Today I officially entered my name as a Delegate supporting Rudy Giuliani in the West Virginia Republican State Convention. As a social conservative, the decision was not easy.
To be honest, my first choice was Mike Huckabee, but his chances of winning the primary, much less the general, are slim. Even now there are only 7 West Virginia Delegates supporting him.
I then turned to the “big four.”
While I respect John McCain and his service to our country, he has consistently propagated legislation contrary to the Constitution – his campaign election reform bill being the worst of the lot. Maybe I’m an indignant Constitutionalist or perhaps I just learned to loath his stance when I debated election law reform in High School, but either way, he’s not getting my vote.
Fred Thompson could have easily snagged my vote; he seems conservative in all facets of government with the exception of public funding of Presidential elections. Yet his drollness is indicative of Bob Dole and we all know how that turned out. To me he acts like he’s in the race merely for the free food.
Mitt Romney is a good person and energetic speaker who has a solid record in the private industry, but Mormonism is not another name for traditional Christianity and the Democrats will rip him to shreds on his beliefs. Is that fair? Not really, but it is the way politics are played. His vulnerability to Hillary and his waffling on key issues makes me avoid him.
Unlike Romney, Rudy Giuliani is straightforward about his beliefs and hasn’t changed them to fit the demographic. No matter whom he is eyeballing, they will hear the same thing. He is anti-abortion, but thinks it should be available if any woman chooses to murder her child; he is against gay marriage, but doesn’t think they should be barred from a civil union; and his personal life is riddle with peccadilloes unbefitting a Presidential candidate.
But I’m voting for him.
I will never agree with abortion, but let us consider a President’s purview in the matter. President Bush is one of the most socially conservative presidents we have had in the last 20 years, yet he did nothing legislatively for the pro-life movement unless you count his veto of the stem-cell research bill. While I agree with his decision, it was not what you might consider a huge blow against abortion.
The fact is a President can take only one major action that helps the pro-life movement: nominate strict constructionist judges. Given Rudy Giuliani’s record of being a law-and-order mayor and his repeated statements supporting judges who stay true to the Constitution, we have the confidence that Rudy will do what is best for all in the end. The battle against abortion cannot be fought legislatively; just ask the legislatures of North Dakota and Mississippi. It must be fought in the courtroom by judges who will overturn Roe v. Wade not because they have a bone to pick, but because it is bad law (and it is).
If a socially conservative President could have overturned abortion, then our current one would have already trampled it to death Texas-style.
I believe Rudy is right: gays should not marry. But the President and Congress should strike a Federalist pose and give states the right to choose what is best for them per the 10th Amendment.
There are plenty of reasons to be recklessly enthusiastic about Rudy’s campaign. His views on the role and size of Government, support of Nationalism, and committal to the war against Islam is refreshing.
Yes, I would rather someone who had a strong Christian faith that exercised itself in his life and beliefs and could win, but that person does not exist.
As rare as the Dodo Bird, I am a social conservative and I support Rudy Giuliani.
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Comments
“As a social conservative, the decision was not easy.”
I echo that statement…
“my first choice was Mike Huckabee, but his chances of winning the primary, much less the general, are slim”
There is always the chance of an upset, unless everyone thinks this way. Isn’t it a little early to throw in the towel?
Will, In regards to Mike Huckabee he is moving up and wait until Tuesday you will see how many delegates have applied for him. A couple things about Huckabee he has more executive experience than any Candidate and he is the ONLY candidate that (FOUR times) went up against the Clintons machine(in Arkansas ). He won all four times and the tried everything to smear him. I hope people will open their eyes(many have)and realize he has expriene and can win.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
Thanks for your thoughts on this…. I still have no idea who to vote for.. I may just write my name on the ballot.
I really don’t like any of the candidates on any side at this point. I feel most will claim one thing and do another, and its not like the President really has any power… that’s all up to the courts and legislature for the most part, yet he takes all the flack. It’s a messed up system for sure.
I agree. I’m still on the fence however. Is it Huck or Rudy? My desicion will be made in the coming weeks. Huck is really starting to worry me on taxes. His bleeding heart is starting to poke through his chest and that is alarming me. You’re right - Rudy is Rudy. That’s who he is and will make no apoloigies for it. We need someone to get us back to the Constitution. I’m an evangelical Christian, and it’s time that those people standing on their “moral highhorse” understand that the only perfect man that we can get elected to the Oval Office was hung on a cross 2,000 years ago.
Huckabee’s stane on taxes is the Fair Tax. Check it out on Fairtax.org
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
There is no way I can bring myself to vote for Giuliani. His history of governing shows he’s a social liberal that’s tough on crime, and is fiscally semi-responsible. Other than the aforementioned, where is his conservatism? Gun control? Sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants?
Mitt Romney is probably a good man, but his position flip-flops smack of opportunism. Too plastic, a little too slick.
John McCain is a little too much a believer in Republican-style big government that has been the Hallmark of the current administration. (Campaign Finance Reform=stifling of Free Speech?) No thanks, seen this movie before.
Mike Huckabee is a Christian. Whoop da dee, so am me. err…so am I. Look at his history of governing in Arkansas…the man’s record on taxation speaks for itself. Oh, and he favors a nationwide ban on smoking? Would it concern you if he favored a nationwide ban on doughnuts? Fast food? Soda? This kind of social engineering is NOT conservatism.
Thompson has many good qualities, but his campaign has been uninspiring so far.
Have Conservatives been so cowed by the prospect of President Hillary Clinton that we’d elect Satan himself, because at least he could beat her? Is this what Conservatism has descended to? A movement of fear? Are we so willing to forsake our long held, Constitutionally confirmed beliefs? Where is our faith? the hell with that, where is our backbone????
Roy, You need to look more in depth to why Huckabee raised taxes. While I don’t agree with his nationwide smoking ban(I don’t even agree with the local ones and I don’t smoke)I really don’t think he will be succesful. Also he wants to put in the Fair Tax. Check it out at FairTax.org. Also he had sever positive things while he was Governor of Arkansas.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
Buddy,
Liberals also come up with some great ‘reasons’ to raise taxes. Take time to look through the record; here’s a great article to start http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12394 . I won’t vote for another ‘compassionate big-government Republican’.
GOD Bless you too, Buddy.
I read the article and need to do some further research. I do know however if Mike is elected and can get the “FAIR TAX” passed it would solve a lot of these challenges. I still feel Mike is the most conservative running for President.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
William,
Good to see you back online, count me as another Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Anti-tax Conservative Republican that is supporting Rudy Giuliani for President! Glad to have you aboard!
Take care & God Bless,
Tommy Phillips
Buddy, I have another link for the Huckabee supporters. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=3983797&page=1
This is not a man whom I’ll ever vote for. Nor Giuliani. It appears we have do have a choice if its Giuliani vs. Clinton….would you like your socialism all at once, or a little bite at a time?
GOD bless all who are willing to look into the candidates, and their positions.
Just wanted to remind you about the PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN ACT that George signed into law in 2003. http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/partial-birth%20abortion%20Ban%20act%20final%20language.htm It would have happened many years sooner if a pro-abortion President had not stood in the way and vetoed the bill twice. Preventing the procedure which sucks the brain out of a living, unborn child is indeed a huge blow against abortion. According to the abortion industry’s own reports about how many of these abortions were performed each year, it’s clear that thousands of lives have most likely been saved since the Supreme Court upheld the law in April of this year. http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/PBAletterwashtimes110403.html I’m sure you just overlooked this issue as a credit to President Bush.
Well, I’m totally done with Huckabee. I’m an evangelical, but I just can’t support him based on his big-government record. I know lots of people who love Jesus that I would not want in the White House. I’m still torn though between Thompson and Rudy. Frankly, none of them are conservative enough for me; they are all poisoned by Washington. My solution to all of our problems is to do away with Federal Tax Witholdings. If everyone in America had to write checks to the Government every month, it would take about six weeks for Washington be set on fire and the budget would get cut by about 60%!
Chris P.
Nice Comment! Please allow me to point out that Rudy Giuliani is one of the few that has not been poisoned by Washington, and he is the best leader by far of any of the Presidential Candidates! I’m glad you are considering Rudy!
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year,
Tommy Phillips
Chris P, While I can understand your concern with Huckabees “big government” record, I feel first of all a further look would show some extenuating circumstances. While I don’t agree with Huckabee on everything, I still feel he is definatly more conservative than Rudy(Abortion, Gay rights, eliminate IRS with Fair Tax). And how can you tell about Thompson since he did very little in the Senate and has no executive experience.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
Beautiful post, man, and I couldn’t agree more. I am not an objective observer (I’m the COO of Rudy’s campaign). But I am a social conservative and I, too, support Rudy’s candidacy with my full heart, a clear head and a clean conscience. No candidate agrees with me on every issue. And I’m not sure I’d want one who did. But Rudy’s instincts are in every case designed to put decisions in the hands of the people, rather than the government. That, combined with the incredibly steady and capable leadership I’ve personally seen him display, are why I’m honored to be supporting him. Thanks for your thoughtful analysis. KK
Sorry for you. I would never vote for Guiliani. Huckabee gets my vote and may even give a hand!! Rudy has not taken a proper MORAL standing–so How IN THE WORLD CAN YOU VOTE FOR HIM? Are there no WV people who have common sense? Surely there are some–only those 7? More of us need to work to get Huckabee motr known
I have not yet decided whom I am voting for and I have been following each and every one of the debates, news, etc. However, being a smoker, and even if I weren’t, I do not know where Rudy stands on anti-smoking laws. It is already happening where people are told where and when they can and cannot smoke. There is no real evidence that proves (unless you are holed up living with a smoker) that smoking on a sidewalk is going to cause another cancer. Doesn’t anyone ever talk about the school buses and trucks that are spewing out their filth that we all have to breath each day??? Believe me, even if you don’t smoke, this anti-smoking “stuff” will lead to a country where we are told how to live in every way. What to drive, when we can and cannot walk our dogs, etc. Give it a few (and mean only a few) years and you’ll see…. Free country? No way!
Jennifer,
While I am not a smoker I agree with you that the anti-smoking laws are getting to be a bit ridiculous… Rudy Giuliani hosted an anual cigar convention when he was Mayor of New York, and was featured on the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine… Of course when Mike Bloomberg became Mayor, the anual cigar gathering ended promptly, one thing I don’t like about Huckabee is his support for a Nationwide-smoking ban….
Take care & God Bless,
Tommy Phillips
I am a Huckabee supporter and the smoking ban I also disagree with and I am not a smoker. I feel however when he becomes President he will have far to many pressing issues to deal with than that. I feel his other positiives far outweigh that as well as his few other negative
GOD BLESS
BUDDY RANDOLPH(GOP BUDDY)
I do agree with Buddy when he says there are far to many pressing issues to deal with than that…
Take care & God Bless,
Tommy Phillips
Hello everybody, Rudy’s the man to beat the Democrats’ nominee, and his pledge for strict constructionist justices ala Alito and Roberts is no less than a pro life president would or could do, leaving abortion to the individual states to decide, the way it should be constitutionally, and Rudy’s a strong advocate of school choice, and clamping down on illegal immigration, so I agree that Rudy should be nominated.
Well said James… Happy Holiday Weekend to everyone;)!
Take care & God Bless,
Tommy Phillips
Thanks Tommy, and I hope you and the others read some additional material about all this at my blog. Florida is rapidly approaching, and Rudy is hanging in there, so he could “shock the world” with a win or close second in Florida, to suddenly become the frontrunner. When conservative Republican voters figure-out that Rudy can beat the Democrat, and will appoint strict constructionist justices, which the pro life candidates would do anyway, then the tide will turn for Rudy. How a self-respecting conservative could vote for McCain is beyond me.
I see you are following suit with the MSM…don’t even mention Ron Paul. Not only is Dr. Paul a 10 term congressman who knows the nuts and bolts of DC, he is the only hope for the GOP to have a chance at the presidency. Why? If you believe in national polls, 70% of the public oppose the Iraq war; no other GOP candidate is for ending the war. The economy is now center stage; no other GOP candidate has the academic or hands-on experience like Ron Paul.
Dr. Paul’s principles seem to be an almost identical match from what I see you and your readers post. What is your dislike of this man? I am considerably older than you, and believe me, a candidate like Ron Paul comes around once in a lifetime. If you are looking for a candidate that has suceeded in the private sector, served in uniform, and has been a true statesman who has voted consistently in congress for 20 years for “We the people”, then at least give congressman Paul a look.
My prediction is this; if Ron Paul does not win the GOP nomination, look forward to Clinton or Obama for 4 years. And if this happens, God help us all.
Frank: Apparently I’m not the only one ignoring Ron Paul. He hasn’t had a good showing in any of the primary elections. Thankfully the rest of the voting public sees him as the idiot he is. No matter what the public opinion on Iraq, no one appreciates him blaming the United States for bringing 9/11 or any other terrorist act for that matter.
I have been for Rudy all the way. However, he has not been “out there” enough. He is very much a strong person, and he is prepared for dealing with crisis, which makes me feel really good. I like President Bush and have felt much safer since he’s been in office.
I had Huckabee on my mind for a bit until I read about him wanting to nationalize the no-smoking laws. Yes, I am a smoker and know that it isn’t good for me, but if you start taking away people’s rights, where will it end? He was immediately stricken from my mind over this one issue. I am voting for Rudy!!
Dear Tommy,
Thanks for agreeing with me… it’s nice to see other intelligent people really seeing what’s going on and what’ll happen if we don’t stand up for our rights NOW!!! We do need to focus on more important issues, such as the war and immigration.
Thanks Tommy, take care.
Jennifer.
Jennifer,
Thank you! I’m glad that you’re getting involved and understand the issues! Have a great day!
Take care,
Tommy