Republican Presidential Candidates Fail to Impress

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Ham on Wry gave up hope that a qualified, knowledgeable Republican candidate would emerge when Jon Huntsman withdrew from the race for the nomination. Monday night's debate did nothing to provide evidence that a trustworthy candidate still exists on the Republican side.

Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney currently vie for the lead in the race. Neither impresses this blogger. Gingrich has demonstrated a character flaw that runs through much of his life. He married both his second and third wives after having affairs with them while he was still married. That doesn't affect his work necessarily, but it does indicate someone who lacks ethics in personal relationships. Maybe many Republicans who enthusiastically cheered him on his tirade at the debate directly prior to the South Carolina primary forgot that he already served as Speaker of the House in the 90's and resigned in disgrace. Fellow Republicans accused him of a failure to lead. Do we really want to revisit that in a time when so much turmoil exists globally? He also seems a bit fuzzy on what he accomplished during his time in Congress and attempts to distance himself from some of the bills he supported as a representative.

Mitt Romney has shown faithfulness and dedication in his personal relationships, but his success as a businessman comes with mixed reviews. The results of his tenure at Bain Capital show that some companies were created and others destroyed in his efforts. He amassed a great deal of wealth during that time, and he's not the only person to run for President who came from wealth. However, his reluctance to release his taxes until recently defies logic. One is left to wonder whether he truly understand the majority of citizens he wants to govern. He often seems ill at ease at the debate podium and appears out of touch with mainstream America. He accomplished some noteworthy aims as governor of Massachusetts, but now disavows some of the legislation he supported during his term in office.

The Republican Party has lots its way during the past quarter century and bears little resemblance to the party that existed several decades ago. It is characterized by intransigence and obstinance with a heavy dose of a "holier than thou" attitude. Candidates chant the mantra of no new taxes without offering a means of producing much-needed revenue to the federal government. The United States Constitution was not written to protect businesses or corporations; it was established to protect its citizens.

Registered voters have a duty to study all available information about candidates and then vote in the election. That requites more than watching political ads on TV or believing forwarded e-mails that attack a candidate without checking the facts purported in the ad. South Carolina evangelical Christian voters chose Newt Gingrich, a man whose infidelity is public knowledge. That directly conflicts with the marriage vows people often recite at their church weddings and illustrates a variance from stated principles.

Rick Santorum and Ron Paul do not have the background serve as global leaders or hold their own on the G-8 or deal directly with the issues in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, and other world hot spots. Do the homework Republicans.

The race for the Republican nomination resembles a wild ride on a roller coaster, and, when it ends, I foresee a no-win outcome.