Justus For All

It looks like the Republican race has narrowed down to Mitt Romney and John McCain.  Giuliani, who I was rooting for, had I think a viable strategy of focusing on the late game, but it was torpedoed by McCain emerging from the early primaries as the front runner.  McCain and Giuliani attract a lot of the same people, and McCain being strong weakened Giuliani.

As it is, of the two left I don’t really have a favorite.  McCain has earned long lasting emnity from me for his campaign finance reform, and Romney is just a bit too slick and wishy-washy on some of the issues.  That said, there is a lot to admire about both of these men as well.

In addition to being a genuine hero, McCain is certainly strong on defense and I agree with a lot of his positions, even (or perhaps especially) on things like immigration where McCain and I are both pretty far out of step with the GOP faithful.   His leadership ability hasn’t been tested, but on most issues I agree with him and it is clear that on many of them he is passionate and committed.

Romney is a tested executive with deep expirience in the business world and a strong history as Governor.  His management skills have been tested, most famously in his ’saving’ of the Salt Lake Olympics and he is probably the most able leader we have seen along those lines in a long time.  While is Governing principles seem soft, his ability to make things happen is impressive, and he would likely be able to very effectively chart a consensus style government.  Nothing dramatic probably, but boring stuff done well is in its own way remarkable.

I am rooting for Romney in Florida however, not because I am sure that I prefer him over McCain, but because he is just a little bit of an underdog right now and I would like to see this contest continue for a while.  The Republicans have a choice between two able men, with flaws certainly, but worthy of respect as well.