This is not time for Republican Apathy

Seeing that it appears that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will be the Republican candidate for President in 2008, there have been a plethora of different reactions from the Republican Party. Some, like myself, are happy with the results. Others are not estatic about the results, but are glad that the process is over and understand McCain is a conservative with a few liberal positions, not the other way around. However some, whom Liddy called the "suicide bomber wing of the GOP", will refuse to support McCain at all and, in Ms. Coulter's case, will vote for Clinton, saying that McCain is either identical or worse than Clinton.

This is not only wrong, but suicidal.

First off let's understand something. McCain is not identical or even close to Clinton in political ideology. I mean Coulter, who is known for her exaggerations, needs to get serious.

McCain received a lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union of 82% and an 83% rating from the Christian Coalition, a socially conservative group. According to Voteview.com, McCain had the second most conservative record of the 109th Congress.

http://voteview.com/SEN109.HTM

Clinton receives a lifetime rating of 9 from the American Conservative Union and the Almanac of American Politics rated her 75% liberal with only 20% conservative.

Obama has received a lifetime rating of 8 from the American Conservative Union and was designated the "Most Liberal Senator of 2007" from the National Journal.

So all this talk about them being identical is a joke.

Now some have said that they will just refuse to vote at all or even vote for Clinton to "show their disgust" with the GOP. This frankly is irresponsible as conservatives and as Americans.

1. Democratic Congress + Democratic Presidential = Leftism Abound.

Let's understand that now that the Democrats control the majority of the Congress, and are likely to pick up more seats later, there will be virtually nothing the GOP can do to stop the Democratic political agenda. However with a Republican President, some measures can be stopped and reversed. Conservative policies will have a bit of a fighting chance and perhaps with the help of the White House, we can win back the Congress. Voter apathy will do neither.

2. Refusing to Vote Pragmatically = Irresponsible citizen.

It's the simple fact that this is not a peaceful, easy time in American history. Perhaps if we lived in a Calvin Coolidge style period of American politics, this would not be as important of a choice. However several issues face the American people that warrant and demand our attention.

a. We are in a war.

It sounds so cliche doesn't it? "Oh we're in a war, so shush." It's been used as an excuse for many things and for overlooking things we shouldn't. However there's no overlooking the fact that we are at war and this is crucial. Governor Romney had enough foresight to understand that Americans cannot remain divided and apathetic in the face of two opposing candidates that call for surrender in Iraq, which would result in a Vietnam style fall out, costing us our security in the chaos and the lives of thousands if not more. American honor, security and standing in the Muslim world will be ruined. Can we honestly have two candidates who are so adamantly opposed to American victory in Iraq and who have absolutely no experience in military matters? Are we willing to sacrifice our security and possibly the lives of thousands just so we can "feel good" about our votes? Can you imagine Republicans in 1864 voting down Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War just so they could feel good about their votes? Or how about during WW2? We cannot endanger America's security just so we can gratify ourselves.

b. Judicial Philosophy in America. Now more than ever the old-style conservative way of interpreting the Constitution, as the Framers wrote it, has come under attack. This isn't mere rhetoric but a simple, though depressiing fact. President Bush has made some great headway in confirming experienced, knowledgable conservative judges who will return to this judicial philosophy as enshrined in the Constitution. However will a Democratic majority in Congress, and with several elderly judges and who will possibly retire, now more than ever we cannot afford the likes of Obama or Clinton in the White House to nominate and confirm judges who will stamp their political ideology on the writings of the Founders and Framers.

c. Governmental Deficit. It's a simple fact that our government is deep in debt. With the government firmly controlled by Democrats for what could very well be a long time, we will be further bankrupted by continuous, harmful, and bloated government programs such as socialized medicine, expansive failed social programs and so forth.

d. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Repealed? This piece of landmark legislation could very well be threatened which would cost the lives of thousands of our most vulnerable and innocent.

The list goes on and on. This is a mere summary. Don't being an indifferent (i.e irresponsible) voter.

Vote.