The conservative credentials of Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee have been called into question. The way to get beyond this and excite the base is for these two men to team up.
It is no secret that there is no love loss between them. However, both are men of faith. Therefore, each should be able to forgive the other's transgressions, put their differences behind them and join forces to fight for the principles in which they claim to believe.
Can you imagine what a candidate with Romney's money and business experience coupled with Huck's charm and commitment to social issues could do? There isn't one – so what about two?
The McCain-Giuliani express wouldn't stand a chance. With the compressed primary season and Romney and Huckabee splitting the conservative vote, the liberal wing of the party will win the nomination.
A Republican has to be right on national defense issues to get the GOP nod. That is why Ron Paul, despite his principled stand on constitutional issues, will not be able to break out of single digits. He simply does not understand the nature of the radical Islamic threat, and most Americans aren't willing to accept his hold-your-fire-until-we-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes strategy.
The defense of this country is one of the most important functions of the federal government. McCain has benefited from his military background and his persistent call for a troop surge. However, Romney and Huckabee get high marks on this issue. Both men believe in a strong military and that surrender to the terrorists in Iraq is not an option.
McCain also has benefited from polls showing that he is the only Republican who has a chance against the eventual Democrat nominee. These match-ups in the early going are meaningless. It's about name recognition. Should Romney or Huckabee get the nomination, he would have plenty of time and money to make his case to the American people.
Had Giuliani stayed in the race, Romney and Huckabee could have let the voters decide between them. However, with Feb. 5 on the horizon and Giuliani out of the race and campaigning with McCain, they no longer have that luxury. Did Giuliani cut a deal with McCain? There is no way to know, but I'd be willing to bet that conservatives would not be pleased with his choice for a veep.
Giuliani's decision to bow out and support McCain was a no-brainer, but getting a Mitt-Huck alliance is fraught with problems. Who should be No. 1? Mitt has the money to go the distance. He came close in Florida and is on McCain's heels in some Northern and Midwestern states, while Huck leads the entire pack in some Southeastern states. Both men are extremely articulate. Mitt is handsome and presidential. Huck is winsome and glib.
Separately, they are flawed, but what one lacks, the other has in spades. Mitt's recent epiphany on social issues is suspect, while Huck's moral compass is incontrovertible.
Huck has spent most of his life in ministry and public service and puts too much faith in government programs, while Mitt is an accomplished free-market businessman. This country desperately needs downsizing and someone committed to solving the nation's looming financial crisis in a fair and humane way. We need a meeting of the minds here!
Both still need work on the immigration issue. Both believe in the right of big business to import cheap foreign workers at all skill levels at the expense of our citizens. However, both have rejected amnesty. If they can get together and make their position clear, they can easily defeat John McCain.
McCain has given lip service to securing the border and building a fence, while privately telling like-minded supporters it will not be effective. But, bear in mind, then he will shove amnesty down our throats! He has never backed away from that position and, if he gets the nomination, he will take it as a mandate.
The real test is whether Mitt or Huck is selfless enough to allow the other to take the lead in order to accomplish their stated goals for the country.
Is there a fair way to decide this debacle? Flip a coin. Play scissors, rock and paper. Draw straws. Who cares?
The important thing is to unite and run as a president and vice-president team. They are both young enough for the No. 2 guy to have a turn in the Oval Office. All they have to do is make good on their campaign promises and the voters will happily reward their efforts. No, it's never been done, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
Time's a wasting!
Related special offer:
"NATIONAL SUICIDE: How the government's immigration policies are destroying America"