Dick Cheney for President?

Posted by Larry Miller on December 6, 2009 under How | 2 Comments to Read

It has recently come to my attention that political consultant Christopher Barron has filed papers to form a “Draft Cheney in 2012” organization. Former Vice President Cheney says “Not a chance!” as he has no desire to leave retirement and the unpressurized free time with his family. Yet Barron believes that Cheney is the answer to the Republican identity problem.

He promotes Cheney as the conservative answer to the statist plunge of the current administration. Before moving on, let me say that Dick Cheney has served his country well and is worthy of our respect and appreciation. He was one of the more thoughtful and intelligent men to ever hold public office. I think that, in spite of his capabilities, this is not the best choice at this time… or any, considering that he will be 71 when the election is held.

What then would be reason for promoting Cheney… particularly in view of the irrational hatred and fear some have for anything connected with the Bush administration. Perhaps Barron’s position as consultant to the Log Cabin Republicans may give a hint. The group, and Mr. Barron, in particular claim a conservative viewpoint. In many areas I believe this is possible… yet on some key issues they just don’t mesh with mainstream conservative positions. Beyond this the situation with Cheney’s daughter would incline him to be more sympathetic to their agenda.

While Cheney is a good man, is it possible this is an attempt at a preemptive move to eliminate the threat of a Sarah Palin or Jim DeMint candidacy? Even if it appeared that Cheney was the man for this time, he represents the old Republican Party that was big on conservative promises, yet failed to deliver.

We in the conservative/libertarian grass roots need to take a look at history for some hints of our best course of action in supporting a presidential candidates. We need only look at the twelve amateurs Jesus chose to turn the world upside down. He didn’t choose members of the religious establishment. He chose fishermen, tax collectors and the like… not those who spent their lives studying scriptures and prophesy as most of them were too concerned with their position, prestige and power to recognize who He was. He picked honest men who believed him and were willing to act on this belief to carry his message. Then again we need to remember the Titanic was built by professionals… the ark built by amateurs. Dick Cheney, while a good man, is part of the professional establishment that got us into this mess in the first place.

It is interesting to speculate about the next presidential cycle but we have to get through the 2010 election cycle before we can begin to understand the political landscape of 2012. I find it hard to believe that with all the intelligence and talent in the country that they have to comeback to an honorable, but tired old warhorse.

It’s time to stop just thinking about winning elections, but to start thinking about how winning can actually mean something. Getting a Republican elected is usually better than a Democrat, yet too often the differential is just too small for the effort involved. It’s time we, the people insist on the absolute best candidate, not just one who is acceptable to kingmakers.