Things I Learned During the 2008 Campaign
The 2012 Presidential campaign has begun, but I won’t say it’s “heating up” as the slate of candidates could not be more predictable or less inspiring. After last week’s GOP debate, I wonder why those events are still referred to as debates … the whole thing is canned, and more often than not the candidates don’t really answer the question posed to them. I have to give Congressman Ron Paul credit for being straight with his answers in these events and in interviews he has given.
As the 2008 Presidential campaign was the reason I started this blog – supporting Governor Mike Huckabee – I decided to take a quick look at what I learned as a blogger during the 2008 campaign.
- I am not a one-issue voter, but the candidate I support must first and foremost believe and support that life is the foundational right for the born and the unborn. Without this (and not just lip-service), I will not support a candidate.
- Straw polls are meaningless, both at actual events and online.
- A candidate raising a lot of money or having a lot of their own money to pour into a campaign does not equate to victory. According to OpenSecrets:
- Mike Huckabee raised $16 million
- Ron Paul raised $34 million
- Mitt Romney raised $107 million
- Governor Huckabee went a long way on $16 million. Money alone won’t bring victory, but if the right candidate doesn’t have a lot of money, it will be tough to win.
- Big media outlets (CNN, Fox News, etc) are neither fair nor balanced – their agendas are not even cleverly disguised anymore. Unfortunately, the voting public are like sheep and base their votes on whatever soundbite they hear most often.
- One person, OneMom – can be heard, and can make a difference. While I haven’t found a candidate for 2012, I’ll keep looking and I will keep supporting candidates who stand for life, for homeschooling, for smaller government, and for the other values that are most important to me and my family.
OneMom
That sheep picture is crazy good! I love it! I call that effect “Sheeple”!
Yep, we all get one vote and IMO ya can’t complain if ya don’t vote!
Cat – I’ve been thinking that maybe people should have to take a test before being allowed to vote. It is amazing how many people vote based on who had the most yard signs or who had the best hair.
The “sheeple” cartoon was my one and only attempt at a political cartoon.
I vote to stop yard signs! The absolute most stunning time of the year is all junked up with political signs. I hate them.
I also hate bumper stickers. (unless they are about basset hounds;)
Your attempt at the political cartoon was, like I said, “crazy good”. It fits both sides!
I should have said it fits both sides without the writing. I didn’t have my glasses on. I am such a putz. I still think it is crazy good!
Well, with the Obama frenzy and the “baaaa” in the middle of his name, it was an easy tie-in.
I learned some of those same lessons during the 2008 campaign. Something else I learned is that everyone’s definition of conservative differs greatly. I was amazed at how many people actually accused Mike Huckabee of being a big government Democrat in the guise of a Republican. From that I learned that truth isn’t necessarily what is told during a campaign. I suspect it will be no different in 2012.
You can’t claim you aren’t a one issue voter when you refuse to vote on a candidate based on their view on one issue.
Actually I can claim that. You see, pro-life is non-negotiable for me, but that in and of itself is not sufficient for me to support a candidate. The correct and unwavering stance on life must be there for me to look further, but it’s not enough if other issues are out of whack. So, I’m not a one issue voter, but I am a voter with convictions.