Wherein I Go Where No One Should Go-Speculation on the 2012 Election

It is too early to speculate on who might carry the conservative banner in the 2012 elections, if anyone.  There might be a dark horse candidate that comes seemingly from nowhere.  The Left might suddenly moderate its actions, and leave Tea Party candidates high and dry.  Fat chance, but you never know.  It is a long time to 2012 in political terms.

Now, to rehash for a moment. Remember that last time, we had a choice between two Fascisti. Note that I use the word Fascist not in a derogatory manner, but it the sense that Jonah Goldberg defined as:

“Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people. It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the ‘problem’ and therefore defined as the enemy.”

In this sense, it was clear that either McCain or Obama would ultimately have very similar policies, and we would be heading down the path to greater totalitarianism no matter which one was elected. That so many conservatives chose not to vote is not surprising.  But now conservatives have some apparent conservative choices.  Sarah Palin is exciting, and always says the correct thing.  Unfortunately, Sarah Palin is also divisive.  I like her.  Many women do not.  Allen West is a warrior who has had to make tough decisions on the battlefield, and has proven himself in at least a Congressional election.  But Col. West, by his own admission, needs more seasoning in the wily ways of Washington, DC.  I expect Col. West to show up in 2016 or 2020.  Michele Bachman also looks like possible material for the Presidency, and I am sure she is weighing her options.  For the first time in a long time, there is some depth to the conservative brigade in government, and I hope to see a true conservative candidate.  On the other hand, people like Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have proven themselves to not hold conservative principles.  If these "front runners" become the nominee, expect conservatives to again sit out the election.  Note to the Republican establishment:  don't push these guys on us. 

All this speculation was generated by an article in the American Thinker today entitled
Rubio and Reassurances by Chet Arthur. Arthur seems to feel that women voters, in particular, want to be reassured. They don't generally like war like talk. Now, some of my readers will disagree. That's fine, but think about the women you know. Think about their attitudes towards the topic of guns, self defense, and the need to be on constant alert to dangers that may be just over the horizon. Brigid of Home On The Range and Tam of View from the Porch may be the exception, but I bet most women are not like that.  Now, a lot of women do carry a weapon, and believe when push comes to shove in any chair in a bar fight.  They just prefer not to think of these things.  Mrs. PolyKahr, for example, is always happy to let me go first.  If I don't get blown up, well then it is probably safe for the Mrs. to go there.  I suspect most women are somewhere on that spectrum.  According to Mr. Arthur, Marco Rubio has the ability, at the same time, to hold truly conservative principles, and to reassure not only men, but women as well.  Rush Limbaugh said (and I paraphrase because I heard it while driving somewhere) that Rubio makes every speech a teaching moment on the Constitution.  High praise from the god father of the modern conservative movement.

On the other side is Marco Rubio's relative inexperience.  Like Obama, he will be a Senator for 2 years in 2012.  Because the Left has no problem changing its talking points from day to day, I am sure they will try to make hay out of this, though I don't know how. Go read Chat Arthur's article, then check out Marco Rubio. He may just be the candidate for you, if he runs.