by Ray Keating
The caucus/primary season is upon us. The Iowa caucuses arrive
on February 1, and the New Hampshire primary follows on February 9.
The challenges for conservative Republican voters are
considerable given that this is the year, apparently, of the angry voter. And Donald
Trump – reality television star, casino operator, real estate mogul, political
flip-flopper, and shameless peddler of populism – has tapped into some of this
anger. He also leads in polls of Republican voters.
Before casting a ballot, however, it’s time for any
conservative to take a deep breath, or a few deep breaths, and reflect on what
it means to vote as a conservative. Perhaps the following 7 “C’s” of casting a
conservative vote might help.
1. Conservative.
Obviously, the first and most important factor is voting for an actual
conservative. That is, a candidate who understands and subscribes to
Judeo-Christian values, free enterprise, free markets, and a strong national
defense. Among the most important resulting policy positions are low taxes,
smaller government, a light regulatory touch, strength in foreign policy and
national security, free trade, and a social policy agenda led by being pro-life
and pro-traditional marriage.
2. Character.
Conservatives have said time and again over the years that character matters,
in particular when talking about someone being president. Can this person be
trusted by voters, by other elected officials, and by our allies to occupy the
most powerful office on the planet? What does a candidate’s history tell us
about character?
3. Consistency.
Part of the conservative and character questions is consistency. Has the
candidate been consistent in the views held, or flip-flopped for political
convenience? Consistency is vital over convenience.
4. Competence.
Quite simply, does this candidate have the competence, such as the judgment and
abilities, to be a quality candidate and president? The voter needs to assess
the candidate’s experience and past performance. Is there something more there
than just being, for example, a community organizer?
5. Confidence.
There actually are two questions when it comes to confidence. First, does the
candidate possess confidence in his or her own abilities to take on this job?
Second, how confident is the voter in each candidate’s commitment to
conservatism, character, and competence?
6. Constructive.
Particularly in the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign, the issue of
how constructive a candidate might be in office often gets lost. But being
constructive, that is, having the wherewithal to be useful and to build, is
vital for success in the White House and for the principles, ideas and policies
that conservatives deem vital for citizens and our nation. Can this candidate
be constructive in bringing along voters and members of Congress of both
parties?
7. Cheerfulness. Really?
Well, the greatest conservative president of the 20th century was
Ronald Reagan. And Reagan was no sourpuss, grim conservative. He was a cheerful
political warrior. Too often, conservatives come across as anything but
cheerful. That’s unfortunate and wrongheaded. It’s the cheerful conservative
who will grow the conservative movement, and bring about much-needed remedies
and change that the United States needs today.
In the end, as any conservative should recognize, the
perfect conservative candidate does not exist, especially since conservatives
themselves have excelled at squabbling over issues in recent years. But among
this year’s candidates, at least one point stands out: Donald Trump fails
miserably on five of the 7 “C’s,” namely, conservative, character, consistency,
competence, and constructive. Trump is no conservative, and does not deserve
the vote of any conservative.
So, take a deep breath, and channel justified anger into
thoughtful, conservative votes.
______________
Mr. Keating is an
economist and novelist who writes on a wide range of topics. His Pastor Stephen
Grant novels have received considerable acclaim, including The River: A Pastor
Stephen Grant Novel being a finalist for KFUO radio’s Book of the Year 2014,
and Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel nominated for Book of the Year
2015.
The Pastor Stephen
Grant Novels are available at Amazon…
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