Iowa Debate

The Iowa debate, now behind us, encourages me about the potential conservative leadership we could see running the country in 2012. Don’t listen to the media elites who define the Republican primary as Romney and a bunch of also-rans. Their implication is our field is weak and we should be disheartened. Their goal is to pick our candidate for us. They want any Republican-in-name-only (RINO) they can find. Romney is not really a conservative. He is a step above John McCain. Well, he does have business experience so maybe he is two steps above McCain. Make no mistake conservative candidates are what the Obama campaign and liberal elites fear most. Whenever Romney is feared and Bachmann is not, you know Bachmann should be the candidate and Romney not.
We have some seriously smart candidates who understand the precarious position our country is in. These candidates identify themselves as conservatives and I believe will govern as conservatives.

Newt Gingerich proved his thorough grasp of issues, both domestic and foreign. His ability to articulate common sense solutions should hearten any conservative. Conventional wisdom says Newt’s favorability ratings are too low for election. He is too emotional. He created too many enemies as Speaker of the House. With the rise of the Tea Party and the country’s overall mood being one of intense frustration, Newt’s passion just might resonate during this moment in history. If he can stay around long enough to get enough face time during debates, I predict his stock will rise quickly because clearly he articulates our values better than anyone else.

Michele Bachmann demonstrates continued strength under unrelenting pressure. The Left hates her. If the Left hates her, you know she would be good for the country. Her appeal for many lies in unwavering support of conservative values when many others fold. She doesn’t capitulate every time the other side uses scare tactics to push Republicans around. She’s been a bulldog against the Obama-Pelosi agenda at every turn. She’s from a blue state, in Minnesota, and grew up in another blue state, Iowa. Two blue states would be in play that otherwise would still likely go for President Obama. A calculation we should not lose sight of.

Herman Cain and Rick Santorum offer two different, yet equally compelling reasons to get excited Cain is a successful business man. He understands what conditions must exist if you want job growth and comes across as very practical. He would be a champion to the private sector. Santorum is a traditional social conservative. He believes social values are still every bit as important as economic ones. Much of the conservative movement seems to have ditched social issues with the errant belief jobs are more important than the human soul. Santorum reminds us this isn’t true.

What about Rick Perry and Sarah Palin? The media is terrified of a Palin candidacy. I know Sarah is portrayed as too dumb for the office, but the narrative is false and created by a media obsessed with making any conservative woman look stupid. Sarah is adored by many and would be a formidable opponent the moment her candidacy was announced. CNN knows it and so should you. Perry comes from a state, in Texas, that people flock to for jobs. Texas is one of the few job creating states in the country right now. His record on job growth is sorely needed to contrast with President Obama’s dismal numbers. Perry, like Santorum, considers social issues just as important as economic ones.

Conservatives should hold their heads high. I realize anything really would be better than what we have now, but we shouldn’t settle for Mitt Romney when so many true conservatives are ready and able to lead.