Most of you who were around during the Vietnam War error probably remember that famous line, “What if they gave a war and nobody came?” When Carl Sandburg made those comments, it became a cultural motto. Charlotte Keyes wrote a poem, the Monkeys recorded a song, and countless others used it in media.

So, what if they gave an election and nobody came? Those of us on the right are fed up with those on the right – a great deal of words and not enough action, too much spending, and not enough discretion, and the list goes on. And interestingly those on the left are fed up with those on the left. There hasn’t been a legitimate conservative representative in 30 years. Yes, there have been a few candidates of late who have shown some promise, Doug Hoffman, Sarah Palin, Marco Rubio, and couple others. But, every time someone shows potential the media lights them up or they fall on their face, a la Governor Mark Sanford. The mainstream GOPers are entrenched in beltway politics, the almighty dollar, and never-ending GOTV efforts.  The national Republican Party has promoted liberal candidates like Dede Scozzafava and Charlie Chris, and quietly tossed away the Tea Party as nothing more than a temporary uprising. After last week’s CPAC conference last week, the closing straw poll showed Ron Paul as the front-running conservative candidate. Yes, the same Ron Paul who drew a whopping 3.5% of the required delegates in the ’08 primaries. To us, that was significant; we are craving a conservative candidate. To the mainstream party reps, “it was a straw poll.” Go figure…

Here’s the problem I see with November, and why, I think, there may be an election where nobody shows up; at least no one on the right. In most states, there are two recognizable parties – Republican and Democrat. Some states have other parties, but the ballot requirements are outdated, unfair, and frankly, un-American. In my home state of NC for example, primaries are closed to unaffiliated voters, and this year independent candidates will likely have to have 90,000 signatures to make it on the ballot anyway. So, if those of us who are generally supportive of the GOP aren’t impressed with the GOP’s representative, we’ll likely go third party, or stay home. There are some things where you just can’t compromise.

Hmmm… compromise; there’s a post for a later day.