The primary season is well under way for the Republican Party in the United States, and the field of candidates has been whittled down to four. There are two main contenders vying for the presidential nomination, and two others still alive and kicking. It is debatable whether the two minor candidates, and even one of the two main contenders, will make it to Super Tuesday or beyond.
As a Canadian, I have no say in the matter. I cannot vote for any of these four men. That does not mean I cannot have and express an opinion -- albeit my own humble opinion -- on their respective merits and qualifications to become President of the United States of America.
My view of the Republican presidential candidates is largely shaped by what I consider pivotal moments during the campaign thus far -- moments when I felt something of their character (or lack of character) showed through in their words or deeds.
Here, then, is my admittedly personal and subjective response to what I shall waggishly dub "The Fanatic Four", with a nod and a wink to Marvel's comic-book hero quartet.
A Mitt, But No Catcher
During one of the primary debates, George Stephanopoulos asked Mitt Romney a rhetorical question -- a trick question, perhaps, a cleverly laid trap reminiscent of the kind the Pharisees and Saducees concocted in an attempt to stump Jesus of Nazareth.
Stephanopoulos asked whether a state could hypothetically outlaw the sale and use of contraceptives. Romney danced around the question and sought to avoid giving a direct answer. He argued that it was a moot point, since no state would ever take it into its head to do such a thing. I found Romney's evasiveness somewhat disconcerting.
Moments later, Ron Paul (another of the candidates) gave a calm, reasoned, logical answer to the same question. He cited laws governing trade and commerce between states. There was absolutely no hesitation on his part, and indeed the other three seemed to defer to his superior judgment in constitutional matters.
This incident continues to underlie my misgivings about Romney -- the man who, at this stage of the game, seems likely to be crowned heir apparent to Barack Obama's "throne".
With Libertarianism and Justice for All
This brings me to Ron Paul, the candidate toward whom I feel most strongly drawn. What appeals to me about him is that he seems the best versed in law and the U.S. Constitution, although the others often cite the Constitution as the basis for their political beliefs. They talk, but he clearly knows what he is talking about.
He doesn't stand a chance of winning the Republican presidential nomination, of course. Of the four, he alone has not yet "won" a primary or caucus. I don't know how much longer he can survive.
Physically, he is unprepossessing. He is the oldest, I think, and has a somewhat nervous look to him. He is also the folksiest of the four, which may make him a nice guy, but Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces? I don't think so.
Let Him Who Is Without Sin Among You, Cast the First Ballot
Then there's Newt Gingrich. He's been the focus of a lot of negative ads. His own ex-wife has provided some of the ammunition for these attacks designed to impugn his character and personal integrity.
There is perhaps a subtle moral distinction between Herman Cain's alleged sexual harassment of women, and Newt Gingrich's serial infidelity to his wives. If Cain was deemed unworthy of being President, should the same be said of Gingrich? Likewise, Cain denied up and down that he had been guilty of sexual harassment. Gingrich could not gainsay his own transgressions, but that doesn't prevent him from cloaking himself in a mantle of sanctimonious indignation.
Yet it was an electrifying moment when Gingrich chastised CNN's John King for kicking off a primary debate by mentioning the erstwhile Mrs. Gingrich's allegations. At that moment, I was almost converted to Newt's cause. Almost.
Santorum's Slip of the Tongue
That leaves Rick Santorum. I found it rather interesting that, when he quoted the most famous phrase of the Declaration of Independence, there was dead air for a second at the word "Creator". Was he temporarily unable to remember it? Was he loath to utter it in a sudden fit of secular political correctness? Something weird happened, because he got the rest of the quote right.
Someone said of Rick Santorum, "He's like a chicken running around with his head cut off. Everybody knows the chicken is dead -- except the chicken." A mean-spirited comment, perhaps, but with some semblance of truth. It is only a matter of time before Santorum is forced to bow out of the GOP race, for lack of support (both warm bodies and cold cash). He may then have the "Courage to Fight for America", but not the wherewithal.
Four, Three, Two, One
The countdown begins, as exciting as any at Cape Canaveral, and which stakes just as astronomically high. A year from now, one of these four men could be the leader of the free world, if Barack Obama proves to be a lame-duck president unable to win a second term in office.
Which choice would you (or will you) make as an American? The field may not be as attractive as you or I would like it to be, but this is what's available. This is as good as it gets.
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