Wyoming Vote Tracker

Everyone’s vying for the latest big endorsement. I’ve already spoke favorable toward Rep. Duncan Hunter. Granted, he’s “lower tier” right now, but the way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if the National Convention brought a debate about who to nominate.

First, a couple of rants:

• I don’t think we should go for “the next Reagan.” Ronald Reagan was an individual. He’s now dead and even if he were alive and without Alzheimer’s, he would not be able to run for the Presidency again anyway.
• I do think Iowa and New Hampshire are overrated. Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, 2008. It is a caucus and NO DELEGATE SELECTION takes place. Delegates are the ones that make the choices at the national convention. Get over Iowa people! OK, they’re “going first” but they aren’t picking delegates.
• New Hampshire has only four electoral votes, one more than Wyoming at the minimum of three. Big deal. What makes New Hampshire so special that they feel like something is out of whack if they don’t go first? What if someone wins New Hampshire and loses the nomination and/or election? On the Republican side, no Republican President has been elected without winning Wyoming. That’s why I’m glad that our state party jumped to the front of the line (yup, we still beat out NH).

So, more endorsements have been given. If you are wondering, in no particular order (and I do mean no particular order), here’s who in the Presidential race I like and who I don’t.

Democrats:

None of them. They all want to increase our taxes and move in the direction of controlling more and more aspects of our lives. Government subsidy? Sure, here ya’ go!

Republicans:

• Rep. Duncan Hunter: He’s just a great candidate. No, he’s not perfect, none of them are. But, if you want a solid social and fiscal conservative, Duncan Hunter is great. If he doesn’t get the nod from the party, hopefully the one that does will choose him for VP so he can get some name recognition.
• Rep. Ron Paul: An interesting case. He wants income taxes abolished, Roe v. Wade overturned (thereby taking the issue back to the state level), state and individual rights elevated to their rightful place. Red flag: his stance on Iraq.
• Sen. Fred Thompson: While his campaign took some time getting started up, he’s running now. He used to do a good job at debating his colleague from Massachusetts on a radio spot. I saw his appearance in Casper by video and he does a good job at communicating conservative thought.
• Mayor Rudy Giuliani: Sorry, I never felt the connection of him being my mayor. I never got to vote on him, he never enacted a policy that did something for or against Cody, WY. On top of that, the man has issues with gun control and abortion (though he says he would nominate pro-life justices and judges to the courts).
• Gov. Mike Huckabee: OK, he’s a Baptist preacher and has no problems telling everyone that he’s accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. That’s great. I’m glad he has. I am of like faith, and my grandpa was a Baptist preacher. However, Gov. Huckabee seems too much like someone else that came from Hope, AR. Higher taxes and sympathy toward the illegal immigrants in the form of sanctuary cities is not very attractive to anyone. Most people want the boarder enforced and they like keeping more of their money. Needless to say, I am disappointed that a former Wyoming Gov has chosen this former Governor as his man.
• Gov. Mitt Romeny: Another one of those interesting figures. Everyone’s concerned about his Mormonism (at least the media says we are). Now, give the man credit. He was elected Governor as a Mormon, Non-Kennedy, Republican in a liberal Catholic state. He has spoke a lot about the family values concerns of the conservative base of the party. He gave quite the speech about faith and being an American. He identifies himself as a pro-lifer (now). My concern is the recent conversion, but I think I could probably vote Gov. Romney.
• Sen. John McCain: A staunch defender of winning the War on Terrorism (including Iraq). However, red flags abound for the Senator from Arizona. On lowering taxes, he has opposed President Bush. On getting judicial nominees voted on, he “made a deal” with the minority party at the time (the Democrats) that prevented some of the best and most needed nominees from getting a vote. On abortion, his voting record does not favor life. On the immigration issue, one would think an Arizona Senator would get it right, but Sen. McCain is no better than Gov. Huckabee on this important issue.

So, there you have it. Who I like and who I don’t (and even some reasons why). Get excited about about the coming Presidential cycle!

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