Posted by
Blue Dog Jim on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 7:03:45 PM
As a Conservative Democrat, I've sometimes felt like an endangered species. Today though, it feels like we blue dogs are having our day. Here is what I believe (maybe if you hear this you'll know why Republicans did so poorly yesterday):
- War in Iraq: I totally support the War on Terror, and support strong measures to fight it. I don't, however, think the Iraq post-war period was well-planned at all. I was persuaded by the sheer number of military experts critical of the administration to believe this was a well-executed war and a terribly-executed postwar period. That having been said, I don't support any kind of radical redeployment. I DO however favor some sort of strategy for success. And I want to know, at least in general terms, what that strategy is.
- Social issues: I am one who believes in research - if embryonic stem cell research can help cure serious diseases, then I support it, and think the government should help fund it. In whole, I would describe myself as a moral pragmatist - I don't consider homosexuality to be a moral lifestyle myself, but I also respect the idea that not everyone feels as I do. I support civil unions, but not marriage for gays and lesbians. On abortion, I think it should be safe, legal and rare - I support reasonable restrictions on abortion but not making it illegal.
- Role of government - I don't support big government. I also don't necessarily support small government. I think the ultimate goal is better government, a government that partners with private industry to solve problems. I don't think the problems of our country can be solved by either government or industry alone.
There are some things I believe...I would consider myself a right-leaning centrist who has no problem voting for a Republican if they convince me they are the better candidate...but I have to say in this election, that didn't happen often.