The One Respectable Republican

First There was Colin (who pronounces their kid's name "Colon" anyway?) Powell. He gained respectability by advocating sex education and condom use. Sure, he did some other stuff, but as a Republican, that's what made me go "hey, this guy might actually have some credibility". Of course, then he basically resigned in disgrace after the WMD claims, and now nobody seems to really like to talk about him, Republicans because he isn't one of their ranks anymore, and Democrats because they all used to say "he's the GOOD one", but don't want to anymore because of his public pariah status. I personally suspect that he was essentially conned into saying what he said, but perhaps leaders have a responsibility not to get conned when it comes to making claims that cost thousands of lives.

Next, there was John McCain. He gained respectability in my eyes by not shying away from talk show appearances etc, and by appearing to be honest about things that could actually cause him slight political harm. Everybody may not LIKE a guy who says what's on his mind, but everyone respects him. Well, everybody respects him until he starts making ridiculous claims and backing them up with evidence thinner than the fabric covering the emperor's ass. I'm talking primarily about the claim that it's safe to walk around in Iraq, backed up by footage of McCain taking a leisurely stroll around a Baghdad market in a bulletproof vest accompanied by something like 100 armed soldiers, 3 helicopters, and 2 gunships. There's also the fact that he didn't seem to have a position on whether or not condoms prevent STDs. Maybe Colin Powell should talk to him about that...

With previously decent-appearing right-wing politicians disappearing like this, who will step in to fill the void? I suppose Dennis Kucinich gets some points for trying to impeach Bush, but I suspect that will fail, and at this point it's hardly worth the bother. Alternatively, my right-wing choice du jour could be Ron Paul, who I keep hearing good things about. Sure, he's got some wacky/stupid traditional Republican traits (I hear he's anti-abortion, for instance), but he gets major kudos for having the balls to oppose the Iraq war and vote no to the patriot act, and he also seems to actually espouse some of the views Republicans are supposed to, like smaller government and fiscal responsibility. Shrug. Anyone have any nasty comments about either of these since I'm too lazy to research them myself? Or anything positive to say about any other Republicans?