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GOP Should Unite Behind McCain

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Contributed by: Kory Nelson on 2/5/2008

The recent conflict between Republicans regarding the legitimacy of Senator John McCain's candidacy for the Republican nomination calls for the Colorado GOP leadership to cast oil on the troubled waters. While some intra-party debate over candidates can be a good thing, the level of discord has reached an unhealthy tone that must be addressed immediately for the good of the party. Three points should be considered:

1: RONALD REAGAN'S BIG TENT PARTY MUST BE REVIVED.

First, and foremost, there is no litmus test for a "good" Republican that states the further the right the better. Just as the entire political spectrum is wide, the section on the Right is also wide enough for a variety of positions. Ronald Reagan built a big tent party that attracted conservatives and moderates, Republicans and independents, and people from all across the country. In the last few years a small, but vocal minority, on the extreme right fringe of our party have damaged that big tent. Democrats realized something our leadership forgot, stole a page out of the Gipper's playbook, and recruited candidates across the ideological spectrum. The 2006 election wasn't a rejection of the GOP; it was a wakeup call that you can not build a majority party without securing the middle of the American electorate.

2: EXTREMIST RHETORIC MUST BE REPLACED WITH LEADERS EMPHASIZING PARTY UNITY.

Second, the extreme right's radical rhetoric is increasing the probability of Hill & Bill winning the 2008 November Presidential Election. Ann Coulter's sarcastic rhetoric, jesting that she would rather vote for Hillary than McCain, is stupid and dangerous. I've heard several extremists on local public radio call-in shows claim that they could "never" vote for McCain. Oh, how foolish they sound! Every conservative who stays away from the polls in November simple gives one more vote to the Democrats. We need to have our intra-party campaigns on a civil and respectful level - always with the affirmation to rejoin ranks together to propel the GOP nominee to victory!

3: AMERICA MUST EVALUATE ALL 7 PRESIDENTIAL ROLES

Third, the Denver Post's selection of Mitt Romney for their endorsement was short-sighted. The editorial clearly stated Mitt was chosen for the sole reason that he would be the best "Executive". Best Executive? Gee, where were the members of theirEditorial Board during American Government 101? There are a total of 7 (yes, 7!) roles the American President has in the United States. Let's examine each:

1. Chief Executive. The head of the Executive Branch of the federal government. ADVANTAGE: MITT (So says the Denver Post). I may have some good points for McCain, but let's move on.
2. Commander in Chief. As a Veteran myself, I recognize the fact that being a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee since 1987 makes Senator McCain the only plausible candidate to move forward with President Bush's offensive strategies against Islamic Fascist Terrorism. ADVANTAGE: McCAIN
3. Chief Legislator. Who is going to be able to obtain success in getting important legislation through Congress? ADVANTAGE: McCAIN
4. Chief Diplomat. Mitt has been a one-term Governor. Has he been involved in any major international conferences with leaders of other governments (Not just Olympic Committees)? McCain has the direct telephone numbers of more foreign leaders on his Rolodex than Mitt has Rolexes. ADVANTAGE: McCAIN
5. Chief of State. Who looks more Presidential? Well, OK, Mitt looks great..but so did Bill Clinton. Is that all you're looking for? I submit that the country is more interested in a President who will not give the most politically correct answer - but the straight truth. ADVANTAGE: TIE: MITT for those who appreciate beauty over substance (like the Media); McCAIN for the average American.
6. Guardian of the Economy. As the President really does very little directly, but it is his economic advisors and appointees who will carry out any conservative agenda. Mitt's economic expert/supporters are.....who again? McCain's supporter include (1) Jack Kemp; (2) Steve Forbes,(3)Phil Gramm, and Robert Mosbacher the Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce . ADVANTAGE: McCAIN.
7. Chief of Party. Who has ever heard of Mitt Romney before his presidential campaign? Heck, given his own liberal stances on several issues that helped him get elected as Governor in liberal Massachusetts', many conservatives must doubt his capacity to lead the party. McCain's leadership skills however, are more developed on the national scene. ADVANTAGE: McCAIN.

TOTALS: Mitt Romney 1 1/2 to John McCain 5 1/2.

In conclusion, Colorado Republicans seem to have short memories. How many times has an intra-party battle left the party's nominee damaged before ever facing a Democrat opponent? Remember 2004 and the Holtzman/Beauprez battle that damaged "Both-Ways Bob"? How about recognizing the importance of Regan's Big Tent Party and deliberately finding candidates to capture the support of moderates? Remember 1996? The Reform Party candidate in 1996, Ross Perot, caused the moderate independent to split away from Senator Bob Dole, allowing Bill Clinton to win.

Once Senator John McCain secures the GOP nomination, we need to reunite as a party and forget, once and for all, the extremist's rhetoric and unite behind McCain and bring all conservatives, moderates, and moderate-liberals together for the sake of the country. Are you willing to let Hillary into the White House?

Stop the divisive and harmful rhetoric and let's come together and win in November!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Kory Nelson

Parker , CO

Kory Nelson has posted 123 stories and 15 comments since joining on 7/9/2007. Kory Nelson 's average story rating is 4.18.

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