One More Look at the Republican Slate

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, talking, and writing about the Republican primary recently, so I decided not to post about the election today as I had originally planned. I did, however, have a bunch of links I wanted to share today, and since I wanted to comment on each one …

I changed plans again.

• I was wrong

  Politicians, of course, are terrible at this. They are never wrong, apparently, and when they are, spin instead of admitting it. Which not only hurts their trustworthiness, it prevents them from learning anything.

• Another Check on the Campaign’s Truthiness

  each [interesting] statement [is graded] as true, mostly true, half-true, mostly false, false or “pants on fire”

• The Great Taxer

  With all the comparisons to Reagan, I thought this was worth reflecting on

  In fact, no peacetime president has raised taxes so much on so many people. This is not a criticism: the tale of those increases tells you a lot about what was right with President Reagan’s leadership, and what’s wrong with the leadership of George W. Bush.

• Paul – Paul pursued strategy of publishing controversial newsletters

  I mentioned one problem I have with Ron Paul the other day, but this also bothers me. I don’t mean to single Paul out as the only racist in the field. Gingrich and Santorum both use language (AND refuse to rebuke statements by supporters) that indicate either racism or a strategy to pander to racism for votes. I don’t recall anything from Romney, but as a Mormon he has probably been exposed to bit of racist ideology.

• Romney – What do Mormon’s believe?

  Our Constitution clearly states there should be no religious test and I support that in a very big way, but I’ve got a real problem with what some people believe. In other words, I think he has every right to run for and hold public office, but I think any thinking person should be aware of what he believes – because it’s evidence of how he thinks.

• Gingrich – The “War on Christianity”

  I’ve got a lot of problems with this guy, but this kind of rhetoric is maddening to me. An historian as brilliant as he, should know better.

• Santorum

  I know this isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but this sums it up for me. I’ve said before that I think Santorum seems like a nice enough guy and very sincere. On the matters of character and integrity he beats Gingrich and Romney hands down, but I want no part of his brand of big government.