Horserace for December 22, 2011

votemout2012

I really hope its time for ppl taking a serious look at what these candidates bring to the table. Perry’s record the best. Perry 2012!

nvrepub

nt

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

This is what I posted @ Big Government, 8 hours ago:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9RP63580&show_article=1

If The Newt doesn’t survive into February and Huntsman is KO’ed in NH, the Evangelicals will ultimately coalesce behind Perry [as Santorum/Bachmann exhaust resources]; although Paul will continue to receive his 10%-tithe, one can envision a 2-man race thereafter, with the TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party Movement activists [re]discovering the candidate who has championed their cause [as opposed to the one who has consistently spurned their input].

I have championed Perry consistently, even ensuring I was in-the-room when he announced @ the RedState Gathering in Charleston, S.C. “All king’s horsemen and all the king’s men” can endorse Mitt, but they won’t be able to put-together a Humpty-Dumpty campaign that will achieve credibility with the GOP-base,

The “electability” counter-argument is undermined by the observation that Mitt has continued to champion the Individual Mandate, has “been on every side of every issue” [flip-flopped], and has exuded aloofness from demonstrating the passion that has animated the TPM during the past almost-three years.

For example, although Rachel Maddow isn’t particularly credible, I just watched clips of myriad positions Mitt has adopted on Iraq [for/against invasion after knowing WMD's weren't unearthed...and now for/against defined withdrawal-date]; these would predictably be trotted-out to deflate enthusiasm and to dissuade Independents from remembering the jobs/jobs/jobs clarion-call.

The MSM/LSM/ELM ["Main-Stream, Lame-Stream, Establishment-Leaning" Media] have reveled in this dynamic, led [of course] by PMSNBC [Rush's appellation]. The best argument that can be conjured is that a POTUS will prove successful to Conservatives if he does nothing more than provide his John Hancock to Congressional output. The problem, epitomized by focusing on the SCOTUS, is that limited-government Conservatives worry he would appoint people such as Souter/Burger/Blackmun/O’Connor [rather than Scalia/Roberts/Thomas/Alito].

Undoubtedly, the “Wall St. vs. Main St.” populism exuded by Perry would both resonate among the GOP and undermine the “OWS”-types within the D-ranks [plus potential sympathizers]. Using the “K St. vs. Main St.” argument–as he has already done in his anti-Newt ads–has differentiated Perry from his competitors and has laid groundwork for a Fall campaign.

Perception problems ["another Bush"] will be obviated by such observations as Perry made months ago ["Eli" vs. "Aggie"] and track-record comparisons [Texas energy, deregulation, tort-reform]. Ultimately, the “have vs. have-not” battle will be fought, and the GOP may as well clear-away the underbrush so that the man whose effort will be predicated upon American Exceptionalism [and its accoutrements] will be starkly contrasted with the failure of hope/change to uplift the American spirit

clowngirl

I wouldn’t be surprised if Romney gets a bit of a delayed for his scorched earth negative and sometimes dishonest ads. Right now people are just getting pelted with anti Newt ads, robo calls, etc. over the holidays there may discussions and spreading of the knowledge that some of these ads are untrue.

I don’t buy ( or maybe am just refusing to accept) that if Romney wins the first two caucuses he’ll probably be the nominee- the field will narrow and it’ll take mor the 25 or 30% to win.

Also am not convinced Newt’s campaign is over if he finishes fourth – he could still do well in New Hampshire and come back and win South Carolina.

I’ve never been to a caucus- don’t people make their case for why you should vote for their preferred candidate and a lot of people change their mind? As fluid as the race has been – it seems like almost anything can happen…

tailfins1959

Romney, Gingrich and Perry are all plausible, but flawed candidates. I’m sure I’m not the only one frustrated by a Presidential race that fails to congeal. I’m about to join the Elizabeth Childs for Congress team and call it done. I wonder how many are getting tired of the primary soap opera and will fall away to other campaigns.

acat

Seriously, which “dogs” didn’t bark?

Mew

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

As rsklaroff noted above, Mitt thought it would be good strategery to throw Bush under the bus and say going into Iraq was a mistake.

“?If we knew at the time of our entry into Iraq that there were no weapons of mass destruction, if somehow we had been given that information, obviously we would not have gone in.?

Four years ago, he said:

“?It was the right decision to go into Iraq. I supported it at the time; I support it now.?

Was this an attempt to peel off some of the Ron Paul vote? IDK, but I don’t think it will play well in FL and SC. Probably not IA either.And of course, it won’t matter in the general election because Obama has also been on both sides of this issue, but for now, someone’s PAC ought o run that ad in IA, ASAP.

Change Jar Conservative

…

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

I am continuing to be completely baffled by the nearly rabid devotion of some TP members to Newt. I’ve spoken to some of them and they are beginning to sound like the Ron Paul folks. You can’t reason with them. You can’t convince them that he’s not a conservative. They just keep repeating over and over and over again that he’s going to have Lincoln-Douglas debates with Obama and kick his butt.

They should note something Ed Rollins said last night:

“At the end of the day, we’re not going to have 3-hour debates. No president is going to agree to that.”

We need to start spreading that message. Everyone knows Obama runs from a fight. He doesn’t go to battle unless he’s in the Rose Garden with a gaggle of unemployed union members behind him and a teleprompter in front of him.

The only debate he’s going to agree to is one moderated by Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz that requires the answers to be given in 2 minute prepared remarks that are scrolled on the teleprompter. Any debate where Newt would have the advantage is a fantasy.

Death_of_the_Donkey

and I think those three are going to be Gingrich, Romney, and Paul (Paul has no shot, but he won’t quit and will get his 10% or so everywhere). If Iowa goes (in any order) Romney, Newt, Paul and then NH goes Romney, Newt, Paul/Huntsman, and then SC is looking like a very similar top three, the race is effectively over. In order for Perry to get back in this, he is going to have to go top 3 in Iowa AND finish above one of Romney and Newt or it is likely over for him (NH looks bad and SC still has Romney and Newt way up). I simply do not see how a weak 3rd (ie barely beating Paul) or a 4th place in Iowa keeps Perry viable in any way.

APA Guy

…I will be the first to applaud! Let’s just be sure he picks Newt as his running mate after he becomes our nominee. There is no one I know who is more fit to assume the office should the unthinkable ever happen.

Paul_Zummo

Let me start off by saying that part of me wants Paul to win Iowa just to blow up the caucus and have people reconsider Iowa’s importance in our nomination system.

At any rate, I think if Perry finishes third but ahead of Newt, that will instantly change the tone of the race. I get the sense that a lot of people remain willing to give Perry a chance, but are deathly afraid that they’re wasting their vote for him. Any sign that he’s a more credible candidate than Newt, and I think we’ll see his poll numbers rising – and quickly – in the other states.

I used to think he had to finish first, but simply being ahead of Newt might be enough.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…I have a theory as to what transpired during the past week…and what it portends.

It may be recalled that Vander Plaats initially announced [after the pre-Thanksgiving get-together] that there would be no endorsement.

Then, a week ago, we heard that a hastily-called meeting would occur after the Thursday-debate; the thinking was that this was anti-Mitt [if nothing else because he had eschewed Iowa in-general and the Conservatives [Evangelicals and TEA Party Movement activists] in-particular.

Then, we read that Plaats had fealty for The Newt, which I felt explained the delayed decision after Friday’s meeting, particularly because Michele had done well during the debate [beating-up on The Newt effectively]; there probably was an emerging antipathy for his marital history that contrasted with the other three potential recipients [Bachmann/Santorum/Perry].

So, then Monday occurs, and Santorum is supported by Plaats [in deference probably to antipathy towards his prior favorite, The Newt, because of his support for his effort to impeach Iowa Supreme Court justices a few years ago].

This could be a major compromise, for the decision to settle-upon Santorum could have been the safest way to reinforce fundamental principles…while leaving-open the possibility of revisiting the situation [after Santorum would be defeated and withdraw, due inter-alia to reasons suggested on another RS-page].

And, were Michele to have departed in the interim, it would be a cinch to create unanimity behind Perry, indeed ENTHUSIASM if he will have done well in Iowa in the interim.

How else to explain their [partial] decision to alight [temporarily] upon a boyish-candidate by [some of those] who consider family-values to be the trump-card in the campaign?

*

Paul_Zummo

We’d be saying the same thing about Perry if he never got in. Daniels and Jindal – less so with Christie – are the great conservative what ifs. But had they entered race they would have all faced the same drubbing that the other guys have gotten, and we’d still be lamenting the lack of a strong candidate.

bdirks

If you were at his announcement, then you were also a witness to his first major blunder – upstaging the Iowa Straw Poll with an appearence in South Carolina.

The people of Iowa were not particularly forgiving of this, and apparently the people of SC didn’t really care since he is at about 5% in the most recent poll.

Perry’s strategists have failed him every step of the way. A train wreck before it even left the station.

Death_of_the_Donkey

but it depends on where he finished ahead of Newt (ie if they are both way back for instance). I think he has to have a credible showing to move on, because NH is likely to be a bloodbath for him.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…and it also recalls the fact that Perry has sufficient $ to be reassessed elsewhere.

As noted elsewhere, also, the fact that Romney is running such ruthlessly-negative ads will besmirch him far more than the same phenomenon might affect Paul [contrasting their potential constituencies]. But The Newt can play “victim” for only so many news-cycles before he fizzles. Meanwhile, the lack of negativity from Bachmann/Santorum/Perry serves to elevate their ability to attract former supporters of The Newt [without their going to Mitt] and transient “toyers” with Paul [until they learn his background].

Noting what has been said about The Newt’s operational problems, it would seem to be virtually impossible that anyone else would enter in 2012.

retire05

Huckabee was leading in Iowa, and took the Iowa caucus.

But South Carolina and New Hampshire are different stories.

On 12/22/07, the RealClearPolitics poll averages were:

South Carolina:

Huckabee 25.8%
Romney 19%
McCain 13%

The SC primary results were:

Huckabee 25.9%
Romney 14%
McCain 26.9%

With New Hampshire:

on 12/22/07

Romney 31.6%
McCain 24.4%
Guiliani 14.4%

Results for NH:

Romney 28.2%
McCain 31.8%
Huckabee 12.2% (replacing Guiliani for third place)

Remember also, that all states holding their primaries prior to April 1st, will have to award their delegates proportionally, compared to states who hold their primaries after April 1st being allowed to award delegates on a winner take all basis.

So it is possible that one candidate can take Iowa (I don’t think by any great margin) another NH and another SC and still not have the nomination locked up. Having to award delegates by vote count will also lead to a longer primary.

Now, this is good news for Rick Perry, as he seems to have tackled his debate demons and has a reputation as a great “retail” campaigner. I don’t know many people who have ever met Rick Perry that did not come away impressed, even those who had their doubts about him. They learn one thing about Perry: he has never strayed from his roots as a cotton farmer who has to deal with a government that is becoming more and more oppressive, and Mother Nature who cuts no one any slack.

Iowa is a farming state and as Rick gets out and meets more and more Iowa farmers, they will understand that he “gits it” when it comes to the way they live and earn a living.

Death_of_the_Donkey

He has but a couple weeks left to get back in the race or it is likely over (Americans coalesce around winners) and he is behind big time in the polls (I think Iowa is the only early place he is even at 10%). Perry may just be this cycle’s John Connally.

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

Upstaging the IA straw poll seems like an awfully shallow reason to disqualify a person as a potential POTUS. I’m more interested in how a person would run the country than how sensitive he would be to a completely meaningless straw poll in IA (with all due respect to our friends in IA).

pdawk

Unless you jump on board with the one outlier poll, the real momentum in Iowa is with Santorum. In fact, I fully expect Santorum to finish 3rd in Iowa with around 15-18% of the vote. Perry has moved from 7% to 10% while Santorum has gone from 3% to 10% in the same amount of time and without nearly the resources.

I think it all comes down to organization in the state and the only guys that really have it in Iowa are Romney, Paul, Santorum, Bachmann and Perry. I think Newt will finish as low as 5th in Iowa.

If Romney wins Iowa and New Hampshire it is over. As a lifetime resident of South Carolina, we tend to go with the momentum pick instead of upsetting the apple cart. Huck was the ideal candidate to win South Carolina, but McCain won because he was seen as the most electable and had momentum coming out of New Hampshire.

dpmapper

Newt’s drubbing was predictable – everybody knew his baggage. Daniels and Jindal don’t have that.

Perry’s drubbing was less predictable, but he brought a lot of it on himself, not remembering his proposals and whiffing on Supreme Court justices. Daniels and Jindal aren’t going to do stuff like that either.

Neither Perry nor Gingrich got hurt because they’re conservative. They got hurt because of their own faults.

westcoastpatriette

is a knee-jerk inside rebellion against TPer’s who are more socially conservative. They are probably equally frustrated with many of us who factor in Newt’s marital hx as equally important as his political positions. I hear that stipulated quite frequently that many TPers do not concern themselves with social issues and their attraction to Newt makes sense in that regard.

If I’m right, that would explain some of it as an overreaction to those of us who are repelled by Newt’s personal baggage. In their minds, we represent an unnecessary impediment to their desire to see us coalesce around someone regardless of their stance on these issues.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…why Rasmussen reported that 50% of Iowans remain undecided [focusing on Mitt, The Newt, and Perry], as per FNC.

YnotNOW

I would hope they are not that shallow and narcissistic.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…as to why he must excel ASAP; voting extends for another 1/2-year!

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

In Ohio, our RINO Secretary of State, Jon Husted, issued a directive giving ballot access to any minor party with a tin foil hat, including the fake online (progressive) America Elect party. Husted was ordered by the courts to allow the Libertarians to have ballot access (with lower requirements than the major parties) and soon after unilaterally decided that should extend to other minor parties. It’s possible we could see candidates from the Libertarian, Constitution, America Elect parties peeling votes away from the GOP candidate.

Not sure how that would affect Ron Paul if Johnson makes it onto the ballot as a Libertarian. But nevertheless, it’s likely the votes in Ohio will be spread more thinly.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…it’s one thing to predict trends, and quite another to inject conclusive lingo.

I prefer the former, contrasting with the determinative conclusions in this posting.

Death_of_the_Donkey

It isn’t exactly Perry friendly if he doesn’t get some major momentum soon. Before Super Tuesday, the only places you would think Perry would have a natural fit are SC (where he is polling 5%), Missouri, Arizona, and maybe Colorado. The rest are likely going to be uphill climbs unless he can do something real soon to get real momentum back (ie polling more than 10-12%). And even Super Tuesday may not be that favorable if Newt takes GA. I just don’t see his path to victory without a MAJOR showing in Iowa followed by a top 2 in SC.

irishgirl

the fact that some people I know literally can’t get past “well, I would just love to see Newt debate Obama”. Like not seeing the forest for the trees. You are right, Paula. We do need try to get it in people’s heads that there’s a lot more going here than debate style, etc.

retire05

going so far as to move his family there temporarily. So what? In 2007, Romney was leading in Iowa for a long time. Iowa voters are known for not really making up their minds until they walk into the caucus.

According to the RCP chart, in the last three weeks (since 12/1/11) Santorum has moved from 4.0% to 7.0% for an increase of 3 percentage. Perry, in the same time frame, has moved from 6.0% to 11.8% for a rise of almost 6%. You have to be selective in what polls you are using to get Santorum up to 10%.

My predictions are that Paul will take Iowa (and be the only state he takes) unless he continues to implode on national TV and people start to go after him as a front runner just like they have every other front runner. New Hampshire will go to Romney and South Carolina, well, things change rapidly in S.C after New Year and the Iowa caucus.

Again, it doesn’t matter because ALL states having a primary before April 1st will have to award delegates proportionally.

Whacker77

You can’t be serious. Must you really wonder who the big dogs are.

Try Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mitch Daniels, Bobby Jindal, Haley Barbour, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, and John Thune.

Everyone of the names I listed is far and away superior from an plausibility, electability, and consistent conservative standpoint.

The crackpots we’re being forced to treat as top tier would be nothing more than Alan Keyes/Gary Bauer style candidates.

Had anyone of these people run, they’d likely be the runaway leader at this point and would also be holding a 5-10 point lead on Obama nationally.

Sadly, we’re stuck with a group better suited to be riding around in a clown car. Now, we’re going to end up with Mitt Romney, a candidate no one really wants at all.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…but I also factor-in the prospect of a narrowed-field [as detailed elsewhere on this page].

Think “musical chairs.”

And he is already @ ~10% [and rising, per EE].

exitsfunnel

In my opinion he is just so much better than everyone else on the list that there is almost no comparison. What he brings to the game is exactly what the country needs in 2012. Discounting some of the superficial stuff (ie, obviously he could be taller and it would be better if his marriage didn’t have the baggage it does) it’s hard for me to imagine a better major party candidate at this juncture in our country’s history.

-exits

ps – I had promised myself that I wouldn’t post anymore about Mitch Daniels this cycle but since Erick’s piece sort of opens itself up to that kind of speculation I gave myself a mulligan.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…and the proof is in the numbers.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/13/news/la-pn-straw-numbers-20110813

1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%)

2. Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%)

3. Governor Tim Pawlenty (2293, 13.57%)

4. Senator Rick Santorum (1657, 9.81%)

5. Herman Cain (1456, 8.62%)

6. Governor Rick Perry (718, 3.62%) write-in

7. Governor Mitt Romney (567, 3.36%)

8. Speaker Newt Gingrich (385, 2.28%)

9. Governor Jon Huntsman (69, 0.41%)

10. Congressman Thad McCotter (35, 0.21%)

*

Rick announced @ this [friendly] gathering, as he promised he would [after the completion of the legislative session and, as it turns out, ASAP after he had recovered from the spinal surgery].

This write-in result was viewed favorably by pundits @ the time.

Thus, I don’t view this as an unforced-error; essentially, he ended-up upstaging Michele [which may account for her propensity to deliver the Gardisil attack, soon thereafter].

You’ll have to dig deeper to ID anything Perry has done that would prove fatal to Iowa caucus-goers; indeed, I don’t recall any recent quotes in any media-source that would corroborate your “delayed antipathy” theory.

duchesskitty

I just wish Leno wasn’t sorry hard on Perry. The other night he said, (paraphrasing) “Perry is almost as dumb as Sarah Palin.” I thought Leno was more middle of the road!

clowngirl

People would look at how he’s been hit with intense fire from numerous other candidates, the relatively small percentage who participate, the months some candidates have spent focusing on one small state – and likely conclude Iowa’s results aren’t that representative.

And (of course) if Ron Paul finishes first or second that would also blunt the impact.

retire05

Considering his PAC money, he has out paced Romney for funds.

TV and radio spots are effective ways to get the word out. And Perry is known as one thing: a strong closer. You make the mistake Kay Bailey Hutchison made; selling Perry short.

Paul_Zummo

Have you already forgotten the “social issues truce” thing with Daniels? I’m not saying that Jindal and Daniels wouldn’t have been good candidates, it’s just that it’s easier to romanticize them without the glare of the spotlight on them..

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…that anyone not in the race would be preferable ["grass is greener...."].

This phenomenon is best perceived as a mental exercise.

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

I think you see Perry moving in the polls because he has money to produce and run ads. A lot of them. Considering that I’m seeing a half dozen (at least) a day in Ohio (Fox News), I am guessing that Iowans are inundated with them. Perry came into the race with the financial advantage to be able to compensate for his weak start. Santorum, unfortunately, hasn’t had that advantage.

We’ve seen the same thing with Romney/Gingrich. Gingrich has had to resort to whining to the press about Romney-PAC attack ads instead of responding with ads of his own.

It’s just a fact of life. I hate that it happens – I hate that we don’t get the best, most qualified, most decent, most honorable person in the country to run for president because that guy doesn’t have the money to run.

tomatin

All the other non-Romney candidates are in the crab pot climbing all over each other trying to get out but Romney with the GOP establishment keeps putting the lid back on the crab pot.

All the Perry colored glasses at RS are not going to help him at all.

I don’t know why any conservative should even pay attention to the GOP presidential race anymore. Just cast your votes in the primary and suck it up that Romney is the candidate.

Support your State and Local TPMs that’s where we can affect the most change.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…are not productive and, thus, are best relegated to PMSNBC-type sites.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…because someone such as Toomey could be BOTH superb AND more strategically attractive.

tomatin

I found on RS you can’t reason with Perry supporters that ignore the fact he made gaffe after gaffe when he was in the spotlight.

I don’t even fault Perry that much because he’s not like the other candidates that were running for months not years, but ignoring his mistakes and then saying Newt supporters are delusional is just hypocritical.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

The life will be sucked from the TPM if Mitt gets the nod.

Having participated in the formation of a local TP yesterday, I recognize the importance of a loco-regional focus; this is, however, enhanced by envisioning involvement in what transpires statewide and nationally.

TPM-activsts aren’t defeatists, Tomatin, a phenomenon you should have absorbed while noting the intelligence that has been manifest in RS-postings.

http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

If we want change then we have to FIGHT for it, and Romney is not change. We don’t care how many times the MSM and the Establishment say “no.” We are NOT giving up! We are going to fight every single day for the candidate of OUR choice until the Republican convention in Tampa–and if he doesn’t get the nomination, then at least we can tell our children and grandchildren that we did our best to secure their freedom. We will have no regrets. We didn’t just sit around hoping someone better would come along. We will be able to stand before God and man knowing we did the right thing.

This is not for the faint of heart. Those who give up now can sit back and wait for the Rapture if they please; the rest of us will work ourselves to rags if we have to for the sake of future generations.

Whacker77

At this point, I want to see an embarrassing outcome in Iowa. I want the results to be muddled and not helpful to Mitt. If that means that phoney Newt wins, great. If that means Marvin the Martian wins, great. If that means Perry or Santorum finish close to Mitt, great.

I want anything but a Romney positive outcome because I want to see a white knight ride in and save us from this mess. Right now, Romney is getting quite a few endorsements. The better he does, the more inevitable he looks. If that happens, we’ll end up with a nominee no one wants for the second time in a row.

My preference is to see Romney, Perry, Paul, and possibly a fourth duke it out for the next six or seven weeks. As long as no one breaks away from the pack, a late entry is possible because no one in the party will want to squander a great chance to win with pack of dullards who have mortally wounded each other.

Regardless of whether I like Perry’s successes in Texas or Santorum’s conservative ideasl, neither of them nor Mitt can defeat Obama. Everyone in the current field is just too compromised to deal with the onslaught of negative attention the media and Obama will dish out. Mitt’s thin skinned, Perry is gaffe prone, and the others are just too inconceivable to be nominees.

If Mitt’s the nominee, he’ll get attacked by the right just as McCain did this coming Spring. It will wound him to the point where he can’t win. If Perry is the nominee, every flub, mispronunciation and crazy comment will be made into the greatest mistake ever. He just won’t be able to deal with it.

I want a candidate who doesn’t make me feel as though I must hold my nose. I want a candidate who doesn’t make me cringe. I want a candidate who offers, bold yet doable change. I’ve got my list, but none of the current candidates are on it.

tyman

Leno said that he was pee’d at Perry for the ad about gays in the military and children praying in school.

As a car guy, I thought Leno was more middle, too. But, I guess in Hollywood that is relative.

The other side will never like a real conservative. They didn’t like Reagan, they don’t like Perry.

We’re kidding ourselves if we think we can pick someone they like.

Remember how the LSM built up McCain, until he got the nomination? How pitiful.

acat

to the head, or involving grain alcohol, not sure which.

Your statement is ridiculous, and provably false.

A) Daniels, Barbour, Pence, and Thune all explored their options – as documented on Red State – and decided this was not their time.
1) Daniels was called “the Trucer candidate”.
2) Barbour’s D.C.-insider status and ethanol panders worked against him.
3) Pence seriously evaluated the possibility, but decided against.
a) Of your list, he’s the only one I regret not running
b) Pence is young and could easily run in 2016 or 2020.
4) Thune is not a noted conservative, he’s got a good social record, but his claim to fame is seeing weakness in Tom Daschle, not in being Jim DeMint.

B) Christie and Jindal are needed where they are.
1) Jindal just won his second term in corrupt-blue Louisiana.
a) Unlike Romney, who couldn’t get re-elected nor strengthened the Massachusetts GOP, Jindal has done wonders for the LA GOP.
b) Jindal is, like Pence, quite young – 2016 or 2020 are both open.
2) Christie needs more time to build a social-conservative record.
a) The “I’m personally opposed to…” line did not work for Rudy
b) East coasters are not the solution *at this time*.
c) Like Jindal and Pence, Christie is relatively young.

C) Jeb Bush has some serious drawbacks.
1) The dynasty issue – it’d go Reagan-Bush-Clinton-Bush-Obama-Bush- – and good or bad, this makes some nervous.
2) Immigration, the new litmus test, fails Jeb.
3) Jeb is still younger today than George H.W. was on assuming office. He could be a contender in the future.

D) Paul Ryan is as green as Michele Bachmann
1) He’s recently elected to the house
2) While his roadmap is genius on the order of Gingrich’s CWA…
a) It is not a panacaea
b) It says zip, zilch, nada about his positions on anything else.
3) Like Pence, Jindal, et al, Paul Ryan has a long career ahead.
a) at the moment, I’d suggest Ryan for Senate.
b) failing that, Ryan for SecTreas or Veep would work

Either have the honesty to admit you’re arguing from your own memory and doing no research, or admit you’re here to argue for Romney. Your current dishonest eeyoring is getting old.

Mew

1bunny

Great speeches by both Jindal and Perry. Perry speaks around the14.40 mark.

acat

As much as I liked Daniels (go google (or, if you’re Neil, bing)) and see. I was quite vocally pro-Daniels on Red State, even got into it with Bill S. a time or three.

Daniels’ major flaw was his truce comment – but even if one interprets it as Daniels apparently meant, it still indicates a belief that the Dems somehow value social-conservatism .. that is, social-conservatism is something of value that Daniels can use to extract concessions.

I take Daniels at face value when he says he opted out due to his family not wanting to undergo the campaign media proctological exam; I have to respect that he put his family ahead of his country as, in his position, that’s exactly what I’d do.

None of this disqualifies Daniels from, say, running OMB or HHS or some other cabinet-level position where his wonkishness could really shine. Nor, given his age, does it preclude a move to a future run…

Mew

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…you reveal bias when you suggest you would “hold my nose” while voting for anyone in the field.

We are all quite aware of the $1B-onslaught that awaits us but, it is hoped, the electoral map [with fly-over America having learned its lesson] will combine with people who seek substance despite occasional gaffes…to yield Potus-PERRY.

acat

Seems to me, the anti-Palin bias was showing even before her acceptance speech at GOP-con…

Unless you propose running the mythical Archangel Michael, you’re going to run someone with spots. For just one example, I could have told you about many of Obama’s spots back in 2005, having had to put up with his presence in Illinois politics for some time…

My point is, just because you don’t know what faults “the new guy” has, it’s false to assert that there are none, or that they’re better than, say, Perry’s poor performance in a dog show.

Mew

Whacker77

Do you think using words not common to everyday conversations or making sure everyone knows you are a M.D. is going to impress me? Please, spare me your condescension.

You accuse me of glibness, sarcasm, and MSNBC talking points, but are you really trying to tell me the names I mentioned aren’t significantly better than the group currently running? If so, then I feel for you.

I want to win. I don’t feel as though we ought to have to make the best of a bad situation. Had anyone one of the names I mentioned run, your choice, Perry, would never have entered the race. No one was clamoring for him until Daniels and Jeb said no.

bunk11

I don’t know how you could think Jay Leno was middle of the road. Look at how may nasty “jokes” he makes about Republicans and how soft he goes on Obama, how hard he goes after Republicans and how easy he is on Democrats in general. Sure, there’s the occasional joke about Biden’s foot-in-mouth, Pelosi’s botox, but virtually the only jokes about Obama are ones right out of the far-left book that he compromises too much with Republicans.

Jay Leno’s audience leans right, but his studio audience tilts slightly left – which is why so many of his jokes bomb – they are funny only to the hard left.

Jay Leno personally is far left, typical of the Hollywood set he travels in.

acat

because a Ron Paul victory in Iowa does nothing to affect New Hampshire…

…and if you really want Romney gone* then you need someone not-Romney to surge in New Hampshire. Ron Paul will not do so.

Mew

*note – given the infrequency of your replies when presented with factual evidence, I doubt your seriousness as a poster.

Common_Cents

I’ve been told this by many on the ground I know in IA w/ the local pulse.

Especially if the negativity continues through the caucus. Gingrich is doing a 44 city tour as well, closing hard.

If word gets out in IA that Romney chickened out on confronting Gingirch face to face defending his poor negative ads, there will be bigger backlash.

Gingrich’s ads should be exactly that, highlighting that romney chickened out on a 90 minute discussion offer where Gingrich will be happy to play all romneys negative ads for free, then discuss them.

Romney is weak and has a glass jaw.

GooseCreek

see Perry regain his footing here in SC as well as the early caucus states. And I think Tea Party diehards will eventually look favorably on a Perry run to the finish.

quad4x4

Newt/Rommmmney and companies will have a real go at each other, the problem will be no decision will be made for months and we the electorate are in some cases just now noting who is running, yet a lot (myself included) are just about through with this and want a resolution..now…now damnit get on with the 4th act. Even if they run out of money too soon. The could have to rely on speeches from the buses and temp. platforms (replacing the old train whistle stops, which are really obsolete.) Might get them off TV ADS.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

Otherwise, loved both content/format.

eldstenorge

Solidly conservative. We should nominate him. If we do not, we will end up with Romney. I will vote for Romney, but not some of the others. Ron Paul is not even a Republican in his thinking and his damnable comments on Manning and Wikileaks is treasonous. His comments put American servicemen and all government officials in embassys and other places in jeopardy. He should be tried if they are attacked. And, he should be hung, if found guilty. Perry is just stupid, Gingrich never stood for what is right, just a politician even supporting Dede Scozzafawa. Michelle Bachmann is great too, and Huntsman is just a global warming liberal.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…and i will make my point by use of one word at a time.

“Rick is great and bests the others.”

acat

While not good practice, I would ask what you made of my diagnosis.

Mew

Whacker77

The only place the current field is considered strong is in the comment section of RedState. The fact is the field is paltry. Our front runner is a flip flopper, Newt was run out of office, Perry is gaffe prone, Paul is crazy, and Cain was on a book tour.

I’m not saying each doesn’t have some positives, but they don’t outweigh the negatives. If they did, why has there been such a resistance to settle on a choice? Why has each non-Mitt risen only to fold like a lawn chair? They’ve done so because they have been so flawed or implausible.

Of course the names I mentioned have flaws. All candidates do, but their flaws don’t outweigh their negatives. Every name I mentioned is better than what we have. Just because they didn’t run doesn’t mean they aren’t better.

Just as it’s my opinion any of the names I mentioned are better, it’s just your opinion Jindal and Christie are where they need to be. It’s your opinion that Jeb is some sort of amnesty lover. It’s your opinion Daniels wanted to jettison social issues.

As for Paul Ryan, he was elected to the House in 1998, not recently. And no one could ever confuse his seriousness on the issues with Bachmann’s ability to latch on to unproven statements like HPV or the cost of Obama’s trip to Africa.

I’m sorry, but any of the name I mentioned would be better choices. Just look at what happened when amnesty loving Connie Mack decided to change his mind and enter the Florida Senate race late. He shot to a commanding lead because none of the other choices were plausible or had caught the attention of primary voters.

Scope

No Bush, simply because of the name, would have had any chance in 2012. Because of W’s compassionate conservatism, Medicare Part D, No Child Left Behind, and TARP sent many running from the Republican party, no Bush will be elected again for many many years, if at all. Many still remember daddy Bush’s Read My Lips, No New Taxes one term presidency just adds to the BDS problem.

Chris Christie is Mitt Romney with a bigger mouth and a lighter wallet, that’s why Christie endorsed him.

Mitch Daniels stuck his foot in his mouth with his Truce on Social Issues statement, and then he doubled down on it. Daniel’s wife didn’t want the close scrutiny of their personal marriage, divorce, and then remarriage drug through the pages of the press. There were some other issues such as his not pushing for Right to Work state laws, and begging the Dems. to come back to work when they left the state. I applaud him for considering his wife’s wishes with not running, but I’m not sure that was the only reason he decided not to.

Bobby Jindal is a brain powerhouse. But do you remember his speech to the nation when he did the Republican response to the State of the Union address? If Perry is getting slammed for his debate performances, the very same would be done to Jindal. I hope Jindal has a great future with the GOP.

Mike Pence would have been my very first choice for this year’s election if he decided to jump in. Many had problems with him because he was coming from the House, and he had no executive experience. I have tremendous hopes for Mike Pence in the future when he finishes serving as IN Gov.

I don’t know much about Haley Barbour

I don’t know much about John Thune except that he seems to be another quiet kinda guy similar to Pawlenty. Many wanted to shake Pawlenty to wake him up when he was in the race. When he did open his mouth it was to commit suicide for going after Bachmann, not that she doesn’t deserve a smack down from the big boys. She’s playing in the same sandbox.

The person doesn’t exist that is pure and as clean as a new fallen snow, and with the Dems., we will know of every filling in every GOP candidates teeth.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

keeping it monosyllabic:

“?Rick is great and bests the rest.?”

gekster

Gingrich never stood for what is right.
Perry is stupid.
What makes you say that.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…with both diagnosis and proposed treatment!

Whacker77

I’m fine with someone surging in New Hampshire. The reason Iowa is important to that is a non-Mitt outcome will cause a rush of attention to other people. Mitt will look weak and his weak support will migrate other places. That could be Huntsman, that could be Newt, or it could even be Perry depending on his finish.

Let me make it clear though. No matter how disgusted I am with the field, I’ll vote for the nominee. Having said that, I don’t want to have to hold my nose while doing so. I don’t want to have to defend dumb comments like I did with Palin in 2008.

I want a candidate who is strong on the pertinent issues of the day, offers a positve message, and someone who will bring along close Senate races. I don’t see that person yet.

acat

It wasn’t me who thought Daniels wanted to jettison social issues. It was, among others, Bill S. www.redstate.com/bs/2011/02/03/no-truces-no-trucers/ …

It is not “all about what a cat thinks”, although that would make it easier for you to digest. The fact is that Jindal, Ryan, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie all agreed with me, this is not their time.

As for Paul Ryan, while he is a serious guy, the problem with electing a legislator rather than an executive remains – and worse, there’s plenty of compromise bills he’s likely voted for that would be thrown up during a serious vetting. I’d love to see him at OMB or Treasury, or even in a veep slot, but .. not at the top of the ticket.

You are, of course, welcome to your delusions. Just .. don’t demand that we join them.

Mew

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…because it doesn’t contribute productively to realistic discussion.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…is that the GOP has a farm-team.

bzip

I personally am baffled too, why of all people would Newt gain Tea Party support.

Newt stands for everything I thought the Tea Party was against.
Newt supported various forms of the mandate for ages.
Newt supported TARP
Newt supported Medicare Part D
Newt supported carbon cap mandates, global warming
Newt supports GSE’s
Newt has been part of the Washington beltway for decades.

The list goes on and everything Newt stands is the opposite of what Tea Party people seek, Somebody explain this to me.

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…and this phenomenon should also hurt Paul.

dpmapper

I’m not saying that one has to be perfect. But there are some things that are really bad, and just because the media seizes on them doesn’t make them not bad. It is part of our job as primary voters to decide which flaws are going to play badly in the general and which ones won’t (not to mention which ones disqualify someone from the presidency altogether, although that’s a slightly different issue). I thought Newt’s ethical and marital and lobbying issues would play badly long before he vaulted into the lead, and they have. I could have told you beforehand that if a candidate who repeatedly forgets what it is he’s advocating, it would play badly. It has.

Maybe Daniels has huge skeletons we don’t know about yet. But we don’t know that, and there might very well not be anything of this magnitude.

Daniels’s thing about the truce is not a spot, btw, at least not in the same sense. It might be annoying to some conservatives, but it’s not a statement that makes him unpalatable to most voters.

clowngirl

And Huntsman – but that one’s a given.

If Perry emerges he can go on as the top social conservative.

I also see Newt going on almost regardless. It’s almost to the point now that he could come in third and be exceeding expectations.

However it shakes out – I see the top 4 (+ Huntsman) continuing unless Ron Paul isn’t in the top 4. Ron Paul is not (ideologically speaking) even a Republican.

That’s not an insult, just a fact. He is a libertarian running in a Republican primary to bring attention to various issues. Should he continue to be a factor, heightened scrutiny would bring him back down to non-viability.

So the top four will really be the top 3 Non libertarian candidates plus Ron Paul.

Common_Cents

This is BRILLIANT. why?

Obama will draw the biggest media. What media WON”T stay after obama’s event and cover Gingrich? BRILLIANT-better exposure.

Gingrich will be able to hear obama’s message at each stop, and get the last word in. BRILLIANT.

Obama will draw independents and those indies will stick around and hear Gingrich, in which he gets last word. BRILLIANT.

Pursuing uninterrupted debate seen by millions where it cannot be spun by the leftist media. BRILLIANT. This is critical in order to counteract the Billion dollar left wing media sound byte gotcha spin machine.

Competing on terms of your strength. BRILLIANT.

not giving into your opponents strength. BRILLIANT.

GOP/RNC leadership is terrible and of course they will have bent over and given in on debate formats preferred by obama. GOP/RNC leadership has failed to launch any counter attack to the left wing hostile media machine. FAIL. The leadership has reinforced its poor plan in bending over to the primary debate formats as well, intentionally designed by media to make the Republican field look bad. FAIL. There is also blame to go round to the individual campaigns on that point as well.

Gingrich will break that mold and alinsky, ridicule obama for not being a man. BRILLIANT. Obama is very very thin skinned and will react poorly to this if he doesnt engage in lincoln douglas debates.

If Gingrich is persistent, many people will realize obama won’t come out of the oz wizard booth and be called out having no emperors clothes. BRILLIANT.

Siding w/ the GOP/RNC “leadership” more like losership is a losing battle.

Secondly, debates are hugely important. Can anyone just go out and debate on any topic? NO. You must have a depth of experience, command of facts, and a knowledge of your competitors weaknesses to exploit to be able to succeed.

Debating(convincing) is 90% of what a President does in office. Jawboning your own side and opposition to go along w/ your agenda. You must be quick witted to succeed in office. An excellent communicator can go straight to the people and marginalize the hostile media. A quick witted bulldog President like Gingrich will alinsky any reporter that tries any dumb gotcha questioning. He will make them look like fools they are. Bush was just too nice to them and paid dearly for it.

People poo pooing debating skills are just saying that because they are not supporting Gingrich. They know debating/communication is a huge strength of his. It’s very intellectually dishonest and very transparent IMHO.

tyman

He may be somewhat conservative, but I think he lacks the executive experience and he CERTAINLY lacks the funds and the organization to go national.

bzip

I tend to to disagree. I think we all agree that Iowa is a little different because of its caucuses. I think most would agree that you need: ground game, people to stand up for you, infrastructure and money.

I don’t see Santorum pulling off a big upset though I do think he will do well but not in the top 3.

Santorum doesn’t have the money to capitalize on his endorsements or keep his name out there like Perry or Romney can do. That is in part why Newt won’t make it in the top 3 either, Newt doesn’t have the money to capitalize on his polling numbers and fight back on the ad wars. Same is true with Bachmann, she can’t compete. That is my take at least.

But this is the concerning side and what I have been so peeved about: Both Bachmann and Santorum could take just enough of that conservative vote that is blows it for Perry in the top 3. Then you have both Santorum and Bachamnn who won’t and can’t go much beyond Iowa anyways.

If you look at the Iowa advantage insider polling over the last couple months the trend is clearly going in Perry’s favor. I would expect Paul, Romney, Perry in the top 3 then maybe Santorum, Newt and Bachmann.

http://race42012.com/2011/12/19/poll-watch-insideradvantagemajority-opinion-research-r-iowa-2012-republican-caucus-survey-3/

InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research (R) Iowa 2012 GOP Caucus Poll
? Ron Paul 23.9% [16.5%] (13.3%) {11.4%} [8.7%] (9.6%)
? Mitt Romney 18.2% [11.9%] (11.5%) {18.7%} [14.9%] (18.1%)
? Rick Perry 15.5% [13.2%] (6.6%) {8.8%} [5.6%] (5.8%)
? Newt Gingrich 12.9% [27.1%] (28.1%) {14.5%} [11.7%] (12.1%)
? Michele Bachmann 10.1% [10.3%] (10.1%) {5.4%} [7.8%] (11.0%)
? Jon Huntsman 3.8% [3.6%] [1.9%] (0.9%)
? Rick Santorum 2.9% [6.8%] (3.3%) {3.4%}
? Someone else 0.8% [1.4%] (3.2%) {1.7%} [5.5%] (3.0%)
? No opinion 11.9% [9.2%] (14.1%) {12.8%} [14.2%] (13.1%)
Survey of 391 likely Iowa GOP caucus-goers was conducted December 18, 2011. Results from the poll conducted December 12, 2011 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted November 28, 2011are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted November 8, 2011 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted November 3, 2011 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted October 16, 2011 are in parentheses.

Common_Cents

But he’ll get more money after a Bachmann/Santorum drop after IA.

Gingrich has staying power to build a ground game and has proven he can stay near the top for much less money than other candidates.

romney just announced he raised 20million in 4th Q, why doesn’t he have a huge lead for all that money? Money for Romney has diminishing returns.

Common_Cents

That should dilute romney support and help Gingrich keep it close.

A close victory for romney is a LOSS for the cowardly lion romney.

Romney will get smacked in SC and FL and be on the ropes til later in the game.

radicalrighty

You know, “the best, most qualified, most decent, most honorable person to run . . .”

clowngirl

Romney wildly outspent the other candidates in 2008 – looked like he could win until Florida and then got decimated on Super Tuesday.

Such a happy memory. The one time I actually kinda like Romney was the day he dropped out of the race.

I hope to be liking him again in a month or two.

ctredstater

I have been dug in for Governor Perry since the first of the year and nothing I have seen changes that. Richard Nixon wrote that “destiny comes in the fighting for close elections”.

Many examples of this. President Reagan was nearly flat on his back in 1976, and had a late comeback win in NC, and it launched the rest of that campaign, and set him up for 1980.

Governor Perry has been the 800 pound political gorilla since he even thought about getting in – because of PROVEN CONSERVATIVE GOVERNANCE, the Texas record on jobs, and his electoral success (i.e. never lost one).

I pray that Governor Perry will fight his way back into this with a good showing in Iowa – that the field will thin out – and that with four or so podiums instead of 8 he will look much more credible as a POTUS.

A good man. A great American. Goodspeed, Governor Perry.

davesinsanantonio

I hope you will be satisfied with four more years of Obummer destroying America as fast as he can, because that is what you will get.

“Each people gets the government they deserve.” — Maistre

If you are that weak that you cannot stomach a full primary season, then you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Get over yourself and work to save this country!!! Don’t just give it away to those who hate it in their core. God helps those who help themselves, not those who wimp out before the battle is even joined.

heraklios

Both the Democrats and Republicans support a statist, socialist agenda, as evidenced today by the payroll holiday cave in by the House. All of the Republican-friendly media outlets and many of the large campaign donors are so busy ramming Romney down our throats that they are likely to miss Christmas.

Given the leadership we have right now, I don’t think there’s a dime’s worth of difference between the two parties. If Obama wins, then yes, it will be a disaster for America, but not much more so than if we elect Romney.

The people who really deserve sympathy are the generations of Americans who carved a nation out of the forest, fought and died for Independence and many other times after, and built a nation. Most of these earlier generations would weep if they could see what we’ve done with the inheritence they left us.

I fear things will only get worse and that significant parts of America will fall into violence, privation and civil unrest in the upcoming years. I now see that the Democratic-Republican socialists have so entrenched themselves at every level of govenrment, our institutions and society that it is only through total collapse of our country, and the total discrediting of these socialists, that will allow us to reclaim our country. I can’t see this occurring without a lot of bloodshed and hardship for the vast majority of Americans. Probably, the easier course is to emigrate if you can find a free country willing to take you. For those of us who stay, I don’t see much of a future given our current circumstances.

davesinsanantonio

with a conservative record as an executive? Especially since it is an executive office they are both running for? And, which Newt has no experience at?

Why is ignoring his verbal mistakes worse than ignoring the Newt’s verbal gaffes??? Or, his spotty record either???

clowngirl

Can’t you just imagine Obama going to town on this on this? Pompously talking about how HE was against Iraq from the beginning. He had the judgement to see it was a “dumb war” and the courage to stand up for his convictions and risk his political career… (yes I know, it’s hard to stomach even as a hypothetical) Romney on the other hand didn’t realize it was a mistake till the war was over, blah, blah, blah.

Gingrich yesterday said we don’t need to replace Obama’s dishonesty with a Republican who is equally dishonest. We also don’t need to replace Obama’s political expediency with a “Republican” who is equally politically expedient.

hls87

He’s a pathetic, preposterous old man with a trophy wife. He will finish no better than fourth in Iowa and will be lucky to break double digits. His campaign will be over before the first week of the new year. The fantasy of a Gingrich/Obama debate will never be realized

Gingrich fans are about to find out just how little debates count for in American politics.

hls87

He’s a pathetic, preposterous old man with a trophy wife. He will finish no better than fourth in Iowa and will be lucky to break double digits. His campaign will be over before the first week of the new year. The fantasy of a Gingrich/Obama debate will never be realized

Gingrich fans are about to find out just how little debates count for in American politics.

Common_Cents

Talk about un-presidential. he has NO opinion he will share on the payroll tax cut situation.

rbdwiggins

The problem is that nearly 50% of the American electorate has chosen not to participate. The solution is to awaken the sleeping giant…

http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…because perry isn’t viable?

Common_Cents

or why would you attack gingrich personally?

Why would you attack Callista personally in another post?

Wow, you really add some good discussion to red state.

davesinsanantonio

his record and his platform (including the stupid stuff he has walked back already).

saulpaulson

“Given the leadership we have right now, I don?t think there?s a dime?s worth of difference between the two parties. If Obama wins, then yes, it will be a disaster for America, but not much more so than if we elect Romney.”

People get really mad at me when I say this, but when you put the raw hatred for Obama aside and really look at his proposals versuses Romney’s there is not much difference.

For example, on Fox News Sunday, Romney would only committ to cutting $500B out of the budget in his frist year. Realize that Pres Obama’s proposal earlier this year included $300B in the first year and $4T in total ($400B/year). Is that really what we are fightin for? $100-200B in cuts per year? Or are we fighting for the $1T/yr and closure of depts that Gingrich/Perry advocate?

Granted Obama WILL raise taxes, but I am not convinced that Romney will not raise taxes as well. He says he wants government spending to be 20% of GDP but during the Bush years revenue was never 20%, that means a tax increase would be required.

clowngirl

Personally, I can’t stomach politicians who brazenly lie ( or have some Super PAC do it for them) and I don’t most folks in IA like liars either. Romney’s making a big mistake in pursuing an ultra negative reportedly dishonest campaign.

Am hoping Newt moves some numbers significantly with his 44 city tour and pulls out a win — but I’ve also thought Perry is well positioned to gain from the Romrney/Gingrich fighting (along with his hard work and considerable skill at retail politics) but still think Newt will make gains and win back a lot of his former support.

The upside of these over the top and deplorable attacks on Newt is that they’ve almost certainly lowered Newt’s expectations. Before the attacks started in earnest, winning Iowa looked almost do-or-die for Newt with anything short of first place being portrayed as a huge failure – now, given the extenuating circumstances, 4th place starts to sound almost respectable and anything 3rd or higher could conceivably provide a boost.

I would only be guessing as to who will win — but it seems highly likely Gingrich, Perry, Paul and Romney will be the top 4 and all 4 will go on to New Hampshire and South Carolina.

And in NH, the Union Leader will be happy to expose the full extent of any unsavory campaign tactics by Romney in Iowa.

bzip

Some Perry News might be of interest:

Rick Perry Blasts Obama for Payroll Tax Cut Extension
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/rick-perry-blasts-obama-for-payroll-tax-cut-extension/

Perry’s SC Organization Could Be Key to Resurgence
http://mountpleasant-sc.patch.com/articles/perry-s-organization-could-be-key-to-resurgence?utm_source=RaconteurMail&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GovPerryintheNewsDecember22

Rick Perry wears bracelet honoring deceased Iowa SEAL
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/22/rick-perry-wears-bracelet-honoring-deceased-iowa-seal/

Perry: I don’t have problem with drug-testing welfare recipients
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57346782-503544/perry-i-dont-have-problem-with-drug-testing-welfare-recipients/?utm_source=RaconteurMail&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GovPerryintheNewsDecember22

Rick Perry?s Van Halen Ring Tone Interrupts His Speech
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/rick-perrys-van-halen-ring-tone-interrupts-his-speech/

Rick Perry in Iowa: Thinking of black cherry jello, Clay Walker Christmas tunes [with video]
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/22/rick-perry-in-iowa-thinking-of-black-cherry-jello-clay-walker-christmas-tunes-with-video/
Rick Perry on the press bus

http://youtu.be/mZHRZF2GIIk

Common_Cents

It’s not where they’ve been, but where they are going.

Let’s face it, all politicians change positions(varying degrees), thats what makes them politicians.

Yes, the past performance does matter but I look forward when evaluating stocks, how the internal and external factors have changed.

Under the current environment (with growing budding tea party influence) American’s now paying more attention to policy etc… Newts lessons learned being in the trenches…. Gingrich is a very small risk of all the scary posts of being some big govt engineer going forward. Most of this is overblown.

Can anyone honestly say Newt will pursue cap and trade? Sit on a couch w/ pelosi? It’s nonsense.

Is Newt going to have all the judiciary arrested? nonsense.

Is Newt going to pursue a federal forced mandate? nonsense.

saulpaulson

The 2010 elections should have ushered in a new height for conservatism, but instead we are letting in-fighting pave the way for Romney to win the nomination.

I read a story earlier this year about how Romney’s former employees in Mass, could barely believe the man they see on the campaign trail today. They remembered him being proud of pushing tough environmental regulations and urban development schemes (this is the stuff where the gov tells you how big your yard can be and that garages should only be big enough for small cars and not SUVs).

How is that we are allowing minor flaws in Gingrich or Perry convince us that we should allow Romney to be the nominee? If Romney wins the Tea Party is over and the Republican party will become a center to center-left party just like the “right wing” parties in Europe.

carolina

Huntsman didn’t qualify either. 5 PM today was the cut off time.
They may want to reconsider their endorsement.

bzip

Would some one please tell me what these three candidates (Bachmann, Santorum and Huntsman) are doing in this race?

They need to drop out and let the candidates that are viable move on.

Bachmann, Huntsman, Santorum fail to make Va. ballot
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/bachmann-huntsman-santorum-fail-to-make-va-ballot/2011/12/22/gIQActuBCP_blog.html

AceInTX

and it was far more than an annoyance…and it would prevent some from voting for him…including me…

what are ther OTHER negatives about Daniels?

I’d start with his lecture circa 2008 that Republicans needed to “Get Over” Ronald Reagan

His support for a VAT tax can’t be ignored

He is hopelessly nieve on Foreign Policy in that he couldn’t or wouldn’t admit China poses a significant foreign policy threat to the US either militarily or economically

To me he is another Jack Kemp when talking to reporters or in debate in that…no matter what the question he would always twist his answer and reduce it down to a single issue…with Kemp it was supply side tax cuts and enterprize zones…with Daniels it was budget cuts and tax increases to balance the budget…

ctredstater

Governor Jindal was on FIRE!!! I was a bit worried that he might overshadow Governor Perry.

But he certainly didn’t. Governor Perry showed clearly in this format his command of the issues – his clear conservative philosophy, his SOLUTIONS to the problems of too much government, his ablity to unleash the power of the entrepreneur to revive this great country, and the tradition of patriotism which he was brought up in.

I read the other day that when Governor Perry had that 11 minute video talking about his military background and views, he reminded the viewer of his (or her, can’t remember) father. He reminds me of my father, too. My dad was a WW II vet who dropped out of college, lived for four years in fox holes in Europe, and came back to finish on the GI Bill.

this is EXACTLY what our country needs to get on track again.

God Bless Governor Perry – and I wish him Godspeed!!

btpull

Awarding the delegates on a proportional basis this time around favors a candidate like Romney. I bet mathematically he can win enough delegates for the nomination without winning a single state, but consistently finishing a strong 2nd or 3rd with the other candidates taking turns at winning the individual states.

AceInTX

The man loves the sound of his own voice too much and just won’t shut up…I love him in a lot of ways because he’ll fight when noone else will…he can make a devastating argument on dozens of issues…but he steps on every great point by talking right past it…

marktx

In the primary race between Pat Toomey and Arlen Specter, Santorum endorsed pro-choice Arlen Specter at the very time when Toomey needed Santorum’s endorsement. Specter went on to win that race…eventually switching parties while casting the filibuster proof 60th vote in favor of ObamaCare.

For this reason alone, Rick Santorum should NEVER receive any support from conservative republicans.

circlegranch

even Brett Baier admitted as such tonight on Fox. Baier showed a poll that has Perry in 3rd in IA and commented that Perry appears to be getting a second look.

Your comments and those of louisianapat further down reflect my thoughts exactly. Politics, supporting a candidate specifically, is not for the weak of heart. It takes courage and a firm belief in the person to stay the course. There’s usually going to be more bad days than good, even if your guy wins because there is always a hostile media on attack and 50% of the population that wanted someone else.

Over and over we’ve heard, “Perry’s done”, but that very first vote has yet to be cast. This isn’t done until, and if such time, as Gov Perry announces it. he’s invigorated, energized and fighting hard. Those of us that have made a commitment to him in one form or another owe it to him to stand with him. What would it say about us that now that he’s finally hit his stride, we quit? One thing I keep reminding myself is that Gov. Perry is not a novice at this. He’s been in tough battles and he’s been up and down. He knows the internal polling they have; he has access to all sorts of info that we can only imagine. Something in his ambience, his attitude, his energy tells me he’s been here before and he knows how the story ends. His energy gives me confidence.

There will be twists and turns in the road that none of us can imagine. Why should we sit here and second guess that all is lost and allow the media and the news releases from other candidates’ camps put us in a ‘woe is me, all is lost’ mindset?

This is the season that we Christians mark as one of unlikely miracles. We have hope because of an event that still causes many to disbelieve and doubt. In the mind of man, the miracle of Christmas makes absolutely no sense; couldn’t have ever happened; its silly and a sign of weakness to buy into something that is so clearly nothing but a fairy tale. Isn’t that what we hear all the time? Look at the doubt and disdain Tim Tebow endures and yet, look at his confidence. He knows the source of his strength. My point is, we don’t take the path of least resistance. We’re used to being verbally abused and written off. No matter what happens in this race, as louisianapat said so eloquently, it doesn’t matter because those of us that identified a man of faith, patriotism, devotion to family and those he serves will have done our best. We can’t control every outcome, but we can control how we react to the onslaught of attacks and if we have character and a moral compass, we pick the person that we think is the best suited to lead. That’s all we can do but we are Americans endowed with the right to make our own decisions, and we’ve decided to stand with

Rick Perry
President 2012

Merry Christmas! This is a season of faith; don’t lose yours.

Scope

and on the day of the Iowa straw poll was brilliant strategy. Most everyone knew that Paul would win the Iowa straw poll, as he tries to buy the win in most every straw poll. Bachmann’s win was a surprise to most. Even being a write-in in the Iowa straw poll, and upstaging their event, Perry showing wasn’t shabby.

For as long as I can remember, and from much of what I’ve read, Iowa has outlived it’s usefullness in being the first vote for the GOP presidential races. Early in campaign season, long before Perry got in the race, the ethanol subsidies were a major sticking point with conservatives. Why should a state, that thrives and drives on the ethanol industry, be the first in the nation when most conservatives are against subsidizing the failed ethanol industry. In addition, the Iowa GOP unfairly snags a majority of the GOP candidates dollars because they are famous for being the “first in the nation.” It’s not just the Iowa GOP, all of the businesses in Iowa make their living off the notion of being “first in the nation” and “we won’t vote for a candidate unless he shakes everyone’s hand, has a cup of coffee with them, and drops a tremendous amount of money in the state, including hiring a large staff of Iowan’s for their campaigns. Paul has dropped a ton of money in the state, and it appears that his money drop may be rewarded no matter who he is, or what he stands for. That should be a big hint at the Iowa GOP agenda.

Perry either knew the handwriting was on the wall with Iowa, or he was a visionary, knowing that much more of the race focuses on SC than Iowa. Did Perry know that the Iowa straw poll was as meaningless as it has most often been? How many that have won the Iowa straw poll have gone on to be the nominee. How many candidates that Iowa has voted as their guy/gal have been the nominee. They have a poor track record. Look to the DesMoines Register endorsements for your clue.

By the time the race moves to SC, Bachmann and Santorum will have no money to compete. Unless Gingrich finishes in the top 2, he won’t have the money to compete. Huntsman is hoping for a miracle in NH, but even that won’t get him enough support to go much further. I highly suspect that Paul will fold much earlier than he did in 08, and he will get behind Johnson, and the Libertarian party. Who does that leave? Perry and Romney. In the past Perry has already outpolled Romney’s steady 25%.

Perry’s announcement geography was brilliant. That will be evident when he wins SC. There are a whole lot of anti-Romney people out there, like 75% of the electorate. Starting in SC, Perry will begin to clean up, all those thousands of anti-Romney’s will come back to Perry, and the voters will begin to jump on his bandwagon. His vision was brilliant.

romansdaughter

Thanks for sharing that…yep both Gov. Jindal and Gov. Perry were awesome. You can tell they really respect each other and are good friends.

circlegranch

in IA (a friend of mine overheard a few people discussing Santorum vs Perry at a coffee shop). A woman said, “The thing about Santorum that bothers me and nobody else notices is that he talks all the time about his little daughter that is ill and has a very grim prognosis. My question to him would be, “Sir, why aren’t you spending every minute with that child instead of being away from her so much? Why do you want a job that will take you away from your young family so much, especially a child that may not have long to live? Why don’t you get behind another man that has your values; hand the baton to him and tell him to run for it and you’ll try again when your family demands aren’t so high? I just don’t trust a guy that would put a job ahead of his family, especially a little sick child. It’s too egotistical for my taste.”

I’d never thought of it that way either but this is how common sense people think. They cut through the fluff and look at situations and people with very discerning and rational consideration.

circlegranch

its not a binding vote.

acat

Perry has enough money to support a solid ground team – whether he has one or not remains to be seen.

Santorum .. does not… and will likely be relying more on volunteer efforts. Ditto Bachmann. Ditto Gingrich. Romney and Ron Paul are the only other guys with the bucks to do this, Romney doesn’t care and Paul is focussed on college-age first-time voters, i.e. much more prone to problems getting to the polls.

What is a ground game? Get Out The Vote! Arranging rides to the caucus locations, knowing where the locations are, having some redundancy built into the logistics so if one person’s a no-show the whole thing doesn’t go down.

‘s gonna be a close one, methinks.

Mew

marktx

As Erick has pointed out, after South Carolina and Florida, there will be a break before the next wave of big primaries. If Romney sweeps the early races, and if most of the challengers drop out, things might start getting interesting.

One wonders if Sarah Palin, or possibly someone else. might be bold enough to challenge Romney one on one in the remaining primary states after Florida ?

acat

Specifically with his taste in music. Van Halen, The Who .. classic rock that, believe it or not, *still* sells very well.

That he’s also managed to program different classic tunes for different family members so he doesn’t have to look at the phone to know who’s calling is the kind of practical-smart that I see far too infrequently. (yes, I have different ringtones for family, no I won’t tell you what they are)

Mew

acat

And there’s a much simpler question.

With what campaign apparatus?

Seriously. All those poster designs, media buys, state volunteer meetings, press events, bus rentals, flights, etc. take a staff, there’s a finite number of staff who have experience on national campaigns, and all of them are already employed. (well, except for the Pawlenty folks who’ve mostly moved to Perry or Gingrich, and the Cain Train guys who .. well .. given how poorly he did, would you hire them?)

So. Leaving aside that Palin is just feeding her ego by proposing a late entrant, leaving aside that there is an amount of time needed for vetting, there’s simply no way to ramp up a nationwide campaign in the time available.

Mew

onemovoter

There were 4 that did make it to Virginia primary ballot.

Romney, Ron Paul, Perry, and Gingrich.

Here are the details.

Report on Bachmann, Santorum, and Huntsman fail to make Virginia primary

This news I’m sure will affect the Iowa race. Many of the local interviews of Iowa voters are looking to no waste their vote on a loser. Knowing that the 3 won’t be on a state ballot will show voters to look at the 4 who did get on Virginia’s ballot.

Ron Paul’s negatives have jumped 10 points in the last week in Iowa. I also doubt his lead in the polls will translate to voters in the caucuses.

acat

Thank you!

Mew

tyman

I want to hear it from a Santorum supporter.

EE mentioned yesterday (filling in for Boortz) that when he was in the Senate, Santorum’s supporters asked him to be fiscally conservative. EE said that Santorum basically told them that he would when he was given power on a committee.

I’ve heard others from PA say that he was no fiscal conservative.

The support of Spectacle over Toomey is very telling, I think.

tyman

When he had the interview with Lynn Scherr for Parade, she asked what was on his iPod and he said Beethoven and Pink Floyd.

A man after my own heart!

I think it would be cool to use “Won’t Get Fooled Again” at the convention when he gives his acceptance speech!

tailfins1959

We won in 2010 because Obama’s supporters decided to stay at home and smoke weed.

buddyp

Please don’t ever again put Van Halen and The Who in the same category, let alone call Van Halen “classic rock”.

Please, I’m beggin’ ya’. If Daltrey and Townshend had gotten their wish (“hope I die before I get old”) they’d be turning over in their graves.

ladyfox

“If I had a dog and called his tail a leg, how many legs would he have? The answer, of course, is still four because your can call a tail a leg but it doesn’t make it one.” Some candidates desperately want to be known as conservatives,
but calling themselves conversative doesn’t make them one.
We have been using the term RINO for a long time, I suggest that now we could use the term CINO, conservative in name only for some of these desperate to be thought of as conservative candidates.

I i recently recommended watching Mel Gibson’s movIe “The Patriot.” As we begin our battle in, I believe, the most important election since the founding of our nation, I think it s important and valuable to look back at what our founders went through to create our republic. Then, to hold up your hand and say you would volunteer to battle for freedom meant you might die and your family too and everything you had might be gone. Today we worry whether it might be too cold to make it to vote. Shame on us. Shame! Shame! “The Patriot” will be on BRAVO Channel twice on December 23 (Friday) Please try and watch it. I hope it will give you inspiration and courage for what lies ahead. Our ancestors fought and won against desperate odds and so can we.

Rick Perry for President.

“A Republic if you can keep it.”
Benjamin Franklin

clowngirl

Hadn’t thought about the other advantages of following Obama around the country.

snowshooze

I agree completely.
Christie, as hard nosed and tough as he is, is still not a classic conservative, however.. in New Jersey… he is outstanding.
And he just kicks tail.
La. Needs Jindall. He is working for his people.
Let’s let him finish that project. If he is interested, he will be along.
Pence. Dang, I really like that guy.
Ahhhh.. but he is too white. Lol.
So of the whole pile, I really wish Pence would have gone big.

One thing for certain… we have a batch of solid conservatives brewing, and this is the glimmer of hope in the darkness.
There is real reason for optimism.
Look, I am getting busy with the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jeses Christ…
And I wish you all a very merry Christmas if I don’t find the chance to do so later.
Sincerely,
Mark

lizzie

Rick Perry really did get the Huckabee bump in Iowa when you look at the chnage up from Nov 28 to Dec 12, which factored in the Dec 3 Huckabee Forum and Perry’s excellent Dec 10 debate.

I still think Huckabee counts for far more than any other endorser, whether unofficial or official. (remember, I am the disillusioned dem, but a keen observer) Palin gave a shout-out for Santorum during that interval, yet it did not move the polls.

I do not quite understand why Romney got back up to his natural ceiling in that even I was offended by his serial neglect of Iowa-based forums in November.

Ron Paul’s rise is inexplicable, and I have endured as much exposure to him this week as I can – any more and I expect radiation poisoning.

The way the media spins Iowa, all Perry needs is a Top 3 to be THE story, especially if he displaces Romney. But, based on how I think 1) his bus tour, 2) the media saturation in Iowa, and 3) the power of anecdotal word of mouth amongst Iowans with holiday parties and time to talk with everyone you know, I am ever more confident that Perry will be in the Top 3, and maybe even win.

As to the Horse Race – I followed most of the men who said no, especially Daniels, Barbour, and Pence. and Huntsman, who truly failed to meet expectations once he started talking (and I am his ideal voter!).
Barbour was never going to overcome his lobbying career, or having grown up in Mississippi during segregation, especially against Obama.
No one that age from MS, AL, or SC can make that leap, whether R or D.
The other former states of the Confederacy have a different history.

I continue to think Mitch Daniels is a great VP pick, especially for Perry. But, Daniels has Bush43 baggage, which is still a big handicap, and Daniels private sector experience was Eli Lilly, Big Pharma. Syrian grandparents – even Syrian Christians fleeing persecution are still Syrian.
And, once I saw/heard him on book tour, do not think he would have handled the 60-second debate format all that well.

A brokered convention could just as likely draft Huckabee as anyone else mentioned here.

Just wish the GOP would understand that y’all need ENTHUSIASM because a Romney-Obama contest will be the lowest turnout EVER.
Obama is NOT going to have one billion$ unless you count super-pacs, his 2008 list is a myth – I count for three of those names – and he is just now re-building a new field ops. no enthusiasm. all the dems have are the Senate contests to drive turnout.

Perry needs to spend more time with Jindal – best friend and coach ever. Hard to believe Jindal is only 40.

thanks again bzip for those polls by date.

one point. I have had two dialogs about Perry where the other person called him “evil”. One was online thread with Iowa Evangelical who believes abortion is #1 issue, and Perry was tainted for endorsing Giuliani in 2008, and for being moderate (allowing exceptions). The other person was a random encounter at the dvd rental display, in a Massachusetts village that voted 80% for Obama – the woman went ablaze when I mentioned Perry. “Evil!” Because the death penalty was her #1 issue.

No wonder Mitch Daniels stayed out. Like him, I want to scream “it’s the debt and federal spending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
and, thanks to Obama, Israel is in my top 4. I do not think anyone has a clue about job growth, but I do know that confidence and predictability are crucial.

enough.

nancysabet

He is comedian for pete sake.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

We don’t have to shoot our wad in one election. As conservatives we think and plan for the future, 4 or 8 or 12 years ahead.

nancysabet

and unmatched in terms of record and credentials. Jindal, Christie’s records compare to Perry are very thin.

nancysabet

Christie, Jindal, .records compare to Perry’s are very thin. Plus none have his chrisma.

greyeagle

Ron Paul and his supporters seem to be really ugly in that regard.

nancysabet

Doc, thanks

greyeagle

I remember that race well, with all the mud being thrown by Kay Bailey. She did make that mistake. Perry ran her over like a bulldozer. People simply underestimate him. However, retire05, we know different.

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

Or any presidential biography? Formal debates are almost unheard of in the context of the executive office. There’s a reason they call it the “bully pulpit.” The president talks and people listen.

Reagan’s style was to sit in on meetings, sometimes looking distracted and asking questions that seemed completely unrelated to the topic. At the conclusion, he would inform his staff of his decision. He would take others’ opinions into account and weigh them, but there were no Lincoln-Douglas style staff meetings. He was the Commander-in-Chief, the CEO, the Leader of the Free World.

Currently, regrettably, Obama holds that position. Newt can follow him around like a creepy stalker all he wants. All Obama has to say it that he’s busy with the work of the American people and the media will cover for him. He will get debates on his own terms. It will be a calculated risk and he will take it. The side benefit is that the media can turn it into a circus, turning Newt into a comical creepy stalker in the process.

greyeagle

a set of dice would be as accurate as your predictions.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…it is proportional in the early going, and then it can be winner take all at the end. I think that this could allow the ultimate ABR candidate to survive the early going, get their momentum and their feet under them, and then clean up Romney with 75-25 margins at the end to take the nomination, no brokering necessary.

rbdwiggins

The GOP ascended to the majority in the House because Independents abandoned that hopey, changey thingy, and Republicans finally had something to vote ‘for’.

greyeagle

He has been elected Governor 3 times, and runs the second largest state in the US. It is also large that most countries of the world. So Perry is certainly NOT stupid.

nancysabet

PLEASE DROP OUT NOW

greyeagle

What you see is what you get. No flip flops like Newt or Mitt, and not simply out there like Ron Paul. Perry has always been a conservative, even changing parties from Democrat to Republican in 1989. That is the year I changed from Conservative Democrat to Republican. Perry will do what he says he will do. If he makes mistakes, then he admits them and does not try to place the blame on someone else. He has always been pro-life, pro-military, pro-secure the boarders, pro-gun, and a friend to Israel for many years. These stances are important to me, and therefore I will be voting again for Perry in the primary and again hopefully for President of the United States.

nancysabet

“when did debate performance become our sole criteria for picking a President? When did the RNC decide to team up with the legacy media and turn the nomination contest into an almost unwatchable reality TV spectacle? Is this really a sane way to pick a nominee?
In the end, one of these candidates is very likely to end up as President and will have to govern. With the exception of Jon Huntsman, Rick Perry is the only candidate with a successful record of governing. That and, more importantly, what he has accomplished in governing make him the clear choice for President.”
from a blogger

http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

I’ve read that although his staff has access to his Twitter accounts, he’ll often sit down after an event and tweet from his Blackberry. That’s fearless ninja tweeting if you ask me. So much on the line with so few characters.

acat

And, at this point, “Jump” has achieved “classic”.

Hmmm. Wonder if he’s got any Smithereens on his iPod?

Mew

redneckthinker

The last couple years I lived in Indiana, Daniels was governor. He shoved all-day kindygarten down our throats (i.e., state day care). He surrounds himself with militant pro-homosexuals to the point of irking the pro-family leaders in the state. He thinks Obama and Arnie deserve kudos for their education accomplishments. I give him a B+ or even an A- on fiscal issues. He gets a D on social issues. Overall, he’s not a conservative but he does hold to some conservative positions. Admittedly, he is smart, witty, a good debater. If he wanted to, he could chew Barry up and spit him out. But he’d be another McCain, smile a lot, and refuse to get tough. You don’t want Mitch as the nominee.

buddyp

Sorry, but you really know how to hurt a guy. Please don’t make me think of Van Halen music again, particularly not in a conversation about classic rock.

As for the definition of classic rock, first, I may be wrong or unconventional in my view, but I don’t see “classic rock” as a category that continually moves forward in time, but rather refers to a fixed time period, whatever that time period is and however imprecise.

And to me, that time period is basically 60s and 70s. Again, it’s quite possible people the 80s are considered included by many people. I love U2 stuff from the 80s but I don’t consider it classic rock because it’s from the 80s. Perhaps my perspective (or bias) comes from the fact that I was listening to radio stations in the 80s with a “classic rock” format.

Second, I tend to require that it be at least somewhat good rock music before I’ll call it “classic rock”. But maybe that’s just me. Not sure if that’s conventional either.

buddyp

I should add that even late 70s is at least iffy to me as far as fitting into the “classic rock” category. Generally, I think of it as mid-60s to early 70s. The Beatles, The Who, Stones, Doors, Zeppelin, etc. But again, that may be a more restrictive view than the convention. Although I don’t think it’s rare, particularly among folks like me in their 40s or older.

tomatin

As an engineer I know when I see a fatal flaw in a process when I see one.

The GOP nomination process with apportioned delegates favor a candidate who comes in 1-3 in every state. It’s going to work like NASCAR now where consistency matters which means Romney’s loads of money and running for 6 years building a 50 state organization matters. Passion for a conservative candidate matter little in that process.

In fact going by 2012 rules in 2008 Romney would have won slightly more delegates than McCain and Huckabee would have been the true King maker.

At best this year will be a brokered convention or I should say at worst because that means another four years of Obama.

So no matter what people post on RS it won’t matter.

MikeG

your attaching of the descriptor “mythical” to the Archangel Michael (FWIW, he is quite real), but I won’t threadjack by initiating a theological debate.

penhall99

…to help him win. Donate money, defend him on blogs and message boards, get the word out!

acat

but you get to tell me how he’s a natural-born U.S. citizen.

(a Happy Christmas to the entire G family)

Mew

pj2012

thank you 1bunny for sharing. It’s nice to see Gov. Perry in his natural element.

acat

I debated using “arena rock”, i.e. music that sounds just as good in the cheap seats as it does right up next to the stage…

Mew

buddyp

Term for what — Van Halen? I think RS site rules preclude the term I’d use.

circlegranch

http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/23/questions-raised-over-vander-plaats-endorsement

Des Moines Register political journalist, Jennifer Jacobs’, “Questions Raised Over Vander Plaat’s Endorsement” continues the conversation about ethical questions surrounding Mr. Vander Plaat’s endorsement of Rick Santorum. He is the CEO of IA-based, “Family Leader”, a religious organization.

Yesterday, robo calls began in IA on behalf of Santorum and recipients are informed that the calls are paid for by “Leaders for Families”, an organization the Des Moines Register refers to as a “so-called super PAC”.

On Wed., of this week, Santorum told CNN that he’d had a conversation with Vander Plaats this fall about an endorsement and Vander Plaats said he’d need money to promote the endorsement.

According to Vander Plaats now, no money was exchanged regarding the endorsement and even conversations about a money exchange aren’t illegal, but the question of impropriety has been raised and will likely require more thorough explanation from both parties. It does perhaps tarnish the crown that represents Vander Plaat’s highly coveted endorsement a bit.

audax

….that Perry had back surgery in June or July and was probably on pain medication at the time of those debates “gaffes”…give him a break!

redpenny

is assigned to the “caucus” in Iowa and it’s so early that I question the validity of the whole process.In the end the RINOs and the Repub elite will decide who the Rerpub nominee will be; just as they have decided so many times in the past.Meanwhile,the guy/gal with the most money to spend will look good in the polls.Let’s not forget that the most important thing in the long run is to depose the pretender currently stinking up the Half- White House!!!

circlegranch

At the Daily Caller today, “Martinez-mentum: Popular New Mexico Governor Could be On Vice President Shortlist”
http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/22/martinez-mentum-popular-new-mexico-governor-could-be-on-vice-president-short-list/

Gov. Martinez is THE most popular new Republican governor in the nation; her positive polling numbers exceed those of Chris Christie.
She would be an excellent compliment to President Rick Perry.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…when one’s appeal is based on moral/social conservatism.

lizzie

maybe it’s an age thing (I am 59), but mid-1960′s through late 1970′s. I recall losing interest in whatever happened after that, while I was living in Manhattan and still dabbling in the downtown music venues.

possible personal skew due to preference for country rock phase of Grateful Dead, Allman Bros, & The Band because I was at Watkins Glen in 1973 and still remember when they all started jamming under the stars.

I try not to hold Newt’s love for Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ against him

APA Guy

I know some there think he is a t**d sandwich, but you have to admit he got results when he was Speaker. I think he’d be a very nice compliment to President Perry.

Of course, this is all a moot point if Perry doesn’t gather more steam heading into Iowa.

circlegranch

and that race is a big one in the Super Tuesday run for the roses.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

As some Newtrons might not be so pleased about that. I can remember many a McCain rally from 2008′s Florida primary campaign where Abba’s “Take A Chance On Me” was played. I happen to prefer the song “Move On,” myself, a song whose title has been forever ruined by that horrible progressive group.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…since you can’t win if you’re not in the race. Are there any other approaching deadlines to look out for?

http://impudent.edublogs.org/ kyle8

So many people hate him. He burned a lot of bridges.

bzip

I too was impressed with Perry’s selection of tunes. I just love Van Halen and the Jump song, along with The Who.

To me it was really funny to read how he assigned “Jump” to one of his daughter’s . She must make him jump a lot .

It is good to see he has a impressive taste in music.

nancysabet

the 800 pound political gorilla since he even thought about getting in ? because of PROVEN CONSERVATIVE GOVERNANCE, the Texas record on jobs, and his electoral success (i.e. never lost one).

http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

Because they didn’t get 1.5 times the amount of required signatures or something. But they also hinted that the VA GOP would turn a blind eye to it. Anybody have any other info on this?

bzip

If we keep in mind that the family leader group narrowed their selection down to: Perry, Bachmann, Santorum or Newt. What we see is both Bachmann and Santorum acting like fools and Santorum actually received the endorsement so I don?t understand his nonsense.

Perry is acting like the adult here and keeping out of this nonsense, as is Newt. Keep in mind that Santorum is and has been polling the worse out of all the candidates and neither Santorum or Bachmann have money/resources to really continue on.

To me this entire family leader and faith endorsement is turning into one big joke.

First we have Bachmann claiming/crying that faith leader ask her to get out of the race:
Iowa faith leader asked Bachmann to consider dropping out, campaign says
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/20/iowa-faith-leader-asked-bachmann-to-consider-dropping-out-campaign-says/

Then we have Santorum claim/crying the same thing:
Santorum: Faith leader asked me, others to consider dropping out
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/21/santorum-faith-leader-asked-me-others-to-consider-dropping-out/

Then we have Santorum who was/is endorsed by Plaats saying Plaats wanted money:
Santorum: Vander Plaats said ‘he needed money to promote the endorsement’
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/22/santorum-vander-plaats-said-he-needed-money-to-promote-the-endorsement/

Then we have Plaats denying that he ask for money:
Vander Plaats reportedly asked for help raising money to promote his endorsement of Santorum
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/21/vander-plaats-reportedly-asked-santorum-camp-to-help-raise-money-to-promote-endorsement/

Then to make Plaats endorsement a joke we then have: Santorum, Bachmann and Huntsman not getting on the Va ballot:
Bachmann, Santorum and Huntsman not on Virginia ballot
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/22/bachmann-santorum-and-huntsman-not-on-virginia-ballot/

So you can see how much this has turn into a joke on Santorum/Plaats and Bachmann they all look like fools to me.

bzip

Lets not make this into something that isn’t. That is strictly in the authors opinion which is stated right here:
———————
You need 10,000 signatures to make the ballot but 15,000 are recommended since a bunch are bound to be thrown out as false or duplicative as the petitions are scrutinized. You also need at least 600 signatures from each of Virginia?s 11 congressional districts. Romney submitted 16,026 and Ron Paul submitted 14,361. Perry?s total: 11,911. Gingrich?s: 11,050.
————————

The extra signatures (recommended 15,000) is in case some signatures gets bounced out.

The author is trying to make headlines and I personally wouldn’t be the least bit concerned. For Perry to be knock out that would suggest Newtb would be knock out and that would suggest for Perry that more than 1,911 signatures would have to get bounced out – highly unlikely.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…you can tell a lot about someone from the music they select for ringtones. I’ve never had a smart enough phone to select ringtones, at least not yet .

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

….add all of those stories together and you have an “epic fail day.”

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…that 20% of Perry’s signatures would be thrown out as duplicates. From what I can gather that’s something I would expect of the multiple-times-voting-on-internet-polls Paultards.

Common_Cents

Because congress would want to work with a president who wants largely eliminate all of their jobs with a part time congress

circlegranch

I admire and respect former Pres. G.W.H. Bush, but his endorsement yesterday seemed more like a comment from an elderly gentleman that is kinda behind the times in terms of facts rather than a statesman.

He noted that he likes his governor, Rick Perry, but that he passed on endorsing him because he doesn’t seem to be getting traction. Sir, don’t you understand that an endorsement from YOU could have helped with that problem? Why hasn’t Perry gotten the much needed attention and respect? People like the Bush family have refused to offer any. Secondly, Mitt Romney was very supportive of George W. Bush’s Iraq policy in 2008. This past Sunday, however, he back pedaled and wouldn’t commit to whether or not the invasion of Iraq and subsequent capture and killing of Saddam Hussein was a good thing or not. By yesterday, Romney said if we’d known there were not large stockpiles of WMD, we would not have gone in.

More than once, I saw former Pres. G.H.W. Bush tear up during interviews when talking about the accusations and sometimes brutal treatment his son got from critics and the media. He must know fully well how a harsh word or the omission of an earned compliment can hurt a politicians career and hurt him and his family personally. Yet, when it came time to endorse, he seems to have forgotten. His endorsement was much like all the rest. Basically, what everyone is saying is, “I’ve decided to settle with Romney. I guess he’s the best we have at this point.”

If Romney is the nominee and then becomes the president, can you imagine the lack of enthusiasm there will be for him? If he goes into office as the candidate everyone settled on, how long before he ignores the little support he has and starts legislating as he wants and how long will he foster goodwill in the country if he’s not popular going in?

jakeofalltrades

n/t

sunshinek67

when you call Perry “stupid” you might be subjected to my Thomas Jefferson lecture.

acat

Ugh. Abba. Just … ugh.

Mew

circlegranch

1. You can watch a video of Perry yesterday when he got off his bus and boarded the press bus and talked about their family Christmas traditions. Note our future president’s favorite Christmas dessert. He also commented that as a boy, Christmas meant dinner at his grandparents’ farm and how much it meant to him to find his gift on their tree….a one dollar bill. http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/22/rick-perry-in-iowa-thinking-of-black-cherry-jello-clay-walker-christmas-tunes-with-video/ (Note: check www.desmoinesregister.com frequently as they have updates of caucus activities throughout the day)

2. It must be Christmas! MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough was actually charitable today regarding Rick Perry. Morning Joe thinks Perry has a real chance for a comeback and also thinks he can finish very well in NC. He aired the Anita Perry ad and while his sidekick, Mika, was typically snarky, Joe seemed impressed and thought it was touching. He also went so far as to say that if his Dad (Joe’s) were still alive, he would probably be saying that he ‘kinda likes that Rick Perry’ and that his father might well have voted for him in the FL primary. Conversely, Mitt finds a lump of coal coming from Scarborough today. Joe said, “Romney is the 1%” He also said Mitt is culturally disconnected and his campaign better work on trying to make him more acceptable to the middle class. He comes across as a rich guy, out of touch with common people.

3. Go to: www.personhoodusa.com/townhall to register for the tele-townhall conference coming up on Dec. 27, 8-9:30 pm. After registering, you can call in and participate and listen to the forum, called Presidential Pro-Life Forum. Thus far, Perry, Gingrich, Bachmann and Santorum have committed to participating. All candidates have been invited.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

sunshinek67

the current top 3 GOP “frontrunners” all have significant scandal/controversies attached or associated with their names. The Obama loving media happy to be sure.

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…love Abba, which is the only reason why I am familiar with the band in the first place, given they were a little before my time. My mother and step-father played Abba at their wedding, it was “Take A Chance On Me” as well. Indeed, that does explain a lot all the way around.

clowngirl

Hot Air said the VA GOP will probably turn a blind eye to any signature problems — and I would hope so. But – I do remember reading that Obama won his first election after challenging the signatures of his mentor and getting her kicked off the ballot. So, it seems possible that, if one of the other candidates wanted to play hard ball they could force a careful inspection.

My question is this: even if Perry and or Gingrich had problems with enough of their signatures (though both candidates have a buffer of over 1000 signatures and Perry’s buffer is nearly 2000) couldn’t they still compete as a write in candidate?

I can’t imagine Virginia Republicans would want to have Romney and some Libertarian as their only choices!

http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

I confess I read the article in a hurry on my way to the barn this morning and didn’t even check to see if Ed or Allahpundit wrote the article. Thank you for pointing out my unintentional error–I feel MUCH better about the whole thing.

http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

As it is he’s looking more like an outsider every day. If the Bushes, daddy or son, endorsed him, it would probably be a kiss of death. The “Bush 3.0″ gimmick won’t work as well if the Bushes distance themselves from him. Better for Romney to get it and solidify his establishment credentials. It would slaughter him in the general election and maybe it’ll slaughter him even in the primaries.

bzip

Rick Perry?s holiday ad in Iowa: ?President of Honor?
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/23/rick-perrys-holiday-ad-in-iowa-president-of-honor/

President of Honor
http://youtu.be/7jzJsXTXxiY

acat

And the timing is absolutely perfect … the idea that a so-called spiritual leader would ask for money to do political work is, of course, neither new nor particularly disgusting, but .. the visuals are awful.

That Bachmann and Santorum spent so much time chasing these endorsements only to have them fragment and then resort to “setting up shops in the temple” makes them look just dreadful – to the exact people they were supposed to get to “fall in line”.

It’s amazing.

Mew

acat

I’d also say that while the “Perry people” and “Bush people” seem to have some animosity – Rove being one particularly noxious example – the principles haven’t come to public blows yet, after all.

Bush 1.0′s endorsement especially, as an “elder statesman” of the GOP (by virtue of being alive) may help in the general, and won’t matter much in the primary.

Mew

http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

As far as Republicans go, an endorsement from the Bushes would PERHAPS help Perry in that it would get him into the good graces of the Establishment, who, if they wanted to, would work to getting him nominated. BUT to be tied to the Bushes in the GENERAL…Obama would have a field day with it, I fear. And if not Obama, then certainly the MSM.

You’re danged if you do and danged if you don’t. Sticky business, politics.

heraklios

Otherwise, we have Mittens and thus 4 more years of Obama. Bachmann, Santorum, and Huntsman can’t win, so all conservatives should recognize that Perry is our last hope for this election cycle. Iowans, don’t blow it…

Common_Cents

“During a 52-hour voting period Tuesday through Thursday, over 250,000 votes were cast by Townhall.com/HotAir.com readers in the largest and most secure digital poll of conservatives ever.

Newt Gingrich won with 36.5% of the vote. Mitt Romney was second with 18.8%. Michele Bachmann received 17.7% and Ron Paul received 17.4%. Rick Perry finished up the pack with 9.5%.

1st place votes
Newt Gingrich: 36.5%
Mitt Romney: 18.8%
Michele Bachmann: 17.7%
Ron Paul: 17.4%
Rick Perry: 9.5%”

How significant is this? 250,000 conservatives from those two sites in a secure digital poll. It must have been fairly secure since Ron Paul didnt get 270,000 votes from 250,000 voters

1spark

It’s like taking Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart seriously… who does that?

texashistorian

First album, 1978- classic rock by your definition above

bzip

Well it is only getting better. By the time this is over both Plaat, Family leader group and Santorum will look like fools (though in many I am sure they already do):

Iowa group calls for FEC probe of Vander Plaats and Santorum
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/23/iowa-group-calls-for-fec-investigation-of-vander-plaats-and-santorum/

http://signon.org/sign/tell-the-fec-investigate-6.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=1852678

circlegranch

You have been an inspiration to us in ’11 and I can only imagine what’s comin’ in ’12! Were it not for you posting these awesome videos (this one in particular never gets old to me) we’d be out of sync with what’s goin’ on. You’re on top of the news and everything going on.

Thanks so much. You inspire, inform and hold this thing together some days with baling wire and duct tape. We’d be lost without ya, Friend. God bless and enjoy a wonderful Christmas!!

bzip

I really do appreciate the kind words and thanks. I am not even sure how I got started with this, it wasn’t my intentions initially to spend so much time on the election. But the more I learned of each candidate the more it became clear to me that Rick Perry was the only candidate that really truly was a reforming conservative candidate that we truly needed to get America back on track again.

I must admit I would be at a complete lose without my fellow Perry supporters and I am very grateful and thankful to everyone one of you – you all keep me going and we all keep each other going. Many thank you.

Happy Christmas, Happy holidays and may God bless all of you.

1bunny

came with the rider of Jeb for VP? I find it strange that the robocalls in Iowa for Jeb entering the race came a day or two before Bush 1.0 endorsed Romney. Romney went weeks ago (a Dec 1st story) to the Bushes asking for their endorsemnt. Now 21 days later an endorsement. I smell collusion : ) or one big coincidence.

1bunny

came with the rider of Jeb for VP? I find it strange that the robocalls in Iowa for Jeb entering the race came a day or two before Bush 1.0 endorsed Romney. Romney went weeks ago (a Dec 1st story) to the Bushes asking for their endorsemnt. Now 21 days later an endorsement. I smell collusion : ) or one big coincidence.

gracie

thanks so much! circleg, loupat, scope,’05, wcpat…ALL of you are an inspiration! Perry supporters keep me going and out of trouble.

Don’t forget our frontpage folks who had the guts to endorse Perry…appreciate you all! To all and the rest of RS’ers Merry Christmas!

carolina

Did you see the reply is posted to you about Perry just getting thrown off of the VA ballot. A follow on tweet by Sabato says he will not be on the ballot, that “rules are rules”.

heraklios

EVER

trickamsterdam

they would support him in the general.

If Limbaugh and Levin aren’t conservatives, then at some point the big tent became a phone booth.

http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

Heraklios clearly is.

heraklios

.

heraklios

Some of the candidates through the years have been real dogs but I held my nose and voted. Romney, however, is different. He represents all the things about America and politics that I hate. Doesn’t stand for anything. Will say anything to get elected. Rich, east coast elitist snob.Put his dog on top of his car for a 12 hour drive. Nasy political ads, smears and innuendo. Just gives you a glimpse into his soul. Romney is beyond the pale for me. If that makes me a RINO, well….I disagree but everyone can have their opinion

heraklios

Some of the candidates through the years have been real dogs but I held my nose and voted. Romney, however, is different. He represents all the things about America and politics that I hate. Doesn’t stand for anything. Will say anything to get elected. Rich, east coast elitist snob.Put his dog on top of his car for a 12 hour drive. Nasy political ads, smears and innuendo. Just gives you a glimpse into his soul. Romney is beyond the pale for me. If that makes me a RINO, well….I disagree but everyone can have their opinion

romansdaughter

lizzie

ballot petition reviews. AP reports (I read it at WSJ blog just posted online via news.google Rick+Perry+Virginia) that Perry failed to qualify, but now the review of petitions from Gingrich, Romney, and Paul continue.

Virginia GOP is going to be taking a lot of heat for their ballot access process.

If Lisa Murkowski could teach Alaskans how to spell her name correctly for write-ins, it will that much easier for Rick Perry.

Perry being the 97th most common surname in the USA in 2000, down from #84 in 1990. Perry is #92 surname in Virginia.

Seems Garcia, Rodriguez, Martinez, Hernandez, Lopez, Gonzalez, Perez, Sanchez, Ramirez, Torres, Flores, and Nguyen got the big bumps in the top 100.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_common_surnames_in_North_America

yeah, no wonder illegal immigration is such a hot issue.
Just wish we knew the changes for 2010.

I repeat, this reflects worse on Virginia than on the candidates.

Could be Gary Johnson’s big break-out.

Smith, Johnson, and Williams still the solid 1-2-3 surnames in the USA.

what a minefield…

http://www.timothy-bladel.com/ center77

Newt is not going to be the nominee, he does not have the money to go toe to toe with Romney. Its that simple.

heraklios

At least Perry or Gingrich has a chance to become President; Romney NEVER

heraklios

At least Perry or Gingrich has a chance to become President; Romney NEVER

http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

…I agree that this looks very bad for Virginia.

trickamsterdam

Well, at least you did your due diligence, LOL.. There’s a NY Times columnist, BTW, who mentions that at least once every three essays (or is it paragraphs?).

But, seriously, he rubs me the wrong way too. He’s beginning to grow on me though, because I like his basic competence (e.g., you don’t see him having any problems in VA, like Perry or Newt).

Even though I’m still a Newt supporter, I’m starting to see what people mean when they say “he’s not well thought out or organized”.

I would offer a defense of Romney based on this though:

1. I don’t trust him on the SCOTUS. But there’s at least a chance there’ll be a Thomas or Roberts named, or at least an O’ Connor or Kennedy. We know what we’re going to get w/ Obama (a fifth reliable liberal), and even if Republicans filibuster, I bet they still get one through. Whether it is the first nominee they put forth or the tenth.

2. I really believe Pres Obama will let Iran develop nuclear weapons. Not because he’s a traitor or a secret Muslim, but because he’s incompetent, and because he basically agrees w/ Ron Paul: “how can you blame them for wanting them?”.

It’s questionable logic, since a person could also say: “how can you blame Germany for wanting to invade Russia and steal their natural resources and make the population into slaves?”. But Ron Paul (and Obama, and many, many other people) probably believe it.

3. Romney will repeal ObamaCare. Romney is smart enough to know it will destroy an already diffident economy. And Romney is about Romney. He knows a failed economy = a failed President = he only has one term.. He will repeal it.

PS – Your user name is cool.

buddyp

lizzie,

There’s been some good stuff since then. And I’ll use that as an excuse to share my latest personal discovery.

You may have heard a bit of this song in a Citi credit card commercial as I did http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VE4bcq8Plzk

I liked the sound, so I tracked down the video. Many, I REALLY like this tune. I hope I can be forgiven for posting video here even though it’s quite tangential to the diary of the thread. Just trying to share feeling of joy the song gives me. If not, I hope a moderator will advise me to refrain in the future.

buddyp

FYI, screen is cut off on right. Scroll right as you wish.

http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

If you’re openly talking about a scenario when you’d root for Barack Obama… then you might be a RiNO.

Consider this your warning. You are not welcome to continue promoting backing Barack Obama against Mitt Romney here.

circlegranch

and that might help clarify the rules and mechanisms they are using to count and determine who is ‘thrown off’ and who stays. The entire process has been very suspect ever since states starting moving up primaries. Everytime a candidate other than The Chosen One gets a little media bump or shows promise of breaking out of the pack, a well-timed big endorsement gets rolled out or some other strategy to keep the limelight shining in the right direction.

The road to the nomination is paved in gold; just depends on who owns the gold in terms of who ends up with the prize.

Palin says its not too late for someone else to enter the race and Trump has changed his voter registration to Independent which does nothing to ally fears he might run as an “I”.

This thing is just getting started and as the media begins to attack Romney, criticize him for refusing to release his tax records, etc., anything can happen between here and the Convention.

Let’s take a break for Christmas, stay aware and observant and be ready to hit it again next week. The New Year means we have to keep an eye on all the forces on both sides of the aisle that would try to taint our most precious right to fair elections. We have thousands of men and women that have died and suffered great physical and emotional harm to defend that right and we aren’t letting it go quite so easily. We owe them at least that much.

circlegranch

old age often is not kind.

circlegranch

a few things. Remember the chit chat over NRO’s kinda-endorsement of Romney? The one that outright bashed the heck out of Perry? (and Gingrich) Seems National Review Online has enjoyed some substantial financial gifts, not from a PAC, but from one candidate’s own fortune.

Seems that same candidate that has been exceedingly generous with his wealth and to his credit has donated to many worthy charitable organizations through the years, decided in 2005, to include a number of high profile politically conservative organizations in his donations. For example, the George W. Bush Presidential Library has received $100,000. In 2005, The Heritage Foundation received $25,000 and has rec’d sizable donations in recent years. There are more.

Here’s the two articles to read; both are intertwined and arrive at the same obvious conclusions:

“Inside Game?” http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/23/inside-game/ by Matt K. Lewis (Daily Caller)

www.newsmax.com/insidecover/RomneyCharity/2011/12/23/id/422041 (News Max)

Katie

Quick question:

I get that if Mitt wins Iowa and NH, we can safely same that he will win the prize, but what if he comes in 3rd in Iowa, 2nd in NH?

I noticed that March 6th has been deemed “Super Tuesday”, but even if one candidate wins all of the delegates up to that date (and this is imposible as some states are not “winner take all”, they would not have the numbers to break 50% of the total until after April 3rd when we will see the delegate number at 1350.

And still, that means that all delegates would be for one guy (or girl, but that is way, way to far fetched).

So my question is…what is the “real” Super Tuesday for 2012 and for a part 2, could this be played out on the convention floor itself?

http://www.timothy-bladel.com/ center77

I think Romney loses, but I also think Newt loses.

MikeG

Don’t know I could demonstrate that one, even if I did believe it.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, acat!

sunshinek67

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/and-so-it-begins-cnn-reports-on-romneys-riches-resulting-from-re-org-layoffs/

RS

EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Horserace for December 22, 2011

Michele Bachmann

Newt Gingrich

Jon Huntsman

Ron Paul

Rick Perry

Mitt Romney

Rick Santorum

None of the above

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