Super Tuesday is almost upon us. Much has happened this past week. Giuliani's gamble failed miserably and Edwards has finally realized that he is irrelevant. McCain has arisen from the dust and become the front runner on the Republican side while, Clinton and Obama kiss and make up as they make a bid for the Democratic ticket. Where do all of us voters fit in? Super Tuesday shall reveal much. Independents such as myself, can truly sit back and observe the political calculations of both parties in minute detail. Which side will be able to grab the average voter's attention just long enough to secure their vote? Will voters finally tire of Brittany Spears' dysfunctionality and pay more attention to the real events surrounding their lives? One can only hope!
Conservatives are conducting a bitter battle to claim heritage to the Ronald Reagan legacy. Ironically, their attempts to claim his legacy have clouded over his true strength. Ronald Reagan was more of a centrist than many of them want to admit. His ability to transcend political boundaries caused the electorate to rally around him. True, he was a conservative however; he never allowed himself to become boxed into a corner by constructing impenetrable political paradigms. His ability to think outside the box and make decisions based on the realities at the time was truly dynamic. He inherently knew how to categorize his political battles and draw the populace to his side. I seriously doubt that he would appreciate the current battle waged against John McCain by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingram, Sean Hannity or, Michele Malkin. In his gentle way, he would mildly chide them and remind them to look at the big picture.
Voters who identify themselves as conservatives, regardless of party affiliation, need to identify their priorities. Remember 1992. But for Ross Perot, there would never have been a Clinton presidency. Are we willing to sacrifice current objectives just in order to make a futuristic point? Do you want socialized health care? Do you want expanded governmental programs? Do you want higher taxes? Do you want to retreat from Iraq? Do you not see us in a global struggle against militant Islam? Are you willing to allow a socially liberal president to appoint a socially "progressive" justice to the Supreme Court? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions then you should continue to castigate the candidacy of Senator McCain and not snivel in January 2009 when you finally reap what you have sown. The Democrats fear John McCain. Why? It is really quite simple. He can cross party lines and win the support and vote from centrist voters. Regardless of what the left or right would have you believe, it is the centrists who generally put the presidential candidate into office. Senator McCain is a stalwart advocate for our battle against militant Islam. Nowadays, the media has put our battle against militant Islam on the back burner and warns us of an impending economic calamity. The primary threat to our economy is the collapsing housing market. Everyone knew long ago that the housing market was inflated and that it was just a matter of time until it would collapse. So, why is everybody now surprised by it? The economy is merely going through a period of restructuring and is not, contrary to the media's current opinion, the major threat to our nation. Militant Islam is the threat. McCain towers above both Clinton and Obama in his ability to prosecute a war against this threat.
The Democratic Party debate this past Thursday at the Ford Theater in Los Angeles was illuminative. In my view, the party has not changed its stripes. Senators' Clinton and Obama tripped over themselves trying to be ingratiating to eachother. The audience was comprised of the well to do liberal elite completely consumed with their magnanimous intent to assist the downtrodden. For their part, CNN ran two different styles of debates in the lead up to the Californian primaries. Anderson Cooper conducted a professional debate for the Republican candidacy the previous evening, however; it seemed at times as if the fauning Wolf Blitzer was actually working on the two democratic candidate's election committees. Two political philosophies arose from the mist of magnanimity. These are not new philosophies. They are the same old party foundation of tax and spend. To be sure, these basic beliefs were obscured beneath the veil of dependence that both candidates feel the populace needs from the government. If the Democratic Party represents the minority and the "little" man then, why not have had the debate in Watts? Why conduct it in the opulent Ford Theater? Why were Clinton and Obama voraciously expounding party unity? Simple; the results of the Republican Party primary in Florida struck fear into the Democratic Party. They know that unlike them, John McCain can cross party lines and draw allegiance to his cause. So, what did they do? They avoided the real issues of the day and pounded home the novelty of the first woman or black president. If we follow their lead, we all should vote based on the sole importance attributed to gender or race. Neither the panel nor Wof Blitzer asked pointed follow up questions such as: Okay, you want universal health care. How will you pay for it and ensure quality of care? Okay, you want to leave Iraq. What will you do if all hell breaks loose in Iraq once you've left? Iran proceeds with its weapons grade nuclear program. How will you counter it? Iran invades Iraq once you've retreated. What will you do? As a voter, I would of liked to have heard both candidates reponses to these questions. To be fair, Anderson Cooper also didn't demand much from the Republican candidates during his debate.
All is not bleak during this election season. Unlike other countries, we peacefully endure these girations for presidential power every four years. I only wish that the electorate realized the importance of their vote and paid attention to their individual decisions at the polling booth. This is why I always precede any political conversation with a simple question: Do you vote each and every time? If the answer is no, I politefully inform the individual that if he or she does not feel the obligation to perform their civic duty and vote, then I am under no obligation to enter into any political conversation with them. Go Vote!
De Oppresso Liber
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