Why Join the America First Party?

J.C. Schweingrouber is the chairman of the Ohio America First Party. Mr. Schweingrouber answered these questions for the Conservative President 2008.


1. Why should a conservative join the America First Party?

The America First Party encompasses all issues that conservatives would find vital to their belief systems and in their preferred politics. We are not a one issue party, focusing only on opposing abortion or gay marriage. For example,we favor a fair tax system at the federal, state and local levels. Our platform stays soley within the bounds of the U.S. Constitution and is appealing to true conservatives. You don't find that with the so-called conservatives playing politics in the GOP. Our platform can be found at www.americafirstparty.org.


2. Where do you see the Republican Party headed?

The Republican Party has moved sharply left from the days of the "Contract with America" and will continue to do so. It spends more time playing politics with the church and pandering to true conservatives for their money than backing up their supposed ideals. Examples of this are easy to find. After 6 years in the White House with more than a decade of control in the Congress and the upper hand in the courts, abortion is still being debated, taxes are still too high regardless of any so-called Bush tax cut, and our government is bigger than it has ever been. So much for the smaller government guys.


3. How is the AFP different from the Constitution Party?

Although there are many similarities between the two parties, and their candidates have received endorsements from us in the past, there are some vital differences that make us a more viable party. For example, we focus our efforts at local recruiting whereas the Constitution Party spends vast resources on Presidential elections. Our strategy is to build local areas first and win local offices. We are also less restrictive in our membership. As the Constitution requires, we welcome those of other religious beliefs into our fold. The vast majority of our membership is Christian and our party supports that heritage and its values. We are proud to do so and have many friends in the Constitution Party. We have supported some of their candidates in the past and will do so in the future.

Also, our national platform, and state platforms, are more complete and focus on the issues of the day. We address national issues quickly, much to the chagrin of the mainstream media. Our chances of long term success are much greater.

4. Are there any Republicans that you could support for President?

Officially, no. We are, however, very supportive of the positions that Tom Tancredo has taken in regards to illegal immigration and applaud Ron Paul for his consistent stance for a more strict interpretation of the Constitution.

5. Will the AFP run a candidate for President in 2008 and who would you like to see be the next President?

We will not be running a candidate in 2008. We will focus our resources on continuing to build at the local levels where we can be more effective. We will consider the issue for 2012 and address that growing possibility at that time.

As far as who we would like to see as the next President...nothing official. However, from one humble man's opinion...Can we bring back Thomas Jefferson?