Good News About 2012 Political Prospects

I know there are many who are disappointed about the way the Republican presidential nominating process is going.

It's true that none of the top-polling contenders are "perfect candidates." It's also true that, as of right now, there is little certainty the Republican nominee will defeat Barack Obama. That's not what I had hoped to see at this stage of the presidential election year, but I'm still hopeful and optimistic that 2012 could be a significant turning point in the direction of the country. Let me tell you why.

First, remember, I'm the guy who wrote the book "None of the Above: Why 2008 is the Year to Cast the Ultimate Protest Vote." (It's still worth reading, by the way, especially for 99 cents, because the principles remain the same for every election.) Some people still blame me personally for Obama's victory.

But the good news on this front in 2012 is that there is only one major Republican candidate for whom I could not pull the lever should he receive the nomination. That would be Mitt Romney. I won't go into all the reasons here because I have done so frequently in the past — most recently here. That means there is an excellent chance Republicans will nominate a candidate who offers a clear and compelling alternative to Obama, even if he is not ideal.

Second, all the polls suggest Republicans will add to their majority in the House and win additional seats in the Senate. Even though we have seen the Republican-controlled House disappoint us severely this year, it can't be considered bad thing in terms of an improved governing perspective from Washington.

Lastly, and this is the big one, we have a solid year to set the stage for what could be the most dramatic turnaround moment in the history of the republic with just one congressional vote next year. But, and this is a big but, it will take real work, organization and sacrifice — right now.

If there were ever a need for a rededicated, refocused, rejuvenated, re-energized Tea Party movement, this is it!

We've got to start working hard on the one issue — the one vote — that can return Washington to a constitutionally limited government overnight.

The issue is the insane levels of borrowing that are sustaining out-of-control government.

And the one vote will come early in 2013 on raising the debt limit, again.

It's time to get every Republican presidential candidate on the record right now on whether or not they will push for more borrowing when they take office. (Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann are already on record as to what they would do — just say no, as they courageously did last summer.) Now it's time to hear from Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry. It's almost surreal that they have never been asked this question in any public debate yet!

Nevertheless, the president has little say on raising the debt limit. All that is needed is for one house of Congress to vote no. Is it too much to ask that we convince Republican officeholders and candidates for the House and Senate to commit — to pledge — to take the one and only action necessary and vital to stop the borrowing that is bankrupting the country? Let's face it; if we can't get them to take that position in an election year, the Constitution is toast.

That's why I have embarked on a bold plan to make the debt limit the political dividing line — the litmus test that truly separates the men from the boys on fiscal responsibility. It's called the "No More Red Ink" campaign, and it is four-pronged and simple. We can't afford any more 10-year, Paul Ryan-style plans to balance the budget. The only way to do it is cold turkey.

Of course, it will require an overnight $1 trillion cut in the federal budget. Few in Washington have the guts to call for that. Only 22 House Republicans voted in opposition to the disastrous debt-limit hike last summer. We've got a year to multiply that number by 10 — and I think it is doable with a sustained uprising.

Are you with me on this?

Every poll shows Americans are — with even Democrat majorities supporting the cold turkey, "No More Red Ink" approach.

Earlier this year, we were successful at sending House Republicans 1 million letters urging them to just say no to any debt increase. Obviously, they didn't get the message. So maybe it will take 2 million letters — or more. Whatever it takes, it must be done.

There is simply no other way to end business-as-usual in Washington. We've got to convince them to cut up the credit card the next time they have the chance. This is something Republicans alone can do. Isn't it time we learn, once and for all, if they will ever live up to their rhetoric about the Constitution and fiscal responsibility?

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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