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This Primary Season Is All About Not Romney

By: Bill S (Diary)  |  October 5th, 2011 at 10:00 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Every week brings another controversy or another debate – and another Republican POTUS front-runner.  And once again, the GOP base continues its eternal (and fruitless) search for the Perfect Conservative.  Each time a candidate peaks, they stick their foot in their mouth or some issue about their past pops up and they drop in the polls in favor of the next flavor of the month.  It was Mitt, then it was Michelle, then it was Rick, and now it’s Herman/Herb.  Every time a new flavor appears, they either blow their own popularity (cf. Bachmann) or the base picks them apart (cf. Perry).

But the issue here not the flaws of the latest flavor of the month.  The problem in the the GOP race is/are the many flaws of Mitt Romney.  The GOP base is in search of Not Romney.  Romney is a mediocre candidate and about 75% of the GOP seems to know it.  But no one has been able to put him away.  Romney is a smooth communicator.  He does well in debates.  He’s articulate and looks like a President.  But almost no one wants him to actually BE one.  It appeared that another flavor of the month might emerge in Gov. Chris Christie or (heh) Sarah Palin.  This week’s events put those rumors to bed.  And it really didn’t matter – they would have gone the same way as the prior contenders.  The only question now is if Herman Cain can buck the trend and demonstrate to the GOP base that HE will lead the nation out of it’s mess better than Mitt.

But rather than having ME try to make the case about Romney, why don’t we let Jon Stewart tell us about him? (h/t AoSHQ)

Rick Perry tried to paint Romney as a flip-flopper during the last debate, but Stewart does a far, far better job of it than Perry.  And this doesn’t even begin to address my personal concern about Romney – Romneycare.

At this point, it does remain likely that Romney will become the GOP nominee.  Just as John McCain did in 2008, he appears to be taking the “outlast ‘em all” strategy, and until now, it has worked…at least in the polls.  The proof will come when voters actually get their say.  And if Mitt Romney winds up as the GOP nominee, let’s hope there are no more flip flops and he remains in current form as Good Mitt rather than Evil Liberal Mitt.

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COMMENTS

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  • intensity

    …..everyone think Herman Cain will drop out and the GOP race becomes a Perry/Romney race??

    Perry ’2012

  • txpat

    This tells me he doesn’t think he will win the nom.
    Romney is full of issues, and I do not believe we as conservatives are going to shoot ourselves in the foot by not getting behind the best conservative candidate with the experience, and able to pull in the dollars to keep Mitty out.
    I hope everyone comes to their senses soon.

  • Tbone

    Hopefully, Perry will outlast the onslaught from the RiNOs and the leftist MSM to face down Romney.

  • jmangini

    Some will say that Herman Cain is a negligent campaigner by ‘leaving the trail’ and going on some tour. Well, let’s look at Mr. Cain ‘going off the trail’: The announced stops so far are in Florida, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

    Herman Cain has made huge strides in Florida as of late, and has raised a significant amount of campaign funds in the state. He is on the verge of passing Romney for the lead in this important state,

    Texas is a big state, a solid part of the conservative base, and a necessary stop for anyone looking to raise some serious campaign funds. Reports show Cain raising considerable cash in this area.

    Virginia is seen as a ‘bellwether’ state, won by Obama in ’08 where he is likely to lose in ’12, and would be necessary to win by whichever Republican ultimately gets the nomination.

    South Carolina is a big primary that could eventually launch Cain into frontrunner status for the nomination if he wins or places in Iowa.

    Tennessee is a state right in Mr. Cain’s wheelhouse, and one necessary for him to win the nomination if he is seriously competing with Perry for the conservative vote in the South.

    Again, can someone make an argument as to where Mr. Cain is wrong for going on a ‘book tour’ that happens to be in important states on his path to the nomination?

  • intensity

    …..txpat. So you think Cain will quit pretty soon??

    Also, I think when everyone looks at the big picture, Romney will not win the nomination.

    I mean, he’s been campaigning for 5 years and got crushed last time by McCain and Huck. I can’t imagine all our great conservative southern states supporting Mitt.

  • lineholder

    he really knows how to bring out the best in people, doesn’t he?

    Oh, and BTW, I love, love, LOVE the fact that even though this diary is about Romney, we got four, count them, FOUR comments ahead me (#6) in this thread who are SOOOO worried about Cain that they just can’t focus on anything else!!!

  • snowshooze

    Um, I am kinda a Perry guy myself, I think he has done well with the hand he was dealt.
    Cain, he is a bit different, but I will not rule him out.
    Lookit, I thought the same of Obama back when… what kind of idiot would vote for this guy in the primary, an idiot???
    Apparently, there are a lot of them.
    Cain is so many levels above Obama I cannot count them all.
    If it goes Cain, I am ok with that.
    I want to hear the man speak freely, and at length.
    But at this point, I am pretty much in the Perry camp.
    Just saying, I wouldn’t rule Cain out at this point…
    And I won’t rule Newt out either, we know him, but so many do not.
    Officially, ( At my office )
    Newt is in #3 right now.
    No, I am not pulling for Newt. It is what I see.

  • florajo

    Yes, I think this is 85% likely. Just a gut feeling. My fear is that the conservative end of the field doesn’t reduce to Perry (or Cain) soon enough and Romney racks up too many delegates simply by splitting votes.

  • runner12

    Mittens any day of the week. But if we are so unfortunate as to have him as our nominee, I will hold my nose and vote for him.

  • Jim Tomasik

    He should not stay in Cain’s way.;)

    Also, is Bill O’really officially on mitten’s payroll now or what?

  • lineholder

    on whether or not he’s finished figuring out his rope-a-dope strategy or not.

    As to the other question…what are you trying to do? Start a conspiracy theory? Or have you become an op trying to pick up some extra money?

  • californiagold

    n/t

  • intensity

    ….his campaign just nailed 17 mil!

    Another reason Cain will be the one to go…….$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  • lineholder

    Cain’s been riding on shoe-string budget the entire time, and it’s got him to where he is now. Where there’s a will, there’s a way…and Cain’s got the WILL to bring in a win.

  • californiagold

    Although it’s very early, and polls are just a brief snapshot, Herman Cain is doing remarkably well in states like Georgia, WV, etc….way ahead of Romney and Perry.

    Like I said, it’s very early….if Cain keeps momentum going for the next month, then I could see him actually paving a way to the nomination. But Romney and Perry have huge amounts of cash…

  • txpat

    but he isn’t putting in the face time in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina.
    Unless he feels he will get the delegates in those early primary states he will lose momentum.
    He also will need to hold events to capitalize on his up tick in the polls.
    Due to the short window between now and Iowa and the short schedule between primaries they will be burning lots of cash.
    If he is working his book tour this month that doesn’t leave a bunch of room to work the cash for his campaign.

  • paladin1

    drop out of this race. He raised the equivalent of twice what Romney did this quarter, still holds 15 million of the 17 million, and has no reason to drop out. As the Kling-ons like Bachmann, Santorum, Paul, and Johnson drop out, he will recieve a share of their support. With Palin and Christie out, he will receive a fairly large share of their support and money. I have not seen Cain’s total for this quarter, but I suspect it won’t be much, even with his win in Florida and his poll numbers because I think he will not be able to raise enough to compete adequately. Nope, Perry ain’t goin’ nowhar’! (except to the White House for the next term)!!!

  • Scope

    Now you are becoming a Cainbot, while begging everyone on this site to be politically correct and civil, and not to get all hung up on their candidate. Intrepretation- support the candidate I support or you are just plain not civil.

  • lineholder

    The man’s fought his way to the top every inch of the way. And he’s look death square in the face. If there’s a way it can be done, he is the man to do it.

  • txpat

    Bain Capital lots of holding, lots of influence.
    Don’t fall in the trap.

  • gekster

    Who was that guy.
    Seeing conspiricies under every rock.
    What was his name?

  • lineholder

    .

  • intensity

    …..paladin1!
    Although this is a free country…I really hope the conservatives have not let it come down to the RINO or pizza man representing us.

    Thank you all for a great night of discussion.

  • lineholder

    But it can’t make folks actually walk into the voting booth and pull the lever. I’ve wondered about that many times…for some reason Mitt just doesn’t connect people that way.

  • californiagold

    Cain’s campaign reminds me somewhat of Howard Dean’s campaign in 2004. Grass roots support, limited funds, etc…But as time went on, Dean started getting significant financial support from donors. Although Dean’s campaign imploded, the point is, there is a time when good polling data translates into good fundraising. Cain will soon need to show that people are actually willing to spend money on his candidacy.

    With the early states lumped together in January, TV ads will dominate much of the campaign. Romney and Perry will have the means to defend themselves with ads. Cain might not be able to match them.

  • Jim Tomasik

    Someone cut me a check!

  • lineholder

    consistent for any of them., except for perhaps Romney. But I’m rather excited tonight, because it looks Cain is making his share of headway in my state of NC. Time will tell on that, I guess.

  • lineholder

    LOL, you and I need to have a chat, Jim.

  • conservativemusician

    He raised more than Romney last quarter, so it is not likely that Perry will be dropping out anytime soon. His donations also came primarily in small amounts from many donors all over the country, so this tells me his support is a lot deeper and broader than what is being commonly being reported.

    I still think Perry is going to be the nominee and outlast Romney, in spite of the in-state tuition and Gardasil issues. Romney’s refusal to recant his support of Romneycare and his half-hearted promises to repeal Obamacare are a lot worse to stomach than Perry’s baggage. Perry political instincts are far more conservative than Romney and I think that many in the conservative base will eventually see this and give him a break for being a poor debater. Perry is a better one-on-one communicator. I’m looking for authenticity in our candidates, not who is the slickest debater (i.e. GWB vs. John Kerry, for example).

    Also, Perry’s recent interviews have been great, so I see him making a comeback in the next debate and his poll numbers going back up again. He will have to get more specific on his jobs plan soon, though, especially with the accelerated primary season quickly approaching.

  • Jim Tomasik

    /

  • powertothepeople

    are cancer survivors, what is your point with the whole “stared death in the face thing?” Is having cancer now what makes one fit to be president or full of character?

  • txpat

    but he is a man not Superman.
    Maybe he will multi task and bring in the big cash cow, and put in the time in each of the early primary states to win all the delegates and promote his book.
    I guess I’m a glass half empty kind of girl, but it’s my thoughts on the Cain factor.

  • txpat

    but influence by the media can turn heads.
    Hit jobs by the press can effect votes as well.

  • Scope

    I don’t think anyone doesn’t know the great and miraculous story of Cain beating stage 4 cancer. God bless his soul. The way Chris Wallace set him up to yet again to tell his story in the last debate won him many compassionate souls.

    OTOH, in the 08 campaign season, I remember Fred Thompson, who also beat cancer, being highly questioned because of his past cancer history. For him it was a cause for great concern, for Cain not so much. Why?

    I’ve read an article or two claiming that the cancer surviver story gained Cain some sympathy votes, in the last debate. Didn’t everyone already know that great story? Yes, there are many cancer survivors that have great stories to tell. That doesn’t qualify one for the presidency.

  • antisocialist

    Perry or Cain are, at best, 50/50 to be BO. We can’t take the risk of losing in ’12. Most of the posters above seem to think Romney’s some McCain-like RINO. I definitely disagree. I think he’s to the right of every Presidential candidate we’ve had since Reagan. He’s also by far the best debater we’ve had since RR which makes him the most likely to win the all important independent vote. His coattails should help us win a few extra senate and house seats.

    All the complaints about Romneycare are totally irrelevant unless you don’t believe him when he says he’ll grant an Obamacare waiver to all 50 states his first day in office. Plus the supremes may have already found it unconstitutional by the time the election rolls around. If not, and the Repbulican congress sends him a bill overturning Obamacare, do you think he really wouldn’t sign it.

    If you still don’t believe me, ask yourself which states Romney brings into play vs. which ones Perry and Cain do. Or ask which candidate the D’s want us to nominate.

    I think Romney’s clearly our best choice and we’d be making a huge mistake if we nominate anyone else.

  • Scope

    his personal battle actually takes away from his reason for his debate story. His story was about how under Obamacare he would probably never survived his cancer. Sad to take the story into an emotional level, and take away the purpose. Obamacare kills.

  • lineholder

    in looking at the overall context we’ve been facing, trust in government is low, along with trust in the media and trust in politicians in general. In terms of public perception, the general public isn’t much in the mood to have anyone telling them what to think. Even in the case of respected site like RS, there are still things that I as an individual will choose to make up my mind, and especially now, given the challenges that our nation is facing.

    All of that considered, the candidate who connects with the voters on a personal level, someone that find inspiring, someone they see as a being leader…that does matter this time because it offsets the lack of trust factors.

  • powertothepeople

    very true. And you are right, this “faced death superman” nonsense has distracted from the original valid message he was originally trying to put out there.

    I am glad he survived and wish him many many healthy years as I was no one to die especially from cancer, but he is no more special nor anymore qualified to be president due to surviving cancer than the other millions of people who have also survived including my Golden Retriever.

    But then again, if it is a good reason to be president, maybe I should get Goldie on the ballot and I could be her closest adviser. As mean and straightforward (rude) as I am, things would get done for a change.

  • bonnman

    After watching that clip Romney looks really bad

  • Scope

    let’s get him/her on the ballot, with her advisor. Common sense wins every time. Oh wait, we have the O. Forget that.

  • txpat

    Doesn’t fix the nightmare of Obama care.
    I have a problem with Romney care state mandate.
    I have a problem with his thought process that thought a state mandate was lawful.
    I have a trust issue on believing him when he says he will get rid of it.
    We can’t afford mushy person on Obama care.
    Can we take a risk and vote for someone that steps on our Liberty?

  • cmorrow

    There are no decent candidates. Palin had potential to rally the country, to lead the country in a way no one else could. Either she is a quitter or she lacks courage or she didn’t realize her own potential and how much this country needed her. Romney/Perry it’s all the same old thing; equivalent to a band aid on a fatal wound. America as it was founded and intended is gone. Obama has killed it. Now all we can do is try to leave our grandchildren faith, money and teach them how to use firearms responsibly before they face the effects of the implosion. And the hating Dems and the idiot GOP that worked so hard to keep Palin out is going to get what they deserve.

  • Scope

    Look at the media hit jobs on Perry, starting with a media phony hit job on Perry about Gardasil, immigration, and most recently that he is a racist because of some dang rock. Think for a minute about the media hit jobs that will now hit Cain because he has hit top tier. Fox, to a degree has already started the pushback against Cain because he may threaten their guy. Cain’s honeymoon with Fox has hit it’s max. He will now be demonized as well. Promise.

  • gekster

    If thats the way you see it.

  • paladin1

    lost big to Obama in 2008. The nation is, by all polling accounts, is sick of Obama and barring a miracle in the economy he will be a one termer. You cannot expect me to believe that Republicans are so distrusted by the voters that we have to settle for another RINO to ensure a win. We need a man with a conservative heart (yeah, yeah-I heard about Guardasil, tuition for immigrants, and the TT Corridor; I live here in Texas) to take us back home. Romney ain’t it, but Perry is our man with his basic conservative instincts and fighting spirit. He will get the job done!

    PS- I will vote for whomever the Repub nominee is, but we can do much better than Romney.

  • lineholder

    You’re reading things into what I said in this comment, and it isn’t the first time you’ve done it either.

    My comments were addressing a societal influence, i.e.a lack of trust pertaining to more than one area, that plays a bigger part in what is going on in this race than has been mentioned so far.

    I made no comments addressing attacks made on any of the candidates by the media or anyone else. Neither did I make any statements conveying, implying or insinuating that Cain would not go through the same process.

    If you want to attack me for personal reasons, that’s up to you. But I’m not responding to it. That’s how it is.

  • snowshooze

    We don’t want them in Alaska either!

  • txpat

    They will tear everyone down until Romney is the last Rino standing.
    Please note no hit jobs on Mitty, he is above all of that so he stays Presidential while everyone else is marked as a loser by the media.

  • gekster

    He would have to be in the ocean to go north and hit Alaska. ;)

  • minister_of_war

    It was just funny. I definitely think that Jon Stewart is quite talented as a comedian. I just laugh because if that’s all that the libs have got on Romney after 17 years of possible ammunition, Romney’s actually doing just fine.

    The only thing that Romney said that was really disturbing was that he was not planning on going back to Reagan/Bush & that he was an independent at the time. At least Rick Perry had made his mind up as to who he was back when he was a Democrat. I think that I despise independents more than Democrats sometimes because the indies think that their nuanced way of thinking is just so enlightened. And I say that’s complete B.S.

  • horsewithnoname

    Giulani 32%
    McCain 16%
    by March 2008, Giulani’s delegate tally: 6

  • snowshooze

    But I almost passed over you comment due to it’s headliner…

  • horsewithnoname

    And we know where they ended up biblically

  • nvrepub

    nt

  • horsewithnoname

    when o had everything going for him. The 47% who still voted against him or for McCain will never vote for him ever. Plus the fact a lot of conservatives just stayed home then. Add them together plus the disaffected of the 53%, minus those who will stay home this time and what do we get?

  • minister_of_war

    Biblically speaking of course. ;)

  • Scope

    let’s pick nits as we have been doing for a while. I’m getting more than a little tired of some here that fall back on the tired excuse that I have misrepresented them, and it’s not the first time I’ve done it.

    You argued that no one can be forced to walk into a voting booth and pull the lever for Romney. Another poster responded saying that the media can have a big influence. You argued back that in this current environment, many are tired of media influence. I could not agree more, but, the fact is all too true that they do, as I pointed out in my reply as to how the media has been trying to take Perry down. That is an argument not many, if any would not agree with. The discussion was in fact about Romney and Perry, and not just a societal influence as the discussion was between two candidates.

    Yes, no doubt, we have been picking nits with one another, and really unnecessarily, mostly. I’ve posted that some seem to believe that they can, how do I say this nicely, try to keep the posts and discussions on a civil, or respectful manner. It is more than true that some posts have gone off the rails. It is also true that when someone has chosen their candidate to support, they want everything to be all nicey nice, which seems to be a new phenomenon as for months, and more accurately years, it’s been at RedState what it’s been, heated. The fact that RS has now decided to be kinder and gentler, it’s at times becomes a free for all. Not you, and not anyone else posting here has any control over that. Where were you and others when every attack known to man was being leveled at Perry, or Bachmann, or Cain, or Gingrich etc?

    What really busts my chops is that with all the unreal posts that have been made since before the nom vetting/debates have been heated once again, it’s all of a sudden not nice to say things about my candidate, but it’s OK to say not nice things about yours, or you personally. If you were consistent against the attacks on everyone who suffers the fate of the fire breathing dragons great, but, that has notr been the case. Rather, some have dug their heels in for their guy, and all of a sudden, that doesn’t feel good.

    When I said that you can’t corral the cats, that is exactly what I meant. If you only knew of the diaries that pop up occasionally, asking that everyone get along, and we really need to have more civility here, you would understand. Actually, I’ve read comments on some of those diaries such as “here we go again.” RS has some thousands of members, do you really believe that everyone will always be nice and respectful? It ain’t gonna happen, unfortunately.

    Sorry I’ve gone on here, I’m really tired, it’s not been a good day for me at all.

  • deVere

    because he’s the only one who doesn’t make dumb campaign mistakes.

    Cain just told the unemployed that they are to blame for not being able to find a job. After this mega-gaffe, I no longer consider him electable.

    Perry is a nice guy, but he wrote that wild book, has Texas-style immigration problems, and is inexperienced in national campaigns. Maybe he will get the VP slot under Romney.

    I don’t like Romney at all, but we must defeat Obama, so Willard will have my wholehearted support.

  • snowshooze

    The roof rider?

  • ammy

    Congrats Bill – you and Jon Stewart are on the same page. Romney may not throw red meat at the tea party (I’m a member), he may not take in succinct soundbites and yes, he’s changed some positions but as for someone ready to BE president – there is no one in the field who comes close. Keep on spinnin but he’s the guy and when it’s done – you’ll be glad for years to come.

  • damianvincent

    Perry is by far the best candidate when you examine what matters, the records. Perry was number one in job creation, Mittens was third last in job creation. The number one issue on everyone’s minds and we have the number one candidate to run on that. Perry has cut taxes, reduced regulations, and passed tort reform. Unlike the US Texas had it’s credit rating upgraded, and Texas has created over 40% of the jobs in the Obama economy. If Perry is the nominee, Obama loses on the economy. With Perry, Obama can’t say it’s Republican policies that don’t work, that he was handed a bad hand, and it’s the Republicans who are holding him back. Republican policies are working, and we need an nominee at the head of that. We need to defeat this Keynesian economic b/s and Perry’s the guy to do that.

    On the economy

    Perry was number one in job creation, creating over a million jobs, while Obama lost several million
    Perry cut taxes, reduced regulations, and passed tort reform
    Texas had it’s credit rating upgraded under Perry to the highest possible level
    Perry has shown he has what it takes to make the tough calls to cut spending, balancing 6 budgets in a row

    On Immigration

    Perry put half a billion of Texas taxpayer money towards fighting a federal problem, illegal immigration
    Perry sent the National Guard, and Texas Rangers to the Border
    Perry banned drivers licenses for illegals
    Perry joined Az in it’s lawsuit on immigration
    Perry even pushed with emergency legislation to ban sanctuary cities.
    No other candidate has done more, or dealt with immigration more than Perry.

  • ammy

    Also, I’m going for smart (not Obama smart – needs cue cards to say UH) or Perry smart – (Not Very) but truly smart and willing to dig in and find a path forward for everyone. Romney ’12. Yes.

  • damianvincent

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI
    Romney supporting abortion, advocating gay scoutmasters in the boy scouts, and saying he left the Republican party under Reagan. ‘

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk1bJOpYUqE
    Here is Mittens supporting Mass tough gun control laws

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Romney+amnesty&aq=f
    I don’t know why Rick Perry hasn’t brought this one up…
    MITT ROMNEY: “But my view is that those 12 million who have come here illegally should be given the opportunity to sign up to stay here…”

    Truth is Mitt Romney was never much a Republican till deciding to run for the Republican nomination

  • ammy

    Perry is right for Texas and Texas is right for Perry. But he isn’t close to being right for Pres. It’s not about immigration. It’s about standing on a stage with Obama and being able to not just hold his own but outdo. It’s about being ready for the challenges of Washington. Romney is the best qualified to BE President. I like Perry, but I don’t think he can beat Obama or that he is up to the job.

  • rightwingmom52

    after what Perry’s done in Texas than what Mitt did in Massachusetts.

  • damianvincent

    Perry will beat Obama on the economy, the number one issue on everyones mind. Perry is number one in job creation, with Perry as the nominee, Obama can’t blame Republican policies, and can’t complain he was dealt a bad hand. We are having success even in this economy, and it’s by following the Perry example in Texas. We don’t need someone to call Perry and ask him what he did to create jobs, remember Mitt was third last in job creation, we need to do better than that to beat obama in this economy. We need someone who can say they created jobs, with the record to back it up.
    Who knows what Romney will do, he may grant the waivers, or maybe he’ll wavier on that like he has with gun control, immigration, abortion, and gay rights. Why would we nominate some poll tested politician who’s not going to rock the boat, just making minor changes around the edges. We need someone who is going to fix the terrible problems our country faces, and we don’t have much time.
    As for which states Romney or Perry would bring into play, Romney polls well in the states Republicans are not going to win, Perry holds all Republican territory and pushes into the purple states. The base wouldn’t come out to support Romney, and without a good ground game, this is over.
    Romney would be the worst case scenario for Republicans a candidate no one is really behind, getting assailed in the press, with no one caring to come to his defense. The base won’t be there and he’ll be ripped to shreds.

  • damianvincent

    Think about that though, what will this election hinge on the economy. When it comes down to it, voters in the voting both are going to vote for who they think can turn this economy around, especially with a double dip looming. Perry is number one in job creation having created over a million jobs. In fact over 40% of the jobs created in the Obama economy where created in Texas under Perry, while Obama has lost several million jobs, Perry is creating jobs. Obama’s not going to be able to claim it’s Republican policies that don’t work, they are in Texas. Obama can’t say he’s cleaning up Republican messes, Republican policies are working, and working well, even in this economy. People are flocking to Texas to prosper under Republican policies. It’s not everything else, it’s Obama, and Perry is uniqely situated to present that contrast to the American people. Sure Romney’s not Obama, but in the end will that be enough for non Republicans. We need someone with a solid jobs record, not a smooth talker who was third worst in job creation. Mitt’s job creation record will be in every Obama commercial come the general, come on guys lets not make this mistake.

  • Adjoran

    Barack Hussein Obama.

    The GOP Primaries are about choosing a candidate to oppose him, but only those who are closet Obama supporters will refuse to support the nominee if “their” candidate doesn’t win.

    Romney’s long track record of straightening out mismanaged enterprises – enough that made him a personal fortune of around $250 million, and to salvage the 2002 Winter Olympics from an impending disaster to a profitable venture – sounds like just what this government needs (don’t use the layoff word, but it’s gotta happen). But Huntsman or Johnson or Ron Nutbar Paul would be better Presidents than Obama – by a long shot.

    Oh, as a conservative you are “tired of settling” for candidates who aren’t as conservative as you? Well, convince more people to vote for your candidates, and quit your incessant whining, you sound like freaking liberals.

    If you don’t support the nominee, you are supporting Obama. Period.

  • wonkish1

    nt

  • The_Gadfly

    But that says more about their foibles than Romney’s desirability as POTUS. Romney is not a conservative, and we need a conservative to undo the damage The Big 0 and his unindicted co-conspirators Pelosi and Reid have done to this country.

  • The_Gadfly

    You nailed that one.

  • The_Gadfly

    His history is one of fixing what has been mismanaged, it is what he does best, and it’s pretty much all he does. Which means he’ll come into office, fix what was wrong with 0bamacare, rebrand it with a Republican stamp on the continued collectivization of America.

    No thanks.

  • http://www.whyromney.com Ryan Larsen

    Romney outlined his plan in a highly publicized speech on May 11. He calls for “Repeal and Replace.” For more info, see my open letter to RedState http://intorightfield.com/romney-myths-red-state/

  • kywrite

    He’s in it to win it. I’m betting that the dual “no” from Palin and Christie will work to his advantage, too.

  • http://www.whyromney.com Ryan Larsen

    I noticed you have a diary. I requested one last week, but haven’t anything. Would you like to post my Open Letter To RedState? You could of course explain that I would post it if I could. You’ll find it to be rock-solid.
    http://intorightfield.com/romney-myths-red-state/

  • kywrite

    It was specifically directed at the whiney losers who are “occupying” Wall Street. You know, the useful idiots. He also said he thought the Obama machine had something to do with the demonstrations. Considering Van Jones and MoveOn are both involved in it, he may well be right.

    http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Id=1728288&SM=1

  • davesinsanantonio

    several years. Maybe we would have been better off with him as a Dim instead of Obummer. Or, maybe not. I doubt he would have fought the leftist Congress on much that they have proposed over the last 20 years or so. That is why I will only support him if he becomes the actual nominee, but will have to hold my nose to do it, much like with McPaininthebutt.
    Can’t we just nominate someone who will fight to right the wrongs, rather than try to justify why those wrongs aren’t so bad? I mean, really??? Let’s stop the fiction that Mittens is a conservative. He is not “a” conservative. He may have some conservative tendencies in some areas, but it isn’t in his core to be a real conservative.

  • davesinsanantonio

    is right for Massachusetts, and Massachusetts is right for him.

    Nuff said!!!

  • davesinsanantonio

    The people of America are not so ignorant or naive, or even so stupid, as to only look at a single 2 hour debate and be conned into supporting someone who has been a loser, not to mention evil and destructive, for four years. As long as Perry acts like Perry and points out his successes and Obummer’s failures, he will “win” the debate, and the White House.
    Have some faith in the American voters and give them a chance to vote for someone who actually believes in this country and what it stands for, and has the record to back it up.

  • deVere

    Cain hasn’t been down the track before and is insufficently cautious in what he says. If he thinks a rock with a bad word is “insensitive” he should try looking in a mirror. Herman, you just got caught saying something that is the epitome of “insensitive”, maybe even “heartless”.

  • manny

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwwcAa6nHm4
    As Governor, he actually promoted ?gay marriage? ? implementing it in violation of the Mass. Constitution, without legislative authorization. His Chief Legal Counsel carried out Mitt?s orders to enforce the new ?law? (actually, just the Court opinion). In 2010, the Mass. GLBT lobby publicly thanked the Legal Counsel for his support of the gay marriage ruling. http://kno?wthyneighb?or.blogs.c?om/home/20?10/09/mass?achusetts-?gay-lobby-?endorses-m?itt-romney?s-attorney?-for-state?-rep-seat.?html After all, Mitt had promised the Log Cabin Republicans during his 2002 campaign that he would not fight the expected Court ruling for gay marriage. And his Legal Counsel figured out how to keep that promise.
    Romney facilitated $50 abortions under RomneyCare. The bill he signed included Planned Parenthood as a member of the ?payment policy advisory board? setting coverage guidelines. http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2006/Chapter58 and http://massresistance.org/docs/marriage/romney/health_ins/ Obviously, he could have vetoed Planned Parenthood?s inclusion. What did he expect PP would do on the advisory board? Insist on vitamin supplement coverage?
    Gov. Romney fully supported Kevin Jennings? ?gay? propaganda in the schools, with his ?Governor?s Commission on Gay & Lesbian Youth? and Dept. of Educ. ?Safe Schools? programs. He issued proclamations celebrating GLBT ?Youth Pride? events which brought adult GLBT activists together with young teens. In 2005, that event?s keynote speaker was a transgender communist activist (and editor of Workers? World). He failed to uphold the parents? rights law on sexuality issues in the schools.
    His Dept. of Social Services gave the “Parents of the Year” award to a homosexual couple. His DSS indoctrinated thousands of their social workers to support “GLBT youth” with the radical Natl Gay & Lesbian Task Force leading the training. His Dept. of Public Health worked with ManHunt.net, and published a poster (for school nurses’ offices, public transport, doctors’ offices) pushing the concept of “transgender health” and condemning “transphobia.”
    It will be an unprecedented disaster for conservatives and the country if he becomes the nominee.

  • supergirl2911

    where is the poll showing republicans-or anyones- distrust of all networks and what we think their agenda is?

  • circlegranch

    as evidenced by a recent long road trip we took through several states, so a Romney – Perry dual is still a distinct possibility. Look at the fundraising Perry pulled off and still has $15 million of it on hand—all of that after 3 poor debate performances and the kitchen sink being dropped on his head.

    We all knew Palin and Christie were the Tease Party candidates and now that both are out, there’s one more wild card lurking….Trump. After he dined w/ Perry, he was asked if he was ready to endorse and he said he wasn’t; not until Palin had made her decision. Now that Palin is a definite ‘no’, WWTD?

  • circlegranch

    in that eventually Perry’s record of accomplishment will come to light. We’ve been beaten over the head with all his negatives and now its time for the good stuff: signing a law this summer calling on Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment; a law requiring photo ID to vote, several important initiatives to help veterans, small business tax exemptions, etc. There’s a positive story to tell coming out Texas (all the lifers from Texas that respond saying things are really, really awful can move and make room for the thousands that want to move there). I live in a predominantly military town and Perry has huge popularity here because he stands for what he believes in, doesn’t waffle or apologize for his record and he SERVED HIS COUNTRY.

  • supergirl2911

    than the tuition thing. I guess I get most of the legislature agreeing to in state tuition rates to help offset the bigger issue of ii that clashes any border state with an antagonistic fed govt. I dont know the numbers but Ive read the cost/investment was minimalKeven if you disagree with the issue in substance. I find it harder to reconcile Romneycare in substance because itis more overreaching inmo.

  • supergirl2911

    and yes that i agree with

  • supergirl2911

    before he was to left

  • Bill S

    I can say the same thing about, oh, let’s say Moe Lane. (sorry to pick on you, Moe). You’ve said exactly zero specifically about Romney and what makes him “ready to BE president”. This is Palin-bot territory – tell us how dreamy he is without actually saying why.

  • rcastonjr

    He doesn’t want to fix Obamacare, he wants to give immediate wavers so ALL states can opt out UNTIL legislation is passed to REPEAL it.

    What part of STATES RIGHTS do you have a problem with? Massachusetts handled their problem their way.

    Obviously it is lawful in his state. Or do you really like this over the top FEDERAL intervention in areas it has no Constitutional Authority to be in?

    Do you REALLY BELIEVE that should the legislature send him a bill repealing Obamacare, he will NOT sign it? Really?

    He is not mushy. (On THIS issue) He has made it clear that he believes it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL and should be repealed. See comment above again.

    We already did and have for years now. You really think the Patriot Act PROMOTES liberty? Do you think most of the crap coming out of DC actually promotes liberty or restricts it? Not to be disrespectful but when is the last time Republicans passed anything that actually increased our freedom and liberty? We all know who the ONLY candidate is that is truly concerned with our freedom and liberty and there is not a snowballs chance that he will win.

    Who, and there are a couple, in this Republican field REALLY is running on a platform of freedom an liberty? And once you answer that, are they rising or falling in the polls? True liberty scares the hell out of most Americans. Too much responsibility if one is actually free.

  • rcastonjr

    has given us absolutely no reason to “have faith” in them.

  • notpropagandized

    because Alaska has no answer for thug Democrat suffocating, expensive FOIA and other meddlesome inquiries designed to destroy her. She left a job she’d grown beyond and would have to pay the price for the appearance of quitting and all the Dem derision. Dems had to destroy her because she would destroy them by her mere presence. HermanCain may have similar effect.

    Palin is unquestionably a star and would be a magnificent US President. Ain’t gonna happen this time.

    Hopefully, she’ll be just as irritating to Dems in 2012 as she was in ’10.

  • reggie182

    I look at his experience in the private and public sector, his grasp of the issues, his debating skills, his communications skills, and most importantly what he proposes to do as President and it is obvious to me that he is the best selection we can make among the candidates to be the nominee.

    In order to rescue the hapless campaign of the ill-prepared Governor of Texas, standard operating procedure has been to demonize Romney as some sort of Ted Kennedy liberal who will go against everything he proposes (a solid conservative agenda) to do now should he be elected. There is little or no indication this is the case. Romney had to govern in a deep blue state. His record is ideologically mixed as Governor there because it would have been impossible for it to have been otherwise. The legislature was 80% liberal.

    Now, with respect to Perry. His answer on global warming should have given everyone a clue as to how much preparation this man put into this race. That is not an obscure issue. A highschooler would have pre-formulated a response light years superior to Perry’s. His other responses haven’t been much better. It’s as if he was sitting at the pool sipping a margarita in June of this year and all of a sudden thought “Gee, it’d be neat if I ran for President”. No. Not good enough. Not good enough by a long shot.

  • powertothepeople

    who sells all the hairspray to Romney? I must ask because you have to be somehow making money of the Romney campaign to write such sweet silliness.

  • gekster

    What did he say.
    Just asking.

  • trur

    :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OQoBxZZPqU

  • sowa1

    I have never been so discusted with a President than I am now. Deliberately lieing to the American People about the Republicans not doing anything when it is the Democrats in the Senate that are the ones not doing anything. They have not passed a Budget in over three years, (Against the Law) and have refused to bring up anything the Republicans in the House have passed and sent to them. Thanks Nevada for giving us Harry Reid. What a joke. Republicans are our one and only chance to save this Country. Wake Up People! I don’t care who the Republican candidate is we must vote for him or her. My dog would make a better President that Obam.

  • gekster

    Romney:
    “I don’t speak for the scientific community, of course, but I believe the world is getting warmer, and I believe that humans have contributed to that,” Romney said.

    Perry:
    “I do believe that the issue of global warming has been politicized. I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects,” Perry said.

  • red_oakster

    This is a guy who will say anything to get elected.

    Perry on the other hand seems to be incapable of articulating anything. I’m still hoping for a last minute entry from Ryan.

  • mtbrimstone

    “The problem in the the GOP race is/are the many flaws of Mitt Romney. The GOP base is in search of Not Romney. Romney is a mediocre candidate and about 75% of the GOP seems to know it. But no one has been able to put him away.” -quoted from the original post above by Bill S

    In truth, though, no one actually needs to put Romney away. Romney simply is not going to get over roughly 25% of the GOP’s support.

    Romney’s RCP averages have continued to just rise and fall steadily since 11/03/2010 between 15-25%. (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html).

    Incidentally, Romney rose up to, but never got over 25% in the 2008 RCP averages. (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/2012_2008_gop_presidential_race_4_years_ago.html)

    The numbers speak for themselves.

    The GOP base is in search of “not Romney”, but truth is that no one has to put him away because needs to put him away. He will put himself away.

    Bottom line, Romney just is not going to be able to draw in more than roughly one quarter of the GOP base’s support in this election cycle, and, therefore, it actually remains un-likely that Romney will become the GOP nominee.

    Overall, Perry at this point appears to have the best chances of winning the Republican ticket.

  • damianvincent

    Romney has run for office four times now, every time he ran, expect when he wants the Republican nomination for President he ran against everything Republicans believe in. Mitt’s supported gun control, amnesty, abortion, said he would be a stronger advocate for gay rights than Ted Kennedy, then advocated for gay scoutmasters in the Boy Scouts. He even rebuked Reagan and Bush saying he wouldn’t return to that. The first thing Romney did once getting the Gov. in Mass was to raise taxes, or fee’s as he called them, half a billion dollars. He’s a tax hiking, liberal Republican, far, far from Conservatism.

  • perry4prez

    We have a lot of great candidates, including Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann (who despite Guardasil still makes a lot of sense on most issues). She foolishly turned her guns on Perry rather than Romney but that was a tactical mistake, it does not mean she is not a “great candidate.”

  • trur

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2788347/posts?page=135

  • damianvincent

    I like Cain, but I don’t take him serious as a candidate. Come on, he’s got a pizza box economic plan, that scares me honestly. Congress will never lower corporate and income taxes to 9%, if they did the deficit would explode making Obama look thrifty. What would likely happen is the 9% sales tax, which in a state like mine would be almost 20% added to each purchase. That’s an extremely regressive tax, especially on poor people. As a Republican I don’t support hiking taxes, especially now.

  • evilleramsfan

    Romney will win is if the rest of the conservative field remains split come primary time. He won’t crack 30%.

  • evilleramsfan

    can’t even speak without a teleprompter, so I don’t think Perry is going to have any problems……unless there are 5 other delegates on the stage and they all take turns at him…

  • tyman

    I heard Obama say something off the cuff the other day…it was on Boortz…and every other word was “uh, uh” or pregnant pauses.

    Obama didn’t really do that well in the debates. As I recall, McCain just did that bad (and Perry hasn’t done that bad, especially with yap yap dogs nipping at his heels).

    I think a lot of McCain’s problem was that he just looked like an old man. Sorry to say it, but looks do play a part. Look at Kennedy vs. Nixon.

    Even Clinton admits that Perry’s “a good lookin’ dog”.

  • trur

    I would certainly support Cain over Romney but I have concerns about Cain.

    1. Cain said that he would pick Romney as his VP and support Romney if Romney is the nominee.

    2. Cain like Romney supported TARP.

    3. Cain supports a New Federal Tax on Americans with his 999 (National Sales Tax) plan. Everyone knows that Politicians never create a new Tax that they don’t increase. 999 will soon be 29-29-29.

    4. Cain supports Affirmative Action and like Obams has benefited in his career in government and business as a result of Affirmative Action. No thanks, Mr. Cain, I as a White Male have been discriminated against enough because of Affirmative Action and I don’t want to see any more of it from you or Obama.

    5. Cain had Stage 4 Colon Cancer. If Romney is his VP then Romney will be President if Cain gets ill again. No thanks, Mr. Cain, I admire your true grit in beating back cancer but not enough to want to see you replaced by President Romney.

  • reggie182

    Someone who writes substanceless drivel as you do would do best not to accuse anyone of silliness.

  • reggie182

    What didn’t I like about Perry’s answer? He said he doubted GW and when asked why he had nothing of substance to say.

  • gekster

    I can do a search on “Perrys stance on global warming”
    and get 1,010,000 hits.

    Throw out 2/3rds, and that leaves 336,000.
    Show me the one you are talking about.
    It would save me some time looking through 336K.

  • damianvincent

    1.) I know that’s almost enough right there to lose my support.
    2.) Don’t doubt that either
    3.) Yeah and that’s what scares me, I don’t see income or corporate taxes getting slashed to 9%, without spending cuts that would shut down SS Medicaid/Medicare or the Defense department. 9% sales tax would likely happen, and you’re right, within ten years it’s be 29% too. Remember Reagan, government never gets power or taxes it will lower, it only grows.
    4.) I don’t support affirmative action, I don’t think reverse racism has a place in our modern society, but haven’t even really thought about it with Cain. Cain was a businessman, sure he was running fast food joints, how much success he had as a result of Affirmative action is purely speculatory at best and kinda mean.
    5.) Never really thought about this one much either, don’t know if I could really hold that against him unless he did pick Romney as VP.

  • damianvincent

    Right. Romney once ran to the left of Ted Kennedy. Then to the right of the pack last time, now is the middle of the road kinda guy.
    Watch and See the highlights of his debate with Ted Kennedy. You won’t know which one is more liberal.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI

  • powertothepeople

    did it take you to come up with that line and did you actually think that A) You would have the capability, intellect, or even have enough of a meaningful existence to hurt my feelings and B) that it was actually a clever response?

    Now answer my question. In what way do you make money from the Romney camp that compels you to write such sweet silliness?

  • gekster

    I hope your not just throwing crap against the wall to see what sticks.

  • reggie182

    I’m referring to the answer he gave in the debate.

    This one:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoPvxcwZ5xw

  • ga_dandelion

    not Palin -V- not Romney -V- not Bush -V- not a Politician

  • gekster

    Just what did he do or say wrong.
    I suppose if he was practicing debates since 2007, he could have looked better, but he was busy running a state, not running for President for the last 5 years.

  • reggie182

    He appeared to be making up the answer on the spot for the very first time, as if he had barely given the issue a second thought.

    Rick Perry doesn’t run Texas by the way. The things that have kept Texas economically successful for many years are not Rick Perry’s doing.

  • Aaron Gardner

    nt

  • http://www.whyromney.com Ryan Larsen

    Is a figment of the imaginations of smear artists and those who repeat smears without researching.

    You mentioned health care as your primary problem with Mitt. I address that in my Open Letter To RedState, which I cannot post here because I have not been given diary permissions, though the url is below in my signature.

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