(Jim Clark) – The Patriot Post (www.patriotpost.us) is an e-newsletter published by a non-partisan group, which is committed to restoration of Constitutional government, defending liberty and opposing economic collectivism as represented by President Obama and his leftist allies.
As the GOP presidential debates continue there are, and will continue to be, bickering and unpleasant claims and charges between candidates. This has been, and will continue to be, followed by media stories trumpeting the discord.
So the Patriot Post has done us all a favor. They have analyzed the records, experience, capability, character, leadership, qualifications and commitment to Constitutional government of the main GOP presidential candidates and assigned each a numerical grade on a scale of one to ten as well as a descriptive narrative of each candidate’s pros and cons. If you are still trying to make up your mind about who to support you should find this helpful. Here is a summation in alphabetical order:
Michele Bachmann – grade: 3. Pros: High-energy, no-nonsense speaker; Tea Party; has a knack for distilling issues down to what’s most important to the average American; female; great family history; clearly socially conservative; Federalist; more articulate than Sarah Palin; principled stance on key issues. Cons: No executive experience; limited business and leadership experience; does not look presidential; too easily stereotyped; already too many misstatements; no military service; doesn’t appear ready for prime time; whiny and tinny.
Herman Cain – grade: 5. Pros: Reagan-like policies; straight talker; self-made man; no political experience (considered a plus and a minus); articulate and sensible economic plan; strong private sector business experience; understands the free market; compelling life story; good work ethic, education and integrity. Cons: No political experience; cancer patient (now in remission), short on foreign policy knowledge and experience; no military service.
Newt Gingrich – grade: 6. Pros: Smarter than the rest of the slate; incredibly articulate; conservative with a long track record; does not attack other GOP candidates; career military parents; acute sense of humor; keen sense of history; can take Obama down in presidential debates; policy ideas based on logic, not expediency. Cons: DC insider; notable marriage/moral peccadilloes; a lightning rod; no military service; comes across as a policy wonk.
Ron Paul – grade: 3. Pros: Strong Constitutional advocate, articulate economic positions, energizes his adherents, US Air Force flight surgeon for five years; bold and brash; true Libertarian. Cons: Isolationist foreign policy is naïve and dangerous; fails the “nut job” test; too narrow a base of support; perpetual presidential candidate.
Rick Perry – grade: 6. Pros: Executive experience as governor of Texas; Air Force officer for five years; espouses tangible tax reform plan; strong record of success; states’ rights proponent; good family man; good campaign organization and good fundraiser. Cons: Chaired Al Gore’s 1988 presidential campaign, poor debate skills, weak immigration policy.
Mitt Romney – grade: 6. Pros: Political and business experience; strong appearance; acts, speaks and looks presidential; good family man; appeals to centrists; big name supporters. Cons: Big government establishment Republican; no military service; high profile flip-flops on gun control, global warming, abortion, gay unions and health care.
Rick Santorum – grade: 4. Pros: Solid conservative; articulate on positions; versed on foreign and domestic policies, principled; good family man; passionate and energetic. Cons: “Loser” baggage; supported Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in 2004, no military service.
Well, there you are folks. Hope this helps. Remember the Nevada GOP Presidential caucus will be February 4 and you will be able to participate and vote right here in Incline Village.
(Jim Clark is President of Republican Advocates, a member of the Washoe County GOP and Nevada State GOP Central Committees; he can be reached at tahoesbjc@aol.com)
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