tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post4784467499091492130..comments2023-09-11T08:58:24.710-06:00Comments on Reach Upward: Little Conservative Enthusiasm for RomneyScott Hinrichshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-4008080536248418132007-03-06T17:58:00.000-07:002007-03-06T17:58:00.000-07:00I agree the Dems are equally guilty of image polit...I agree the Dems are equally guilty of image politics. There are lots of skeletons in Rudy's closet, and of course, he's not with the Republican base on guns, abortion and gays. Hard to see how he will get the nomination.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-70209840309201543652007-03-06T12:49:00.000-07:002007-03-06T12:49:00.000-07:00DL, I completely agree that national security cred...DL, I completely agree that national security credentials are evaluated largely on the basis of appearance rather than substance. But it's not just conservatives that do this. Remeber the Democratic convention in 2004? Remember the main reason John Kerry won the Democratic nomination?<BR/><BR/>The main reason Rudy is high in the GOP polls at the moment is that he comes across as a tough guy that wouldn't take any crap on national security issues. What are his positions on national security? Can his supporters articulate them?<BR/><BR/>Rather, it is exactly as you describe. None of the popular candidates promote actual substantive, realistic, workable solutions. Or, at least if they have them, they seem to be keeping them secret.Scott Hinrichshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-18829606323056918172007-03-06T11:55:00.000-07:002007-03-06T11:55:00.000-07:00It's interesting how conservatives evaluate the "n...It's interesting how conservatives evaluate the "national security" credentials of a candidate. Obviously none of the candidates have any real experience in national security, except as legislators who may have supported one or another piece of legislation. A lot of the supposed strength of the candidates relates to image, not substance.<BR/><BR/>First, what is "national security"? Ultimately it means (to me at least) that the United States and the people of the US are safe from attack and have adequate resources to sustain themselves. A nation or a people who are under constant threat of attack or who do not have adequate resources to sustain their lives do not have security.<BR/><BR/>Second, how do we achieve national security? I would say that in today's world, we need to reduce the threat of international terrorism and, selfishly, work to make the US less inviting or desirable as a target for the world's terrorists. I don't see any Republican candidates (and few if any Democrats) who are really serious about this issue and offer realistic, workable solutions.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.com