Boss
Take a Memo:
Here is my list of the Top 10 Conservative candidates for president. I have attempted to rank them on the basis of core Conservative philosophy and principles and disregard individual ideologies. This is sometimes problematic when there is a clash between individual ideology and true conservatism. In some cases it may cost a candidate a few points because they have a problem with conflicting principles and because the list is supposed to be Conservatives that is the default in evaluation. Feel free to disagree, this is just where my personal score card has it based on what I've seen.
1. Ted Cruz
The most Reagan-like conservative in the race. Makes very sound and well-reasoned arguments for core conservative principles, doesn't budge or hesitate and doesn't back down. He scores a solid 99%
2. Ben Carson
Very much a principled conservative who articulates the conservative philosophy in his viewpoints well. He may be slightly less outspoken than Cruz on the issues but the man thinks with a conservative mind. He scores 97%
3. Rick Santorum
A solid conservative voice. Perhaps a little too driven by social conservative ideology, he is still a strong and articulate advocate of Conservatism. He scores a solid 96%
4. Bobby Jindal
Very solid conservative philosophy and record. Makes very good reasoned arguments for the conservative message but maybe lacks the gravitas of name recognition of some others He gets a score of 94%
5. Donald Trump
He has previously taken very non-conservative positions on issues but he has never really been liberal. Most of what he is currently saying is right out of the Ronald Reagan play book. Whether or not it's just a good sales job remains to be seen but I believe the man is a principled Conservative in his views. He scores a respectable 92%
6. Marco Rubio
Another consistent conservative thinker. He is kind of like the male Latino version of Carly Fiorina. He is a little too 'touchy-feely' for me... reminds me of Bush's "compassionate conservatism" a bit. He scores 89%
7. Carly Fiorina
A fairly consistent conservative in a very blue state. She makes sound arguments for core conservative principles but may be a little to the Neocon side of the spectrum ideologically. She scores 88%
8. Rand Paul
He would score considerably higher if not for the strong libertarian ideological rhetoric. He is like the Thomas Paine of our time. Much of his ideological message is rooted in core conservative principles. He suffers a bit for being so passionate about personal ideology. He gets a score of 82%
9. Mike Huckabee
Very much a social conservative, he talks a good game. He is not as fiscally conservative which is the problem with most social conservatives. It is this conflict between his strong social conservative principles and the core philosophy of conservatism that knocks him down several notches in my book. He scores 75%
10. Chris Christie
Another blue state conservative who is probably more of a centrist in terms of philosophy. He doesn't really seem to grasp what conservative philosophy is about and can't genuinely articulate it. He scores 60%
1. Ted Cruz
The most Reagan-like conservative in the race. Makes very sound and well-reasoned arguments for core conservative principles, doesn't budge or hesitate and doesn't back down. He scores a solid 99%
2. Ben Carson
Very much a principled conservative who articulates the conservative philosophy in his viewpoints well. He may be slightly less outspoken than Cruz on the issues but the man thinks with a conservative mind. He scores 97%
3. Rick Santorum
A solid conservative voice. Perhaps a little too driven by social conservative ideology, he is still a strong and articulate advocate of Conservatism. He scores a solid 96%
4. Bobby Jindal
Very solid conservative philosophy and record. Makes very good reasoned arguments for the conservative message but maybe lacks the gravitas of name recognition of some others He gets a score of 94%
5. Donald Trump
He has previously taken very non-conservative positions on issues but he has never really been liberal. Most of what he is currently saying is right out of the Ronald Reagan play book. Whether or not it's just a good sales job remains to be seen but I believe the man is a principled Conservative in his views. He scores a respectable 92%
6. Marco Rubio
Another consistent conservative thinker. He is kind of like the male Latino version of Carly Fiorina. He is a little too 'touchy-feely' for me... reminds me of Bush's "compassionate conservatism" a bit. He scores 89%
7. Carly Fiorina
A fairly consistent conservative in a very blue state. She makes sound arguments for core conservative principles but may be a little to the Neocon side of the spectrum ideologically. She scores 88%
8. Rand Paul
He would score considerably higher if not for the strong libertarian ideological rhetoric. He is like the Thomas Paine of our time. Much of his ideological message is rooted in core conservative principles. He suffers a bit for being so passionate about personal ideology. He gets a score of 82%
9. Mike Huckabee
Very much a social conservative, he talks a good game. He is not as fiscally conservative which is the problem with most social conservatives. It is this conflict between his strong social conservative principles and the core philosophy of conservatism that knocks him down several notches in my book. He scores 75%
10. Chris Christie
Another blue state conservative who is probably more of a centrist in terms of philosophy. He doesn't really seem to grasp what conservative philosophy is about and can't genuinely articulate it. He scores 60%
