Tim Pawlenty and Mike Huckabee have something in common other than the fact that they are prominent Republican men. The commonality these men share is the fact that they have yet to endorse the third-party Conservative Party candidate, Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd District Race. By now, you all know Newt Gingrich endorsed the liberal Republican, Dede Scozzafava (whom, by the way, is even more liberal than the Democrat in the race) recently, but Pawlenty and Huckabee have yet to take a stand. Now, to me, your little humble blogger, the decision is an easy one. When you look at Hoffman and Scozzafava, it is clear that the only true conservative in the race is Hoffman. What's so hard about making a decision based upon values and principle instead of party? I'm not even going to discuss the displeasure I have in Gingrich's decision, for that would have to be an entire new blog entry in itself, and I don't want to pain you in having to read an entire post about Newt Gingrich and Dede Scozzafava’s newly formed partnership. Instead, I want to focus today's random thought post on Pawlenty, Huckabee and Palin, all of whom are possible 2012 presidential contenders.
Values over party- that's exactly what Sarah chose when she threw her support behind Hoffman. In doing so, she illustrated the maverick streak we, her supporters, have come to know and love. In "shaking things up," Sarah did exactly what needed to be done. As I discussed earlier this week, the Republican Party has drifted further and further away from its core principles and ideals. Sarah made an important statement; literally taking a stand by basically saying enough is enough. While you may call yourself a Republican, values matters. If you don't believe in the values that once made the Republican Party the Grand Old Party it once was, then you don't deserve to be supported. If you are going to support many of the same issues as your Democratic counterpart, then you need to realize that the conservative base is going to look elsewhere. In this case, Hoffman IS the other option, the better option. As Sarah mentioned in her Facebook Note, endorsing Hoffman is a matter of principle:
"Doug Hoffman stands for the principles that all Republicans should share: smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense, and a commitment to individual liberty.... Political parties must stand for something."
Sarah is exactly right. Once again, she is doing what she always has done: Talking the talk AND walking the walk. It's too bad that the same cannot be said for her Republican counterparts. Unlike Sarah, who is actually taking a stand, Pawlenty and Huckabee have yet to follow suit.
I find it very striking that while individuals like Huckabee and Pawlenty have no problem speaking out against the Obama Administration, they seem to become tight-lipped on issues that matter most. As a voter, I see this as a clear example of putting party first at the expense of doing what's right. It is clear that Scozzafava makes Rinos like Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe look like conservatives. Yet, Pawlenty and Huckabee refuse to take a stand. Instead of simply saying that they don't want to go against the Republican Party, they give excuses, saying things like they don't know enough about the race or haven't researched the candidates enough. Give me a break; do they really think we are that stupid? This election has been discussed on every news network, so unless they've been hiking the Appalachian Trail, I think they know enough to know which candidate shares their values. Here's what Huckabee told Neil Cavuto yesterday about the race and Conservative Party Candidate Hoffman:
"Certainly his views represent more closely to mine.... I'm not taking a role in that with my PAC, simply because I feel like it would be inappropriate with me at this point -- mainly because I'm already speaking to the Conservative Party next week. But it is not an endorsement speech, it is an awards speech, and I don't want to get the two confused.... I'm never gonna support somebody who does not believe that every human life has value and meaning. I'm not gonna support people who would do things like say TARP is one of those great, wonderful things. I think I have a right and responsibility to only support people who hold to principles, above party and above just the politics of winning and losing."
So, let me get this straight. While Huckabee is not going to endorse the liberal Republican Party candidate, he is not going to support a man who believes in the same things he does? For the sake of conservatism, take a stand! Stop using the Republican Party, for its current state serves as a roadblock that is blocking the way for the real change that is necessary to reclaim America and the Republican Party. Readers, it gets even better; here's what Pawlenty said about the race:
"You know I haven't been following that, I haven't studied the race at all.... It's not that I would or wouldn't, I just don't know anything about it. I haven't taken the time to study their positions, their records, so I haven't taken a position on it.
I think we're going to win them both.... In New Jersey, I don't want to get ahead of ourselves. But it sure looks like Republicans are going to win in Virginia. New Jersey's going to be a closer call, but that's also a tougher state for Republicans. But if the election were held today I think we'd win them both."
Don't you just love it? While I respect both of these men, I have to admit that I have lost a lot of the respect I once held for reasons like the quotes above. These men live and breath politics, but it seems that the establishment has clouded their good judgment.
Instead of standing up and doing the right thing, they seem to care more about the Republican Party itself and the money and favors they receive and will continue to receive as long as they keep under the Republican Party's thumbs. It's time these men and other individuals like them realize that the Republican Party is not all it's cracked up to be. Don't misunderstand me. I value the Republican Party, but I want THE Republican Party back; I want the Grand Old Party of Ronald Reagan. The Republican Party that, at one time, stood for all of the right things: smaller government, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and strong national defense. The Republican Party has a long way to go before it once again is the party of right, but in standing up for the Conservative Party candidate, individuals like Sarah, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann are sending a clear message to the Republican Party establishment that values do matter. In standing up and taking a stand, Sarah and Michele prove, yet again, that they more guts than their male counterparts will ever have! The Republican Party could use a lot more guts and a lot less playing the fence.
(I'm A Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)
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