Republican Soul: The Battle Continues

Posted by Larry Miller on May 15, 2009 under How | Be the First to Comment

Once again the battle for the soul of the Republican Party is joined. This time in the Sunshine State of Florida. “Moderate” Governor Charlie Crist is pitted against conservative Speaker of the House Marco Rubio. Unfortunately, but as could be expected, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Republican Party of Florida, along with many current Senators, have already jumped on the bandwagon of Governor Crist who shared the platform with B. Hussein Obama in promoting his stimulus pork program.

They tell us he has higher name recognition and “It was a choice about who could win” Politico quoted NRSC Chairman John Cornyn of Texas as saying. In backing Christ, who has swallowed the radical environmentalist party line and proven himself to be amenable to big government, interventionist, solutions, the Republican establishment has taken another step toward looking and acting like the other party… just because they think they can win.

In my humble, but accurate, opinion, our nation does not need another Arlen Specter in the Senate. Even Crist’s supporters concede that he would not be a reliable vote on some of the tough issues. He is truly a Democrat Lite. In spite of all this, they support him “because he can win”. I would question that if he wins, would it move the traditional smaller, less intrusive government agenda forward or backward? Would it not just give us the illusion of having another Senator that supposedly is with us, but in reality is not? This does not make sense… unless many in leadership have also given up on the smaller, less intrusive government ideal.

One can only guess that inside the Washington cocoon, and in the formerly cigar smoke filled back rooms where political favors are dolled out, the message of the tea parties has not been heard. The natives are getting restless and want representatives that reflect their needs and desires… not those of the big dollar contributors. The Republican “establishment” can ignore this public outcry at its own peril.

For the good people of Florida: the tea partyers, the conservatives, the libertarians – anyone bypassed by the system of elite privilege – this is an opportunity to make themselves heard. Mr. Rubio, has a record of doing the right things and making the right choices. He is stepping forward to champion our values. If he does well, especially if he wins, it will put those who fancy themselves as our leaders that the people are in control, as it should be, and that the reported drift to the center is a product of journalistic fantasy and weak kneed response by those in leadership positions.

It’s been said that a leader with no followers is just a guy taking a walk. If Charlie Christ is the best these people can come up with, we know they’ve been walking around Washington and Tallahassee far too long. What the country needs is freedom loving patriots who can run for office and win… and have that win mean something more than just one more R or D. Many have moved beyond that measure.