Will the "REAL" Conservatives Please Stand Up!

Another election has gone by. Another democrat has been elected. The big question - WHY? Well, you've no doubt heard a list of reasons from lamenting republicans over the past few days, but today I want to discuss one reason that most people aren't talking about - the death of the "REAL" conservative.

If you didn't notice, this past election, we had a moderate conservative, John McCain, running for the White House. He somehow secured the party's nomination (much to my chagrin) and began his campaign to nowhere. Talk about a "bridge to nowhere," well, that was basically the campaign of McCain in 2008.

So, what was the problem? The problem was a candidate that was not a "REAL" conservative. Look at history. In the past 20-30 years, candidates that were right wing conservatives have won the presidency. Those who were moderate conservatives have not. The conservative party is looking for true conservative leadership, and they didn't find it in John McCain. In fact, before McCain could even have the conservative base behind his campaign, he had to choose Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Sarah Palin is proof that the right wing conservatives are still around. She energized voters and had a lot to do with making this election as close as it was. Palin was the one that people really loved. Crowds flocked to see her, and she never professed to be a "middle of the road" conservative. She is a conservative, through and through.

Now why, may I ask, have we suddenly begun to pick out candidates that are moderate conservatives? Please people. You're either conservative or you're not. You start talking about being "moderately" conservative and people begin to wonder what you're hiding. Apparently all that blathering about being a "moderate" doesn't work. The independents didn't go out voting for John McCain the "moderate conservative," but instead many of them voted for the most liberal senator to ever walk the floors of the nation's Capitol.

The point is that people like knowing what they are going to get. With president Reagan, he ran as a right wing conservative, and won two terms. Against huge odds, George W. Bush (no matter what you think of him) ran as a conservative, and again won two terms. Then we see people who tried running on a more moderate base, trying to appeal to those independent voters, and they lose. We should be learning a lesson.

It's time to get back to what conservatism is all about. It's not about being a "right wing" conservative or a "moderate" conservative. After all, if we divide our ranks in that way, we only break down our own ranks. This year we saw the Democratic party come together, in spite of some huge rifts, but the conservatives were still hung up on this "moderate" point of view.

This is not the time to be moderate. It's the time to get back to what "REAL" conservatism is all about. Obviously the "moderate" pitch didn't work. After all, why do you think the democrats attacked Sarah Palin so much? They see a "true blue" conservative who is capable of shaking things up, and they fear that. John McCain never scared them, but real conservatives do.

Conservatives like Sarah Palin are going to bring about a new conservative movement I believe. One that is based on being a true conservative, not a moderate conservative. As conservatives, we stand for certain beliefs. We believe in the constitution. We believe in the right to life. We believe in families (and I mean one man and one woman). We believe in smaller government and lower taxes.

Now where, in that belief system, is there room for being "moderate?" So, will the "REAL" conservatives please stand up! We've got work to do!

The Aftermath of Election Day

The ballots have been cast. The decision has been made. Many of us are left wondering what went wrong. In fact, it's taken me a couple of days to deal with the fallout of all that happened on November 4th this year. Was I shocked? Not entirely. Was I disappointed? Definitely!

I must admit, my faith in the American people was a bit shaken. To see a man with so many questions surrounding his character elected astounded me. Why? Well, that remains to be seen.

Although I am still a bit shell shocked and upset, I see a problem here that I believe needs to be quelled immediately.

Sure, it's natural for people to look around and wonder what went wrong. It's obvious that there were points in the campaign against Obama by McCain that could have been stronger.

What went wrong? Well, I have several opinions. First of all, I definitely feel that McCain going along with the bailout plan was a huge mistake. He missed the opportunity to separate himself from Obama and Bush, but he failed to make that move.

Another problem I had was McCains lack of aggressiveness. I had to wonder why he wasn't homing in on the problems with Obama and really driving them home to the American people. This was a fight, and I believe McCain lowered his gloves one too many times and allowed Obama to bring out the knockout punch to win the election.

With that being said, although there may have been problems, now is not the time for finger pointing. In fact, I'm astounded that people are trying to take cheap shots at Sarah Palin, blaming the choice of her for VP running mate as the problem.

Let me set things straight. Sarah Palin was NOT the problem. In fact, had the campaign used her more effectively as the weapon she could have been, things may have been a bit different.

Unfortunately, disappointed and disillusioned republicans are looking for a scapegoat. However, what conservatives don't seem to realize is that now is NOT the time to start having divisions among the conservative ranks.

Obama is president elect. Now we have to live with that. Because of that reality, there's a lot of work that needs to be done in the next four years on the part of the conservatives.

I am sincerely worried that if people continue the bickering and finger pointing, in four years, the conservative party might cease to exist - totally broken and divided by smashed hopes and dreams.

We must look ahead. Four years may seem like a long time, but it's not. During this time conservatives must keep on fighting. Yes, a battle for president has been lost, but the war for our ideals and convictions is still waging. We will only lose if we choose to give up and quit.

The conservatives have never been quitters before. It's not time to start a new precedent. So, let's stop the nasty comments, pondering what could have been different, and look to the future. It may look a bit daunting, but we WILL help to shape it. We dare not back off and lose our voice now.

I appeal to all conservatives, republicans, Regan democrats, and those who have no party affiliation, to keep fighting. No doubt we will see some huge fights in the next four years, but we can't divide ourselves over silly things now. Accept the small defeat, rally back together again, and get back out there. Tomorrow is another day. Another day to fight!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Vice Presidential Debate: Joe Biden Get's Carried Away

Did you watch the VP debate on Thursday night? If so, you may have been impressed at how Palin handled herself and with the "substance" of Joe Biden's answers. However, although many people were initially impressed with the "meaty" answers that Biden was throwing out, analysis the next morning showed Biden's answers were actually full of holes and even outright lies. Of course it's important that the American people get the REAL truth. So, here's an outline of some of the lies or inaccuracies that Biden tried to feed the American people in the debate.

"1. TAX VOTE: Biden said McCain voted “the exact same way” as Obama to increase taxes on Americans earning just $42,000, but McCain DID NOT VOTE THAT WAY.

2. AHMADINEJAD MEETING: Joe Biden lied when he said that Barack Obama never said that he would sit down unconditionally with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. Barack Obama did say specifically, and Joe Biden attacked him for it.

3. OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING: Biden said,“Drill we must.” But Biden has opposed offshore drilling and even compared offshore drilling to “raping” the Outer Continental Shelf.”

4. TROOP FUNDING: Joe Biden lied when he indicated that John McCain and Barack Obama voted the same way against funding the troops in the field. John McCain opposed a bill that included a timeline, that the President of the United States had already said he would veto regardless of it’s passage.

5. OPPOSING CLEAN COAL: Biden says he’s always been for clean coal, but he just told a voter that he is against clean coal and any new coal plants in America and has a record of voting against clean coal and coal in the U.S. Senate.

6. ALERNATIVE ENERGY VOTES: According to FactCheck.org , Biden is exaggerating and overstating John McCain’s record voting for alternative energy when he says he voted against it 23 times.

7. HEALTH INSURANCE: Biden falsely said McCain will raise taxes on people's health insurance coverage -- they get a tax credit to offset any tax hike. Independent fact checkers have confirmed this attack is false

8. OIL TAXES: Biden falsely said Palin supported a windfall profits tax in Alaska -- she reformed the state tax and revenue system, it's not a windfall profits tax.

9. AFGHANISTAN / GEN. MCKIERNAN COMMENTS: Biden said that top military commander in Iraq said the principles of the surge could not be applied to Afghanistan, but the commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force Gen. David D. McKiernan said that there were principles of the surge strategy, including working with tribes, that could be applied in Afghanistan.

10. REGULATION: Biden falsely said McCain weakened regulation -- he actually called for more regulation on Fannie and Freddie.

11. IRAQ: When Joe Biden lied when he said that John McCain was “dead wrong on Iraq”, because Joe Biden shared the same vote to authorize the war and differed on the surge strategy where they John McCain has been proven right.

12. TAX INCREASES: Biden said Americans earning less than $250,000 wouldn’t see higher taxes, but the Obama-Biden tax plan would raise taxes on individuals making $200,000 or more.

13. BAILOUT: Biden said the economic rescue legislation matches the four principles that Obama laid out, but in reality it doesn’t meet two of the four principles that Obama outlined on Sept. 19, which were that it include an emergency economic stimulus package, and that it be part of “part of a globally coordinated effort with our partners in the G-20.”

14. REAGAN TAX RATES: Biden is wrong in saying that under Obama, Americans won't pay any more in taxes then they did under Reagan."

Now, if Biden will tell 14 lies in a debate....do we really want him in the White House???? You decide....

Sarah Palin: From Mom to VP Candidate

Welcome back to American Politics for the Conservative Woman. Today I want to focus on Sarah Palin. Although as women we are taking a close look at her politically, what better way to tell a woman's true character than by taking a look at her role as a mother.

Although Sarah Palin is now enjoying a successful political career, she started out as a simple hockey mom. As she has mentioned several times, her political career actually started out with her deciding to get involved in her kids' schools by joining up with the PTA (Parent Teacher Association).

From PTA she went on to serve on the Wasilla city council, then in 1999 she became the mayor of Wasilla. In November of 2006, Sarah Palin would go on to win the position of Governor of the state of Alaska. Now, she is the VP nominee for the Republican Party.

Although her political career has definitely blossomed and grown in the past 10 years, she has never forgotten that she is first and foremost a mother. Yes, being Vice President does include being more than a good mother, but by taking a look at Sarah Palin in this role, we can see a lot about her character.

Palin has proven that she has a mother's heart and that she isn't afraid of challenges. She chose life when she was told that her youngest son Trig would be born with Down's Syndrome. Not only does she say she believes in the "right to life," but this is a woman who lives out her beliefs in her personal life.

Sarah Palin has also proven that she is willing to make sacrifices for her country - sending her own son off to fight in Iraq. She has stated numerous times how proud she is to have a son who is going off to fight for freedom.

While many in the media have criticized her daughter Bristol for being pregnant, I believe that Palin's composure and acceptance of her daughter's pregnancy speaks volumes. No doubt this is not something she would have chosen for her daughter at this point in her life, but she is there supporting her daughter and showing her the love that she needs to get her through this trying time. Many politicians would have tried to cover up something like this with a quick abortion, but once again this family is not afraid to choose life...and then to stand up for that choice.

Unfortunately, the media seems to have a problem with a strong mother who is also a politician. Members of the media have questioned whether or not she could be the Vice President and take care of her Down's Syndrome son. Some have accused her of neglecting her son by running. Still others have mentioned that she should have had an abortion, and Alan Colmes, of the Hannity and Colmes show on Fox News, actually had the gall to say that she probably caused her son to have Down's Syndrome because of her rigorous career.

Never have I seen such a media attack on someone, merely for being a good mother. I for one want a strong woman in the White House who can balance a family and a career. Someone who cared enough about her children and her future to get involved. A woman who chose life no matter the cost, and a woman who is willing to accept the mistakes of her children and stand behind them with love.

This is the type of candidate that America has been crying for and it's evident as we watch millions of Americans rally around her. She's just a mom who wants to change the world for her children and the rest of America. All I have to say is....it's about time!!!

One of the most important issues of the presidential campaign in my opinion is abortion. It is a topic I am passionate about. Unfortunately today our society seems to have forgotten the importance of life. To preserve our future as a country, we must choose life. It's imperative that we vote for the candidates who will promote the sanctity of life. Who better than someone who has made that choice, no matter how hard it was. Enjoy the video that can say it better than any words I can type to you.

The Republican National Convention

Well, the Republican National Convention is now over. The banners have been folded up, the stadium returned to normal, and the delegates have gone home. So, you may be wondering, what will everyone retain from this convention???

Change. Sure, it's the slogan that the Obama campaign has been running on for so long, but I believe that the McCain/Palin campaign has effectively borrowed it...and I'm not sure they're giving it back.

All through the convention it was made clear that McCain was not the typical Washington insider that was a "die-hard" republican. He was portrayed as a maverick that would get the job done, no matter what party he had to work with. I like this! Party...it's great. It aids the process in our country, but it shouldn't be the defining factor in a campaign.

It was good to see Senator Joe Lieberman up there speaking at the convention. A democrat, turned independent, turned McCain supporter...we may have never seen this happen before. Appealing to democrats to stop just voting for a party, but to vote for a man that rose above party to really offer change...yes...change you can believe in.

Governor and VP nominee Sarah Palin's speech really stood out to me as well. She showed off her experience (which many people have been questioning), highlighted that she has a family like any other with problems and joys alike, and did a top class job at showing where her opponent had some key downfalls. I think my favorite quote was when she went after Obama's experience, saying "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities."

Of course, then there was the speech of John McCain himself. I enjoyed what he had to say about education reform, letting people know he'd allow parents to choose schools, increase pay and benefits for good teachers, and "...help bad teachers find another line of work." He made it clear that he was the man who would really make a change, and at the end of his speech he drove the point home. "Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming."

Now...this is a ticket I want to vote for, and I believe McCain/Palin ticket offers a great choice for the conservative women out there!

Here's a quick video of the highlights from the Republican National Convention.

McCains New VP Pick Gets Him Rolling

Although it seemed that John McCain's campaign was almost dead in the water, after picking new running mate, Sarah Palin, it appears that his campaign has been revitalized. After all, you all know how thrilled I am with the pick, and I'm definitely not the only one.

The entire Republican Party, not to mention independents and even some Democrats, are excited about this pick. Have we ever seen a party come together like this for a VP nomination? I truly believe we are about to see history made and the first ever woman Vice President next January.

Palin, who is young, a woman, energetic, and known for shaking things up is definitely shaking up the Republican campaign. Yes, I believe they are on a roll, and I think it leads to the White House.

Check out this video. It's funny and illustrates the point. Enjoy!