NOTE: The guest editorial that accompanies the table below is absolutely outstanding. Due to the length of this “Experience Comparative,” in order to read the whole editorial, you will need to click the “CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING…” link at the bottom.
In 2006, a close friend of mine introduced me to David Parker, a personal friend of Governor Mitt Romney. I was contemplating doing some grassroots work to promote his run for President and wanted to know more about the man. Candidly, I was skeptical. How could a governor of such a liberal state be a Republican, let alone a conservative? David met me for lunch at Strawberry Farms and laid out the high points of Governor Romney’s strong conservative action, from his record of protecting life to his hundreds of vetoes. I was sold!
David L. Parker
David organized this amazing matrix, comparing the leadership experience and skills of the four remaining Republican presidential candidates. In my opinion, this table — along with the accompanying Op-Ed piece by David — should be published in every major newspaper in the nation, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal! I honestly believe that if every literate voter were to carefully study this table and Op-Ed, the nomination would be over now.
As you compare each candidate below, add Obama to the list and subject his experience to these points — the results of his trial and error leadership are dismal indeed. Most impressive to me is the comparison below of leadership experience in the private, public, and philanthropic sectors — Santorum, Gingrich, and Paul simply don’t measure up to Governor Romney’s extensive background of executive leadership. Why any person would consider voting for a candidate without proven executive experience — after voting for Obama the community organizer — I will never understand. (there is good reason it is extremely rare that a congressman or senator is ever elected as POTUS)
You can make a big difference in this elections season. Please pass this Op-Ed piece by David Parker to as many people you know as possible.
“No Apology, the Case for Mitt Romney” — by David Parker
Are we so blind in our pursuit of our conservative ideology that we fail to recognize needed pragmatism? Our nation, a center-right nation, is not conservative, nor liberal, but an amalgamation of many people, each with individual agency, thought and perspective that leans center-right in the majority.
[ editorial continues below the table ]
Yes, we are clumped together at times in ideological conclaves, but to impose or dictate our conservative ideology in absolute myopia is a failed and fractured model, just as it is with those on the other side of the aisle. We cannot win and they lose, nor visa versa. We are one Nation under God, and thus we need to be sufficiently pragmatic and persuasive to win the majority, and lead those who believe in contrary principles of liberal thought to the more conservative Promised Land — America, an exceptional nation!
Accordingly, leadership and governance, and ideological advocacy demands pragmatism over some perceived capacity of force majeure.
In fact, we live in a nation of moderation and not extremes, a nation that demands and respects majority rule — we don’t vacillate in wild swings. (Although with Obama, it has been more of a swing to the wild extremes of liberality than any of us had thought possible.) There are nations that do abide the wild swings, whereby they find themselves ruled by the radical contingents; such as what we see in the Middle East with minority dictating to the majority — it doesn’t work. However, with some of the recent incantations out of Washington and President Obama, we are leaning more to the extremes of governmental rule thereby trumping the freedoms granted under our Constitution, wherein “we the people” govern, not the sovereign.
Yes, things need to change and they need to change NOW! That said, we can win with advocacy of conservative principles with measure and pragmatism. We needn’t divide and fracture in our myopia, nor capitulate to the contrary or subordinate that which matters most — our freedoms and beliefs. We just need to do it responsibly and with measure! The question is who is it that can best lead us in this manner? Who is the most electable that we can trust to lead with principle? Who is it whose life experiences have exhibited a willingness to subordinate personal interest to the greater good?
David Parker w/ Governor Romney
There are some in the conservative movement that argue they are the one with “bold ideas,” or the “consistent conservative,” and we need to“contrast” starkly with the liberal Obama. Really, let’s appeal to one segment of conservative thought and ignore the majority. Surely we can win on that ticket? Think again. How did that work for Rick Santorum when running for re-election — I think he lost by 18%? Or, Newt who imposed personal interest over the common good, and found himself “leading” but no one following, thus ending in his resignation.
The basis of the argument is the need for bold change in Washington — throw the bums out! As much as I agree, there is also a need for pragmatic measure, the need for an adult that can and will lead our nation to a brighter future based on fundamental conservative principles. And, we can’t throw the bums out by nominating those from within. That said, we can win without compromising our conservative principles; we can win, by and through effective leadership and persuasion. Such is what Mitt Romney did in Massachusetts, leading a pragmatic conservative cause amid a left-centric Commonwealth, not a center-left Commonwealth. Look at the real record of what was accomplished amid the adversity of liberality. Romney led as an advocate for life, traditional marriage, personal responsibility and individual and religious freedom, when the winds blew contrary. He successfully exercised fiscal responsibility, cut spending without raising taxes, resulting in balanced budgets, rainy day funds, and smaller more efficient government. Facts are stubborn things, and they are proven in the real record, not the spin of the left, or the spin of those who would seek to paint Mitt Romney as a “moderate.” The agenda of the anti-Romney’s are founded in personal interest, self-promotion, and a mis-guided belief that they are the sole and stark advocates of conservative thought and freedom, at the exclusion of the majority that leans center-right, not right.
When choosing who we want to lead our nation, look at the core beliefs of the candidate; look at their life’s work; look at who stands with them and why; look at what drives them and shapes them — look to their experience and success! Look to their competency and actions over words. Look to their real record!
Mitt Romney has the support of many who have had experience with him over the past 30 years, whether in his personal relationships, private enterprise, the Olympics or as Governor. They not only stand with him, they are passionate about their support, because they know him. Comparatively, Newt and Rick have few, if any, who have worked with them over their Washington careers that stand with them; further, they seem to have alienated those with whom they have worked. Their rhetoric and/or intransigence have made them ineffective or damaged goods as “leaders.”
Now is the time for conservatives, independents and moderates to stand against the Obama agenda – to coalesce and stand with Mitt, the most electable, experienced, and successfully conservative leader in the race! Now is the time to bring the depth of conservatism and pragmatism together to save our Nation and restore our future to the greatness of its past! Now is the time put aside our myopia and look at the realities before us — this is America’s defining moment and we cannot afford the risk of losing this election; the most important in our lifetime. We cannot continue our current course, for if we do, we will lose more than we can imagine. We cannot nominate failed leadership or lack of leadership, again. Rick Santorum has never led, nor has Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich failed miserably. The temptations of power and influence can be corruptive, as in Newt’s case, and blinding as in Rick’s case. Mitt has stood the measure of time and experience and not suffered the allure of power — he has proven such in his life of service without seeking the spotlight and accolades. He has led in meekness and principle. We must nominate the most electable, competent, capable and proven conservative leader to stand against the Obama machine, Mitt Romney.
[emphasis added by Lundquist]
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams
Victor is a businessman working in the healthcare industry. He and his wife of 33 years have five children and four grandchildren. Vic has been blogging for Mitt Romney since 2007.
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Incredible article! It articulates my innermost feelings about Mitt and this election. He is the most electable, competent, capable and proven conservative leader that must be elected if we are to defeat the Obama juggernaut of socialistic design and tyranny.
Woe be to this nation and the world if the American people in the Republican ranks are so deceived as to nominate a Newt Gingrich or a Rick Santorum to oppose a deceiver the likes of Barrack Obama and his allies in the mass media and public sector labor unions. That alliance will decimate anyone other than Mitt Romney, and the Nation and World will suffer. “…when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2)
Amen, Mr., Parker.
Gov Romney must continue preaching individual liberty and American exceptionalism aggressively.
Funny, the good old libs used to care so much for individual rights and liberty now, they are half asleep. Sadly, all they care now is that gay marriage and free condom.They don’t want to offend the black president for all his juvenile decsions around the globe.
Independents for Romney!
Hugh Hewitt posted this at his blog this morning:
http://www.hughhewitt.com/blog/g/c510a453-5846-4809-a930-e02542c7f479
It appears Hugh Hewitt may be attempting to set up an interview with Dave Parker this week, for those of you that listen to HH’s radio show.
Absolutely right on and impressive graph and resume for a very effective president. Who of you of Romney Central will make sure Dave Parker’s article is published nationwide?? So glad that Hugh Hewitt has published excerpts of Parker’s article on his blog and will have him for an interview.
I have felt throughout the current primary season that the conservative vs. moderate label is a canard meant to reduce clarity. Mr. Romney has a moderate personality with a strong documented track record of conservative principles. Mr . Gingrich’s oratory skills belie his personal history of leadership and integrity failure. Mr. Santorum shares with Romney high personal character but lacks the leadership skills. Mitt Romney demonstrated in his terrific performances in the two Florida debates in January that he has the heart of the lion and will win the uphill battle to unseat the unscrupulous Barack Obama.
Romney is a disciplined pragmatist with a proven track record who has demonstrated honesty and integrity. I am so grateful that he is running for the GOP nomination, because without him, we would have a weak field.
@AfricansforRomney — Yes, and even if Obama has made “juvenile decisions” who else has tried to take America out of the recession, or have equal taxes for every American. Did anyone else think about those who don’t have health care? No, I don’t think so. Think about that next time.
Umm…where should i start? Let me try a few…I wish we’re out of recession unfortunately we don’t feel it. We pay $4.00 gas per gal, no jobs (i don’t believe Obama’s elect me recent unemployment rate propaganda), the economy stinks, Unemployment rate is all time high for minority groups, b/c of Obama’s juvenile foreign policy, the entire North Africa and middle east are in total chaos. Innocent people are dying every day, more drone killing under our anti war prez, our noble peace prize winner. He’s stimulating the economy by giving out more food stamps. Oh, who would forget GE rebate economy stimulus plan. He wanted to solve the race issue in America just for having a “beer summit” at the white house. What a joke!
Health care for all? Don’t know how it woks. You may see your Dr once a year if you’re lucky.
Yeah, he kept his promise on campaign finance. Ha,ha.. So much promises, so much hope. We’ve enough of the un-orgnized community organizer leadership. Hopefully, Gov Romney will send Obama to permanent vacation.
Independents for Romney!
Please help me understand how you know that Mr. Romney understands about radical Islamic jihad and that Mr. Santorum does not understand, per the chart above. This question is not meant to challenge your chart; I genuinely want/need to understand. Thanks.
Jane,
Thank you for your honest inquiry. I have known Mitt for many years and have spent time with he and a number of his key advisors (Dan Senor and others) on the point of your query. Mitt has been studying and discussing the issue of radical Islamic Jihad for many years and addresses the threats associated with such in his book, “No Apology”. Rick Santorum even made a point in his advocacy and support of Mitt Romney in the 2008 campaign, that Mitt gets it better than anyone else. Further, Mitt identifies the key threats to America and the freedoms we enjoy – in his tome he talks about Russia’s interest to control the energy markets as a catapult to global dominance; China’s interest to build an incomparable Navy and oceanic presence to catapult them to global dominance (a time when we are shrinking our Naval presence to 1917 levels); and radical Islamic Jihad’s interest to terrorize and disrupt societies economically and otherwise with a hope to establish Sharia law and a Caliphate (this at a time with Iran seeking nuclear capability and the Arab Spring/Winter with Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and others gaining greater influence in the Middle East and elsewhere). Given global Islamic demographies, radical Jihad is growing significantly. Unfortunately, it is the moderation in societies that become subordinate to the outspoken radical elements – Islam is no less, and history proves this out. That said, all three of these threats seek to obtain dominance and control, and each deny the freedoms of men, hence Mitt’s point of America’s leadership of the free world, and the free world nation’s leadership of the entire world. Radical Jihad has been a critical part of Mitt’s study and effort over the past 7+ years, to better understand the threats to our freedoms. Knowing his tenacity, work ethic and want to understand critical dynamics, Mitt has made this a deliberate study. On the contrary, Rick Santorum has spent the majority of his time, post 9/11, advocating for social issues (which I support – he is solid on this front) and pursuing his post-Senatorial career which in deeper review reveals a typical post Congressional career path of peddling influence (which I cannot support). Rick Santorum has not had the depth of resources to come to know these critical issues as Mitt has. He may have an interest and may have concerns here, but is without the well of resource to fully grasp the subject to the same degree as Mitt, who has made it a deliberate and detailed study. I know Mitt’s analytic capabilities and his proven track record to understand and assimilate these things is second to none. I don’t see that depth in Santorum and being without sufficient resource he his, at best, tangential in his understanding.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
David
My issue with Santorum is that he wants to get the Christian, Islamophobes vote desperatley so, he always gives his audience about Islam so much inaccurate infos. Santourm has a big problem basic understanding of the religion Islam and the radical muslims terror that we face. For some unknown reason, every time when he speaks religion, he has this anti mulsim tone of voice. Just for this reason, i would give him F+
I think he makes a comment a while ago saying that equlity comes only from Abraham or from the Bible not from Quran. I forgot exactly what he said but, very similar to this. Why slavery and so much inequality exist in many Christian countries then? We know he’s Catholic, loves his religion but it is very wrong demonizing other religion just to get a damn vote.
I would sleep much better under President Romney than Santorum the ignorant fool. We’ll see how much vote he gets in Michigan from Muslim communities.
Independents for Romney!!!
David – Thank you so much for responding to my question, and for the work you put into the original article. No further questions at the minute!
@David, I appreciated reading your response to Jane! There’s some excellent information there!