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Voting for anybody but Obama
By Patti Pfeiffer
Unfortunately, the Republican primary process has turned me into a flip-flopper. Just when I think my mind's made up, a debate happens, views change, information surfaces, apprehension sets in, worry begins, the big picture gets bleak and my choice for nominee changes, yet again. I'm constantly analyzing the top candidates, endlessly arguing with myself about who's the best, and more importantly most electable.
Thankfully the nominee field has narrowed and is now Perry-less. As a native Texan, watching the debates with our governor was grueling and painful. His infamous brain freeze moment didn't bother me, other than causing me to blush for him. Actually, I could relate. Made me feel better about myself and my own malfunctioning mind. Thank you Mr. Governor for making me feel better -- and for bowing out.
So now the nominees number four. And which shall I choose...
Candidate No. 2 -- Seems like so long ago actually it was only several years back, when dreaming of the far away future, an Obamaless future, I so wished and hoped Newt Gringrich would run for president. It seemed like a dream, so unlikely to come true. Then reality happened. Newt announced.
I don't think there's been a more intelligent, knowledgeable candidate in a long, long time. Sure, he's a little vocal, but then again he doesn't leave me guessing. And yeah so he's sometimes somewhat volatile. Just shows he's passionate.
Speaking of passion, yes Newt does have a past. So what? Though maybe not as "colorful" as his, we all have a history. Besides, at least Newt's skeletons aren't hidden in dark closets waiting to be unleashed; rather they are well-known and publically paraded around for all to target.
Candidate No. 3 -- Then there's Mitt. I think Romney's handsome and looks presidential. And his wife is more First Ladyish. (Sorry Castilla). His religion doesn't bother me. Neither does him being rich. Most politicians are wealthy -- if not going into office then most certainly upon departure. Go figure.
I don't care for RomneyCare, his views on several issues or his non-view on others. Mitt's a little too fluid for my liking. I don't know where he stands on key conservative points. I mean really stands. Not waver. But stands -- as in planted, firmly. Besides, I wonder if Mitt is really real. He's seems so...so...perfect, unblemished. Even his hair is perfect. Not to worry however, if there are any bones rattling around in his closets we can rest assured they'll be released if he's nominated.
Unfortunately, like so many, I can't help feeling Mitt provides the best chance of beating the current president. Don't tell anyone I admitted that.
Candidate No. 4 -- Maybe it's my age, or rather maturity level, but Rick Santorum seems so young. Yet, I like Rick -- and adore the photos of him with his youngest daughter, Isabella. He appears to be the ideal dad. The father of seven, of course he has plenty of practice.
Santorum is solidly conservative. So am I. He is fiery, doesn't seem to waffle and is knowledgeable too. I wasn't a real fan until a week or so ago. It was then, during a recent debate, that he got my attention -- and maybe my support. Managing to squeeze a few words in between Mitt and Newt's mutual, continual and tiresome bashing, Santorum made a comment worthy of notice. Speaking for so many, he challenged his opponents to stop the petty bickering and barbing, asking that they remove the boxing gloves and get back to the business of debating key points. "Can't we just agree that Mitt made money at Bain Capital and Newt made money working for Freddie Mac and get back to real issues," he asked the men standing beside him.
That rhetorical question proved Santorum is wise beyond is age -- and a worthy opponent. Possibly worthy of my vote.
So whom does this self-proclaimed flip-flipper really support? Depends on the day, the debate, the continual inflow of information in the ever-changing presidential nomination process. Only one thing remains constant in my constantly changing candidate choice -- I will be voting for whoever runs against Obama. This country, our nation, our beloved UNITED States of America can't take much more divisiveness, class warfare, another Barack term. We can't afford to continue down the destructive paths he's taken us down -- because he has, is and will continue taking us down.
Patti Pfeiffer is a columnist for American Community Newspapers, freelance writer and author. She can be reached at pattip913@msn.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Zig up wrote on Feb 12, 2012 12:42 PM:
" Sound like a Typically clueless Republican. Ron Paul is the only one who isn't either completely insane like Santorum, Gingrich and Romney or totally corrupt and hypocritical like Romney and Gingrich (Santorum is just hypocritical). You jumping on the Dick wagon and suddenly donning your sweater vest is totally typical Republican conformity and announcing it to try to benefit with your crazy associates. To support a Republican is anti-American and self destruction because they will grow government again like Medicare Part D, put policies in place like rich people/ corporate tax cuts and go back to growing debt and deficits and threaten our safety by incompetently trying to protect us from attack like they failed to do with 9/11, Anthrax scares and much more. They left office with bin Laden and the Anthrax person still not caught? Then, they will encroach again on our freedom by trying to take more away: patriot act, religious based and government imposed rules to decide for us how to have sex, who to love and what we can or cannot do with our bodies. Please start reading, understand what is really going on in this country and don't just be a lazy and dangerous conformist. "
Terry wrote on Feb 12, 2012 3:10 PM:
" I do not understand a woman that would vote Republican. A party that has done it's best to take away a right granted over 30 years ago that gives a woman control over her body. That interferes with a woman and her doctor. A party that has at least one candidate that is openly disdainful of birth control and that all are supporting what they called an "attack on religion" when it is actually the other way around an attack on women's rights. Women might forget that that birth control was prohibited by some states until the courts ruled for women in 1965. The Catholic Church is being totally hypocritical when surveys show that 98% of Catholic women of child bearing age have used birth control. It is a conservative movement to put women back in the "barefoot and pregnant" position they were once in. No sane woman would stand for it. "
7886 wrote on Feb 12, 2012 4:20 PM:
" I love President Obama and will vote for a dog before I vote for a racist Republican so I guess we can agree on that. You are just another typical racist pig that is on the conservative racist bandwagon. All we can do is pray for people like you and ask God to soften the hatred you have for Obama and his kind. Because we all know that's all it is. "
NAMVET9THDIV wrote on Feb 13, 2012 10:16 AM:
" SEEMS LIKE NONE OF THE AbOVE ARE FIT TO BE PRESIDENT GUESS THE RESEARCH WAS right white folks vote for the rich white guy cause he is white and is religious and have low iqs and belong to there religion ,theyaretold whom to vote from cradle to grave guess the one whose spewss rascism and racial hatred is the one picked to be president? like ralph reed said our job is to make sure obama isnt president, for four more years. at cpac well that a side what about the economy what are your plans ?yada yada its obamas fault , he,s black he has been a disaster ,hedivides america oh you mena bush jr walker did .after eight year of bush trickle up economics damn ,obama cant fix stupid in three with a no gop congress who votes no ? "
PerkinsTexas wrote on Feb 14, 2012 1:05 PM:
" Patti Pfeiffer's editorial tells us a lot about the state of the Republican party today. She would rather vote for:
Candidate 1: described as a distraction
Candidate 2: described as volatile
Candidate 3: described as too fluid
Candidate 4: described as so young
The country does need a strong Republican party and a strong Democratic party, and possibly even other parties. But this year I don't see any Republican candidates worth voting for at all.
Like it or not, Obama will win simply because he does not have a serious competitor. "
Candidate 1: described as a distraction
Candidate 2: described as volatile
Candidate 3: described as too fluid
Candidate 4: described as so young
The country does need a strong Republican party and a strong Democratic party, and possibly even other parties. But this year I don't see any Republican candidates worth voting for at all.
Like it or not, Obama will win simply because he does not have a serious competitor. "
olddogdave wrote on Feb 14, 2012 6:13 PM:
" Not that I'm an Obama fan but to blame him for "more divisiveness, class warfare" is ridiculous. The divisiveness of American politics was carefully crafted by the Republicans during the Clinton years and brought to full fruition during the Bush (W) era. Unfortunately, now the Democrats have joined in to make it trench warfare.
Gone are the days of doing what is best for the country - now our politicians are only concerned with doing what is necessary to win their party's support.
We need a real dialogue and real solutions to our problems. Blaming Obama is far too simple an answer and at the end of the day - no one on this list is going to change a thing about how government is executed in this country. "
Gone are the days of doing what is best for the country - now our politicians are only concerned with doing what is necessary to win their party's support.
We need a real dialogue and real solutions to our problems. Blaming Obama is far too simple an answer and at the end of the day - no one on this list is going to change a thing about how government is executed in this country. "
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Rick Santorum voted with Barbara Boxer with this: S Amdt 3230 Gun Lock Requirement Amendment
Rick Santorum voted for H J Res 47 Debt Limit Increase Resolution Key Vote
Rick Santorum voted for taxes in the Internet Access Tax Bill
Rick Santorum voted for HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act
Rick Santorum voted to confirm President William J. Clintons nomination of Alan Greenspan to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a fourth four-year term.
Rick Santorum voted for HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill which allows punitive damages for injury or illness to be taxed.
- Allows damages for emotional distress to be taxed.
- Repeals the diesel fuel tax rebate to purchasers of diesel-powered automobiles and light trucks.
Rick Santorum Voted to confirm President William J. Clintons nomination of Alan Greenspan to be the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the third four year term.
Rick Santorum voted for the protection of Abortion Clinics
He voted to double the size of the Department of Education
He voted to expand Medicare and add free drugs for senior citizens and he has voted for foreign aid.
Those are not conservative principles. "