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.