How do we pick a candidate? This is the critical question I've been pondering in light of last night's Iowa caucus results.
As I see it, there are three possible approaches to selecting a primary candidate for whom to vote:
1. Policy approach: A. Consider what you believe to be fundamentally true about the role of government. B. Consider your personal views about the best policy direction on key issues like abortion, taxes, border security, the war, etc. C. Examine the expressed views and positions of all candidates and see who most closely matches your results from A. and B. Viola! You have your pick.
2. Personality approach: Ask yourself: who on "my side" (Republican or Democrat) do I LIKE the most? Who connects with me? Who is most like me? Viola! Your candidate.
3. Lesser of all evils approach: Ask yourself: who turns my stomach the least. Pick him or her while holding your nose.
My guess is that in Iowa, it went down this way: Republicans went with approach number two and came up with Huckabee. Democrats went with approach number three and came up with Obama. (Okay, so maybe I am projecting on the Dems. I admit that I find it impossible to believe that anyone could actually be excited to vote for any of the Democratic candidates.)
One thing I know for sure: people AREN'T taking approach number one. If they were, Republicans would realize that, while he is a terrific human being, Huckabee isn't really a conservative. Being a conservative is about more than being pro-life and pro-public expression of religion (though it is certainly about that). It is about limited government, safe borders, keeping taxes low, and keeping our military strong. Being a conservative is about optimism and pride in what it means to be an American (are you listening John McCain?).
What this country needs is an AUTHENTIC conservative (Fred Thompson). But more than that, what this country needs in an EDUCATED electorate that will select a candidate based on a thoughtful assessment of each candidate’s fundamental beliefs about government and policy.
I'm still hopeful that can happen.