Why I’m a Reluctant Republican
Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second
The last democrat I voted for in a presidential election was LBJ. That was also the first presidential election in which I was able to vote.
Since then, there has always been a good reason to vote Republican. After all, Nixon and Ford had the experience while Reagan had charisma and a fresh approach. George Bush Sr. had the background to be a great president.
I admit that I was somewhat reluctant to vote for Bush II. I voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries but found Gore to be unpredictable and sort of a loon, so I voted for Bush II in the next two elections.
This year there’s a good chance I will break my voting republican streak. The fact is there is no republican I can in good conscience support.
Mitt Romney has proven dishonest and reliant on his PAC doing dirty work rather than give a real case as to why he should be our president,
Gingrich is nothing but an attack dog looking to stay in the public eye and sell books or additional consulting jobs.
Santorum is as much a government leach as any bureaucrat. He justifies it by preaching his faith which I find embarrassing.
I was wondering if it was just me or if others share my political views and thoughts. Looking at the republican turnout in the primaries so far, most republicans are staying home just like I did. Romney didn’t even bother to campaign in Missouri or Minnesota and he had a token campaign in Colorado. Gingrich isn’t on the ballot in several states. Other than Ron Paul who is more of an oddity, the top republican candidates only seem to care about the publicity.
In 1976 there was much frustration among republicans due to Watergate and economic concerns. I was able to reconcile and justify voting for Gerald Ford. I was able to justify voting for Bush in 2004 based on his opponent and what I still consider his strong leadership. I just don’t see the qualities of vision and leadership in the current republican field. I certainly don’t see much integrity.
We republicans will need better than what we have to make an informed choice. Not a one of these candidates stands a chance against Obama in November, and weakness at the top would be a disaster for the whole ticket, giving Obama, and worse, Reid and Pelosi free reign to pursue whatever liberal agenda they wish.
The old saying goes, “Lead. Follow. Or get the hell out of the way.” Come Super Tuesday it may be time for Romney, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul to get the hell out of the way.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
Good post!
I’m not happy with Romney and Obama as my only practical choices. I’ve voted both sides and even Libertarian (locally) in the last decade, because the two major parties are so disappointing. But I think Romney will soothe Wall Street and investors in general, and that will be a good thing.
I’m just really, really hoping he doesn’t pick a Sarah Palin as his running mate. I might have to protest-vote Libertarian if he pulls a McCain like that.
I’m a Canadian looking in, who is just more interested in American politics than Canadian. American politics stirs my inner guts ’til they’re ready to spew. George Bush Sr. didn’t think atheists should be considered citizens; funny the things we remember; hate speech! All your Republican candidates are atheist/freethinker/agnostic/naturalist/humanist haters, when you really study them. I’m a believer of democracy not theocracy. I don’t like big gov’t anymore than the next guy but someone has to look after ordinary John Doe especially when Wall Street and 2 of the big 3 auto dealers thought they could get along with inferior products. The banks sold their money making sub-prime mortgages to gullible, stupid, non-thinking people. Can’t have your house and not pay for it too. America is afraid to look at and follow good fiscal policies that Canada uses and so is floating in a shipyard of excrement. I still have a lot to learn about American politics but I can see that even though we have a conservative gov’t in Canada, it would be considered liberal in the U.S.
Absolutely incredibly insightful, Canada. Thank you for the truth. The Bushes got us here… all smiling Republicans, and then all jumped ship, (the Titanic) before she went down.
I’m ready for civil war. Let’s do it!
As a bleeding heart Liberal/Democrat/Atheist who thinks I know everything…you got me stumped!
I liked Huntsman and Pawlenty because they looked more sane than the rest and look where that got them…good luck brother 🙂
I liked Huntsman, too. But today folks are just too polarized for anyone in the middle to win.