Quote:Conservatives are worried that they'll lose some of their voter base if they turn away from social issues.  Just looking at guys like Rick Perry and Rick Santorum, and my wife and I (who used to vote Republican) could never vote for them.  Conservatives want to get out a certain portion of their voter base, and feel they can't win without it.  Probably because their fiscal policy isn't really all that different from liberals.  Of course it's also turning some conservatives more liberal.  I'd say I'm closer to the green party than the libertarian party, though I once considered myself Republican.  My views have changed over time to be a little more liberal (with some libertarian leanings, and some green party leanings)

 

What they don't realize is that they are losing an even more important demographic -- the rich voters who are starting to be more Compassionate Conservatives that turn to Democrats because they have the answers for their social policy.  

 

If Conservatives want to get back into it, they're going to need to prop up someone who is likable.  They had it with George W. Bush -- who though he sometimes could appear dumb, was at least relateable.  He knew how to play a crowd.  The Democrats learned their lesson when John Kerry (who I'd say had the personality of a sponge, but that would be an insult to sponges.) lost to the one guy they were sure couldn't beat a loaf of bread.  (A loaf of bread beats a sponge).  Obama knew how to relate to a crowd.  I'm not sure Republicans know how to do that.  Most of their candidates are either guys who have never had a day of hard work in their life, or guys who work hard but can't relate to your average American because of differing viewpoints regarding social issues.  They need someone who can step forward, and relate to people.  They're looking for the next Reagan, but they apparently forgot that Reagan was an actor -- that he wasn't just a politician.  He came off as strong, but relateable.  You can try to copy Reagan's policies all you want.  But if you don't have the personality, it won't matter.  


"The nine scariest words in the English Language are:  "We're from the Government, and we're here to help."


The man was, no matter what flaws he had (and like all politicians, he had many) very quotable.  And not for all the wrong reasons.  He also had a sense of humor.


""My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."


The republicans need a personality.  And they need to be able to relate to the average American (which has changed in the last twenty years).  I'm not sure they have any of those left (at the national level)

I don't care if someone is likeable.  If that's what it's come down to for identifying a president for this country, then let's just turn it over to Fox and create a reality show like American Idol to pick someone. 

 

Sorry, but I want someone who has the fortitude to lead, and to take positions that may not always be popular, but that he or she truly believes is the best approach for this country. I don't want someone who is wishy washy.  We need someone who is accountable, and who has the vision to set a course for this country. 

 

We've seen what electing someone because of the perception he's cool, or has a good personality gets us.  We wind up with some empty suit like 0bama, or a faux conservative like Bush.  For once it would be nice to have a substantive debate with serious candidates.  Instead, we're going to get more clown shows with idiots like Biden or Clinton grappling with who will give away more benefits we can't afford vs. guys like Romney and Bush who are grappling with how to sound conservative while also trying to see who can give away more benefits (not quite as many as democrats of course. 

 

If this country throws those idiots out there again to run, we get the leadership we deserve.  Until the American public gets serious about electing a president, and leaders in congress who are intent on doing what's best for this country and not for the perpetuation of their political careers, we're screwed.  

---