As the battle for the Republican presidential nomination continues, two of the most conservative and trustworthy candidates are often overlooked by conservatives. Why? Because many have bought into the hype that these two can’t beat Obama.

Conservative – real or imagined

Michele Bachmann poses before an American flag. Photo: United States House of Representatives

Although Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum represent the epitome of conservative principles, finding conservatives who support them is becoming harder and harder as the campaigns continue. Arguably, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy when conservatives don’t support conservative candidates because they have bought into the hype that a true conservative can’t win.

It’s common to hear conservatives say that they would love to hear a debate between Newt and Obama – fully believing that Newt will wipe the proverbial floor with their nemesis. I admittedly have to plead guilty to this fantasy as well. However, it is this very logic that has catapulted the Gingrich campaign into the lead. If you are a conservative, this begs the question: what would you rather see? A lively debate or a conservative president?

Ideally, the best qualified and properly vetted candidate should lead in the polls. However, the endless debates have accomplished just the opposite. They have not been a vetting tool but a popularity mechanism that prefers sharp quips and “gotcha” phrases to principled ideology. Buying into the hype that Bachmann or Santorum can’t win is really nothing more than a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. It is just this type of mindset that prevents Bachmann and Santorum from rising to the top based on their ideas and principles.

What makes a President?

What is it exactly that we are looking for in a president? Is it charisma, or a sharp wit? Is it someone who can read from a teleprompter? It’s even been suggested that a good hairstyle can have an impact. By these standards Abe Lincoln wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. We may intellectually prefer men and women of substance, but we tend to support those who look and sound more like Hollywood’s version of Mr. Rightstuff.

Do you want a conservative president? If so, then perhaps you had better figure out just who that is and get behind them instead of accepting the notion that they can’t win. True enough – if enough people think like that, the best candidate will not win and American is certain to continue its downward spiral. The only way to stop the self-fulfilling prophecy is by hard work and determination. It’s time to put aside the silly rhetoric and start thinking like a real conservative. Stop accepting conservative lightweights and make sure the best conservative wins the nomination and wins the election. It will take discipline and it might even take a good set of blinders, but it will also save this country from the liberal slide that is dooming us all.