Senator Jim DeMint was among many who spoke in Iowa this weekend at the Conservative Principles Conference, encouraging voters to get it right in this next election by choosing the most principled candidate:
“If you want to know which presidential candidate is on your side, watch what they do with the debates in Congress now.
As we’re talking about how much to cut in this continuing resolution for the balance of this year — and some propose that we cut more — see what these candidates say,” DeMint said.
“Are they taking a bold stand to challenge Republicans to keep their promises from the election?
When we talk about a balanced budget amendment, are they advocating with us or are they sitting on the sidelines?
When we’re debating whether or not to raise the debt ceiling where do these candidates stand?
If you want to know which ones are on your side, see what they say publicly over the next several months and the next year about the debates in Congress about foreign policy and intervention in Libya.”
And in questioning the presumed field, DeMint suggests that if the current crop show to be insufficient choices to inspire voters, then it might be time to welcome other candidates to enter the field:
“If no one is an immediate front-runner, I think you might see a whole new cast of Republican candidates out within the next couple of months.”
Speaking to this notion of who’s the ‘right’ candidate, Doug Ross released a great summary piece examining potential GOP presidential hopefuls that’s definitely worth a gander. Interesting how those who share a desire for principled leadership, returning to a constitutional rule of law, seem to gravitate towards Rubio, West, Palin, Bachmann, Bolton, Santorum, Cain; yet those who fear a principled adherence to conservatism, choosing to describe this notion as “extreme”, “unelectable” or “fringe”, desire to stay in the realm of the supposed ‘safe’ candidates, deemed “acceptable” and “electable”, regardless of their checked conservative resumes (Romney, Barbour, Pawlenty, Gengrich, Daniels, Christie, Huckabee, Huntsman).
One thing for EVERYONE to realize: It is the MEDIA and the ESTABLISHMENT who've determined for the People that individuals like DeMint or Bachmann or Palin or any other principled conservative are "unelectable and unacceptable". Why should I believe that these principled conservatives are far more "extreme" than the likes of Obama, Pelosi, Reid, or pretty much the entire hoard of Democrat statists in Congress? They're not. I am to believe that the American People are more afraid of principled conservatives who are capable of actually making decisions that could get us back on a prosperous track, than establishment neo-statists in the Republican ranks, as our current House leadership is turning out to be, who enable the Democrat statists by not being able to stand on any manner of principle nor capable of out-strategizing their political opponents? Common sense tells me otherwise. Given this same rationale, there's absolutely no reason why Barack Obama should be sitting in the Oval Office right now?! His presidency is about nothing BUT shear reckless ideology; nevertheless, he's there. The fact that his extremism proved to be neither 'unelectable' nor 'unacceptable' to the majority of Americans is enough to see the faultiness of this rationale. Why must limitations, submissions and ‘perfection’ be applied to some of the brightest and most hopeful conservatives among Republican ranks? Because the Media and the Establishment has led too many to believe so? Neither of these entities are FOR us, and the sooner people realize that, the better.
This isn't "personal ideology" or “demagoguery” that the above mentioned conservatives espouse...it is CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLE, in which opinions and decisions are based on! If Americans in mass are going to continue to take the liberal media 'bait' and allow their perceptions to rule the day by viewing principled conservatism as "extreme", "unelectable and unacceptable", or somehow more dangerous than the current brand of statism (and neo-statism) running our country into oblivion...then we're already doomed to far worse than another term of Obama's degradation. PRINCIPLED CONSERVATISM is the ONLY thing that can save this Nation from the abyss!
I say these things with my face pressed firmly against the bosom of reality, for we not only have our future to think about, but perhaps more importantly, we have our future generations to think about. Therefore, EVERYTHING about the vitality of this Nation is 'personal'. So, should we go with Gengrich or Romney or Huckabee or Pawlenty or Daniels or Barbour...or should we just go ahead and pull the lever for Obama? Rest assured, both actions will produce similar results.
Some would like to make the argument that asking for principled ‘purity’ is over-burdensome and would require ALL of what one side wants at the complete expense of the other half of the nation. I know of NO conservative fruition EVER to have been received, nor do I believe this can be a real expectation. My disagreement lies with those who hold such a notions that conservative principles are "extreme" or "divisive" or need not apply over those of us who demand principled governance, when the same is NEVER asked of, nor expected from, the liberal. Liberalism divides on all fronts; conservatism strives to unite under the Rule of Law (not to be plundered by the Rule of Men). Are ANY of our candidates 'perfect'? Who pray tell is? No one…not even Reagan, who is definitely our most contemporary 'gold standard'. But what we should be looking for in a candidate is the LEAST imperfect individual to nominate. Not even George Washington could live up to the notion of an "anti-partisan” in the White House; because for one, such simply does not exist based on the inherent partisan characteristics of politics. But also, an “anti-partisan” by today’s standards translates into a “moderate”…no George Washington! If there is no principle to rest ones decisions upon, then we end up with what's already in power. Despotism on either side does us no good, but let it not be said that conservative principle is what leads to that, for moderation has shown us otherwise thus far.
We would do wise to heed Sen. DeMint’s cautious words of encouragement. We can and WILL win with conservative principles on our side, unquestionably. The People, the Nation, yearn for principled leadership!
hat tip: Bridget Blueskye
