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By Gene Quinn |
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It is not yet 24 hours since it became undeniably clear that John McCain would not become the next President of the United States. Many will undoubtedly disagree and say that it has been clear for quite some time, and it is hard to argue with that position given the hindsight capable while looking at the election results. I will admit to predicting McCain would surprise everyone, and I even believed it. I have been a supporter of Senator McCain since he ran for the White House back in 1999, so I suppose I was not the most objective analyst when it came to his chances.
So where does the Republican party go from here? That is the $64,000 question, or perhaps it is the $64,000,000 or the $640,000,000 question. One thing is clear though, Barack Obama has once and for all put an end to publicly financed elections, and I don’t believe that is a good thing. But that topic can wait for another day, after all we need to focus on the midterm elections before we can even contemplate taking on Obama in 2012.
I must say that I am not nearly as disappointed as I thought I was going to be. It is odd really. I am horribly disappointed for John McCain, a man I believe to be one of the most honorable men I have ever seen. I am disappointed for our country, because I do believe an Obama Administration will be a disaster for America. I am disappointed for all those who were duped into voting for Obama believing that they would receive health care or a tax break, because we all know neither of those things are going to happen given our current economic turmoil. But oddly enough I am not personally disappointed and I really do believe that we have turned a corner. I feel an odd and easy peace that I would liken to a parent who is about to let his child make the biggest mistake of his life. Those who think socialistic policies and inexperienced leadership is the way to a better future are going to be in for a rude awakening, not unlike the awakening the United States faced during the Carter Administration. So while extremely difficult economic times are ahead, and I do not have faith Obama will keep America strong and secure, even the Carter Administration had a tremendously positive aspect — but for Jimmy Carter and his failed Presidency we may never have turned to Ronald Reagan and experienced the Reagan Revolution.
So who will be the namesake for the next Republican Revolution? I don’t know, but I do know I like the talent we have on our bench. There are some good, strong conservatives who are truly compassionate, and just don’t proclaim to be compassionate. I predict the next Republican force will transform the party and make it his own, or her own I suppose. But excuse me for announcing here and now just hours after the election that I have no interest in supporting Sarah Palin for anything, let alone the President of the United States. If reports that are surfacing are true and she did cause chaos within the campaign and tank the chances of John McCain, then she should have no place in any Republican future.
While it is to early to tell who to really keep an eye on for 2012, everyone is already talking about Bobby Jindal, the Governor of Louisiana. But if you ask Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani they will probably tell you that they would rather be the last one standing than the early favorite. So for a couple more names to consider, take a look at South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who like Jindal is a well known conservative voice. Also consider Tim Pawlenty, the Governor of Minnesota, who probably should have been the VP nominee this year. And, of course, don’t forget about former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. I have to admit that during the primaries I was wondering how it was possible that he was getting so many votes, but not that I have been able to see him and hear him more thanks to FOX News I can certainly understand his appeal. He seems like a good and caring person, and articulate too! What a novel idea, actually nominating an articulate conservative. I like the sound of that!
Tags: bobby jindal, mark sanford, mike huckabee, tim pawlenty
Posted in Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Republicans | Comments (1)
November 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I have been a republican since I was able to vote. The national party left me behind long ago when it abandoned it’s conservative values. You seem to think that rhetoric is necessary and actions are not, stop pissing down my back and telling me it’s raining. I decided 10 years ago never to vote for an obstructionist like Mc Cain and yet the party runs him. Throw out the old guard and get new blood into the top spots or the party is doomed to failure forever. Return to Regain’s conservatism roots…it’s the only way back. Ken Roddy, former Republican…New Libertarian