I know I have posted in quite some time, but now that the GOP race is heating up I thought I put my two cents in on each of the main candidates. I will officially endorse a candidate at the end of post.
Let me start off by saying that I agree with Michelle Bachmann that we don't need to settle on a moderate or an "Obama Lite" candidate to beat him in the 2012 election. We need someone electable, but not a moderate. I will briefly discuss my likes and dislikes of each candidate, but keep in mind I believe even the worst of these candidates, would be a MUCH better president than Obama.
Let me start with the front runner Mitt Romney:
Bad things:
1. Romney care in Massachusetts - it was the blueprint for Obama care. He claims it was right for his state, and that its wrong on a national level, and he was in a VERY liberal state so he had to make some concessions, but to me this is the scariest big government thing about him. He says day one he'd repeal Obama care, but this makes me nervous.
2. He is overall a spender and a big government guy. I think as the president he would reign that in a bit especially in light of the right of the Tea Party movement, but this still is scary.
Good things:
1. He is smooth and even more polished than Obama, so he'll appeal to the Americans that are into that.
2. He knows and believes in free market principles and will help make America a better environment for business and he will help the private sector create jobs.
3. He understands that tax cuts will help the economy.
4. He'll be tough with China
5. He'll restore our good name across the world and mend our alliances with England and Israel.
6. He'd destroy Obama in an election
7. I debated on calling this a positive thing, but here it goes... He is a Mormon which I debated on this since so many people have very weird ideas about what Mormons believe, but I think he can easily put any concerns to rest, and this will work in his favor.
Summary: I'd actually be able to get behind him and not just vote for him as the ONLY option.
Fiscal Conservative - Social Moderate
See his website at: http://mittromney.com/
Rick Perry:
Bad things:
1. He used to be a democrat (he switched in the late 80's)
2. He supports the idea of giving illegal immigrants instate tuition and doesn't support a full fence on the border. Truly he is possibly worse than even Obama on illegal immigration.
3. His executive order to vaccinate every 12 year old girl with a HPV vaccination. I am a biology major who took virology and in spite of what I know about this disease and the good things that come from this vaccination, I think this is crazy left wing nuttiness. Talk about taking away FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this is a hard pill to swallow).
4. He'll get waxed by Obama in the debates.
The good things:
1. He knows how to create jobs!!! 750,000 jobs created in the last few years in TX and next closest was AZ at 90,000. He knows how to get the bureaucrats out of business. He is true fiscal conservative.
2. He poached jobs from California, so I believe he'd do the same from other countries starting with our closest neighbors.
3. Tackled tort reform in TX, I love this about him.
4. Overall stands for traditional values and fiscal conservative principles
Summary: The more I learned about Perry the less I liked, but if he was the nominee I'd back him.
Fiscal Conservative (really, really super conservative), Social Liberal.
See his website: http://www.rickperry.org/join-today/
Herman Cain:
Bad things:
1. Lack of experience - I worry how he'll handle foreign policy. He said that he supports Israel so I know at least he understands the basics of foreign policy, but this is an issue. I think his choice of VP's will make a big difference in the general election. He HAS to pick a VP with some experience overseas.
2. Not sure where he stands on social issues, but he is a God fearing man for sure so my guess is conservative is where he leans.
Good things:
1. NEVER held high public office - not a career politician!! This contributes to his lack of experience, but overall this is a positive thing in MY eyes.
2. Very much a fiscal conservative. He went from flipping hamburgers to CEO of God Father's pizza. He understands business and would make it very favorable to do business in this country. He bring industry back and make America competitive again.
3. FLAT TAXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He believes in a flat tax and has a plan of 9-9-9 which means 9% business tax, 9% personal tax, 9% sales tax (from what I can tell this would replace the state sales tax, but this does concern me if it's on top of our state sales tax). Flat taxes would make every business be able to hire IMMEDIATELY I know where I work we pay nearly triple that amount.
4. His plan for Social Security - He wants to go to the Chilean model that makes it a version of an IRA. This would make it fair for everyone.
5. He isn't politically correct!!
Summary: I could really get behind him and be excited about it! He is almost the perfect candidate.
Fiscal Conservative - Social ? (probably very conservative)
See his website: http://www.hermancain.com/
Due to how long this post is getting I am going to only summarize the rest.
Newt Gingrich:
Summary: Too smart for his own good. He is an establishment republican that is surprisingly conservative. He has a lot of good ideas and I like almost all of them. He isn't politically correct and I love it. Very good candidate, but I think he's un-electable.
Fiscal conservative - Social Moderate (leaning conservative)
Website: http://www.newt.org/get-involved-now
Ron Paul:
Summary: I love everything domestic about him. He is just about the MOST conservative candidate in the election, and very much about 10 amendment rights and SMALL federal government. He'd probably be for major tax reformation. If he didn't have such whacked out ideas about foreign policy he'd be the perfect candidate. I agree that we shouldn't stick our noses in SO much of the world's business, but he'd let IRAN and NORTH KOREA develop nukes, and do NOTHING about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fiscal conservative - Social Conservative
Website: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/
Gary Johnson:
Summary: I don't know much about him, but he balanced the budget in New Mexico and is a really fiscal conservative, and appears to be a pretty straight forward guy.
Fiscal Conservative - Social Conservative (leaning moderate)
Website: http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/
Michelle Bachmann:
Summary: Very conservative, and a Tea Party poster child. She will fully repeal Obama care and not put a band aid on it. She knows how to pull the tricks to get stuff through congress, but not in a bad way. She is one of if not the MOST conservative candidates since Reagan.
Fiscal Conservative - Social Conservative
Website: http://www.michelebachmann.com/
Rick Santorum:
Summary: He is conservative, but reeks of the establishment republicans. He also lost his re-election bid for his Pennsylvania senate seat. Which worries me that he'd even be able to carry his own state. He is pretty good on the fiscal stuff and the social stuff too. I'd like to learn more about him, but I'm a bit on the fence about him now.
Fiscal conservative (leaning moderate) - Social Conservative
Website: http://www.ricksantorum.com/
Jon Huntsman:
Summary: Another Mormon and he is from Utah. I think this works in his favor like Mitt, but there are drawbacks for the same reasons. I like his foreign policy, he's been an ambassador to China, so he'd be tough on them like Romney would. His tax plan is ok, not great to put 25% on the rich, but that is WAY better than we have now. I think he gets the whole free market stuff and the he'd help the private sector create jobs, but I worry that he's a bit moderate on this front. Socially he is more conservative that Romney, but I don't think he a true conservative on this front. Overall I like him, I'd back him, but I am not leaping out of my seat for him.
Fiscal Conservative (leaning moderate) - Social Conservative (leaning moderate)
Website: http://www.jon2012.com/welcome/home.html
Now to the fun part who I endorse.... drum roll....... Herman Cain!! I think that he is exactly what the country needs. Someone who is NOT afraid to say it like it is, and stop the politics that are ruining this country. He would fire EVERY IRS agent!! That's right a FLAT tax!! He also supports drilling in for oil in Alaska and the gulf. He wants to get OFF foreign oil and make us energy INDEPENDENT, but not with that Green crap that Obama wastes our money on. I think if he gets someone like Jon Huntsman as his VP he'd make up for his ONE big deficiency which is his experience with foreign policy. He is smart and would do our country A LOT of good. I strongly urge you to back him and help him get the nomination!!
