The Collegian

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Annie Douglass

This past Saturday, numerous Republican presidential candidates spoke. My remote control almost hit my TV. These politicians were the usual sweet-talking, rhetoric-blabbing, substance-lacking leaders.
Huckabee was saying how important it was to be a conservative and to "take back America." Take back America from what? The people? Last time I checked it was the people who voted to kick the Republicans out of power and elect a Democratic majority. He went on to defend gun rights, that it was imperative because it's "about protecting us from a government should it ever get out of control." That sounds ideal but I wonder if he's realized that in 2004 there were 29,569 gun deaths. It's a huge problem yet all we hear from Republicans is less gun control.
Romney spoke and declared that he wanted to send 100,000 more troops to Iraq. He spoke of victory in Iraq but doesn't seem to comprehend that it's ultimately in the hands of the Iraqis to take hold of their future. Victory will come with a politically and religious peace accord from Iraqis for Iraqis, not a military takeover by the US.
Guiliani talked mostly about health care. He says that we're going to "fix the system by not ruining it." He acknowledged the current dangers and that it must be a top priority but perhaps he hadn't noticed that for more than six years Republicans have had control of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. They have been in power and ultimately must be held responsible for the action, or lack thereof, of the, especially recently, hemorraging system.
McCain tried desperately to emphasize his conservatism. He let us know that he is pro-gun, anti-abortion, for lowering taxes, and reducing the size of government. He was eloquent and was the usual John McCain running for President…playing nice and being anything but straight-talking.
I noticed after the event was done that almost all the candidates are alike. They all emphasized different things but of the same common agenda: more border control, more money and troops in Iraq, less restriction on guns, being against abortion, gay marriage is wrong, healthcare system needs fixing (by less government of course), strong family values and a strong economy through tax cuts. I couldn't really tell the difference.
There was a complete lack of diversity and what irritated me most of all was the unsubstantiated claims. We're not just talking about seep-seated beliefs from just anyone, these people are trying to grab the most powerful position in the world; I should hope that they would know why and explain the reasons for which they stand in conviction in those things they so believe in.
We can hear this bland, pretty talk about how America can grow stronger and be better if we value these certain things. Explain yourselves.
This includes the Democrats too but Republicans traditionally have less diversity in ideas and even less willingness for progress.

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