I am not sure if it was the Republicans in the Florida Legislature passing that lousy proposed property tax amendment; or Republican Governor Crist issuing executive orders that will substantially increase the cost of gas to comply with his strict new vehicle emissions standards; or that male Republican House member getting arrested for soliciting to perform a sexual act on a male police officer. What is going on with the elected Republicans in Florida?
Not that the national Democrats are perfect role models of late either as they pandered for the Hispanic vote with the stalled immigration bill; are trying to force our soldiers out of Iraq while they are serving our country proudly battling Islamic extremists; and as the Democratic Congress is getting nothing done in Washington as evidenced by a lower approval rating than President Bush.
I find myself moving closer to becoming an Independent voter except that I can’t stand the platform of the Democratic Party and want to ensure that they lose the Presidential race in November 2008 and perhaps Congress as well. So I will carefully choose a Republican candidate for the January primary and will offer my services to help him win the nomination.
My only problem is that none of the Republican presidential candidates appeal to me. Having attended the Broward County Republican Party Lincoln Day fundraiser some weeks ago, it is apparent that the county party elites are lining up behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Of course these are they same folks that helped elect Charlie Crist as our Governor. All I can say to them is “I told you so” about Crist not sharing our Republican beliefs as he has become a populist in his efforts to position himself for his own White House run in the years ahead.
As for Giuliani, I will give him credit for being tough on crime and for being a fiscal conservative but I’ve met him and I just don’t get good vibes from him. And then there are his poor decisions in choosing clients and employees for his security consulting firm and for his frequent grandstanding regarding the horror of the World Trade Center attack. The only other thing going for him is the support of Steve Forbes who I hold in high regard for his international and economic insights.
John McCain may have already dropped out of the presidential race by the time this column is published but he is not my choice either. His love fest with Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy on the behalf of the amnesty immigration bill ended his chances of winning the Republican nomination along with his name sponsorship of that lousy campaign reform act which primarily helps incumbents such as him.
If only former Massachusetts Governor Mit Romney did not come across as a too slick salesman, had not flip-flopped on so many issues, and had not signed that socialist state healthcare law while Governor. Then maybe I would have supported him out of respect for his great business acumen including having saved the Salt Lake City Olympic Games some years ago.
And that leaves former Tennessee Senator, and famed TV actor, Fred Thompson as the only other possible Republican candidate with national potential. I like his plain talking, optimistic, conservatism which reminds me of Ronald Reagan. If only he was not a trial lawyer who has also lobbied on behalf of some questionable clients and who fought tort reform laws in Congress.
If only Jeb did not have the same last name as our current President, he would be my candidate. With that not being a possibility, Fred is my guy for now.
