The Maverick Conservative

Rush Limbaugh has PANICKED.  He has suddenly realized what I realized some time earlier (explaining my endorsement of Mitt Romney).  See my previous entries on this subject.

Limbaugh is now undertaking a MAJOR effort against McCain, when it is probably/possibly TOO LATE.  If Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingram and the rest had made it clear that McCain was UNACCEPTABLE to conservatives early on, not to mention Huckabee (somewhat more acceptable to me than to Limbaugh--Limbaugh was reduced today to calling Huckabee's "fair tax" a vast tax increase on teh middle class; while correct in a way, since when has Limbaugh OPPOSED a "flat tax" because the middle class might face a theoretical increased tax burden), Romney might well have won Iowa (derailing McCain).   At the very least, McCain might not have been resurrected in New Hampshire.

As I have previously said, it is INTELLECTUALLY dishonest for Limbaugh to say that "real" Republicans have not yet had their opportunity.  McCain apparently won AMONG REPUBLICANS in New Hampshire.  Limbaugh is PANICKING because McCain is picking up steam NATIONALLY (remember, McCain had NO chance in Iowa, but conservative talk show "leaders" insisted on NEUTRALITY as Huckabee gave McCain a boost by winning Iowa).

I saw this coming.  That is why I endorsed Romney.  He was the ONLY candidate TALKING LIKE A CONSERVATIVE (whether you fully believe him or not).  Thompson had already shown he could not campaign effectively enough. Giuliani is too liberal for Republicans (especially social conservatives), and is waiting TOO LONG to get going.  That left ONLY Romney.  If not Romney, WHO?  Well, the people answered that the way you could have expected:  McCAIN!

Okay, I have said in this blog that McCain was toast (over immigration).  But that was when Thompson looked strong, and Huckabee was a fringe candidate.    McCain could not have beaten Romeny in New Hampshire wiout Huckabee, and it would not have mattered much if he did.  

What was going on with Limabugh, Hannity, Ingram and the rest, while this was happening?  Right. It was like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.  Limbaugh and the rest FIDDLED while the conservative movement went down in flames (even as National Review endorsed Romney at the same time I did).

Even AFTER Iowa, Limbaugh was still talking about ANY of the Republicans (that HAS to include McCain and Huckabee) being better than ANY of the Democrats.  Hannity was still on the "stop Hillary" express, and promising to support ANY Republican nominee.  Following their lead, people like Laura Ingram have refused to endorse anyone.  Of course, it did not have to be an actual "endorsement", but merely showing FAVOR would probably have stopped McCain (ASSUMING that conservative talk radio has any influence left--an assumption that is going down in flames if McCain becomes the nominee; I don't think conservative talk radio can survive a McCain Presidency as an INFLUENTIAL part of American society).

For MONTHS Limbaugh parrotted the SAME line:  I don't give ANY preference in the primaries.   As I have said, he and Hannity ABANDONED conservatives in their hour of need.

Now Limbaugh's rants sound like WHINING/SOUR GRAPES.  You Republicans and conservatives out there should have KNOWN what to do without me spoon feeding you (as if he does not "spoon feed" on MULTIPLE things).  And "real" conservatives don't get a chance until later.  Conservative VOTERS are at fault.  The PROCESS is at fault.  If you people had understood conservative principles, I would not HAVE to explain to you why McCain is NOT a "leader" for conservatives.

Hogwash.  I have given you "staight talk".   Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingram and the rest have ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME if McCain wins the nomination.  So there is not a "Reagan" in the Repubican field?  Were there not Republican candidates BETTER able to carry on the Reagan legacy than McCain (or Huckabee)?  Limbaugh is NOW saying that there are, and has been saying it for over a week, while he REFUSED to say it when it MIGHT have done some good.   That is perverse.  It was a MISTAKE (if Limbaugh really cares about who leads the Republican Party, and which candidate BEST can keep the conservative cause alive until the next Reagan surfaces).

I am right on this.  Limbaugh was, and is, wrong--as his own actions reflect.  When you try DESPERATELY to close the door after the horse has bolted, you are admitting that you should have closed it before the horse bolted.

Limbaugh can still be very perceptive and talented.  He and Hannity, however, blew it on this one.  IF it comes down to McCain vs. Hillary Clinton, which one will be BETTER for conservatives to have in the White House (remembering that a McCain Presidency will be regarded nationally as a CONSERVATIVE Presidency).  My answer remains that conservatives would be better off with Hillary Clinton. 

Let us hope it does not come to that.  If it does, I will forever blame Limbaugh and Hannity for it.  You can't stay out of the fray until things are desperate, and then deny responsibility for what happened.  Limbaugh knows as well as I do that MOMENTUM is everything in politics.  If McCain wins Michigan, it is likely useless to argue that "real" conservatives have not had their say (Michigan having an "open" primary).  At best, we MIGHT still have a "brokered" convention.  McCain may then, however, be unstoppable.

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