My first last post on the GOP primary

Why is Ron Paul still running? Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful that he's there to be the voice of fiscal reason and keep the discussion focused, but I don't understand why HE is still in this. He has to know he has no chance. I'm mildly surprised they even put makeup and a camera on him. Maybe he's just in it to shape and focus the discussion. If so, good for him. If not, he's delusional.

As for the other three, I almost don't care anymore. They all have their warts and they're all vastly better than Obama, but I have my doubts as to whether the mainstream media will let any of them beat him. Whoever the nominee is will be attacked relentlessly for their thoughts or record on contraception, health care, or personal relationships.

Santorum seems to be the most solidly and (relatively) unblemished conservative (hence, the fabricated contraception issue), but he is often clumsy and awkward when challenged. Gingrich is clearly the most polished and skilled debater, but who knows how many votes that wins (especially in light of how many votes his marital blemishes lose)? Romney is supposedly the most electable, but count me among those that are hesitant to buy into and trust the unwitting author of Obamacare.

At the end of the day, the field is far better than Obama and far better than the 2008 GOP field. Once Thompson dropped out and Huckabee's spending record came to my attention, I settled on Romney as the most conservative and semi-electable candidate available in the 2008 Georgia primary. Unfortunately, the old man so skilled at "crossing the aisle" was crammed down our throats. Though I'd still prefer someone with a more impeccably conservative record, the fact that someone I was prepared to accept in 2008 is perceived as the most moderate of the field is a promising shift indeed.

I wish someone would step up with Newt's expertise, Santorum's record, and Romney's supposed electability (or that one of them would demonstrate some semblance of the finer points of the other two), but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. They're all human and each is engaged in his own dogfight to stay alive in this thing. I'm not one that thinks the process needs to end ASAP to have a chance of winning, but honestly, none of them is running away with the thing.

Obama has done everything to get these guys elected but drop out of the race and yet none of them wants it badly enough to just step up and be a confident, unapologetic conservative. Quit worrying about every little soundbite and state your case. Win the battle of ideas instead of trying to be everything to everyone. That's how you lose elections. Ask Bob Dole and John McCain.

I wish one of them would inspire me to do something more to get them elected than just showing up on Election Day. Sadly, I think I'm resigned to turning off my television, focusing on things more local and personal, and hoping for the best in November, whoever the guy with an "R" next to his name ends up being...