Note to Conservatives: Winning is All About Momentum (or How Not to Play Into the Hands of Liberals)

Republicans are at it again. Instead of being beaten in national or statewide races, Republicans too often lose those races on their own.

There is a movement among conservatives to "send a message" in Tuesday's primary. For example, Belling puts it this way: "Republican voters, distraught over McCain’s certain nomination, will trudge to the polls to register their disgust the only way they know how - by voting for Huckabee." Owen Robinson of bootsandsabers.com, who I like and usually agree with, published an editorial explaining that McCain is a lousy choice and that, while he will vote for him in the general election, he will not be voting for him in Tuesday's primary. That piece ran after McCain had all but locked-up the nomination. Sarah from GOP3 published a piece today urging readers to vote for Hillary (and suggesting that a McCain presidency would result in liberal Democrats controlling the White House for four terms). While Sarah's post can be charitably described as silly, it is indicative of much of the "thinking" that seems to be coming from many.

Charlie Sykes is, as he often is, the voice of reason among southeastern Wisconsin conservatives on this issue. He has endorsed McCain. While bloggers and pundits are not indicative of voters as a whole, I believe Charlie is a somewhat lonely voice in the conservative wilderness.

Election results are usually about momentum. For example, why is Obama currently the odds-on favorite to win the Democratic nomination? He has momentum. Likewise, presidential general elections are often won by the candidate who has momentum going into the general election.

Conservatives who are slamming McCain now are taking away his momentum. Conservative and moderate voters should be showing undecided voters that there is only one choice for president: John McCain. This should be the time conservatives and moderates come together to rally behind their candidate.

Momentum propelled Ronald Reagan to the White House. A unified party ensured George Bush's election and reelection. Of course, in those elections, party moderates got behind their party's candidate. Too many conservatives feel no such loyalty or simply do not understand how elections work. They become the utopians about which Edmund Burke warned us.

For the next several weeks, the national news will be about the Democratic race, with a footnote about how McCain is doing worse than expected. That helps the Democrats and hurts the Republican Party.

I am proud to be a conservative ideologically; however, when conservatives lose track of the real world, I am embarrassed.