The following essay is from a prominent local well-known Republican activist who has asked to remain anonymous. Rod
by Anonymous
A
few weeks ago, I received an email from a local blogger asking me to
write an article. The request seemed simple enough; who did I plan to
support in the 2012 GOP Presidential Primary in Tennessee? I had planned
to write about how the remaining four candidates would all be a marked
improvement over President Obama, but now I know I cannot do that. If I
do,
I will quickly be branded a RINO, the dreaded moniker assigned all
Republicans that don't conform to the most strict of conservative
mantras.
Over the past eight months I have
supported different candidates for President. Each candidate is
different in many ways. The only thing that matters to me at the end of
the day is whether they can defeat an incumbent president. That's it.
Yes, I care if they supported abortion at any point
in their lives. Yes, of course I care if they didn't support a strong
military in years past. I care that they support reasonable tax reform,
and I want the candidates to consider many other reforms as well. I care
about debt, spending, foreign affairs. I care about all of those
things.
So what should conservatives care about most? Debt
or Spending? Abortion or Capital Punishment? Foreign Affairs or Homeland
Security? Any conservative planting their flag into any single issue is
missing the point. Our biggest concern is President Obama; a known
quantity who also happens to be a worse option for President than any of
the remaining GOP candidates (my opinion, of course). Conservatives
need to unite behind whomever wins the nomination. Period. End of
discussion. RINO or not. Doesn't matter. Maintaining control of the house
as well as winning back a majority in the Senate would make for a very
happy two-year period, pending any 9/11-like event.
I've been hearing and seeing an
incredible amount of angst in the Republican party in Nashville. It is
utter foolishness. I may be a RINO because I believe that if we can
elect someone more conservative than the liberals want to elect, it
constitutes a minor victory. I'm a RINO because I like that Senator
Corker and Senator Alexander aren't afraid to engage in open compromise
on Capitol Hill. I also support Rep. DesJarlais and his absolutist
policy stances. I support Rep. Blackburn, despite her initial support of
SOPA/PIPA. Yes, Republican legislators may not always vote the way I
want, but it's better than a democrat. Every single time, it is better.
If you want to make a valid case as to why your
preferred candidate is best, do it. But be civil. Leave the name-calling
for another purpose. Talk of "kicking people out of the party" is
ridiculous and should cease immediately. Its a non-starter for young
Americans looking to engage in the political discourse. What could
possibly be less inviting than knowing if you disagree on some issues
that the perceived powers that be would excommunicate you?
Trust me, it's no one's party to dominate. It's our party.
As much as you may want to, you can't take the ball home with you when
you get frustrated. That's the beauty of a social society and social
political parties.
As conservatives, we have a mandate: elect someone
that will help restore and preserve the fabric of America. If we are too
fractured to understand the need for every possible vote to accomplish
this, then we have already lost. Romney, Santorum, Paul or Gingrich, I
don't care. I know the vote I cast on March 6th matters less than the
vote we will all cast on or before November 6th.
If you don't see it the same way, then we've already lost in November.
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