[Hoot Gibson]

^ I understand where you are coming from completely. You don’t have to scream and shout in order to be a person of principle. Ben Carson is a person who says what he thinks, hasn’t spent decades screwing the pooch in Washington or flying his ass from the media flagpole, and he isn’t friends with the pack rats running through the sewers of democracy.

Carson is doing something no one has done in decades, combine a values-laden conservative message with a soft-spoken, humble persona. Others who have sought Reagan’s mantle have emulated elements of the Gipper’s approach, but none have spoken the language of freedom and the morality of the Bible with such eloquence until now. Carson is as close to unifying all wings of conservatism as anyone since George W. Bush in 2000.

I supported George W. Bush's foreign policy, but I never really considered him to be a conservative. Let's not forget that had it not been for public outrage fueled by right wing talk radio, the amnesty for illegals bill that was crafted by Rubio, McCain, and rest of the Gang of Eight would have landed on Bush's desk, and Bush was ready to sign it.

The thing that Reagan had going for him that is often overlooked was that behind that smiling face was a very effective negotiator. Reagan's personal library was filled with books on history and politics and his experience as a union leader and two-term California governor prepared him well for the Oval Office. Carson is obviously a man of strong faith, great intelligence, and character, but he is not remotely as prepared to step into the presidency as Reagan was.

As for GWB and the Bush family, I have lost much of what respect I once had for them. George H. W. Bush's recent attacks on Rumsfeld and Cheney were really classless, IMO. George W.'s statement that he dislikes Cruz also bothers me. These are the same people who enjoy socializing with the criminal former White House residents, Bill and Hillary Clinton, attacking men who served in their administrations with dedication and distinction. This is the same family who steadfastly refused to criticize Obama as he has actively worked to destroy our form of government and the very fabric of our society.

I really have no use for the Bush family and their close family friends, the Clintoons.