William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925 - 2008)

William F. Buckley, Jr. led a 50 year movement to champion conservatism that began in a New Deal America where liberalism reigned. Buckley made conservatism cool with his coalition of anti-communists, constitutionalists, and free-market enthusiasts.

There will be much written about America's modern conservative leader in the coming days and I will post links to the best of it here. I'll start with words from Ronald Reagan that appeared in today's NY Times.

"In remarks at National Review’s 30th anniversary in 1985, President Reagan joked that he picked up his first issue of the magazine in a plain brown wrapper and still anxiously awaited his biweekly edition — “without the wrapper.”

“You didn’t just part the Red Sea — you rolled it back, dried it up and left exposed, for all the world to see, the naked desert that is statism,” Mr. Reagan said.

“And then, as if that weren’t enough,” the president continued, “you gave the world something different, something in its weariness it desperately needed, the sound of laughter and the sight of the rich, green uplands of freedom.”"

Bill Kristol said, "For people of my generation, Bill Buckley was pretty much the first intelligent, witty, well-educated conservative one saw on television. He legitimized conservatism as an intellectual movement and therefore as a political movement."

The Real Reason Obama Will Defeat HRC

Democrats, for all my historical differences in the past and present, are smart enough to back a winner. Kraushaar writes for Politico, "After witnessing the enthusiasm generated by Barack Obama’s historic candidacy, Democrats in some of the unlikeliest places are looking forward to running on a ticket with his name on the top line."

Self-seeking politicians are determining that Obama is the better chance to get them elected. Expect more super-delegates to rush to his side this week as he opens a lead in Texas and closes the gap in Ohio. And watch for Bill Richardson to deliver the knock out punch in Texas by endorsing Barack.

Good news is the wicked witch is almost dead.

An issue!

Mrs. Clinton's weekend explosion was instructive as it highlighted perhaps the first policy difference between the two identical candidacies. With all the Dem rhetoric focused on gender, race, style, hope, change, personality, and not really being proud of the place they propose to run, I was thrilled to see an actual issue come to the forefront of selecting a president.

I learned from this spat that Sens. HRC/BHO propose to fix the problem of unbridled inflation in the health care sector not by creating incentives to improve quality at lower costs (see technology sector of US economy), but to completely remove the cost of treatment from the equation (see Canada and UK health care).

McCain's Dream Scenario

It now looks likely that the Clinton camp, only last week seeming to send signs to some that they might exit with grace, are intent on destroying Barack Obama, the hope he spreads and the Democratic Party along the way. Clinton staffers emailed a picture of Obama wearing Middle Eastern garb while on a diplomatic trip, a similar process engaged in by many members of US envoys including the Clinton's at different times. The photo plays into the chain email suggesting the Obama is secretly Muslim and unpatriotic (allow me a moment to rant - I received that email twice from seemingly intelligent Christian people who obviously missed the "don't slander a brother" portion of the Bible. It is one of the products of the modern Christian establishment programming people's thoughts instead of teaching people how to think and challenging them to do so, but I digress)

Add to the leaked picture Hillary's mocking Obama as a Christ figure ascending from the sky and her "Shame on you, Barack Obama" for sending a mailer to Ohio voters rightly attaching her to NAFTA and we see Clinton has decided to drudge the depths of the barrel for whatever might stick.

All of this at the same time John McCain is backing down the NY Times and Ralph Nader has resumed the role of spoiler. Conservatives who backed Romney must now really be kicking themselves as it seems the Democrats may not be as invincible as it appeared now that Hillary has decided to eat her young to win the nomination.

And this is the best America has to offer? Wonder how long Michelle will be proud.

Ivy League Populism

Bill, Hillary, Barack, and Michelle. None came from wealth. All four demonstrated America's one-of-a kind upward mobility as they each earned an Ivy League law degree. Yet they would have us believe the American dream has gone sour unless government gets busy.

In Ivy League Populism, Victor Davis Hanson writes, "As Sens. Obama and Clinton try to outdo each other in blaming government for our lack of individual responsibility and promising solutions by raising taxes to give us more government, they offer little change and less hope."

Michelle's America

Today Jonathan Last points out that Barack and Michelle Obama represent everything that is great about America. Their life experience would show that America is a place where hard work and determination can put even the most unlikely onto a path for greatness. Yet their campaign rhetoric leads us to believe that their ascension is more likely the result of some fluke, like somehow they've beaten a system that was rigged against them.

"Instead of seeing America as a place which afforded her the opportunity to create a blessed life, Mrs. Obama seems to view it as a place where some "people" are always trying to hold her back. Whoever these "people" are, we should be glad they haven't been successful. Michelle Obama's progress is--despite her telling of it--an inspirational story that should make us proud of America, not frustrated by, and scornful of, it. It says something about her view of this nation, and of her husband and herself, that she seems to find it so difficult--their own experience notwithstanding--to feel gratitude for and pride in her country."

Ground Game Ahead Once Again

On January 30, 2008, Ground Game readers read Jonathan Lee's "White Men Will Make the Difference"

"It sets up the irony that white men, the only group that Edwards has marked consistent success, must now choose to support a women or an African-American man."

Today, Jonathan Kaufman, of the Wall Street Journal writes "White Men Hold Key for Democrats"

"In a Democratic presidential nomination race that pits a black man against a woman, the victor may well be determined by white men."

With all the ranting and raving about plagiarism, I want to submit that someone at the WSJ must be reading Ground Game as a source for some of its political thought and commentary.

Finally proud of her country...

I'm glad voters' hunger for change has made Mrs. BHO really proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. We should probably consider ourselves fortunate that Mr. and Mrs. BHO have decided to stay here for so long despite not really being proud of this place.


Michelle Obama's comments today in Milwaukee:
“What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something — for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I’ve seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it’s made me proud.”

Words I Wish I Wrote

Long before I heard anyone say that Clinton's new approach to wait for Texas and Ohio resembled Rudy's failed dependence on Florida, I thought it. While watching a Clinton speech the day after the Potomac Primary, I heard her use language that sounded like Obama's speech from the night before. Today Halpieran reports the Obama camp, in response to Clinton's continued attacks against his speeches, is distributing clips of her using his words.

I recognize I get no credit for after the fact observations. I will work harder and try to do better.

The Streets of Heaven Are Too Crowded With Angels Tonight

At NIU, a former grad student opened fire on a lecture hall and killed six and wounded fifteen.

If there is one issue I struggle with both sides of the aisle, it is this one. I have heard all the arguments for guns and free speech. I know there are bad or crazy people every where, in every time and every generation. But I have grown weary of school shootings. From Columbine to Virginia Tech and all the ones in between, I am sickened the closer my daughter gets to high school and college.

I think there are too many guns and people have too much access to them.

I believe the video games that not only allow but promote killings and are indelibly linked to these shootings should be banned and the makers prosecuted as accomplices to murder.

I want the movie actors and makers that produce this over the top violence to have to sit across from the families of those killed and try to explain there paycheck from these films.

I know it infringes ultimately on my rights somewhere in the process.

I know it would not necessarily prevent these massacres.

I know my solutions could even be anti-American.

But no one has come up with anything better and these events continue to repeat themselves over and over.

And the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight...

Rats on the Ship

"If (Barack) Obama continues to win .... the whole raison d'etre for her campaign falls apart and we'll see people running from her campaign like rats on a ship," said Democratic strategist Jim Duffy, who is not aligned with either campaign.

RON FOURNIER, Associated Press writes of the fear surrounding the Clinton campaign.

A Business Partner?

For those overly concerned that Barack's more liberal leaning beliefs and record might be detrimental to business, Eamon Jevers of Business Week offers this analysis: "Obama is not business' candidate, but he may yet prove to be business' partner."

The article also gives insight to Obama's ability to gather people from all ideological backgrounds to work toward real solutions. Guys like Warren Buffet, former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, and even Jeffrey Liebman and David Cutler of Harvard (soon to be professors and advisers to our own future candidate and Ground Game contributor) all have Barack's ear when it comes to developing strategies to help rebuild America's economy.

AP reports

An aide to Barack Obama says the man who led former President Clinton's 1992 bid plans to endorse the Illinois senator.

Obama's campaign plans a 1 p.m. conference call Wednesday to announce the endorsement by David Wilhelm, who later became chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement would be made public later in the day.

Wilhelm plans to tell reporters that Obama can build a coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans needed to win the general election. He also says Obama can bring the change he promises—improving the economy and ending the war in Iraq.

Wilhelm is a superdelegate from Illinois who was previously uncommitted in the race.

An Endorsement for Irrelavance

Rick Klein reports for ABC News that Edwards is seriously weighing an endorsement of Hillary Clinton. While I acknowledge that the race is not yet won for Obama, I have to imagine that in some way they are routing for Edwards to grab an oar and start rowing aboard that sinking ship.

Klein rightly reminds his readers of Edwards great rants against the system and Clinton's role and defense of it. "An Edwards endorsement of Clinton would be uncomfortable in large part because of Edwards' own words. As a candidate, Edwards kept up a running and biting critique of Clinton, and set up his candidacy in large part in opposition to Clinton and the type of politics he claimed that she represented." He is pandering for an Attorney General post or even the role of "white guy" on either of the tickets.

My hope is that he will throw his support to Hillary and save Obama the necessity to find some role for this washed up politician. An endorsement for Hillary means Edwards attaches himself, in the spirit of hypocrisy, to the House of Clinton and can now and forever be swept away as that house falls with a loud crash.

The Educated Voter's Choice

How many times have you heard it described in the last few days that people with higher levels of education are voting for Obama, while those with less education make up Hillary's base? Are they trying to tell us that smart people are voting for Obama?

When this exact same phenomena occured on the GOP side, it was described in different terms. Mitt Romney was the choice of "rich and affluent" voters; presumably Wall Street capitalist pigs who don't understand the middle class...the kind of folks whose bonus gets bigger as the cost of a tank of gas goes up.

After 13 months, my voice is heard

Piney Orchard - Left work early to beat the snow and any rush. As you can see from the picture, I was successful. Piney Orchard is obviously not a crowded hall in Iowa or a chaotic ballroom in a Nevada casino. We like our neighborhoods, and politics, neat and orderly. One more vote was cast for McCain

I await the report from Severna Park to see how Guilty White Liberals (GWILs) did with their voting today.

Always on the cutting edge...

The conservative brand is so popular that even Hillary's inner circle prefer it over liberal or progressive. Drudge has two new stories since my post last night where Hillary is called conservative by her daughter and her campaign manager.

Chelsea: "most fiscally conservative candidate running"

Clinton Campaign Manager: HRC is Extremely Conservative

Is Ed the New Bill?

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell states that, "You've got conservative whites here, and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate." You would think that by this point Hillary advocates would realize that this line of conversation only helps Obama or better said, hurts Hillary. Strike up the band cause Pennsylvania, her last firewall, may be on fire.

The Conservative Brand

Wow! I've enjoyed the new contributions from Danny and Justin. Both should be riding high with their favorites poised to win their respective party nominations.

I will agree with Danny on one point. Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. I saw this first-hand in Iowa, and will not back away from this prediction until I see the American electorate take notice of his policy positions. At this time, it seems his charisma and enthusiasm can overshadow his liberalism, and this may not take place in a meaningful way before election day.

Look at the strength of the conservative brand. It is healthy, vibrant, alive, and well. Mitt Romney is a "Reagan Conservative". Mike Huckabee is the "only true conservative". John McCain with a lifetime "A" rating from the National Taxpayers Union and an 82% from the American Conservative Union is "not conservative enough" to win the movement's thought leaders. He is even running ads proclaiming his conservative record, and extended the olive branch to CPAC. President Bush felt it necessary to tell Chris Wallace that McCain was "absolutely" a conservative.

Where is all the enthusiasm for liberalism? Is it that BHO and HRC know that a liberalism is DOA? Can you imagine either candidate proclaiming to be a "true FDR/LBJ liberal"? Humphrey and McGovern's electoral votes combined would not have beaten Nixon in either election. Walter Mondale was crushed 525-13 by Ronald Reagan. Is it that socialism has failed Russia, Cuba, and is unlikely to work in the United States? Is it that many primary voters know that both BHO and HRC are tried and true liberals and it can go unsaid as to attract moderates? Is it that socialists are rebranding themselves in America as "progressives"?

Obama is inspiring Americans of all stripes. Liberalism does not.

Barack Star!

Greetings,

I spent today with thousands of my closest friends at the Comcast Center in College Park, MD watching Barack Obama lay out his plan for the future of America. The day started with me arriving on campus at 8am for a 12:30 speech. With the temperature hovering around 18 degrees, the crowd swelled to an estimated 30 thousand that wrapped through the campus for nearly 2 miles.

I have been a fan of Barack Obama for quite a while. So yes, it is fair to say I was a little biased when I entered the building at 9:30am. What transpired over the next 5 hours solidified my support of Obama to be the next President of the United States. The crowd slowly filtered into the arena, filling in every nook and cranny of a stadium that hosts 18,500 for a Terrapin basketball game. The crowd contained all walks of life - blacks and whites, old and young, male and female. For a college campus you would expect a young crowd, but there were many there just like me - 30 something white professionals. I couldn't help but wonder why would so many take a day off from work to hear a presidential candidate make a stump speach in a state that is most likely going to go for this candidate anyway?

At approximately 12:55pm, my question was answered. Barack Obama took the stage and the crowd was electric! Jonathan had shared that something was different about this politician when he saw Barack in Iowa. You can't explain it or understand it until you see it. I have been to many political events in the last 20 years and never have I witnessed a scene like this before. I have been to many sporting events on this campus (Terps vs. Duke) and never have I seen a crowd this energized for an event.

He went through his typical stump speech, which I have heard on CNN at least 100 times. What is different is that when you are there and you not just see the interaction with the crowd but feel the interaction it changes how you feel about politics. Barack Obama is politically far to the left of me. However, I believe that Barack has the ability to unite America. Our politics are too fractured to fix what ails us with the current cast of characters in Washington. Maybe Barack is too young and naive to fix Washington. Maybe Barack is the change and enthusiasm that this country needs. Whatever side you take on that you can't help but recognize that Barack Obama is the pied piper for the American electorate.

Barack Obama is being greeted like a rock star wherever he goes. The crowds get bigger at every venue. The more people know about him the more they like him. He is causing the Clinton Political machine to lose sleep. Dare I say he is bigger than the Beatles. I will predict that he clinches the Democratic nomination and goes on to win the Presidential Election in November. I will proudly be following him chanting - YES WE CAN! Barack Obama is something different than anything you have ever experienced. Barack Obama is the right choice for 2008!

YES WE CAN!

On the ground in Maryland

Romney and Huckabee had their supporters fly into Iowa. John McCain can count on a longtime resident (and USNA grad) looking out for his interests in "The Free State". Just one more reason he's surging. Check Potomac Primary Tuesday for an on the ground report. Thanks Winger for the sign. Can you feel the Republicans unifying already?

The Common Chap

Colin Cowherd took the last thirty seconds of his interview with Peter Gammons this morning to discuss the 60 Minutes interviews with Obama and Clinton last evening. As Gammons described himself as an MSNBC junkie, I realized that the average Joe (as Scarborough would be cheering now) doesn't pay as much attention to the Presidential race as some of us contributors and readers of Ground Game.

Thus, the 60 Minutes segment is probably more influential than the hours a cable news that I digest each week. To that end, it was a great introduction to Barack. Scenes with him sitting in his suite with his family watching the returns, chumming it up with Kennedy, Kerry, and Robert Deniro showed him to be the average guy with whom you would enjoy spending a few minutes of conversation. (or basketball, a superstition which he now employs the day of every primary or caucus since his staff discovered that the only time they did not play were the mornings before New Hampshire and Nevada). Obama is quick on his feet and carries himself in such a way that reveals authenticity, especially compared to Hillary's programmed style and verbiage that seemingly can not be turned off even for a moment.

The fastest growing segment of support, especially since the departure of John Edwards, is that of white males. For two such men, sports aficionados no doubt, to be discussing how they are inspired by Obama and according to Cowherd, "can't wait for the next words out of his mouth" shows that his broadened support is amassing across the nation.

On a personal note, one of Ground Game's contributors, Danny Yeatts, is presently at the University of Maryland (with good seats mind you) for the Obama rally in the Chesapeake state today. We look forward to a full report.

Can't we all just get along?

First of all props to Jonathan and Dale for following this race early and often. They new a year ago what the rest of the US just realized, this has been a great, historic primary season.

On to McCain. I may have posted why I support McCain, but just in case here is why I do.

-During the defining event of his generation (Vietnam) he served honorably. He had family connections that could have gotten him out of it, or gotten released early, but he served.
-In the 90s, when Clinton was sending troops to Bosnia, McCain stood by him with troops in harms way. We conservatives hate to admit it, but the Bosnian intervention worked.
-On Iraq, he was right. The only end-game is victory, and more troops were needed for that. He stood by Bush when NO ONE was backing him.
-He has been a tireless campaigner against pork barrel spending.
-He has been consistently pro-life.
-After a tough primary in 2000, McCain campaigned for Bush tirelessly in 2000 and then again in 2004. He supported Bush when it mattered.

Now, here is what drives me nuts. I don't agree with everything McCain has done. I hate some of his positions. Anyone is free to argue with campaign finance reform, taxes, etc. What makes no sense is the constant attacks from Limbaugh, Coulter, CPAC, etc. In the primary, you can support any candidate you want. Once that candidate is done, you then have to look for who will best lead this country (NOT, "who will best lead the conservative cause") It's insanity to not go all out for McCain over Clinton/Obama and folks like Limbaugh/Coulter to attack him, diminishes themselves.

McCain is a good man with many good policies. For those who care about what is best for this country, it's time to start working to elect him as the next President of the US.

Now What?

Super Tuesday was a tie. It seems Obama has the Big Mo. Hillary is loaning her campaign serious dollars. And yet it is deja vu all over again. New Hampshire primary taught everyone a lesson (or at least made everyone gun shy): don't count out the Clinton's.

Politico's Jim VandeHei writes near brilliantly "Five Reasons Hillary Should Be Worried." In that spirit, I offer my Reasons Both Hillary & Barack Should Be Worried.

Hillary should be worried...

1 - The calendar doesn't favor her (see number five of the above article). This weekend's states consist of two caucuses (Obama has won 7 of 8 states with that format due to his organization) and Louisiana with a strong African-American population. The following Tuesday in the Chesapeake Primary, Obama is running strong. Barack should take a delegate lead into Texas and Ohio with the momentum stronger than ever.

2 - The money doesn't favor her. Loaning yourself $5 million (tough for a working lady of humble means) at a minimum casts a bit of concern on your campaign. Especially when Obama is likely to set another fund raising record for consecutive months. Money isn't everything (tip of the hat to McCain and Huckabee) but it sure helps.

3 - The ground game doesn't favor her. There is something about being in the room with Barack. He is electrifying and in states where he has been able to spend a lot of face time, he most often wins handily. The calendar, now that the national primary is over, allows for more time to be spent in each individual state giving speeches and packing out public halls. There are not enough tears to be shed to match his enthusiastic support going state by state.

4 - Bill has been too quiet. The old adage "you can't keep a good man down" also finds truth in its polar opposite. The Clinton campaign will not be able to keep Bill down for the duration. Too many reporters with too many microphones and cameras will be hoping to get the scoop of a lifetime. Bill Clinton will make news again and that can't be a good thing for his candidate wife.

5 - She is losing the endorsement battle. All the big ones are falling out for Barack - Teddy and Caroline, the female governors of Arizona and now Washington, even a host of Hollywood types. Endorsements don't win elections, but in this Democratic race, the super delegates might just deliver a victory. The momentum sweeping to his side including the big names and party supporters alike make it more likely (and safer) that the super delegates will move his way.

Peggy Noonan, a very respected conservative voice, writes a must read begging the question, "Will Hillary be able to lose without destroying the party?" She writes...

"I ruminate in this way because something is happening. Mrs. Clinton is losing this thing. It's not one big primary, it's a rolling loss, a daily one, an inch-by-inch deflation. The trends and indices are not in her favor. She is having trouble raising big money, she's funding her campaign with her own wealth, her moral standing within her own party and among her own followers has been dragged down, and the legacy of Clintonism tarnished by what Bill Clinton did in South Carolina. Unfavorable primaries lie ahead. She doesn't have the excitement, the great whoosh of feeling that accompanies a winning campaign. The guy from Chicago who was unknown a year ago continues to gain purchase, to move forward. For a soft little innocent, he's played a tough and knowing inside/outside game."

It pleases me that even Conservatives are noticing that there is something appealing about Obama and that he has a great shot to end the Clinton/Bush Dynastic Rule of America.

But...I believe there are also three good reasons for Obama to be worried.

1 - This could still become an ethnic election. If Obama is the "black" candidate, he must then overcome a real (while not mentioned) racial divide with Latinos as Hispanics have now eclipsed African-Americans as the largest minority in the United States (although we should soon admit the Anglos are the largest minority as the day is fast approaching when Anglos no longer out number all other minorities combined) not to mention the racism that still exists in portions of the deep South. The good news is there were signs on Super Tuesday that younger Latinos were breaking strong for Barack indicating that this may truly be a generational election - that's one he can win especially against a 73 year old McCain.

2 - He could lose the expectations game. New Hampshire is Obama's kryptonite. The press were so ready to crown a new prince and dance on the political grave of the Clinton dynasty. The polls jumped declaring a double digit win by the Obamacans only to be shocked by night's end. In California, the last poll before the voting began was a shocking 13 point lead by Obama that resulted in a six point loss. Democrats, Independents, the Press, the party leaders, and even a few Republicans so want to see the Fall of Hillary and the Rise of Barack that any opportunity to inflate reality is embraced to his fault. After Super Tuesday he was asked about being an "underdog." His response declared he was still an underdog, just not as big an underdog as the day before. Hillary (who likes to steal his best lines, i.e. Change) has now declared herself the underdog. In the year of Appalachian State, the bigger underdog may be the biggest favorite.

3 - The Clinton's will say or do anything to win. My greatest fear is that Obama takes the delegate lead as they move towards Denver and somewhere, in the back, smoky room, the Clinton's call in every favor, make something up on Obama, sell every Ambassadorship in the world to convince the Super Delegates to reverse the decision of the people and leave Barack on the outside looking in while the Democratic party is left in shambles. I have no love for the Democratic party, but the only way to defeat hope is to steal it away and leave the hopeful hopeless. There is no price that seems too high for Hillary.

I hope Peggy Noonan's question does not haunt our country for years.

Mitt and Mac

Last week I suggested a post-mortem on all the stalled candidacies. Mark Halperin offers Ten Things Mitt Could Have Done Differently. It is a combination of entertainment and enlightenment.

I also read the full transcript of Romney's address today at CPAC.

The essence is: "I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country. I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in."

As I suggested in this morning's post, Romney's loyal followers recognize that the serious business of improving America is not accomplished in a nasty fight with John McCain. Things were becoming tense and personal among folks who have a lot in common.

This does not mean we embrace McCain's record or all of his views, but for the 2008 election cycle we probably need to spend a little more time celebrating the many common threads of our vision for a stronger country.

God Bless America!

Romney is Out

Mark Halperin reports that Romney is dropping out of the race most likely in his speech at CPAC today. It looks like McCain is the GOP candidate. Now the unification of the party begins. Will he choose Huck as VP for another smooth exit or will he bend to please the conservative wing of the party by selecting Crist as the new standard bearer for the future?

Conservative Cheer

Mitt Romney (84%)

John McCain (78%)

Mike Huckabee (60%)

Hillary Clinton (27%)

Barack Obama (19%)

Last summer, I used an online Candidate Selector to help sort out a very crowded presidential field on the basis of issues. My theoretical perfect candidate was a 100% match, and the real candidates that remain in the race followed as you see above.

Since then, on the GOP side we have learned that most Republicans trust John McCain on matters of defense. Likewise, Mike Huckabee seems to carry the most credibility on social issues, and Mitt Romney inspires us with his ability to unleash America's economic potential.

So why all the angst among conservatives as John McCain has won over half the delegates needed for the nomination? It is my sense that of the three, he will receive the frostiest reception from conservatives at CPAC 2008 that begins today at the Omni Shoreham in Washington. I suspect there is a certain "payback factor" that many feel Senator McCain is owed for selling conservatives down the river on a number of issues since 2000.

Is this the best for America? Conservatives have historically sought to align with good ideas and sound policy over political expediency or opinion polls. John McCain was leading this charge on the most important (and perhaps most unpopular) issue of the last eight years--the troop surge in Iraq. Is he a 100% match with conservative principles? No, but let's be fair..is Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee? Was Ronald Reagan?

I like that Mitt Romney seeks to continue in this race. His ideas strike a chord with a sizable number of Republicans. So do Mike Huckabee's. I'm not sure why some have called for Huck's exit; gee whiz..he won five states on Super Tuesday.

This may go to the convention, but it needs to go for the right reasons. While the temptation will be to "payback" John McCain, this needs to be about ideas, dialogue, and an inspiring vision for America's future. Let's spread some conservative cheer!

Straight Talk on the Economy -- Source of American Greatness

John McCain has been frequently quoted that he served his country "for patriotism, not for profit." Economic conservatives are very uneasy that McCain is so comfortable demonizing businessmen, entrepreneurs, and companies as if only military contributions have made our nation great.

The United States defeated the greatest enemy of our time, without firing a single shot. Our military was and is the world's finest, but the Soviet Union had an army and weapons that could have assured mutual destruction. Reagan's supply-side policies unleashed the American economy --this is what ultimately toppled the USSR.

McCain is hostile to those who embrace Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength" doctrine. He champions legislation such as McCain-Lieberman that would impose burdensome environmental regulation on American companies, further encouraging them to move operations to those nations open for business in the Middle East and Asia. He twice voted against supply-side cuts earlier this decade calling them "cuts for the rich". He thinks tax cuts are about individual's personal tax rates, when they are the most important measurement of America's ability to attract the world's investment capital.

"Don't give up your ideals, don't compromise, don't turn to expediency" -- GOP Presidential Candidate, Ronald Reagan, 1976