Face
Time With the Presidential Candidates
A libertarian curmudgeon tries to figure out where
the major presidential candidates stand on the issues
by
Steven Greenhut
by Steven Greenhut
DIGG THIS
Candidates
from both parties have been braying the same old line we hear during
every presidential election: This is the most important election
of a generation, or perhaps even a century. So much is at stake
that you, the harried voter, need to hang on every word every candidate
utters during the televised debates. Do you want the candidate who
is "standing up for regular families," or the one "who
speaks the truth and who will restore America's moral leadership,"
or the one who understands that our nation "embodies the belief
that tomorrow can be better than today"? Such big issues and
tough choices!
Certainly,
whoever becomes president gains an enormous amount of power for
good or for ill. Someone (thankfully) has to replace President George
W. Bush, who has specialized in the "for ill" category.
Last week, for instance, U.S. intelligence agencies released a report
rebuking the administration's rationale for increased belligerence
toward Iran. The report showed that Iran had abandoned its nuclear
weapons program in 2003, yet the president declared that the new
information would in no way change U.S. policy. Hey, why let new
facts get in the way of a policy?
No wonder so
many Americans are ready for a new administration. But the new boss
can be just as bad, or even worse, than the old boss, so proceed
with fear and trepidation.
Yes, this is
an important election. But even when the candidates do talk about
things that are real issues (the Iraq war, abortion, health care,
Social Security), they dish out pabulum designed not to offend any
particular interest group. The race isn't just about public policy,
but about the deepest issues of "faith." Mitt Romney is
trying to defuse concerns about his Mormon religion. Mike Huckabee
has told Iowa voters that he is the "Christian" candidate.
It's hard enough figuring out what these candidates believe about
taxes and the Constitution, let alone about their theological thinking.
American voters
have to be a hardy bunch to sort through the information and pick
the right candidate. The weak field of candidates, by the way, should
be reassuring to those who cling to that old adage that "anyone
can grow up to be president in America." Nevertheless, someone
eventually will win the race. Here are some quick thoughts about
the 17 Democratic and Republican candidates vying for their respective
parties' nominations. Consider it help in picking your poison.
Bring on
the Nanny State
Should the
federal government vastly expand its reach into our private lives?
If you believe that, then no candidate would express your views
better than Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. "We need a new beginning
on health care," she said. "We need to stand up to the
drug companies and the insurance companies and provide health care
for every single man, woman and child, at a price that people can
afford, and we're going to give them the help to do that."
Reagan without
the principles
If you like
the Reagan look (with a lot more hair gel), and the Reagan-like
conservative platitudes, but aren't concerned that the candidate
probably doesn't believe much of his own rhetoric given his incessant
flip-flopping, then former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is your
clear choice.
Pat Robertson
meets Hillary Clinton
For those who
like the Nanny State, but prefer that it be served up in the cadence
of a preacher, then I'd suggest Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas
governor and a Baptist minister. Writes National Review's Jonah
Goldberg: "Huckabee is a populist on economics, a fad-follower
on the environment and an all-around do-gooder who believes that
the biblical obligation to do 'good works' extends to using government
– and your tax dollars – to bring us closer to the Kingdom
of Heaven on Earth."
Give class
warfare a chance
Do you think
your biggest problems are the result of Evil Corporations and think
that America is a land dominated by irreconcilable differences between
the haves and the have-nots? You ought to start walking precincts
for former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. "In today's Two Americas,"
he said, "it is no coincidence that most families are working
harder for stagnating wages when there are nearly 60 lobbyists for
every member of Congress." Edwards has a solution to that non
sequitur – more government.
Authoritarianism
with a not-so-friendly face
If you want
the trains to run on time, and aren't too worried about minor issues
such as civil liberties, then Rudy Giuliani should be a top choice.
The Republican former New York mayor once summarized his views this
way: "Freedom is about authority. Freedom is about the willingness
of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great
deal of discretion about what you do."
'Wilsonianism'
with a friendly face
Those who like
grand big-government crusades will love Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
Obama said recently at a South Carolina church that "we can
create a kingdom right here on Earth," thus reflecting his
belief in Great Society-type programs. But he's not hesitant to
use U.S. military might, either. In 2004, he told the Chicago
Tribune that he would be willing to attack Iran if it obtains
nuclear capabilities. And he promises to use U.S. might to fix problems
in Africa.
Follow the
Constitution
Those who truly
believe in limited government and noninterventionism will have only
one choice, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. As he rises in the polls
(7 percent) and raises millions of dollars, the long knives have
come out for him from "mainstream" Republicans trying
to portray him as a kook. But as the self-effacing Paul recently
said to Salon magazine, "The message is so powerful, in spite
of my shortcomings."
Less is
more
The best choice
for those who believe that a president should have limited ambitions
is former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. Michael Crowley wrote in the
New Republic: "If Fred Thompson is as lazy as reputed …,
he'd have stuck a Post-it note to his wall back in 2002, reading
'Saddam?' and then never quite gotten around to invading. Which,
in retrospect, may not have been such a bad thing."
Follow the
shiny object
U.S. Rep. Dennis
Kucinich, D-Ohio, is the right choice if you are yearning for old-fashioned
socialism with a conspiracy-theory twist. Kucinich's Web site includes
a section on "saving capitalism." As "Share Guide:
The Holistic Health Magazine" explains, Kucinich "is a
dynamic, visionary leader who combines a powerful activism with
a spiritual sense of the essential interconnectedness of all living
things."
Straight-talking
warmonger
If you like
the idea of cutting through all the Washington BS, but don't mind
a candidate who in many ways epitomizes that same BS, then you might
want to hop on Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's straight-talk
express. McCain, after all, is best known for his campaign to erode
the First Amendment by strictly limiting political speech (and protecting
incumbents) in the name of campaign-finance reform, and for his
constant push for more war.
 The
real Bill Clinton Clone
Some voters
still pine for Bill Clinton, yet are getting the sinking feeling
that his wife is a different sort of politician. The choice for
them is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the former Clinton appointee
who embodies Clinton's focus on small initiatives (i.e., a Green
Jobs program) combined with the embrace of a handful of conservative
policies (i.e., support for the Second Amendment) designed to win
over centrist voters.
The Mexicans
are coming!
Voters who
are solely concerned about the issue of illegal immigration should
look no further than U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.
The Chinese
are coming, too!
Those who worry
about the "invasion" of Mexicans AND also stay up at night,
fantasizing about a trade war with China should put U.S. Rep. Duncan
Hunter, R-San Diego, at the top of the list.
 Opting
for an also-ran
If you want
to support a candidate who offers no new ideas, little money to
seriously compete in the primaries and no chance of winning, then
you have four clear choices: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., Sen. Chris
Dodd, D-Conn., lecturer Mike Gravel (a Democrat) and professional
candidate-for-any-office Alan Keyes (Republican). And you think
third-party candidates are ridiculous?
December
12, 2007
Steven
Greenhut (send him mail)
is a senior editorial writer and columnist for the Orange County
Register. He is the author of the book, Abuse
of Power.
Copyright
© 2007 Orange County Register
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