That said, I often picked my candidate based more on who the pundits said was electable,  and/or who was my party’s candidate than I did based on my own serious study of the candidates themselves, their character and their personal convictions.

This election is very different for me. I am so very disappointed in President Bush. I had high hopes and expectations for him, based on the campaign he ran in 2000. He claimed he would do so many things, and accomplish so much, yet most of it has never come to pass. And many things he’s pushed hard for in recent years are things with which I strongly disagree. And he’s blown it over and over — New Orleans/FEMA is a great example — and never once owned up to the fact that he screwed up. No humility. And that’s very disappointing.

For the first time ever I’m closely watching every debate and looking very closely at every candidate — even the democrats — to see not only who’s convictions most closely mirror my own on issues I’ve decided are key for me at this time, but also who’s character really does seem to be genuine and solid.

For a while now I’ve hadn’t seen someone I felt I could really trust. I liked some of what some Republican candidates say, but not all of it. While some have me on a couple of issues, they lost me on many others. I want to like Ron Paul, but too often he shoots himself in the foot spouting off some radical ideas with which I don’t agree. There’s something about Mitt Romney I just don’t  like; he smiles too much. I don’t trust someone who smiles all the time (which is one of the reasons I don’t trust Joel Osteen, btw). And his smile is—smarmy — at least to me. I like Fred, but sometimes he scares me. Giuliani is okay, but not my favorite; McCain is a little too hawkish for me and Tancredo doesn’t even show up on my radar. Only two candidates have consistently risen to the top of my list; Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee.

But I think I’ve found my candidate.  Friday evening I watched Mike Huckabee on Glen Beck — you can read the transcript of their conversation here and I gotta tell ya, I was very impressed with him. Very impressed. I’ve been watching him closely anyway; he’s impressed me in the debates — especially when he held his own against Ron Paul. But Friday evening he won me over.  He clearly, concisely, and passionately but intelligently laid out his convictions and his platform and I heard much of my own heart echoed there. His stand on energy, the economy, taxes, securing our borders and national security, and even health care not only made incredible sense but closely mirrored my own opinions and convictions. We’re certainly not "of one mind" on everything, but then again, can you ever find that?

Also, Huckabee’s demeanor and body language was appropriate to the topics of conversation; he didn’t smile too much or smirk at all. I sensed no pride or arrogance or any sense of entitlement. What I saw was a humble, passionate, rather witty man absolutely convinced of his convictions and convinced he had some answers (not all; again, humility) to America’s problems and a way make America an even better nation.

For the first time in my life I am actually making a decision on a candidate not based on electability first but based first and foremost on my own convictions of what needs to be done and what is best for America. And it feels good. And I’m actually willing to, and considering, volunteering for the campaign — again, for the first time — to help get the word out about Huckabee so he will be electable. He impressed me that much. I encourage you to read the transcript of the Glen Beck show, check out his website and his stand on the issues, and decide for yourself whether this is a man of character who would a) return America to the constitution it was based upon, and b) lead America into a better future. As for me, I think I’m sold.