DISAPPOINTED AND LOST

"Why should a belief in individual freedom, less centralized authority in government, and more local autonomy be called conservatism? By the same token what is liberal about wanting more government, government interference in the raising of our children, compulsory government medicine and the confiscation and forced redistribution of a sizable percentage of each citizens earnings?"

Ronald Reagan November 16, 1976


Fred Thompson's disappointing showing in Saturday's South Carolina primary and subsequent withdrawal from the race today leaves me with nowhere to go. Fred's exit ends the only chance of the Republican Party fielding a Presidential candidate who follows the Reagan political ethos. That officially ends the party of Reagan. The GOP has morphed into a spineless, philosophically challenged shell of the party once in control of both houses of Congress and the White House. See how the mighty have fallen. This is the result of years if not decades of party leaders neglecting and ignoring the proven ideas of Ronald Reagan. Dutch knew a thing or two about leading the free world and winning elections, and the party has abused his legacy to its own detriment. Conservatives such as I now have no candidate and no party.

The Republican primary voters so far have chosen candidates far outside what has traditionally been conservative thinking. The four gentlemen remaining are not assured of winning in November because they do not present unswerving dedication to the principles of the right and in opposition to the liberal Democrats. South Carolina winner Senator John McCain has shown time and time again that he will fold his political tent and cooperate with liberals just to claim "something" has been achieved. The two most famous pieces of legislation with McCain's name on them also have the names Feingold and Kennedy on them. More outrageous and unforgivable was the infamous "Gang of Fourteen" debacle in the Senate when a group of so called moderates in both parties cut a deal to avoid a substantive fight over judges. As a conservative, I am not sending Republicans to Washington to cut deals with the Democrats, I'm sending Republicans to D.C. to outvote the liberals. Senator McCain's service and dedication to our nation in unquestionable, but he is far too willing to smoke the peace pipe instead of opposing the Democrats when necessary. Rudy's a likable enough guy, he's good on the war, but his social positions are intolerable. Mitt Romney only became conservative to run for President. That and his striking resemblance to Count Chocula scare me. I find Mike Huckabee detestable. His blatant use of religion to fuel his campaign is morally repugnant, and he should be ashamed. Evangelicals in the early primary states were bedazzled enough to ignore his liberal spending, immigration, and big government record. I will not be able to vote for any of these people in good conscience, and that leaves quite a dilemma.

How does one vote when none of the candidates of their own party are suitable? One answer is to cast a vote for the other party, a sort of rebellious protest and something I've never done. Voting for a third party candidate is surely a wasted effort since they have absolutely zero chance of winning or even placing. Or perhaps disenchanted conservatives should just sit the election out and allow the chips to fall where they may. I believe the Democrats will win in November against any of the current crop of Republican hopefuls, with or without my help. It's an interesting question, and one that can be pondered for another seven months plus. None of the GOP survivors is likely to get my support whatever they say, and my differences with the Democrats on policy are large and many.

The current situation is that I have no political party. I will for for voting purposes remain a Republican so that I can support conservative candidates, if any should emerge at a later date. In addition, I in no way feel obliged to automatically support Republican candidates for other offices further down the ballot. The Republicans here in my state of Ohio are a strikingly pathetic and ineffective bunch, mirroring the national party. Now my support will have to be earned. I have a long time to decide a proper course of action for next November, but the party should know they have disappointed and driven away a reliable lifetime supporter. Saturday was a major setback for the GOP, but it may take a spanking from the Democrats in November before it is realized. It seems Barack Obama is more aware of the Reagan legacy than any of the Republican candidates. Ronald Reagan made me a Republican, and now the party is abandoning his policies. If that isn't a betrayal, it sure feels like one.