The Republican debates so far have been an exposition of the good, the bad and the ugly.  I know it is a normal part of the political process, and I believe it is healthy for our system.  Only by thoroughly vetting our candidates can we make an intelligent choice to move forward against President Obama.  In a previous post I stated my opinion that maybe what a candidate shouldn’t say but does, can be as important as what they all know they are expected to say.   Aside from blurting out controversial stances, or embellishing reality in the heat of the moment, some of the Presidential hopefuls are allowing themselves to be bogged down in the minutiae of their ideas.

Herman Cain immediately comes to mind.  I have been a Cain supporter since the first time I saw him speak.  In spite of his obvious financial success and status, he brings from his background, a strong set of middle class values and common sense.  I wish however, that we were hearing less about his “999″ tax plan, and more about how he will bolster his lack of political and foreign affairs experience.  The details of his tax plan are almost irrelevant since no President can change something this large without significant tinkering by Congress.

The more time Cain spends explaining and defending his plan, the less time he has to convince Conservatives and Independents that he has the vision to tackle all the elements of the Presidency.  We all know that revenue from taxes is important, but the control of spending is far more critical at this time.  I would save the large initiatives for after Inauguration Day, and then let them stand or fall on their merits.

As for the rest of the candidates in the field, they need to keep sight of the prize.  Trying to destroy each other is counter-productive and only gives the media and Liberals ammunition to marginalize the Conservative cause.  ABO (Anybody But Obama) isn’t going to work, and I believe it is about time that some of the other Republican candidates start to honestly assess their own strengths and true likelihood of defeating this incumbent.  It will soon be time to back away, and lend their full support to those most prepared and likely to prevail against Obama.

Like America, the Republican Party will find its strength in unity.  In the debates as well as their campaigns, the candidates need to “circle the wagons” to display agreement and unity of purpose with a positive, hopeful message to the American people.  There is no time to provide fodder for detractors.  Rather, we need to see a clear message of recovery, prosperity for all and a sane economic future for our children.  I want to hear a broad governing philosophy that moves America in the right direction.

The candidates need to stop bickering about minutiae and instead provide us with a change of mindset in Washington that will restore this Country’s greatness and guarantee its growth and power for years to come.

Originally posted on 10/22/2011 at ConservativeCompass.com