You know what I would like to see from the Republican presidential candidates?
I'd like to see a 12-step program detailed on how to recover from eight years of Barack Obama.
I'm tired of all the sniping between the candidates. Of course that's politics. Of course there will always be some of that in any political campaign. Of course it's to be expected.
But all the GOP candidates have acknowledged that every one of their rivals up on those debate stages has something positive to contribute to the country. So, at what point do they stop nitpicking with each other and focus on how we fix the country in the post-Obama years? At what point do they lay out a clear, positive and specific agenda for restoration of the American Dream?
I know there have been glimpses of it from some of them.
But those glimpses are being overshadowed by bickering.
There's going to be a general election in the not-too-distant future. All the mud that is thrown among the Republican candidates now is going to stick to whomever the eventual nominee is. So when does that friendly fire stop?
Think about all Obama has done in his two terms.
Think about all that must be undone.
Isn't it time to paint a picture of what that will look like?
That's precisely why Ronald Reagan was successful in 1980 and 1984 – in two successive landslide elections.
Even those who were skeptical of him – and there were many – were won over or disarmed by the smiling, positive vision of America's future he portrayed.
If Republicans don't begin focusing on the course correction, a great opportunity for an era of peace, prosperity, liberty and unity will be squandered.
Personally, I can't wait for Obama to leave the White House. I know most Americans are ready for that change. Is it important who replaces him? Absolutely. But, at the end of the day, if it's Hillary or Bernie, it really won't matter. It really won't make a dime's worth of difference.
I want to hear what the Republican presidential candidates will do in their first 100 days. I want to hear what their four-year agenda is. I want to hear how they will bring peace, prosperity, liberty and unity back to a divided, discouraged and despairing nation.
And I don't think I'm alone.
I have favorites in the GOP race.
I also have my least favorites among the choices.
But our best hope for America is for one of these candidates to focus on the real problems, not the minor policy disputes between the candidates.
Lastly, let me say this: In 2012, the big issue in the campaign was Obamacare. Most of the country wanted to see it overturned. But the Republicans nominated Mitt Romney. Romney was the architect of what has become known as Romneycare in Massachusetts. It was a foreshadowing of Obamacare. He had no credibility attacking it. He didn't sound sincere, because, after all, the same guy who wrote his hallmark legislation wrote Obamacare.
It was a disaster for the GOP.
In 2016, the big issue is immigration. Should the Republicans nominate a candidate who is squishy on this issue, it will likely be a repeat of 2012. There is no room for squish on immigration for Republicans in 2016. It's not just a matter of what you say now, it's a matter of what your record is – just like Romney in 2012.
As we move on in the primary season, the Republican candidates need to make clear their position on this issue and demonstrate why they are the best choice to reform our broken immigration system. That, I believe, will determine the outcome of who the nominee is and who will be the next president.
I pray that whomever that might be, he or she is not so badly tarnished by the needless internecine attacks we've seen all too often thus far.
Media wishing to interview Joseph Farah, please contact [email protected].
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