By DAVID HARRIS
NR Writers Group

There’s an old saying that goes like this: “If you lay down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas.” Does Republican leadership need a good dippin’ or what?

Conservative principles are right for this nation. There is nothing unhealthy or inherently wrong with any of the three legs of conservatism, to wit: a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility and social conservatism. In spite of this, too many Republican career politicians have wavered on these principles, and in so doing, have placed conservatism in this nation in peril.

Giving due credit, at least the Democrat presidential candidates are all liberals. Their Senate voting records are consistently liberal, their rhetoric during the debates has confirmed the liberal philosophy, and frankly, there is not a dime’s worth of difference in their vision of what they want this nation to look like. Choosing a Democrat for president in the primaries will be easy. Just decide on how you want your president to look.

In contrast, the Republicans are offering some type of political hybrid. Close looks at their records reveal a bunch of political opportunists.

They have changed their positions on one or more of the key issues such as gun control, taxation, the role of the federal government, border security, amnesty for illegal immigrants, or abortion.

Conservatives are suffering from extreme frustration. With an absence of strong leadership in the White House since Ronald Reagan and in Congress since the famous “Contract with America” takeover of the early 90’s, good conservative leadership has steadily eroded. Being popular in D.C. – and being able to send some pork home to enhance their chances at re-election – has taken priority over governing by consistent, conservative principle.

Frustration with the lack of conservative leadership resulted in the Republicans losing both houses of Congress in 2006. Judging by the looks of this anguishingly dismal display of presidential hopefuls, they are still ignoring the message.

They continue to embrace liberal philosophy by losing their nerve in the fight against terrorism, showing indecisiveness on border security, unwillingness to stop ridiculous government spending and warming up with the global warming crowd.

They are talking about universal health care, raising your taxes to pay for it and policing what you eat, smoke and drive. Folks, all of these items are fleas to a real conservative.

With liberal flea infestation on all of your Republican candidates, your next president will most likely be named Obama or Clinton. Maybe a little “shock and awe” is just what conservatives in this nation need to awaken.

In other words, the Republican dogs need dippin’ again and this may be just what the veterinarian ordered.

(Liberals) are talking about universal health care, raising your taxes to pay for it and policing what you eat, smoke and drive. Folks, all of these items are fleas to a real conservative.