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Shock National Journal Poll: Romney Staffers Think Romney Should be GOP Nominee

By: Sean Davis (Diary)  |  September 1st, 2011 at 09:41 PM  | 

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Earlier today National Journal released its latest poll of the opinions of Beltway insiders.   According to the National Journal news story about the new poll, entitled “Insiders: GOP Would Be Better Off With Romney for 2012,” many GOP insiders think Romney is a much better candidate than Rick Perry.  What National Journal failed to inform its readers is that at least 30 of the 141 GOP operatives polled — nearly 25 percent of the GOP sample — currently work for Romney or worked for his 2008 presidential campaign.  Only one insider was readily identified in a Google search as being a member of Team Perry.

According to National Journal, many of those insiders “questioned [Rick Perry's] ability to win over independent voters.”  But what did those Beltway insiders think of Romney?  “Insiders identified Romney’s business background, his veteran campaign team, and his appeal to moderate voters as key general election strengths.”  It should come as no surprise that those who have been on Romney’s payroll (or made the payroll possible) are supportive of his campaign.  And it should come as no surprise that Romney’s veteran campaign staffers think they are awesome, even though they lost in 2008.

Insiders polled by National Journal include current Romney campaign pollster Neil Newhouse, as well as three current high-dollar fundraisers:  Wayne Berman, David Tamasi, and Eric Rosenblatt — all lobbyists.  The 26 other Romney insiders polled by National Journal, including spokesman Kevin Madden, political director Carl Forti, and deputy campaign manager Jason Roe, all held high-ranking positions during Romney’s 2008 presidential run.

Are these individuals at fault for likely supporting someone who hired them?  Absolutely not (disclosure: there is no proof that these individuals told National Journal that they thought Romney was a better candidate than Perry, but it is not at all a stretch to assume that the past or current affiliations of these 30 individuals might be a factor in their answers, significantly skewing the overall results, especially when only one obvious Perry supporter is included on National Journal’s list).

The real fault lies with National Journal for failing to disclose any of the 30 potential conflicts-of-interest to its readers.  Why would it refuse to be transparent about the biases or underlying motivations of its polled insiders?  It’s pretty simple:  National Journal and its Beltway-centric competitors thrive on access to current establishment insiders.  It is no secret that many publications provide puff pieces and helpful story lines in exchange for access to plugged-in sources.

The real news in this latest poll is not that powerful Republicans think Romney is the best candidate, but that Romney appears to be the best hope Beltway lobbyists and has-been Hill leadership staffers have of retaining their easy access to the halls of power in Washington.

The full list of easily identifiable past and present Romney partisans included in the insiders poll can be found below.

Name Campaign Role Year
Wayne Berman Fundraiser 2012
Neil Newhouse Pollster 2012
David Tamasi Fundraiser 2012
Eric Tanenblatt Fundraiser 2012
Rich Ashooh Fundraiser 2008
Jeff Buley Lawyer 2008
Al Cardenas Chairman – National Hispanic Steering Committee 2008
Alex Castellanos Media Strategist 2008
Cesar Conda Adviser 2008
Debi Durham Surrogate – Iowa 2008
Mindy Finn Chief Online Strategist 2008
Carl Forti Political Director/Deputy Campaign Manager 2008
Alex Gage Data Cruncher 2008
Bruce A. Gates Fundraiser 2008
Benjamin Ginsberg National Counsel 2008
Doug Gross Campaign Chairman – Iowa 2008
Steve Lombardo Adviser 2008
Kevin Madden Campaign Spokesman 2008
Jim Merrill State Director – New Hampshire 2008
Phil Musser Adviser 2008
David Norcross Campaign Co-Chairman – New Jersey 2008
Van B. Poole Fundraiser – Florida Finance Committee 2008
Tom Rath Senior National Adviser 2008
Jason Roe Deputy Campaign Manager 2008
Russ Schriefer Media Strategist 2008
Rick Shelby Fundraiser 2008
Terry Sullivan Adviser – South Carolina 2008
Warren Tompkins Adviser – South Carolina 2008
Jan van Lohuizen Pollster 2008
Mike Murphy Adviser 2006
Name Campaign Role Year
Wayne Berman Fundraiser 2012
Neil Newhouse Pollster 2012
David Tamasi Fundraiser 2012
Eric Tanenblatt Fundraiser 2012
Rich Ashooh Fundraiser 2008
Jeff Buley Lawyer 2008
Al Cardenas Chairman – National Hispanic Steering Committee 2008
Alex Castellanos Media Strategist 2008
Cesar Conda Adviser 2008
Debi Durham Surrogate – Iowa 2008
Mindy Finn Chief Online Strategist 2008
Carl Forti Political Director/Deputy Campaign Manager 2008
Alex Gage Data Cruncher 2008
Bruce A. Gates Fundraiser 2008
Benjamin Ginsberg National Counsel 2008
Doug Gross Campaign Chairman – Iowa 2008
Steve Lombardo Adviser 2008
Kevin Madden Campaign Spokesman 2008
Jim Merrill State Director – New Hampshire 2008
Phil Musser Adviser 2008
David Norcross Campaign Co-Chairman – New Jersey 2008
Van B. Poole Fundraiser – Florida Finance Committee 2008
Tom Rath Senior National Adviser 2008
Jason Roe Deputy Campaign Manager 2008
Russ Schriefer Media Strategist 2008
Rick Shelby Fundraiser 2008
Terry Sullivan Adviser – South Carolina 2008
Warren Tompkins Adviser – South Carolina 2008
Jan van Lohuizen Pollster 2008
Mike Murphy Adviser 2006

COMMENTS

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  • RealQuiet

    Great post!

    • carolina

      The minute I saw the headline on Drudge – I thought “Good!” I do not trust the “insiders” (of either party) and I want a beltway “outsider”. I think there are a lot of people that feel the same as I.

    • bobguzzardi

      we are for him.

      Rick Perry is “The Guy”.

      Rick Perry can win Pennsylvania as did Ronald Reagan and Reagan’s policies.

      • rulken

        So your willing to just throw up your hands and say, okay let’s give amnesty to 20million illegals here now?

  • travis690

    This poll should be viewed as a lesson for the Republican Party.

    The original lesson was taught to us in 1996, and it needs to be re-learned this year. The lesson is:

    Do not let the Establishment or the Media Elites pick our nominee!

    The times when we forget this are the times that result in disaster for the party and for the country. In these cases, we always end up with weak-kneed so-called “moderates” that end up with the nomination because someone for the New York Times editorial board decided that they would be the easiest for the Democrat to defeat. We have to remember that the real model for a Republican nominee should be Ronald Reagan, not Richard Nixon (who felt that the proper candidate would be hard-right during the primary, but would move to the center after winning the nomination). But the aforementioned defeats show how well that idea works for us today.

    Republicans catering to a so-called moderate position do not get elected, because the ephemeral moderate swing vote doesn’t move in their favor. Besides, even those people that call themselves “moderates” have difficulty defining what makes their positions moderate. And the Democrat Party’s version of a moderate is Chuck Schumer, who characterizes any position that is different than his as “extreme.”

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  • carolina

    The minute I saw the headline on Drudge – I thought “Good!” I do not trust the “insiders” (of either party) and I want a beltway “outsider”. I think there are a lot of people that feel the same as I.

  • annas

    Romney is lame milquetoast! I heard Perry today on Mark Levin and he was so good I wanted to go out and vote for him right then and there :-)

  • snowshooze

    Remember.. he has some serious loot.
    And if we gave them so much as a hint of a chance, the GOP will nominate him. Guaranteed.
    Why???
    Because he has the money to foot the entire tab for the campaign.
    And you have to understand that they have their own little kingdom, they want to spend all that money they collect on their little machine.
    We need another office building… we need some more limosines… we have to go conference in Austrailia…
    When it comes down to it, we are dealing with a buracracy that is run on donations.
    And they are looking out for #1
    They would sell us out in a heartbeat. I think they would be willing to lose the presidency AGAIN just so they could continue their little party. You turn your back on these people for a second, and you will be pulling knives out of it for a month.

    And Romney… when he decides it is time to start the battle, he is going to play hardball. He has to start pretty darned quick as I see it. I’ll be expecting some shots in a week, or less.
    That is because the polls are eating him alive, and he cannot afford to let them get too far.
    Don’t worry… he will hire the best there is. A cornered rat, even as small as it is, can be a very dangerous animal because they are fighting for survival. Nothing will fight harder.

  • acat

    Romney has got to hope someone can land one on Perry, even if he has to do the work himself.

    Mew

  • bryankdonnelly

    Mitt NEVER had a chance to get the nomination. The Tea Party, which is the HEART of the GOP would never stand for it.

  • snowshooze

    Because he sure has his work cut out for him.

  • michaelbowler

    If the northeastern liberal republican establishment wants to ensure their certainty of four more years in Obama hell, they should get Romney nominated.

    What is certain about Romney is that the conservative base that gave the house to republicans in 2010, the TEA party groups et al, will be inflamed by a Romney nomination. Nothing will guarantee a real apathy from the conservative base more than the nomination of another statist, big government, non-conservative republican candidate for president. I have personally spoken to many people from around the country, people who are essentially conservative but not active like myself, who stayed away from the polls in 2008 because there was nobody on the ballot for them to vote for.

    Romney has only one advantage over McCain, a better appearance on economic issues. A lackluster turnout will provide Mr Obama with the four more years he needs to ruin our future.

    A primary vote for Romney is a vote for Obama.

  • qualityguy

    The more the “insiders” support a candidate, the further I want to distance myself from that candidate. Is it any surprise that they support Romney? He’s a RINO just like the rest of them – Romneycare, immigration, global warming – heck, he’s dang near a liberal!

  • rulken

    I agree, Why do we want someone that supports amnesty to 20nillion illegals, (Perry), or a socialist that wants to tell us what’s good healthcare for us,? (Romney)
    Nope, I’m sticking to Bachmann and Cain. Now, they have integrity!

  • rulken

    Your right. As shinny as Romney looks, he will lose the election! People are sick to death of the government telling them what to do, and what to buy, and Romney-care is no exception.
    Perry is willing to give amnesty to 20 million illegals, you want that?
    Bachman and Cain are the ones that are going to come from behind, and win this election by a land-slide!

  • bryankdonnelly

    Mitt Romney disqualified himself from the GOP nominatin forever the day he signed “Obamneycare” in to law as governor of Taxachusetts. One sometimes thinks that ALL northeastern governors should be disqualified by party rules. But, who knows? Someday one of them might actually develop a backbone. Sorry Chris Crisite, too late, and you’re dead wrong on illegal immigration.

    Seen the latest Rasmussen poll?

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/perry_44_obama_41_president_leads_other_gop_hopefuls

    And THAT with only two weeks in the campaign. Obama’s been running for re-election since January 21st 2009. Perry can OBLITERATE HIM.

    It HAS to be Perry! The others should drop out NOW, starting with RINO Romney.

  • bryankdonnelly

    You’ve got it wrong. Rick Perry supports SEALING THE BORDER FIRST! Then we can set up a sensible “guest worker” program for agriculture etc. AND create a legal path to citizenship for people already here, obeying the laws, working hard, and becoming assets to our nation. But the BORDER must come FIRST. This is the position of vitually ALL conservatives with a brain.

  • gunslingr45

    many GOP insiders think Romney is a much better candidate than Rick Perry.

    We did not need a poll to tell us the GOP is full of RINO’s.

  • gunslingr45

    is nothing but amnesty in a wrapper. We don’t have enough jobs for Americans and you want to reward law breakers? And please don’t tell me it’s akin to a traffic ticket as that is the oldest liberal line there is.
    My nephew went for his first drivers licenses last year and was told that his social security number was already in use and it would have to be cleared up first.
    Seal the border, enforce the laws we have, close the jobs off and they will go home.
    We are supposed to be a “rule of law” nation. Funny how many people want to reward law breakers.

  • westcoastpatriette

    Lots of us with brains are completely opposed to giving amnesty to any of them. We want all the laws on the books to be enforced and policies designed to make them want to self-deport–something very achievable if there was the will to do it.

  • gunslingr45

    Should read “The Tea Party, which is the NEW HEART of the NEW GOP.
    We have a lot of house cleaning to do with the old GOP.

  • rubb

    Very nice piece of research, more proof that “real” journalism is dead. Now we rely on “amateurs” to bring the real, true story.

  • carolynr

    I blogged on this site last night for two hours. I was so mad. First…it was McCain’s turn…and that gave us Obama because of the horrible campaign he ran. Perry espouses conservative principles…Romney does not. What does the GOP stand for…polls or principles? This is what has gotten us soooo very mad out here in “regular” America. We are sick and tired of being lied to or having no choice. It’s the Peoples Choice…not the &)*&) GOP…Not Karl Rove…Not Bill Krystol…OURS.

    There is a bunch of misinformation out there about Perry…some of which I am trying so hard to correct…it’s like trying to swim uphill. Perry is not the “perfect” candidate…but he is conservative. Bachmann lacks to gravitas to project an appearance of strength.

    As I have said on this board before…Romney was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Yes he was a businessman…in the same business as Soros and yes…he knows everyone on Wall and Broad…WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW is Main Street. Like Erick said…Romney is a serial loser…and to make matters worse…he tends to duplicate Obama in one respect…he waits until he can come out with an opinion…after all the polling is done. He doesn’t stand on principle…he cares more about Gallup and letting Bachmann destroy Perry. Hope he’s not holding his breath on that one. It’s petty…and this week…we have had enough of PETTY.

    Flash…Perry has his own healthcare in Texas. Family heard it yesterday on the radio in Texas. “Healthy Texas”……run by private insurers,….not sure about whether it is administered by Texas…but it is not a government program…private insurers. So…Sean…or Erick…get on this one…the press has been asleep.

  • bryankdonnelly

    Absolutely RIGHT! We need to get rid of RINO’s like Dick Lugar, Oren Hatch, and Olympia Snowe in next year’s primaries. Who needs “moderate” Republicans, they VOTE with the Democrat-socialists anyhow.

  • 2warabnvet

    is “insiders” these Cocktail Party Republicans are second only to the Dems in creating our nation’s problems.