... and not in a good way, but I'm going to say this anyway.  I actually agree with Ann Coulter.  *shudder*  As always, I think Ann Coulter's methods are unfortunate, especially saying that he has no honor (which was uncalled for).  However, I think she makes a lot of good points.  I've said this before, and I'll say it again.  There is hardly any difference between Hillary Clinton and George Bush, and likewise, there is hardly any difference between Hillary and McCain.  There are many times that he has crossed the aisle to pass bills which no conservative worth his salt should have supported.  I also think there is some truth to the idea that Hillary is pulling left just to get the nomination, and that her actual record isn't quite as liberal as everyone paints.  Obama is much more liberal on most issues, its just that Hillary is willing to pander to the left right now, but does a poor job of it.  Likewise, McCain is pandering to the right despite his liberal record, but for reasons unknown to me, is more successful at it.

But in the end, people's hatred of Hillary, and even Obama (and I think we're talking about actual hatred here, which is unfortunate) will cause people to vote for McCain anyway.  Already the justifications are beginning.  The one I'm hearing most often right now (which come to think of it, I heard when Bush first ran) was that we have to elect a Republican to get good judges.  First of all, I don't think McCain will appoint great judges based on his record.  His membership in the Gang of 14 calls this ability into question.  More importantly, the fact that he has his name associated with so many liberal laws fraught with Constitutional issues (like McCain-Feingold) means that I doubt he'd appoint someone who would oppose them.  I also find it interesting that a group of people who so strongly oppose judicial activism, and the increased roll of the judiciary over the legislature, would vote for someone solely because of the judges he may or may not appoint.

In the end, the reality here is that the Republican Party needs to be punished.  Clearly, they are incapable of putting forward a true conservative, and more troubling, I don't think they want to.  We cannot reward bad behavior by electing one.  Yes, that means that Hillary or Obama will be President.  But at some point in time, a line has to be drawn in the sand.  This far and no farther.  You may say now that we have to vote for McCain because we can't let Hillary become President (or Obama), but I guarantee you that I'll hear the same line 4 years from now when we're faced with the same choice between a douche bag and a turd.

That is why I continue to support Ron Paul, and I ask you to do the same.  He is the only one who has a clear Conservative record.  And if he loses the primary, and doesn't run as a Libertarian, then I'll be asking all of you to write in "None of the Above".  At some point we have to make a stand for small government, and a return to Constitutional principles.  If not now, when?  And if not Ron Paul, then who?