A Genuine Look at the GOP Candidates: My Endorsement Below

What qualities should a Presidential candidate have that sets them apart from others? That is the general question Republicans in South Carolina will have to answer before voting in Saturday’s primary for President. But the real question is that of leadership. What qualities must an effective leader have that will cause followers to be excited and ready to listen?

There are very strong candidates in this race for President. There is no denying the credibility Mitt Romney brings to the table. His strong business sense, morals, and natural, statesman-like charisma make him a very attractive choice for President. But if Mitt is to win the nomination, he will have to explain a lot of his positions, release his income tax returns soon, and ensure the electorate that he is stable in his beliefs. Another question is that of “Obamacare.”

Will he repeal it or will he just reform it? Unfortunately, his inconsistent record and his position on “Obamacare” will haunt him until he gains the confidence of the GOP Conservative base. I find Romney to be a capable leader and if he wins this nomination, I will certainly back him against President Obama. However, for the South Carolina primary, I cannot, with good conscience, vote for Mitt Romney.

There is a fantastic opportunity to gain ground on Romney and possibly even sever his momentum so that a true conservative choice can be nominated.  South Carolina has a fantastic record for picking the eventual nominee. I still believe South Carolina will continue this tradition. That is why I find it to be of upmost importance for South Carolinians to look past the establishment and the media, and to focus on a Conservative alternative.

While I think Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are both fine Conservatives, passionate leaders, and would make a much better choice atop the GOP Ticket, I do not feel Rick Santorum has the confidence or the presence a leader needs to defeat an incumbent President. While I agree with Santorum on a majority of issues, he also has an occasional indiscretion has been brought up. Supporting Arlen Specter was not a jewel in his crown.

Neither was heading a powerful program on the Hill to instill Republican staffers in lobbyist positions. However, Santorum is a strong conservative unlike Romney. After having breakfast with Santorum, sitting with him, talking with him for an extending period of time, I have to be honest. Rick Santorum is not the guy that can head this ticket in November. It pains me to say it for all of the wonderful people that support him. I nearly did myself, but he is not the guy and I doubt he can beat President Obama, if even Mitt Romney.

There is only one person that can defeat Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. He has been given a lot of grief about his personal life and for even sitting with Nancy Pelosi in a pro-green movement commercial.  However, a man should be judged for who is he and not what he was. A great majority of Christians are also Conservatives and I urge those reading this, forgive Newt for his indiscretions because God has already forgiven him.

Newt Gingrich brings years of experience and an abundance of intelligence to the table. He knows, believes in, and recites history so that we will not repeat our past mistakes. His brainpower will destroy President Obama in a debate. His ideas will transform this country as we compete to remain the top world power.

The change Newt brings is Conservative and not radical left. He reminds me of another calm, intelligent debater. A man who led by principles and was a conservative warrior. Newt Gingrich reminds me of Ronald Reagan. His presence is that of a man who requires respect, just as Reagan did. Have you seen him in the debates? Newt Gingrich knows how to work with Congress and knows how to get things done for the American people. While some may disagree with the work he has done before, the good in his record, like welfare reform, cannot be overlooked.

Sure, they may call him undisciplined and unfocused, but I would rather have someone that occasionally gets off course, that is brilliant, and overwhelmingly intelligent rather than someone who flip flops, is generated, and doesn’t have the ideas that take America above and beyond the status quo.

Newt Gingrich is not a perfect man, but no one is perfect. Are you perfect? Have you ever made a mistake before? We all make mistakes, he just happened to be in Congress when he did.

Gingrich is the man that can make the GOP a more perfect party. He can show Conservative superiority to Liberals inferiority every time he debates the President. On a global stage, Gingrich will outmatch and outlast other foreign leaders and will put us at the top of the map again.

Under Gingrich, we have a fighting chance. Under Romney, we don’t know what we have. I urge each and every one of you to vote for someone who is clear and decisive.  If you are supporting Romney or Santorum, reconsider that vote. A vote for Santorum is a vote for Romney. But a vote for Gingrich is a vote against Romney. Vote with me as I vote for Newt Gingrich for President on Saturday. This is the only way we can ensure we have conservative, dependable change this November.