Biblical Strategy for McCain’s VP and the Election

The Bible tells us that “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1) Since God is in control of how the whole election is going to turn out; how much more control can He have over just one man that proclaims to believe in Him? Sen. McCain has not announced his VP yet; which means there is still time for God to move. My own personal choice would be for McCain to choose Huckabee as his VP; but is that God’s choice? Let’s use some biblical strategy to help McCain be moved in the right direction and trust God to know what that is. What are some of the things He has told us in His word?

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:19-21)

I confess. I haven’t fasted in years. This morning I woke up and God laid it on my heart to fast and pray for Sen. McCain to make the right VP choice for God’s perfect plan. Trusting God with helping McCain choose the right VP and following God’s plan for obtaining the faith to do the impossible; will make my choice of whether or not to vote for McCain a lot easier. I still have total peace with keeping the promise I made to God years ago to vote my Bible. My personal decision will depend on whom McCain picks. To earn my vote, Sen. McCain must pick a VP that has a record of standing for moral values issues. That disqualifies many of those on the rumored short list, including Romney. Romney’s true record is a values voter’s nightmare. Even his miraculous conversion has been overweighed by his actions of recently endorsing and helping a moral values liberal candidate [Charles Summers] even though there was a Republican moral values conservative candidate [Dean Scontras] opposing him. If you are a values voter living in Maine; you can blame Romney that you don’t have a strong pro-life GOP candidate to vote for.

Others that have not made the promise that I did may be led in a different direction. Regardless, it’s not too late to leave this in God’s worthy hands. Will others join with me in prayer and fasting that God will help Sen. McCain make the right VP choice and give us all wisdom in how to vote in November? We can all pray together and choose the best day(s) individually to fast. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

I have a question I’d like answered. Many Christians have made commitments to God that we will NOT vote for candidates with records of being liberal on the moral values issues and we fear God more than Obama; do those opposing Huckabee honestly fear Huckabee more than Obama?

The Romneybots’ Scream “Bigot” “Hale Mary” strategy

We knew about the Rasmussen poll results (linked here) that showed Huckabee leading the VP choices with an overall +8 compared to Romney’s -6; that came out just before publication of the Washington Times article, “Evangelicals warn against McCain-Romney ticket” (read by clicking here) and and an article posted on Real Clear Politics, “McCain Should Pick Romney, And Soon.” (to read article click here) What’s the hurry? Were you worried McCain would wait long enough that we’d all see how Romney hurts the ticket?

Then on Sunday, Aug. 3rd; “white evangelical bigots” were ripped in the Washington Times Editorial, “Campaign is no place for religious bigotry.” (click here to read) Which was probably referring to the Zogby poll results which once again showed Huckabee leading in the rest of the choices. (click here for summary and poll results)

The Sunday Washington Times Editorial was quickly followed by a “Letter to editor: Slander Not True” on Monday, Aug. 4th; once again screaming evangelical bigotry. (read here) At least they published one rebuttal. “Letter to editor: Romney? No Thanks” was published today, Aug. 6th. (read here)

The truth comes out! It appears like the Washington Times published 3 hit pieces in a row to follow up at least 2 separate polls proving Romney hurts more than he helps. Romneybots are kneecapping Huckabee and his supporters; because there is no other strategy. Romney is not anywhere close to hitting the target! They are LOSING any hope of Romney being VP or being the top dog in 2012. When all else fails; scream bigot.

“Kicking” Some “Tires” During Elections

McCain reminds me of an old 9 passenger station wagon we used to own. We could count on it to get us where we needed to go and had room to take others with us. McCain has a record of getting things done and including those from other parties to go along. But, like our old station wagon; McCain is getting older and doesn’t look quite as nice. Although I’m pretty sure he’s got a quite a few miles left; he still needs to choose a good VP as his backup. Rasmussen’s recent poll says the 3 top choices are Huckabee, Lieberman, and Romney.
Read: “Huckabee, Lieberman Have Highest Favorables among Possible McCain Veep Choices”

Lieberman is a Democrat; so as a VP for the GOP, I’d consider him a “foreign” model and would walk on by.  (Way too many years with family members earning their livings by working in factories to buy foreign!)

Romney reminds me of a slick sports car that during the primaries I figuratively “took for a test drive” by doing some research. The records showed the “transmission was slipping” because of some liberal stands on moral values. The “engine was knocking” due to “extremely slow job growth compared to the rest of the country.” The “mechanics” said they fixed the problems; but can I be sure? It’s obvious that Romneycare is still causing it to “burn lots of oil.”
Read: “The Failure of Romneycare Further Demonstrates Romney not an “Economic Conservative.”

Huckabee reminds me of my minivan. It’s a lot like our old station wagon; but a slightly updated model. Like McCain, Huckabee worked really hard and was willing to put partisanship aside to get things done as economically as possible.  He also worked hard for equality of minorities.

I’m sold on McCain/Huckabee; because I sure can’t afford that brand new Obama model SUV! He not only wants us to make the car payments and supply the gas; he also expects us to provide room and board for everyone he decides to give a free ride.

Who Should We Blame?

Environmentalists are complaining about pollution and “global warming.” Everyone is complaining about high energy prices. Christians are complaining about the moral decay of America. As in the phrase, “Thou dost protest too much;” those crying the loudest could be the ones most at fault.

What are environmentalists doing that could possibly cause pollution and what they call “global warming?” America has the technology and some of the strictest laws for pumping and refining oil environmentally friendly; yet we are supplying very little oil. Oil companies are willing to compromise to keep wildlife safe. Yet, the environmentalists and the politicians they have boughten won’t let us drill or refine here. Therefore, other countries are producing our energy needs causing even more global pollution.

All of us can do something to help with the high energy prices. Some analyst believe oil prices will fall immediately if Congress passes laws allowing new oil wells and refineries to be built in our United States and off our shores. Let’s contact our Congressmen and tell them to do their jobs and pass laws to responsibly drill and refine at home. We should be drilling and refining at the same time we are working on new energy possibilities. We should get our autos tuned up, oil changed, tires inflated properly, and slow down. During the “oil shortage” we had a national maximum speed limit that was lifted when it was no longer needed. Discussion should be encouraged to decide whether or not it helped enough to do it again until new technology is implemented. We can also set thermostats higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Use fans to replace and/or supplement air conditioning.

What are we Christians doing wrong that could cause moral decay? I place the largest part of that blame on leaders that are either sissies or hypocrites. Mike Huckabee has said we shouldn’t compromise our principles for some one else’s politics. Yet, many preachers have quit preaching biblical principles because of political “correctness.” Americans are losing our religious freedom because of that failure. “If you don’t use it; you lose it.” Some of our spiritual leaders have been hypocritical during election times. They have enough backbone to preach against sin; but then support candidates that were either openly against or inconsistent in those same moral values.

God told us how to fix America in the Bible. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God doesn’t say He’ll hear, forgive and heal if non-God fearing people “turn from their wicked ways.” What happens to our land depends on those of us that belong to Him. It is us that needs to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Then He will “hear from heaven, and will forgive [our] sin, and will heal [our] land.” Most of God’s promises are conditional; which means God will do something if we do what He tells us to. If we want America fixed we better get our own selves right first; then unite and work together to fix the rest of Americas’ problems.

The Sheepbellion

I’m writing this article to address some issues in an “Exclusive interview with Mark DeMoss.” http://tinyurl.com/5zz86d Mr. DeMoss said he hasn’t been receiving many e-mails about the elections lately. “It’s just very quiet. It could meant there’s a real sense of apathy or it could mean they’re’ waiting for the general election to begin. But it’s a surprise, given the way email networks work now.”

Later in the interview he said, “And there’s this fascination with Barack Obama. So I will not be surprised if he gets one third of the evangelical vote. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was 40-percent.”

1. Why aren’t evangelicals e-mailing about political concerns?

Many of us are still in shock. We cannot believe that after years of preaching to vote our Bibles; many of our “shepherds” were leading us in the wrong directions. Some supported openly pro-abortion pro-homosexual candidates. Others supported candidates with a history of supporting pro-homosexual and pro-abortion agendas; expecting us to just trust that their conveniently timed “conversion” to moral values was genuine. Some of them literally sold out for a chair and a promise of a seat at the rich mans table. Do you really wonder why the “sheep” are no longer looking to those people for advice? Especially, since there was a candidate with a 100% pro-moral values record to choose from instead.

2. Why are so many evangelicals supporting and voting for Obama?

Many of the “sheep” aren’t as grounded in the Scriptures as others. But, they probably heard about some of the other candidates’ records of weaknesses on moral values or flip flops. Why were we told we shouldn’t vote for Kerry because his pro-abortion and pro-homosexual views were wrong and then told to vote for Rudy? Why were we told Kerry’s record of flip flops was a good reason not to vote for him and then told to vote for Romney? Wouldn’t some consider that hypocritical? Why wouldn’t ungrounded sheep fall for Obama’s message not even realizing he had “changed” God’s true message of “faith, hope, and charity” to “Hope – Faith – Change”?

Not all of the voters did the research and knew about Huckabee’s consistent record or the lies conservative talk show hosts, Thompson, Romney, and the Club for Growth, were spreading. Many of us were faithful FOXNEWS watchers before we realized how biased they were against Huckabee. If America elects Obama; it will be partly due to the problems caused by our “leaders” leading in the wrong direction.

Many values conservative are lower income wage earners. “We the people” want someone with moral values that is willing to listen to us. Read my blog article, “Reagan’s 4 legged elephant landslide victory” to see what it takes for Republican victories.

3. Is there really a sense of apathy or silence?

Some of us sheep are trying to lead the charge to “change” things in the right direction. You might be surprised at how much is really going on in our grassroots effort. Visit http://www.huckpac.com/ to see how actively Huckabee has been working to get conservative value candidates elected. He currently has a poll in his blog link asking what we feel are some of the most important issues. He has asked our advice on why we are losing seats in formerly safe red areas to the Dems. We have an army of supporters and are looking to enlist more recruits at http://forum.hucksarmy.com/.

Some of us Huckabee supporters are fighting hard for McCain to choose Huckabee as his VP to “Save 08”. If you agree with our cause and have the backbone to stand up and fight the Washington elitist; come join our special forces at http://save08.org/ . Read how each one of us can make a difference by working on the area right in front of us like Nehemiah. If you decide to join up; please tell them you were recruited by Granny T.

Thank you to all my friends and fellow soldiers at Huck’s Army that helped me with this blog article.

Reagan’s 4 legged elephant landslide victory

Reagan was the best thing that happened to America in my lifetime. We are still reaping benefits from Reaganomics. McCain has been good at supporting laws against wasteful spending. He explained that his reason for being against the tax cuts was because controlling spending was not included in it. So, McCain is pretty good on that leg. McCain strongest leg is his military background and support of military strength. Moral values or social conservatism is the leg many values voters believe McCain is weakest on.

Reagan’s landslide win was due to his standing on the 4th leg of his elephant. He was a populist that believed “we the people” are the boss. He was against corporate greed and believed people should be paid decent wages. Reagan was able to woo moderate to conservative Democrats because of his strong moral values and populist attitude. Bush was also able to win by standing on those same 4 legs using his “passionate conservatism” form of populism. The difference between the two is Bush hasn’t been a hawk on excessive spending like he should have been.

People don’t have to buy into the global warming theory to want to have clean air or to try to find other forms of energy. We need to be able to be energy independent. Most Republicans realize we can drill new wells and build new refineries “environmentally friendly.” Huckabee could help in communicating that message. The more I study the Fair Tax; the more I like it. If Huckabee has the communication skills many of us believe he has; he might get the Fair Tax sold to McCain, the people, and Congress.

Obama is further to the left than any Democrat I can remember. I have had several Independents and Democrats tell me that if Huckabee is chosen as VP they will vote for McCain. My dad is one of those, “I was born a Democrat and I’ll die a Democrat.” Obama scares him. He is seriously thinking of voting for McCain if he chooses Huckabee; because of Huckabee’s pro-union populist stand. Both McCain and Huckabee have a history of reaching across party lines. If my diehard Democrat dad will vote for McCain if Huckabee is on the ticket; there is hope for others. We might be able to “save 08″ after all; because I believe McCain/Huckabee can win because of America’s history. If McCain is smart enough to choose Huckabee; we might even see that landslide victory again.

How Can We Cure Our Healthcare Crisis?

Someone I respect said, “We don’t have a health care crisis; we have a health crisis.” He believes Americans need to take personal responsibility by eating healthy and exercising more. Who? Me? But, you don’t understand my physical disabilities and limitations. Diets, Yuk! I need my comfort foods!

I’ll give some personal information before getting back to the health crisis facing America and some possible solutions. I am a morbidly obese junk food junkie. I have had a weight problem ever since my 2^nd child was born. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was on Synthroid for 35 years. In spite of taking my medication regularly; I still gained weight. My dose was increased numerous times over the years and I still gained weight. Two years ago, I heard about a Dr. that was promoting a “new” treatment for what he termed “Wilson’s Syndrome.” It took me quite a while to find a Dr. that would be willing to work with me. I felt better than I had in years and started slowly losing weight without any increased activity or diet changes. (About 20 pounds over 1 year) The follow up lab work revealed the medication had changed me from being hypothyroid to being hyperthyroid. I was devastated. Fortunately, instead of placing me back on my original medication; my doctor prescribed an old time prescription that was made with natural ingredients rather than synthetic. I’ve been on Armour Thyroid for several months and have not had any weight change. Although, I hadn’t lost any more weight; at least I’m not gaining anymore and I’m no where near as fatigued as I was on Synthroid. Do you have symptoms of hypothyroid? Take the quiz: http://tinyurl.com/4dhwqc For more information for natural treatment of thyroid disorder: http://tinyurl.com/497op3

What can be done to help Americans exercise more and eat healthier? How can we help Americans take responsibility for our own physical condition? Non-nutritious foods seem to have longer shelf life and cost less than nutritious foods. Could that be part of the reason for the high obesity rate among lower and middle income Americans? Gov. Huckabee suggested allocating “food stamps” value according to the nutritional value of foods. Should empty calorie foods (soft drinks, candy, cookies, cakes, etc.) be paid for with tax dollars at all? Should a “sin” tax be placed on junk foods similar to that on cigarettes and liquor; with the tax money going toward helping with the added cost for government funded healthier foods and healthcare? Natural vitamin C has been proven to prevent Scurvy. Many nutritionally minded health care professionals believe natural vitamins and minerals can help prevent medical conditions that synthetics can’t. Therefore, shouldn’t our foods be enriched naturally rather than synthetically? Could these types of changes cause food manufacturers to include more nutritional ingredients even in things like sweets? Could prevention be more cost efficient than treatment in the long haul? Regardless, America needs to put more emphasis on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness in our schools and communities.

A friend posted a poll online to see if there was any interest to join a weight loss challenge where she set up the prize money to go for a cause we support. I looked at the newly posted poll and replied I’d vote in it if she added on more choice. She laughed and added: I’ll try to “Quit Digging Your [My] Grave with a Knife and Fork.” The weight loss competition started on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. There’s plenty of time to join us because it doesn’t end until Sept. 6, 2008. I’d like to give a special thank you to my friend, Amy, for starting the competition to help motivate me. My main goal is to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight, lots of weight! Please consider joining us in the HuckFIT Weight Loss Competition. http://tinyurl.com/3vu3tg Together we can become healthier one step and/or one ounce at a time.

Comments of other helpful ideas, tips, and personal encouragement are welcome. Moderation is enabled for all comments due to previous problems.

Icing on the Cake for a 2008 McCain Win

McCain has won the nomination and the Republican Party has started campaigning for the general election; which means moving toward the middle to woo Independents and Democrats. With his “maverick” record, McCain has the ability to win some by himself. He has foreign policy experience, spending restraint, and a strong military backing. He needs to decide which potential VP candidate can help him seal the deal. He needs someone with chief executive experience working across party lines accomplishing things on the GOP platform, restoring and improving things funded by the government as fiscally responsible as possible. He especially needs help with rural areas, small towns, the religious right, and the south.

Since the Democrats have been extremely successful at fund raising; he needs help there. Romney has been doing a pretty good job; but will it be enough once the nomination is clenched? The Democrat candidates have been spending massive amounts on campaigning. They have plenty of wealthy backers and 527s.

McCain may need a VP that can help with campaigning on a tight budget with lots of grassroots support. If Obama wins the Democrat nomination; McCain will need a VP with good communication skills that can help promote the GOP platform message, appeals to conservative black voters, the youth voters, disgruntled union workers, and small town “bitter” religious gun toting voters. If Hillary wins the Democrat nomination; McCain will need someone that can appeal to the disgruntled black voters, the more conservative union and small town voters, and has experience fighting against the “Clinton machine.” Gov. Mike Huckabee’s record fills all of the most needed qualities plus one that isn’t mentioned often. Let me explain.

I was a Reagan Democrat and agree with Reagan, I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, they left me. What happened to “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”? Reaganomics works. Republicans help take care of our wallets by keeping taxes low enough that employers can afford to pay employees and both are willing to work harder to gain more. Many of our party are looking for the next Reagan. There will never be another Ronald Reagan. But, I believe Gov. Huckabee has many similarities and I’d like to point out some of them.

• Strong on the pro-life issue
• Supports a pro-life amendment
• Strong on gun rights
• Attacked by Republican elites
• Democrats think he’d be easy to beat
• Promotes helping small business owners
• Promotes changing our tax system to encourage productivity
• Promotes personal responsibility
• Reaching out to the blue collar workers (the middle class majority)
• Communicates well explaining why he believes what he believes
• Believes the state is responsible for its parks, schools, roads, etc.
• Willing to raise state taxes for fiscally responsible state funded responsibilities
• Wants to leave the place better than it was before he came
• Promotes stronger military
• Promotes border security
• Promotes US sovereignty
• Against LOST, the Law of the Sea Treaty
• Supports Israel
• Believes Judges appointed are a major decision
• Has a good sense of humor
• Worked as radio sportscasters
• Former Governor
• Listens to “we the people”
• Willing to serve the people rather than rule the people
• Got things done even if they didn’t do it like everyone else
• Strong leader
• Wants to run a clean campaign concentrating on the issues
• Willing to seek God’s help

McCain’s and Huckabee’s strengths overcome the weaknesses of the other. A McCain/ Huckabee ticket can help bring Reagan Democrats and Independents back to the Republican Party. McCain/Huckabee and their grassroots support could make a Reagan like GOP victory possible.

Comment moderation is enabled. Please don’t use any foul language or negative comments. If you support another VP choice; please post positive comments about your choice rather than kneecapping someone else’s. If you aren’t willing to abide by these rules; I will assume you are a Democrat troll and will not approve your comment. Thank you.

Can Romney and Huckabee Supporters Call a Truce?

An article posted on Real Clear Politics by “The Huckabee Alliance” hit home. http://tinyurl.com/5vhr5r I too have been used as a “pawn” during the elections. Partly due to genetics (hot-headed Irish mixed with bull-headed German) and partly due to my upbringing. I was taught to stand up and fight for what I believe in, defend people I care about, and the best defense is a good offense. I took several of the candidate match quizzes and matched best with Gov. Huckabee on every one I took. (Except for the one on foxnews.com that didn’t have Gov. Huckabee’s true stands on some of the issues) When Gov. Romney started his kneecap campaigning against MY candidate and the majority of the media joined him; the fight was on. I am still boycotting FOXNEWS and the “conservative” talk show hosts for their biased reporting and opinions; and because they’ve since begun a joint effort of promoting Gov. Romney as Sen. McCain’s VP.

Gov. Huckabee has enough good qualities; I shouldn’t have to point out the qualities I find lacking in other candidates for the VP position. If Sen. McCain doesn’t choose a consistent moral values conservative as his VP; I can’t vote GOP with a clear conscience. Will I do something as stupid as Ms, Coulter and support a liberal Democrat? NO WAY! With the revival of the “civil war” in the Democrat Party and the “anyone but McCain” discontented Republicans, there should be lots of help with starting a massive write-in campaign; if we didn’t organize soon enough to have “none of the above” placed on the ballots.

From now on, I will do my best to avoid kneecapping the opposition. If Gov. Romney’s supporters and Gov. Huckabee’s supporters can call a “truce” on the kneecapping; we can all post reasons why we think our candidate is best choice for Sen. McCain’s VP rather than why the other candidate is bad. This will be hard to do if both sides aren’t willing. I know my Irish temper will get in the way if Gov. Huckabee or we supporters are continued to be bashed and used as “pawns.”

Watch for my reasons for believing Gov. Huckabee is the best choice for Sen. McCain’s VP on my blog in the near future.

Was Huckabee’s “Jab” Really Aimed at Democrats?

After hearing the implied “jab” in context in which Huckabee was discussing the contrast in the election between the Democrats and Republicans; is it possible the “jab” was aimed at the Democrats rather than Gov. Romney? Could Elizabeth Holmes have an ulterior motive for trying to stir up more conflict between Gov. Huckabee’s and Gov. Romney’s supporters in her Wall Street Journal article?

“Slouched in one of the two captain’s chairs, Huckabee used his time with the press to take a thinly veiled jab at another former opponent, Mitt Romney. “You know for me, the fortunate thing is I don’t have to go around and unsay anything I said during the campaign,” he said, earning another chuckle from McCain.” http://tinyurl.com/3h4r5o

Is there some reason Ms. Holmes can’t stand seeing Sen. McCain and Gov. Huckabee getting along so well? Did Ms. Holmes read about the New York Times Magazine article in which the infamous question asked by Gov. Huckabee with an “innocent voice” being up for an award? http://tinyurl.com/554plk Could she be thinking if she could cause trouble in the GOP she might receive an award, too? You decide.

The CNN article “Rivals no more” has a link to a video almost 11 minutes long. http://tinyurl.com/3uln5u Watching the video you can see how comfortable and relaxed Sen. McCain and Gov. Huckabee are together. Sen. McCain’s comment about Gov. Huckabee at the beginning of the video sums it up. “We are friends; we became friends on the campaign trail.”

Here is part of the interview so you can evaluate the “jab” in context to help with your decision. I did my best to transcribe it correctly from the CNN video.

Huckabee: “The main thing is getting Sen. McCain elected. That’s what’s important for all Republicans who care about the future of the country. There’s going to be a real stark contrast between Sen. McCain and either of the Democrats. We’ve got to make sure that America makes the right decision in Nov. and that’s what’s important.”

Reporter: “Do you expect to be on the road for Sen. McCain?”

Sen. McCain: “Yes!” [Laughter]

Reporter: [inaudible question]

Huckabee: “Absolutely! We’ve conversed and our staff has talked to Sen. McCain’s staff. We hope to be able to help in a number of areas; wherever we’re called upon to be helpful you bet. Because I think this election is a pivotal seminal election in America. And the contrast is going to be stark and significant. This isn’t a matter of degrees. It will be a very different direction America will take depending on who the next president is. As a result to that; it’s going to matter a lot to us. You know for me the fortunate thing is I don’t have to go around and unsay anything I said during the campaign. We had a very civil relationship. I thought it was significant that I felt like the two of us that ran frankly the most civil campaigns in the entire Republican primary ended up the last two on our feet. I hope that’s a sign of things to come in terms of the type of campaign. Sen. McCain is clearly running that type of campaign throughout the process as evident by his actions and comments this week. I think it goes well for the long term future of the Republican Party the manner in which he’s carrying the overall effort.” http://tinyurl.com/3uln5u

Can you imagine Clinton and Obama teaming up on the campaign trail after the primaries are over? It will be almost impossible for me to think of them as friends after one of them knocks the other out.

After hearing Huckabee’s “jab” comment in context; I wish we could see or hear the “innocent voice” question in context, too. We’ll probably never know the real reason the author of the NYT Magazine article decided to include it. But, it certainly accomplished stirring up trouble in the GOP and helped knock out the religious right’s champion during the primary elections.