Donnie from GA asks: "Pat, what are your thoughts about the results from the CPAC Straw Poll? I realize it's a straw poll and in itself doesn't mean a whole lot, if anything, but who do you feel is the early favorite to represent the GOP in 2012? Is BMBS ready to endorse anyone yet?"
Thanks for the question, Donnie. It makes me feel relevant and important.
I don't make anything of the straw poll. I know this will piss Ryan off but Ron Paul never was and never will be a serious presidential candidate. He never came close to winning a single primary in any state in 2008 and he continues to poll in the low single digits in every scientific sample conducted. His supporters are all college kids who stay up til 4 in the morning in Ayn Rand chatrooms arguing over the best way to privatize the sidewalks. They make up maybe 4-5% of the electorate but are vocal and dedicated as hell. And they have endless time on their hands.
This is not to say I do not like Ron Paul. I really like most of what he has to say, own most of his books, and appreciate him being the only GOP candidate with truly small-government views and convictions. But the stuff that I don't like kills whatever chances he has of being a viable candidate. Terrorists should be afforded constitutional rights? Since when? Under what precedent? I don't remember Lincoln affording Southern sympathizers such protections (much less Southerners themselves) or FDR treating citizens of Japanese descent that way. Why should Aba Daba Mohammed, who is actually a sworn enemy alien and admitted conspirator in the death of thousands of innocent people, be any different?
Judging from the current field, we will not be endorsing anyone for president in 2012. Palin is terrible. As are Romney and Huckabee. None know what the hell they are talking about and none have convictions. It's all just warmed-over George W. Bush/Karl Rove-style talking points that aren't backed by any real record of conservative accomplishment or well-thought out political philosophy. Only Reagan had these and it is becoming clear he is the last great president this country will truly have.
Our political matra here at BMBS is "everyone leaves everyone else alone." We will continue to fight for this creed in the coming months. We think Republican victories this November would be good because divided government and gridlock are actually good things and anything to stop the Obamanomics freight train would certainly be welcome right now. But we do not believe the GOP is anywhere near ready to govern again any time soon. At least a few more election cycles in the wilderness will be necessary.
Thanks Donnie, and let me know if you have any further questions.
