The Iowa caucuses are tomorrow. The real significance of Iowa is the test of a candidates’ campaign operation. Can the candidate manage to get as many Iowans to the multitude of caucuses and raise their hand for him or her? It is an ultimate exam for organizational abilities which will be extremely important in the general election in November.
Let’s take a look at the GOP line-up:
Michelle Bachmann. She would make history as the first female President of the United States. She possesses solid conservative credentials while in congress and speaking on the campaign circuit. She is a passionate constitutional conservative as well as strong advocate for free enterprise. Congressman Bachman is one who doesn’t mince words. When she says she will eliminate Obamacare and close down the U.S. Department of Education, it is bankable.
Newt Gingrich. I remember the days during the Reagan Revolution when Gingrich (R-GA) and Robert Walker (R-PA) would engage in spellbinding colloquy over administration policy. There were others, principally from the Conservative Opportunity Society that took to the podium or rose from their seats to advance the cause of Freedom. We lived in historic times. Gingrich is the ideas man of the GOP. But as the late, great Thomas Roeser would opine, “Newt Gingrich is half brilliant and half crazy.” Newt is a solid supply sider, but can sometimes be a loose cannon.
Gary Johnson. He has bolted from the Republicans and has landed firmly in the Libertarian camp, announcing his candidacy for the Libertarian nomination for President on December 28, 2011. I can’t blame him. He got little respect from the Republican apparatchiks. Here was a guy who had a tremendous record as Governor of New Mexico and was invited only once to the debate table. He would have added greatly to the war of ideas as a spokesman for limited government. Of course his tragic flaw is his drug policy which kind of sends his candidacy up in smoke. Sorry Gary, you won’t get my vote. We need to send O to Hawaii for retirement.
Rick Perry. This guy has got great credentials including achieving the rank of Eagle Scout as a teen. As a fellow Eagle Scout, I empathize with his candidacy. In my heart I’m rooting for the Governor of Texas. However, his performance in the early debates sort of tanked his Presidential aspirations. Perhaps he can turn it around. Mr. Perry is the most solid on the issues that could bring about Reagan Revolution 2.0.
Ron Paul. We need Congressman Paul in the race to make us think. The dear Doctor is most aligned with the economics of Frederick Hayek and the Austrian school. An outstanding spokesman for limited government, he has added much to the debate in that arena. Where he fails to make the grade is in his foreign policy views. Yes, I get it, stay away from “foreign entanglements” as Jefferson warned of, but to embrace some of the zaniest views of Jesse “The Body” Ventura, former Governor of Minnesota, is a little meek.
Buddy Roemer. Why hasn’t this former Governor of Louisiana been invited to the debate party? His credentials are solid as a former U.S. Congressman (1981-1988) and community banker. If academic credentials figure into your candidate assessment, Roemer has a B.S. in Economics from Harvard and a MBA—Finance from the same. Buddy’s central theme is getting the big money out of politics. He feels that the large sums of dough are given to the politicians in Washington to exact favorites. He favors a balanced budget and fair trade. His tax policy is something that needs to be adopted in the new administration. Closing tax loopholes, eliminating the alternative minimum tax and the earned income credit are positive starts. The most favorable element of his tax plan is a Flat Tax of 17%, with the first $50k of income exempt. Personally, I favor a 10% flat tax, but this is an awesome start.
Rick Santorum. The most solid conservative in the field. And the best person to shore up the ticket as Vice-President for whomever the eventual nominee might be. He is a great candidate, but needs more seasoning as an executive. His foreign policy views are the stoutest among the group. Santorum’s voice for limited government is robust. He would be my candidate if he had any strong business or executive experience. But alas, he is from the House of Lords, err, US Senate.
I purposely left out Jon Huntsman. Seriously? Give me a break.
To my friendly and generous neighbors in Iowa, best of luck in your caucuses. You have a difficult decision to make. Tomorrow in Iowa it is expected to be a balmy 41 degrees and sunny. It should be a crisp, but comfortable night for making a choice for the future of the United States.
On January 20, 2013, America’s long, four year nightmare will be over when one of these great Americans hold up their right hand with the other on the good book and take the oath of the Office of the President of the United States.
