As the race for the GOP nomination heats up, I thought I would add my two cents to the debate. I originally supported Senator Sam Brownback for his staunch pro-life record coupled with his sound economic record. Once he left the race, I decided that Senator Fred Thompson and Congressman Ron Paul best represented my views on economic liberty and social issues. Their foreign policy positions are in stark contrast, and I agree much more with Thompson than Paul on foreign policy. [Paul has a strict non-interventionist view that is less realistic in today's world.]
Who will I vote for in the Virginia primary on Feb. 12th? I guess it depends upon whether or not the race is still up for grabs after super-duper Tuesday. I don’t think it will be, which means I will probably cast my vote for Ron Paul, my ideal candidate. If Thompson is in serious contention for the nomination on election day, I will likely vote for him instead.
What I love about Ron Paul is that when he is asked about ending government programs, he answers by saying he’d rather abolish entire departments, starting with the IRS and the Department of Education. His platform is not just to slow the growth of government, but to cut it down dramatically. No other candidate is bold enough to take such a stand. Ron Paul is without a doubt the most libertarian/conservative candidate in the race.
As for the others…
Rudy is a proven leader, and would probably make a strong commander-in-chief. But his liberal views on abortion and his anti-liberty position on guns are disheartening. I would only vote for Rudy if he got the GOP nomination and was taking on Hillary or Obama.
Mitt is a flip-flopping used car salesman of a politician. I like some of what he says, his private sector experience and his strong family values (practiced as much as preached.) I just don’t know if I can believe what he says, since he seems to be driven by the polls more than anything. I would more than likely support Mitt against the Democrat nominee.
McCain is a statesman and a patriot, but is hostile to free speech (McCain-Feingold), supports global warming nonsense like a “cap and trade” system and voted against the Bush tax cuts. While his leadership, judgment and character are his strongest attributes, he is not my favorite in the race. I would have no problem supporting McCain against the Democratic nominee in November.
Huckabee is a populist with sharp anti-business rhetoric. He sounds more like John Edwards than Ronald Reagan. His tax and spending record in Arkansas is awful, and the Cato Institute and Club for Growth have given him failing grades on fiscal policy. I would have an extremely hard time voting for Huckabee, even against the Democrats.
