Democracy in Action: Why are you wearing a George Allen button?

I'm wearing an Allen 2008 button because I think he would make a good candidate and a good president based on his long experience in government.  I think he's strong on national defense, which is something that in a time of war is upmost, paramount on my mind.  He's a fiscal conservative.  He's got a sunny personality, which also helps a lot.  Not playing on what Ken Mehlman was saying about Hillary Clinton being angry or whatever, I think you want someone who's optimistic because dour people, say like Jimmy Carter, don't make effective leaders.  People who have a positive outlook on life can be successful.  Even Bill Clinton, as conflicted as he was, he did have an optimistic side to him.

Democracy in Action: Talk about some of the other prospects, John McCain for example.

McCain is strong on national defense.  A lot of conservatives don't like him because he pushed the McCain-Feingold, which regardless of the Supreme Court rulling we think is an abomination on the First Amendment...

Democracy in Action: You said a lot of conservatives.  Are you one of those?

Yes.  Oh yeah.

Democracy in Action: Bill Frist?

Bill Frist.  He's a good man.  He doesn't excite me the way someone like George Allen does.  To go back to George Allen, what I like about him is that he does have the executive experience as a governor of Virginia, where you can only serve one consecutive term.

Same thing with Condi Rice.  Condi Rice, a lot of people like her as presidential material.  I'm not so sure.  I don't know that she has the breadth of experience even though she has served at some of the higher levels of government for a long time.

Democracy in Action: And university.

And university, as a provost, managed a multi-billion dollar organization.  That does help.  But she's untried and also right now she says she's not interested whichof course is the smart thing to say when you're Secretary of State.

Democracy in Action: Rudy Giuliani?

Rudy Giuliani, I'd rather see him as a Senator.  I don't like his gun control policies.  I don't like that he's--his pro-abortion policies, and I also have a problem with his adultery, and that brings me to Newt Gingrich also.  Which is the same thing.  I have a serious problem with Newt Gingrich's adultery when he was Speaker of the House.  I think it was appalling...  And you have the same thing with Bill Clinton with his adultery in the White House.  It's just not something that should be happening.

Democracy in Action: Governor Mike Huckabee?

A much better representative of the state of Arkansas than the former president from Arkansas.  He's someone to keep an eye on.

Democracy in Action: Do you have any thoughts on the state of the conservative movement?

It's dynamic.  The conservatives are where it's at politically.  There's all sorts of ideas and fractious debates going on, but it's not fratricidal like it is going on the liberal side of things.

Democracy in Action: How about the Bush Administration?

Strong on national defense.  Strong on tax cuts.  Not so good on holding down spending.  He went and signed the McCain-Feingold bill.  Things like that.  He's been strong on pro-life.  He's been excellent on the judges, which is something that's very important to me an a lot of conservatives.
 
 

Copyright © 2006  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action