McCain Is My Third Choice

John McCain is my third choice for President behind Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. I agree with Hugh Hewitt's short list for why.

There's a reason why Senator McCain never brings [the gang of 14] up when asked to discuss his qualifications for the presidency. It is on the list with the votes against the Bush tax cuts, the McCain-Kennedy immigration "reform," McCain-Feingold, ANWR and many other things.

The Gang of 14 is short hand for why John McCain should not be the nominee of the GOP.

"The Gang of 14 was a term coined to describe the bipartisan group of moderate Senators in the 109th United States Congress who successfully negotiated a compromise in the spring of 2005 to avoid the deployment of the so-called [constitutional] option" Wikipedia. The constitutional option was a Republican plan to change the rules of the Senate so as to not allow filibustering of judicial nominees.

"Senator McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts. Now he's for them." Mitt Romney on Thursday, April 26th, 2007 in Stratham, N.H. Found at PolitiFact.com. See also, MediaMatters.org view on this PolitiFact article.


I will support whoever is the Republican nominee. I am convinced that Mitt Romney is the best choice.

"Fredheads: It Is Time To Support Mitt"

"Fredheads: It Is Time To Support Mitt", The Jawa Report is a blog by a long time Fred Thompson supporter. Hugh Hewitt links to him,

The Jawa Report's Dr. Rusty Shackleford endorses Romney after Fred's exit. Conservosphere bloggers know that RS is a leader among online Fredheads.

UPDATE: From the comment thread at My Pet Jawa, the most succinct defense of Romney's record as a conservative governor in a deep blue state:

Here is Romney's actual conservative record:

---In the four balanced budgets he signed into law, Governor Romney used the line-item veto or program reduction power to cut spending by nearly $1 Billion. Over the course of four budgets, Governor Romney made over 300 line-item reductions, 350 line-item eliminations and struck language 150 times.

--- When Gov Romney took office in Massachusetts, he inherited a $2 billion deficit. While in office, he turned the $2 billion into a surplus----WITHOUT raising taxes.

---Gov Romney solved the health care crisis in Massachusetts----and his plans are still used today. He did this by using the free market and competition---and without raising taxes.

--- Gov. Romney was instrumental in passing a bill abolishing a retroactive capital gains tax in the state that would have forced nearly 50,000 taxpayers to pay an additional $200 million in state taxes and fees

--- 4 years ago --- before the illegals marched in our streets --- Romney opposed a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses. "Those who are here illegally should not receive tacit support from our government that gives an indication of legitimacy," the governor said. (Scott S. Greenberger, "Romney Stand Dims Chances Of License For Undocumented," The Boston Globe, 10/28/03)

--- Romney vetoed a bill in 2004 that would have permitted illegal aliens to pay the same in-state tuition rate paid by citizens at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts.

--- Romney vetoed the bill providing state funding for human embryonic stem cell research

--- Romney vetoed a bill that provided for the "morning after pill" without a prescription because it is an abortifacient and would have been available to minors without parental notification and consent

--- He vetoed legislation which would have redefined Massachusetts longstanding definition of the beginning of human life from fertilization to implantation
Bren | 01.22.08 - 6:56 pm |

Huckabee is my fourth choice

Out of the candidates that have gotten the most votes in the last few weeks, Mike Huckabee is my fourth choice. My ranking is

1. Mitt Romney
2. Rudy Giuliani
3. John McCain
4. Mike Huckabee

One reason is that he is not as fiscally conservative.
Huckabee---Whatever Tax You Pass, "You Will Have Nothing But My Profound Thanks"

Another reason is his position on the war in Iraq. From the Jan/Feb 2008 Edition of Foreign Affairs, Huckabee said, "The Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad. "

Mitt Romney could not believe a Republican said this, "I can't believe he'd say that. I'm afraid he's running for the wrong party. The truth of the matter is this president's kept us safe these last six years."

Victor Davis Hanson has more to say on this as quoted by Hugh Hewitt.

I want to be clear. I will support whoever is the Republican nominee. Mitt Romney is the best choice.

Why I Like Mitt Romney

Last night my wife and I watched an "Ask Mitt Anything" meeting in New Hampshire that took place Friday Jan 4. After watching it we discussed how much we liked it. My wife expressed frustration that everyone doesn't see how great he would be as President. Following are some of the reasons why I like Mitt.

I Trust Him

I first heard about Mitt Romney late in 2006. I was impressed with his determination in fighting for a traditional definition of marriage. I bought Hugh Hewitt's book A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney. The more I read, the better I liked him. I have followed his campaign for the last year. I have studied his position on the issues. I have found evidence that his character lines up with what he says.

I Agree With Him

I cannot find a policy of his that I strongly disagree with. My ranking of the issues are :

War on Terror
We must defeat jihadists. These are the far extreme of Islam. They do not represent the mainstream. Their ability to wage war must be truncated. We must also persuade more and more Muslims that "religious freedom, separation of religious and political authority in a state, civility, tolerance, democratic persuasion rather than coercion" is morally superior. (George Weigel)

Spending
We cannot continue to spend beyond our means. Perhaps a practical solution like a "72 Hours of Online Sunshine Rule" would help.

Energy
We must become energy independent. It is better to be independent from countries of energy supply like, Venezuela, Iran, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Mitt has the energy and vision to rally the country like we did to get a man to the moon. He can inspire the younger generations to study science, math and engineering. He will get us to invest in the best technologies for energy sources and increased efficiencies.

Social Issues
Guarding Our Children on Their Computers
A Record of Protecting Traditional Marriage
A Record of Protecting Life

More sources of Mitt Romney on the issues:
Fox News profile on Mitt Romney. At the bottom there is a section with a issues tab. EvangelicalsForMitt.org: On the Issues, "Why We Support Governor Romney". Top Ten Issues of MyManMitt.com

He Can Win

"As a fiscal and social conservative, he's the only candidate who can hold the Reagan coalition together. Plus, he has already put together a strong, well-organized campaign with the firepower to win. Every single other GOP candidate either alienates a key part of the coalition or has weak a operation incapable of defeating a well-funded, ruthless, counter-to-our-values opponent in the general election." ("Why We Support Governor Romney". EvangelicalsForMitt.org)

He Can Get It Done

Not since Ronald Reagan has someone inspired the same optimism and energy from me. Reagan effectively addressed the public directly. Romney did the same in Massachusetts. The legislature was going to pass a bill that would raise taxes. Romney mailed each household the bill that they would individually have to pay. The bill was defeated.

He has turned around many businesses. He turned the Salt Lake Olympics into a success. He got major health care reform passed in the liberal state of Massachusetts. He did it using private sector providers that are cheaper to administrate.

Conclusion

My wife would have liked if all her family had cable, she would have asked them to watch. Mitt was very relaxed in this kind of environment. As voters learn more about him the more they will like. I hope this article provides you with some information to make an informed choice.

Freedom and Religion

These two quotes from Mitt Romney's "Faith in America" speech point out important connections between freedom and religion.

Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.

and

We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning.

Today's generations of Americans have always known religious liberty. Perhaps we forget the long and arduous path our nation's forbearers took to achieve it. They came here from England to seek freedom of religion. But upon finding it for themselves, they at first denied it to others. Because of their diverse beliefs, Ann Hutchinson was exiled from Massachusetts Bay, a banished Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, and two centuries later, Brigham Young set out for the West. Americans were unable to accommodate their commitment to their own faith with an appreciation for the convictions of others to different faiths. In this, they were very much like those of the European nations they had left.

It reminds me of the story of Captain Moroni and his call to defend their rights and religion, if necessary by the sword. "Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them" (Alma 46:20).

There is a proper balance of spirituality in public life. It is between two extremes. "Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God." (Mitt Romney). Freedom also allows the person who does not believe in spirituality. No man should be forced to join a religion. In contrast faith should not be forced from the public square. The freedom to chose these things should be defended with our might.

"The Twinned Threats of Faith"

From George Weigel about his new book, Faith, Reason, and the War Against Jihadism: A Call to Action. (edited and numbered by me)

The Pope accurately described the twinned threats of faith detached from reason,

[1] so that you can believe that God commands you to do the irrational, like blow up the World Trade Center, and reason having lost faith in itself,

[2] so that the West no longer has the capacity to say here is why religious freedom, separation of religious and political authority in a state, civility, tolerance, democratic persuasion rather than coercion, here is why these things are morally superior.

Those are the two sides of the great culture war in the world today, and the Pope hit it right on the head.

Mitt Romney touched on this theme in his Dec 6, 07 "Faith in America" speech.

I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired . so grand . so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too 'enlightened' to venture inside and kneel in prayer. The establishment of state religions in Europe did no favor to Europe's churches. And though you will find many people of strong faith there, the churches themselves seem to be withering away.

Infinitely worse is the other extreme, the creed of conversion by conquest: violent Jihad, murder as martyrdom... killing Christians, Jews, and Muslims with equal indifference. These radical Islamists do their preaching not by reason or example, but in the coercion of minds and the shedding of blood. We face no greater danger today than theocratic tyranny, and the boundless suffering these states and groups could inflict if given the chance.

National Fast for Guidance

Abraham Lincoln appointed a National Fast Day for March 30 1863. I did not realize that our country has a history 2 3 of declaring fast days. As our country decides our next President, let each of us set a time to fast and pray for guidance. That we may collectively choose the best of the wise, good and honest.