Prioritizing Issues

This past weekend, I heard several political guessers speculating why this candidate or that candidate was doing well in the polls. Some of their guesses were pretty wild.

Why do Conservatives like Guiliani? He is liberal on some social issues.

Why is McCain falling behind in these ridiculously early polls? He has the name recognition.

No candidate is going to align with all of your views - unless you are that candidate. So, voters decide which issues are most important and choose their candidates by that list. Even though that candidate is clearly opposed to some values they hold dear.

As we watch the goings on in Congress, we become more and more convinced that they are a bunch of ego driven, power hungry idiots. Remember the faces of Pelosi and Reid when they realized the Democrats had gained control of both houses. If you had painted their faces with chalk, you would have thought you were looking at the bleachers in a college football stadium. No serious response to the monumental burden just loaded on their shoulders. They acted like thay had just won a game.

Now consider the fumbling confusion among Democrats since the election. Do you really trust these people with the future of our nation?

American voters are prioritizing their issues. Topping that list seems to be a strong, serious leader whom they believe has the intelligence and the strength to lead this country in a crisis. When we feel safe again, we can consider social issues.

That could all change between now and election day. I hope it will. By November of 2008, I hope world events will find us feeling that the threat of a suicide bomber in our local mall is an impossibility. Perhaps then we can look for a candidate who shares our views on Choice, Gay Marriage, etc.

In the meantime, look to front page headlines to explain poll results.