It has begun. Presidential candidates are flooding our state in hopes of bringing their message forth for 2016. Vetting these candidates can be a daunting task. It is true that politics can be a trying thing.
I myself awoke to the political world here in New Hampshire about four years ago. When I saw the level of subterfuge and out-right political falsehoods being perpetrated in my community, I decided to jump into the proverbial game. Having won a seat in the 2012 NH State House after a primary and general election in Belknap District 8, I learned being a “Conservative” can be a tricky thing.
Lesson One.
After serving all but two months of my term in the NH State House, my family and I moved to Hooksett for business reasons. At that time, we decided to take on a sitting state senator who was not living up to his rhetoric of standing up for the “little guy”. This State Senator assisted in bringing us Medicaid Expansion, and the NH Gas Tax. He was soft on the Second Amendment. Again, there was a challenge to run against an establishment GOP candidate, and my family and I decided to take this challenge on.
This senator spent over $150,000 to win his primary (with over $180,000 spent in the total election). Despite having only about $18,000 in campaign funding, we were very competitive and lost by only 483 votes despite running in a brand new district. On the positive side, I learned much about the establishment “machine” of the NH GOP. Unfortunately, none of it was pretty. Lesson Two.
This past week, Senator Ted Cruz came to NH for three different events. I was lucky enough to catch him at the first event at Turbocam in Barrington, which was free to the public. Sen. Cruz spoke for a few minutes and then took questions. It was obvious Senator Cruz stands UNFLINCHINGLY behind our Constitution. And, if we examine Sen. Cruz’s voting record, we know he solidly stands behind his Conservative principles. It is equally apparent, this constancy can sometimes upset the moderate faction of the GOP. Good to know. Lesson Three.
During his “conversation” with the 200 plus folks in attendance, it was immediately apparent that Sen. Cruz has a gift for communication. His discourse with the crowd was a lesson in taking complex material and delivering it back in a palatable, optimistic, and easy to understand manner. This is an extremely important gift. Lesson Four.
In my opinion, Senator Cruz offers our country a unique opportunity. He is charismatic and can communicate the case for Constitutional Conservatism in an understandable, and upbeat fashion. The Bully Pulpit is an amazing thing. It can change hearts and minds. We need a LEADER in that pulpit who can help us find our way back from the abyss of government overreach and bureaucracy. We need a leader who can effectively communicate WHY our Constitution is so very important. Sen. Ted Cruz just may be this person.
So, pay attention, folks. Do your own homework. Don’t let the media or the hype get in your way. This next presidential election will be the most important election in our lifetime. Do not leave the job of vetting candidates to anyone but yourself. Yes indeed. This just may be the most important lesson of all!
