That is a question that I have been pondering and one that will likely be hotly debated among conservatives. I’ve been accused by a certain media personality that I will now move on to explain to my readers why they should vote for Mitt Romney. I will do no such thing because frankly I’ve not totally decided what I will do in terms of the Presidential campaign. One thing I will not do is endorse. I doubt I’ll even tell you who I’m voting for other than it will not be for Barack Obama. So I disagree with Adam who decided to go ahead and endorse Romney here at CT. I understand that his isn’t a ringing endorsement, and it comes with many qualifications. I think that we can safely assume that Mitt Romney won’t highlight it on his website.
I know that some are throwing their weight toward Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul and if you live in a state that still has to vote I would encourage you to vote your conscience. I don’t think the delegate math is in either of their favor, but that shouldn’t determine your vote – your principles should.
I understand that the general election is a gray area and not black and white. I also understand that my brothers and sisters in Christ may come to different conclusions on how to vote. I think there needs to be a lot of grace and deference shown here. I will not begrudge anyone who decides to vote for Romney or someone who decides to vote third party. I also understand what is at stake in this election and how bad President Obama is, and how disastrous another four years of his administration would be unchecked.
So the call to be salt and light – salt in this instance for Christians is one that we need to take seriously and prayerfully. Because of this I reject calls to “coalesce” behind the nominee – I’m a Christian first, a conservative second, and a Republican (if I still maintain my registration as such) third. Romney has done more to divide my party so the calls to coalesce ring hallow. He has much to prove as he ran the dirtiest, most negative campaign of anyone in the Republican field and has has largely ignored issues I care deeply about. So I can totally understand why some would never vote for him.
So I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yes either. We’ll see. I have my doubts about his ability to win the general election. I believe that because of the way he positioned himself if the economy were to improve he’ll be sunk. But I don’t base my vote on electability either.
I’m focusing on the down ticket races, and I hope that those who feel slighted by a Romney nomination would do the same. Work to get good people elected to Congress, the Senate, and state legislative seats. Romney won’t have the coattails to help these people so we must.
But no endorsement for Romney from me. I’ll point out where I think he’s right and continue to pound on him where I think he’s wrong – that will not change. I may end up voting for him, but that will likely be it. No yard sign, no volunteering, and I’m certainly not going to tell any of you how to vote. We just need to work to maintain the House and win back the Senate so if Obama is reelected we have a legislative body that will keep him in check.