Unexpected?

As we are getting closer to the beginning of the Presidential Primaries, not everything is going the way that some have told us it would. Most in the media would have you believe that the Presidential race is, and has been from the beginning, already down to Rudy Giuliani vs. Hillary Clinton. This is, however, anything but definite.

Some surprises have popped up recently. First, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has seen a huge uptick in the polls in some early primary states, and a somewhat smaller, though still significant surge in national polls. This is likely due to the fact most Republicans have been dissatisfied with the overall Republican field, but especially the supposed front runners. Meanwhile, Huckabee has been one of the strongest, non-top tier candidates right from the beginning of the race. It would appear that people are finding his moral, common sense, Conservative approach to be appealing. While many have spent a long time trying to figure out who to throw their support behind, it seems that many have decided that Mike Huckabee is the way to go.

Still, what surprises me considerably more than Huckabee's new found support, and a real possibility of winning the nomination, is all the support that Texas Representative Ron Paul has been picking up lately. Honestly, I had thought that Rep. Paul would end up as little more than a foot note on this election, kind of a fringe element that never had so much as a shot. It would appear that I was mistaken. I suppose it's possible that Ron Paul's supporters are just louder and more passionate than most others, but even that would do him some good, but honestly, I think that he does have a better chance than I would have thought. Once again, it seems that people like his common sense approach to domestic issues, and his passion for the Constitution and doing what's right for the USA, and his consistent conservatism. I guess what is most surprising is that he vehement opposition to the war in Iraq didn't kill his campaign. I would have thought that for a Republican to take that stance would have been the death knell of their campaign, but it hasn't been for him. It would seem that a lot of conservatives are willing to overlook his stance on the war, while some on the left find him the most trustworthy anti-war candidate on either side, and are willing to overlook his conservatism because they believe he will get us out of Iraq. As a Dr, and OB-GYN, who has delivered thousands of babies, Dr. Paul is not only able to explain why abortion is morally wrong, but he can explain it medically as well. Also, there isn't anyone in the race who believes in lower taxes and limited government more than Ron Paul.

Personally, I'm not a Ron Paul supporter, but I can see why some are. As there isn't a perfect candidate in the race, some feel that he is the best option, as he will do what he feels to be the best thing for the country, and he bases that on a love of liberty and freedom, and our Country. I'm not saying that this means we will see a President Paul come January of 2009, but we can't really rule it out completely... and that is shocking to me.

Now, I still like Fred Thompson, but right now, Mike Huckabee seems to be shifting his campaign into ultra high gear, and letting people know that he is a conservative and he will fight for our principles and do his best to do right by all the people of the USA. And, of course, the endorsement by Chuck Norris isn't going to hurt in any way either. By the time the Primaries get to Florida, if Fred isn't looking so hot, but Huckabee has been placing well in the other early states, I very well might vote for him here as well. A win for Huckabee in Iowa and/or New Hampshire could start a wave of momentum behind him that will crush Giuliani and Romney right out of the gate.

So, let's not despair, we still might end up with a Republican Nominee that we can actually consider voting for, and know that we have not abandoned our principles to do so.