After taking a week to reassess the political landscape in light of Fred Thompson's disappointing 3rd place finish in S.C. and subsequent withdrawal from the race, The Liberty Sphere has come to the conclusion that we can endorse NO ONE for President out of the present field of candidates.
We conclude that each and every candidate on both the Republican and Democratic fields have such glaring and unacceptable baggage that it is impossible for us to endorse any of them.
While it is clear in terms of nuances and shades of black and gray that some of the present candidates are clearly preferable to the others, this state of affairs is far from ideal and highlights an ominous scenario in which we are forced to vote against the most obnoxious candidates rather than vote FOR the best.
For example, I voted without any hesitation whatsoever for Fred Thompson in the South Carolina Republican Primary. I was clearly voting FOR the person I thought was best suited for the job.
Now that Fred is out I find myself weighing the negatives on the rest of the field of candidates, seeking to determine which set of negatives is more palatable than the rest.
I have found such an exercise to be a lesson in futility with the exception of the most obvious.
Were Mike Huckabee, for example, to be pitted against Hillary Clinton, there is no doubt that I would be casting my vote for Mike Huckabee, not that I like Huckabee but that I detest Hillary.
The fact that I would vote for Huckabee in such a scenario in no way signifies an endorsement. I cannot and will not endorse such a candidate, although in an election I may be forced to vote for that candidate due to the fact that his opposition is 10 times worse.
What's even worse to consider is that the GOP has put forth the absolute weakest field of candidates that I can remember, and that goes back to the 1960 election between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
In short, if this is the best that the GOP has to offer, then the Party is in deep trouble. And thus, The Liberty Sphere endorses 'none of the above.'
Saturday, January 26, 2008
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6 comments:
Good on you for sticking to principles. I was leaning heavily towards Fred but also like Ron Paul. Now that Fred is out I'm with Ron all the way.
I really detest this notion that we should hold our noses and vote for the lesser evil.
If we do that, we only positively re-inforce their behavior of presenting us with bad choices.
I agree with you that the GOP and its activists need to be sent a strong message that we are NOT going to continue to put up with the slate of candidates they have been sending us.
We are NOT satisfied with 'Democrat-light.' And we have not forgotten the fiasco of 2006 when the majority of Americans showed the GOP that they can easily lose Congress if they simply give us a moderate version of what we normally get from Democrats.
An endorsement is different from a vote. Regarding my vote, I have no idea what I might do on Election Day, but I can guarantee you it WON'T be a Socialist, which is all we get from the Democrats.
Well, not to be insulting, but I bet they care more about your vote than your endorsement.
When the 2008 election is dissected, the success or failure of the candidates will be based upon the vote, not various blog endorsements.
True, but if enough conservative bloggers blast the GOP and let them know that our support is NOT automatic, it can certainly influence the vote.
My saber rattling in my little fiefdom will have no impact, but TOGETHER we can have an enormous impact.
Plus, I have already cast my vote for the one believe was the best candidate and best suited for the office.
If McCain, Giuliani, or Romney is the nominee, they will have to work VERY hard to win my vote and that of others like me. Major concessions will have to be made on gun rights, border security and illegal aliens, free speech (meaning a repudiation of McCain-Feingold), and several other important issues.
"I agree with you that the GOP and its activists need to be sent a strong message that we are NOT going to continue to put up with the slate of candidates they have been sending us."
You are correct Martyn. This can be viewed as an opportunity to make something worthwhile happen.
We had an earlier discussion about the role that the conventions used to play in the formation of candidates.
Back in the day, the wise, old man told me this; "You are never voting for the man. You are always voting for the party".
The party needs to feel the pressure. The party needs to dictate a platform and hold the candidate (organ grinder's monkey) to that platform.
I agree, Jack. This year may provide that golden opportunity for something historic to happen--the reclaiming of the importance of the political parties/conventions. It is there that we MUST deal with each other, face to face, and hash out what we stand for.
Thus, the best thing that could happen to the GOP under these circumstances is a brokered convention, forcing them to choose someone we ALL can affirm.
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