Oct. 12, 2007
Editorial: McCain, Paul, Huckabee Show Most Substance for GOP
The Republican Party's Presidential field is so crowded that it may be impossible for any one of them to have anything more than a mere plurality of votes by the end of the primary season.
That could be a real weakness--or perhaps a hidden strength, as each GOP candidate gets to have input to bring their faction to the table at their party's national convention next summer.
While we wait for the winner to emerge, three candidates on the Republican side really seem to have cornered the market on substance. They are each quite different in their approaches but share basic Republican principals of smaller government, lower taxes, and at least some common concern on the war on terror.
If depth of experience and real first-hand knowledge is your cup of tea, Senator John McCain is hard to beat. He speaks as one who knows the nuances of domestic and foreign policy, having fought many fights for reforms of various kinds in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades. He's a tough customer-- and Americans might prefer that in a post 9/11 world, if he can get past the primaries.
McCain's campaign was in free fall a few months ago. As the front runner, he had it all: name recognition, plenty of money in the coffers, even a friendly press, rare for a Republican Presidential candidate. But it all fell apart, either over personalities or incompetence, and most analysts were writing him off.
But McCain's personality is one that relishes a fight, so he must be enjoying his resurgent polling numbers. They aren't where he needs to be to win yet, but he may draw many Republican voters who are familiar with him and not sold yet on any of the newcomers, including McCain's friend, Fred Thompson.
Thompson is said to have gotten in the race because he thought McCain couldn't' win now. But before it is over, McCain may yet best Thompson in a role reversal.
The second GOP star to watch is Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a real gunslinger in the debates, who usually finds himself defending himself from candidates like Rudy Giuiliani for Paul's anti-war views regarding Iraq.
But Giuliani has underestimated his whipping boy, as Ron Paul has shown himself to be a persuasive, articulate spokesman for all who have serious questions about the origins and length of the war in Iraq. Paul has completely surprised the political establishment by raising $5 million in the last election cycle--more than the former front runner McCain.
While the others divide the Bush voters, Paul seems content to keep plugging away with his Constitution-based arguments against the war. It's an unpopular war, even among most Republicans now, so who knows what final percentage Paul will bring with his earnest appeals for more respect for the people and their Constitution and less government.
Finally, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has emerged as traditional conservative's best speaker, articulating almost flawlessly the values that are cherished in Republican circles. One gets the impression that this former Southern Baptish preacher could sell sand to an Arab with his eloquent and witty remarks during the debates.
But like McCain and Paul, Governor Huckabee also has substance in his responses, based on his several years as a Chief Executive. A southerner, he knows the problems of rural America and speaks of private sector solutions to solve them, rather than Hillary Clinton's unending big government agenda.
For anyone looking for actual answers in this year's primary season, the Republican Party has offered up three candidates who are not afraid to stick their neck out and present some real ideas. Time will tell as to whether any of these three will be rewarded by voters for their intellectual efforts.
Editorial: McCain, Paul, Huckabee Show Most Substance for GOP
The Republican Party's Presidential field is so crowded that it may be impossible for any one of them to have anything more than a mere plurality of votes by the end of the primary season.
That could be a real weakness--or perhaps a hidden strength, as each GOP candidate gets to have input to bring their faction to the table at their party's national convention next summer.
While we wait for the winner to emerge, three candidates on the Republican side really seem to have cornered the market on substance. They are each quite different in their approaches but share basic Republican principals of smaller government, lower taxes, and at least some common concern on the war on terror.
If depth of experience and real first-hand knowledge is your cup of tea, Senator John McCain is hard to beat. He speaks as one who knows the nuances of domestic and foreign policy, having fought many fights for reforms of various kinds in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades. He's a tough customer-- and Americans might prefer that in a post 9/11 world, if he can get past the primaries.
McCain's campaign was in free fall a few months ago. As the front runner, he had it all: name recognition, plenty of money in the coffers, even a friendly press, rare for a Republican Presidential candidate. But it all fell apart, either over personalities or incompetence, and most analysts were writing him off.
But McCain's personality is one that relishes a fight, so he must be enjoying his resurgent polling numbers. They aren't where he needs to be to win yet, but he may draw many Republican voters who are familiar with him and not sold yet on any of the newcomers, including McCain's friend, Fred Thompson.
Thompson is said to have gotten in the race because he thought McCain couldn't' win now. But before it is over, McCain may yet best Thompson in a role reversal.
The second GOP star to watch is Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a real gunslinger in the debates, who usually finds himself defending himself from candidates like Rudy Giuiliani for Paul's anti-war views regarding Iraq.
But Giuliani has underestimated his whipping boy, as Ron Paul has shown himself to be a persuasive, articulate spokesman for all who have serious questions about the origins and length of the war in Iraq. Paul has completely surprised the political establishment by raising $5 million in the last election cycle--more than the former front runner McCain.
While the others divide the Bush voters, Paul seems content to keep plugging away with his Constitution-based arguments against the war. It's an unpopular war, even among most Republicans now, so who knows what final percentage Paul will bring with his earnest appeals for more respect for the people and their Constitution and less government.
Finally, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has emerged as traditional conservative's best speaker, articulating almost flawlessly the values that are cherished in Republican circles. One gets the impression that this former Southern Baptish preacher could sell sand to an Arab with his eloquent and witty remarks during the debates.
But like McCain and Paul, Governor Huckabee also has substance in his responses, based on his several years as a Chief Executive. A southerner, he knows the problems of rural America and speaks of private sector solutions to solve them, rather than Hillary Clinton's unending big government agenda.
For anyone looking for actual answers in this year's primary season, the Republican Party has offered up three candidates who are not afraid to stick their neck out and present some real ideas. Time will tell as to whether any of these three will be rewarded by voters for their intellectual efforts.
