. Acceptance among the Religious Right is key to getting the Republican nomination. It will be interesting to see what develops. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain continue to go head to head in the polls. If a solid, consistent conservative who is well-known was to come on the scene, these three may fall to the wayside. Duncan Hunter is a decent conservative but nobody knows him. In fact, there are several reasonable candidates but they lack name recognition. Besides Newt, there is rumor that former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson is considering a run as well. Thompson is another well known conservative who could take the nomination should he decide to run. Time will tell, but waiting too long may cost conservatives a candidate that actually stands for the principles of the Republican Party.

A political party cannot be all things to all people

All too often, candidates run to the Left, then to the Right and finally to the center in an effort to make everybody happy, or at least enough to get them elected; thus, the animosity towards politicians. Desiring more to be in power than to help those whom they are seeking to represent, many “sell their souls” to win. And people wonder why their Representatives rarely accomplish anything remotely resembling what they campaigned on.

There are political parties for a reason. To unite people with similar goals and values so they can further their ideas in the political realm. To enact policy that is in line with their belief system. For Republicans, it used to be fiscal responsibility, limited government, and social conservatism. But in an effort to keep power, the Party decided on a new approach, the “Big Tent”. In an effort not to offend people and lose membership, they water down or otherwise ignore the Party Platform. Then they get upset with being labeled as “RINOs” (Republican in name only). While the Party Platform says one thing, elected leaders often will vote like they were Liberal Democrats. Well, my message to them is: Go and re-register as a Democrat. Stop lying to the public that you actually believe in this Party. If our values aren’t your values, why are you here? People need to stand for what they believe. If you can’t stand on principal, what good are you? It is better to stand for what one believes is right and lose than to win at any cost. As one of our greatest Presidents once said:

"A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs, which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell numbers..... And if there are those that cannot subscribe to these principals, THEN LET THEM GO THEIR WAY."

-- Ronald Reagan.

Double standard nothing new in Politics

Ann Coulter, the darling of the Right Wing, was lambasted this weekend after she referred to Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards as a “faggot” in a speech. The quote was "It turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I'm kind of at an impasse -- I can't really talk about Edwards," She insists she was joking, making reference to "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington's decision to go into rehab during a public relations firestorm after he called one of his co-stars a "faggot."

Many lawmakers, activists and political pundits were quick to decry her statements as hateful, inappropriate, and mean spirited. Even the top three GOP contenders, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain, spoke out against Coulter’s insult. Yet, when such “speech” is used by the Left Wing, there is a different tune.

Political commentator Bill Maher said “More people in the world would live if Vice President Dick Cheney died”, a reference to the failed homicide bombing which was believed to be targeting the vice president. Maher had no qualms about suggesting the death of the U.S. vice president would be a good thing. Yet this raised few eyebrows. Others on the left, especially in Hollywood, love to refer to President Bush as a terrorist. Add to this, they continue to insist that America is to blame for all the ills of the world. Of course, the media never seems to have a problem with that.

Free speech is free speech, even when it’s hateful. Regardless of Coulter’s (or Maher’s) remarks, they have a right to express them. When we start censoring people’s thoughts and opinions, we revert to a police state where insulting the wrong person or group could get you put in prison or even killed. China, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union, to name just a few, are (were) famous for that. I don’t like some things people say either. Oh well. That's life and I need to deal with it. And so do you.

Ed. note - Coulter later apologized by saying she "would never mean to insult gay people by comparing them to John Edwards."

McCain gaining ground

John McCain may be receiving forgiveness from the right. In a straw poll taken in South Carolina (the end point of his last campaign), he has pulled even with Rudy Giuliani and Duncan Hunter. The early numbers indicated Giuliani in first, Hunter in second and McCain a distant third. But this morning the numbers have been heavily in McCain’s favor. Considering the fallout that occurred in 2000, this is a promising showing for him, especially in a conservative stronghold like the South. If he stops associating with Liberals on legislation, he may have a chance. Otherwise look for a surge by Giuliani and possibly Hunter. If Newt Gingrich decides to run (and he better do it soon if wants a shot), he would give Giuliani a run for his money. Gingrich polls well even though he hasn’t announced. With many States moving their Presidential Primaries to February, this race may over by late this year.