Ron Paul

I receive emails from several campaigns in order to get the inside scoop on campaign strategy first-hand, and among the ones I signed up for is Ron Paul. One thing I have to say about Ron Paul's supporters: they put their money where their mouth is. They don't just render lip service, they actually open their wallets. He can raise millions in a single day.

Thompson and Paul

I think Fred Thompson needs to drop out. Although I personally have nothing against him especially, I think he is splitting the more conservative section of republican voters. His supporters, roughly 9 percent of those being polled, could choose another candidate. Now, 9 percent normally doesn't sound like much, but in this close race, it matters. Nine percent could change the leader in the race if they all chose the same candidate, but they probably would split their votes among several of the other leaders.

Why am I not saying the same thing about Ron Paul who is drawing about 4 percent in the polls? Yes, 4 percent could also make a difference in this nomination, but in his case, I think it's different. You see, Ron Paul doesn't change the results for any other candidate because his supporters, from what I know of them, (and I know a few) don't have a "second" choice candidate in the republican primary. If Ron Paul doesn't get the nomination, they walk away from the republican party and either don't vote in the presidential election or they vote third party; most likely the constitution party.

McCAIN

Finally, somebody said it!! There are worse things than Republicans losing the White House in November.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/who_will_stop_mccain.html

Nevada Caucus

Nevada Caucus results make this nomination even more exciting. Romney and Clinton pulled out victories, but Nevada did not have the hype attached to it that South Carolina had. Why? For the republicans, Nevada had more delegates to win than South Carolina, and with the process looking more and more like a lead-up to a brokered convention, every delegate counts.

South Carolina Primary

South Carolina is an interesting state. In recent history, South Carolina has been a good predictor of republican nominees, but this year seems to be breaking all stereotypes; nothing is going according to a predictable plan. McCain won, but not hugely, and according to the talking heads, the race is still wide open. I can only hope that it is.

Disappointments are real

As much as I get interested in and excited about politics, I try to approach it from a realist perspective. Candidates for public office are also humans and no human being is perfect. Sometimes we set our expectations on a candidate that they are going to fulfill everything we dream of in a public servant, but this attitude toward any candidate will doom us to disappointment. Nobody can fulfill everyone's expectations. In the few cases where somebody I voted for got elected, I can only recall one in whom I wasn't disappointed. This post may seem contradictory to one I wrote earlier about the electability of a candidate, but that's not what I'm referring to in this post. Realizing the limitations of any one candidate, but choosing the one with the best ideas and track-record is important. While I have narrowed the presidential field down to several possibilities I could vote for, I have not yet jumped whole-heartedly on any band-wagon, and there are several candidates for whom I will not vote on principle.

Politics and Sports

I follow politics like some people follow sports. But the stakes are higher in politics than in sports. Who wins the Super Bowl in 2008 does not affect America's policies at home and abroad, but who wins the election does. Yes, it matters to me who wins and loses.

Michigan Primary

This makes things more interesting: Michigan picks Romney. And, for the most part, the democrats did not interfere with the republican primary. Maybe there was too much snow and it was too cold.

Menu Make-over

What will they do next?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7888.html

You can vote, too

It doesn't matter if you are eligible to vote in the U.S. Presidential election; you can still vote in my polls.

Michigan

Today Michigan will vote for a presidential candidate in the primary election. The democrat's primary there isn't very exciting given that Senator Hillary is running un-opposed. The danger for republicans, therefore, is that democrats will vote in the republican primary, skewing the results in favor of a more liberal candidate. We'll have to wait and see who comes out on top. The democrats love Senator McCain, the republican establishment leaders love Gov. Romney and Mayor Giuliani and they despise Gov. Huckabee. The republican establishment is out of touch with the republican base. David Brooks, in a Jan. 1, 2008 New York Times OpEd, wrote, "The leaders of the Republican coalition know Romney will lose. But some would rather remain in control of a party that loses than lose control of a party that wins."

Too Unusual?

Over the years that I've followed and been involved in politics I have supported more losers than winners. I sometimes even support losers to other losers. I think it's because I'm so conservative. These days I do not even readily identify myself as a Republican, because I am first a conservative. I have heard, and seen time and again that "electability" is the most important "quality" in a candidate. And I've sometimes even fallen for it, but the last few years have really made me look twice about supporting a candidate just because he or she can win and has the "right"party label. I'm tired of winners that compromise because they are worried about getting re-elected. I am approaching this election from a different view point, and I've been following this presidential race since the last one. I am no longer willing to support a candidate just because they win my party's nomination. I will not be forced into voting for a RINO (Republican In Name Only) just for the sake of defeating a Democrat, under the guise of choosing "the lesser of two evils." Having Republicans in Washington means nothing if they are not also conservatives. Real ones. It is better to have a liberal Democrat in the White House than a liberal Republican. My theory is that a Democrat in the White House forces the Republicans in the Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) to become more conservative. They may not do it because they are conservative so much as on the principle of simple opposition to the other party. But a liberal Republican is harder to stop because some Republicans in Congress will support anything labeled "Republican" for the sake of appearing unified with their party. This election, candidates from both major parties are emphasizing the word "change." I agree, it is time for change, but whose?

New Hampshire Primary

Well, well, well. New Hampshire has spoken. The democrats want Hillary and the republicans want McCain. So, let the race continue. Let me just say that I don't think either of these candidates is an unusual statesman.

The Iowa Caucus

Iowans have spoken. In Iowa, the Democrats want Barack Obama and the Republicans want Mike Huckabee. But that's just Iowa. What will the rest of the United States say?