Q&A Friday #84: McCain Multi-Question Post

15 Feb, 2008 by John Hawkins

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Question: “I am already starting to see staunch Conservatives weakening in their opposition to John McCain. It seems just the thought of a Hillary or Obama Presidency is enough to get them to entertain the thought of voting Republican in November.

Do you think the Conservatives will come out for McCain in November or will they stay home and pray for a Democratic victory?” — BIG

Answer: Most conservatives will come around and vote for McCain, but millions won’t. Conservative turnout will, in the end, partially come down to whether McCain is willing to make some gestures to show conservatives that his heart is in the right place. So far, McCain has done almost nothing in that area beyond showing up at CPAC.

Question: “I have voted in every election I was eligible for(since 1992), even when we had a candidate I didn’t like a whole lot(like Bob Dole). Suppose social conservatives and a few others manage to stay home/vote for a democrat this time and swing the election to the other side, hoping for a more conservative candidate in 2012. Then Hillary or Obama gets in and pulls troops out of Iraq, nationalizes health care, raises taxes, and does a myriad of other things that we all detest. Those that turned the election this time then start screaming for us to go to the polls and support a Huckabee or (*shudder*)Pat Buchanan type next time, whoever happens to get the nomination.

National security conservatives like myself have been told to play to “the base” a lot of years, as if we’re not part of the base ourselves.

What incentive is there for those of us who tried to warn of these things to go to the polls in 2012? In other words, why are we always the ones expected to act like good little Republicans every time someone is out there we don’t always agree with on some stuff, but social conservatives, and a few others, are allowed to act like spoiled children who didn’t get their way? Why shouldn’t WE be the ones who sit home next time to show two can play that game?” — RtWingNtCase

Answer: One of the dangers of playing the “I’m going to stay home” card for Republicans is exactly what you say: it inspires other voting blocks to do the same thing in the next election.

To win, the GOP needs some Libertarians, some moderates, social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and foreign policy conservatives all showing up and every group has had reason to be unhappy with the GOP at one point or another.

That’s why, in the end, the smartest thing conservatives can do is to support the candidate who best represents our values in the primaries, but then unite around the candidate that wins. If your goal is to get the most conservative government possible in DC, that is the best way to go.

Question: “I think I remember an earlier post, pre-Super Tuesday, where you said you were leaning toward Huckabee. Are you still, now that McCain is the almost-certain nominee and Romney is out?” — Sola Gratia

Answer: Originally, I was a big supporter of Duncan Hunter, whom I went on to work for. When Duncan was no longer viable, I shifted over and supported Fred. After Fred got knocked out, to tell you the truth, I didn’t much like anyone left in the field, although I liked Huckabee marginally better than I liked the other 3 candidates.

However, at this point, Huckabee is mathematically eliminated. He cannot win the nomination and I’m of the opinion that he’s only staying in at this point in hopes of doing well enough to force McCain to give him the VP slot to get him out.

So since Huckabee has no path to the nomination, I can’t recommend voting for him.