State Fair excitement

Just got back from taking the brood to the "Big One," the Iowa State Fair. Fun was had by all and I only lost one kid for a very short time. Note to self, bring shorter leashes next year.

FDT was there at the DM Register Soapbox and I got to see him speak. My initial impression is that I really want to be a "Fredhead" but I just can't pull the trigger until I see how he stacks up in a debate. His speech was really good, extemporaneous, and heartfelt. He's saying all the right things about the war, the economy, life issues, and the second amendment (I'm more than willing to take converts on those issues, by the way, if there conversion seems genuine. I'm no purist like Brownback).

Possibly more exciting for me was standing there watching Fred Thompson give his speech and who should be standing behind me but none other than Rich Galen, author of Mullings and the new Mullblog. He's one of my favorite pundits. He's right up there with Jonah Goldberg. I made my wife take a picture of me with him just to make Jeff jealous.

Here's my rundown of the why the other candidates don't particularly appeal to me.

Mitt Romney
This guy says all the right things, too. While I wouldn't say I'm not convinced of the sincerity of his pro-life views or small government conservatism I have a knee jerk skepticism of the timing of his conversion(s) and a general skepticism that any thing good can come from the People's Republic of Taxachusettes. Personal aside, as a benefits attorney I'm less than enthralled with the mechanics of Mitt's "Universal" health plan. I think it concedes far too much territory to the statists on the other side.

All that being said, I could easily vote for Mitt in the general election against any of the surrender monkeys on the other side. He just doesn't stir my passions in the caucuses. My rule has always been "Caucus with your heart, vote with your head."

John McCain
McCain-Feingold, Comprehensive Immigration "Reform," 'nuff said. I'd vote for him over HILLARY! or OBAMA! but I wouldn't volunteer, wouldn't contribute, wouldn't proselytize to my friends, family, and co-workers. I'd probably have to take a shower afterward.

Rudy Giuliani
Rudy has an incredible level of competence. He's just not there with me on enough of the issues to want to caucus for the man. Much like McCain, I'd vote for him, but man it would hurt to do so. I think his candidacy could drive a huge wedge in the Republican coalition that would be very hard to mend.

Mike Huckabee
Do we really need another "Man from Hope?" I want to like Mike. Really I do. It's just that everytime I see the guy on TV he'll have me going and then lapse into this idiotic populist trance where he starts talking about how the rich have gotten richer, blah blah blah zzzzzzzzzzz. I don't think I'm ready for another "conservative" who thinks that "when somebody hurts the government has got to move." Unless it's "Move the hell out of the way and let private charity do the heavy lifting."

Brownback et al.
I'm not persuaded, at this point, that anyone else can justify their existence in the race. Sorry guys. All you serve to do is further split the conservative vote and potentially advance a Rudy or McCain ticket. A result I doubt any of them want. Even a Newt candidacy (and I am one of Newt's biggest fans, even if he does go off the rails on global warming BS) doesn't make sense at this point. He's a much more powerful intellectual force outside the arena.