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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Early Entrance Polls

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  January 3rd, 2012 at 08:18 PM  | 

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Image descriptionThe early entrance polls are trickling out. CNN says Paul, Romney, and Santorum are in the top tier.

The Washington Post’s Fix tweets that the 2012 evangelical crowd is about the same as 2008.

Anecdotally from several caucuses, and anecdotally only, I’m hearing the Occupiers showed up for Ron Paul. We’ll see.

The next round of entrance polls comes soon.

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COMMENTS

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  • the_invisible_hand

    The only two with a chance to beat him in Iowa don’t have a chance at consolidating the base so Romney wins the nomination with, at best, a 1/3 of the party actually supporting him.

  • nuclear139

    The governor of Texas has a large organization in Iowa and it will be interesting to see if he can bring out social conservatives to help place him third.

  • nuclear139

    2/3 of the party is not going to sit on their hands as the 1/3 walk a way with the nomination. Those who love their country and this party of the people will not allow Romney to ride off with the nomination without a fight. South Carolina and Florida is where we need to make our stand. Oh P.J O’ Rourke is wrong we can and have been able to fix government just look at Reagan presidency.

  • treeofliberty

    But I think even a top 4 finish would be good…simply because again, that would mean that 2/3 above him have no shot at the nom so he would be the de facto anti-Romney candidate.

    Basically Perry has to do better than the polls suggest and show there is some real energy and fire left in his campaign. His last stump speeches have been great…this is what we needed back in the fall but as has been said, no use looking back now

  • gracie

    It also negates any changing of hearts and minds inside.

    Mark Levin just predicted:
    Santorum
    Paul
    Romney

    Personally cannot stand to watch ANYONE on TV!

    Erick if you are reading this tell CNN to become the Fair and Balanced Station. Obviously with all of us turned off Fox there is a real opening here.

    With you and Matalin and Wolf doing the most fair debates of all (except Huckabee) they would have a great chance. Put Mark Steyn opposite Hannity and you are off to the races!

  • clowngirl

    At least with regard to Ron Paul.

    So far 1% of the vote is in and 43% is going to Ron Paul. Sounds like OWS to me.

  • clowngirl

    And are looking more normal already.

  • nuclear139

    Your right fourth can be good but only if it’s an almost tie for third. As you say he needs to show if there is some fire left in his campaign and having a strong showing will prove that he is the comeback that conservatives have been waiting for. For now only time can tell for the governor.

  • nepanyrush

    http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/01/iowa-caucus-results-as-they-come-in/250822/

    This has a map with all the results as they come in.

  • elayman

    There is no attachment to or natural constituency for Mitt in Iowa like New Hampshire and whatever he comes away with will be largely by default for the business class, establishment types. A couple of weeks here and there gets a change of scenery and might well have done wonders for his early chances.

  • nuclear139

    If the former Utah governor ran in the Hawkeye state Romney and Paul would have been treading water in 5th or 6th place because he could have cut in to their base of support. Huntsman can attract the independents and the business establishment vote that Romney and Paul is getting thereby undercutting them in the state. Huntsman is the reason why we are where are at now

  • http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

    We need a little thread for ourselves just to encourage, uplift, and inform! I just got online after cleaning up supper and I’m trying to gather up the latest info out of Iowa.

  • pttx333

    really new yet. Have CNN turned up loud in the den but can see only a part of the screen. LOL

  • mccoypauley

    He’s in 5th place.

  • Tbone

    non-party nutjobs?

    Are Republicans in Iowa so stupid that they can’t figure something out better than 1700 circle jerks?

  • supergirl2911

    Rally, I am looking at pretty obnoxious results. Paul, 24%? Not normal in any other place in the world.

  • supergirl2911

    nt

  • nepanyrush

    This site shows the results as they come in:

    http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/01/iowa-caucus-results-as-they-come-in/250822/

  • supergirl2911

    here I am, a Perry Supporter. In case anyone is listening, please call me to help out in SC. I am near SC and will call or travel on weekends to help.

  • supergirl2911

    at 13% of the results in, I would say that is more like 3,821.

  • Addison

    nt

  • http://www.changeforrickperry.org louisianapatriette

    There’s this website that shows a map of Iowa with each county, and you can see who’s winning each county. I’m seeing several with Perry in 3rd and 4th.

  • JSobieski

    having Romney win.

    A third place finish will hurt Romney, and a blow against his inevitability.

    Iowa is perplexing as it always is;

  • the_invisible_hand

    I think he would be handed fifth.

  • WA_Cowboy

    is that if these early results hold…

    Iowa GOP are idiots.

    Non-romney = ron paul and rick santorum? Why not vote for my dog. Actually think my dog (a 5 year old lab, mind you) has a better chance of beating bo in november.

    (sorry to my friends from Iowa)

  • pttx333

    sounds like those idiot Paulies are doing it again! They don’t have the foggiest as to what “fairness” or “ethical” or any other similar word means! As long as they can … uh … cheat in any way possible, they’re gonna do it! A pox on their houses! Just like they do the polls where possible. Iowa really should change their caucus rules – sounds like “anything goes” to me. HAHAHA and all that rot!

    Bah!

  • carolina

    Romney will be hurt more by coming in 3rd than the impact on any of the others coming in 4th or 5th, imo.
    I think Newt & Perry will still be well in the hunt.

  • JSobieski

    I confess that if I lived in NH, I would vote Huntsman just to throw another obstacle in front of the Romney machine.

    Newt and Perry should have a talk. Newt should agree to be Perry’s VP or agree to otherwise sign on to team Perry so that Romney can be stopped.

    It would be an act of self sacrifice that would impress people.

  • trevorb

    but coming in 5th place is not a good sign for him. I started earlier that he needs to place 4th or better to get any of his momentum back.

  • jrfromdallas

    As a Perry supporter I am pulling for Ron Paul to win tonight to show the rest of the country what a JOKE Iowa is. The people of Iowa and their lack of actual delegates should be stripped of the 1st in the country status and the monies that come along with that designation. I am looking for Perry supporters to get up for him in South Carolina and give him a strong showing there. I am at the point where I wish that Perry would have pulled a Huntsman and once it was known that RON PAUL (Are you freaking kidding me?) had a chance to win this that he took his money and saved it for SC. Santorum’s big thing is that he got/bought Vander Plaats’s endorsement. I am just disgusted with Iowa. Perry won the Hot Air Poll today with 27% of the vote so let’s build on that Perry supporters…

  • JSobieski

    Newt and Perry need to make a deal,

    Newt needs to take Romney out in the debates, and sacrifice himself for the good of the country….and then endorse Perry.

    I find it hard to believe that the author of Romneycare looks this strong in an R Presidential Primary season.

  • trevorb

    appreciate it if you gave me the link.

  • JSobieski

    Talk about how we are in the process of losing the country. He needs to convey a sense of urgency.

  • jrfromdallas

    The fact that Republicans would give Romney a pass on Romneycare is a joke. I am not buying into Santorum as a candidate too. Once the press starts digging up stuff on him he will flame out like Cain did.

  • rharrison

    as much as voters switching of candidates. How can Rick Santorum be at 5% for the year and then in the last two weeks people in mass decide he’s the guy? Same with Newt except he had the misfortune of catching fire to soon.

  • Common_Cents

    sheesh

  • acat

    Idiots
    Out
    Wandering
    Around

    …

  • tomatin

    I think much of his vote was Dumbocrat anyway.

    Looks like Perry is headed for disaster.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Just reminding everyone not to listen to my predictions in the future. Not that you were in the past ;)

  • jakeofalltrades

    Definitely Children of the Corn. It fits so well, I have to think King was writing of Iowa.

  • WA_Cowboy

    if the debates are so important, why are Iowans choosing a guy who always had on his angry face for every one?

  • the_invisible_hand

    I can’t believe he got outperformed by Newt who was getting creamed by Romney and Santorum who was in the basement until two weeks ago.

  • tomatin

    All I care about at this point is that Romney doesn’t win or it’s over for everyone else.

  • trelane

    If Perry gets 5th place with 10% he may decide to drop out along with Bachmann, leaving only two Anti-Romneys to split the vote. We have a chance to stop Mitt in SC by rallying around either Newt or RickS!

  • carolynr

    It doesn’t seem to matter about state’s rights…he’s their next door neighbor. I’m just too upset.

  • carolynr

    nt

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    A vote for Santorum is a vote for Romney.

    Santorum will get blown out in NH and doesn’t have either the money or the organization to compete in SC. He’ll get his lunch eaten and all he’s doing – with the help of a bunch of ignorant, hick, evangelicals – is splitting off the “not-Romney” vote.

    We’ve been discussing this meme today at length. Start paying attention.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Huntsman will drop after NH. That gives Newt and Santorum the chance to beat up Romney in South Carolina and Florida.

    If Perry hangs around for South Carolina he’ll just take a good 5-8% from someone with an actual chance to win.

  • Common_Cents

    not to be totally wiped out after the worst modern day attacks in a primary.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Because if anyone thinks Rick Perry’s going to rise from the ashes they are the ones really not paying any attention and Newt has as little organization as anyone else.

  • SoFiMil

    Perry does have that going for him..

  • nepanyrush

    He invested a lot in Iowa and got almost no traction. 5th percent with 9 or 10 percent? He also knows that he is only polling at about 2% in New Hampshire. His body language, everything, indicated that he may think it is hopeless and that he will be an afterthought after this. He also is not polling well nationally. I suspect that he will get out in the next day or so.

    Gingrich will probably stay in, just because he is angry now and was running without using much money anyway. But I think his being angry is just turning people off — not to mention the large number of Republicans that came out and criticized him.

  • Flagstaff

    By OWS? I don’t know.

    Allowing outsiders to vote in a party election invites mischief. Are the outsiders voting to nominate the best man, or to give hope to the worst man?

  • jakeofalltrades

    And he always wins from behind. Santorum does not compare.

    Santorum is even whinier than Obama and (lol – this hypo is riduclous) would lose to him in the general for that reason alone.

  • Paul_Zummo

    Perry’s my guy, and I’m disappointed with tonight. However, I’d be almost as ecstatic if Santorum makes a run at the nomination. It is a long shot, and I think Perry would have a more realistic chance, but let’s not make this a totally binary choice between Perry and Romney.

  • jakeofalltrades

    If he had won Iowa, it would be the kiss of death. You don’t win Iowa and become President.

  • the_invisible_hand

    He withstood a huge assault by Romney with little means to attack back. Of course he’s going to get the same attacks in SC with no way to fight back so it is good for Newt, but also shows the negative ads are going to get even worse.

  • tomatin

    Yeah you all were talking about how Perry will finish top three as well.

    Please your predictions are worthless.

  • the_invisible_hand

    One where he was spending loads of money. Perry is done, bro.

  • tomatin

    Keep up the delusions though.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Santorum’s support will be Perry’s support. Perry will be the front runner after Florida.

  • JSobieski

    your comment just added another point to the list.

    Never lost.
    Always win from behind.

    I am going to proceed to drink heavily now.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Oh wait you meant he is staying in the race and thinking he has a chance. lolno.

    All Perry can do now is keep 5-8% of SC Republicans from casting a meaningful vote against Romney.

  • jrfromdallas

    How can anyone take a state seriously that has had 6 different front runners? And have Ron Paul possibly win? Perry will put all of his eggs in the SC basket and if doesn’t do well there then maybe he will consider getting out, but NO way does he get out because of these flakes. He wouldn’t give them that satisfaction especially when you have people (democrats)signing up on the spot and probably voting for Santorum or Paul to boost Obama’s re-election possibilities. Bachmann on the other hand should drop out and endorse Perry/Santorum while she still has her dignity.

  • jakeofalltrades

    lol

  • the_invisible_hand

    How did Obamacare’s grandpa become the Republican nominee? This is mind boggling.

    Perry really was our best chance to get a viable anti-Romney and he couldn’t put three coherent sentences together long enough to avoid becoming a walking punchline.

    I just have to start attacking Obama overtime because I sure can’t say anything positive about our guy.

  • tomatin

    Just saying he’s polling 2% in NH and losing in SC and FL as well.

  • the_invisible_hand

    If Perry can’t beat Santorum with evangelicals in Iowa why will he win them against Newt/Santorum in South Carolina?

    The Huckabee campaign came in at second in South Carolina after Iowa.

    Perry outspent both Newt and Santorum in Iowa and is getting trounced by them and is getting beat pretty bad.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Answer: 4th place (with 13%).

    I guess he should have dropped out to, since he had no chance of winning the primary.

    Perry finishes 4th by my count.

    (Remember – no real conservative counts Ron Paul)

  • jrfromdallas

    I think after tonight that any candidate worth their weight in salt will choose to NOT campaign in Iowa. So if Santorum finishes fourth or fifth in NH are people going to say he should drop out? Iowa has 8 delegates. Big deal. If Perry doesn’t do something in SC then he may not have a choice but I sure as hell wouldn’t drop out because of Iowa.

  • reggie182

    But that’s likely the case also with Bachmann.

    Santorum obviously won’t drop out now.

    Newt is the only candidate who has a legitimate shot at beating Mitt if Bachmann, Perry, and Huntsman drop out.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Answer: Won.

    Do you predict a Perry win in NH or are you saying he’s going into South Carolina with no momentum or even any hint of an electoral coalition?

  • jakeofalltrades

    No wonder you like Santorum so much – you’re hoping to become his Czar of Whining, aren’t you?

  • tomatin

    And a ABRandP supporter.

    Just because your candidate is going to finish 5th don’t be mad at me.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    ..

  • gekster

    Didn’t McCain come in 4th in 2008, and Huckabee 1st.
    How did that work out.
    All you’re displaying right now is nearsitedness, or an unbiased dislike of Perry.

  • lightspeed

    if he can only pull out 5th place, he should go. The money is going to start drying up and he will be pummeled in NH. SC would be a Hail Mary for him. Better to pack it in and endorse a not-Romney. I think Newt would be the logical choice.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Another wrong prediction and I’ll have a track record.

    My brain tells me Perry is the best anti-Romney. That’s where my money is going.

    I will not be giving money to Romney.

  • jrfromdallas

    Do you think he has enough time to get a team together to compete with Perry/Romney in SC? I think he is going to fizz out after Iowa. SC has triple the amount of delegates than Iowa so it is way more important than Iowa.

  • forperry

    Go Team Perry !
    On to New Hamphire !
    And straight into the White House !

  • Common_Cents

    amongst the anti romney crowd. The key is now to get Perry support, bachmann support, and then santorum support.

  • jakeofalltrades

    You have a specific lack of insight it seems. I’ll be watching for the other signs of sociopathy.

  • Tavern Keeper

    Bottom line, I cannot vote for Ron Paul in a general, and wouldn’t be that enthusiastic about Huckabee, er, Santorum either.

    I think win or lose, Romney is the winner here. Ho hum for conservatives.

    PREDICTIONS

    - Whisper campaign will begin about how this proves Republicans in middle America really are bigots and “radical”. Reagan made conservativism seem main stream. Paul is helping to try and relegate it to the wilderness again.

    - Gingrich will stay in and throw everything he has against Romney.

    - Santorum will not show in New Hampshire, and finish 4th in South Carolina.

    - Bachmann drops out and endorses Santorum.

    - Romney, Perry, and Gingrich may finish as close as Iowa is tonight. The third place guy drops out (endorsing the not Romney candidate, assuming Romney is not third) and Florida basically decides the nomination.

    I am supporting Governor Perry.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Heading straight for South Carolina

  • Hooah_Mac

    1. Iowa is the best shot that both Bachmann and Santorum had – Santorum took advantage of it, but other than that, he has nowhere else to go.

    2. Perry was completely written off and pulled back up to double digits in Iowa, no small feat – especially considering the late break for Santorum due to evangelical endorsements and lack of vetting.

    3. Perry has the money to stay competitive to Super Tuesday, no reason he should get out, since at this point – Santorum and Gingrich do not have the resources (Santorum will get some love but Gingrich will most likely not)

    So, I would have liked to see better, but 3 of the 4 candidates who are ahead of him at this stage of the returns have either little prospects going forward or are bat-crap crazy.

    That and Perry is the best choice in the running for the next POTUS, a proven conservative with strong executive experience, whether he can win the nomination or not – so I’m still pulling for him.

  • elayman

    Jon isn’t expecting to win but could easily come in 2nd or 3rd, ahead of Newt and hopefully in front of Paul. We are in trouble if Gingrich is the only candidate that has a legitimate chance of beating Romney because I doubt very much he will be able to beat Obama.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    I am cranky thereof. So everybody please stop calling each other delusional, sociopathic, or anything else, thanks.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Sorry for the double comment but it was relevant to two threads, and I can’t link a comment AFAIK.

  • izoneguy

    as he did in 2008…..

    Perry will perform better than McCain did in 2008.

    Ron Paul won’t do much after Iowa and NH.

    The other Rick does not have the money or team to go
    through Super Tuesday.

    The wild card will be Gringrich. When Perry starts winning,
    Newt will back Perry.

  • jakeofalltrades

    I’m po’d and taking out on the wrong people. I apologize to tomatin.

  • lineholder

    he’s going nuclear on Romney. He’s got a full page ad out in the Manchester Union Leader newspaper (NH) starting tomorrow.

    If there’s going to be a kamikaze mission, Newt could definitely get it done. But if he goes full throttle for it, before we see how the trends are in moving in SC after NH….

  • jrfromdallas

    And he thinks that Perry will do well in SC because SC has a lot of military active/retired and about 10% unemployment compared to 5/6% for Iowa/NH. Iowa has a bad record of picking the nominee while SC has picked the nominee every time for the last 30 years. I am hoping that Perry has a strong showing (top 2) in SC and comes out as the anti Romney candidate. Santorum has spent the last 4 years in Iowa so I am happy that it paid off for him but he’s got nothing after Iowa.

  • greyeagle

    is sinking like a rock. Better that Newt pack it in and tell his supporters to shift to Perry.

  • duramater

    has taken Taylor and Union counties. Still showing several 3rd & 4th places so far on map where reporting incomplete. If R. Paul is discounted as being unelectable and Santorum as temporarily over-hyped (2012 version of Huckabee), I can see Perry snuggling into a comforable 3rd or 4th over all in Iowa.

    Go, Rick, go!

  • tomatin

    Ron Paul’s support was overstated.

  • trevorb

    Perry’s in fifth place, in spite of spending 5 million dollars campaigning. I find it highly unlikely that he’s going to win the nomination. He’ll be able to stick around for a while, but I have a hard time seeing him win.

    Paul’s numbers are high because he has a group of small but very devoted followers. They’d turn out in the booths to vote for him even in the middle of a blizzard.

    Gingrich is extremely stubborn and will continue as long as he can, probably even after he’s run out of steam.

    Sadly, I think Romney is going to end up our nominee; the thought makes me cringe.

    Bachmann is completely done. she’s out of money, has no organization and is for all intents and purposes in last place.

    Santorum had the luck to surge as the anti-romney candidate just as the primaries were about to begin. we’ll see if he can hold it.

  • greyeagle

    for a change for Perry. I read that there were about 1100 veterans who were volunteers working for Perry. Iowa should change their laws so that they would have a better chance of input from all their voters. The small turn out there does not justify all the time and money spent there.

  • reggie182

    He was outspent by Perry by an enormous margin in Iowa and still did better. He leads Perry nationally. Seems like Perry should dropout and support Newt in order to help stop Mitt.

  • greyeagle

    Surely you read the poster in front of you.

  • tomatin

    That’s beneath you.

  • lineholder

    Nobody has really challenged Mitt to any great extent. Newt may go full throttle for it, win or lose, and his numbers could increase.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    The population centers are basically southern NH along the MA border and they work in the People’s Republic and would be solid for Mitt. I seriously doubt if Newt would resonate and Perry should just skip NH all together.

  • acat

    It’s been quite obvious to anyone watching Luap Nor’s career.

    Remember, his supporters have to remember to put the pipe down, change their registration to R, and get to the caucuses.

    That’s *hard*, man! It totally harshes the buzz!

    Mew

  • tomatin

    He’s very popular there.

  • JSobieski

    (1) Someone needs to take out Romney
    (2) That person is likely to get a bump in the polls

    If Newt is going to go down, he would rather take Romney down with him.

  • trevorb

    did you see this?

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

    te be anti-Romney. Perry US already running ads in S.C.

  • JSobieski

    Perry needs to generate some positive news.

  • Tbone

    He is the one looking sick. Perry will pick up 95% of Santorum’s support and 90% of Bachmanns.

    Do the math.

  • David123

    A win by Santorum should certainly make Bachman and Gingrich think seriously about dropping out soon, which will concentrate the conservative votes in future primaries.

    Perry need not drop out soon, since he’s got more resources.

    With both Santorum and Perry the only solid conservatives in the race, it is possible that BOTH could finish ahead of Romney in a state like South Carolina. A Rick Santorum victory over Romney in Iowa coupled with a Romney 3rd place finish in SC behind both Ricks would end the Romney inevitability argument.

    I would happily take either Rick as president.

    Based on their past victories, both Rick Santorum and Rick Perry should be very electable against Obama, since Rick Santorum has won two statewide races in the key swing-state of Pennsylvania, and Rick Perry has won over five state-wide elections.

    While I find Rick Santorum an excellent candidate in his own right, I particularly like him as an insurance candidate in case Rick Perry does ultimately drop out.

  • jakeofalltrades

    And it’s pretty funny. Good job.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    come November probably 60% will be voting for Obama and the others will be stoned.

  • trevorb

    and I hope that Perry does well, but the last I saw, he was in 5th place. Ron Paul’s not worth considering, but that being said, it doesn’t look good for him.

    Here’s hoping he does better in South Carolina.

  • lineholder

    not after hearing his interview with ABC today. In fact, I think he regrets not taking it on sooner.

    I don’t know how voters will respond to it, but it does sound like he’s going for it.

  • macbookben

    …will need to get behind Perry if there is to be any hope for a conservative anti-Romney candidate to succeed in SC and beyond. But let us wait for the ballots to be counted before writing the post mortem on Iowa.

  • macphisto96

    And SC has a lot of undecideds, just like most of the states right now.

    Perry finishing in 5th doesn’t help him, especially since he’ll get thrashed in NH. Romney is going to get #1 or within a couple hundred votes of it tonight. He’s likely to win by double digits in NH. Newt has been sinking. Bachmann is officially done.

    Chances are good that Santorum, Gingrich, and Perry will divide the vote giving Romney a first or strong second place finish and that will lead to a surge in Florida.

    Santorum doesn’t have the pedigree to challenge Romney, or the money. Perry has floundered. Gingrich will stay in for his ego. Huntsman is betting it all on NH.

    Thing to realize is that Santorum has spent more time in SC than the other candidates. Romney will show up after NH and look for a surge as people decide to back the likely winner.

    The Not-Romneys will not consolidate because they are all wanting the nomination and the attention. Santorum has no reason to bail. Perry has the money to stay through the month. Newt wants to attention and wants to complain about how poorly he’s been treated – that it’s unfair to use his record against him. Bachmann has said she’ll stay in, but reality is she’s a minor player and her endorsement for anyone won’t mean much. And Paul will always draw his constituency.

    If Perry or Gingrich has surged in Iowa then there’d be a chance. Santorum doesn’t have the organization for the long haul. He’s also likely going to help make Romney’s win in NH even larger and may help give Romney an outright victory in SC.

    Gingrich and Perry’s support will slowly collapse and the money will dry up.

  • tomatin

    And Santorum got his support.

  • becky5

    Paul’s support came out right where the recent polls predicted. It was Santorum’s support that was understated, that’s where the error in expectations occurred.

    The hysteria over Paul in recent weeks was an over-reaction IMHO.

  • sunshinek67

    I wouldn’t call that tanking. Perry & Gingrich have been in the hot seat. Santorum HAS NOT. It’s coming. Bachmann drops and her supporters scatter. The big winner of this IA caucus is the ABR vote; holding steady around 75%.

    Ron Paul drops Republican bid and runs 3rd party. So really, Perry is in 4th, just like McCain. It is a battle between Perry & Gingrich for the conservative vote. Both have name recognition and organization. Santorum, one hit wonder, won’t do well in SC.

  • JSobieski

    Santorum is not a limited government, defender of capitalism, fiscal conservative.

    It is not a good thing that for the second cycle in a row, Iowa conservatives conflate social conservatism with conservatism more broadly.

    Santorum is Huckabee without the political skills.

    Tonight is very disheartening.

  • Tbone

    Failed at being Speaker and has a poor leadership temperament. He would make a good Veep.

  • izoneguy

    were stoned tonight and probably have been stoned a good portion of their adult lives.

  • sunshinek67

    is a fractured conservative vote.

  • lineholder

    It’s a good ad, too. I don’t know that it will make much difference where NH is concerned. Newt probably doesn’t know that either. But he’s taking a shot at it all the same.

  • http://californiateapartypolitics.blogspot.com/ smokedaddy

    Paul in 3rd. Santorum & Romney TWENTY votes apart after 90% counted. Amazing. Watching Perry on FOX, he looked spent. Only a matter of time before dropping out now, along with Bachman. Gingrich still has some $ and the motivation to take down Romney kamikaze style in NH and SC. Couldn?t work out better for conservatives who can now unify behind the other Rick. Only question is whether this all occurs before SC primary. Lets see how long it takes for my fellow Perry supporter Erick to digest all this.

  • sunshinek67

    Perry has 11,600 votes, 3,061 behind Gingrich. This is the way it goes down. I’m cool with it.

  • lineholder

    did Newt get the endorsement of the Manchester Leader Union newspaper back in June.

  • sunshinek67

    Perry may be out of SC debate??

    sorry for the multiple posts, how come no live feed?

  • lineholder

    Long day

  • the_invisible_hand

    I have no idea why, but their guy lost. It is time to get behind Newt if we want to stop Romney.

  • the_invisible_hand

    I have no idea why, but their guy lost. It is time to get behind Newt if we want to stop Romney.

  • Tbone

    It is little wonder that they went to Santorum. OTH, they are not so completely fence post stupid as to support Romney.

  • clowngirl

    Newt’s daughter Jackie was saying that if you divided up the amount of money spent on attack ads at her dad on a per vote basis. It would cost $5 billion to replicate it for the whole country in a general election.

    Romney has been living in a protective bubble with aggressively favorable press and far more money than Newt ( who was his chief opponent)

    Santorum got incredibly lucky – and it’s ridiculous for him to be saying this is now a 2 man race. But on the plus side, that should mean he’s attacking Romney and not Newt.

    3rd place would’ve been beautiful but Whew!

    Had Newt come in 5th he might’ve been excluded from the debate right before the South Carolina primary. Would have made things very tough.

    And to have beaten Rick Perry – a great retail campaigner who spent heavily in Iowa after the pummeling Newt took is really pretty remarkable.

  • tomatin

    So yes 5th is tanking and being over 3000+ votes behind does not make him 4th.

    People really need to lose the Perry delusion on RS because all it does is help assure Romney is elected.

    I hope he drops out to save himself and you all the embarrassment.

  • lineholder

    do the SC debates have any particular % cut off point required for entry?

  • sunshinek67

    So, 4th is duable, McCain placed 4th last time. The conservative vote is fractured as predicted, Santorum has not been vetted. It is between Perry & Gingrich from here on out.

  • lineholder

    ARRRGGGHH!

  • tomatin

    Enough said.

  • trelane

    So far, the Pro Perry Predictions have a near 100% rate of failing to come to pass. I hope after this, Perry folks will stop thinking with their hearts and make a more rational choice.

  • JSobieski

    a NH debate based on NH poll numbers. I could see a media outlet excluding Perry based on his NH poll numbers.

    I wouldn’t have that concern for SC.

  • flagg

    I’ve been reading here a while, and as a Newt-first, Perry-second guy, I was kinda hopeful that the Perry supporters would prove correct, that the MSM was suppressing news of his momentum, that his crowds were huge, etc. But the pollsters were right and Perry really has been toast and I see no way to change the narrative.

    A lot of the Perry supporters here brushed off “Oops” like it was a non-event. He could try to mitigate that with the Letterman appearance, but brushing off fifth place is madness.

  • the_invisible_hand

    I love that Perry fans are acting like this is a win. They are in the Bachman dregs. Jeez…get over it.

    We need to be realistic. If you are really Anti-Romney it is time to be cold and calculating and abandon ship. We need you on the frontlines.

  • macphisto96

    is going to hurt him. Expect to see the ad he records for his “conservative” friend Arlen Specter over and over.

    Also expect to hear about him voting for the Bridge to Nowhere and deficit budgets.

    Santorum will briefly surge and then sink. Meanwhile, with the beating Romney has taken here, from Rush, from Levin, and from all the “conservatives” who will have continued great web traffic and listener traffic with an Obama second term, Romney is at 25%.

    The “conservative” blogosphere has been hammering him. The “conservative” talk show hosts have been hammering him. They know he can kill their golden goose, Obama, and they have been denigrating him because of it. They didn’t back in 2008 when he was the true conservative alternative. Now, suddenly, he’s not.

    In a race where only one guy has been able to maintain consistent support, why aren’t the other candidates getting hammered for being inept? For bungling? For not following clear guidelines to get on ballots.

  • clowngirl

    Would you be saying Newt should get out if the situation were reversed?

    I probably wouldn’t – at least not tonight.

  • jakeofalltrades

    .

  • JSobieski

    We were collectively focusing on every story about large and enthusiastic crowds, complaining about Fox News. complaining about Rush/Hannity, etc.

    The similarities are actually quite striking. I am less emotionally invested this time around, but it was almost like we were following a script.

    You could literally copy and paste the comments this time around, and just replace Fred with Rick.

  • the_invisible_hand

    He can only shoot himself in the foot. If he insists on staying in as a dead-ender he certainly won’t help his cause by debating anyone.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Perry is the only one with upward momentum besides Rick Santorum (Iowa only).

  • J. Leg

    If Perry and Bachmann drop out and Newt can consolidate most of their support, an eventually when Santorum is shown to not have legs, and his support dries up, We can get his support behind Newt too.

    We can win this, we just have to be smart.

  • JSobieski

    Whether that elevates Newt or not can’t be foreseen.

    Newt is going to gun for Romney, and it will be his political redemption.

    Newt is the one guy in this campaign with nothing to lose. The one guy you know won’t end up endorsing Romney after bowing out.

    Newt is going to make the next couple of weeks interesting.

  • jakeofalltrades

    sarcasm – they started the Civil War.

  • the_invisible_hand

    What are you talking about? Rick Perry spent millions and could not get above 5th in Iowa. He will barely register in New Hampshire.

    It is time to not pick your first choice. It is time to pick the anti-Romney choice. Newt or Santorum are the guys.

    Let’s be clear. Where will Perry get momentum? From the debates? Are you kidding me? From the results of New Hampshire? Please….

    So where is Perry’s momentum? What part of this campaign at ANY point suggests Perry is going to be successful. Name something.

  • sunshinek67

    Gingrich 15,553 vs Perry 12,074 votes with 95% reporting. McCain came in 4th last time with 15,500.

    The conservative vote is fractured with a current flavor of the month that until recently was polling above an * why shouldn’t Perry supporters, and Gingrich’s too for that matter celebrate? Once Bachmann drops out, Santorum is vetted it becomes a race between Perry & Gingrich to be the standard conservative bearer against first Mitt Romney, who is holding his 25% platter right now (did he does better or worse this go around).

    The real winner tonite is the Anybody-But-Romney frontrunner.

  • kamiller42

    He hasn’t had his turn. Will be interesting to see if he survives. The next debate will be very interesting.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Of course I thought Fred was more impressive from an intellectual standpoint, but the man never woke up. He was running with a Coolidge mentality in a redbull world.

    Rick Perry didn’t light my fire because he just made far too many gaffes and I think he’s turned into a punchline sadly.

  • flagg

    McCain abandoned Iowa to concentrate in NH.

    If Huntsman had finished fourth tonight, this analogy would make more sense.

    Perry can’t change the narrative. He’s about to be completely ignored in the national media, and anyone who thinks that the SC voters are savvy enough to ignore the Santorum media thunderstorn that’s about to hit are being naieve.

  • jakeofalltrades

    And I hope you feel better in the morning Moe. I hate being sick.

  • Paul_Zummo

    Rick Santorum is a traditional conservative, as fiscally conservative as he is socially. Huckabee was the statist conservative. It is an inapt comparison save for the fact that they both won Iowa (or a very close 2nd in Santorum’s case depending on how this shakes out).

  • Tbone

    Santorum has none and Newt is rapidly running out.

  • lineholder

    this evening. There are a lot of positive things that Newt has to offer, but his baggage keeps getting in the way. It’s a shame, really, because he does have what it takes to stand up for this nation against Obama. This isn’t meant to imply that other candidates don’t possess that quality.

    Anyway, after the negative attack ads that have been aimed at Newt recently, he’s made the decision to challenge Romney…and I mean seriously challenge the man based on his record.

    There’s no way of knowing for certain how voters will respond to this. They could respond negatively to it. After all, Newt did say that he would stick a positive campaign, and now he’s going to break his word?

    But he’s going for it all the same, win or lose.

  • keepithonest

    for Gov. Perry. This is the first time he has ever lost a race for political office. Now he needs to buckle down, dig in and show his real metal. God does that sometimes. I am glad it came early with just a few delegates at stake. Bacause of the close, almost threeway tie, nobody will leave with any significant delagate numbers.

    Message to Gov. Perry PLEASE DO NOT DROP OUT. You are made of sterner stuff than that. Now show us all what you are really made of. Show us the man that I see. I see a man that has an inner strength that comes through every time I see you. I think the MSM likens it to swagger. They are not used to seeing a man with such strength of conviction that it shines all they way through. Swagger on Gov. Perry and find a way to make a showing at the next debates. My prayers will be with you.

    Gov Perry, unlike another candidate you did nor resort to tearfull displays to appeal for sympathy when you were suffering from back surgery and were in such pain during the debates. It appears to me that it was the only way he managed to get ahead of you with a few extra points.

    Swagger on and God Speed.

  • kamiller42

    It’s on the map at Fox News and probably Google too.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/iowa-caucus-jan-3

  • the_invisible_hand

    You ARE in denial. Perry placed 5th while pouring millions in Iowa.

    McCain placed 4th while concentrating entirely on NH (where he won).

    There is NO good comparison b/w McCain in 2008 vis-a-vis Iowa and Perry. Get over it.

  • carolina

    any way he can. They showed an ad that Newt already has ready to place in the NH newspapers.
    They keep talking about how angry Newt is about the Romney “lies”.
    I’ll be cheering Newt on!

  • snowshooze

    I am glad ANYONE can challenge Romney and call a legitimate challenge.
    Not counting Paul, sorry.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. You are losing. You poured money into Iowa while making gaffe after gaffe and debating as poorly as any retail politician in the modern era.

    Go back to Texas which you clearly love and get back to doing your job.

    We need to get serious before Romney wins.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Please don’t make me research you.

  • sunshinek67

    sorry yours isn’t :)

  • jakeofalltrades

    nt

  • aesthete

    It is not over, but let us not delude ourselves: this was a terrible defeat for conservatives, and we must work hard to recover. More importantly, the terrible campaigning on the part of our conservative potential nominees must be curbed in order to win. We must at this juncture work to spare the country of an ambitious man with no principles, while at the same time steeling ourselves for that self-same probability.

  • lineholder

    ,

  • jakeofalltrades

    Please tell me what I should do?

  • aesthete

    The goal of his campaign (IMO, anyways) was bookselling and voter education, both of which would be accomplished if he became an entertaining, accurate, and incessant critic of Romney’s.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Woo-Hoo!!!!! At least the candidate himself sees what his supporters cannot face.

  • treeofliberty

    2008 and 2012…it’s like Groundhog Day all over again!

    Perry as Thompson..the great Southern conservative hero we have been waiting for with a late entry to the race amid great fanfare only to completely flame out and appear completely unprepared for the task at hand.

    Memo to the next conservative hero- candidates: come early, come hard, come prepared, drink your coffee, your red bull… do what you gotta do or don’t come at all!

    Romney as McCain

    Santorum as Huckabee …though as stated before with far fewer political skills and IMO much less likability and charisma.

    And Ron Paul as well…Ron Paul (your crazy uncle)

  • the_invisible_hand

    Pardon me, but it is full of something and it isn’t facts.

    McCain did nothing in Iowa and placed fourth while being on his way to victory in NH.

    Of course Perry just basically dropped out so this is all moot. Your guy got creamed and he knows it.

    Let’s grow up and get realistic before Romney wins.

  • Tbone

    like Newt and Santorum.

  • tomatin

    Is he an idiot too.

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

    Rick Perry has more class in his pinky than you do in your whole body.

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

    and Obama has president. You know, Perry did not even say he was dropping out, but if he does, I will never support Newt, all I heard tonight is that Newt has baggage at the caucus sight. It will not be Newt, and Santorum will never beat Romney.

    I think we need a governor, so if Perry drops out it will be Huntsman or Romney I support, which makes me sick.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Perry’s taking his ball and going home.

    You either go for Romney or pick one of the guys we have.

    It isn’t perfect. It isn’t what I would like to see. But Newt and Santorum are all that stand in Romney’s way at this point.

  • Tbone

    He’ll be in the race longer than Santorum.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Neither of us has a prayer at being the Republican nominee in 2012.

    If you want Romney to share that trait with us you have to grow up and get serious. The reality is here. Newt or Santorum are all we have to avoid Romney.

  • Hooah_Mac

    I seriously believe there is is no one else running for President who had the experience and the vision to fix what is wrong. All the other candidates’ supporters can make the claim about how electable their guy/girl is, but not a single one of them would move us one step in the right direction – only a question of how much smaller steps they might take than President Obama in the wrong direction.

    I hope he stays in and battles back – not because I support him but because I’ve given too much for this country to see it continue down this ugly path to destruction – and frankly – irrelevance, and none of the others are even looking at solutions, just ways to win.

    That’s my two cents.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    …that I did when Pawlenty dropped out and endorsed Romney: which is to say, I’d choose the best remaining candidate and not be overly concerned whether or not my choice matched Pawlenty’s.

  • Tbone

    Santorum is a fool and Newt can’t beat Obama let alone Romney.

  • sunshinek67

    try it sometime :)

    btw, I still have a great Governor either way.

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

    and there is no reason for Perry to quit. Iowa is one state, but Perry can still fight on.

  • the_invisible_hand

    When he gets there he’s going to have to decide whether he wants to go do more debates that he clearly hates for more humiliation or if he wants to stay in his home state.

  • the_invisible_hand

    If you watch that eulogy, aka speech, he gave a few minutes ago he canceled all planned events for tomorrow.

    When candidates go home to reassess they are dropping out.

  • jakeofalltrades

    The rest of the field cannot defeat Obama.

    And I hate that.

  • tomatin

    Like Perry you need to reassess who you are going to support.

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

    and he did not say Im out, he said we will think on it and get back, and at least he is honest about it. I see no reason for him to quit the race.

  • jakeofalltrades

    I’m not a candidater like most of the electorate.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Mitt Romney is the liberal grandfather of Obamacare who makes John Kerry look ideologically steadfast.

    Be clear that you are backing Mitt Romney and all that comes with that.

  • uncmike

    Why would he stay in Iowa and he’s not going to waste time in NH.

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    And he needs to generate news on a national level. Any suggestions on how he should do that?

  • JSobieski

    Polling is an inexact science, but polls aren’t off by 20% in a 6 person race.

  • sunshinek67

    supporter last time too. Conservatism is a lost cause for the general next year. Wow. SnarknBoobs said it best on Twitter earlier tonite, “how’s that downticket looking”

  • Hooah_Mac

    Then when it occurs to you that nothing you have to say is relevant, shut the ****up.

    Have a nice day.

  • lineholder

    Newt has already announced that he is going to take on Romney, win or lose, regardless of how voters respond to it.

    Maybe Perry will stick around for a bit longer, just to see how things go.

  • the_invisible_hand

    It is a bit disappointing that Perry voters are now going to back Romney.

    Many of you Perry voters were all about a coalition of anti-Romney voters when it was YOUR candidate that would be the leader. Now you want to back out and pout. That is most disappointing and a little hypocritical.

  • Danielle Davis (ocleverone)

    Can you cite your source? You keep saying go home Governor, Perry’s out but you haven’t provided a cite for your sources.

    Look, Iowa is Iowa. It has a whopping 28 delegates it sends to the convention with a non binding caucus. There are 2286 delegates total with 1145 votes needed to win the nomination. Mitt is probably going to win New Hampshire, however, Mitt doesn’t play as well in places like South Carolina, Alabama, etc. There are lots of delegates up for grabs. It is early on.

    Again, Iowa has 28 delegates. Texas has 155 – why would he drop out before April in Texas?

    It is probably wishful thinking on your part to have Perry drop out but I, for one, am hoping he hangs in there and fights.

  • JSobieski

    he was very bad on spending.

    He absolutely has the same nanny-state instincts as Huckabee.

    The earmarks and statements about earmarks are hardly principled fiscal conservatism.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Reasons:

    Newt is a 90′s retread and is basically McDole with an ethics problem and a decade out of the game.

    Bachmann and Santorum – please.

    I’m not even gonna mention the others.

    Romney is plastic, but if the electorate cannot figure out that Perry is the best potential president we have, then the electorate has decided that it wants plastic, and plastic they will have.

  • the_invisible_hand

    Perry voters were all for Romney/Santorum/Bachmann/Cain supporters falling in line behind Perry as the anti-Romney guy. They were all for singing the anti-Romney tune when it might help them.

    NOW that Perry is done, they start saying Romney is the only guy they will support. What a major disappointment.

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

    We do not know if Perry is going to drop out, but we do know he is beloved by so many at red state, so why do you have to be so harsh about it, you want to tick people off.

    We will have Romney as the nominee, and I am not so sure I would be against that if Perry steps down. I will go to Huntsman, if he drops out then Romney is the last governor we have, and since Newt is no better on flip flops,

    Santorum will not beat Romney, but I am not against him doing so.

    This is what we fight for right, but you should be a lot nicer to people you know are upset. Stop being that way, It reflects apon you a lot.

  • treeofliberty

    Can’t believe I’m saying this but I guess I’d have to back Romney as well since I believe the following:

    Ron Paul is nuts

    Santorum is not a serious candidate and would get destroyed by Obama, even in his home state

    Newt …just too much baggage, can’t beat Obama, etc

    That leaves Romney as the only serious candidate with a shot at beating Obama, which is the number 1 priority for my family’s future and for this nation.

    Real shame what happened to Gov. Perry; a good man who unfortunately wasn’t ready and also was unexpectedly and viciously attacked from the get-go from angles the campaign probably didn’t expect (Gardasil) and probably should have expected but didn’t prepare adequately (in state tuition)

  • jakeofalltrades

    But Iowa has definitely depressed me. I feel robbed. If Americans cannot elect the single greatest executive in the nation to be their president, then there is no helping them, and our hopes must lie with the Congress – the most corrupt organization in the Western Hemisphere.

  • the_invisible_hand

    And name a politician that took a HUGE defeat, and reassessed that he should stay in a race.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    hit the nail on the head.

  • pttx333

    speaks his mind. If he was dropping out, he would say so. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Sounds more to me like there will be some staff/strategy changes of some sort. He will announce to everyone loud and clear when he knows what the next step is going to be. But I do not see him dropping out just because of tonight – no siree, I don’t.

  • jakeofalltrades

    He is the only other candidate who can defeat Obama. He’s the Republican Clinton – he will win two terms.

    Perry could do it to and be better at it, but if the American people prefer style to substance, then they will be the most stylish nation in the world.

  • JSobieski

    While the payroll tax fiasco was going on, that would have been a good opportunity.

    I think if he focused on specific ways in which the federal government was wasting money, he would do good things for him and the cause generally.

    Maybe grab Coburn’s pork list?

    Or talk medicare reform—be the serious, policy oriented pol willing to focus on the difficult issues.

    I don’t know. I am never satisfied with how these campaigns are run.

  • the_invisible_hand

    These prognosticators who thought Perry was going to rise now looked into their crystal ball and have seen that only Romney can win and they will support him.

    Never you mind that those same Perry supporters were all for the anti-Romney coalition when the vision was Perry at the lead. Now they will back Romney and all they supposedly opposed.

    If there is one candidate that is the complete opposite of Perry it is Romney.

  • JSobieski

    and others are just plain thick headed.

  • jakeofalltrades

    n/way

  • Danielle Davis (ocleverone)

    You can’t be serious. This is just the beginning Sparky, the fat lady hasn’t even warmed up yet let alone started singing.

  • tomatin

    All Perry supporters were Romneybots after all.

    Congratulations EE you have succeeded with your plan to get Romney elected. You bashed ever conservative in the race so we will get liberal Romney.

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

    and when the choice of the candidates that are governor or were governor then one must have to assess,

    I am not convinced who I will support if indeed Perry drops out, but I will not let bullies like you tell me who I have to decide to support.

    I may support Rick Santorum, but he has to prove to me that he can win against Obama, and I do not think he can. I am not a huge fan of Romney or Newt, but only one of them has baggage a mile high.

    We need Huntsman to gain steam, but until that happens I am think it is going to be Romney.

  • jakeofalltrades

    n/sequitur

  • tomatin

    They have as much conservative integrity as Romney.

  • jakeofalltrades

    If there is no clear winner – if everyone hangs on – then everyone will vote their heart on Super Tuesday, and Perry will have a path to the nomination (along with everyone who can hang on).

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    …and I’ve noticed something: you can’t insult people into supporting your candidate.

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

    which will be a huge gain for him. I just do not know what happens from here.

  • JSobieski

    Perry did.

    McCain finished 4th, Perry didn’t.

    McCain was always well liked in NH, Perry barely registers in NH.

    The analogy to McCain 2008 is shallow.

  • tomatin

    What happened to everyone on RS who supported Perry saying Romney could not win?

    I would rather go down with a fight than put a liberal against Obama.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    Sixth Congressional.

  • tomatin

    Yeah you ran for 6 years idiot and got a lower percentage in IA now than you did back then.

  • JSobieski

    Is this site filled with conspiracy theorists in ADDITION to the Ron Paul fans?

    There is a reason why this cycle is so frustrating, and that reason is grounded in the CANDIDATES. Each have a lot of good things about them, but they all have glaring weaknesses.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    You will stop trying to insult the other readers here. Do you understand me? You’ve been pushing the envelope all night, and now there’s no more envelope.

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

    Second, I will want a governor no matter who is running. Now my next choice is Huntsman, but if that does not pan out, then I may think that I would go for Romney.

    Not because I want Romney, oh no. I want a governor. I like Newt, and I am not sure about Santorum. I do not think wither can beat Obama, but if I had to have my choice out of the ones I know will stay in, then it is Huntsman, but what about Santorum.

    I really liked Santorum?s speech tonight, he did well. One thing I care about is beating Obama, and I am convinced that Newt cannot do that, and Newt is just as big of a flip flopper and liberal leaner as Romney ever was. Plain and simple, and what should a Perry supporter do if Perry does step out, I have to go to the one I think will be the best to beat Obama.

  • tomatin

    Who does he think he’s fooling?

    Oh that’s right all the Perry supporters are going to support him now.

  • tomatin

    Just saying after all.

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

    and if indeed he steps down that maybe they now feel Romney has the next best chance. I do not think Newt can beat Obama, and I am not sure about Santorum. So what about Huntsman, well I hope he can start to gain steam if Perry drops out.

  • jakeofalltrades

    Our job is to defeat Obama. Romney is the Republican Clinton and will destroy Obama and win re-election even if he gets caught (censored) the interns.

    Newt is McDole and will lose to Obama.

    Romney is pretending to be Reagan, and I will pretend to be inspired. I said days ago I was warming up to him for that very reason here on Redstate and at weaselzippers.

    If Perry drops out, it’s Romney. And if that happens, I will flip on my old policy and financially support his general election campaign up to the legal limit. Anyone But Obama.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    …for being rude and trying to insult them. None of this ‘Sorry if you were offended’ nonsense, either.

    Next post.

  • tomatin

    Every position Obama has at some point?

    The real question is why would you want the phony Romney to win anyway?

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

    I think that it may be that Romney has the best chance after Perry, but I need to see the polls that come out showing Rick Santorum and Obama head to head, and then I have to addess what their records are truley consist of.

    I think after Perry Huntsman has the best record, and he will probably be who I support for the next few states.

    I cant support Newt over Romney, because Newt is a flip flopper, he has a lot of baggage, and he was not a governor.

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

    he came in forth in Iowa, and he went on.

  • the_invisible_hand

    To go for Romney as your second choice goes against everything Perry stood for. Perry was anti-Romney. To go from Perry to Romney is a disgrace.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    Asking the wrong question.

    The right question is, What non-insulting things can I do to get these people to vote for my candidate?

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

    do you not understand that people are assessing right now, and many people wanted Perry because they felt he was the best to beat Obama, and they feel a governor would be the best choice. The bottom line is Obama needs to go, and if Perry is not the one to ge thim gone, then it would be wise for people to think hard about what they want.

    I do not think Newt can beat Obama, and I am not sure about Santorum. I think Huntsmans record of conservativism could beat Obama, and I am not so sure Romney can,and this is why I am thinking it may come down to Romney and Huntsman for me, for the same reason I thought Perry is the best, well I still think Perry is the best, and still do not know id he is done. We will see.

  • Tbone

    being where he has it.

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

    and I take notes, because I simply love how you handle things.

  • Tbone

    you are really asking for it.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    Play nice. :)

  • jakeofalltrades

    Perry was the best conservative who could defeat Romney, and the two of them were the only ones who could defeat Obama. It’s all about defeating Obama, as has been my position all along.

    I used to think they all could beat Obama, but I no longer believe that to be true of anyone else save for Romney:

    1. Santorum is a whiner and will not be President (unless Obama starts gunning down school children in the street, naked).
    2. Ron Paul.
    3. Michelle Bachmann.
    4. Newt is an old 90′s retread who left government in disgrace, which makes him worse than McDole.

    Whereas Romney is pretending to be Reagan, using Reagan’s words and trying to inspire people to believe in America again. I’m not buying it, but I just suffered an object lesson in the credulity of the American people and am considered by most to be a quick study.

    Romney can pull it off and defeat Obama. So could the most accomplished executive in the nation – Perry – and I hope he does win in a 50 state strategy, because I will gladly spend to the limit to get him nominated and just indirectly (but legally) donate for the general if I have anything left.

    But Obama is the priority and always has been. Sans Perry, Romney is our only hope.

  • tomatin

    Romney is a phony so give him all the phony support you can muster.

  • the_invisible_hand

    But I am not a hand holder. People will just have to grow up. If they are really conservatives thinking about ideas over people and they really believe Romney is a cancer for the party, then they need suck it up.

    We all have had candidates lose that we wanted to win.

    My message to Perry and Bachmann people: You are not a special snowflake.

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

    but I have to move to the person I think can beat Obama, and Hunstman will be my next pick, If that is not happening, I will have to think about it, but I do not think Newt can beat Obama. I am waiting to see how RIck Santorum handles this next phase, I will think about it, but I want a governor over a legislator.

  • pttx333

    the fit of giggles I’m having at this depressing time!

  • federalfarmer1

    You seem grumpy. Why don’t you get a good nights sleep before committing to that hack romney and calling conservatives names.

  • snowshooze

    Which is pretty much…anti Romney.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    Literally.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    You know: the one that I told you to give to our readers here because you were being rude. So now you have to go away.

    But I’ll be merciful – to your favored candidate, and not put his or her name in your .sig file so that everybody else will know what kind of supporters he or she gets.

  • trevorb

    Granted, I think Perry’s in a great deal of trouble, but he has enough money and organization to continue if he wants to. Him stating he’s “reassessing his campaign” is a troubling sign, though.

    http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/perry-returns-to-austin-to-reassess-campaign-20120104

    Speaking for myself, most of my support is with Perry, even if I haven’t officially endorsed him and I hope he stays in.

  • littlehouse18

    is not a good recommendation of one’s character.

  • jakeofalltrades

    they will fall for Romney’s Reaganite rhetoric and come out in droves to support him against BHO.

  • Tbone

    Every “conservative” in Iowa who voted for Santorum instead of Perry should have their right to vote jerked out by the root and stuffed down their throat until they choke on it.

  • http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

    Is a nail-bitingly narrow victory over Santorum and Paul really all that helpful to Romney, with less than a quarter of the vote?

  • pttx333

    “I don’t suffer fools.” And, believe me, I don’t either! ;-)

  • pttx333

    “I don’t suffer fools.” And, believe me, I don’t either! ;-)

  • federalfarmer1

    Bachmann, Paul, and romney as well.

  • jakeofalltrades

    I think the U.S. military should retaliate for this aggression against common sense.

  • jakeofalltrades

    n/doubt

  • pttx333

    a compliment. I spend a lot for my prescription of smarta$$ pills that I take daily! ;-)

  • treeofliberty

    And his recent comment about “black people” off welfare and giving them someone else’s money is a much bigger gaffe than “oops” or anything Perry said. If we don’t hear about it in the GOP primaries can you imagine what the Obama media machine will do with this?

    Not to mention Santorum is not the most likable guy in the world and often appears whiny and angry during the debates.

    Look, I wish we had a Rubio,a Jindal, or even a Jeb Bush running..but we don’t. We have who we have and now that the candidate I backed may be out of the race I have to look at who the next best candidate, serious candidate, is that can defeat Obama.

    I believe that any GOP candidate, with real executive experience and without a mountain of baggage or one that says well, stupid things and makes ridiculous gaffes will have a good shot at beating Barry with the economy going the way it is. Sadly those rather modest requirements is slim pickings with the candidates we now have.

  • ayrnieu

    And, rather, it will come down to

    1. “he’s moved to the right”

    2. “he was always on the right, but had a MA-friendly facade for a time”

    3. “he might not be genuine, but he’ll still need _us_ in four years, and we’ll have even more of the party by then”

    Supporting Romney is not as hard — actually, none of this is as hard — as people who watch too much TV and a half have come to ‘think’ that it is.

  • jakeofalltrades

    let’s limit the boasting to that.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    And to clarify, I think NH is set for Romney the only question is how big his win will be. Santorum won’t resonate in NH, there isn’t a loon organization there like the Evangelicals in Iowa and I don’t expect him to even get third. Newt’s ad drop will likely hurt Romney in SC, and since we’re on the political roll now and they will likely go viral, the impact will be downstream.

    I expect to see tons of stories about Santorum = pro-life statist. There’s one up at NRO this morning – no surprise there, and there was one I referenced yesterday from Cato. He’s going to get a big government anal exam over the next few weeks that won’t be pretty. It will be true, but it should put a dent in his support.

    I have no idea about debate schedules from here out, and frankly I have managed to miss all of them so far and I don’t intend blemishing my record. Hopefully, after this is all over, the Party will figure out that a primary debate schedule is stupid.

  • nepanyrush

    Perry went all out in Iowa. McCain focused on NH. And still McCain came in 4th, without competing, and he won NH. Perry can see the writing on the wall. He is at 2% in NH. He is low in national polls. He is already considered an also ran. He will drop out. It would be silly to keep running when you do not have a chance.