The Race Is On - Election 2020

The circus that is the American election season begins to unfold.

For those of us who stay continually involved in the world of politics, it might seem like the country has been in constant campaign mode ever since Donald Trump descended his golden escalator. But as we enter the pre-election fall and the countdowns to New Hampshire and Iowa begin appearing in the tickers, the majority of Americans who (probably smartly) don’t pay much attention in the off years are starting to tune in.

The Democratic/Woke Primary is in full swing, with just about everyone but Biden competing to run farther to the left than everyone else. Several Republicans have stepped forward to mount what may very well be little more than a quixotic effort. And the Third Party options have yet to coalesce around any solid names, though Justin Amash seems to be a favorite of libertarians both within and without the Libertarian Party.

As the circus that is the American election season begins to unfold, I thought I’d lay out where I envision my place in all of this. I’ll also be frank and open about my personal feelings when it comes to the election of 2020.

First off, I’d like to state that I have no plans of endorsing any specific candidate.

That being said, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’ll be doing lots of writing that casts aspersions on Donald Trump’s continuing domination of the Republican Party. You will also likely find a lot of writing discussing the Republican Primary challengers and also third party options.

I confess that I have maintained my membership in the Republican Party and plan on voting for the best option counter to Donald Trump and the nationalist trajectory of the party under his leadership. As of right now, that vote will be for Mark Sanford.

Mark Sanford has a wealth of political experience both as a Governor and a Congressman for South Carolina. He has been in the political arena long enough to have solid conservative and liberty-minded bona fides. He has embraced fiscal responsibility and the free market as his core issue, which I believe is Donald Trump’s biggest policy weakness.

Mark Sanford is also what I classify as a conscious conservative. He not only has the sensibility of a conservative but he understands the intellectual nature of his beliefs and advocates for his ideals in a way that demonstrates he trusts in the strength of his principles. His demeanor is calm, cerebral, and firm by way of quiet confidence, as opposed to the hostile bluster of Donald Trump and his followers. Mark Sanford is someone who not only can speak to the base of movement conservatism but who can communicate conservatism and liberty-minded ideals to the broad center-right and even to our political foes.

While Mark Sanford has serious baggage related to his extramarital affair, he has been honest and open about his mistakes and, as a fellow Christian, I take his path of redemption at face value. That stands in major contrast to Donald Trump’s brazen and unrepentant sinfulness, which could end up being a strength for Sanford due to the contrast it allows to be drawn (especially for evangelical voters, who could use a solid reminder of how a Christian man should conduct himself). As I have read, learned, and watched Mark Sanford, I see a man who has experienced godly sorrow and sought forgiveness for his sins.

Looking beyond the Republican Primary, I remain hopeful that Justin Amash will step forward to run on the Libertarian Party ticket. His stance as a pro-life libertarian, his stellar conservative voting record, and the platform he has as a member of Congress provide a unique opportunity to bring liberty-minded politics back into the light of day.