Who Will It Be?

Does there exist in America, anywhere, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters, someone…anyone, who is both willing and able to take up the mantle of the Republican party without making a mockery of it?

We know it won’t be Mark Sanford or John Ensign, though either of those philanderers likely would fare better, even if an election were held today, than a certain maverick did in November. Sarah Palin would seem to be a logical and relatively popular, recognizable face that many would like to see take the “leader” position for the party. Unfortunately, she is now drawing plenty of negative publicity amid her decision to step down as the great state of Alaska’s governor so as to avoid being a lame-duck. That whole situation seems a bit odd to me and I fear that in the coming weeks and months there may be more to this than meets the eye. Pure speculation on my part, of course, but something just doesn’t feel right about this decision. Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, fancies himself the “de facto leader of the Republican party,” but appears to be not much more than a figurehead who ascended to his position in the name of diversity. A valiant notion to be sure, but not a wise way to choose a leader.

This much is certain, whoever it is better step on up to the microphone and soon! The longer we languish without definite leadership and direction, and I use the term “we” loosely, the less likely it becomes that we will be able to stop the Obama juggernaut in 3 1/2 years. A bad showing in the mid-term elections in 2010 could be devastating to a party whose leaders, also used loosely, appear to be somewhat apathetic. At least to an unconnected, unimportant peon like me.

There is also the question of moderate versus conservative. Nobody will ever convince me that the GOP’s move to the center to placate undecided, more moderate voters didn’t greatly damage Senator McCain’s chances last November. I registered as a Republican in March of 1987 and I’ve never been less enthused and energized about a candidate for any office than I was for John McCain. Almost every other conservative I have talked to says essentially the same thing. Riding the center line was disastrous for us in 2008 and more of the same could cause damage that would take years from which to recover. We could very well be known as Cuba’s socialist/communist neighbor to the north by then!

Personally, I’d prefer to see Mike Huckabee front and center. He is an intelligent, articulate, affable man with experience who has convictions and values that aren’t for sale. What a concept! Of course, at the current rate of attrition this responsibility could very well fall to me sometime in the next six months or so. Maybe I should stop blogging and concentrate on readying my agenda for the almost certain media blitz on my home in River Oaks! Gotta’ go…