While I generally agree with Scott Bradford on many things, I have found that I take issue with one of his posts last month regarding the 2008 presidential election:
I have no favorite candidates. Heck, I’m not even paying attention to who’s running at this point. I’ve heard most of the big names—Clinton, Guiliani, Obama, Romney, etc., etc., etc.—but have fervently avoided paying any more attention than I absolutely have to. I just don’t care right now. It is too damn early to be making political decisions for an election over a year away.
As much as I understand and empathize with his opinion, I believe that, considering the massive scrutiny the current administration has faced during its tenure, we need to care about who our next elected president and subsequent officials are, whether we want to or not. If the presidential hopefuls on both sides of the aisle are already campaigning in full swing, so be it. Seems to me it gives us more time to consider our choice, and, at least with me, the more time given to consider choices, the better.
Irritating as it is, we need to be sure we pick a president who will be at least favorable in the public eye. To do this, we must first identify what exactly it is about the current administration that irritates the public so (something all of the opponents of the current administration’s party are essentially basing their entire campaigns on). Personally, the fault I hold with Bush’s policies are as follows, starting with most important: Runaway Fiscal Irresponsibility and Spending, Attempts to Pass Unconstitutional Laws and Amendments (resulting in big government), Foreign Policies resulting in Lacking Foreign Opinion of the US… there are more, but I have to think. I’ll update as the need arises.
Interesting, isn’t it, how these problems are, in a general sense, utterly opposite of the campaign points of the Republican Party of Yesteryear?
In comes the new guy. While I tend to disagree with his non interventionist war policies, he is, as stated on Andrew Sullivan’s blog and RTFLC, the only candidate truly addressing my #1: fiscal responsibility:
An angle of the Ron Paul story that is missed in most reports is the party affiliation of those who are contributing. I am a registered Democrat. I am making my only substantial contributions during the primaries to Ron Paul. Why? He is the only candidate on either side who is truly addressing my concerns about our current lack of fiscal responsibility, our interventionist foreign policy, and the executive branch’s utter lack of respect for the Constitution.
It is well worth a few hundred dollars of my money to help him stay in the debates to present substantitive arguments on the most important issues we face as a country. It is my sincere hope that at least a few percent of Republicans hear his message and insist upon a serious candidate, not just the candidate who presents himself as the biggest bully.
While it is most certainly too early to even think about making any kind of endorsement, I am keeping my eye on Paul. So far the only Republican candidate I would consider voting for (lest someone issues a flip-flop on issues reminiscent of Kerry), Paul seems to be the only true candidate not solely effected by party politics, religious constituent groups, money and fame.
Lastly, I personally think the old-world broadcast and print Media is in for a surprise this election season. They underestimate the power of the Internet and its users, taking advantage of these resources only when it benefits their political position (Macaca, anyone?). Seriously, just think about it: The Ron Paul movement online is huge, and consistently ignored by the Big Media. Paul constantly wins Straw Polls where he is involved, and these media outlets try to mention him as little as possible; has anyone seen anything on TV about Paul’s fundraising successes (he raised over five million his second quarter campaigning, this after having more money on hand during his first quarter than McCain)? Nope. The Big Media, like I said, acknowledges the internet only when someone there has unearthed some dirt that furthers their own agenda, and I think the outcome of the 2008 election will be a big surprise to these people.
