October 09, 2008

A Failure of Leadership

A friend of mine recently commented that the conservative movement suffers from a "failure of vision." Though my friend is briliant, I have to respectfully disagree. We on the right don't suffer from a failure of vision. We have plenty of big, dangerous, radical ideas. Just ask any lefty. Radical ideas like true federalism, school choice, Social Security privatization and concealed carry scare the bejeezus out of bedwetting left-wing hippies.

We don't suffer from a failure of conviction, passion or vision.

What we suffer from is a failure of LEADERSHIP.

For the most part, most of us stand around and wait for somebody else to take the banner of conservatism and run with it. I've come to the sad conclusion that this is the nature of humans. A disembodied philosophy does not become a movement without a vessel. John McCain is definitely not the vessel to embody conservatism. Thus, the conservative movement finds itself in something of a "holding pattern," waiting for a leader.

A year ago, we were placing our faith in Fred Thompson--and we did so passionately. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well. Vision and philosophical underpinnings form one part of the equation, but energy and passion are necessary ingredients, as well.

Right now, we're all watching Sarah Palin. She certainly seems to have the right instincts, and she has the passion and energy. She's a fighter and she inspires us. Does she have what it takes to lead a philosophical/political movement, similar to the way Reagan and Thatcher did? That remains to be seen. While I'm not convinced yet, I'm liking what I'm seeing.

Back-up plan: If Sarah Palin is not up to the task, who else do we have?

I hear the names Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney bandied about, but I think we all know that neither man is really the leader we need. I've even heard the name "Huckabee." Please...

I like Mike Pence, but to be honest, he doesn't seem to want the job, either. That said, I could be wrong. I was encouraged by his leadership against the bailout.

Who else is out there? Bobby Jindal? Michael Steele? Michael Williams? Not that we need to have a "brown" or female leader necessarily, but the aforementioned individuals seem (along with Huckabee) to be among the few GOP leaders with a pulse these days.

Whaddaya think?

(Cross-posted at The RINO Hunters' Lodge)