Ron Paul supports telling the world to go to hell and hiding behind our own Maginot Line. I suppose, if he were in the lead, we should support that too as long as it meant victory.

So in exchange for stubborn support of the GWOT, we should grab our ankles and support blanket amnesty for those who violate our immigration laws.

I’d take defeat as opposed to compromising my convictions. What’s more, I’d be ashamed of being a gelatinous, malliable, spineless twat of a moderate who prefer to be all things to all people just for the sake of winning or getting along.

Moderate Matt is a prime example.

But MM: I thank you kindly for recalling I’m an Independent.  (Democrat before that)

Politics and governing is about advancing pragmatic policies.  It’s about ideas to the extent they inform an agenda. 

It isn’t about litmus test purity results –unless you’re one of the AryanSuperRace survivors from WWII.  And, as I’ve written here before, it’s about WINNING elections… not losing them to teach lessons to the "sinister elite" of the GOP or some other looney paranoid darkroom cabal.

Like you, if the conservatives stay home on election day like they did in 2006, I’d argue the GOP ought to put them out to the curbside for trash pickup and head for the political center dominated by reasonable independents who are not aligned with either party (yes, that excludes you, ILC/Calarato).

RWP, thanks for joining in on talking some truth to the purity test nonsense… it didn’t look like you were stomping your feet even a little… despite the lame attempt by some here to spin it that way.

I wonder if Rudy or Mitt (or even FreddieT) could have passed all these "pure conservative" litmus tests?  Of course not… because if they did, the purity bois would defer they didn’t believe ‘em.  I’m not even sure RR could pass muster for some of these purity bois these days– nostalgic adoration hour aside.

Mexicans move somewhat freely into U.S. border towns. I’ve been to Laredo, TX. and Nuevo Laredo, TAMPS. You’d be surprised to find out which town you find more white folks in. Folks are kidnapped regularly in and around Laredo. The cousin of a friend of ours was kidnapped in broad daylight, hauled to Mexico, and held until his family coughed up enough cash.

Do you realize the drug cartels are still fighting for control of border towns? These are the type of folks who have killed police officers and displayed their heads on pikes just outside the police station. This shit isn’t relegated to South America or to the interior of Mexico anymore. This is just a block or so from the U.S. border. Sometimes, it spills over into towns on this side. Last time I was in Nuevo Laredo, I was in a cantina about 2 blocks from the border. The Mexican military was patrolling on foot and in technicals with their weapons shouldered. Our friends we were with told us that the soldiers had instructions that if they saw the Most Wanted, they were to shoot first and ask questions later.

Maybe you don’t give a damn because you’re safe in lala land far from the border, but this kind of shit goes on all the time down there. Take your pick of border town news sources and watch it for about a week or so. You’d be surprised. Chances are it will never make it in the Associated with terrorists Press or the New Jihad Times.

So tell me, do you feel comfortable with this type of shit going on, or should we do something to stop it?

I may be a simple southern boy from Mississippi, but that sounds like a litmus test to me. If none of the Republican candidates had the stance you wanted on that, wouldn’t you "stamp your little feet and squall like a baby"? You can take your conceited arrogance and shove it up left.

your "pure conservative" agenda.

Now I’m ROFL (If only you knew how far off that comment is)

get your paychecks garnished to pay for socialized medicine

McCain won’t stop that. That’s the problem.

Grow up. Obviously, voters don’t agree with your "pure conservative" agenda. That means you’re out of touch, not them. Anybody stupid enough to think McCain is a liberal is too damned stupid to be allowed to vote. And when you don’t, you lose any right to complain. Pay your inflated taxes, get your paychecks garnished to pay for socialized medicine, and suck it up, cause you will have brought it all on yourselves.

An aggressive national defense OR a return to feckless national defense and a prosecutorial approach to terrorism

Defeating our enemies OR talking with and placating them?

Imperfect but improved fiscal conservatism OR $900 billion and counting in new entitlement spending?

Two to four more John Roberts on the SCOTUS for forty years OR two to four more Ruth Bader-Ginsburgs on the court for 40 years?

Moving back towards free-market healthcare OR nationalization of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries?

A flawed conservative setting the national agenda OR a screaming marxist setting the agenda?

Gee, let me think about that a while.

McCain might be too fond of government regulation, but he’s the original warrior against pork and entitlement programs. See his record. As long as you ignore the immigrant support entitlements, the embryonic stem cell pork, the globall warmism pork etc.

Excellent point. From the billions in research grants to the billions in ethanol and other subsidies, what is the Global Warmism scam, but one gigantic PORK operation?

And what are Open Borders, but a vast quasi-entitlement program for certain foreigners (poor and rich alike) who haven’t earned it?

Now you can stamp your little feet and squall like a baby about your so-called "principles," but I am taking names, and if we end up with Democrats in power, every single time one of you "pure conservatives" complains about anything, I’ll be right there reminding you that you have no right to complain.

Grow up. There is no such thing as an ideal candidate. You can’t have it all right now. Deal with it.

Can’t we just be honest and admit that nobody gives a rotten rat’s ass about McCain’s record? Not too long ago, the right was utterly PISSED OFF at McCain for his "Maverick" style. Now the right is utterly embracing it. We were PISSED OFF about the "Gang of 14", amnesty for illegals, etc. etc. Now we’re supposed to genuflect before Him and marvel at his superior intellect? WTF?

Can’t we just be honest, here, and admit that Republicans only like him because he served in Vietnam? Just as liberals like Orgasma because he can talk, never mind that he says absolutely nothing.

Can’t we just be honest and admit that we don’t give an ever loving shit about substance, but are voting for meaningless, vapid fluff?

If anybody truly gave a damn this year, the front runners we have would enjoy the same numbers as Kucinich or Paul. I seriously can’t see how anybody in America gives a sweet damn about who’s president next. That goes for liberals and Republicans. Just a few months ago, McCain sucked sweaty balls. Now look where he is. I suspect either A) everybody’s colossally ignorant or 2) they’re letting the liberal media decide our candidate for us.

Not a single, solitary soul is taking this the least bit seriously. Prove me wrong. What has McCain said or done to inspire any of us to reward his sorry ass? What did he do to convince Republicans to do a 180 from a few months ago? Screw his "record". What has he done lately that’s been so fukcing great?

This is a terrible crossroads to be at, but at least it’s good to know I’m no the only one utterly appalled at our choices. The very fact that Bruce asked:
<i>Which scenario would be worse for conservative principles, American security and fiscal responsibility?</i>

reminds me yet again why Gay Patriot is one of my favorite blogs.

Cheers to all of you for reminding me I’m not alone! You guys rock!

As long as you ignore the immigrant support entitlements, the embryonic stem cell pork, the globall  warmism pork etc.