Posted by
Rick V. on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 4:11:03 PM
Fred Thompson has announced, in a statement, his withdrawal from the Republican Presidential race. Senator Thompson, while seemingly attractive to Conservatives, never galvanized the Party faithful, and ran a lackluster, hands-off, seemingly above-the-fray campaign that wasn't well managed. His policy statements, to his credit, were well researched and extensive. It's unfortunate that the Senator wasn't able to find his footing in this race of non-Conservatives (and, dare I say, some non-Republicans?) and I wish him well in his future endeavors. Frankly, I'm uncertain that Fred actually wanted the job, this time around. His decision may prove to be an interesting footnote.
What's left?? a pro-life Democrat, a Scoop Jackson Democrat, an Isolationist, and two wild-cards, both centrist Republicans with pro-choice histories and pro-life convictions. Much is being made of the fracture between economic, social, and security Conservatives. As usual, the media, in it's prognostication of a Conservative crack-up, fails to understand Conservatives or Conservatism (probably because so few of them have actually seen one: "Oh look Martha, a Conservative!!" "Quick John, get a picture!!"). We are a complex bunch, we Conservatives, and we tend to have long memories. A social Conservative can't discount security issues, just as a security Conservative can't overlook economic issues or concerns. For true Conservatives (dare I say Limbaugh nee Reagan Conservatives??) it's not about single-issue or identity politics. Rather, it's about who has the vision to lead the Party forward, taking into account the principles of modern conservatism, as best witnessed by Reagan, rather than Bush. Regardless of what the polls are saying (and, frankly, I don't trust them) John McCain is not that individual. Any examination of his voting record, his comments on Conservatives, his championing of amnesty, the Gang of 14, and McCain-Feingold (his worst moment) clearly show a man that, at best, is at odds with much of what Conservatives hold as near and dear. I would characterize myself as a Security-economic Conservative, and, as a veteran of the same era that John McCain served in, I recognize and honor his service and sacrifice while a United States Naval Officer. However, the simple fact of the matter is that his experience as a POW, however horrific, doesn't give him a special pass to ascend to the Republican nomination "just because". We need not repeat the mistake, in hindsight, of Robert Dole. Nominees who arrive at the pinnacle through a selection process that emphasizes dues-paying versus leadership or vision are doomed to failure, either initially (Nixon in '60) or at re-election (Bush in '92). McCain shows neither the vision to lead a Republican party from a Conservative vanguard nor the vision to inspire a nation to vote for him. He is, frankly, a Scoop Jackson Democrat: a hawk on security and defense issues and a moderate or liberal on everything else. In my experience, a Republican with moderate or liberal views isn't a Republican, and most Conservatives won't vote for a liberal anything.