South Carolina Blues

Regardless of who wins today in South Carolina, the Republican Party loses. We are out of viable options for president. Each of these candidates has attributes worthy of praise, regrettably offset by their shortcomings.

Newt is a masterful debater - a thrill to watch. How much fun it would be to watch him smack down the One. Yet the characteristic that makes Newt so mesmerizing also disqualifies him as president. He is, as a colleague who served with him in Comgress put it, a "high wire act." We watch with baited breath, not knowoing what he will do or say next. This is not the demeanor of someone who should have control of the world's largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Further, Newt's attacks on capitalism recently reek of the class warfare we get from Obama. These attacks on free-market principles have no place in the Republican primary. That they come from the so-called ideas guy is alarming.

Mitt Romney has the requisite steadiness to be president. That same steadiness, however, is what makes it unlikely that he will govern as a true conservative. He may slow down the pace of growth of the state, but he will not reverse it. He is a incrementalist.

Rick Santorum has no chance. None. Same for Ron Paul. Gentlemen, it is time to do the right thing.

So those are our picks. Any would be better than the current occupant of the White House. But does anyone seriously believe theses are the best we can do? It is time to nurture the farm team so we are not stuck with a field this weak in 2016.