The past history of Republican politics has indicated that there has been a century long osmotic absorption of Progressivism principles into the mind-set of elite Republicans who are anything but fiscal conservatives. They feel that if they are conservative in national security and social issues, then fiscal conservatism and constitutional fidelity can be discarded in favor of "compassion". But they ignorantly ignore the fact that no one, and no nation can escaped the consequences of fiscal irresponsibility. In the last ten years, irresponsible has become our middle name and that is because of the sell-outs in the Republican party, from the very top and down. If the bums aren't thrown out, we, our government and its debt, will, like a snowball rolling down hill, become totally out of control within one or two presidential cycles. Sound the sirens if you can but they aren't allowed in polite company and must remain in the cellar. When the media is ignorant, it's unlikely that the people (who to a large extent aren't even paying attention) will be awakened to the danger they are in.

Heck, I'm old enough to remember championing and campaigning for Barry Goldwater against LBJ back in the 60's, so, trust me when I say I'm pretty conservative. Lately though, I've become less strident when assessing our Republican candidates and their conservatism. Since the first debates I've been a fan of any who showed some conservative backbone and fight. As the debates, and now the first primary, have become history, those conservatives have been attacked and pushed back from leader status. My hopes for an electable conservative, strong and true in their convictions, have been somewhat dashed.

BUT! In order to stem the tide of "Hope and Change" that I feel is on a path to destroy America as it should be, I will heartily endorse ANY candidate the Republicans present, no questions asked. IT IS THAT IMPORTANT!

Our immediate goal, outside of the presidency, should continue to be electing the most conservative Congressmen and Senators to majorities in the legislature. With true conservative principles and a return to fiscal sanity, that will unleash our economy, hopefully many of the "kool aide" drinkers will see the wisdom of conservatism and the brilliance of our founding fathers. Just think what a solid conservative MAJORITY of voters could bring!

Good grief, Ben, what are we to do? I wholeheartedly agree with JohnH: The game is getting rid of Obama. (My first presidential vote was for Goldwater, too, but most of my subsequent votes for Republicans were cast while holding my nose.)

It is much more likely that Romney will become more conservative than that BO will become less liberal, so I will happily roll the dice on Mitt. I'd love a more conservative nominee, but I don't see any volunteers stepping up to the plate at the moment.

Romney makes McRINO (oops McCain) and Dole look like conservatives. Besides Obamacare Lite he agreed with the Hero of Chappaquiddick on guns. Romney even makes Nelson Rockefeller look like a conservative.

I will vote for whoever the Republicans nominate, although I may not cheerfully vote for that nominee. That being said, I would really like to have a candidate who I can vote for, rather than just voting against his opponent.

Howard Last - please re-examine Governor Romney's positions of the last decade. Your assessment is faulty predicated on his change of views in that time period.

While we all agree it is difficult to find the "perfect" candidate we must all agree that the Dear Leader is the antithesis of "perfect" in any leadership position...including dog catcher.

Anyone but B. O. must be the mantra.

I do not like or trust Romney. He`s too oily slick. I will only support him if he actually wins the nomination. That being said, if he does win the nomination, he will receive my whole-hearted support. Obama must be defeated if this country is to survive.

Richard Ryan

Lamar,Missouri - Birthplace of Harry S Truman

Republicans used to be the adults in the room. Now they are more like those parents who want to be BFFs to their children. Or, think of those middle-aged doofs who dress and style themselves after teen idols.

It's a shame when adults, who should know better, want to be "hip" instead of being responsible. Such are most of today's Republicans.

I've read or seen Romney described as 'a nervous used car salesman'. The question is, what are we being sold? I hope everybody keeps kicking the tires...

I'm not buying that vehicle (Romney-Bus). The tires look bad and I don't trust it to go from here to there.

A.R. Nash,

Excellent post.

Like others, I will only support Romney if he wins the nomination as another fou years of Obama are quite literally unthinkable.

"Support Mitt Romney if you must -- but don't urinate on our leg and tell us that it's raining. Mitt Romney is not a conservative. If you want to support him, go right ahead. But don't lie about your rationale. It undermines the conservative standard."

Great stuff, Ben.

cepat2 - my mother always said, a leopard does not change his spots. This also applies to politicians, especially RINO's. Romney will say anything to get elected depending on who he is speaking to.

Excellent post Ben.

I believe Micelle Backmann was the most conservative of the lot, and unbelievably she is the first forced to stand down by the republican constituency.

It is obvious that the liberal MSM will not allow, or stand for, a conservative President. It is equally obvious that America is in desparate need of a conservative President.

I`m sorry to say that never in my lifetime will a true conservative emerge in Messianic garb, as the liberal BHO did, and bring to conservatives the joy and happiness so truely hoped for by said conservatives. I`m further sorry this will not happen because the country is in desparate need of conservative values.

As with so many others I will support the republican candidate but I shall not experience joy and happiness at the ballot box.

The only solution I can offer is to separate out from the liberals by migrating to republican states and declaring independence. This is to difficult for most people. It is a shame, life without liberalism would bring so much more happiness, and happiness is what true Americans pursue. It is in our Declaration of Independence, written and signed by our founding fathers, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

This is America today, half a sandwhich or no sandwhich.

Nobama 2012, vote republican. Thank you.

Folks, I think there are good reasons why "not-Romney" is the most popular candidate.

Personally, I am heartened to see Santorum "lose" by only 8 votes. I asked before why Santorum was not getting any traction. IMnsHO, it had a lot to do with the media coverage and punditry claiming he was a "2nd tier" candidate, etc. I hope he keeps going strong and remains the top "not-Romney" of the group who, as Ben pointed out, collectively received 75% of the votes. Santorum is conservative, has accomplishemnts, and lack baggage.

The group has begun the inevitable shrinking. The year of decision is under way.

God bless America!

BTW, PDK, I think Micelle Backmann failed on the merits. She really has a thin resume' and whatever Tea Party/conservative credentials she has or claims, I don't think she's the right person for the job. She's much of the same things we have observed about Obama in that regard, little accomplished and much horn-blowing and self-promotion. (For that matter, so is Ron Paul: longer tenure but little accomplished.) I want her to be working in the House of Representatives, not an incompetent in the White House. We need a strong conservative Congress to get anything done, particulary if we want incursions rolled-back.

She was really bad on the 11th Commandment, too. I realize that the system and the debate "moderators" have encourage the Republican candidates to attack each other, but I think they should fight the urge. Much better to focus their attacks on Obama and talk about the problems and their inspirational plans for working on them, including such marvels as, "that's a state problem, give it back to the states." Gingrich is right when he says that ANY of the candidates would do better than Obama. That's where they need to focus.

Also, she should know better than to say things like, "I will repeal ..." A President does no such thing, and she knows better I hope, and she sound like just another I/Me/Myself politician.

Mike thanks.

First Michelle was the most conservative period, she got the least amount of votes. Who did get the most? Romney, the most liberal. Republican constituents made this choice no one else. Ben was talking about true conservatives, republicans turned their backs.

Before achieving the Presidency, Obama did near nothing so true, that of course is a good way to stay clean. But once in the WH he accomplished what liberalism wanted accomplished.

The 11th commandment was actually broken by Pawlenty, Michelle defended herself.

The liberal MSM attacked her, second only to Herman Cain. Clearly the most feared conservative republican is the renegade black who abandons the liberal plantation. Second to that however is the white conservative/republican woman, no doubt a threat to the feminist white women of the liberal/democrats.

I still hold hope for her as the VP, I thought the world of Dick Cheney.