The movement conservatism that we share is currently in its “Empire Strike Back” moment. I define that is the period of time after you win some stunning victories (Reagan, Newt’s Revolution in 1994, George W Bush’s victories, despite his non-conservatism in key areas), you take some lumps. We are taking some lumps.

We are on the planet Hoth, and retreating.

But like Star Wars, there are other battles. They are of course elections. On the local, state, and national level, we conservatives we get other chances to move the cause forward.

As to your post though, I cannot begin to underestimate the damage Mike Huckabee has done to conservatism. I have good personal friends, real “rocked ribbed conservatives,” as they say, that are under The Huckster’s spell. No facts break the spell. His promises are enough.

Huckabee is staying in only to ruin it for Romney, mark my words. McCain has promised him something.

You are always going to have some “conservatives” that fall for McCain’s slick marketing and “tough talk,” but in some ways you can’t find fault with Mac: he is what he is: a Washington insider, heir to the Gerald Ford throne of weak kneed republicanism. I’m not sure he claims to be a saint, so I kinda respect him, though I am appalled by his ascendance.

Huckabee, though, is another matter. Though I share his Christian faith, I do not share his rather loose alliance with the truth on so many matters that are not in the social conservative sphere. I do not share his rather odd command of campaign ethics, and his obvious lust for bigger and better elected office: which is so much that he supports McCain, who is for federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

Despite all that, I cannot make a decision in November that would hurt my country. I will hold my nose, pull the level for John McCain, and feel a little bile in my mouth.

Let’s just hope that the ballot will read Romney with Thompson as his VP. There is still time.

Great post as always.

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Thank you both for your comments. Rob, you have good intention “holing your nose and pulling the lever” but I have to feel like that won’t be worth it. McCain is solid on the Iraq war but I have to say I don’t feel any more comfortable with him then I do with McCain. McCain is not a conservative and seems to dislike us greatly, he is just as a big an enemy to this country as Hillary is.

Tom, thanks for your input. While I agree Ron Paul is a straight shooter I have to pass on him as a candidate. He has some good thoughts but his thoughts on the war don’t match up with me very well. I also wouldn’t call him a conservative, more so than McCain, but not a conservative. Ron Paul is true to his Libertarian roots and that’s not my thing.

I have to say, minus the war, he is a far better choice that Huckabee or McCain. However, I really don’t see him being able to win the election. He needs to be able to win the Republican vote first and it’s clear that he hasn’t been able to do that. He is a very formidable candidate, I give him that. I also applaud him for fighting hard for his beliefs and mobilizing others to do the same.

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I agree 100%! Thanks again for your input.

We can only hope that conservatives wake up and realize what a mess McCain would be. I just can’t believe people are falling for this man. You could have told me a month ago McCain was going to be in first place and I would have laughed at you. I’m still laughing but for other reasons.

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