More Q&A

Francis Milliard of St. Paul, Minnesota writes:

Q: Are you really a Republican or just what we call a wannabe? I can think of a dozen folks that would be better choices than Newt or Palin for the Presidency in 2012 right off the top of my head, including Mitt Romney, Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, David Petraeus, Duncan Hunter, Jon A. Greenspan, Eric Cantor, Tim Pawlenty, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Michael Steele, J.C. Watts—even people like Jeb Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Mark Sanford make more sense than your selections. Are you really a member of the Republican Party, the proudest of all political parties in the history of this country? If so, maybe it’s about time you showed up and got in the game.

A: Frank, I have always been a registered independent Constitutional conservative; my son is the registered Republican. As I state clearly in An American Fable, I have always disdained politics and politicians for mediocrity and phoniness, but with notable exceptions for gutsy visionaries like Ronnie, Harry and FDR. (during my lifetime).

I have also stated clearly in my blog answers that neither Sarah nor Newt will be the next presidential candidate, although I see Sarah as a valuable future cabinet minister, and with a great catalyst like Newt, an effective team for the 2010 bye-election battle. Without a newly balanced Congress, 2012 will be out-of-reach, so it doesn’t make much difference whether it’s Mitt, Mike, David or Jeb—the whole ballgame is next year, and the clock is ticking. And without concrete revolutionary financial and social solutions emerging from serious debate on tax simplification; a greatly expanded middle class; T-bond funding of pension benefits; local administration of “house call”-style medical care—just to name a few—you are all jus’ whistlin’ Dixie.