Ten Things I Admire about Conservatives and Republicans

• The best preacher I have ever sat in on is archly conservative, politically. But, man, can he open scripture!
• Conservatives, or Republicans at least, show up among veterans in a greater percentage than among the general population. So hats-off to them for their willingness to put themselves in harms way for their country. http://www.gallup.com/poll/118684/military-veterans-ages-tend-republican.aspx
• Church-attendance is not necessarily the same as true love of God; but, like Woody Allen said, "80 percent of success is just showing up." And Republicans show up for church in much greater numbers than Democrats. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-06-02-religion-gap_x.htm
• Conservatives value candidates with strong values and strong convictions. With all of Mitt Romney's attractiveness -- presidential looks, financial muscle, organization, "inevitability" -- conservatives keep looking for alternatives. And all of the alternatives that conservatives have looked at, with all of their strengths and weaknesses, have been candidates of seeming strong convictions. (The latest alternative is Rick Santorum. That man has deep convictions.) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/opinion/brooks-the-crowd-pleaser.html?_r=1
• In general, conservatives don't tolerate sexual misconduct by their office-holders. A sexual scandal that would damage a Democrat will often destroy a Republican.
• Conservatives care enough about politics to have political opinions, often strong political opinions. In a nation where too many people are politically apathetic, that's a virtue.
• Outward displays often nourish inward qualities. Conservatives are bold to show their patriotism with outward displays, like saying the Pledge of Allegiance, or singing the Star Spangled Banner with hand over heart, or exhibiting the flag of our country in front of their homes.
• Although their ire might sometimes be misdirected, conservatives oppose regrettable things. Whether people believe in choice or not, they usually agree that abortion is an unhappy choice. Pornography is a blight. Wanton freeloading off of the government by the able-bodied and able-minded is an abuse of a system meant to be a hand up for the hard up. Law-breaking almost always drags down society. These are things that conservatives oppose.
• Conservatives have iconic heroes. Love him or hate him, Ronald Reagan was a game-changer. And even liberals admire Barry Goldwater. Theodore Roosevelt was a Republican, and he casts a long shadow, and he has a legacy of bi-partisan admirers. I revere Abraham Lincoln.
• I loath Fox News. But I will say this: what they do, they do very well. Their business model is effective, and their programs are well-produced and appealing to their target audience.