The Enthusiasm Gap

For weeks we have heard about an enthusiasm gap in the GOP presidential race.  There is no question that among conservatives, there continues to be a lack of enthusiasm for a "Mitt Romney candidacy."  Tuesday's contests were a perfect reflection of that sentiment.  Although the 3 state sweep for Rick Santorum was noteworthy, it did offer an interesting analysis--the conservatives who showed up to vote were not necessarily rallying around Rick Santorum, they were voting against Mitt Romney.

They voted against Mitt because he "seems stiff."  They voted against Mitt because his "wealth makes him out-of- touch."  They voted against Mitt because they don't like his personality.  They voted against Mitt because they are skeptical of his faith.  They voted against Mitt because of his once liberal stance on abortion...(the same party that is now quick to forgive Ronald Reagan for doing the same flip-flop).

The consensus seems to be that most voted against Romney because they feel that he is "not conservative enough."  Truth be told, Mitt Romney is very conservative.  Mitt Romney is pro-life.  Mitt Romney is pro-civil unions, but against gay marriage.  Mitt Romney is for limited government.  Mitt Romney is for free enterprise.  Mitt Romney is for lowering taxes.  Mitt Romney is for a strong military.  But perhaps most relevant for our troubled economic times, Mitt Romney is fiscally conservative.  


Can the same be said for Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich?  Are they fiscally conservative enough?

A CNN article today notes that Mitt Romney told a group in Atlanta, "Under Newt Gingrich, earmarks doubled.  Rick Santorum was a major ear-marker and he continues to defend earmarks.  Under Rick Santorum, he voted to raise the debt ceiling 5 times to the tune of an additional $3.5 trillion dollars." (Click to read CNN article).

Mitt Romney has raised a very interesting question today that all conservatives must truly consider.  How can we possibly send a candidate to the White House to fix a fiscal problem that they helped create?

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In everything I have read, I have never once heard anyone say that they voted against Romney because he has the "wrong experience."  No one can say that because he doesn't.  His experience makes him a fascinating candidate.  

I would further argue, his experience makes him the perfect candidate.

In our party's quest to find the candidate with the "right conservative values"-- the best, most electable candidate is now being overlooked.  He is being overlooked for a candidate that can never beat Obama.  A candidate whose extreme social views can't even energize conservatives, but will undoubtedly energize the left. 

Do we really think that Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich will compete well against Obama?  One of the most socially popular presidents of our time?   I think it is important to remember that the last time Rick Santorum ran for re-election, he lost by 18-points to Bob Casey (D). His conservative platform was not enough to re-elect him in his own state by his own constituents.  Will it be enough this time around to un-seat Obama?  I cannot imagine.

If we are going to choose a nominee to address the fiscally tumultuous and toxic environment in DC and repair our fragile economy, then we need to choose someone who has the credentials to do it.  Someone who has proven that they know how.  Someone who won't be unprepared for the task at hand.

We finally have a candidate running for president of the United States whose qualifications are remarkable.  Shame on us if we are willing to overlook him because we don't like the way he makes us feel.  Shame on us if we overlook someone because they come across a little stiff.  Shame on our party if we vote for another presidential candidate, like Obama, who has never governed a day in his life.  Shame on us if we vote for another candidate who is telling us what we want to hear.

But, for now it appears our party is headed down this path.  

No wonder that the left is now salivating at the thought of the November elections.  This path is heading to an Obama 2nd term.