Residence: SpringfieldOccupation: Graduate Student
Politics: Republican
Matt Lyons is not your typical voter. He studies the ins and outs of politics daily like he's well . . . a political reporter. He's describes himself as a conservative with a populist bent. But he doesn't always fit the Republican label, because unlike other partisans, he allows and even encourages facts to get in the way of his opinion.
"I'd love to run for office, but I haven't made good inroads in the local Republican party," Lyons tells me. "I used to be a really good soldier, and then I started to speak out," he adds. He's applied for political jobs with Sens. Talent, Bond and Rep. Roy Blunt, but says he receives the same canned rejection letter in return. "That's ok, because a clear conscience makes a really soft pillow," he says.
Asking Lyons his top issues is easy. Well-read and thoughtful, he rails off the war against Islam, energy independence, entitlement reform and illegal immigration as the issues that drive his voting habits. These are the things motivating him to support Mitt Romney for president, at least for now.
"I like Romney," he says. "I'm comfortable with Romney. That's not to say I couldn't be swayed by Fred Thompson, but there's a lot of unknowns with him. He's emblematic of the volatility of the G.O.P. field."
In essence, Lyons is backing Romney as the Republican with the "least baggage." While critics have lambasted Romney for a lack of conviction, Lyons cites courage as a reason he's supporting the former Massachusetts Governor.
"Taking the Salk Lake City Olympic games to begin with was courageous. They needed a competent manager. They were going to cancel that thing it was so scandal ridden. And standing on the steps challenging the Massachusetts legislature to live up to their oath of office, and taking on the Massachusetts Supreme Court that redefined marriage," Lyons notes as examples.
While Lyons will almost surely vote Republican on the Presidential side, he doesn't have as nice of things to say about Missouri Republicans. He wants Sarah Steelman to mount a primary challenge against Governor Matt Blunt. "I'm disappointed with the Governor's performance," he says.
And Lyons calls his State Representative, Charlie Denison (#135), almost useless. "Basically we're the only legislative district without a state representative," he says.
The thing about Lyons is that he's got strong conservative convictions, without being a partisan. In today's hyper-polarized world, courage like that isn't so easy to find.
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2 comments:
Republicans decry leftist who do not accept conservative leaning democrats, who are virtually shunned by their party leaders.
However, republicans are even less tolerant of other republicans who don't tow the party line or not quite conservative enough for them.
Those who do speak out about their different opinions are either ridiculed or ostracized, which only serves to weaken the party instead of growing it.
I always respect those with the courage to differ with the establishment or call out their leaders when their wrong. It always the right thing to do regardless of the negative concequences.
Besides, some of the greatest leaders and causes of the times were lead by outspoken people who often viewed with skepticism by their own supporters.
You keep speaking up Matt!
Well to address several points made in this article.
First, there is no such thing as a conservative populist. The two terms at their respective philosophical beginnings are very divergent in regards to their take on human nature. To put it shortly, the two terms contradict each other.
Second, I think every Republican in the country decries the use of partisan fallacies as a means of forming policy and policy stances. Just take the Iraq War. It makes sense to win and Republicans are upset at other Republicans who let re-election worries "get in the way" of the facts. Supporters members of your own party is important, but in the end its about the cause and most Republicans view it that way.
Third, Mr. Lyons makes it seem like his only impediment to elected office is the big bad Republican party. Well, lets use logic. If this guy can't get the support of the Republican party in springfield (a republican strong hold) then how is he planning on getting the support of the voters? His populist message? To put is shortly again, it is not only the lack of support among party members that keeps this guy out of office, but the the very likely lack of support among the GOP electorate in Springfield as well.
Fourth, Mr Lyons claims to be "disappointed with Governor Blunt's performance. I suppose turning a $1 billion deficient into a $300 million dollar surplus while increasing money for K-12 schooling every year is not "conservative enough." And for being "well read and thoughtful" I find it interesting that his distaste for Charlie Denison centers on a sinlge conclusionary statement of he's "almost useless."
Lastly, I find it ironic that this article describes a self proclaimed populist as not typical. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the whole point of being pupulist was to portary yourself as the "average man."
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