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Name: C. L. Palmer
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Palin vs. Romney for the Title

Posted by C. L. Palmer on Monday, December 07, 2009 8:11:15 PM
   The only two real contenders for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 are Palin and Romney. Each has his/her own pros and cons. Either would be a great conservative to have in office. Only one could win.
 
   First, let's look at Romney. He's a business leader, an ex-governor (who finished his term), a remarkable orator, and a known problem-solver. He was poised to win the last nomination until John McCain used a dirty trick to kill his momentum. Instead of  dragging things out, and thereby destroying any chances the Republican Party had to win the election, he bowed out graciously and threw his support behind the man whose handprint was still warm on the handle of the knife in his back. This showed a remarkable depth of character, and will not be soon forgotten by the party faithful. Finally, Romney is an intellect. Only Romney, in my view, would have the wherewithal to win a debate against Obama.
 
   The only real thing going against Romney is his religion, which is sad in a nation founded on religious liberty. Personally, I think this is a non-issue, but the media seize upon it as if America cares. It may be, however, that they do him more of a favor than not. Most people associate Mormonism with a straight-laced lifestyle. Considering that many Americans see politicians as slimy snakes-in-the-grass, a Mormon in the White House would be a refreshing change. As long as Romney can stay in the public spotlight, he has a chance to win. Perhaps a book deal... ?
 
   Another, more recent, help to Romney's candidacy is the ascendancy of Glenn Beck. Beck's acceptance as a valid conservative voice by even many of the most rabid anti-Mormons gets the door open for them to reconsider supporting a Romney nomination.
 
   Sarah Palin, on the other hand, is a Republican dynamo in her own right. She brings crowds and energy. She's easily as telegenic as Romney. Her conservative ideals are just as pure. She speaks to the right wing in our language, straight off the cuff. We adore her.
 
   The independents, however, are not sold. They still remember the disastrous Katie Couric interview, the SNL skits, the anti-hype. They see her as an unsophisticated hayseed with an attitude. Many reading this right now are no doubt thinking, "Hell yes! That's what America needs right now!" Still that's us, the right wing, talking. We'll need to convince the middle that she's a capable leader, that her candor is an asset rather than a liability. Worse yet, she's shot herself in the foot, making the electoral waltz all the more difficult for her. All Obama needs to do is call her a "flake," and it's over. Even dyed-in-the-wool conservatives (like me) still cannot comprehend why she bailed out on the governorship.
 
   Doing the mental math, Romney seems the best bet. His Mormonism is out there, a known quantity, destined not to be as much of an issue should he run again as it's been dealt with already. He's been a successful governor, and proven that he can win even in liberal-leaning states like Massachusetts. My pick as his veep? Condoleeza Rice. Anyone who can put Barbara Boxer in her place is qualified for high office in my book. Romney/Rice 2012... I like it!
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Palmer to Obama: I un-endorse you!

Posted by C. L. Palmer on Monday, September 22, 2008 11:38:52 AM
Those of you who have read my blog before will know that some weeks ago I officially endorsed Barack Obama for president. I'm now officially taking that back. I refuse to endorse McCain, but I'd like to suggest to any and all conservatives that we'd better get over ourselves, swallow our disgust, and vote for him anyway.
 
I endorsed Obama based on the supposition that America has fallen asleep, and only a real punch-to-the-gut would awaken her. I realize now that I was wrong, for two reasons. First, we're far worse off than merely asleep. Second, Sarah Palin has awakened the conservative lion from its long hibernation. All conservatism needs to win votes is someone who can and will forcefully express it.
 
There is a vast pool of idiots from which the Democrats can draw votes. This is the lazy class, the class (consisting both of rich and poor) who would rather have someone else do things. The lazy rich would rather have government fight poverty than do it themselves. Even though every non-profit, non-government attempt to help the poor has been significantly more successful than government's attempts, these deluded fools see federal control and redistribution as the best means of solving poverty. Many of these people themselves came from poverty, but never mind. What worked for them couldn't possibly be the solution for everyone else. Hard work and education only help the fortunate few; the rest need to suck leech-like from the underbelly of society. Could Ted Turner have spent his billions developing a low-cost healthcare system, privately owned but not for profit? Could he have used the same business savvy that developed cable television to solve this crisis without Uncle Sam?  Sure, but then how would that expand the scope and power of government? Turner, and others like him, would rather write the occasional huge check to the U.N. and Democrats than take the initiative to solve these problems themselves. If they spent all of the time and money that they so willingly give to liberalism on eradicating poverty directly, they'd have done it by now.
 
The lazy poor need no explanation. They are the whiny minority who spend more time complaining that they don't get enough welfare than they do looking for a decent job. These are the morons who blame racism for their problems instead of looking in the mirror. They've always been the same, and will be until we stop coddling them. Our "generosity" has robbed them of initiative and direction over their own lives. They have no dignity because they have never accomplished anything to inspire true pride. This is our fault, as a nation. We have come to accept this state of affairs. Our low expectations for certain groups of people amounts to an implicit racism, a racism to which even the professional race-baiters are blind. I say racism, but what I mean is disdain. After all, this group is not defined in terms of color. The lazy poor constitute a smudgy rainbow over our slums and ghettoes.
 
Too many of us fall into these groups, or at least accept the basic premises that define them. The excitement over the Palin nomination, however, promises to change that. For too long, the same wrinkled faces have expressed words with which we have become all too familiar. Directness of speech has been severely wanting. Candor has been seen as a liablilty. The tone of expression heard from Washington "conservatives" has been that of a tired old man, largely because that's who we've had in Washington. Palin adds a note of sincerity, of vigor, and of excitement that we really ahven't heard since Reagan. She inspires the same optimism that Reagan did. I want to go back to being an optimistic conservative, not a sad old windbag shaking his cane at the world as it passes him by. That's what we've become. Palin, and the new generation of true-blue conservatives behind her, promise to change that.
 
I don't think we need an Obama to get a Palin. We may just get one without him.  
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The Camel and the (Republican Party) Tent

Posted by C. L. Palmer on Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:41:26 PM
If you are one of the unfortunate few who are unfamiliar with this allegory, allow me to sum it up for you:
 
An Arab merchant is travelling across the desert on his camel. He notices that a sandstorm is coming, so he quickly pitches his tent and shelters beneath it, leaving his thickly-furred camel outside as the tent is barely large enough for one. As the storm rages, the camel sticks its nose inside the flap. The merchant thinks, "How can I deny him this? It must surely be difficult to breath out there in the storm."
 
A few minutes later, the camel puts its entire head in the tent. The merchant doesn't object, as he understands that the sand must surely sting the eyes and ears of the poor beast. A few minutes later, the camel puts its neck inside as well. This, too, is allowed. Later, the camel's front two feet make their way into the tent. By this time, the merchant has curled himself into a ball to make room for the camel. He is quite uncomfortable, but knows that it would take a lot of effort to make the camel back out. He decides just to live with it.
 
By the time the storm is over, the camel is completely inside the tent. The merchant lies buried in sand outside.
 
Fellow conservatives, we are the merchants here. The "big tent" of the Republican Party is making many of us feel uncomfortable. The nomination of John McCain was like the camel inserting its feet into the tent. Now we, the true backbone of the party, find ourselves having to curl up and endure. Face it: We have lost control of our own party.
 
Now we are faced with a Faustian dilemma if ever there were one. Do we simply go with the flow, and accept irrelevance in the future of the Republican power structure? Or, do we stay home in November and allow a rabid socialist to run the country? Neither option is particularly attractive. I am the last person to say that we ought to elect Obama. McCain is certainly the lesser of the two evils with which we are presented. Just for that, he has my vote. Why? Not voting is voting for Obama. I can't do that. But part of me, a big part of me, wants to see Obama win. Perhaps, as Poe described it, I've fallen victim to "The Imp of the Perverse." Maybe, seeing us contemplating the view from the precipice, part of me is simply tempted to take a flying leap. I don't believe that's it, though. I have faith in the average American. We've been Slouching Towards Gomorrah for so long that few would notice the few steps McCain would take us in that direction. Obama, on the other hand, has some shock value. I have enough faith in America to believe that once we see what liberals really want to accomplish, the pendulum will finally start to swing in the right direction, which is the Right direction.
 
Best case scenario, for America? McCain wins, Palin governs, and yes, I know that's a horrible thought. I am ashamed already for thinking it. But... am I wrong? 
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McCain to Dems: Check! But is the match won?

Posted by C. L. Palmer on Monday, September 01, 2008 2:41:10 PM
The surprise appointment of the female governor of Alaska as the Republican vice-presidential nominee sent shock waves through the media and the Republican base last week. As strategy, it's a no-brainer. Hillary supporters are angry with Obama and the DNC for rejecting their girl; McCain appoints a female, hoping to sop up some of those voters.Will it work?

I don't think so. Republicans aren't particular about the gender of their candidates. We tend to vote issues over personality. Leaving aside the fact that John McCain was even elected the nominee (a feat largely made possible by the existence of open ballots in many key states), we will admire the savvy behind the choice, but it won't be enough to get us to the polls for McCain. He knows this. He didn't nominate her for us. He did so for Democrats. They, not us, are his target audience.

If he was after the Republican base, he would have nominated Romney. Sarah Palin is a good choice. Don't get me wrong. As far as I can tell, she would make a fine president if such became necessary. Her Conservative credentials are solid. However, a Romney nomination would have locked in the votes of all of us who felt that McCain was nominated largely because of a couple of dirty tricks.

McCain has a similar problem to Obama's. A significant number of Republicans were backing the other horse, passionately so. His nomination doused our hopes, quenching the flame that had ignited so much excitement during the early stages of the primary. We were hoping for another Reagan, but we got a Dole. That fact alone may well affect Republican turnout this November. McCain can get all of the Hillary voters he wants, but without the support of the base, he's toast.

I have said before and I'll say again that I think the nation needs an Obama victory. We need someone to wake us up to the realities of Left-Wing extremism. We have forgotten where that road leads. It will be painful, but it will lead us to a brighter future. We're a bit like addicts, we Americans. We're addicted to pork and deficit spending, addicted to our entitlements. We'll never get around to weaning ourselves without hitting bottom. Thus, I support Obama. He is the rock bottom we need so we can bounce back into sanity and common sense.





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