Minutes before John McCain took the stage to admit defeat, I spoke with John Gaddis, a young Republican from Placentia, California, who was suited up to attend the GOP’s “Victory 2008 Election Night Party” in Irvine.

Gaddis, a college student, said he voted Republican because “it’s the more logical of the two options.”

Why? Economics.

Gaddis doesn’t buy the argument that the GOP is responsible for the country’s current economic crisis.

“The Democratic congress forced these low-income families to take on loans they couldn’t afford,” argues Gaddis. “And I think that’s unethical.”

Gaddis also likes how the Republican party upholds the values of Christianity. He has a year to go until graduation. After that, he intends to become a pastor . . .  or a salesman.

He supports the war in Iraq and thinks the American people need to be more concerned with integrity, as opposed to reputation. We’re still a superpower, he says. What other countries think of us is beside the point.

The same philosophy might be what compels Gaddis to lean Republican, despite his youth.

“They say, ‘If you’re young and a Republican, you have no heart. If you’re old and a Democrat, you have no brains,’” he grinned. “Well, I chose to find my brains early.”

Before McCain’s concession, Gaddis was hopeful that his candidate would pull through.

“We still have some crucial large states,” he said. “Every vote counts. I won’t lose hope until every vote is tallied.”

Twenty minutes later, after McCain threw in the towel, Gaddis was still hopeful—for the outcome of the state propositions. Namely, he thought Californians would vote Yes on Prop 8, the measure to end legalized gay marriage in the state.

“I think these propositions address deep-seated ethical values held in the heart of every American,” Gaddis said.

He went on to stress that this is a resilient country. As long as we follow the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, we’ll continue to be strong—even with Barack Obama in the White House.

Tags: 2008 election, Gop party, irvine, john gaddis, mccain, republican, yes on 8, young republican