Why Choosing the Best Option to Beat President Obama is More Important

COMMENTARY | I am a registered voter in Florida who currently is without a party affiliation. However, I am considering registering as a Republican to vote in the Florida Republican presidential primary taking place on January 31, 2012. Florida is a closed primary state, where only registered party members are eligible to vote.

My Opinion Of President Obama

I have not been impressed with Barack Obama, not necessarily because I believe that his policies are taking America in the wrong direction, but that he consistently kowtows to the Republican leadership, led by Speaker of the House John Boehner. I have felt that many of Obama’s economic proposals and his healthcare initiatives that have been passed during his presidency have been good for our country ‘s future. However, Obama has not fought hard against more tax cutting, which will not solve the problems of Social Security and Medicare, the biggest threats to runaway government spending.

A Genuine Alternative, Or One Better Than Obama?

As I have followed the primary season, I have seen many “flavors of the month” come and go, from Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Herman Cain go from front-runner to has-been or out of the race, such as former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Our final alternatives for a challenger to President Obama are either former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Romney has gathered support from the established leadership of the Republican Party, including my congressman, Mario Diaz-Balart, while Gingrich’s support comes from the rank-and-file membership.

How I See This Shaping Up

In the end, I think most people, up to 90 percent of the electorate, who will vote in the general election have made up their mind between President Obama or the Republican candidate, whomever he or she is. However, I suggest that they support the candidate who can offer up the best chance of winning. The 10 percent or so who will decide will consider the Republican candidate not as a Republican, but as the alternative to Barack Obama. If this candidate is not respected or wanted by the party’s membership, what expectation is there that a person not loyal to the Republican Party will vote for the Republican candidate? Anyone running for the Republican Party will espouse the party line, but it is more important to choose the person who can beat Barack Obama. This election is about the performance and expectations of President Obama.

I still have a few more days to decide if I want to join the Republican Party to vote in their Florida primary. I wonder if the tracking polls will decide that for me before then.


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