Santorum vs Paul

In a bit of a surprise, social conservatives in Iowa decided that it was better to rally behind one candidate in the hopes they could defeat Mitt Romney. Oh soo close!

Assuming that the state delegates exercise the will of the people, Romney and Santorum will receive 6 delegates and Ron Paul will receive 4.

Why is it that social conservatives avoid Ron Paul?

Is it because of his stance on abortion? Nope, he’s pro-life.

Is it because of his stance on marriage? Nope, he supports DOMA

Is it because of his faith? Nope, He’s a Christian who regularly invokes the bible or Jesus in his speeches.

There are two reasons…

First, Ron Paul supports states’ rights which would include the right to make currently illegal substances and activities legal. Many people try to paint this as “wanting” to legalize pot or prostitution. Ron Paul is personally opposed to both, but recognizes the free will of states and individuals to make these choices. The best parallel I can draw is with religion itself. Many Christians believe (and I agree in many respects) that the right to worship as we choose is being hampered by the government. In this regard we do not want the government interfering with our freedom, but are willing give it up when it is for things we find morally reprehensible. I don’t believe we can have our cake and eat it to, we must affirm the constitutional role of government or we choose another path.

Second, on his foreign policy, he has been hammered as an isolationist who is soft on terrorism and Iran while being unfriendly to Israel. It is naturally disturbing to hear these things. The reality is that Ron Paul believes in a strong national defense, that said his vision for it is admittedly and markedly different than that of his Republican colleagues. Secure our borders & protect from within. Go to war if we are attacked, but do so with a congressional declaration of war.

Ron Paul is a candidate whose reach extends beyond the Republican base while not compromising conservative values, sounds like someone the base should be rallying around.