Today, I can write that I have been never prouder than to be a supporter of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's quest for the presidency. And, yes, I will vote for Sen. John "F--- You" McCain for president.
But, here are some thoughts.
Firstly, all of us need to take a real deep breath and realize something. This is the primary season and when we support a candidate and he or she does not get the prize, it is how they leave that shows what kind of person they are made of. And, when the appearant winner shows rightful humility, that shows what kind of person they are made of.
So, my guy is out. But, he went out with a message to conservatives. I am one of you and I am not going away. And we better believe it and not think this is the last we will see of Mitt Romney. He showed a lot of grace in his speech before CPAC today. He showed the passion that was missing in his campaign. The themes that he hit upon show that he is a Reagan Republican. And, he was not always but has seen the light and we should be welcoming him into the fold. It is what the Great Man would do.
Now, onto Sen. McCain.
He did show humility and I hope reconnection with conservative Republicans. After all, he did start out as one. In many ways he still is one. For me, although I have and still will refer to him as Sen. "F--- You" McCain, it is not personal. It is that I have not liked the fact that he has stuck it to us conservatives on many occasions and we take it. We expect that from liberal Democrats, not one of our own. But, maybe this is how he should have started his campaign for president last year when he did not attend the CPAC conference. I think that he has confused conservative support for President Bush with something against him personally because he did not get the nomination in 2000. No, it just was not his time.
But, it is important that while I will vote for Sen. "F--- You" McCain, it will be with a more critical eye.
We were desperate to gain the White House in 2000 and we rallied around then Gov. George W. Bush. Most of us knew that he was not a conservative in the Reagan mold but he was definatly more of a conservative than George H. W. Bush. And, eight years later we have paid a high price for not being more critical.
Hence, I have been around long enough to know that Sen. "F--- You" McCain has been a conservative. He needs to remember that. He needs to realize that a Reagan Republican would not knee-jerk accept globaloney warming. Also, a Reagan Republican would not sound like he cares more about international opinion and how we obtain information from terrorist suspects. Also, while I share the same concern about money and politics, his signature legislation was not a good one. And, his solution for illegal immigration looked more like what it was. Written by Democrats for Democrats.
Sometimes, even among friends, we will not always agree. It is how we treat each other that makes the difference.
And, that is why there has been hostility to Sen. "F--- You" McCain. When we offer criticism, it is not to be critical, it is to find a different way. And, I will hold the good senator that he must secure the borders before trailing down amnesty road.
Back to today.
I think that we may have begun to bring Sen. "F--- You" McCain back to the fold of conservatism. The kind of conservatism that Ronald Reagan fought for and believed in.
That is what Mitt Romney talked about today. And John McCain.
So, some advice for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Do not make this election just about the war in the Iraq theatre and the federal judiciary. They are good for the base, us conservatives, but when we are dealing with these left-wing Democrats, we have to do better.
Take them on on their issues. Talk about how screwed up our tax system is, and how you will reform it. Not just lowering taxes, but the kind of reform that the Great Man fought for.
Talk about how government interference is part of the problem with health care delivery. Mitt Romney can help you on that score.
If we just run on those two issues, it will not inspire the base.
I want to draw clear, distinct lines between the Democrats and Republicans. I like partisanship. If I wanted bipartisanship, I would move to Red China, Cuba or maybe North Korea.
Mitt Romney will be able to help John McCain and so too can the Rev. Mike Huckabee. We may not have one leader to articulate the Reagan conservative Republican message, but we can and need these three leaders.
And, there is my olive branch.
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