Look in More Places for the 'Reagan' Model
By Kevin Roeten (03/26/07)
Lately there is much written about finding a clone of "Ronald Reagan" to lead the country for the next presidential nomination. Many are convinced that with the exception of the prospect of Fred Thompson coming into the fray, there is no one nomination that could convey true Republican ideals. Up to now, that someone espousing 'Gipper' ideals is missing. Well that person is already here - but it's not Thompson.
First, looking at the Democrat candidates makes the choice easier. Hillary Clinton’s number one priority is universal, socialized health care. She’s also pro-abortion, so that sums up her candidacy. Barack Obama’s number one priority is universal, socialized health care. Better forget that he’s highly pro-abortion as well. But, unbeknownst to many, John Edwards’ number one priority is---universal, socialized health care. Pro-abortion? Yes, and he will not appoint a SC nominee that could overturn Roe vs. Wade.
But a look at the Republican frontrunners is not very inspiring either. Giuliani, the leader on paper, possesses huge problems with the social conservative wing. His pro-abortion and anti-marriage stances are poor reflections of a conservative candidate. John McCain(National Journal) voted conservative less frequently each of the past five years in Congress. He also led the “gang of 14” who stood in the way of breaking the judicial filibuster on judges. Mitt Romney(former governor of Massachusetts) has a lot of baggage. He’s got to remember that dismembering aborted Massachusetts children are funded with taxpayer dollars in his faltering health care program. He also now supports allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military and mandated marriage licenses to homosexual couples.
All of a sudden, the choice looks clearer. Ron Paul, although having most of the conservative accoutrements, wants to ‘cut-and-run’ from the Iraq war. Fred Thompson(often compared to Reagan) supports Campaign Finance Reform, which directly affects free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. And some women already say that he will have them ‘swooning from coast to coast’. Border control, tax cuts, war on terror, big spending—how is Thompson going to vote on these?
Mark Alexander(editor/ Patriot Post), Ken Blackwell(TownHall), Steven Ertelt(LifeNews Editor), and Janet Folger(talk show host) all say what many other true ‘Reaganesque’ conservatives are saying—that there seems to be clear conservative comfort with the likes of Duncan Hunter, Newt Gingrich, and Sam Brownback. All three candidates have lifetime voting records that are 90% favorable per the ACU(American Conservative Union). They are all constitutional advocates and fiscal and social conservatives. Hunter has yet to demonstrate the leadership qualities of a Commander-in-Chief however, and Gingrich is not likely running with fast approaching 2/5/08 primaries.
As it turns out, Brownback is not only “pro-life”, but “whole-life”. He reiterates that babies also can’t be abandoned after birth. Folger says that Brownback has “a proven record of battling for life, liberty, and the family in the Senate”. His votes in the Senate prove that he is behind Bush with the elimination of Islamic terrorism, troop support, reduction of taxes, pro-gun, you name it. It’s all in the Senate voting records.
What he’s typically bludgeoned with is his stance on illegal immigration. But Reagan was of the same ‘cloth’, pushing the 1986 “IRCA”(Immigration Reform and Control Act) where border control and employer responsibility were combined with amnesty. Brownback goes a step further. Several weeks ago he was at the border calling for more funding for the “fence” and stronger I.D. protection. But he realizes that a ‘roundup’ of 15 million ‘illegals’ within the US is not doable, however.
Many cite Brownback’s lack of funding and exposure a sure sign of his inability to be elected president. It’s likely that Americans won’t let money get in the way of true ideals, and can see through limited exposure and know what they really want.
One fact never mentioned--Terri Schaivo’s brother Bobby Schindler has endorsed Brownback’s bid for the GOP nomination. Schindler states “My family will never forget Sam Brownback’s valiant efforts to save my sister’s life.” Even Folger says “We’ve seen the results of compromise,” but concludes, “Now we need to throw away the straw and start building a house out of the brick values that won’t blow away in the first storm…or Supreme Court appointment.”
Reagan was a good conservative, but he wasn’t exactly a Sam Brownback. Unlike any Brownback might make, it’s likely that Reagan would take some of his appointments to the ‘SC’ back if he could. Maybe it’s time the American people aimed higher. Many know that target now extends beyond Reagan. Your vote will tell exactly what your priorities are.
Kevin Roeten
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