I’m hearing several campaigns and external pollsters have a surge for Rick Santorum. With the National Review folks fawning over him again, it probably means a surge is real and any surge by Rick Santorum is another factor ensuring Mitt Romney wins the nomination. (To be fair, this doesn’t look like real momentum)
Santorum has no money or organization outside of Iowa and cannot win the nomination, but Iowans love a guy who sucks up to them and makes sure they know he loves the babies.
As a pro-lifer myself, I have to throw up a bit in my mouth that Iowa conservatives are seriously considering Rick Santorum, which will only help Mitt Romney, a guy who even after his supposedly heartfelt conversion to life put some seriously pro-abortion judges on the Massachusetts bench hiding behind the “Well it was Massachusetts for Pete’s sake” defense.
Let’s remember Rick Santorum could not even win re-election in his home state of Pennsylvania.
Rick Santorum also supported Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate back in 2004.
But most damning to me is Rick Santorum’s actual record in the Senate and House of Representatives. I keep hearing him say he was such a paragon of fiscal conservative virtue, when he was anything but that. He was as go along to get along as all the other Republicans who led to our downfall.
Making Santorum worse, he was always the guy saying, “I had to do this, but wait till I get to leadership. I’ll be there for you in leadership.” It’s what he is saying now. Only it isn’t true and never was.
He supported steel tariffs in Pennsylvania, which did him little good in his own re-election effort.
He supported No Child Left Behind.
He supported the prescription drug benefit.
He supported the Bridge to Nowhere. In fact, according to Club for Growth, “Santorum had the audacity to vote to continue funding the Bridge to Nowhere rather than send the money to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.”
Santorum decided, after leaving Congress, to oppose earmarks, but he sure did love them while he was there. He voted against the Farm Bill in 2002, but he voted to extend milk subsidies to save the poor Pennsylvania farmer.
In the House, Santorum opposed NAFTA and offered legislation to impose steel tariffs. He wanted to tax imported honey and Chinese imports.
Throughout his career, Santorum has tried to have it both ways. For example, as the Club For Growth documents
He voted NO on raising the minimum wage in 1995 and 2005. But on the same day he voted NO in 2005, he sponsored an amendment that would increase the minimum wage, which he later boasted about to skeptical voters in a 2006 campaign brochure he released called “50 Things You Didn’t Know About Rick Santorum.”
In other words, the Santorum I have observed for a decade is the Rick Santorum on the campaign trail now — a guy trying to have it both ways through too clever by half stunts like voting against the minimum wage while authoring a bill to raise the minimum wage so no one can pin him down on his record.
Rick Santorum is more conservative than Mitt Romney. He is a strong social conservative and has taken a lot of bullets from the left because of his stand. But he is not as strong a fiscal conservative as he claims and the real issue here is social conservatives in Iowa risk Mitt Romney’s election by supporting a guy who cannot get traction or money outside of Iowa.
Rick Santorum will not be the nominee. That’s the reality. But his rise hurts Bachmann, Gingrich, and Perry in Iowa — all of whom have better organizations and better shots beyond Iowa.
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Dan Spencer
Jeff Emanuel
Neil Stevens
Welp. You can say one thing...
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:11PM EDT (link)He’s better than Ron Paul.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
There's that.
rec0n Wednesday, December 28th at 5:23PM EDT (link)n/t
When I first saw the headline
suzieQ (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:25PM EDT (link)That was my first thought and fear.
– Meh – Romney. I guess we’re stuck with him.
It's bad enough the anti-Romney vote (*prediction inside!*)
texasref (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:54PM EDT (link)in Iowa will be split between Paul and Gingrich, without having to add Santorum to it.
Let’s face it folks, you read it here first, it’s going to be Paul, Romney, and Gingrich finishing in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in that order in Iowa on Jan 3rd. One of those men will be the next president of the United States, so I’m going to adhere to the 11th commandment from this point forward as it regards those three men because I don’t want to say or do anything in 2012 that will tear down our nominee.
Sorry Perry voters, he isn’t going to win Iowa. He isn’t even going to show. And thank you for your service, Senator Santorum–just take I-80 and drive east. (Governor Perry, just take I-35 and drive south). (Oh, and Michele, keep up the good work in Congress–you just follow Perry but turn north when he turns south).
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
Kowalski
texasref (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:57PM EDT (link)If Romney wins Iowa, it’s all over.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
Over?
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:28PM EDT (link)No it is not over for Perry. Iowa is merely a snapshot. In fact Iowa doesn’t always pick winners. It is pretty good at choosing a candidate who does not win the GOP Presidency though. I guess you would like it to be over if Romney wins, however, a LOT of GOP voters will NOT vote for Romney.
Don't be stubborn
geotan Wednesday, December 28th at 10:06PM EDT (link)After you throw your tantrum you will vote for Romney over Obama or you prove yourself to be shortsighted and irrational. Romney’s vision is very conservative and he has clearly articulated that vision hundreds of times since 2007. He will do most of what he says. Do you think he won’t repeal Obama care after saying it hundreds of times? Do you think he won’t lower capital gains taxes? Cut federal programs by asking is it worth borrowing money from China? Reforming entitlement spending? How can you question this? Is Romney a pathological stone faced liar of a criminal mastermind class? That is what you are saying! Ridiculous and small minded.
Vanilla pudding.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:24PM EDT (link)MICROWAVE VANILLA PUDDING
2 cups milk
1/4 cup cornstarch
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Measure 1 1/2 cups of milk into a 4 cup microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on 3/4 power (or high) until steaming and heated through. Do NOT boil.
Whisk two eggs in a separate 4 cup bowl until lightly frothy.
Combine cornstarch, sugar and salt in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
Stir 1/2 cup cold milk into the cornstarch mixture until well blended.
Gradually whisk in hot milk until no lumps remain.
Cook in microwave until mixture is thickened and glossy, about 3-5 minutes; stir several times.
Beat half of the hot mixture into 2 eggs.
Whisk the egg mixture into the remaining hot milk.
Cook on high for about 3 minutes, or just until pudding begins to boil.
Whisk well, stirring in butter and vanilla.
Pour into individual serving bowls.
Refrigerate until chilled.
Serve garnished with fruit or, for the holidays, a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.
Mew
p.s. Cat’s Pumpkin Pie Spice blend
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp clove
——
Caveat Suffragator
Sounds good. I'll give it a try. nt
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:41PM EDT (link)…..
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Note for gekster - do NOT put the entire batch...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:45PM EDT (link)of pumpkin pie spice on a single serving of pudding. Waaaay too much cinnamon!
Just a pinch…
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Ok, gotcha. nt
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:52PM EDT (link),,,,,,,
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Romney pathological stone faced liar?
tomshup Thursday, December 29th at 10:16AM EDT (link)Maybe not…..but yesterday he tried to convince everyone that the “indiviual mandate” for Romneycare was really a consrvative virtue.It may not be a lie to some, but it’s definitely not true. When the Federal Government says you must buy healthcare insurance, it ain’t a conservative virtue and is most l;ikely unconstitutional…..to be decided by the Supremes next Spring!
geotan, Romney's name is synonymous with serial political loser
sunshinek67 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 10:29AM EDT (link)and jobs killer. So long as you keep coming in these RS rooms with the same mindless drool, your guy is coreless and unelectable, I’ll keep with my usual talking points.
veiled Paulbot?
buddyp (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:09PM EDT (link)Excuse me, but your comment comes across to me as possibly — possibly — a veiled effort to gain acceptance of Paul here at RS.
First, you put Paul in the company of Romney and Gingrich in terms of prospects, saying “One of those men will be the next president of the United States.” Sorry, but Paul will not be the nominee, let alone the next president. It’s laughable that your inclusion of Paul in that statement comes in a paragraph you start with “Let’s face it folks”, as if you have some superior grip on reality. I guess that’s what they call irony.
Second, no, the 11th commandment doesn’t apply to Paul, and frankly, it doesn’t apply to candidates generally except with regard to really below the belt, misleading attacks. Paul would be the crazy uncle of the Republican Party if a crazy uncle weren’t just crazy but also held views antithetical to one of the main ideological and worldview pillars of the family, and dangerously so. A President Paul would be terribly dangerous for America and the world, and I mean on a scale that dwarfs Obama in terms of the harm it would do to our national security and ultimately our economy and those of the world as well. The 11th commandment and Ron Paul shouldn’t even be in the same sentence. In his case it’s N.A. — “Not Applicable”. And yes, I’m saying I’d rather have four more year of Obama than a President Paul.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
so Obama > Paul
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:01AM EDT (link)OK, got that. Thanks for your perspective.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
And your view, texasref...
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:27AM EDT (link)I’m guessing your view is Paul > anyone else.
If not, which candidate do you think would make a better president than Paul and why?
Do you think Paul would make a good president, a bad/very bad president, or a mediocre president?
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
um
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 3:33AM EDT (link)Answer to your first question: they’d all make good presidents, except Romney. The others all have strengths and weaknesses, just in different areas.
Answer to your second question: see above.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
and Paul's foreign / national security policy?
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 5:00AM EDT (link)You really think Paul would be a good president?
What do you think of Paul’s non-interventionism? Do you think Paul’s non-interventionism would be a good approach for a president ? Or do you agree with me that it would be very harmful?
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
buddyp
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:07PM EDT (link)His non-interventionism is good if it doesn’t have anything to do with our national security. However, if there is a direct link between foreign aggression and the security of our country, then I would expect Paul would see that as his duty to intervene.
If Paul were to fail in that expectation, with the security of our country directly at stake, I have confidence the Congress would declare war successfully over Paul’s veto, and that Paul would faithfully execute the war in that event on pain of impeachment and conviction.
According to the Constitution, Congress leads the way in matters of war, not the President. In matters of foreign policy, the Senate has treaty power. Your word “non-interventionism” has as its root word “intervene,” which is a broad word encompassing both peaceful foreign policies and war.
There is much to dislike about Paul’s absolutism in some of these respects, just as there is much to dislike about all of our candidates. However, anyone who prefers the re-election of Obama over the election of one of our Republican candidates is a RiNO. I can’t stand Romney, yet you don’t see me claiming Obama > Romney, because one comparison of their ideologies demonstrates the absurdity of such a claim. The same is true of Paul, Gingrich, or any of the other also-rans.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
texasref, are you kidding me??? Paulbot alert.
buddyp (Diary) Sunday, January 1st at 10:57AM EDT (link)You’ve GOT to be kidding. And I think you are a Paulbot trying to hide it.
You write:
His non-interventionism is good if it doesn’t have anything to do with our national security.
Huh? That dodge is perhaps the most absurd statement uttered by anyone in all of 2011. Sure, just assume away the problem, like saying there’s nothing wrong with jumping out a high window of a building as long as it doesn’t have anything to do with landing on the ground below.
And then you try to play the RINO label to try to intimidate people into accepting Paul as a legitimate Republican nominee and one we should be willing to support if he were the nominee (which he won’t be, but if you’re a Paulbot you probably don’t realize that).
Do you have anything negative at all to say about Paul? Do you really see no problem with Paul’s non-interventionism? Do you not consider it dangerous, if, hypothetically, he were president? You probably will continue avoiding giving a clear answer, because you don’t want to admit you like his non-interventionism and you love Paul.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
I agree with you to a point
justonevoice (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:34AM EDT (link)I would be comfortable with all of the front-runners as the nominee including Paul and so the 11th commandment holds for them. What I would not be comfortable with is any of them choosing a pro-choice VP nominee. The 11th commandment is out the window if that happens!
“Let us see that the State is the servant of its people and that the people are not the servants of the State.” Robert Taft
5, justonevoice
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:00AM EDT (link)nt
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
One last comment
jkines (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:53AM EDT (link)before I invoke the 11th commandmant on myself. Santorum;’s protectionist tendencies, (supporting steel tariffs and opposing NAFTA) trouble as much if not more than Paul’s noninterventionist foreign policy. We cannot afford the destructive trade policies of one philosophically and fundamentally opposed to, or at least ignorant of, the tenets of the free market economy.
This is precisely the same reason Romney is a non-starter for me. His notion of attacking China for currency manipulation would lead only to a destructive trade war that is fundamentally at odds with the exigencies of a market economy and would be destructive in ways we can ill afford at this juncture.
Has their ever been a worse GOP presidential field in the modern era?
On that note invoking the 11th on myself from this point forward, but I fear it’s going to be a long year for the party. We must hold the House and take the Senate to prevent an unmitigated disaster in 2012.
“Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place.”
Frederic Bastiat
Is he?
axistogrind Wednesday, December 28th at 9:24PM EDT (link)I promise if Santorum wins the nomination, that I will vote for Obama. I will not support Rick Santorum going back to washington in any capacity, and if values first voters fail to coalesce around a conservative who has executive experience, and the ability to last past Iowa, then they at least shouldn’t waste a vote on Santorum, because the rest of us will never take their cacuses seriously again. A vote for him accomplishes nothing. I can’t support Ron Paul either, but I would give money to his campaign down the road to keep Rick Sanctimorium out of office, if necessary. I truly dislike him. He is the John Edwards of the Republican party without the cheating, and I see fake in every fiber of his being. We don’t choose senators for good reason.
It's looking more and more like Perry and Huntsman are the only viable conservatives in the race.....
marktx Wednesday, December 28th at 11:22PM EDT (link)Both Perry and Huntsman have pretty good records as governors of their respective states. And both have money to get them through the January primary season.
In fact, if it starts to look as though Romney will sweep the January races, the only guy standing other than Ron Paul and Romney could very well be Jon Hunstman. That’s because Huntsman is independently wealthy and can finance much of his own campaign, while Perry cannot.
The point is, if Romney wins Iowa, NH, and SC, and most of the candidates drop out, that might leave Huntsman one last opening to be the anti-Romney. In a one on one race, is spite of Huntsman’s peculiarities, he is far more acceptable than Romney.,
Huntsman deserves a second look
justonevoice (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:39AM EDT (link)I think overall Huntsman’s policies may be the most consistently conservative. On many issues he runs to the right of most of the candidates except Paul. And even on foreign policy, Huntsman has a (rightfully in my opinion) healthly skepticism of foreign misadventures. I think it’s unfortunate that he got painted by the media as a moderate (and he may have encouraged that) when he really is quite conservative — and has been consistent in approach.
“Let us see that the State is the servant of its people and that the people are not the servants of the State.” Robert Taft
I understand your position
jkines (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:58AM EDT (link)as protectionism is an economically illiterate and destructive policy that I simply cannot abide. However, I honestly feel like we need to invoke the 11th at this point, if only to save our chances of taking the senate. A GOP House and Senate is the only hope for a bulwark to stand against Obama’s second term., the likelihood of which looks ever more certain.
“Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place.”
Frederic Bastiat
CNN Poll out for Iowa and NH
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 4:15PM EDT (link)Problem with the Iowa poll is obvious. It sampled ZERO independents or democrats. Although many people fault PPP’s Iowa polls for oversampling independents and democrats, noone thinks that there won’t be a significant number of independents/dems who switch affiliations on the date of the caucuses in order to vote.
The sampling error skews the results. This may be the reason Santorum does so well relative to Perry who soe believe will get some non-republican votes at the caucuses. Santorum will get zero crossover votes.
Do you know if Perry
kindredsoul Wednesday, December 28th at 4:20PM EDT (link)is polling well among independents in Iowa?
Nothing concrete.
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 4:24PM EDT (link)Large crowds, spending ad money, running as an outsider, etc. point to decent numbers amongst independents. I guess we’ll know soon enough. Hope he does well, but not willing to make any predictions about Perry in Iowa other than the fact that he’ll finish ahead of Santormum, but maybe not by much.
Santorum has no chance at getting 16% of the caucus votes.
Perry Should Have Spent More Time in SC
carolynr Wednesday, December 28th at 4:30PM EDT (link)There was a real state’s rights issue there and people need work. Perry figured that if he was pro-life that would be enough…but oh no…Iowa…although they tout their evangelical status…are just about the *&()*&) corn…which should go in the cow’s belly…not my engine.
What do I have to do…go on the DesMoines Register and threaten to get a movement going to buy Citgo.
Jindal robocalls for Perry in South Carolina
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 4:50PM EDT (link)Hang in there Perry supporters. Just keep the faith and know Perry will make it in the end.
Perry is already working SC to a degree:
Jindal robocalls for Perry in South Carolina
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/jindal-robocalls-for-perry-in-south-carolina/
Hang in there Perry supporters. Just keep the faith and know Perry will make it in the end.
Bzip, I'm with Perry to the end...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 5:09PM EDT (link)thanks for the news on Jindal.
w/ Jindahl working for Perry in SC and the fact that MUCH of the teaparty there is upset w/ Haley
circlegranch Wednesday, December 28th at 5:53PM EDT (link)Perry still stands a good chance to do well there. With or without Nikki Haley, Romney did terrible in the southern states last time and there’s nothing to indicate he will do much better this go-around. (He did finish 2nd in Florida, but FL is its own can of GOP worms).
Florida
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:33PM EDT (link)Yep, Florida is its own can of worms. It has been trending conservative Republican. I don’t think Romney can win here. Perry should have a very good chance here. Obama won’t do well here this time.
Thanks for all the encouragement, bzip!
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:27PM EDT (link)Perry is going to win this thing. (Oh, and I see my own governor is hard at work. I have me some braggin’ rights
)
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
I'm with Perry 'til the very end
irishgirl Wednesday, December 28th at 5:33PM EDT (link)I was going to say “bitter end”, but it won’t be bitter, because he’s going to prevail. Go Perry!
Vote your heart
christine777 Thursday, December 29th at 8:53AM EDT (link)Rather than hop from one candidate to another based on useless polls, we should vote for the candidate that we feel in our heart is right for the job. I support Rick Perry because I know he is the best man for the job. As a lifelong Texan, I see the results of his common sense leadership. Our good economy and jobs are bringing people to Texas in droves. He can turn this country around, reduce the deficit and put our country back to work,
Kowalski. Nate Silver explains further
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 6:31PM EDT (link)To follow up on my point, Nate Silver gives a bit more detail in discussing the CNN Iowa Poll:
“According to entrance polls in Iowa in 2008, for instance, about 15 percent of participants in the Republican caucus identified themselves as independents or Democrats on the way into the caucus site. Although the way that voters self-identify is not technically the same thing as which party they are officially registered with, this is probably a good proxy for what percentage of voters changed their registration to Republican when they signed in at the caucus location.Most other pollsters are making some attempt to account for these voters.”
Again, I think the sampling error in the CNN poll skews the results. Perry will outperform the CNN Poll.
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/new-iowa-poll-may-understate-pauls-support/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Bachmann and Perry don't have shots either
elayman Wednesday, December 28th at 4:20PM EDT (link)And I’m happy if Paul can knock down Romney, but generally speaking if you don’t vote for a viable GE candidate on a primary ballot, there will be no national ballot opportunity.
Paul?
macphisto96 Wednesday, December 28th at 8:54PM EDT (link)Not sure why you’d be happy if Paul knocked off Romney. I’ll come right out and say I support Romney. but those who do not want Romney have nothing to gain with a Paul win. It may cause other true GOPers down the line to panic and punch the Romney ticket for fear of Ron Paul, especially if Romney cleans up in NH.
If you don’t want Romney then you need a Gingrich or Perry win in Iowa. South Carolina and Florida will shift depending on what happens. If Santorum does surge and knocks Gingrich into 3rd then he and Perry will be gasping for air after NH. Social cons in SC may swing to Santorum while others will just move to Romney out of inevitability.
Romney’s also close enough in Iowa that his GOTV dollars might help him out with the caucuses. I forget who it was that said weather will play, but I agree. If it is a cold, crisp day without flurries then Romney may get a lot of people to the caucuses.
Romney’s ally in the primary is enforcing his inevitability – and that also will be his asset with Republicans if he does win the nomination. I’m all for a drawn out fight if it’s someone else, but I think Romney being the candidate for a longer period of time will give him more time to build the anti-Obama rhetoric and more time for upset GOPers to decide he’s the lesser of two evils. If GOPers show up and the middle stays where it is then he should win the general.
What your analysis omits is the 10-20% of Republicans who will never vote for Mittens in the general election
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 8:59PM EDT (link)All this talk about inevitability and “building anti-Obama rhetoric” is silly. If Mittens wins, once a halfway attractive third party candidate enters the race (Gary Johnson, Donald Trump, even Sarah Palin), all of the national talk will focus on Romney’s inability to nail down his base. It will dog him until the end, because, of course, he will never nail down his base because true blue conservatives will never vote Romney.
only if there is a viable third party candidate
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:23PM EDT (link)With all respect, you can say EXACTLY the same thing about all of the other candidates. They all have a core of maybe 10-20% who will not vote for them. In Paul’s case that is over 50%.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
None of the candidatea but Mittens and Paul would have this problem
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 9:37PM EDT (link)because all factions of the Republican coalition (Business Republican/Tea Party/libertarian/social conservative) would unite behind any of the others.
Gary Johnson has already said he’s in. He will be a major threat to Romney among Tea Partiers and libertarians. If someone else sees an opportunity to get publicity (Donald Trump) or sell books and keep their name in the spotlight (Sarah Palin) they will jump at the chance.
With Mittens, the GOP is playing with dynamite if we really want to beat Barry O
Newt is a cancer, Perry appears inept
macphisto96 Wednesday, December 28th at 11:09PM EDT (link)What happens if Mitt gets elected without the conservative base? How will that help the movement if you bail on the GOP nominee and he wins the election. I’ve got family and friends who voted Obama. They are independents and Democrats. Every single one of them has said they will vote for Romney if he’s the GOP nominee but not otherwise.
Newt and Perry would have trouble pulling the middle and you need them to win a general. And if grassroots “conservatives” think that staying away or voting for Gary Johnson will help their cause then they are nuts. If you don’t like Romney then work to get a Senator or House member elected that will pull him right instead of trying to ensure Obama another term.
I know that Erick and many other Red State staffers are not enamoured of Romney, but I also know that they will back him if he wins and will encourage people to go out and vote for him.
And the Biz Republicans will unite behind Mitt and give him money. He’ll be able to outraise anyone out there. And if he picks a guy like Rubio (if he’s willing to be picked) for VP then he strengthens his appeal to the base. Didn’t they flock to McCain because of Palin?
Mitt is the most electable candidate for the general. It doesn’t mean he’s the only one who can win, but right now his name recognition and favorability is better than the other GOPers. And all the candidates except Paul will back Romney if he’s the nominee. Betcha Palin will too. As will Huckabee. The GOP needs to unite, go on the offensive, and correct its image problem.
You don't believe the disaster that awaits us if Mittens is the nominee?
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 11:28PM EDT (link)I just dug this up http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70906.html
I can guarantee you that once Mittens gets the nomination, the mainstream media will pump a steady diet of this type of piece promoting Johnson’s Libertarian campaign because Obama’s henchmen will know Romney’s vulnerable among Tea Partiers and libertarian leaning Republicans.
I can’t believe our party is about to make this mistake and concede the election to Obama, but I am about resigned to it
Traction?
macphisto96 Thursday, December 29th at 1:24AM EDT (link)Please. Gary Johnson had no traction with Republicans and Paul’s base is actually NOT Republican. Betcha the “let’s legalize pot” rhetoric will score better with young Obama voters and actually draw people away from him. I think Gary Johnson can top out at 2% and most of those will be potheads that would have voted Obama.
Romney will win the election and has the ability to swing crucial states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Virginia. He’ll get Florida as well and bring Indiana back. He might even win Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada. Romney plays well in the states we need.
Please with the family polls
tomatin Thursday, December 29th at 3:51AM EDT (link)Romney is neither conservative, moderate or liberal. He’s the minus man who has no convictions. Your family will just see a disingenuous candidate who really stands for nothing.
Gary Johnson has said
adair Thursday, December 29th at 2:27PM EDT (link)that running as a Libertarian, his wanting to legalize drugs and same-sex marriage will pull enough Democrat voters away from The One to make a sizable difference.
Of course, his being the Lib candidate supposes that he can go to their convention, as Bob Barr did last time, and tromp on the real, long-time Libs who probably were more “entitled” to the nomination.
Barr just out-politicked them.
Someone on TV posited that a 3rd party candidate could take enough votes from either (or both) of the Reps & Dems to throw the election into another 2000 quandary: Once again the winner of the popular vote would not be the winner of the Electoral College count.
I can’t imagine Johnson, without the name recognition and following of Perot, could pull 19%. As a Libertarian he would, of course, provide a safe haven for the disaffected Dems with buyer’s remorse. And for the Reps who are vowing not to vote for Romney, Gingrich, Paul, Santorum, Bachmann, Perry, Roemer or Huntsman.
Gary Johnson has said
adair Thursday, December 29th at 2:27PM EDT (link)that running as a Libertarian, his wanting to legalize drugs and same-sex marriage will pull enough Democrat voters away from The One to make a sizable difference.
Of course, his being the Lib candidate supposes that he can go to their convention, as Bob Barr did last time, and tromp on the real, long-time Libs who probably were more “entitled” to the nomination.
Barr just out-politicked them.
Someone on TV posited that a 3rd party candidate could take enough votes from either (or both) of the Reps & Dems to throw the election into another 2000 quandary: Once again the winner of the popular vote would not be the winner of the Electoral College count.
I can’t imagine Johnson, without the name recognition and following of Perot, could pull 19%. As a Libertarian he would, of course, provide a safe haven for the disaffected Dems with buyer’s remorse. And for the Reps who are vowing not to vote for Romney, Gingrich, Paul, Santorum, Bachmann, Perry, Roemer or Huntsman.
Gary Johnson was saying
adair Thursday, December 29th at 2:15PM EDT (link)that he appeals to Democrats because of his legalizing drugs and same-sex marriage and so on. He would then take votes from The One … votes of those with buyer’s remorse who can’t vote R, but who might vote L.
Of course, that presupposes that another Libertarian doesn’t march into their convention, as Barr did last time, and took it away from all those running who had support, but not enough professional election smarts to hold on and win the nomination.
Someone on TV posited that there might be a 3rd party candidate this time who would take enough votes from the other two to put us in another 2000 dilemma: The ultimate winner of the popular vote would not win the Electoral College 270.
I can’t imagine Gary Johnson polling 19% as Perot did; but it does conjure up an interesting possibility.
Why does Red State
adair Thursday, December 29th at 2:33PM EDT (link)say they think I have posted a comment before, when it’s the first time I post it? So I go back and check and it isn’t posted. So I re-write it. Then it gets posted twice. Three times in this case.
Do you have a time limit for typing these things? I like to check spelling and punctuation and stuff. Sometimes I re-word something. Do you want only off-the-top-of-the-head comments, with a sprinkling of incorrect apostrophes?
Some kind of glitch.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:40PM EDT (link)Happens all the time. Plus slow loading and double posting.
Don’t attempt to edit after you launch. It won’t happen.
It could probably be fixed if we weren’t so cheap.
Kinda like this black and green screen though..
It works.
I ge that ' You've already posted that comment' sometimes also.
gekster (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 3:01PM EDT (link)I just hit the ‘back’ button on the top left, and my comment is posted.
I don’t know if ithat will work for anyone else.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
A Paul win in Iowa helps Romney
justonevoice (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:46AM EDT (link)I am not a Romney supporter (yet) though I am getting more comfortable with him as the candidate. I think a Paul win in Iowa definitely helps Romney because the media will focus on Paul. That may boost Paul a bit in NH, but not enough to win, meanwhile it takes the wind out of Gingrich’s sails. The beneficiary of that is Romney. Perry has a shot at SC but that’s about it. FL will go Romney after media attention of Gingrich dries up after IA, NH and SC. The only way I see this dragging on long is if the winnder of Iowa is someone other than Paul or Romney.
“Let us see that the State is the servant of its people and that the people are not the servants of the State.” Robert Taft
Huntsman is my candidate in NH
elayman Thursday, December 29th at 7:44AM EDT (link)So hopefully if moderate and liberal Republicans and Democratic crossovers in New Hampshire defect from Paul, the beneficiary will be Jon Huntsman, whose foreign policy message sounds similar to Paul’s when it comes to U. S. involvement in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Huh?
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:48AM EDT (link)Excuse me, but it’s absurd for you to say that Huntsman’s “foreign policy message sounds similar to Paul’s when it comes to U. S. involvement in Afghanistan and elsewhere.”
If you think Hunstman is the pure non-interventionist that Paul is, or even anything anywhere close to it, make your case. Otherwise, don’t say such absurd things.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Point of fact...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:51AM EDT (link)In one of the debates in November, I believe it was, the foreign policy debate if I remember correctly, Huntsman claimed that China had an internet generation that would rise up and make China democratic without our doing anything, and so he did not believe in our taking any action against China. This would be an example of a naive isolationist foreign policy, and a similarity to Paul.
non sequitur
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:06AM EDT (link)Even if one accepts your premise entirely, obviously that’s a long way from making the case that Huntsman is anything like the pure non-interventionist that Paul is.
By the way, what “action against China” was being discussed or asked about?
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
He opposed military action or a trade war...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:09AM EDT (link)As commented here:
http://daveporter.typepad.com/global_strategies/2011/11/huntsman-in-debate-on-the-internet-generation-in-china.html
military action against China?
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:16AM EDT (link)Military action against China under what circumstances?? I mean, was he asked about a scenario in which they attack Taiwan?? Otherwise, what the heck are you saying was being discussed? Attacking China militarily for some other reason?
As for economic policies that could lead to a trade war (mainly slapping tariffs on Chinese imports), that’s outside the scope of what we’re discussing, which is the assertion by elayman that Huntsman’s “foreign policy message sounds similar to Paul’s when it comes to U. S. involvement in Afghanistan and elsewhere.” Try to keep things straight.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
It was Romney who said we were in an undeclared war with China at that debate...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:19AM EDT (link)…whereas Huntsman’s view, if you actually bothered to listen to the video embedded in the link I sent you, was that we should passively rely on the supposedly democratic Internet Generation that is going to take down China’s corrupt government from the inside. This sort of naive and passive isolationism is a lot like Paul’s own views, which you would know if you bothered to get facts before taking elayman to task for making the correct connection.
non sequitur again
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:36AM EDT (link)You seem to be saying my disagreement with elayman was invalid — that you agree with elayman that Huntsman and Paul are the same on non-interventionism.
Yet all you offer up is one example, and a very, very weak one at that (as if taking China to the WTO and potentially slapping on tariffs were a good example of interventionism Paul opposes), as a supposed argument that Huntsman overall is equivalent to Paul in non-interventionism.
That’s called a non sequitur.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Au contraire, it's called anecdotal evidence, or facts...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:40AM EDT (link)…which you claim to gather before making rational analysis and coming to conclusions. Instead, you’re not bothering to look up the facts, you’re engaging in irrational or nonexistent analysis, and characteristically jumping to mistaken conclusions, followed by misguided advocacy, which is your m.o. I’m just trying to help you do a better job since you appear unable or unwilling to gather facts for yourself.
nope
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:44AM EDT (link)Nope, you implied that my disagreement and criticism with elayman was invalid, meaning his point was valid. Your basis was that one weak example. One weak example obviously does not lead a sensible person to reach the conclusion that elayman’s sweeping assertion was valid. Hence, your non sequitur. Get it? Probably not.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
and a suggestion
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:46AM EDT (link)Nathan, maybe you should read something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Introductory-Logic-Douglas-J-Wilson/dp/1885767366
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Actually, I own the book,
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:53AM EDT (link)…and I am a student of logic, able to recognize your own paralogic quite easily.
whatever gets ya' by
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:06AM EDT (link)If you’re a student of logic, I sure hope my tax dollars didn’t go to some institution that has been ostensibly teaching it to you. Definitely file that under “government waste.”
Here ya’ go:
Nathan’s Premise*: Huntsman exhibited similar non-interventionism to Paul’s in one instance.
Nathan’s Conclusion: Huntsman is the same overall as Paul in terms of Paul’s pure, across-the-board non-interventionism.
My Conclusion: Most likely, either Nathan is not, as he claims, “a student of logic”, or his is a very poor student and/or has a very poor teacher.
* Invalid premise, but accepting it arguendo for this purpose.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Your initial challenge to elayman
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:50AM EDT (link)Was to challenge him to provide any evidence that Huntsman was close to the pure isolationist that Paul is. I provided evidence that his view towards China was precisely the same sort of isolationism (by refusing to accept that we were in a trade war with China already, showing the same “I’m not listening” attitude about China that Ron Paul shows about our war with radical Islam in Afghanistan and elsewhere), which is, incidentally, the same sort of attitude you show with anything that contradicts your misguided conclusions. Then, having found that challenge met you decided to shift the goalposts to demand much more information about Huntsman’s foreign policy to prove closer congruence, which is your job, as I’m not particularly interested in supporting Huntsman nor do I think he will last past NH, which means it’s not worth my time to research him fuller.
yeesh
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:18AM EDT (link)I don’t know if you really this consistently confuse things, or if you just pretend to continue confusing things because you feel compelled to put forth some pretense that you had a valid point from the start.
You write:
Your initial challenge to elayman was to challenge him to provide any evidence that Huntsman was close to the pure isolationist that Paul is.
Complete mischaracterization of what I said. I said “make your case”. (“If you think Hunstman is the pure non-interventionist that Paul is, or even anything anywhere close to it, make your case.”)
And you jump in with one example, and even that was a terrible example.
I guess you can’t understand the difference between “making a case” that Huntsman is the PURE non-interventionsist that Paul is vs. providing even one legitimate example of the same type of non-interventionism by Huntsman.
And if you can’t get that distinction, even after I’ve explained it to you know repeatedly, there’s probably not much you can get.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Oh, and re: getting the facts, plus plain sense
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:56AM EDT (link)Nathan,
For a guy repeatedly claiming to be a superior fact-getter, you’re quite sloppy. You said “It was Romney who said we were in an undeclared war with China at that debate” and you provide link to a video that doesn’t show Romney saying that. You didn’t bother to take the one minute I took to get the transcript. Romney didn’t use that term or any similar term.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505103_162-57323734/cbs-news-nj-debate-transcript-part-1/?pageNum=10&tag=contentMain;contentBody
[continuing onto]
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505103_162-57323734/cbs-news-nj-debate-transcript-part-1/?pageNum=11&tag=contentMain;contentBody
Moreover, it’s laughably silly for you to imply that that discussion was a good example of the “intervention” vs. “non-interventionism” that I was responding to re: elayman’s assertion, simply because you thought the word “war” was used by Romney.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
Au contraire, buddy troll....
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 8:59AM EDT (link)I provided an embedded link to the foreign policy debate, including Huntsman’s comments (which were the topic of the thread), and it was the moderator who commented on that embedded video that Romney had stated (as he did) that we are in an undeclared war with China right now. If you got your facts and didn’t jump prematurely to conclusions you might be able to make sense. As it is, you just troll.
lame again
buddyp (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:11AM EDT (link)No, again (and if it would help you, I’d type more slowly), you claimed ““It was Romney who said we were in an undeclared war with China at that debate”.
Turns out (as can be seen in the links I provided to the transcript) it was a moderator putting words in Romney’s mouth. Romney hadn’t used that term or anything like it. I show this to you, yet you can’t even admit your mistake, and you feel compelled to double down and pretend you weren’t wrong, plus persist in calling me a troll for some reason, because you are just very insecure. You really should grow up. Find the strength to overcome all that insecurity.
Facts –> rational analysis –> conclusions –> advocacy. In that sequence.
Book I wish everyone in the world would read
We'd better focus
DerKrieger (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:21PM EDT (link)…very hard on winning more House seats, a strong majority in the Senate, and more state level offices because we may have to force the hand of whoever is POTUS and also advance conservatism without him.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
With Boehner at the helm
Fernman Wednesday, December 28th at 4:56PM EDT (link)What’s the point in winning more House seats when you have a scared person as Leader of the house willing to compromise on principle because he is unwilling to face Obama.
With a coward as a leader, what is going to prevent Boehner from chucking principles, integrity and any financial and social principles out the window when Obama starts inundating him with lies and the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times is against him?
Boehner is spoiled goods, no many to any Republican until the so called leader is removed.
Fernando Caballero
Why are Senate Republicans scared of Obama?
Boehner is doing a hell of a lot better than McConnell...nt
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:32PM EDT (link)//no text//
“Baseball fits America well because it expresses our longing for the rule of law while licensing our resentment of law givers.” ― Major League Commissioner of Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti
Unless his poll numbers really improve, McConnell is in deep trouble in 2014
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 9:02PM EDT (link)He is 20 points underwater in KY right now. Conservatives hate him because he’s a sell out. Democrats hate him because of all the abuse he piled on them for 30 years now. His protegee, David Williams got thumped by 20 points for Governor this year and unless something dramatic happens, McConnell will follow him to the exits in 2014
Boehner
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:37PM EDT (link)Boehner is doing a good job. However, there is a limit to what can be done, because Dems are in control in the Senate and Obama is in the WH. Get control of Senate and toss Obama out of WH, then a lot can get done. Until then, not much as much as we would like.
Boehner is doing a great job for the Democrats.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:45PM EDT (link)Like giving them everything they asked for and then throwing in a tip.
I wished he would have played golf Head to Head with Obama…
You could have put that on PPV and sent the proceeds to pay down some debt.
Oh, the last debacle was Boehner called back all the troops for a mass surrender.
Yeah, great job there Johnny.
Actually, what Boehner does is fight the Dems until
davesinsanantonio (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 5:34AM EDT (link)there is enough bad press against us, and THEN he gives them everything they asked for.
He has all the political skills of a box of rocks.
well with many new members there might be new leadership. nt
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:24PM EDT (link)nt
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
So True
tomatin Wednesday, December 28th at 7:06PM EDT (link)Because it looks like Romney is going to win which mean he will lose against Obama. All Obama needs to do during a debate is face Romney and say you agreed with me before you didn’t agree with me on a half dozen or so issues and thanks for Obamacare. Elections are about contrast and Romney offers none.
That is so damn overblown
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:28PM EDT (link)I cannot believe that for a second. If Obama does that all Romney has to do is say, I don’t want the same program rammed down the throats of every state, let the people decide.
I am not a Romney supporter, but if he wins he will beat Obama like a drum. He is everything Obama is not, Successful, competent, and a problem solver. Obama has the same negatives as Jimmy Carter.
Carter ran against the so called radical unelectable Ronald Reagan, guess what? Reagan won in a landslide.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Excellent points
justonevoice (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:48AM EDT (link)Though I would like to see the efforts focus on replacing the current Congressional leadership along with increasing GOP members. Clean slate!
“Let us see that the State is the servant of its people and that the people are not the servants of the State.” Robert Taft
Sour Grapes
mjs65 Wednesday, December 28th at 4:22PM EDT (link)How dare those evil social conservatives do what you’ve been complaining the House Republican’s won’t do…..stand on principle!
Hi! I’m a birther named mjs_pa! I’m gone again!
Sour Grapes From RINOs
Fernman Wednesday, December 28th at 4:49PM EDT (link)Why stop at the House Republicans???…
The Senate Republicans have thrown away Reagan principles years ago and skipped town this past week too scared to face the music.
Fernando Caballero
Why are Senate Republicans scared of Obama?
Senate
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:38PM EDT (link)is controlled by the Dems.
5
paint_it_red (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 10:36AM EDT (link)Apparently stands on principle are reserved for pointless procedural missteps that wipe out our polling advantage built up over months that many of us do not care about. Social conservatives are expected to get dragged along for candidates who do not reflect our beliefs.
Can Santorum win? Probably not. But at least he’s never given a full throated defense of abortion rights, explained federal judges should be dragged before Congress by marshals or looked like he’d forgotten his name in a debate.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
I said Santorum would be the one surging
thirstyboots Wednesday, December 28th at 4:25PM EDT (link)Check my previous comments .He’s already in 3rd in the last CNN poll. Perry and Bachmann don’t have much potential to grow because, besides their hardcore supporters, nobody likes them. With Gingrich going down, Santorum is the last man standing and he’ll benefit from that.
I’d say right now Santorum is the favorite to finish 3rd.
If noone likes Perry, as you say, thirstyboots
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:50PM EDT (link)then why is he drawing sizable crowds in Iowa? Read the embed reporters comments, go to the Iowa news sites, and most news stories accounts elsewhere. Folks interviewed before and after Perry events, generally say the same thing: they weren’t sure about Perry until after they met him in the meet ‘n greet. You are being extremely disingenuous with your remarks. No surprise there, you are always criticizing Rick Perry in these RS rooms. That’s good for political discourse however, in that it provides a point of reference. We wouldn’t be able to appreciate the good without you.
I Bet He Favors Ethanol Subsidies
carolynr Wednesday, December 28th at 4:25PM EDT (link)nt
Carolynr, You are correct: Rick Santorum DOES favor Ethanol Subsidies, and more
tricianc (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:45PM EDT (link)Rick Santorum gets an A- for support of EthanolSubsidies, Mandated Fuel Standards and for Taxpayer Funding Projects from TheIowa Corngrowers Organization bit.ly/sLWJcU
I Knew It...I knew it...Ethanol...yuck
carolynr Friday, December 30th at 8:34PM EDT (link)nt….so much for this evangelical stuff…sell your soul to the devil for the almighty buck…which is no good for anything but their wallet at our expense.
Santorum
freemanja1991 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:26PM EDT (link)Has a bunch of loyal supporters. Perry isn’t hurting as bad as generally perceived. It’s gonna be a mess. I live in Story County this will be ugly.
Well, if Santorum wins Iowa...
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:28PM EDT (link)there are a few things to remember:
1) Ron Paul won’t win, and Santorum is better than Paul.
2) The winner of Iowa doesn’t often win the nomination. (George W. Bush was, however, a notable exception.)
Personally, I think the media is trying to build up Santorum in order to hide the fact that Perry is cramming coffee shops and restaurants wherever he goes, while Santorum and Bachmann get anywhere from 11 to 30 participants. But that’s just my personal opinion.
Perhaps Santorum is surging. But like a few cartoon characters I could name, he’ll likely get hit in the head with a New Hampshire anvil. Figuratively speaking, of course.
It’ll all come out in the wash, you see. Voting officially starts next Tuesday.
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Must win either Iowa or NH to win nomination
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 4:34PM EDT (link)I think since Iowa moved to the early slot in the primaries (in ’72 if I’m not mistaken) the nominee of both parties has always won EITHER Iowa or NH. Excetions were McGovern I think an Bill Clinton.
Looking back at history, you must win at least 1 of these two states or you are OUT. We forget how quickly support erodes for the losers.
expanding_man.. NH and Iowa wins aren't predictive...
onemovoter (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:34PM EDT (link)both NH and Iowa only have a 50% record of going for the winner.
SC is about 80-90% predictive and Nevada for the last 60 years has been 100%.
ONE big HOWEVER. The rules have changed this year for all the primaries. It used to be all winner take all, so that after 3 or 4 states you could tell who had a good lead. This time it’s not that way till after April 1st. Texas is probably going to be on April 3rd along with a bunch of other southern states. This bodes well for Perry obviously.
LP does have a very good point, Perry is packing them in at his stops with standing room only. The stories of Bachmann’s race across Iowa are where she barely stays for 10 min and then heads on. She’s pissing more people off than helping.
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”- Benjamin Franklin
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”- Will Rogers
NH and Iowa are predictive.
expanding_man Thursday, December 29th at 10:36AM EDT (link)What is important about NH and Iowa isn’t the number of delegates awarded. If a candidate doesn’t win in either state, they lose momentum and are very quickly forgotten. A better way of looking at SC and Nevada is that the winner in those states is either the winner of NH or Iowa and almost never anyone else. Hence, if you don’t win either Iowa or NH you are done. I understand that there are many who are emotionally saying, “this time it’ll be different” because they want it to be so. In the words of Bill Clinton,”I feel their Pain.”
I believe Perry must win Iowa if he wants to have any real shot at the nomination.
Iowa and New Hampshire are no longer predictive. Goodhart's Law applies.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:22PM EDT (link)Measuring something changes the outcome…
The more attention Iowa and New Hampshire get, the more they get measured, and the more they’re changed as a result.
There is a tipping point, though – where the good of Iowa (Ethanol, social-conservative-at-all-costs) is no longer an acceptable cost to the GOP…. and we’re at or past that point.
Iowa is well on its’ way to voting itself a laughingstock.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I think you have something of a point.
expanding_man Thursday, December 29th at 10:41AM EDT (link)Measuring the results in Iowa and NH, i.e. the winner, changes the outcome of the who will be the GOP’s nominee. Because of the attention paid to Iowa and NH and the “measuring” that goes on there, the primary results in those 2 states predict the national nominee. I’m not arguing that it’s a good system. In point of fact, I don’t think it is.
Santorum has had no negative press
rharrison Wednesday, December 28th at 4:30PM EDT (link)since the collective media decided three weeks ago or so that Santorum should be the new ‘flavor’. Everyone else has had a full vetting and then some but not him.. Frustrating for those who support Perry. Something to note in the current Time/CNN poll is the question which asks which candidate you would support for the nomination and which one you wouldn’t. Perry by far has the highest support of any of them. Not sure it translates to votes but it’s something.
Santorum doesn't need any negative press because
davesinsanantonio (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 5:39AM EDT (link)he is so negative himself.
I think he must have been weaned on a pickle.
I'm starting to think there's uranium in the Mississippi river
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:32PM EDT (link)and the entire state of Iowa has been drinking it.
Mitch Daniels was absolutely 100% right.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:32PM EDT (link)And, keep in mind, these self-righteous jerks are the same ilk that transported Mike Huckabee into national prominence.
Self-righteous jerks?
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 4:37PM EDT (link)If you’re talking about social conservatives then I think you’re on the wrong website…
mbecker has been here forever
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:48PM EDT (link)Maybe you’re the one who’s lost?
Also sprach the guy who prefers Obama over Romney (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:49PM EDT (link),
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
I don't 'prefer' one over the other at all
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 4:53PM EDT (link)With one you have a terrorist sympathizing, Marxist, race-baiting, aloof bastard.
With the other you have an elitist, snobbish, Gordon Gekkoesque, weird, liberal, wuss.
Does either description sound like someone we want as our President?
Whatever, RiNO (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:57PM EDT (link).
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
NICE!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:00PM EDT (link)It being true that a Republican In Name Only is anyone who doesn’t vote with their team (the GOP).
Pro-Business or Anti-Business?
macphisto96 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:03PM EDT (link)I can understand why people don’t like Romney, but equating the guy to Obama is lunacy.
Romney will certainly AT LEAST have a cabinet made up of people that have worked in real world, not one filled with snobby academics who are detached from reality. That’s a huge improvement right there. I’d bet he’d also do what he could to curb regulation that has skyrocketed under Obama. Another huge improvement. And he’d at least try to lead.
I will vote for the Republican nominee. I like Romney and I did in 2008 as well, but I held my nose and voted for McCain because he would have been a far better President. And so many of the attacks on Romney apply to him. Heck, many of them apply to George W. Bush. No Child Left Behind. Medicare Part D. There’s plenty of wreckage there.
Romney at least has a history of turning things around, finding solutions for problems, and turning deficit into surplus. We can debate about the finer points there, but the guy has turned around companies, turned around a state, and turned around the olympics. That’s a strong argument to make to a general electorate that wants to see more jobs, wants to see the deficit shrink, and wants to see their bills go down (energy independence push helps here).
Romney's business experience consists of playing the part of vulture...
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 9:11PM EDT (link)tearing apart companies, firing workers, selling assets and then earning huge bonuses out of what he was able to fleece from these companies. Mittens’ “business experience” is a lot of spin if you ask me.
He is just another spoiled rich kid who got into Harvard because of his Governor daddy. He’s been an elitist, out of tocuh snob his whole life. He mixes well in the NY financial community but hasn’t a clue about the concerns of ordinary Americans. Sadly, these many deficiencies will be put on full display by the onslaught Barry O’s crack political team will unleash on him. Given how Mittens has treated other Republicans in his two campaigns (see Newt Gingich), not too many people will be sorry to see him taken apart
I can't hold that against Willard.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:19PM EDT (link)Either Bain did it, or the business imploded.
If there was a buck to be had.. someone will get it.
Man, I am sorry, this isn’t personal…but I have to kill you now.
Ok, so… do you think the undertaker is a Vulture?
It is a dirty job. It has to get done. If not for money….
What would anyone want to do it for?
That would be sick.
Not to defend Willard here, but only to demonstrate reality.
The problem with that theory, might be reality,
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:54PM EDT (link)but as Mr Erick pointed out earlier in a separate diary, this election is jobs-OWS centric. Romney being the poster boy for corporate greed at the expense of the little guy. He is a terrible candidate for the GOP, a serial political loser that has a bunch of money to buy endorsements and media headlines, thus creating this whole “inevitable electable” myth.
But you DO see my point, correct?
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:24PM EDT (link)It is a hard sell in TV land.
I am a realist.
What it is, it is.
And Bain wasn’t in a popularity contest.
Their job, make money.
If not them, someone else would have done it anyway.
See my analogy of the undertaker.
I do see your point. I also think the timing is off.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:32PM EDT (link)If this were the late’80s, when venture vultures were actually popular, Romney’d be an easy sell.
If this were just before the dot-com bomb, say 1998, Romney’s background would be just what the doctor ordered.
The last good opportunity for selling Romney the Wall Street Wiz Kid was, ironically, 2006.
And he lost.
To John McCain.
That Romney, a former Governor with a fiscal background at a time when the coming fiscal crisis was pretty darn obvious, couldn’t defeat an elderly Senator whose best selling feature was stabbing conservatives in the back should tell you quite a lot.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Yep. 100% And more. Romney retread.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:39PM EDT (link)He was passed over for McCain before.
And we saw how THAT worked out.
Even that muffin.. Sarah could not save him. ( She lives down the street, and around the corner from me…)
But TV land folks ( Now.. Folks is copyrighted by the Obama Campaighn )
Can’t accept realities of the business world.
It is, what it is.
If Romney's the nominee, look for a revivial of "Other People's Money"...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:50PM EDT (link)both on TV Land and at dinner theaters nationwide.
The movie
The play
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Oh, I see that coming. Obama couldn't let that go.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:55PM EDT (link)Organize Wall Street IS Obama…
And reality is not an issue.
Are you not a capitalist?
macphisto96 Wednesday, December 28th at 11:19PM EDT (link)How about the jobs saved by Romney. You sound like someone who has no idea how a business works.
A publicly traded company is accountable to three groups:
-investors
-customers
-employees
The employees will always get bounced first because the job market tends to flex (4 million jobs are created and destroyed PER MONTH in a healthy economy) and once the investors and customers are screwed the game is over.
Let’s say a company that makes widgets is having a rough go. Their sales are down, they are inefficient, there stock is tanking, and they are on the long road to liquidation.
Well, if they hit liquidation then the employees are all gone, the customers lose their warranty (and replacement parts down the line), and the investors get pennies on the dollar.
Conservatives cry foul about government inefficiencies but if Mitt Romney finds inefficiencies in a business and some people lose their jobs then its a bad thing? What? Great efficiency means competitive pricing and, often, better sales with a better margin. Often down the line it means more hiring after this is established.
Jobs are not charities. Companies get bloated and bureaucratic just like the government and they need to be trimmed. If you want to demonize this kind if stuff then you need to read BlueState instead of RedState because you’re a lot more left than right. Newt’s criticism of what Romney did with Bain was an anticapitalist rant. These companies would often have liquidated. Sometimes you break the company into parts because it is what you can do. Sometimes you revitalize it. But there’s no sense trying to bring back a company that has no market or not real shot of actually making a comeback – that’s a waste.
While I agree with what you say, you seem to be missing the point.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:31PM EDT (link)You’ll notice that Romney isn’t running as a Wall Street Wiz Kid.
You seem to think Romney isn’t stupid.
Think about it.
#OWS
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
On the contrary
macphisto96 Thursday, December 29th at 1:36AM EDT (link)Romney isn’t running as a Wiz Kid, but turnarounds don’t have to be associated with Wall Street. Salt Lake City and Mass are not Wall Street. Figuring out that Home Depot and Staples were good ideas won’t sell to the average American? Home Depot is packed by average joes all day, giving them easy access to things they need at low prices.
The guy who got the money for Staples to open doesn’t help create jobs? He’s a Wall Street guy that got capital for a chain with over 2000 stores now that employs 90,000 people.
Yeah, that’s a hard sell. That’s not Wall Street, that’s showing a penchant for seeing what works and eliminating what doesn’t.
Turnaround artist. Sees trends. Knows what works, gets rid of what doesn’t. Makes things more efficient. Delivers lower costs TO YOU. Not a career politician and all offices he’s served in are outside the beltway. Real world experience.
And the guy can show he’s competent.
The service economy picks the bones of the manufacturing economy.
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:32AM EDT (link)Home Depot and Staples jobs are WalMart jobs under a different flag.
Big box, low skill, low wage.
They do not replace manufacturing jobs lost by shutting down manufacturing companies. Further, it doesn’t matter where Romney was sitting, Wall Street isn’t just a place, it’s a state of mind. Even the folks in Peoria know that.
He’s the wrong candidate for this time. He should have made his case in 2006 and 2007 .. when he lost to McCain.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Took a minute to grok the Nietzsche reference, Neil
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:56PM EDT (link)I read the book, but not in German.
herk, I'm talking about "social conservatives",
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:05PM EDT (link)I happen to be one.
I’m talking about single issue values voters. And they are jerks. They almost gave us Huckabee, who wouldn’t have been much better than Obama. Now, they’re potentially going to “make a statement” again in Iowa. The only statement they’re making is “Hey! Look at us, we’re stupid.”
Make that I'm ***not*** talking about "social..."
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:07PM EDT (link)oops
Not that McCain worked much better
paint_it_red (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 10:56AM EDT (link)Not trying to give snark, I have great appreciation for the comments and posts you’ve put on this site over the years, but I would defend single issue voters.
I myself endeavor to look at all the issues, but if someone wants to take a stand for say the unborn, or for others to say its really all about electability, or others fiscal responsibility, then there is some value in that. We have to have those single issue voters to maintain certain platforms as a litmus of conservatism.
Bottom line, Santorum supporters are probably aware of his national prospects, and his history, but like him because he’s the one who reflects their beliefs and he’s done a much better job of retail politics than the others in Iowa.
In the end, I fail to see how those who support Santorum now, who probably are the same folks who supported Huckabee last time, are doing anything wrong. The McCain candidate will not work any better this time than it did last time.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
Santorum supporters
mbecker908 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:14PM EDT (link)are fools. They, and the structure of the caucuses are foisting an unelectable jerk to the top of the heap, he’ll have his 15 minutes of fame, they’ll “feel good” and they’ll ignore a candidate with a real record of conservative accomplishment and a pro-life record every bit as solid as Santorum’s without the baggage that sunk Santorum in PA (check out the $$ he took from the state for his kids schooling).
And this time around Romney is the McCain candidate.
Santorum, Perry, & McCain II
paint_it_red (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:24PM EDT (link)I don’t disagree with you about Romney being the McCain of 2012. But you seem to suggest that Santorum is bleeding Perry. I’m sorry, but there I disagree with you – Santorum is polling well because he has more extensively engaged the people of Iowa, and he has done so more extensively than Perry.
Maybe he gets a brief national bump in the polls, strings along for a few months, and takes some delegates to the convention, but I don’t see him as much worse than Perry. Santorum’s value is in just doing what a lot of 3rd tier candidates do – make a stand on a litmus issue to keep the frontrunners honest.
Perry’s basic problem is he comes across as dumber than a box of rocks. I’ll vote for him in a heartbeat over Obama, but I am extremely conservative and would vote for Mickey Mouse before Obama. I don’t think I could bear to watch him in a debate with Obama, on Sunday talks shows, etc. Like Palin, he invents new words, has a basic problem with grammar, and comes out with things like “The American people are untrustworthy of…” I’m sorry, but an American President does not say things like “The American people are not trustworthy” even if he meant to say “The American people are not trusting of…” These blips are so frequent, its like constant turbulence to be on his bandwagon. Over the course of a campaign where every misstep is magnified, he has zero chance of beating Obama.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
Reading comprehension is your friend.
mbecker908 (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 9:51AM EDT (link)Nowhere did I, or have I, suggested or implied that Santorum is bleeding Perry. Perry has his own set of problems and I didn’t, and haven’t addressed them.
With respect to Santorum, and frankly I have very little of that, he’s the consumate lightweight. He’s got a political career that looks a whole like Obama’s. I will give him credit for not voting “Present”, but he certainly followed the party line and has never exhibited one whit of leadership in his life. That’s OK for a Senator or Representative, it absolutely not OK for a President.
What I was talking about specifically was the construct of the caucuses and the proven fact that they can be gamed, and gamed easily. Along the way you certainly can feel free – and rightly so – to find the implication that Rick Santorum has no business running for President. He doesn’t.
With respect to the caucuses, very few people show up so if you have a dedicated group of one issue zealots – and the idiot SIVV in Iowa who propelled Mike Huckabee’s candidacy qualify – or a very well organized group of people who are basically anarchists – Ron Paul’s fools – who are decidedly NOT Republicans combined with a system that lets people register on caucus night, you’ve got a recipe for disaster. It’s not legally voter fraud, but it’s certainly a design that encourages outcomes that don’t represent a broader slice of voters.
The group that is driving Santorum, Single Issue Values Voters, are actually dumb enough to think a President is going to be able to do much to stop abortion. They don’t understand the issue and they certainly don’t understand the law. There are a very limited number of things a President can do, the most important of those being appointment of SCOTUS Justices and any of the candidates (Ron Paul not included) would nominate judges who are significantly more conservative than the current resident of the White House. The limits of Presidential power in this area is absolutely ignored by these fools, to the extent that Huckabee was proclaiming that he would push for a “Human Life Amendment”. No one bothered to bring up the fact that there is little a President can do to get an amendment passed (see Jimmy Carter and the ERA) and Huckabee never bothered to define which version of the seven versions of the HLA he supported, most of which do absolutely nothing to stop abortion, they simply refer the matter to the states.
To summarize, yeah I’ve got a problem with Santorum. But heck, I’ve got problems with all of the candidates. If I was running I’d have problems with me. The candidates aren’t my issue in this discussion, they’re just tools to make a point about the caucuses and what a crappy method they are for choosing a potential Presidential candidate. The caucus makes me yearn for the good old days of smoke filled back rooms.
Don't question my reading comprehension
paint_it_red (Diary) Sunday, January 1st at 10:25AM EDT (link)I clearly noted that you “seemed to suggest” Santorum was bleeding Perry. Now, you might have meant one or more other candidates, but given your own choice not to specify beyond the criteria of (1) a candidate as strongly Pro-Life as Santorum and (2) a real record of conservative accomplishment. To my mind, there’s no way Romney (once pro-choice) Gingrich (failed to advance Pro-Life initiatives while Speaker), Paul (would allow pro-abortion laws on a state by state basis) or even Huntsman (more moderate than Santorum) meet criteria one, and there’s no way Bachmann (too junior, no major successful legislative initiatives she spearheaded) meets criteria 2. Why should they vote for one of these guys in a primary??
So to me, as I said before, that “seemed to suggest” Perry. Its perfectly fair to correct my misperception, but you left it open-ended to begin with, and the issue is not my reading comprehension.
This thread was about Iowa SoCons getting blamed for supporting a life candidate. You said they were idiots for doing so. My point is they have an important function in doing that, and I don’t blame them for it. It makes a statement to the field and to the country about the importance of an issue that too many, on both sides of the aisle, are trying to push onto the backburner.
We should be damn grateful these voters do place such a premium on life. If they didn’t, a fair swath of them, (who as Erick noted are not fiscally conservative), would be voting Obama.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
Self-righteous jerks?
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 4:37PM EDT (link)If you’re talking about social conservatives then I think you’re on the wrong website…
Huckabee would have been MUCH better than Obama or Romney
marktx Wednesday, December 28th at 11:52PM EDT (link)I’m no supporter of Huckabee and his tax increases, but I seriously doubt he would have supported socialized medicine similar to Obama/Romney Care.
While it might not seem like it right now, the 2012 election really is a “single issue” election. And that single issue is the repeal of Obamacare. Once firmly entrenched into the economy, socialized medicine will never be removed. 2012 provides republicans a small window of opportunity to stop the socialist takeover of healthcare. If republicans ignore this opportunity, the country will go the way of western europe.
Agree with you again
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 11:56PM EDT (link)I was a big Huckabee supporter last time and was crushed when SC deserted him. While Huckabee is far from a perfect conservative, he would have had the charisma, likeability and policies to put Obama on the run. With Huckabee the whole Republican coalition would have been united, locked down and we would be talking about winning a few swing voters in OH, FL and maybe PA to win the whole ballgame. Oh, how we can dream……
Channeling Jerry Falwell
clintonformccain Wednesday, December 28th at 4:34PM EDT (link)With Rick Perry’s decision to channel Jerry Falwell in Iowa, the Republican nomination process is left with one candidate who even has a plausible chance of beating Barack Obama…. Mittens.
It’s really a depressing state of affairs. The Republican party, unfortunately, is caught in a black hole of leadership during a generational change. Meanwhile, half the primary voters seem to be interested in “sending a message” by voting for he most outrageous candidate they can find. It’s a good thing Christine O’Donnell didn’t throw her hat in the ring.
The most outrageous candidate in the race is Mittens
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 4:48PM EDT (link)Before this year, I would have never imagined that Republican primary voters would select a liberal, who would be considered a centrist in the Democratic Party, as the Republican front-runner. Conservatives really do need a party of our own unless we can engineer a takeover of the GOP in the next couple of years. Let the GOP represent the “mushy-middle, the Dems the left and a conservative party for the right and center-right.
Mittens could be a Democrat and we wouldn't notice the difference
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:47PM EDT (link)The Democrats would take him under wing in a heartbeat.
They just can’t run him right now.
Gosh, but it would help our ticket.
His crowd count in Iowa is abysmal compared to Perry's
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:34PM EDT (link)Woefully behind in enthusiasm as well. Does anyone really put money on these polls and their accuracy? Perhaps it is just another media gimmick. Put Rick Santorum’s record up against Rick Perry, there is just zero comparison there. Iowa needs to step down, once and for all. Put in a more reliable red state to be first in the nation.
Furthermore, be mindful that the media is pushing Romney
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:44PM EDT (link)a false narrative indicating a Santorum “surge” splits the conservative vote even moreso, mainly hurting Rick Perry who incidentally is drawing enthusiastic crowds and has a substantial campaign organization unlike Rick Santorum.
I realize he visited all 99 counties, sometimes drawing 3 people in the audience. But he cannot be taken seriously beyond Iowa.
Mr Erick, to be sure, that particular picture on Twitter
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:46PM EDT (link)garnering Mr Santorum a reported 50 folks in attendance. Mind you, some of those might be store employees.
Indeed
kindredsoul Wednesday, December 28th at 4:56PM EDT (link)My guess is that Mr. Santorum was actually availing himself of a post-Christmas sale on kitchen tables. By the look of the store employees, they’re having none of it.
Any Links to Pics?
jonerik Wednesday, December 28th at 6:46PM EDT (link)I’d love to see some links to Perry crowd pictures. Seriously, I could use SOMEthing upbeat heading into the caucuses.
I obtained pictures through the embed reporters on Twitter
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:32PM EDT (link)Arlette Saenz (ABC), Rebecca Kaplan(CBS) and Carrie Dann (NBC). I’m holding a precious three year old baby girl right now, so a bit challenged to link the pictures myself
jonerick... here is a Perry pick from an event today...
onemovoter (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:49PM EDT (link)Smokey Row Cafe in Oskaloosa
also… follow on twitter if you have it…
Arlette Saenz
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”- Benjamin Franklin
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”- Will Rogers
Also another Perry event today a packed house...
onemovoter (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:01PM EDT (link)Machine Shed in Urbandale
About 200 standing room only at that event. Other earlier events are the same way.
Perry is also having Sheriff Joe Arpaio with him on this second leg. He had Louisiana Gov Jindal for the first leg which people loved.
Main St Cafe in Council Bluffs here is another packed house overflowing.
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”- Benjamin Franklin
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”- Will Rogers
Santorum
WILLisms (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:43PM EDT (link)“I’m very proud of all the earmarks I’ve put in bills. I’ll defend earmarks.” -Rick Santorum
www.WILLisms.com
LOL! Practically every single Republican in Congress does earmakrs
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:34PM EDT (link)Santorum is just honest about it. You’re argument is silly.
But of course we can always nominate McCain (one of the few anti-earmark senators) as our nominee. He would surely beat Obama! Oh wait…
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
I don't get it
Adjoran (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:43PM EDT (link)Santorum endorsing Specter, the incumbent of his own party who had endorsed him in his first run, under pressure from his own President, is unforgivable.
Gingrich endorsing Dede Scuzzyfuzzy for an open seat in a race he had no reason to be involved with, and trashing conservatives who supported Hoffman instead, well, that’s acceptable?
No sale.
For one thing, adjoran, one was a primary, the other was a
trickamsterdam Wednesday, December 28th at 8:16PM EDT (link)general. But whatever, right? By the way, Newt was right, the seat went to the D. But also whatever, right? Hell, some people actually blamed Newt’s endorsement for that, anyway. Yeah, right.
BTW, It’s also local government’s decision how they chose who represents the Party (a conservative principle)…but I guess the national party does know more right…right?
Santorum is tied w/ Paul among Republicans as the most unacceptable candidate (62%).
I grew up in PA, and he is beyond a joke. He’s spent all this time in Iowa, and in one poll, he was behind Huntsman! He says he’ll only drop out if he finishes “dead last”. Yeah, because he’s going to do better in the states where he hasn’t campaigned…LOL!
The sad thing is: he may actually be right. Those people don’t know him., like the people in Iowa and PA do (dismal polls in Iowa, 18% defeat in PA).
Nor was the PA thing because the state is turning blue from purple. Look at Toomey and the Governor, only four years later.
Santorum will be cut to pieces the minute any attention is put on him:…he is worse than you could possibly imagine. And he is just as unelectable as Paul.
Newt was not right
paint_it_red (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:05AM EDT (link)I’m one who supported the Newt surge, right up until he started advocating for federal marshals to drag judges into custody and before the Congress, but he was dead wrong on Dede S. For goodness sake, look at the broader context of what the “moderate” strategy has wrought in the northeast. We lost basically every seat out there. All of them. Those few we have left are the first ones to undercut national support by giving a bipartisan glean to Obama & Pelosi’s ultraliberal legislation. The conservatives might even have won if Dede had not endorsed the Democrat. Look at Dede’s positions – she was already indistinguishable from a Democrat, and had she won, she would be a Democrat today.
More importantly though, NY-23 sent a message to the NY GOP about what type of candidates they pick and how they pick them. NY went from a 28-2 Dem majority in 2008 to about 20-10 in 2010. I’m not sure that would’ve happened, even with the 2010 wave, without NY putting up some honest to goodness conservatives.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
I hear what you're saying paint_it_red, but I was
trickamsterdam Thursday, December 29th at 7:03PM EDT (link)mostly addressing something specific: That is, the difference between endorsing someone in the primary and the general.
I believe it was only when he lost the primary, that Hoffman ran in the general (I could have that wrong, but I don’t think so…and frankly I’m not going to look it up, too long ago).
I was a Newt guy too. I’ve lost faith because I just don’t think he’s organized enough to beat Obama (after the VA primary fiasco).
I hate the Judicial Branch so much, I don’t care who gets arrested (especially since that plan wouldn’t get passed anyway, and would just be a shot across that Branch’s bow).
This was one of the more well thought-out and interesting responses, to one of my posts, though. Thank you. So, w/out sarcasm, Happy New Year.
Iowa voters are bound and determined to make themselves irrelevant
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:45PM EDT (link)And if the national GOP had any guts, they’d do something to strip them of their “first-in-the-nation” status. What an embarrassment.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
I think that ship sailed a long time ago.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:48PM EDT (link)They epitomize everything that’s wrong with government.
PANDER TO ME! PANDER TO ME!
“Baseball fits America well because it expresses our longing for the rule of law while licensing our resentment of law givers.” ― Major League Commissioner of Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti
amen NT, and if a non-tea partier conservative doesn't win the GOP nomination it won't be the fault of Iowa social cons
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:15PM EDT (link)It will be the fault of the true conservatives that didn’t run of the poor campaigns run by those that did run. I see no logic to EE’s headline claim re a connection between an eventual Romney as nominee, a good Santorum showing in Iowa and Iowa social cons being at “fault”.
I wish all conservatives would rally around Perry and FTR, my preferences after Perry are
2) Newt
3) Bachmann
Rest sans Paul tied for 4th.
I would vote for Obama over Paul…
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Really, Gamecock? I .. see it differently.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:32PM EDT (link)My take is that the best the Tea Party can hope for is an “Asian F” (weak finish) in New Hampshire for Romney… and Santorum has no chance of making that happen. Neither does Bachmann. It’d have to be a combination of Perry and Huntsman.
Santorum also has no real chance of winning South Carolina, the Gamecocks fans are predominantly either Tea Partiers who would prefer an actual fiscal hawk over Santorum or Romney, or ole’-boy-network types who are more likely to favor Perry or Newt.
Then there’s Florida, which is trending *very* hard toward fiscal-conservative – outsider. That’s certainly not an audience Santorum can play well in, but it’s one Perry – as an outside-DC guy – can do very well with.
But.
For Perry to do well in New Hampshire, to start this whole chain of dominoes that leads to not-Romney winning the nomination, he needs to be seen as credible in Iowa .. and he can’t do that if Santorum wins in Iowa.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
My point is that it won't be the fault of social conservatives that EE identifies and defines in Iowa
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 4:11PM EDT (link)that are at fault if we tea partier cons don’t get the nominee we want. But
more later this year or next…
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
You'll need to unpack that further, GC. Erick is pretty clear...
acat (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 4:34PM EDT (link)that if the SoCons go for Santorum, it will damage everyone-but-Romney….
At this point, my hope is that the polling in Iowa is failing to account for excitement…
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Unpacking: a) Iowa's effect on subsequent contests is under-rated; b)
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 7:30PM EDT (link)the poor performances of more reliable and viable conservatives is their fault and not voters who don’t want to waste a vote; and c) Iowa’s social conservatives are more uniquely Iowan than they are the more orthodox so-cons in the South that are usually three-legged stool so-cons on defense and fiscal matters.
Further, isn’t the real problem a structural one based on the fact that these two weird states, Iowa and NH go first and that campaign finance laws and the media anal exam discourages more and better Reaganite cons to run in the first place.
Moreover, the whole polling idea of pigeon-holing social conservatives is quite vague at best.
I am on guard against unjustified smears against social cons and all kinds of cons. Too easy and flip.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Absolutely agree on your point D-1...
acat (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 12:01AM EDT (link)Plug “acat goodhart law site:redstate.com” into Google (or, if you’re Neil, Bing) and see what I’ve had to say on the subject.
Somewhat less on D-2; I’m not sure these “better Reaganite cons” exist; having been through this cycle several times, I keep hearing about them, but .. they’re rather like the alleged Yeti or D.B. Cooper… always a step or three ahead of the party.
I am aware that you’ve got a .. tender spot .. where accusations of social conservatives behaving badly come in, but .. if the impact of Iowa is in fact underrated (as you just said and as I agree…) then the impact of social conservatives backing Santorum is, as I suspect, going to decimate the anti-Romney field .. leaving Willard.
This does not fill me with joy, GC.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
thx 'cat, and I had a typo on #1 as I meant that Iowa's effect is OVER-rated
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 8:32AM EDT (link)Isn’t Jimmy Carter the only real example where Iowa made a major difference?
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
What of Howard Dean, Gamecock? What of JFK?
acat (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 11:02AM EDT (link)(Cheshire grin)
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Caveat Suffragator
I guess one could argue that Dean's loss in Iowa was significant but
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 11:06AM EDT (link)suspect that his behavior would have also turned off any state that was first. Not aware that Iowa was significant in JFK’s 1960 run for the nomination but will look into that.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
The polling in Iowa is bouncing around.
joshdunn Saturday, December 31st at 11:24AM EDT (link)Right now, it looks like Romney has the excitement of the plurality of Republicans in Iowa, while Ron Paul is hoping to benefit from Democrat (and far left) cross-over voters.
If Romney wins Iowa decisively, he will probably sweep the first five states. Ron Paul is a bad actor who needs to retire.
Followed closely by New Hampshire.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:09PM EDT (link)nt
Well somebody has to go first
Ed54 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:20PM EDT (link)And whoever goes first is going to get pandered to. It’s unavoidable, unless you have a super-Tuesday-like primary first.
“If all men were just, there would be no need of valor.”
- Agesilaus
I don't have a problem with the pandering
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:04PM EDT (link)I have a problem with their off-the-wall voting patterns. They have a long track record of voting for candidates without a chance in you-know-where of winning. They are simply not indicative of, well, anything…and the attention that is paid to their pointless caucuses is ridiculous. It’s almost as pointless as the Ames Straw Poll. What is it about Iowa that makes them irrelevant?
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
This isn't complex. Rotate it. Every 4 years, a new "first State".
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:13PM EDT (link)Simple rules.
1) Must be a closed primary.
2) Must have fewer than 7 electoral votes.
3) Must have a competent, functional State party.
(that last one is more of a guideline)
I nominate Utah to go first next time, followed by Oklahoma in 2020.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Yep.
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:17PM EDT (link)There is absolutely no reason that one state should get the corner on the “first in the primaries” slot. Iowa has sufficiently proven that they have no business being in that slot. They are the anti-bellwether.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Goodhart's Law, Bill S.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:25PM EDT (link)Measuring something changes it.
Iowa (and New Hampshire) maintained “first in the nation” status, in part because the measurements provided were seen as having a greater value than the ongoing pandering. See also “It won’t play in Peoria.”
Iowa hasn’t been a reliable predictor for some time, so the value has declined, and the cost of pandering both to the religious right and ADM* is getting quite out of hand.
Hell, let’s hold the first vote in 2016 in Oregon, just to see what happens.
Mew
* Archer Daniels Midland et al i.e. “big corn” – not just ethanol, but also corn syrup and hog and cattle feed…
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Caveat Suffragator
Lol, Oregon is full of social liberals and libertarians
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 11:30PM EDT (link)I think you could just about pencil Ron Paul in for a win if Oregon had the first caucus
Quibble, heraklios. That's Portland.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:36PM EDT (link)The rest of the State is relatively more sane.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Not saying you're saying this acat, but Federal Government should stay out of this.
SoFiMil (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 11:40AM EDT (link)This is a Republican/Democrat Party and state(s) issue. I agree with the rotation proposal, but only if it’s voluntary — and that’s not going to happen.
www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
No argument, SoFiMil. This is a Party matter.
acat (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 3:08PM EDT (link)Government intervention is not needed.
Iowa going first and New Hampshire second is voluntary .. and will change voluntarily once the cost to the status quo gets high enough to warrant it.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Closed primary is priority #1 for me. [nt]
SoFiMil (Diary) Saturday, December 31st at 11:43AM EDT (link).
www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
I'm Fine with Santorum
quill67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 4:53PM EDT (link)My preference is simple anyone but Romney or Paul and do not like negative campaign of Bachman.
Santorum lost PA because he was too conservative for liberal state.
His zero tax on manufacturing could sell especially in PA, Ohio and the rest of the “rust” belt.
This would be a fun race if it weren’t for Romney and Paul.
The "Casey" name had a lot to do with his loss as well...
anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:01PM EDT (link)Along with massive fraud and disgust over TARP/bailouts/status quo etc etc.
I’d rather see Santorum running against the invisible Casey jr than getting battered in the nationals. It is good to see he has the capability to fund-raise and run but my gut* says Perry will win Iowa and the media will act shocked and surprised that someone they tried to bury by ignoring/puffing up others defies their picks… If he does win Iowa Perry will likely be a close second.
*no guarantees but then again I was all for Cain and dead wrong about his long term prospects…
Razz Etc!
“Best Poker book written ever!!!” – Author’s unbiased opinion…
I'm in the same boat.
tomatin Wednesday, December 28th at 6:58PM EDT (link)To try and spin Santorum as not conservative enough is disingenuous spin.
Like with Gingrich I think it’s unfair to pick on Republicans that backed Bush’s policies. Face it if you went against Bush, Rove and his gang would make sure you did not get support from the RNC when you ran for reelection. In retrospect it’s easy to criticize rank and file Republican for going along back then when there was huge pressure on them to go with the party line.
Since Santorum was freed from the shackles of a purple state he’s been nothing but a straight line conservative.
Santorum is no fiscal hawk, and where are his foreign policy and executive experience at?
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:34PM EDT (link)C’mon, this guy is barely more qualified than Obama, and just as much an ideologue. Just because you agree with the ideology is no reason to not demand competence… which he ain’t got.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Santorum defended the Bush administration more than Bush himself did
David123 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:53PM EDT (link)What was a major cause of “Bush fatigue”? “Bush-lied, People died!” That easy to remember false slogan implied that Bush had lied us into war in Iraq over WMDs that supposedly weren’t there.
Bush should have defended his actions more. Santorum did. Rick Santorum pointed out that many chemical weapons from the Sadaam-Hussein-era were indeed found in Iraq.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200499,00.html
WMDs can be either chemical, biological, or nuclear. Since Sadaam Hussein had chemical weapons he had WMDs.
David123
Santorum wasn't very effective about it, then, was he, David?
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:17PM EDT (link)I’ve been arguing the “Yes, Saddam had WMDs including a uranium enrichment program” point for over a decade now, I know the details.
I’ll even agree that neither Bush was particularly effective at communicating just how and what Saddam had.
All that said, so Santorum defended him. So what?
Show me why Santorum understands the DoD, where his service experience is, where he’s worn the uniform, where he’s visited the troops.
We’ve elected a senator who’s good at spouting rhetoric in D.C., I’d rather not repeat the error.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
Santorum isn't leadership material
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:26PM EDT (link)I can’t tell you what it is, but I know it when I see it, and Santorum doesn’t have it. Everyone else on the stage has it – though I hear Bachmann is abusive.
Too conservative my foot
Langley Wednesday, December 28th at 7:36PM EDT (link)Pat Toomey (you know, the Club for Growth guy who Santorum backed Specter against in 2004) is now representing Pennsylvania. Pat Toomey went on to become the President of the CFG after barely losing the 2004 primary. He is now in the Senate representing Pennsylvania; Specter and Santorum are not.
Santorum is not a fiscal conservative. He was in Senate leadership during the bad Bush years of “compassionate conservatism.” If Iowa voters go all ga-ga over his social conservative credentials without looking at his economic record, and give him a one-hit-wonder win (or close 2nd or whatever) in Iowa, they only make themselves even more irrelevant and damage a candidate like Perry who actually has a thoroughly conservative governing record.
Santorum’s not going to go on to be the nominee. If he somehow does, great, we get George W. Bush part II (again, look at Santorum’s record supporting big government programs).
You know who this benefits? Mitt Romney.
“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should not wish to do less” – Robert E. Lee
www.SaveTheGOP.com
I have to wonder if Bachmann and Santorum
windwaker24 Wednesday, December 28th at 8:04PM EDT (link)are still in this to help Romney. It makes no sense for them to be in this race. They have no organization anywhere besides IA. I wonder if Romney promised them something (cabinet position, campaign debt payoff, etc.). These two are starting to get on my nerves. Bachmann and Santorum have no nationwide plans that I can speak of to get this country going, yet they feel the need to suck up all of the air for candidates who do have a vision to at least try to get something done (Perry and Newt). I hate people who waste time, especially considering the importance of this election. Sometimes I wish a giant cane would descend from heaven and yank both of them off the “stage” like in the old cartoons.
Ego and self confidence likely are why they're still there...
anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:01PM EDT (link)Just because other people think they have no chance isn’t enough to convince them to stop running until the first election results thin/slow/stop the donations flow. When the fuel for the campaign to go on stops flowing they’re done. Won’t know until the votes are counted there.
Razz Etc!
“Best Poker book written ever!!!” – Author’s unbiased opinion…
Speaking of Bachmann...
romansdaughter Thursday, December 29th at 7:37AM EDT (link)I just read in the DesMoines Register that one of Bachmann’s Super Pacs just ditched her for Romney and another campaign guy went to Ron Paul. I mean that seems really strange for them to be with Bachmann who is pretty conservative and then go to non conservative Willard and nutjob Paul. So something is smelling in Denmark.
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t,than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.” Albert Camus
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” Alexander Hamilton
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill
” He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot
Gingrich isn't acceptable either.
trapperjohn Wednesday, December 28th at 4:55PM EDT (link)We really don’t have any good choices. I’m not buying your defense of Gingrich…he would be crucified in the general. He has handed out ammunition to his opponents by the train load.
I like Perry but he flubbed it big time by not being prepared for the debates and there isn’t much we can do about it now.
I’ll take Santorum over Paul or Gingrich.
But I’m getting ready to vote for Romney in the general.
Great post Erick: Let's stop speading Santorum!
tailfins1959 Wednesday, December 28th at 5:02PM EDT (link)Google “spreading Santorum”, if you don’t know what I mean! This is not an endorsement, rather just being amazed at the shock value.
Should we take steps to prevent “spreading” from happening to someone we really do like? Tell me Lieutenant McClane? Do you want someone you really care about to be next? I am comparing Santorum to Harry Ellis in the movie “Die Hard”.
You have the right to quit Toxic People. (They’re contagious.) ~Dr. SunWolf
Santorum/Bachmann won't stop Perry: Have Faith
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 5:07PM EDT (link)In regards to Santorum
My educated guess is: Even if Santorum does do well in Iowa (maybe in the top 3) Santorum isn’t going any farther than that. Santorum doesn’t have the overall appeal in the national scene and the money/resources to go beyond Iowa. That is pretty much the same problem with Bachmann.
Neither Santorum nor Bachmann have the appeal nationally and they don’t have the backers to keep them competitive in the end.
So in the end let’s say Santorum does well in Iowa and in the process drags Perry down some in the Iowa caucuses. Santorum isn’t going anywhere in NH, nobody is except Romney for the most part.
Here comes SC, can anyone tell me honestly that either Santorum or even Bachmann will appeal to SC and have the money backers to make either one of them competitive – I don’t think so. In other words both Santorum and Bachmann are very restrictive type candidates for the Iowa social conservatives but won’t be very appealing most everywhere else.
Perry has the backers and resources to compete in SC and that should end any Santorum or Bachmann surge.
So, even though any surge in Iowa by Santorum or Bachmann makes it harder for Perry, Perry will prevail in the end. You have to have faith and I have lots of faith.
I am assuming that Newt is going down and won’t be much competitive after Iowa, I could be wrong but all the trend show Newt going down both nationally and to Iowa.
Iowa polls are getting messy right now. PPP shows one thing and CNN shows another but both show Newt going down and caucuses aren’t easy to poll for either.
Perry is already working SC:
Jindal robocalls for Perry in South Carolina
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/jindal-robocalls-for-perry-in-south-carolina/
I really Hope Your Right (nt)
Wubbies World (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:08PM EDT (link).
Join The Red State Strike Force
><> If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Right The First Time.
and... in NH Perry has Steve Forbes campaigning this week...
pj2012 Thursday, December 29th at 12:31AM EDT (link)MILFORD, N.H. – “Businessman Steve Forbes, stumping for Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry today, attacked former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for his policies on taxes and health care.”
“Perry is polling in the single digits nationally. But Forbes predicted that if Perry does well in Iowa, that will influence the rest of the race. “Outside of Iowa, the poll results mean very little precisely because half the voters haven’t made up their minds yet,” he said.
Forbes said his advice to Perry is to remain consistent. “He gets up each morning and knows what he stands for, who he is, in contrast to some other candidates who have to read a poll to find out what they believe that day,” Forbes said. Asked if he was referring to Romney, Forbes said Romney has not been able to demonstrate that he has core convictions.” http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/12/steve-forbes-campaigning-for-rick-perry-attacks-romney-capital-gains-tax-policy/kDPyheseM9q3PRE7EG9L7M/index.html
IIRC, Forbes did pretty well in the Northeast...
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:11AM EDT (link)being a congressguy from NY…
Yep, he never really “caught fire”, but he did finish in the top tier in New Hampshire both times he ran.
Not enough to win the White House himself, but a good member of a potential Perry team.
Mew
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Caveat Suffragator
I agree...
pj2012 Thursday, December 29th at 8:23PM EDT (link)If perry does well coming out of Iowa… I think Steve can really help boost Perry’s numbers in NH.
You are the shot in the arm I need!
unitedwestood Saturday, December 31st at 3:36PM EDT (link)bzip…. I’ve said this before.. and I’ll say it again — THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU! Some day’s watching this election I think I need oxygen… then you come up with a post and bam! I feel so much better. Just about the time I think that I need to book those LONG vacation tickets to Costa Rica for the next 4 years, you give me hope LOL. I do not recall any other election that has brought out the absolute worst in me, other then this one….. Well, that and my ultra liberal sister-in-law coming to spend the next few day’s with us ( mixed emotions) Here is a big THANK YOU again from me to you!
You are the shot in the arm I need!
unitedwestood Saturday, December 31st at 3:36PM EDT (link)bzip…. I’ve said this before.. and I’ll say it again — THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU! Some day’s watching this election I think I need oxygen… then you come up with a post and bam! I feel so much better. Just about the time I think that I need to book those LONG vacation tickets to Costa Rica for the next 4 years, you give me hope LOL. I do not recall any other election that has brought out the absolute worst in me, other then this one….. Well, that and my ultra liberal sister-in-law coming to spend the next few day’s with us ( mixed emotions) Here is a big THANK YOU again from me to you!
gov perry
cajunchosid770 Wednesday, December 28th at 5:08PM EDT (link)IMHO I think for Perry to be the nominee we need him to win Iowa. This is the first choice.
But here is my other scenario:
Let Ron Paul win Iowa,
Mitt with NH,
then it comes to SC. If Perry beats Newt in Iowa and comes in 3rd, behind Paul or Romney this sets up the stage for Perry to be the conservative alternative to Mitt. But Mitt needs to lose Iowa otherwise he will have Iowa and NH as I don’t see him losing NH. If Mitt wins Iowa and NH he will be the nominee.
So let the vote for Iowa be Paul, Mitt and then Rick Perry.
Whoever comes in 3rd in Iowa will be the non Mitt candidate people will rally around. We need that to be Rick Perry. If Perry comes in 3rd and Newt 4th, then Newts guys will flock to Perry and Perry can skip NH and fight it out in SC and go for the win there.
So I think it is not a bad thing if Ron Paul wins IOWA. Let him win it if it cannot be Rick Perry
I agree. Perry must win Iowa or he's done.
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 5:12PM EDT (link)If Mitt wins Iowa and NH the primary is absolutely over.
I know this might be hard to hear for some, but it’s the truth. Sucks.
Explain you logic
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 5:35PM EDT (link)You people crack me up. Two states out of 50 states (Iowa has 28 delegates, NH 23 but now it is 12 delegates) and neither state is winner take all.
Explain to me how anyone can win the nomination with the very most of 40 delegates with only two states having gone?
I am sick to death of listening to pundits and people like say it is over after NH if Romney wins both. Explain to, please explain to the American people in all 50 states how it is over?
I am awaiting
wait no more!
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 6:00PM EDT (link)It’s all about momentum. Nothing else matters. If you don’t win one of the first 2 primary states, historically you do not get the nomination. Losing candidates get abandoned pretty quickly. It’s not any more complicated than that.
I wish it was otherwise b/c I like Perry. Sometimes we don’t get the results we want. I’m not telling anyone to stop fighting for the candidate they support. Far from it. However I do tell it like it is.
Re: wait no more!
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 6:50PM EDT (link)With 70-80% of primary voters NOT wanting Romney and with only 2 states weighing in: Iowa, NH you aren’t going to get Perry’s backers walking away that quickly, period.
Now people like: Bachmann, Santorum, Huntsman who already don’t have big backers and aren’t doing well and no possible path – will jump ship after Iowa and NH but Perry with his backing, his resources, his pro-Perry PAC with $55 million – they aren’t walking away after 2 races, it won’t happen
I'm not saying I would be unhappy if you are right,
expanding_man Wednesday, December 28th at 7:06PM EDT (link)but I respectfully think otherwise based upon history. Perry’s support has always been soft support. He rocketed up in the polls then most of his supporters scattered like rats as his campaign matured. I think he’s getting some traction in Iowa now. He needs to win there. His supporters will abandon him if he doesn’t win Iowa or NH.
This is a phenomenon that’s not unique to Perry. I’ll be true of the other losing candidates as well.
Perry Supporters
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:50PM EDT (link)Will not abandon him. The true ones anyway. I have been a supporter since he was Agriculture Commissioner in TX. He has always been a conservative. So no his true supporters will not leave.
Perry is in this for the long haul
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 8:55PM EDT (link)I don’t think you can call this a “normal” primary season.
How many primary elections have we had a frontrunner who the voters don’t want by 70-80% margin?
You just aren’t going to get those 70-80% voters running to Romney after Iowan and NH, it isn’t going to happen and because of that the money isn’t going to dry up for Perry who already has the money backers on his side (something Santorum/Bachmann/Huntsman/Newt don’t have).
How many primaries have we had where Ron Paul actually might be the winner?
As far as I am concern, the real test starts in SC and by then we would have drop a few and still have a few candidates. Perry being one of them with his resources, big PAC’s and big money backers.
It is clear that Perry is in this for the long haul.
It's all about money
Ed54 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:26PM EDT (link)Don’t have a credible showing in the first few primaries and the contributions dry up. No money means no staff on the ground, no ads on the air, and no jets to zip you and your staff to speeches and rallies.
You can compete in Iowa and NH by driving around in a minivan and stopping at every county fair and diner. When the race moves on to Florida, Ohio, PA, etc, it takes money to cover all that ground, organize large districts, liaise with local media, and run campaign commercials in major metro markets.
“If all men were just, there would be no need of valor.”
- Agesilaus
Why romney must not win IOWA
cajunchosid770 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:48PM EDT (link)A romney win in Iowa and NH will give him the momentum and sense of invicibility that will carry him through. Many people are fence sitters and want to back the winner.
The media will play it up also.
If Perry wont win Iowa then let Ron Paul win it and Perry come in 2nd or 3rd. A finish behind Newt I think will not be good either.
If Paul wins Iowa and Perry finished ahead of Newt then Perry becomes the alternative to Mitt and can win. I would have him skiop NH and go to SC and campaign.
In all fairness.....
reggie182 Wednesday, December 28th at 5:37PM EDT (link)It appears that with respect to the legality of abortion in cases of rape and incest, Gov. Perry has recently flip-flopped himself.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/12/27/perry-on-second-thought-i-now-oppose-abortion-in-cases-of-rape-and-incest-too/
Sorry folks, but when you take the stance that if a person’s daughter or mother gets raped then they have to have the baby, you’ve taken an extreme position that will scare the heck out of millions of women and will be devastating to a general election campaign.
Perry on abortion
circlegranch Wednesday, December 28th at 6:09PM EDT (link)He isn’t denying he’s changed his mind and it mainly was after a woman spoke to him, sharing that her mother had been raped and she was the product of that. She told him she was glad her mother didn’t abort her.
This is the very difficult piece to this and you’re right, its where politicians often lose female votes because the thought of a pregnancy following incest or rape is incomprehensible for most.
Perry does, however, support choice if the mother’s health is in danger. Here’s a consideration: what about her mental health? What if a woman tries to commit suicide or threatens her own health, or becomes so emotionally/psychologicallly harmed that she can’t function? Wouldn’t the choice clause regarding her health then apply?
Re: Perry on abortion
Langley Wednesday, December 28th at 7:41PM EDT (link)These are Perry’s personal beliefs, which he’s entitled to have.
Perry has also said that Roe v. Wade should be overturned and that abortion policy should be left up to the states per the 10th Amendment, unless a Constitutional Human Life Amendment is passed.
So Gov. Perry’s personal beliefs aside, this means nothing policy-wise.
“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should not wish to do less” – Robert E. Lee
www.SaveTheGOP.com
It's the economy, stupid
clintonformccain Wednesday, December 28th at 8:05PM EDT (link)Any Republican who tries to make abortion an key issue in the 2012 campaign is either a fool or hopelessly undisciplined. This is not an evangelical election cycle. It’s the economy, stupid.
Republicans aren't the only ones who vote...
reggie182 Thursday, December 29th at 12:25AM EDT (link)in a general election.
First off…let me get this out of the way. The fact that Perry changed his mind about the rape and incest issue mere days before the Iowa caucus is more than a little suspect. Roe vs. Wade occurred during the Nixon administration If you’ll remember. Seems he’s had a long time to think about it.
And forcing a raped woman to have the child is crazy as far as I’m concerned. First off, when a woman engages in consensual behavior that leads to a pregnancy, she did have a CHOICE. But in the case of a sexual assault, she most certainly did not. To support policy that legally forces her to carry the product of a rape to term is waaay outside the mainstream and renders the person who advocates such a position ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY UNELECTABLE. Forget it. When you take that stance it is GAME OVER. If Perry by some longshot did win the nomination, his position on this would doom him come November 2012, and you know it.
Completely disagree. Perry just needs to keep campaigning hard through New Hampshire.
SoFiMil (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:43PM EDT (link)After at least one, but preferably two non-Romney candidates drop out, Perry is there to pick up those votes.
www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
Those statements have no basis in fact...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:07PM EDT (link)where’s your data to back them? eh?
Iowa and Romney
superpatriot Wednesday, December 28th at 8:17PM EDT (link)Although Mitt is doing well in Iowa, things could easily change next week.
Iowa has a strong, evangelical, christian group that are anti-Romney. I therefore think it is very unlikely Romney will win Iowa.
It really depends who the evangelicals will back. They backed Huckabee last time.
We’ll all keep hoping they back Perry.
As I said earlier today...
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:13PM EDT (link)I agree with your second scenario and think it’s probably the most likely. I expect a long, knock-down-drag-out primary. Mitt won’t sew it up right away. I even wonder if he’ll have a solid victory in New Hampshire. It’ll be interesting to see!
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Santorum/Bachmann News and Iowa Poll out Sat by Des Moines Register
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 5:12PM EDT (link)Some news on Santorum and Bachmann, if you hadn’t read it by now:
Santorum rejects pastors’ pleas to merge campaign with Bachmann
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/28/santorum-rejects-pastors-pleas-to-merge-campaign-with-bachmann/
Super Defection -Pro-Bachmann Super PAC switches to Romney
http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/12/28/web-bachmann-pac-goes-romney/
Des Moines Register Iowa Poll results on Republican presidential race to be released at 7 p.m. Saturday
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/28/des-moines-register-iowa-poll-results-on-republican-presidential-race-to-be-released-at-7-p-m-saturday/
is Michele angling to be Mitt's veep?
texasref (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:02PM EDT (link)How on earth could a superPAC that favors Bachmann suddenly go team mittens
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
This just in... Bachmann's state chairman endorses Ron Paul at rally.
onemovoter (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:37PM EDT (link)Yes that is right.. Ron Paul is at a his “rally for Veterans”. Seems that Bachmann is having huge defections happening.
Also Bachmann’s superpac has also switched to supporting Romney. I really don’t see her surviving after Iowa.
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”- Benjamin Franklin
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”- Will Rogers
Bachmann is in melt down mode
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 8:48PM EDT (link)Bachmann is in melt down mode
.
Super Defection -Pro-Bachmann Super PAC switches to Romney
http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/12/28/web-bachmann-pac-goes-romney/
Michele Bachmann chair defects to Ron Paul
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2011/12/michele-bachmann-chair-defects-to-ron-paul-108965.html
She is also attacking Perry and Paul today
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 8:45PM EDT (link)I used to like Michelle but I became suspicious of her some time ago. Today, her state chairman switched to Ron Paul. With Gingrich’s collapse, he looks like our only hope to stop Romney from sweeping IA and NH. I hope IA and NH voters will strategically vote Paul and then we can ditch him when we move down to SC.
Well, there it is. Willard is going to send out for balls.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:49PM EDT (link)At least Michelle has some.
I think I was wrong here.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:49PM EDT (link)Michelle isn’t happy.
Bachmann
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:55PM EDT (link)I think Romney promised her something. She has attacked Perry several times in debates, but never Romney.
I don't think Bachman supporters would go near Romney
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:51PM EDT (link)So I am uncertain he would have an interest.
What an idiotic post!
WY_Cowboy (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:42PM EDT (link)I mean, really! If Santorum were a contender, we would be thrilled to have him. NEWSFLASH! Bachmann and Perry don’t have a prayer for the nomination either. If SoCons vote their principles and conscience, GOOD! At least somebody is. Besides, I can’t imagine a bigger disaster than nominating another Texas governor who can’t talk without sounding like Porky Pig – of course other than Ron Paul.
You're right.
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:47PM EDT (link)When people se this, they will say “What an idiotic post”.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Porky Pig
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 8:59PM EDT (link)The way Rick Perry talks is called a drawl. I am from TX and also have that drawl. However, you do not need to be insulting. If you are a Ron Paul supporter that explains the insults about Governor Perry.
This "surge" is designed to promote Mitt Romney by
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:42PM EDT (link)highlighting the split conservative vote. The media teams see the enthusiasm for Governor Perry in Iowa. Not good for them and their agenda. Maybe Santorum did get a boost from VanderPlaat and his 99 county tour, the latter of which is very admirable I will say. Persistence does produce character, right?
I have to be very honest here, I do not know much about Rick Santorum’s record, only what Mr Erick has submitted. He performed well in debates, no? He went after Mitt Romney for sure, and Rick Perry too, which incensed me a bit. But that’s politics, not bean bag.
Instinctively, on its face I am not excited about the prospect of Rick Santorum carrying the conservative torch. I fear that both his and Bachmann’s continued presence in this race dilutes the goal of putting a strong conservative candidate first up against Mitt Romney and ultimately against Barack Obama.
Perry has proven that he can raise money, and run a national campaign. Forget about the Virginia debacle for a second, he did receive contributions from all 50 states in his first 49 days of fundraising. He has broad appeal nationwide, that is factual. Not so sure about Rick Santorum.
I think JRub, who by the way is gloating mightily right about now, and the GOP establishment folks want to muddle the conservative vote by pushing a false narrative that Rick Santorum is in 3rd place in current Iowa polling to inadvertently promote their chosen Mitt Romney. If Rick Santorum was doing that well, how come he has audiences of 3 people at his “events”? This makes no sense.
sunshinek, right on that last paragraph
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 3:49AM EDT (link)good analysis
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
Sorry Erik but your criticisms of Santorum are idiotic
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 5:54PM EDT (link)The things that you list as negatives on his record are the same things that every single Republican in the Senate supported. By your logic every single Republican Senator in 2004 is persona non grata to conservatives. Ridiculous.
Furthermore, it is not like any of these things you listed are deeply held beliefs by him. The Senate leadership told him to support these things and he obliged.
You just had a post where you criticized Ron Paul for not be “one of the guys” and therefore couldn’t get anything done if he were to be POTUS (which I agree with). So it is bizarre that you are criticizing Santorum for being responsive to the Senate leadership and not being a “maverick” like Paul.
And if it came down to a race between Romney and Santorum then you don’t need organization. Republicans would reject Romney no matter what kind of organization he has when presented with that choice.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
I agree with you whole heartedly!
WY_Cowboy (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:12PM EDT (link)I truly don’t understand why EE insists on burning down every barn. If Santorum ended up surging to the point that he could topple Romney, EE and everyone at Red State would be doing cartwheels and we all know it. To suggest that Santorum isn’t the most pure conservative is like making the assertion that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow. Mastery of the obvious. However, I doubt there is anyone who could ever pass the EE purity test – even Reagan.
BTW, if EE were intellectually honest, he could never support Paul Ryan either. It would make him sick to his stomach to think Iowans would consider supporting Paul Ryan. Just sayin.
Emily's List (pro-abortion democrat group) likes Perry the most
thirstyboots Wednesday, December 28th at 6:14PM EDT (link)http://emilyslist.org/scorecard/
They rate Gingrich as the most pro-life candidate, followed by Bachmann, Romney and Paul.
Perry is the most abortion friendly candidates.
Obviously, for those crazies at Emily’s List they’re all awful anti-choice extremists who hate women.
But this may help explain Perry’s recent “conversion” and why he hasn’t been able to catch fire with social conservatives in Iowa.
Perry is pro-life... period.
kamiller42 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:22PM EDT (link)His latest battle is defunding Planned Parenthood. He passed parental notification and women’s right to know legislation. Just review his record or ask the Right to Life organization.
http://www.texasrighttolife.com/action/YPDLQNNBRV38/Rick-Perrys-ProLife-Record
This poll from Emily's list is Barbara Streisand thirstyboots.
conservativemusician Wednesday, December 28th at 6:44PM EDT (link)Agree with kamiller42. Perry is pro-life and he has not wavered in his position over the years, unlike Romney. Also, if you look at the total number of “strikes” against each of our candidates in this poll, Perry has the least, so Perry should be the most palatable candidate for women voters, right?
I don’t take much stock in polls like this and I certainly don’t think Perry’s recent “conversion” as you said had anything to do with him clarifying his stance on abortion. I also believe that Perry is doing just fine among social conservatives in IA as his recent uptick in polling indicates. I sincerely hope Perry will be the Tebow of the IA caucuses.
Perry 2012
It's not a poll
thirstyboots Wednesday, December 28th at 7:05PM EDT (link)It’s a ranking from their perspective. Click the link and you can check their criteria (they cite the legislation/statements that justifies their rates).
Yes, Perry has the least number of streaks so he’s the most palatable to “women voters”… from Emily’s List perspective (meaning from pro-abortion women voters).
Abortion Poll
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 9:04PM EDT (link)is a bunch of hooey. I am from TX and Perry has always been pro-life. That has never changed. So if this is a Democratic attempt to kill off Perry to help Obama, it has failed.
Huh?!?! We're getting our data from "pro-abortion Democrat groups?"
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:08PM EDT (link)Perry? The most abortion-friendly candidate? Did they even bother to look at his record?
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Exactly right louisianapatriette.
conservativemusician Wednesday, December 28th at 7:16PM EDT (link)n/t
This is Santorum's Iowa momentum....
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:25PM EDT (link)I think this picture of Santorum campaigning speaks for itself.
http://www.timesherald.com/article/20111226/NEWS06/111229682
Thanks TH… I needed a good laugh today.
This whole Iowa caucus polling spin madness is giving me a headache.
Rick Perry is drawing standing-room-only crowds…
The Media sure likes to spin… yeah sure Perry’s drawing large standing room only crowds in Iowa… BUT… and here’s the Media Clowns spin… DE WITT, Iowa (AP) — Rick Perry is drawing standing-room-only crowds in Iowa even though many aren’t planning to support him. (pure bull or what?)
and… on the other hand Santorum draws empty seats and we are to believe he’s surging? Give me a break… is the Media spinning Santorum into a surge or what?
yes, to promote Mitt Romney
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:34PM EDT (link)pictures are flowing in all over Twitter right now, Perry’s last event for today estimated crowd at 200 people.
2012 Poll: With Santorum surging, are you more likely to vote for him?
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 6:42PM EDT (link)The media is aiding Santorum is trying to give Santorum momentum. That is obvious. The real question is – will the public buy into this, will the public assume by media reports that Santorum has momentum and hence the public starts moving towards Santorum. That is the real question, the one we have to worry and wonder about. It is amazing what the role of media can play, give the public a certain perception and let it build from there.
A interesting question that follows this line of reasoning is ask at;
(though right scoop doesn’t add in all the fact that the media is making this all up but the question holds true):
2012 Poll: With Santorum surging, are you more likely to vote for him?
http://www.therightscoop.com/2012-with-santorum-surging-are-you-more-likely-to-vote-for-him/
Sorry.. But, people are fruit loops if they think Santorum...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:56PM EDT (link)is a viable candidate for the general election. I just took that poll you mentioned… and you can imagine my pick was NO. There was 147 votes for yes they would support Santorum if he is surging… that’s NUTS!!!!
Bogus Media Reports can translate into momentum
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 7:06PM EDT (link)Yep, its nuts but see how easy it is to fool the public. Just send out some bogus polls and keep stating over and over in the media reports that someone is surging and then you get the momentum going.
The question is: Will people really buy into this, will it translate into Iowa caucuses turn outs for Santorum.
It is important that anyone and everyone try to send out these pictures, try and get the message out and stop the bogus media reports.
Honestly...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:35PM EDT (link)I don’t think it will work… because a vote for Bachmann or Santorum is a wasted vote. If Santorum and Bachmann’s people got behind Perry on Caucus night then Perry has it made! Oh… Wake up people!
Santorum is polling better than Perry in Iowa
JSobieski (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:12PM EDT (link)Given how non-sensical past Iowa results have been (I think Perry is the logical choice), I think Santorum is going to pull off a Huckabee.
Social conservatives are always afraid that fiscal conservatives are corrupted by libertine social policies.
I assert that Iowa is Exhibit A to the opposite—social conservatives who support ag subsidies, ethanol subsidies, tariffs, and other bad economic ideas have been corrupted by economic liberalism.
Did you know that China has been losing manufacturing jobs since 1995? For the specific data, see Table 1 in the following link: http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/07/art2full.pdf
This only proves that Iowa Republicans should have
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:16PM EDT (link)no bearing on the nomination process. Instead, they have 100 times more than they deserve. The system is nuts.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Awainting other polls like the Iowa insider
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 9:00PM EDT (link)We already have two polls that contradict each other, the PPP polls has Santorum at 10%, the CNN poll has him at 16% and the CNN poll looks very bogus to me and others.
It will be interesting to see what a poll like the Iowa insider advantage says, I am sure there will be one before the caucuses.
In the end though, Santorum goes no further then Iowa. He has no chance in NH, he has no resources to be competitive in SC and he is too limiting is his appeal outside of Iowa.
So once again Iowa with a Ron Paul win and a Santorum in the top 3 or 4 is really going to make Iowa look bad.
In ONE poll, that doesn't make...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:52PM EDT (link)Santorum polling better than Perry… RCP does an average of the polls which shows Perry in 4th. I think this CNN/Time’s poll is an outlier and not consistent with Santorum’s other polling. Santorum isn’t drawing the large crowds that Perry is right now… so I think it’s the media pushing the “Santorum is surging” meme.
Insider Advantage 12/12 – 12/12 Perry was at 13%
Insider Advantage 12/18 – 12/18 Perry now at 16%
Insider Advantage 12/12 – 12/12 Santorum was at 7%
Insider Advantage 12/18 – 12/18 Santorum now at 3%
CNN/Time 11/29 – 12/6 Perry was at 9%
CNN/Time 12/21- 12/27 Perry now at 11%
CNN/Time 11/29 – 12/6 Santorum was at 5%
CNN/Time 12/21- 12/27 Santorum now at 16%
Bogus Santorum Surge May Turn Real
bzip Thursday, December 29th at 7:17AM EDT (link)I do truly believe that the latest CNN poll with Santorum “surging” is completely bogus as is being used to aid Santorum.
The problem I see is even though I feel the Santorum surge is bogus, it may turn into a real surge as Bachmann is in a melt down mode – where do her supporters go….my guess Santorum.
Couple that to the bogus media play up for Santorum and Santorum could very well end up surging for real.
I would really like to see another Insider Advantage poll before the caucus and I would think there would be,
In the end I just don’t see Santorum being competitive after Iowa. He won’t do anything in NH, his little momnetum will be slowed down and he won’t have the resources to compete in SC where Perry will have the resources to compete. It is a dead end road for Santorum after Iowa no matter what happens.
Bzip, why do you think Bachmann folks go with Santorum
sunshinek67 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:01AM EDT (link)I would think that they will be giving Perry another thought, he has the jobs-economy record that Santorum doesn’t.
Re: why do you think Bachmann folks go with Santorum, then will end up with Perry
bzip Thursday, December 29th at 9:14AM EDT (link)I could be wrong but it is a well known given that the three main social conservatives (as far as Iowa is concerned): Bachmann, Santorum and Perry. It is also well known Bachmann has been hitting Perry very hard ever since he got in the race.
There is a real dislike by Bachmann towards Perry she continues to hit Perry and spread lies about Perry – but Bachmann hasn’t been hitting Santorun at all. So to me that suggest many people, not all, will be looking at Santorum as opposed to Perry and Perry will pick up those that Santorum doesn’t get.
The when Santorun drops out shortly after SC or before, Perry then picks up the all the anti-Romney votes and wins the nomination hands down
.
Hope you're right
sunshinek67 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:40AM EDT (link)The media frenzy today is all about Romney and now Santorum. MSM is pushing (again) a false narrative that Rick Santorum is somehow a viable candidate that has organization outside of Iowa to do something with should he actually win or place well. President Huckabee? Santorum doesn’t have the enthusiasm on his own merit, and the msm is trying to create one. To help Mitt Romney. Byron York in the last 24 hours is all over Twitter with his predictions of Santorum surge extrapolating. JRub same predictions. And they are BOTH really supporting Mitt Romney, using Santorum as some sort of dark horse theory to thwart a Rick Perry comeback. Laughable.
Perry’s Iowa results will be indicative of nothing. He is right to push on with his marathon mentality. Survival of the fittest. There will be more debates, more opportunities for Perry to get up under Mitt Romney’s skin; Romney, the gift that keeps on giving, his recent Obamacare has “conservative” elements and just yesterday telling Wolf Blitzer that he will vote for Ron Paul should he get the nomination [paraph. "He can be moved more to the right"], there is plenty pickins in phony “say anything” serial political loser Mitt Romney.
Those candidates that lack organization outside of Iowa and have been polling 5% or less since time began should rethink their strategies. Splitting the social conservative vote is damning. And what Romney is banking his billions on.
Aren't there other polls showing Perry gaining?
clowngirl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:54PM EDT (link)Wasn’t that the case just a few days ago?
How many polls are actually showing Santorum with these big gains? ( so far I’ve only heard about one)
Yes...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:40PM EDT (link)Perry is gaining steadily. Go to RCP to see average of most current polls in Iowa and over time. I think this CNN/Time’s poll is an outlier and not consistent with Santorum’s other polling.
Insider Advantage 12/12 – 12/12 Perry was at 13%
Insider Advantage 12/18 – 12/18 Perry now at 16%
Insider Advantage 12/12 – 12/12 Santorum was at 7%
Insider Advantage 12/18 – 12/18 Santorum now at 3%
CNN/Time 11/29 – 12/6 Perry was at 9%
CNN/Time 12/21- 12/27 Perry now at 11%
CNN/Time 11/29 – 12/6 Santorum was at 5%
CNN/Time 12/21- 12/27 Santorum now at 16%
also...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:44PM EDT (link)Santorum isn’t drawing the good size crowds that Perry is right now… so I think it’s the media pushing the “Santorum is surging” meme.
That sounds like a reasonable theory
clowngirl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:11PM EDT (link)Hope it only motivates more Perry and Gingrich supporters to go caucus.
If Santorum places in the top 3 – or even 4 that may mean he hangs on as a spoiler for awhile.
I think the Media is surpress Perry's momentum...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:43PM EDT (link)in Iowa if what you say is true, which I have no reason to doubt. Do you have any links to these pictures?
meant to say suppressing...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:44PM EDT (link)nt
Here you go, pj2012--links to pictures!
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:02PM EDT (link)From this morning, a tweet from Arlette Saenz: “Perry has arrived to a packed house at the Machine Shed in Urbandale. My estimate is over 200 people.”
http://twitter.com/#!/ArletteSaenz/status/152014190775771136/photo/1
Here’s another from this afternoon:
http://yfrog.com/ocwrwmnj
And another from this evening:
http://twitter.com/#!/ArletteSaenz/status/152165353420632064/photo/1
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Thank you...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:09PM EDT (link)it will be standing room only tonight in Marshalltown for Perry's townhall
circlegranch Thursday, December 29th at 10:02AM EDT (link)so if you’re going, leave early.
Pollsters can spin; but head counts don’t lie. Perry is absolutely packing the house wherever he goes.
The Left media is gushing over Santorum and in the next breath, they ooze with excitement by saying a Santorum surge helps Romney. That’s what this is all about……making sure they get their hand-picked, most easy to defeat candidate to go against Barack Hussein Obama: Willard Mitt Romney.
If you aren’t already, follow what’s going on in IA at the Des Moines Register and some other papers. At the caucus link you can click on your favorite candidate and get the day’s travel agenda, videos and snipets of comments—lots of info hard to find elsewhere. Vets are showing up in big numbers for Perry, basically ignoring Santorum and Bachmann. (Bachmann is hurt badly today by her staffer leaving to go w/ Paul) She and Huntsman should go out for pizza on caucus night.
I posted it here earlier, but Obama draws 68% of Hispanic vote vs. Romney’s 23%. That’s a very disturbing poll (reported today on CNN and just now on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown). Perry is the one candidate that can relate and can garner the necessary percentage of that vote in order to win. A commenter here wrote today that non-Mitt supporters are crazy and stupid. What’s truly crazy and stupid is ignoring a huge voting block that the Republican candidate MUST work to get. Romney takes his lead from the Ann Coulter’s that think by spewing comments such as ‘loading them up’ and shipping them across the borders like cattle are somehow going to appeal to their sacred and coveted Independent voters that they are pandering so hard to win. Worked great for McCain, right?
Technical question: how do you incorporate pics into your post?
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:05PM EDT (link)No text
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Not sure I can show you....
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:16PM EDT (link)but here goes… you take the picture URL and place it in this html code img src=” URL goes here “ and don’t forget to put these > < at each end to close code. Give it a try… good luck.
that is...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 7:24PM EDT (link)the image URL location of the pic, sometimes ending in gif, jpg format
Try this
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:31PM EDT (link)<img src=”http://www.mywebsite.com/filename.jpg”/>
tagged: How To Show Pictures or Pics or Images in a Comment or Post
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:34PM EDT (link)for search engines
test
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:18PM EDT (link)sorry if I mess it up, need those instructions again to post a video. Same as pic?
How to Show a Youtube Video in a Post or Comment
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:21PM EDT (link)I hope your video is at youtube.
Click the Share button on the video and then click Embed.
Make sure the Use Old Code option is checked, and change the size to 400 wide. The height should adjust automatically.
Copy and paste the code into your post. Voila, you’re done.
another test :)
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:33PM EDT (link)Your on a roll...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:56PM EDT (link)good job!
you are awesome to share tech *thanks*
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:35PM EDT (link)…..
Information wants to be free
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:02PM EDT (link)Perry says profits from federal lands would help solve national debt
bzip Wednesday, December 28th at 9:04PM EDT (link)Very nice picture, jammed pack Perry event. Thanks so much for sharing the picture sunshinek67.
Since we are on Perry news
. Just found this:
Perry says profits from federal lands would help solve national debt
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/28/perry-says-profits-from-federal-lands-would-help-solve-national-debt/
Testing...1, 2, 3...
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:37PM EDT (link)National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
HAH! Success, how sweet it is!!!
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:39PM EDT (link)Thank you a thousand times, jakeofalltrades! Amazing how much technical stuff I’ve learned on RS: first I successfully put a video up here, and now I can post pictures! Sorry about the size, didn’t realize it would be so big…but ain’t it cute?
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
You're welcome!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:48PM EDT (link)Perry’s a stud, dude!
To fit the image better, just do this:
<img src=”http://www.mywebsite.com/filename.jpg” width=”90%”/>
Cancel that!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:50PM EDT (link)I just noticed the scrollbars in your post – that changes everything.
Do this instead:
<img src=”http://www.mywebsite.com/filename.jpg” width=”400″/>
But make it 300 if you’re in like the 20th reply since the space is smaller.
He is very good-looking, no doubt about that.
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:43PM EDT (link)And I say that as a young, unattached female
But when I said “cute” I was talking more about little Miss Sydney there, as well as the joy and love Perry exudes around his kids. Thanks for the sizing tips!
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
He is very good-looking.
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:43PM EDT (link)No doubt about that
But when I said “cute” I was talking more about little Miss Sydney there, as well as the joy and love Perry exudes around his kids. Thanks for the sizing tips!
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Ugh, you try to edit and then it double-posts.
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:44PM EDT (link)*stamps foot in frustration* Oh well, everything in both posts is true.
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Nice!
windwaker24 Wednesday, December 28th at 9:45PM EDT (link)I wonder if he can still grow scruff on his face. Very niiicccceee!
We should be ashamed, fangirls that we are.
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:56PM EDT (link)Although that’s one of my favorite pictures, I must say. There’s this old one that’s pretty cool as well:
OK, dropping the fangirl mode now…back to battle and business!
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Trying again...
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:58PM EDT (link)National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
I give up. Goodnight!
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:58PM EDT (link)National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
what's happening on Twitter?
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:05PM EDT (link)nt
I had no idea, your genders.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:09PM EDT (link)And that had never entered my mind.
But, I will lay odds that I can compete with Perry, especially with my two 15 month old offsprings. Girls. Real girls.
I would be a cinch in the election, were it based on that.
And I ain’t no slouch meself.
I will post up when I figure out the way to do it.
Very proud Papa here.
Really. I just love you for your minds.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:29PM EDT (link)Hahahaahee hee hee.
But really.
This time, I mean it.
So….
I think… Xox is ok. This time.
Especially, since he's so much older than us
windwaker24 Wednesday, December 28th at 11:38PM EDT (link)and married. We should be ashamed (at least that’s what my mother tells me…)HA HA! We sound like a bunch of high schoolers!
How COULDN'T anybody just love this?
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:53PM EDT (link)It ain’t Man love… it is just love.
Of course, he has to be much older..
As my girls here are ALL spring chickens.
A woman’s heart, never ages beyond 18.
This is a gift from God.
For which I am forever grateful.
Snowshooze hit it on the head, windwaker
louisianapatriette (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:19AM EDT (link)Speaking for myself, I think the reason I as a young woman look up to Perry is because he’s an example of Christian manhood. He loves the Lord, his wife, and his kids. He’s a manly-man, not afraid to dig in his heels and stand up for what’s right. I think women naturally admire that, though for some reason the culture hands us people like *gag* Edward Cullen and says, “Now HERE is a man.” Hogwash. I will take Rick Perry, who is ALMOST old enough to be my grandfather (though not quite) over these pale sickly-looking “men” who wouldn’t dream of killing a rabid coyote. Just sayin’.
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
Windwaker...thought the same thing.
romansdaughter Thursday, December 29th at 10:56AM EDT (link)Very niiiiccceee indeed!
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t,than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.” Albert Camus
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” Alexander Hamilton
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill
” He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot
Really, world class photo.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:18PM EDT (link)If this ain’t down home, nothing is.
Rick… totally cool.
Wow, a looker alright.
romansdaughter Thursday, December 29th at 9:41AM EDT (link)I love that picture. Its obvious he adores his kids.
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t,than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.” Albert Camus
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” Alexander Hamilton
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill
” He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot
Romney's policies as Gov MA are more conservative than much of what Newt has done -
dcarter888 Wednesday, December 28th at 6:40PM EDT (link)I’ve lived in MA exactly how many (R) judges do you think are in that state? Erik what is with your Romney hate? If you are mad at Romney for Romneycare then why do you forgive Newt for also going with Heritage Foundation on Romney care. So Heritage Foundation is conservative and so is Newt but Romney is not?
Romney will win and will become the next Reagan and I can’t wait to rub it into you as no one has been more hateful toward Romney than you are!
There aren't a lot of Republican judges...
nathanalbright (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:45PM EDT (link)…because Romney mostly appointed very liberal ones…
Romney's judge appointments
tailfins1959 Thursday, December 29th at 9:25AM EDT (link)Why don’t you mention that they had to be approved by the Governor’s Council, all elected Democrats. There’s lots to criticize Romney about without resorting to half-truths.
You have the right to quit Toxic People. (They’re contagious.) ~Dr. SunWolf
Again, it goes back to the same issue...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:29AM EDT (link)…did Mittens leave Massachusetts more conservative than he found it? No. The fact that he did not even choose mostly Massachusetts Republicans (who, like Scott Brown, would be fairly moderate anyway), but rather chose a strong majority of Massachusetts Democrats or left-leaning Massachusetts Independents, as acat has helpfully proven on more than one occasion previously. Did he leave the Republican party in better shape than he found it? No. Ergo, he was not a successful Republican governor of Massachusetts, which, mind you, is the only political race he has one in the last 20 years. Failed career politician = no one I want to vote for.
PerryPosse, have faith, Governor Perry said it would be a marathon
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:43PM EDT (link)and it looks like he might be right if these “polls” are any indication of the real momentum on the ground right now in Iowa. He has already said that even if he doesn’t place in the top 3, he is pushing on.
Winning Iowa would be good momentum, for the right candidate that has the organization and funds to run a national campaign. Perry has this, while Santorum doesn’t.
Santorum did win statewide elections in Pennsylvania twice
David123 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 6:46PM EDT (link)Is any other prospective nominee more likely to carry Pennsylvania against Obama than Santorum is?
Rick Santorum has been a solid, consistent social and defense conservative.
Rick Santorum’s support of Specter made a lot of sense and helped to get Alito and Roberts confirmed. We are better off with Specter having won the general election in 2004 than we would have been had Toomey lost it.
If Santorum doesn’t go the distance, and Perry does, I think Santorum is more likely than Bachman to endorse Perry. If Perry is the nominee, Santorum would complement him well as VP.
David123
Why not Santorum every other non-Romney got a surge
tomatin Wednesday, December 28th at 6:51PM EDT (link)I’m sick of the whole thing already. Romney is going to win and all the hopes of a real conservative will be dashed again like in 2008. Then everyone on RS will rationalize why we need to vote for Romney. Sorry but I refuse this time to settle for another establishment candidate shoved down my throat. I can do it with good conscience because Romney won’t do a thing to end Obamacare, cut entitlements or cut the deficit because he just doesn’t have any conservative integrity at all.
"It's his turn", tomatin? Really?
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:49PM EDT (link)And “The most Conservative candidate who can win in the primary, Republican in the general” remains my mantra.
Even if it’s Romney.
Mew
(if it’s Luap Nor, I’m using my get out of jail free card.. he’s a faux-republican)
——
Caveat Suffragator
Honest Question...
carmen Wednesday, December 28th at 6:56PM EDT (link)… for those of you who have been part of this “industry” a lot longer than I have:
At what point (if ever) do you feel as if this field is TOO crowded – and that, in the interest of advancing the conservative message, personal egos should bow to nobility and 2nd tier candidates (who have been in the basement since the ‘beginning’) should line up their support(ers) behind ONE true conservative — like Perry, for instance — who has the money, the ground game, and the actual overall machine in place to truly WIN. Say what you will about Santorum’s or Bachmann’s conservative ‘street cred’ – they simply will NOT be the nominee. Why do they insist upon dividing conservative support and thus thrusting Romney – who can’t beat 25% in ANY poll – to the nomination? It seems absolutely self-defeating to the conservative cause, to me at least. And maybe I am entirely alone here, but, I think the old adage “take one for the team” would do us a world of good right about now.
Am I THAT far-removed from the political reality as to think that folks would unite to SAVE this country – even if it meant waving good-bye to their personal aspirations?
I just can’t imagine McCain 2.0. I really, REALLY can’t. I voted for McCain. And I felt dirty afterwards (except when I reminded myself that I was also voting for Palin). I really don’t want to feel that way the next time I submit my ballot. Romney would absolutely make me feel that way. (But I’d do it, if for no other reason than to make sure Obama is a one-termer).
Carmen, we all feel that way, excluding of course
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:13PM EDT (link)Supporters of Bachmann, Santorum, Huntsman, and Romney.
Supporters of Perry and Gingrich (the only ones other than Romney who may be nominated) think the field should be consolidated and it is too crowded. Perry supporters have thought this way since he announced. Cain supporters thought this when he was on top (pun intended).
The reality is that in every democratic republic I know of, people generally stick to their guns and vote their hearts in the primary. It’s as true here as in France. Thank God we have dozens of primaries and some caucuses drawn out over months so that poor performers drop out.
On the bright side, it usually ends up being between two candidates after South Carolina so we can actually have a majority rather than a plurality decide the fate of the party.
That is why Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina are almighty.
I agree with this...
carmen Wednesday, December 28th at 7:30PM EDT (link)… I think (“guess” maybe is a better word here?) that maybe this particular primary is more frustrating due to (in my opinion) this perfect alignment of potential-disasters we’re facing coupled with the abomination that was the McCain candidacy. We can’t afford (in ANY sense of the word) that kind of historical redux.
In my heart of hearts I just don’t think the United States, as founded, will exist beyond 2013/2014 if we don’t select the right candidate. I truly believe it’s *THAT* dire – which is why – if it were me – I’d bow out gracefully and throw my support behind a “more potentially successful” conservative at this point: because the country is on the brink, and that would be more important to me than anything else – my own ambitions included.
But I do understand that this is a process. I just think that we don’t have any time for “Oh well, we can try again in 4 years”. I just don’t see this particular window being open in 2016. Or ever again.
I take solace in the fact that in the event of systemic collapse,
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:42PM EDT (link)the parasite classes will be the first to be eliminated.
Collateral damage....
nathanalbright (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:20PM EDT (link)….there’s always collateral damage, though. I don’t look forward to that day at all.
I didn't specify elimination through death
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:36PM EDT (link)though that is the worst of the possibilities I meant.
Vast, powerful nations take way longer than that to collapse, though. I don’t think we’re anywhere near utter chaos and probably won’t be for generations. But the American people are determined to speed up the process with our demonic lust for spending, so who knows.
It usually takes generations....
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:26AM EDT (link)….but I agree that our disintegration is on “steroids.” Although, truth be told, the disintegration has been going on for at least a couple of generations already (especially since the 1960′s), so it looks from that point of view that we’re right on schedule.
I bet Paul's team brings Mittens back down after Iowa
veto Wednesday, December 28th at 7:15PM EDT (link)Love em hate em its besides the point, Ron Paul has one of the best ran tech savvy campaigns in modern history. He has 0% chance of winning but knowing the Paul camp if he finishes in the top two in Iowa they will do what Gingrich and the rest can’t they will run a non stop barrage of anti-Romney ad’s full of flip flopping.
So in the end Paul could come in handy in bringing Mittens back to earth, Gingrich don’t have the money to do it, but I bet you after Iowa the Paul campaign will have money bomb after money bomb to blast at Romney before NH.
Who didn't support the prescription drug benefit?
Samsara (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:18PM EDT (link)Here are the Republicans who voted against this budget busting giveaway. It’s not a very long list.
House:
Wamp, Zach /Shadegg, John / Toomey, Patrick / Smith, Nick / Ryun , Jim / Tancredo, Thomas / Pence, Mike / Paul, Ronald / Norwood, Charles / Musgrave, Marilyn / Flake, Jeff / DeMint, Jim / Culberson, John / Garrett, Scott / Feeney, Tom / Emerson, Jo Ann / Miller, Jeff / Chabot, Steven/ Burton, Dan / Barrett, James / Moran, Jerry / Jones, Walter /Hostettler, John
Senate:
Chafee, Lincoln / Ensign, John / Graham, Lindsey / Gregg, Judd / Hagel, Charles / Lott, Trent / McCain, John / Nickles, Don / Sununu, John
I know I didn't support it, that's for sure.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:28PM EDT (link)n/doubt
Romney supports it
Samsara (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:39PM EDT (link)Newt lobbied for it.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70332.html
Perry and Huntsman took positions against it at the time.
http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2011/12/another-look-for-huntsman/
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/romney-tries-to-pin-familiar-flip-flop-label-on-perry/
Bachmann was a State Senatorat the time She is against it in principle
http://www.issues2000.org/2012/Michele_Bachmann_Health_Care.htm
Ron Paul voted against it.
It's a very interesting list
thirstyboots Wednesday, December 28th at 7:34PM EDT (link)McCain, Sununu, L. Graham, Gregg, Hagel… those were the guys with the guts to actually oppose the Medicare bribe.
Many “social conservatives” are nowhere to be seen. They’re all very conservative as long as the GOP is in the opposition. When we had the power, they quickly stayed behind Bush’s agenda with pleasure as long as he’d keep throwing red-meat about gays.
Wrong
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:58PM EDT (link)From your list: Gregg, Sununu, and Graham voted for cloture. Hence they voted for it to get passed.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00457
And lets be honest, the only reason McCain and Hagel voted against it is because of their dislike for President Bush.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Oh please, Hagel and McCain were always more conservative on spending
thirstyboots Saturday, December 31st at 10:52AM EDT (link)than Bush, the GOP and most of Red State heros. Especially Hagel, whose voting record on fiscal issues and entitlements is stellar.
In fact, they are disliked by part of the conservative base – especially the talk-radio crowd – partially because their opposition to the Bush socialist policies and especially to Donald “The Incompetent” Rumsfeld.
Your Senate figures are wrong
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:37PM EDT (link)a lot of those people you listed including Judd Gregg (off the top of my head) voted for cloture then turned around and voted against knowing that it will pass. So people like Judd Gregg actually voted for it.
And a lot of those House members who voted against it probably would have voted for cloture as well if the House had such a rule.
Nevertheless that is an extremely small minority of Republican Congressmen.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Good point, Thanks
Samsara (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:07PM EDT (link)nt
What's the point of winning if...
Paul Fallavollita (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:33PM EDT (link)I’m no Santorum fan, but what’s the point of the GOP winning if the candidates it runs are just Democrats with the edges smoothed off? If we can’t get an authentic conservative, we should just let the Democrats run their course and pick up the pieces later. I often think that voters won’t make the right choice until they wake up, and to wake them up they need to feel some pain and lose their comfortable lifestyles–rule by the Left will do that for them.
Four more years of Obama could be fatal.
Ann_W (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 7:40PM EDT (link)With the rest of the world in the mess it’s in, and with Obama then being a lame duck, it could be very, very bad. The perfect is the enemy of the good.
“The more the plans fail, the more the planners plan.” Ronald Reagan
Shame Erick Shame
zooboy Wednesday, December 28th at 8:05PM EDT (link)Shame on all those Christian social conservatives for having the audacity to support the candidate that they think best represents them. They obviously don’t deserve that right or responsibility! And shame on them for reliably supporting conservative economic policies and a strong military defense (Both the other legs of the conservative coalition)! (They are also the most loyal bloc of Republican voters.) They’ve got their gall!
agendadocumentary.com
The conservative stool needs all 3 legs in order to stand.
Why should they support Santorum over Perry
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:08PM EDT (link)unless they are complete idiots?
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Because Santorum can complete a coherent sentence
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:25PM EDT (link)without his head exploding.
And let’s be honest. Santorum is a real conservative. Perry only became one when Texas started becoming a decidedly Republican state in the 90′s.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Yeah, well, who wants to hear it?
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:28PM EDT (link)n/body
This is still a Christian nation
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:31PM EDT (link)and a lot of people are going to want to hear what Santorum has to say.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
There's one born every minute (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:35PM EDT (link)…
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
There are only two heathens on the debate stage
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:36PM EDT (link)and no one in this discussion supports or Huntsman or Romney (though their religion has nothing to do with it – only realism and conservatism, respectively).
The rest of the lot are brothers and sisters.
Again, Mitch Daniels was absolutely right.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:00PM EDT (link)And this idiot is living proof.
What did Mitch Daniels say?
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:31PM EDT (link)n/link
You got that right!
windwaker24 Wednesday, December 28th at 8:36PM EDT (link)When he was a Fox News contributor, I used to get up when his segments were on and do something else (make my lunch for the next day, take a shower, use the bathroom, etc.) His incessant whining got on my last nerve. He always acted like he had a chip on his shoulder. I was waiting for him to break out a “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha” rountine.
Any day now :)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:45PM EDT (link)lol
You sound like a Bush-bashing Kossack
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:35PM EDT (link)Those liars smeared Perry the same way they smeared Bush, and you fell for it.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Ha
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:39PM EDT (link)sorry I don’t toe the pro-Perry line of this blog. Shoot me.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
The pro-reality line also offends, I take it?
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:43PM EDT (link)n/growingup
seanl, at Redstate we don't shoot foolish, ignorant idiots.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:14PM EDT (link)We play with them.
Oh, and you, seanl, would be the one on the left.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:15PM EDT (link)nt.
you're not nice
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:36PM EDT (link)[rolls eyes]
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
When did you figure that out.
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:43PM EDT (link)Ain’t been around much, have ya.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Hey, I'll happily take "not nice" over being a foolish, ignorant
mbecker908 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:07PM EDT (link)idiot.
Give your mommy her laptop back.
that is funnier than the guy in the condom submitted by acat last nite. nt
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:37PM EDT (link)Becker's art is much funnier than mine, Sunshine.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:47PM EDT (link)I hope, one day, to live up to his genius.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
5!
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:58PM EDT (link)…….
LOL
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 9:39PM EDT (link)lol
mbecker love the cat and mouse
1bunny Wednesday, December 28th at 9:47PM EDT (link)I covet this pic/video for my own use. So appropriate : ) especially when trolls come out to play.
Correction, Perry has always been conservative
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 8:47PM EDT (link)He just switched parties in the late 80s. Back in the 80s and before, most Texas Democrats were more conservative than most northern Republicans anyway. You’re argument is apples to oranges
uh he chaired the Gore campaign in Texas
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:57PM EDT (link)sure
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Yesterday's news...nt.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:00PM EDT (link)`no-text’
“Baseball fits America well because it expresses our longing for the rule of law while licensing our resentment of law givers.” ― Major League Commissioner of Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti
And he proved he can do anything he turns his hand to, and win.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:03PM EDT (link)So, I am glad he did a good job.
Tell me who cares seanl. nt
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:03PM EDT (link)….
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
That's been debunked many times on here. Try Again
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 9:04PM EDT (link).
Chaired Al Gore's Campaign?
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 9:26PM EDT (link)Not hardly. He did some minor work, but was NOT the Chairman. AL Gore said so in his own words. That was a liberal lie.
Even if he did, so what?
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:30PM EDT (link)At one time Gore was considered the most conservative of all the Democrat senators, back during a time when that party had a few conservatives.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Tipper Gore is responsible for parental advisories on CDs.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:05PM EDT (link)As Tipper was never elected, gotta be via Al, eh?
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
and you are not from Texas either I can tell
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:01PM EDT (link)There used to be such a thing in Texas as a conservative-Democrat. I won’t bother you with the particulars. uh
Perry
greyeagle Wednesday, December 28th at 9:12PM EDT (link)Your statement about Perry is not true. Perry was a conservative Democrat and changed to a conservative Republican in 1989. He was NEVER a liberal.
My thoughts exactly. Are Santorum and Perry about the same on social conservative issues?
clowngirl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:07PM EDT (link)And Perry has tons of executive experience. Does Santorum have any?
Perry also has a history of balancing budgets and a record of creating jobs.
I like Santorum ok but he won’t have the luxury of spending several months exclusively focusing on each state and having little or no scrutiny during the general election. It’s hard to imagine him beating Obama or even being more than a spoiler in NH, SC or FL.
When presented with 3 candidates who are equally social conservative, I don’t understand why Iowans aren’t uniting behind the one who is also strong in other areas and who could actually win.
Unless it’s just because Perry has drawn fire – both from Romney and the media – and Santorum hasn’t yet.
And I suppose Santorum has had plenty of time to court local endorsements.
santorum is
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:19PM EDT (link)unfortunately, a zealot. One of those people who give lip service to fiscal and other matters but who’s total being is all tied up in just a narrow bunch of social issues. To the point where he throws every other consideration away in pursuit of those issues.
That is why he was not reelected.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Santorum has also been very strong on defense and GWOT
David123 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:28PM EDT (link)… and that plus “Bush-fatigue” did him in in 2006.
Rick Santorum supports traditional marriage – as do most Americans. Rick Santorum is pro-life, and the Democrats picked supposedly “pro-life” Casey to run against him.
David123
yeah, well, being a war hawk
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:33PM EDT (link)will not exactly make me fall in love with him, We have been in three shooting wars in the last three + years and all we have to show for it is a lot of death, a lot of debt, and a lot of instability in the middle east.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Defense, not offense. Any pissant colonel can start a war...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:50PM EDT (link)I want someone who knows how to win one, and then win the peace.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
This isn't a beauty contest
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:09PM EDT (link)This is about picking a nominee.
Nobody cares about you have to support somebody who can’t win, except you and the black pride in your heart.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Oh and Perry can win?
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:29PM EDT (link)laughable.
Santorum is very intelligent and has an impeccable background. Once his name recognition goes up and people start learning about him Obama is going to have a problem on his hands.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
What a grand and intoxicating innocence!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:34PM EDT (link)You really think Santorum can win?
I love the innocent. Fluffy white clouds...chirping birds..
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:57PM EDT (link)Fish jumping… the world being so beautiful.
Yeah.. it’s almost enough to make me shed a tear.
Live and let die.
Sure, Santorum can win
David123 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:11PM EDT (link)First a thought experiment – if the Republican primary was down to Romney, Paul, and Santorum, Santorum would start to look pretty good, wouldn’t he? Nominate Ron Paul? – yeah, right.
And if the choice was Romney or Santorum, who would you pick?
So is Santorum electable? Well he’s won statewide races in Pennsylvania twice. Which Republican has a better chance of carrying Pennsylvania against Obama than Santorum? And if Obama can’t carry Pennsylvania, is he going to carry Virginia … or North Carolina…. or Ohio… or …? If Santorum can climb the hill to getting the Republican nomination, the hill Obama must climb to get re-elected turns into a cliff.
David123
And if the moon were made of cheese, there'd be no starvation
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:40PM EDT (link)Back in reality, Santorum will not outlast Gingrich and Perry. The latter two will never drop out until Bachmann, Huntsman, and Santorum are gone or bankrupt. Which should be a few hundred hours from now; don’t change that channel!
David123, let me try my own thought experiment. If the nomination were down to McCain, Romney, and Santorum ...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:51PM EDT (link)Oh wait, it was Huckabee.
Nevermind.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Non sequitur (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:34PM EDT (link),.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Once people realize he lost re-election
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:43PM EDT (link)by the largest margin of defeat ever for an incumbent Republican Senator in Pennsylvania (59% to 41%), they won’t stop laughing for hours.
Then they’ll read that he supported Arlen Benedict Specter against a good conservative candidate, and they’ll laugh a couple of hours more.
Rick Santorum wouldn’t even carry his home state in a general election against Obama, a very beatable incumbent President.
“Baseball fits America well because it expresses our longing for the rule of law while licensing our resentment of law givers.” ― Major League Commissioner of Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti
The Casey family is an institution in Penn.
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:53PM EDT (link)If anything Bob Casey was the incumbent in that race. Given that fact, it’s perfectly understandable he lost in a state that went for John Kerry that election.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Whatever helps you sleep at night...nt.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:57PM EDT (link)~~no text~~
“Baseball fits America well because it expresses our longing for the rule of law while licensing our resentment of law givers.” ― Major League Commissioner of Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti
Wrong election year, seanl. Santorum got blown out in 2006...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:53PM EDT (link)which is why, like clockwork, Casey Jr. is up in 2012.
Being stupid in defense of your candidate is not helpful.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Lovely but the point still remains
seanl (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:16AM EDT (link)He ran against Casey nonetheless.
Anyhow, don’t feel like reading through the thread: who exactly are you supporting?
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
No, seanl, you may not change the subject.
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:04AM EDT (link)Running against Casey Jr., Santorum came in *significantly* below his 2000 level of support. Further, his support dropped *statewide*, in every county.
If it were *just* about how Casey’s a NAME, that shouldn’t be true.
If it were just about Chimpy McBushHaliburton, that shouldn’t be true.
Seems to me, it’s gotta be about Santorum himself.
You wanted to defend him, go ahead. I’m listening.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
You are right it wasn't just about the name
seanl (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:33AM EDT (link)As you pointed out he lost in 2006, which was a wave year for Democrats. So given the fact he was running against Bob Casey + running in a pale blue state against a pro-life Democrat + he was on the wrong side of a wave election, it is certainly understandable he lost.
Secondly, knowing who you are supporting is certainly relevant. Especially given the fact that you take such delight in flinging invectives at me for supporting my candidate. And if you were comfortable with your candidate you would have no problem sharing his/her name, which can only lead me to believe you are ashamed of your candidate.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
No, seanl, you still may not change the subject. Santorum couldn't win PA.
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:09AM EDT (link)Let’s assume, for a moment, that Santorum’s loss was a fluke.
Let’s assume it was a combination of a Dem wave year, running against a NAME, and Bush Fatigue.
None of that changes that Santorum lacks any discernible executive experience.
None of that changes that Santorum lacks any discernible understanding of defense. Defending Bush is not nearly sufficient, the Commander in Chief must understand the purpose of the DoD, what motivates the men and women of the Armed Services and the Border Patrol, and ideally, should have worn the uniform.
None of that changes that Santorum has no discernible fiscal conservative achievements. Has he lowered taxes? Voting for a bill doesn’t count – has he *sponsored* or *written* a bill? The Santorum-X Tax Reduction Act of … ?
None of that changes that Santorum doesn’t appear to have any real grounding in foreign policy. Hell, at least Huntsman has been to Beijing.
None of that changes that Santorum moved a sick child halfway across the country, away from friends, peers, and in violation of continuity of medical care, to use her as a prop.
There’s something very wrong with Santorum.
As for invective, you’ve never worked a blue collar job, have you? Grow a pair.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Gosh, Obama just endorsed online gambling
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:07PM EDT (link)Shall we lay bets?
You see what I mean folks? Anyone who doesn't support Perry
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:03PM EDT (link)is a fool. They prove it every time.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Ok Tbone, I don't get it.
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:21PM EDT (link)Obama endorsing online gambling,
to shoozes placing bets,
to not supporting Perry is a fool.
I don’t see how you connect those dots.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Follow the blue lines, gekster.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:27PM EDT (link)Tbone appears to have been replying to snowy, who was replying to seanl’s .. nugget.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
O IC. I followed the wrong one.
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:45PM EDT (link)It’s kinda hard to blog and play golf.
I should pay attention to one or the other.
Seams I’m getting beaten at both.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
I’ve gone from
“Hope and Change” to
“Hopeless and Changeless”
Gekster...aren't you my technical advisor??
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:45PM EDT (link)I am just aghast.
It was you who taught me to share pages here…right?
Lol.
I don't think that people are fools not to support Perry
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:55PM EDT (link)I think they are incorrect in thinking he is not viable.
I do think he is a very good choice though.
Fools think incorrectly.
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:38PM EDT (link)By definition.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Heh, the Obama DOJ also took down online gambling
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:29PM EDT (link)So again, he’s a big fat fraud.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Dang. I thought I could clean up with Perry.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:29AM EDT (link)That cussed Holder ruins all my fun.
I will only give credit… he is not Janet Reno, murderer of Babies.
Is Santorum a born again Christian?
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 2:44AM EDT (link)just curious. I know he is a Catholic. I am a former Catholic and that is not the same as being a born again Christian. In the Family Forum at Thanksgiving Bachmann and Perry testified to a Christian salvation experience but not the others. I believe that Perry and Bachmann are the only two candidates who are born again Christians.
In the general election our nominee’s religious beliefs when running against Obama will not be a factor to me, but it is in the primaries.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Cheetah2, if I had to guess...
racetraitor Thursday, December 29th at 4:36AM EDT (link)Santorum would probably describe himself as a Catholic Christian who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I say this because that is how I describe myself. Most of the devout Catholics that I know are not comfortable describing themselves as “born again Christians” because the term, to them, sounds rather Protestant (and also rather redundant because Catholics consider themselves to be “born again” through the sacrament of baptism–”by water and the Spirit” as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, 5). However, the devout Catholics that I know do consider themselves to have a personal relationship with the Lord. And, like our Protestant brethen, we are attempting to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
That said, I (like you) am a Perry supporter rather than a Santorum supporter. The way I look at it, a Christian of whatever stripe needs to “put up or shut up”; and Perry has “put up” big-time. He lives his faith and lets it influence all of his actions, even when that causes him to take positions which might be politically unpopular.
Santorum, on the other hand, hasn’t “put up,” and he refuses to “shut up.” He’s always talking about how great he was in the House, and how great he was in the Senate, and how conservative he is. He speaks about being Catholic (that is, a member of the Catholic Church which, irrespective of the rebellion of some of her members, is the most pro-life institution on Earth), and about being pro-life. But did he “put up” for the innocent, defenseless unborn in 2004? No; he made a politically expedient decision to sell them out by endorsing Snarlin’ Arlen Specter against the pro-life challenger, Pat Toomey. To my knowledge, he has never apologized and said, “I was wrong.” I stopped trusting Santorum over that issue, and I don’t trust him now.
When Santorum sold out the unborn, he sold out Jesus Christ (for, are not the unborn the “least of [His] brethren”?)–and he sold out for a lot less than thirty pieces of silver (he couldn’t even hold his Senate seat in ’06). What would prevent him from selling out the country if the stakes were high enough?
thank you racetraitor for your thoughtful reply.
cheetah2 (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 9:31PM EDT (link)That is most likely what he would say about his beliefs. I was born into the Catholic Church and baptized as a baby. As I grew up I did all the works one does to try to earn heaven- plus I was educated in Catholic schools all the way through high school.
It was not until I reached the age of 31 that I became a born again Christian. I realized 3 things about myself: I am a sinner, there is a price to pay for my sins (the wages of sin is death) and I can never do enough good to pay for my sins. (the Bible says our righteousness is like filthy rags to God) Thankfully the same Bible verse that tells me “the wages of sin is death” also says “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus shed his blood, took on the sins of the world, died for them, and rose from the dead after 3 days. This action of his was sufficient to pay the price for all our sins. The Bible also tells me that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I did that- I called on Jesus to save me because I knew I could not save myself, and that salvation is a free gift from God and all I needed do was turn from my sin to Jesus and I could have that gift.
What I did not ever hear Rick Santorum say is that he had a time in his life when he did what I described above. It doesn’t matter what we call it but to be saved we need to do what the Bible says to do. It is not a process we go through but a one time event in our life, just like being born physically is a one time event.
My main reason for not supporting Rick Santorum is that he lacks executive experience. No one running is anywhere near as qualified as Rick Perry is in that respect. I am hoping and praying the people of Iowa realize that next week. We desperately need the hand of experience at the helm after what Obama has put us through the last 3 years.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
One of my many problems with Santorum is
1bunny Friday, December 30th at 10:06PM EDT (link)his repulsive backing of using embryos for research. As such a “staunch” pro-lifer he once again compromises his beliefs. Honestly I don’t think their is anything this man won’t do for political/monetary gain.
(timeline – when he was up against Casey) U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R., Pa.) yesterday called for federal funding of research that would involve creating an altered human embryo [kind of like a baby Frankenstein]- one that could yield precious stem cells but not implant in a uterus.
read it for yourself:
http://againstallheresies.blogspot.com/2006/05/rick-santorum-sanitizes-stem-cells.html
I’m sorry but if you are prolife and all life is precious what is the deal with doing this to embryos?
Embryonic stem cell research is just garbage.
cheetah2 (Diary) Friday, December 30th at 10:31PM EDT (link)The only stem cell research that has actually led to real usable treatments is adult stem cell research. It holds great promise, and all the money and effort ought to be going in that direction.
Embryonic stem cell research is just Brave New World stuff. The idea of purposely creating a defective embryonic human being to experiment with is revolting. It makes me sad that Rick Santorum would get sucked into supporting this.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Those of you calling Mittens a Democrat
clintonformccain Wednesday, December 28th at 8:16PM EDT (link)must be thinking of the kind of centrist Democrats that used to exist. This new Democrat party is not your father’s Democrat party. There’s nobody even remotely like Mitt Romney in this new Democrat party. Those people are truly nuts.
Mary Landrieu, Mark Pryor, Warner, Webb
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:22PM EDT (link)Ben Nelson until the end of next year etc.
They are all pretty comparable to Romney.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Agreed. If Mitt had run as a Democrat in 2008, he and Hilary would have been fighting over the centrist vote with Obama to the left.
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 8:41PM EDT (link)I’m not sure Romney would have even been considered to the right of Hilary, much less any Republican
JFK was a Democrat. A dang good one.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:10PM EDT (link)Romney could never measure up to that.
Perry could have.
The Democrat party is no-more.
Well, good is relative Snowshooze
texashistorian (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:58PM EDT (link)and if you like social programs- model cities program for example. He just wasn’t a ‘new left’ Democrat like the bunch that has taken over the party. He was good only in the sense that he was somewhat fiscally aware, and believed in a strong national defense. But he was a big government New Deal liberal, no doubt about it, and of the sort that would never get my vote unless it was either him or someone like Obama .
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
You have it pinned.
snowshooze (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:20PM EDT (link)But the new bunch is off the edge.
Well, looks like Mr Erick's predictions on Michele Bachmann were right
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:52PM EDT (link)His horserace forecast after the Bloomberg debate, her campaign “dead” with the softball thrown by Mitt Romney, paraphrased “I need you to stay in” Her SuperPac quietly switched allegiance before Christmas in Iowa to Romney. Her Iowa chairperson just now has switched over to Romney, AFTER attending a Bachmann event earlier today.
The fix is in. Mitt’s $$ talk~
nauseating
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 8:56PM EDT (link)kind of disappointed in her.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
*correction* her chairperson today defected to Ron Paul
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:15PM EDT (link)either way, her campaign is imploding right before our eyes on the eve of the Iowa vote. Her supporters have to see this. Wish they would get behind a stronger conservative candidate! Those Iowans are going to mess up the media driven momentum to favor Mitt Romney. His $$ are working overtime these days to get this bagged up.
Supporters of Michele Bachmann will likely go to Perry.
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:28PM EDT (link)Like a Certain Person named louisianapatriette, who was originally following Michele Bachmann like a hawk over Google News . . . until she spotted an article mentioning that a Certain Texas Governor was considering a presidential run. As they say, the rest is history.
Michele Bachmann supporters are Tea Partiers for the most part, I’m sure, and I think her support will split between Paul and Perry, with most going to Perry simply because Bachmann’s base is likely made up of social conservatives. I could be wrong, but that’s what I’m guessing right now. I do NOT think her base will flock to Romney.
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
With Santorum now rocketing to the top
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:32PM EDT (link)I suspect more of them will go to Santorum.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
hahaha you believe that?
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:33PM EDT (link)sucker
Huh?
louisianapatriette (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:45PM EDT (link)Is this sarcasm?
National Director of the Perry FIRE! PAC Twitter Team and authoress of the Formidable Courage blog.
@LAPatriette
No, louisiana' .. just a Santorum zealot.
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:55PM EDT (link)He’ll fall off the board completely once Santorum’s goose is cooked.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I'm pretty sure he IS Santorum
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:57PM EDT (link)Which would make sense, since Santorum only has one anonymous supporter.
or . . .
texashistorian (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:59PM EDT (link)Santorum’s mom
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
Anyone who would move a sick child halfway across the country to *try* to get a job...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:00PM EDT (link)I gotta wonder about.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
acat, that was a low blow
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 4:03PM EDT (link)I don’t question the man’s love and concern for his child.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
Get your eyes checked, ref. No such thing in politics...
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 4:09PM EDT (link)as a low blow. Remember, Obama got his Senate seat in part by getting a sealed divorce case – involving children – unsealed.
This will be used against Santorum in the general if he’s the nominee, mark my words.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Santorum... who...
pj2012 Wednesday, December 28th at 11:34PM EDT (link)ah …hahaha
Some dude on Twitter
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:32PM EDT (link)keder, said something to the effect he will never understand the mental gymnastics it would take to convert from Bachmann to a Paul candidacy as her Ia chairperson jumped ship.
EE had it right, she stayed in to split. She saw no other path to win, but wants to take her supporters with her to Camp Romney, thinking she will get some sort of position in his would-be Admin. Watch out, she will endorse Romney. in a matter of time.
single-issue voters
Paul Fallavollita (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:04PM EDT (link)People who are single-issue voters on the question of foreign aid to Israel and such might have a hard time making a Bachmann to Paul conversion, since Bachmann is known for her commitment to Israel. And maybe some pro-life and pro-marriage voters might have an issue as well if they’re gung-ho about a constitutional amendment to settle those questions rather than leaving it up to the states.
Have you seen those Twitter pics from Perry events
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:35PM EDT (link)and those from Santorum’s? Wow, the media thinks we are just THAT stupid. What they are hoping for, is those silly folks that don’t pay attention and research candidates, the American Idol crowd that depends on their smart phones to deliver the latest msm media push narrative headline.
you know, folks like sean
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:36PM EDT (link)……
Concur, LApat.
SoFiMil (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:52PM EDT (link)On addition I see Bachmann endorsing Mittens, but her supporters not following her to the the Flipper.
And for all the angst she portended against Rick Perry and Newt over a parsing of a social issue, she gave Romney a complete free pass on his earlier position on abortion.
www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
Bachmann also interceded on Mitt's behalf when he attempted to bet Perry.
SoFiMil (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 10:27PM EDT (link)(Overtalk) [Bachmann jumping in to defend Mitt]
George and Dianne, can I just say something? This is such an important issue….
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=15134849
www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
the fix is in
texasref (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 4:09PM EDT (link)Power at any cost, meet power at any cost.
“The medical director who performed the autopsy on Trayvon Martin found only two injuries on his body: the gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles. Welcome to the Duke lacrosse case all over again.”–Rush Limbaugh, 5-16-12
Next Step: Docket Sounding on 8-8-12
Final Step: Verdict of Not Guilty
Former three time US Rep and Senator from Pennsylvania
bobguzzardi Wednesday, December 28th at 9:01PM EDT (link)cannot win Pennsylvania and there is a reason for that: the more votes get to know him and his record, the less they like him and the less they are likely to vote for him
In 2006, Rick Santorum received 797,000 fewer votes than in 2000.
Official Penna. Statistics 2006, when Santorum lost to Bob “98%” Casey, 2,393,984 to 1,684,778, that is, Incumbent Rick Santorum received 709,208 fewer votes than Democrat challenger Bob Casey who was one of the first Pennsylvania Democrats to endorse Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in Democratic Primary.
2006 Pennsylvania vote http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=24&OfficeID=2
In 2000, Rick Santorum ran for an open Senate seat and received 2,481, 962 or 797,184 more votes than he received in 2006
http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=2&OfficeID=2
In 2006, incumbent Senator not only received fewer votes total, incumbent Rick Santorum received fewer votes in every county in Pennsylvania.
2006 Senate vote by county http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=24&OfficeID=2
compared to 2000 county by county vote http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=15&ElectionID=2&OfficeID=2
To put it another way, the more people to know Rick Santorum, the less likely they were to vote for him. And there is a reason for that, Rick Santorum’s Bush Compassionate Conservative Voting Record. Rick Santorum was part of Republican Leadership because he supported the Bush Big Government Agenda.
On a more personal level, Rick Santorum came no limit to in the 2004 Toomey Specter primary which Pat Toomey lost by 2% despite outspent, at least, 3 to 1.
After that, Union supported Arlen Specter helped swing union money to Rick Santorum including $50k from John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty of Philadelphia’ IBEW 98, the highly political electricians union.
Many of the Toomey Team met with Rick Santorum during the 2006 election because we felt we were being taken for granted, and I remember, vividly, Sen. Santorum’s arrogant disdain for young, idealist young conservatives. It was a sickening, and not an isolated, incident.
I knew Bob Casey as probably the nicest and most decent politician in Pennsylvania but whose record, as I foresaw, is radically Big Government and he votes with Barack Obama 98% of he time.
I contributed, personally, to Rick Santorum’s campaign and to State committee over $30,000 in that election and attended the last Santorum fundraiser in Chester County as the numbers showed Santorum being crushed because there was, in my mind, no other alternative, America was at war with Radical Islam and Rick Santorum understood the threat whereas Bob Casey did not and does not. Rick Santorum was counting on this view . As it turned out, many thought there was an alternative and Rick Santorum became former Senator Rick Santorum.
Ronald Reagan won Pennsylvania twice and faux Reaganite George H W Bush won in 1988 and that was the last time Penna. voted Republican in Presidential race.
In 1994, Rick Santorum ran as a Reagan Republican; after he went to Washington, he was seduced by the power, the money and the prestige and, opportunistically, embraced Earmarks and GW Bush Big Government Establishment to the detriment of the party and the country, The Republicans lost in 2006 because they sold out their brand as Limited Government Economic Freedom advocates and Rick Santorum is iconic sell out.
Pennsylvania electoral victory is indispensably necessary to national victory. Lose Penna. lose the Presidential election.
Rick Santorum cannot win Pennsylvania; Rick Santorum cannot win the Presidency because he cannot win Pennsylvania and we will have four more years of Barack Obama Socialist Bankrupt policies.
He was running against a Casey in '04
seanl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:00PM EDT (link)voters often vote based on the name. The Casey family has a special place in the hearts of Penn voters.
For whatever reason Red Staters like you are trying to rewrite history.
Rick Santorum – moving America forward by bringing back the values that made this country great. But I don’t believe this at all, actually! I’m a moby who calls people hypocrites! That means that I think ‘irony’ means ‘like iron’!
Historical-Revisionism [I]
rsklaroff (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:33AM EDT (link)The Santorum-Casey election was in ’06; it was in ’04 that Santorum endorsed Specter over Toomey.
He lost by 18% to Casey, despite being the incumbent; this cannot be due to adoration of the “Casey” name throughout the state for, as noted by Guzzardi, “the more people got to know him [in EVERY county], the more they chose to vote against him.”
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
r.sklaroff@verizon.net
[the guy with the "RS-diary" dedicated to differentiating trustworthy conservative-pundits from inside-the-beltway-RINO's]
“…fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!”
Santorum was my Senator
Samsara (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:10PM EDT (link)Yes, Santorum was a George W. Bush Republican who ran against big government Democrats as a big government Republicans. This is PA, pork is pork. But I have to say, the way he handled himself during the whole Trent Lottt / Strom Thurmond scandal impressed me.
Santorum was in line under Lott in the party leadership. Then Lott was videotaped saying that “we wouldn’t have all the problems we have today” If Strom had been elected President. Thurmond ran as a segregationist. It was Strom’s 100th birthday party, and Lott got carried away. The liberal media machine pounced and started pounding him. Bush and the rest of the GOP turned their backs on Lott.
Not Santorum.
That snake Bill Frist took advantage and deposed Lott. Frist then led the effort to pass the budget busting Prescription Drug Bill. A great deal for him and his Big Pharma buddies, not so good for our Country. Then he left town.
Rick Santorum may not be of Presidential timber, but he is a damn site better than some of the jerks Republicans have been following in recent years.
That being said...
Samsara (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:25PM EDT (link)I found the following comment posted after the new WSJ article praising Santorum very accurate:
“Yep, if the GOP primary ballot had a “default” button, his face would be on it.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203899504577126911577435898.html
Historical-Revisionism [II]
rsklaroff (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:34AM EDT (link)Regardless of the pseudo “heroism” you ascribe to Santorum, he voted in FAVOR of the Prescription Drug Bill…and don’t forget how he PRAISED earmarks when interviewed on FNC.
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
r.sklaroff@verizon.net
[the guy with the "RS-diary" dedicated to differentiating trustworthy conservative-pundits from inside-the-beltway-RINO's]
“…fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!”
Can we get a RedState diarist to pen some insight on this?
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:01PM EDT (link)Conservatives need to get the message out, Bachmann is a spoiler for the conservative movement, and Mr. Erickson nailed it immediately after that Bloomberg debate. Her bus tour in Iowa has turned into a joke. She stayed in to serve noone but herself. Traitor
At this rate Bachman won't have enough votes to spoil anyone. If she can't get more than 6 people at a campaign stop....
nathanalbright (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:24PM EDT (link)…and if her chair joining the Ronulan tinfoil hat brigade, she might not get much of anything in Iowa at all.
for those wanting to see a ground level recap of Iowa...
onemovoter (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 9:33PM EDT (link)You really need to read this recap of the 3 conservative candidates, Perry, Bachmann, and Santorum.
Bachmann – Perry fight for votes in Iowa
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”- Benjamin Franklin
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”- Will Rogers
Santorum isn't a fiscal conservative....
marktx Wednesday, December 28th at 10:28PM EDT (link)He is a big government spender who was part of the problem when in office.
Not to mention Santorum’s support of pro-choice Arlen Specter.
Anyone who wastes a vote on Santorum should have their head examined.
thanks for the IowaRepublican URL on the ground game in SW Iowa
lizzie Wednesday, December 28th at 11:13PM EDT (link)more detailed, but consistent with ABC, which awarded Perry the “Standing Room Only Medal” and Bachmann the “drive-by campaigner badge”
so, thank you omemovoter – it is very difficult to find local Iowa reports, which I assume are more relevant to Iowans than what the WaPo has to say (I am still recovering from having to restrain my self earlier today in two separate comment s on Jen Rubin. One does wonder how much money Romney has spread around to get such mythology)
Quite bizarre that Bachmann’s Iowa guy endorsed to Ron Paul today. I am still recovering from delving into that conspiracy-addled fake Republican.
Yes, another incursion from the disillusioned fiscal conservative dem who still WANTS to vote for Rick Perry. I hope the previous comments about how the pre-Pelosi/Obama/Reid Democratic Party still had real fiscal conservatives just like the GOP used to have social moderates. You just can not go by labels – both parties fracture and regroup over time. I have Ronald Reafan’s Youtube from 1948 where he praises Harry S Truman, and also Hubert Humphrey as true liberals.
About Santorum. In the unlikely event he were to get the GOP nomination, the Pelosi-Obama Democrats will be in ecstacy because then they can go with what worked in New York statewide in 2010: make protecting women’s reproductive rights the main campaign theme in order to drive up female voter turn-out, which is their only chance anyway. I do not care what other positions Santorum has – he has focussed his run in Iowa on that issue to the point where it overshadows everything.
Maybe he is having a small surge in Iowa because there IS a cohort for whom THAT is their #1 issue. I had an online dialog at Deace’s website where commenters were calling Rick Perry “EVIL”, and that was because he was considered a moderate on abortion, and had endorsed Giuliani in 2008.
This whole Iowa fluidity is so odd.
The one thing I would like to know is how Perry is doing with veterans, andhunters. He did special mailers to them. It was veterans who propelled Kerry in 2004. I do not understand why Ron Paul appeals to so many veterans, not usually the cohort who buys into deranged conspiracy theories.
FWIW, I will not even protest vote for Romney, or Paul. I will, grudgingly, protest vote for Santorum, but it will not count.
My vote for Perry, or Gingrich WILL count. They are viable to win New York, although I do think Perry is the strongest, most electable once he finally destroys the “dumber than a rock” stereotype that has stuck to him.
Huntsman’s job is to damage Romney in NH – and I believe he will.
the question is how to expose Ron Paul before he irreparably damages the GOP.
Romney v Obama will be the lowest turnout in history, and I do not even think Romney would appoint better people to the cabinet.
Obama is now making Nixon look good, and the GOP thinks Romney can win? NO WAY!
I just got the Perry email asking me for $50 to keep his Outsider ad running in Iowa. That was a bad sign – I would have preferred some honesty – to have the money to keep the campaign going. 4Q deadline is here.
See ya.
Yet another reason....
tnguy Wednesday, December 28th at 10:42PM EDT (link)….it is insane for Republicans (or rather, conservatives) let a state like Iowa have such a huge say in who the nominee is. Hey, let’s have this state, which has a screwy, moronic caucus and doesn’t really represent the backbone of the party choose our presidential conservatives.
Even the “conservatives” there are loco. If polls are to be believed, a quarter of republicans are supporting the repugnant Ron Paul. That alone should be enough evidence to close the book on the Iowa caucus having any place of prominence in our primary at all.
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.”
Iowa will only have as much impact as we let it
clowngirl (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:55AM EDT (link)Perry and Gingrich have both already said they’ll continue even if they finish fourth. It’s hard to imagine either dropping out even if they came in fifth.
It’s also hard to imagine the majority of Republicans embracing either Romney or Ron Paul.
So in all likelihood there will still be 4 candidates competing in South Carolina. My fervent hope is that it will be ONLY 4, so Romney won’t be able to win with only a quarter of the vote.
A few months ago I argued here that since we
septembergurl (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:13PM EDT (link)had no one conservative anti-Romney candidate, the best plan would be to support various candidates in the early states who could plausibly win against Romney.
I proposed Rick Santorum in Iowa, Jon Huntsman in New Hampshire and Rick Perry in South carolina. My thinking was that if Romney could be held off in the first three contests, he would lose much of his “frontrunner” “inevitable” status and we would have a real contest. The struggle for the nomination would then take place in the later contests. My suggestion met with disdain, hostility and bafflement.
Well well, hey hey, my my.
What would be so terrible if Rick Santorum (who I had fingered as a likely socon patsy in Iowa) beat out Romney? Santorum isn’t going anywhere. Good grief. The point is to beat Romney. Say Santorum and Paul battle out for first, Romney comes third — that’s major. He goes into NH wounded where Hunts is poised to deliver the coup de grace. then they all limp into SC, where Fred thompson, er, Rick Perry suddenly comes on strong.
So the 2008 parallels are: Santorum = Huckabee, Perry= Thompson, Romney=Romney, etc. But is Huntsman McCain or Giuliani? Time will tell.
5 I see Santorum's candidacy as a positive at this point
David123 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:20PM EDT (link)If he goes the distance and wins great.
If Perry goes the distance and wins that’s fine too. Having Santorum do well in Iowa doesn’t prevent Perry from doing well in later elections. However, if Perry implodes, it will be really good to have Santorum in the race as an alternative to Paul Romney and Gingrich.
David123
Well from what I'm gathering on very limited information
sunshinek67 (Diary) Wednesday, December 28th at 11:31PM EDT (link)Santorum seems to bend with the political winds, at the detriment of the conservative right on fiscal issues. I think he is a stalwart social values warrior though. But this next election is more jobs-economic centric than it is about the latter, however, of concern to me is the SCOTUS and appointments. I could probably trust him to pick, but not trust him to bend with the Dems. That’s a problem. Do I really trust this guy to carry the conservative torch? Dont know~
have you lost your minds ? LOL
marktx Wednesday, December 28th at 11:39PM EDT (link)Santorum will not be the nominee. The only reason he is getting any play now is due to the belief among the party establishment that he might split the conservative vote, helping Romney in the process.
The minute it looks as though Santorum might become a legitimate threat to Romney, the party and FOX News will go negative on him.
what ever happened to...
rsklaroff (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:43AM EDT (link)…voting for the best candidate, absent personal strategic [mis]calculations?
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
r.sklaroff@verizon.net
[the guy with the "RS-diary" dedicated to differentiating trustworthy conservative-pundits from inside-the-beltway-RINO's]
“…fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!”
Agreed, I think this time is different however
heraklios Wednesday, December 28th at 11:52PM EDT (link)because many conservatives have had it with the GOP Establishment. I don’t think some will “take it” this time and thus my prediction that a minimally viable third party candidate gets traction this year.
I think you are correct....
marktx Thursday, December 29th at 12:08AM EDT (link)In a year that the repeal of ObamaCare is at the front of republican agenda, nominating Romney to lead the charge for repeal isn’t a great idea. That’s why there probably will be another anti-Romney candidate who surfaces at some point….
Rick Santorum is my first choice.
shadowtax (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:02AM EDT (link)I made up my mind about a month ago. I decided to stop listening to the experts. My gut told me that he has as much a shot as anyone because the field was in such flux. I am still hoping that he is around when I get to vote in the Florida primary.
I met Rick Santorum when he was stumping for Nikki Haley in SC back in 2010. I hear him say what I am thinking at debates. I’ve heard Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck speak well of him.
I am tired of experts such as Erick telling me who will or will not be the nominee. He sure was wrong about Tim Pawlenty being a strong contender, so his opinion is not dispositive.
I’m a St. Louis Cardinal fan and a Florida Gator alumnus who recently has witnessed a ridiculously improbable World Series Championship and Tim Tebow leading the Broncos to the verge of the playoffs with a similar defiance of probability.
But since the David Freese – Tim Tebow ticket is not an option, I will be voting for the improbable candidate whom I believe to be the best, Rick Santorum.
The Triple Crown:
hitthedeck Thursday, December 29th at 5:52AM EDT (link)There are no stones unturned if you are a Republican running for president. If there is the least piece of dirt under the pinkie fingernail it’s going to be found. The media searches everything not only from birth but will go into a republican’s ancestry to find a rotten apple in the basket. The Democrats are blessed with the mostly liberal American media. We witnessed Obama’s rise from mystery man and remaining mystery man after taking the highest office in the land. The media has gone after anyone who questioned or criticized his past and associations.
The only way a democrat can get a bad report is to expose his Weiner in public or father a child to a mistress.
I must admit that republican conservatives want a squeaky clean politician to lead our nation and the liberals know that. With that fact in place it means the media and both parties’ are putting the nominees under a microscope. It’s just the opposite with a democrat! The media give you a set of low power binoculars to view a democrats past that is out of range.
Michelle Bachman is the only true conservative running and it’s really sad to see how confident she is. She is just to dam good looking to be president and that must be what the public thinks because I can’t think of any other reason why she isn’t on top of the polls. The horse race is almost over and it looks like Mitt Romney will cross the finish line by a nose. I think that most of the old time conservatives like me for instance, would like a long shot come in from nowhere and leave the pack in a cloud of dust. We are looking for that Man O War that has the strength to be a winner and take the Triple Crown to save our great nation. We have to have the Triple Crown to do it (a Republican President, a Republican Senate and a Republican house.) Pray-Vote-and Pray again!
Talking of idiots, who are the two pastors
mine Thursday, December 29th at 5:52AM EDT (link)calling on Bachmann and Santorum to resign. Why didn’t they call on Perry to stand down. These clowns just reek of bigotry and stupidity. Why are they calling on a Catholic and former Lutheren to resign so a failing evangelical has a better chance of beating a mormon. Are they imbeciles or just crazy evil. No wonder the rest of the country despise these ilk. Someone should suggest these fools should just shut up. Most of us conservatives don’t want to associated with them. Why don’t they just go away……
Are you serious?
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:21AM EDT (link)Why is the religion of Bachmann and Santorum a question? Also, there are good reasons for Bachmann and Santorum to quit: neither are serious candidates, neither have a great deal of support (outlier CNN poll notwithstanding), and neither have the legs or organization to keep going after IA and (maybe) NH. Perry has all three going for him, and so he’s not in that Buddy Roemer tier of candidate.
Uh, Perry is getting 2% of the vote in NH
nepanyrush Thursday, December 29th at 10:57AM EDT (link)He is not a serious candidate. He is also well below Santorum in Iowa. As soon as the public got a look at him, he dropped like a stone. All Perry did with his poor debates and inability to speak and sometimes meanspiritedness is make Romney look presidential and Perry’s money and organization are only helping to split the conservative vote. The only true conservative who won statewide election (twice) in a deep blue state (PA has 1 million more dems than conservatives) and has the intellectual abilities to defeat Obama is Rick Santorum. Perry needs to get out of the race and conservatives coalesce around Santorum if we dont’ want the choice to be Romney or Obama.
They don't just go away
hitthedeck Thursday, December 29th at 6:23AM EDT (link)You my friend are doing exactly what the opposition expects! We have to stand down and forget our favorites in the end and support the least of two evils. Who knows the winner might satisfy your position. It’s the only system we have and we have to stand up to it or remain in the shadows.
SHEEP
hitthedeck Thursday, December 29th at 6:32AM EDT (link)For those of you out there who want to remain sheep, I would suggest that you vote for a shepherd that will lead you to greener pastures rather than one that will lead you to slaughter.
WHERE ARE MY SHEEP
hitthedeck Thursday, December 29th at 6:40AM EDT (link)WHERE ARE MY SHEEP
By Gary Chambers (Thinking about America)
He runs in the green pastures with his eyes to the sky
chasing the small white clouds that glide by.
He can not seem to gather the flock
The wind keeps moving them apart.
After the long circling run he lies down to rest,
panting to catch up to his breath.
He will never know what had happened that day.
His master had sold the sheep away.
Remembering that he had protected the lambs
Remembering he kept them together and never apart.
Remembering He had taught them never to stray.
Remembering he had chased the wolf away.
He sees his master on a hill alone to the east
signaling the end of the day.
He knows its time to go home.
But his relentless search will go on and on.
He will never know what happened that day.
His master had sold the flock away.
Never again will he save the Lamb.
Never again will he run with the wind.
Never again
If you're a sheepdog looking for a flock of people here to hang on your every word....
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:21AM EDT (link)…you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Rick Perry’s new Iowa TV ad: Fox guarding the hen house
bzip Thursday, December 29th at 8:54AM EDT (link)I am going to try an tie this to the thread
. So how is Santorum going to be competitive against Perry’s and his backers, the super pac’s and all the resources Perry has – it won’t work in the end.
Perry hones new skills on national stage
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/29/perry-hones-new-skills-on-national-stage/
Rick Perry’s new Iowa TV ad: Fox guarding the hen house
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/29/rick-perrys-new-iowa-tv-ad-fox-guarding-the-hen-house/
Fox
http://youtu.be/NEaVhH-Rai4
Redstate attacking Santorum? Why?
nepanyrush Thursday, December 29th at 10:49AM EDT (link)Santorum is a staunch conservative. He maintained his conservative credentials all through his 12 years in statewide office. He was elected in a solid blue state (1 million more democrats than republicans).
Erik keeps wanting to emphasize that he could not win re-election. He won one re-election. The one he lost recently was against a popular son of a popular pro-life governor and the son also presented himself (falsely, it turns out) as pro-life. Santorum lost because he took on the third rail of social security, wanting to reform it in a state which has the second most seniors after Florida. He was demagoged unendingly about “ending social security” with a proposal (raise qualifying age by two years) that seems mild nowadays.
Is Redstate so in the pocket of Perry that they are willing to try to destroy the credibility of the best conservative in the race. Did Redstate get upset because Santorum took on their sacred cow of Perry in the debates.
Perry is a horrible, horrible candidate. He talks in fractured English with such poor grammar that he will never sell outside of his region. He cannot think on his feet and was an embarrassment in the debates. Santorum is much, much more intelligent and prepared than Perry and accomplished more than Perry.
Why support an embarrassment like Perry, who doesn’t even have conservative creds in such issues as special benefits for illegal immigrants and guarasil, and who acts and talks like he is ignorant and throw under the bus the one person who could stand toe to toe with Obama and defeat him while representing true conservative credentials.
Nepanyrush
superpatriot Thursday, December 29th at 11:09AM EDT (link)If Perry is such a horrible candidate, then why has’nt he ever lost an election???
If you're here to defend Santorum, nepanyrush, then by all means go ahead.
acat (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:15AM EDT (link)Tell me what executive experience he has.
Tell me when he’s worn the uniform of our country, or when he’s had a job that leads him to understand our soldiers and sailors and airmen.
(hint: George W. Bush served dinner in Iraq – Barak Obama was served dinner in Iraq .. note the difference)
Tell me where Santorum has any experience regarding border enforcement.
Show me where Santorum has a bill that he *wrote* or *sponsored* that cut taxes. The Santorum Tax Relief Act of …
If we compare Santorum to Reagan’s three legged stool, we get a golf tee.
We can do better.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Rick Santorum is the man!
eldstenorge Thursday, December 29th at 11:08AM EDT (link)If we would all quit believing what those who are supposedly the conservative leaders tell us and vote for who we believe is with us, Rick Santorum would win hands down. He is a conservative’s conservative. Get his book and read it: “It Takes a Family,” where he takes on the left, Hillary Clinton and all they stand for in the destruction of our families. Erick Erickson and the other purportedly conservative leaders complain and yell about the liberal media and about the “Establishment” Republicans who are trying to pick our nominees for us, while Erickson and the other are doing the same thing to us. They think only they speak for us. Forget it. Quit attacking our own. Get on board with a true conservative and stand up against the kingmakers who believe all we should do is listen to them. Go Rick!
speaking of "fractured English with such poor grammar"
sunshinek67 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:08AM EDT (link)-nt-
neprush, here you go again
sunshinek67 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:15AM EDT (link)Until you provide your own resume and iq score, realize that you sound like a blubbering idiot quantifying another man’s intelligence level.
Iowa is now irrelevant..
jrfromdallas Thursday, December 29th at 11:22AM EDT (link)Santorum, Bachmann, Huntsman, didn’t even bother trying to get on the VA ballot for Super Tuesday. This should show the Iowa voters that these candidates are not serious about winning the nomination. The fact that 10% of the delegates awarded on ST are going to go to their competitition should make every Iowa voter vote for either Perry, Romney, Paul, Gingrich since they at least have the ground game to compete in other states. I hope Perry wins his lawsuit against VA because the fact that the only two people that made it onto the ballot shows you that they probably used the signatures they got when they both ran in 2008. I think this is ridiculous and I hope Perry could pull one out here. Everyone pointed to Perry as the guy they wanted to run and now NO ONE is endorsing him because of a couple of debate gaffes and that pisses me off. Support the guy because of his record and because you would trust him to do the right thing.
My God did all of the true Conservatives die when Reagan did?
ihateliberals Thursday, December 29th at 11:50AM EDT (link)Every candidate tht has run for the Presidency since Reagan left office has been at best a RINO and in most case’s like McCain, Dole, Bush and now all of the remaining potentials for the Republican nominee. There are no true conservatives left that are viable. Michele Bachman has officially had a dagger placed n her heart by the coward that jumped to a big loser, Ron Paul. The only worse choice for President would be Obama. It seems to me that the Liberals take over of the schools back in the 60′s is finally paying off for them. everyone of these youngsters coming out of college even if they claim to be conservative don’t really get it. They have never been taught about America and it’s greatness only that America is a bad place. They are taught the it is the governments place to take care of us and that they should receive healthcare and college tuition and wherever else they should need. They tend to learn whether intentional or not that to work for something and earn it is unfair since they need these things. Right now with the front runners of the GOP the winner of the next 2012 election isn’t going to make much difference. People say “Oh anyone is better thn Obama”. If they really believe that then they really don’t have a clue.
It's a continually sliding scale
Paul Fallavollita (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:09PM EDT (link)The parameters of the playing field keep being adjusted leftward. Most of today’s “conservatives” are really just the defenders of an older liberalism (say of the New Deal/Cold War era) against a newer, even crazier version of political correctness that emerged out of the culture wars in the 90s. That’s why you find a lot of “conservative” politicians favorably quoting Martin Luther King Jr. and such today, whereas a few decades ago only the liberals would have done so. The last conservative senator that was a critic of MLK was Jesse Helms from North Carolina in the 1980s. Of course, MLK’s FBI file is sealed until the year 2070 since it’s filled with information about his connections to the KGB (who funded him to promote division in the U.S.).
I am a social conservative and if this "surge"
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:26PM EDT (link)is accurate. I am very disappointed in the Iowa voters. Conservatism is a three-legged stool for me, consisting of social conservatism, fiscal conservatism, and limited government.
I critique those who are missing the social conservatism portion as not being a true conservative. If I am an honest and thoughtful person then should not I also critique those who are missing the fiscal conservative portion as well? The answer is a resounding yes. Santorum, while strong on social issues, is woefully weak on fiscal issues and did not take steps to shrink the government while he was in office. This is why he is a non-starter for me in the primaries. Added to that, he cannot win the nomination.
Wake up Iowans! Vote for someone who has all three legs of the conservative stool!