People are constantly faced with choices in their lives. At times the choice which appears to be the correct one to make may in the long run reveal itself as not that good of a decision and the same is true vice versa. This is especially so when faced with the choice of whom to support amongst several candidates during a primary. Although some folks have become discouraged over the years when the choice they’ve selected turned out to not be as originally envisioned, it’s important to continue making decisions and choosing the candidate which appears best at the time. At other times, one choice is obviously negative and although the other option may not be perfect, it is definitely the better of the two – as explained all the way below.

Since no-one is perfect and it is impossible to agree with one’s candidate/supported official 100% of the time, even when making a correct choice it is often accompanied with many gray areas which at times overshadow the white. Prior to the 2010 elections Arlen Specter, Republican Senator of purple-blue Pennsylvania was approaching a reelection and wavered on a decision before ultimately shocking and angering Republicans when he cast his vote in favor of Obama’s stimulus plan. This was the first time he sided with the Democrats on a major bill and his action resulted in conservatives and Tea Partiers to declare war on Specter at every cost. Their mission appeared noble and correct, and Pat Toomey is now the Republican Senator of Pennsylvania after barely winning the general election with a single point in the 2010 mid-term elections; a year in which Republicans swept victories across the country. He is surely a better representative of conservative values in the Senate than Specter had been.

However, the price tag it had cost for conservatives to place Toomey in the Senate had turned out be unexpectedly sky-rocketing expensive and resulted in many to question whether the goal was worth the consequences. When Specter saw he would be unable to win the Republican Primary, he made a mad dash to save his seat, switched parties, and provided the Democrats with the 60^th vote which led to the passage of their infamous Obamacare. Thus, although we now have a solid conservative in the Senate who replaced a RINO (not an outright liberal) we are now weighed down with Obamacare which threatens to overtake a sixth of the private sector and is currently awaiting judgment on its constitutionality by the Supreme Court Justices.

Incidentally, two of our current conservative Supreme Court Justices, Roberts and Alito, are currently on the bench thanks to Specter, after Senator Santorum had made the choice to support Specter for reelection in ’04 when he was challenged in a primary by Pat Toomey. At the time, Senator Santorum was faced with the difficult choice whether he should support the incumbent Senator Specter and his senior colleague who although was a less conservative choice than Toomey, was far more probable to be successful in keeping the seat red during an election where the balance on Senate was up in the air and anti-Republican emotions were thick. This surmise turned out pretty accurate since Toomey barely managed to eke out a 1% victory in 2010 when the public was outraged at Obamacare and looked favorably upon the Tea Party candidates.

Maintaining the Republican control of the Senate was by far not the only factor which Santorum focused on when making his decision. He was also strongly aware that Bush would be nominating at least two and possibly three justices for the Supreme Court and that Specter who headed the judiciary committee would be extremely influential whether Bush’s proponents would ultimately be approved by the Senate. Santorum therefore opted to support Specter after receiving his word that he would support the conservative candidates for the Supreme Court which Bush would propose, something which will influence U.S. history for years to come as is visible now with the Obamacare hearings.

Santorum’s support of Specter indeed resulted in two strong conservatives on the bench, although it may have likely cost him the nomination in the current GOP presidential primary. In addition to having been hammered for supporting Specter in’04 for actions taken years later and were impossible to foretell six years earlier, his act resulted in Specter’s former opponent and the current Conservative Senator of Pennsylvania and Santorum’s home-state, Pat Toomey, to act favorably towards Santorum’s opponent – the author of Romneycare. In fact, immediately after Santorum announced he was suspending his campaign yesterday, Toomey released an official endorsement endorsing Romney, causing many to speculate whether the endorsement would occur regardless prior to Pennsylvania’s primary and whether it was one of the causes which led to the Santorum campaign suspension.

The above two examples clearly illustrate how when one makes a choice which appears to be good, it isn’t necessarily all good as is later revealed. It shouldn’t however leave us disheartened for ultimately many good also emerged from those choices. Additionally, many decisions are pretty clear-cut where one option is definitely bad. Even if the other one doesn’t necessarily turn out to be all that good, we still know it is better than the alternative.

Supporting a candidate doesn’t necessarily mean that one agrees with all they’ve done or stand for, although a candidate usually will have some supporters who do identify with them to an extreme. Many supporters of a specific candidate usually support the candidate because they identify with them on a single issue while many others don’t even have that. They simply support a certain candidate because he’s the better choice than the alternative. This was visible numerous times amongst this primary and is very typical. After Palin chose not to run, a majority of her supporter split between Cain and Newt. After Bachmann, Cain, and Perry exited the race, their supporters too turned to find a second or third ro fourth choice amongst the remaining candidates. This led to the momentum to shift from Perry to Cain to Newt to Santorum as voters were forced to reevaluate the field once it was clear the person they supported wasn’t running at all or any longer. I too have first supported Palin, and when she announced she wasn’t running though long and hard until turning to support Santorum approximately a month prior to the Iowa caucuses.

With Santorum now having suspended his campaign, the primary is sort of wrapped up despite the many voters including myself who haven’t yet received the opportunity to cast their ballots. Unlike the primary where the choices were plentiful – at least at the start, the general will boil down to two choices; four more years for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. Obama has already been in office long enough for everyone with an open mind to recognize the damage he’s wrought upon this country. Obama is clearly not only the bad choice but an utter disaster for this country. Any alternative will be far better and less to the left than the Marxist Obama.

Romney’s Attorney General will not be someone like Eric Holder who looks the other way when the Black Panther sets a price-tag of a million dollars on Zimmerman’s head and refuses to take responsibility or even answer basic questions regarding Fast & Furious. Nor will Romney chose the dopey Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the unqualified leftist Janet Napolitano as his Secretary of Homeland Security, and so on and so forth.

The choice now has boiled down between two people; Obama and Romney and it is time to unite under the better of the two – Mitt Romney. There are many who have announced that they refuse to vote for Romney and are planning to sit out the 2012 election, all the while talking of setting him up with a conservative in 2016. It is okay to talk of 2016, but only after the 2012 elections have taken place and giving Romney a chance at the presidency, if he reaches it. He may or may not make a good president but he’s not a definite Obama, and if conservatives will dislike him so greatly we can challenge him in 2016 just as we would put out a conservative against Obama.

We conservatives have proven our power the last couple of years by successfully challenging lots of  incumbents in primaries and Romney is aware of it.. He won’t want to face a primary from his own party and will probably go along with whatever conservatives in Congress present him. Obama, on the other hand, is aware it’ll be his last term and will have no need to appease to any voters except for his leftist base who will replace Karl Marx with Barack Obama. If we thought he was radical in his first term, a second Obama term will be so much more disastrous it defies description. I plead with you fellow conservatives, w can look ahead to the future but at the same time we MUST REMEMBER THE HERE AND NOW AND MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR 2012. WE MUST SAY NO TO OBAMA AND THUS SAY YES TO MITT ROMNEY.

Abie Rubin blogs at The Thinking Voter and can be followed on Twitter.

While others will tell you the “news” is that Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Gov. Nikki Haley, Herman Caine, Senator Pat Toomey, Fox TV’s Brit Hume and other nationally recognized speakers very popular with conservatives are all speaking at this weekend’s Friday-Saturday (March 23-24), 2012 annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, in my book that is only the third best reason to attend.

First and foremost, is this PALC is the most important networking opportunity for movement conservatives short of going to Washington, DC.  Harrisburg, PA is a lot closer for most of us who live in Pennsylvania and certainly less expensive.

One of the prime opportunities for conservatives to network together over the past 40 years has been the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

What I liked best about CPAC has been the opportunity to meet like minded, mainstream conservatives from all around the country and share ideas and war-stories, build fellowship, and in so many cases find new friends that I worked with for many years to come on projects of common interest.

The second major benefit of a conference like CPAC was that the exhibit booths area were without a doubt, a major attraction for mainstream conservatives and for those who wanted to specialize in a particular topic.

So whether your interest is right to life or values issues, or the gun rights issue, or youth issues or social issues or national defense, there were competing groups all over the place offering their literature and materials, books, and in many cases the opportunity to chat with major leaders of that group and in many cases, major leaders of our cause.

The only drawback for that CPAC – and it is still true about it today – is that it cost a lot of money and took a major commitment of time to make it all the way to Washington DC to reap those very worthwhile benefits.

And not everyone I knew who was committed to the conservative cause, could always make that sacrifice or afford to pay that cost in time or money to attend.

This coming weekend, the show comes to town, and people who live in Pennsylvania have a chance to go to a much less expensive version of CPAC right in the state capitol, the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference.

While it has no connection to CPAC – which itself has been hosting spinoff, local events similar to this Pennsylvania version – the PA version of this confab for conservatives, is a true delight for the same people who have traveled to CPAC in Washington in years past or those who wish they could have.

In fact, many of the people – the most dedicated and committed ones that is – who you will see strolling around the exhibit areas and visiting those literature/sponsor booths, have also attended CPAC in the past and are long term, committed, mainstream conservatives.

I strongly urge my conservative friends in Pennsylvania to attend all or part of this conference, with full registration available online.

And if you simply cannot swing the cost for a full registration, just visiting the exhibit area (zero cost) is worth the trip all by itself.

The cost of the hotel is much less than the cost at a CPAC in Washington so even staying overnight if that is necessary for you, will be much less of an expense for a great networking opportunity like this.

As an incidental, there will also be speakers representing the candidates for President – and in two instances – Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich – the candidate himself has confirmed to speak to the conference, while Gov. Niki Haley will be the rep for Gov. Mitt Romney.

While I like to emphasize the “mainstream” conservative aspect of an event like this, there are a host of “special interest” or narrow focus groups that will have literature booths and speaking roles at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference so whatever your interest in the conservative cause, you will likely find one or more groups there playing a major role, and ready to provide you information and a source of new friends who share your interest.

And if you are “open minded” about which issues you want to focus on you cannot find a better way to “shop around” than to visit this “cafeteria” of the conservative cause, where you can go down the line visiting all of the booths, chatting with people and groups representing gun interests, tax cut, right to life, and the groups that do not focus on an issue but on the “how to” aspects of organizing for our conservative cause, whatever aspect – media relations, social networking, fundraising, membership recruiting etc.  And like a cafeteria line, you put on your tray what you like and no one is going to mind what you don’t choose – it is up to you and there’s a lot of variety here.

Having attended several of these events I have to say that the top two reasons to attend are the same as for the CPAC’s I’ve attended – the networking and meeting of new friends and getting the chance to see old friends from out of town who I haven’t met up with in awhile, plus the literature booths.

But the lineup of speakers for this conference may very well be the most impressive yet.  The candidates for President are well represented, as I mentioned.

In addition, one of the people who is perhaps the “Networking King” for conservatives in Washington, Grover Norquist, will be one of the speakers.

Norquist represents Americans for Tax Reform but perhaps of more importance to full spectrum conservatives as well as those committed to one aspect of our cause, is that he also operates a “conservative networking meeting” (the Wed. club I believe it is called) in Washington, DC.  He was also the subject of a cover article recently in Newsmax Magazine because he has been such a fixture of the conservative cause.

Any group which aims to reach out to other groups and movement conservative staff from Senate and Congress, would do well to secure a few minute presentation slot at this regular meeting presided over by Norquist at his group’s Washington, DC office.  Not enough time to fully explain your issue but plenty of time to make an impression so that those interested can look you up after the meeting.

Other speakers include Fox News Senior Political Analyst Britt Hume, Former presidential candidate Herman Cain, PA’s conservative U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, Lt. Governor James Cawley, film producer Ann McElhinney, Human Events political editor John Gizzi at the two day conference.

There will be four interactive panel presentations as the “policy” part of the conference.  The conference offers the option of an extension of time – a real bargain – because several participants have pre-conference events.  One such is a “Bill of Rights” seminar.

And on Friday morning, March 23, there is an “activist training workshop” conducted by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.  The Center also helps extend the conference further with a post-conference seminar on how to use video in messaging.

One of the many “literature booths” in the exhibit hall will be operated by a group I’ve reported about in these pages several times in the past, ACTION of PA (Americans for Christian Traditions in our Nation).

For those who recognize the urgency of voter registration, the Heritage Foundation and the Family Research Council are sending a “Values Bus” to promote voter registration.  Heritage Action operates a PA affiliate which focuses on issues of interest to us here and on our Congressional delegation.

To vote in the GOP primary on April 24 in Pennsylvania you have to be registered to vote by March 24 (30 days in advance).  So this is a very timely topic and one that should be of interest to all conservatives.

If you want to be sure to miss nothing you’ll need to make plans to arrive before 9 AM’s workshop kick off on Friday, March 23, and stay through the dinner which starts that day at 6:30 PM.

Get ready for a very early start on Saturday, March 24 at 7 AM and continuing through a 3 pm seminar by a young fellow who first came to our attention because of his work “busting” the ACORN scam and working with Andrew Breitbart – James O’Keefe will be speaking on Video activism and sharing how any of us can “capture the real story the mainstream media won’t cover by using the power of live video evidence the media can’t spin.”

For those still trying to figure out who they like best as a candidate for U.S. Senator in the April 24 GOP primary, the candidates will have a debate during the conference – and of course given the nature of this conference you can be sure they are coming well prepared to tell us why “they are the true and best conservative” of the candidates running.

Student registrations are available for only $40, and the dinner only (and don’t forget the invaluable exhibit area!!) is $50 while the best deal is the full registration including the dinner and breakfast, for $85 ($160 for a couple).  And there’s an option to get up more close with the dinner speakers for an extra $100.

You’ll find more details than I’ve covered here, including the agenda by topic, time and speakers, and a registration form, at the PA Leadership Conference website.

If you are a mainstream conservative or wish to seek out from among their ranks people to work with your particular group or campaign from the ranks of the best conservatives in Pennsylvania, this, PA Leadership Conference isn’t something you want to miss.  I highly recommend this conference.  Lowman Henry and those helping him organize this event have once again done a superb job, and I thank them.

HanoverHenry is Pat Henry on Facebook, and I’m on the lookout for new friends there.

Links to articles I wrote at RED STATE at my Facebook Notes section. 

Most Republicans (and some Democrats) were against past and future government stimulus package. Former GOP candidate Herman Cain is one of those who have been critical of the Bush and Obama stimulus packages, but his new website and first video from it may earn them a call from PETA, let alone others who might see it as “over the top.”

Here’s the video. It harkens to two older videos, the famous Daisy campaign ad for the Lyndon Johnson campaign and the Brain on Drugs PSA from the 80s.

Here are the other two videos referenced:

Romney has received a boost last night after having won Arizona and his home-state Michigan and he appears to be heading into Super Tuesday which takes place next week with a renewed momentum.

There is though one more election prior to Super Tuesday – during which ten states vote. The state of Washington will be holding their caucuses this Saturday, March 3rd, and if Romney loses the state, his momentum won’t have a chance to grow before being knocked off its feet.

Conservatives have been split from the start of the primary over who they desired as the GOP primary. Some supported Rick Perry, others supported Herman Cain, Michelle Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich or some other individual which chose not to run. Voting for any of the above except for Santorum or Newt might provide the voter with a momentary feeling of satisfaction. However, that satisfaction will be extremely fleeting if the candidate who is viewed by all as the most anti-conservative wins the voters home-state, and even more so if that victory consists of a small margin.

The only ones left in the race who can still overcome Romney during the primary itself, are Newt and Santorum. The majority of conservative voters are now split between the two with each of them taking turns in rising and falling only to rise once again. It is okay to disagree over which one of the two is better suited to take on Obama or for the role of the presidency and it is also perfectly fine to long for a candidate who is no longer/never had been in the race.

However, we’ve got to be realistic about the current situation and take positive action in the areas it can have an effect. An overwhelming majority of conservatives agree to the necessity of taking down Romney and it is still possible to achieve this goal.

In addition to his ultra-liberal record, endless flip-flops, and outright lies, his nasty and vicious bullying simply has got no room in our party. All of us, and especially Rick Perry supporters, haven’t forgotten Romney attacking and trashing Perry for speaking the truth about social security by calling it exactly that which it is; a Ponzi scheme. Neither have any of us forgotten, most of all of course if you supported Herman Cain, of the sudden mysterious women popping up one after another with harassment claims against the then-front runner Cain.

These are two quick examples from the start of the campaign which have become somewhat covered up in our memories due to the dozens of additional bully tactics the Romney team has engaged in against Newt and Santorum.

The most recent poll taken of the state in Washington was taken by PPP Polling during 2/16-2/19 – prior to the elections in Arizona and Michigan. The poll results had Santorum leading Romney with 11% with Santorum having received the support of 38% while Romney received 27% and Newt got 12% of those polled. Romney’s numbers have likely improved somewhat since he’s won two states this Tuesday and it’s crucial to prevent him from winning this one last state before Super Tuesday.

If conservatives will put their differences aside for just this one day and State and unite behind Santorum so that the results of the Washington caucuses this Saturday are “a Romney Defeat,” it will send an extremely powerful message to the GOP establishment. It will show them that we are serious in wanting our voice and message represented and that if they wish to force a liberal RINO upon us they will be forced to sabotage the conservative candidate by spending an average of 15 million dollars in every single one of the 50 states (39 to go)! Even after pouring all that money into negative attack ads and phony oppo research, they are far from guaranteed that they’ll be able to secure enough delegates – and the nomination – for their candidate Romney, as we’ve seen in South Carolina, Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota.

I therefore plead of all of you, fellow conservatives, to do all that is in within your power to ensure a Romney defeat this Saturday. Please contact all your friends, family, and acquaintances in the state of Washington using twitter, email, Facebook, and good old-fashioned phone calls and ask them to vote for Santorum in order to stop Romney’s momentum prior to Super Tuesday. Tell them that conservatives across the entire nation have their eyes turned upon them and are counting on them to provide Romney with the shellacking that he deserves. The voters of Washington may be the ones who will ultimately be credited in the crushing of the establishment and the return of the party to the hands of the people.

United in one purpose we greatly outnumber the establishment. We can do it and we gotta do it. Vote for Santorum in Washington and send the GOP establishment and Romney team a powerful punch which they’ll never forget!

Abie Rubin blogs at The Thinking Voter and can be followed on Twitter.