GOP Primaries/Candidates thread

[Soxy]

The sad thing is that all this stupid race is going to do is end up giving us a national primary day, and competely taking the candidates out of all of the small states and leaving them completely in the large states for the entire election cycle. You pretty much are going to have to live somewhere like California or a large city to have your vote matter. Places like New Hampshire and Iowa are going to be rendered pointless.

Iowa was rendered pointless long ago.

[kapkomet]

Iowa was rendered pointless long ago.

Ba Da Bump Bump. *rimshot*

 

 

 

[Balta1701]

Iowa was rendered pointless long ago.

Seriously? Do you actually think that? John Kerry's campaign was totally in the toilet before he won Iowa, and winning Iowa won him the election because of that whole "momentum" thing. Edwards finished 2nd in Iowa and it turned him into the #2 candidate. Until we actually reform this system and get these 2 states out of their "locked into first every year" role, which is almost entirely unjustified by anything except recent precedent, a small, agricultural state in the Midwest with a very homogeneous racial population will keep deciding the Presidency.

[NorthSideSox72]

Seriously? Do you actually think that? John Kerry's campaign was totally in the toilet before he won Iowa, and winning Iowa won him the election because of that whole "momentum" thing. Edwards finished 2nd in Iowa and it turned him into the #2 candidate. Until we actually reform this system and get these 2 states out of their "locked into first every year" role, which is almost entirely unjustified by anything except recent precedent, a small, agricultural state in the Midwest with a very homogeneous racial population will keep deciding the Presidency.

1. I thought she was just making an Iowa joke. Being a former resident, I recognize it.

 

2. Iowa's being first is not just precedent - there were a lot of reasons for it at first. Iowa was considered "middle America", it was politically centrist, it had an unusually well educated population (thanks to some of the best schools in the country), it had large rural areas but also some decent size cities, and it was geographically central.

 

3. I do agree that a better system needs to be in place, and Iowa doesn't need to be first every year.

 

[Balta1701]

Rasmussen also has a GOP poll out. In Iowa. It shows Romney Slipping (25%), and a 2nd place statistical tie between Thompson and a now surging Huckabee (19 and 18%) Edited October 17, 2007 by Balta1701

[Texsox]

1. I thought she was just making an Iowa joke. Being a former resident, I recognize it.

 

2. Iowa's being first is not just precedent - there were a lot of reasons for it at first. Iowa was considered "middle America", it was politically centrist, it had an unusually well educated population (thanks to some of the best schools in the country), it had large rural areas but also some decent size cities, and it was geographically central.

 

3. I do agree that a better system needs to be in place, and Iowa doesn't need to be first every year.

 

Great post.

[southsider2k5]

No wonder Mitt is rich as hell... He likes to "forget" his wallet!

 

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/20...y-returns-.html

 

Romney Returns to Iowa, Forgets Wallet

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Share October 17, 2007 3:21 PM

 

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., returned to Iowa Wednesday, and found himself in a bit of an awkward moment while stopping at a coffee shop during a tour of the town of DeWitt, Iowa with the town's mayor.

 

Romney, who reported assets between $190 and $250 million earlier this year, discovered he didn't have his wallet and did not have enough money to pay for his vanilla steamer -- which Romney explained was steamed milk with vanilla flavoring -- as well as the mayor's drink.

 

"I've only got three [dollars] in this pocket. I left my wallet in the car," Romney said before an aide approached. "Here comes Will … look at this he's gonna give me a five. Thanks."

 

The trip was his first in Iowa in over a month, and the first in the Quad Cities area since before the Ames Straw Poll in August.

 

From his surfer and surfboard patterned tie, to jokes about his '08 Republican rival former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-N.Y., Romney's attitude seemed relaxed.

 

When a cell phone rang at the beginning of a campaign event in Clinton, Iowa, Romney mocked Giuliani's now famous cell-phone conversation with his wife during a speech to the National Rifle Association. "Is that Judith for me?" joked Romney. "I don't think so. Tell her I'll call her back."

 

Romney also targeted front-running Democratic candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., telling the audience, "you're gonna see these polls day after day. They're gonna keep showing Hillary Clinton at 46 or 47 percent. But she's not gonna get higher than that. People know her. They've decided who she is." Romney continued, "she's not gonna get to 50.1%. I am."

 

He also suggested he isn't backing down on his claim that he represents conservative values after he faced considerable criticism last week from GOP candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

 

"Strong Military. Strong Families. Strong Economy …that's the position of the Republican party, the conservative [position], and if I'm the candidate, I'm gonna be fighting on all three legs of that Republican stool," he said.

 

Romney emphasized the importance of Iowa to his presidential bid, saying Iowa voters get "to know something about the heart and the character of the people running for president" rather than "just making a decision based on 30 seconds of TV advertising."

 

His comment was ironic because Romney is the only Republican candidate running television ads in Iowa so far.

 

In response to a question about the Kyoto Protocol global climate change treaty that the U.S. has refused to sign, Romney appeared to side with President Bush. "Kyoto was a bad idea by the time it was finished." He said the plan put restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions on some countries but not others.

 

"They don't call it America warming. They call it global warming," Romney said, arguing that if the U.S. were to sign onto the global treaty, energy intensive industries would take their operations and their jobs to countries like China.

 

"You can't believe how dirty it is there," Romney continued, saying Beijing is "like the worst day in Los Angeles everyday."

 

Romney was cautious in his support of Massachusetts' healthcare plan.

 

When asked if that plan could work for the United States, Romney stated, "It could," but said that his health care plan emphasized that states make their own plan. He later emphasized to one woman that "everybody in our state gets health insurance," but that the they don't get it from the government.

 

The Massachusetts plan mandates that all residents get insurance, which has drawn the ire of some conservatives.

 

Romney also said that he would be unveiling a 12 point plan to "strengthen American families" when he speaks to the Family Research Council on Friday.

[mr_genius]

No wonder Mitt is rich as hell... He likes to "forget" his wallet!

 

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/20...y-returns-.html

 

 

haha, he does seem like the kind of person that would be like "ok, drinks are on me. let me get a round over here barkeep." then after drinking his shot be like "oops, forgot my wallet. oh well, later guys"

Edited October 18, 2007 by mr_genius

[Balta1701]

The rumors about a third party run led by the anti-choice and religious segments of the Republican Party if Rudy were to win seem to have picked up a lot of steam lately.

Key conservative and religious leaders will continue discussing a mass defection from the Republican Party in a private meeting at a Washington hotel Saturday afternoon, just hours after the pro-choice presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani speaks before thousands of pro-life voters.

 

The unnamed group of about 50 people first met in late September in Salt Lake City, sending shivers through the Republican establishment by adopting a resolution to consider a third-party candidate if Republicans nominate someone like Giuliani. "If the major political parties decide to abandon conservative principles, the cohesion of pro-family advocates will be all too apparent in 2008," warned Dr. James Dobson, of Focus on the Family, in a published article after the meeting.

 

In addition to Dobson, the September meeting was attended by the Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, conservative activist Richard Viguerie and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, who called in by phone. Before the meeting ended, the group agreed to meet again this weekend at the Hilton Washington Hotel, where thousands of social conservatives are expected to gather for a "Values Voter Summit" beginning Thursday.

 

"There will be further exploration of what is to be done," said Howard Phillips, the president of the Conservative Caucus, who participated in the Salt Lake meeting. "And there will be some discussion of who would be a viable independent candidate."

 

[mr_genius]

The rumors about a third party run led by the anti-choice and religious segments of the Republican Party if Rudy were to win seem to have picked up a lot of steam lately.

 

 

Well, they can do that if they want. The thing is, if it comes down to it, Giuliani will put a conservative on the supreme court. Pro-abortion Hillary won't. It's more of a power play by the crazy evangelicals than a legit concern about abortion.

[Chet Lemon]

Brownback probably dropping out of the race.

 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303202,00.html

 

Conventional wisdom says that this will benefit Huckabee as he will likely attract most of Brownback's supporters.

 

 

[southsider2k5]

Brownback probably dropping out of the race.

 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303202,00.html

 

Conventional wisdom says that this will benefit Huckabee as he will likely attract most of Brownback's supporters.

 

Eh, I don't think anyone is really going to benefit from a guy who was polling at 1-2% and hadn't even raised a million dollars in this last quarter. All it does get one less stooge at the debates.

[Texsox]

I was playing with the search function and found a couple tid bits. Back in 2004 I was suggesting Bush should run with McCain and in August of 2005 posted this

McCain/almost any leading Dem would be the sexiest match up ever. I'd even pass on Hammer for a McCain ticket. I have such a man crush on him But the Hammer would be awesome for finishing the division in this country. Just smash through and say WTF, so we're divided, your side lost, get over it.

 

For those that have said McCain is some recent facination and only a passing fad.

[Chet Lemon]

Eh, I don't think anyone is really going to benefit from a guy who was polling at 1-2% and hadn't even raised a million dollars in this last quarter. All it does get one less stooge at the debates.

 

Nationally, nobody benefits in the polls. Iowa, on the other hand, has a huge constituency of social conservative caucus voters and Brownback was probably the most socially conservative in the race. Unless they are happy w/ Romney, I see those people pushing hard for Huckabee.

 

[mr_genius]

anyone see this guys rant?

 

 

 

it was epic.

 

blow up innocent people if he can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement.

 

bravo, bravo. Please, Hillary Clinton, make this guy your running mate.

Edited October 19, 2007 by mr_genius

[NorthSideSox72]

Ron Paul higlighting his social conervative credentials, now that he is becoming a slightly bigger blip on the radar. He's apparently a staunch pro-lifer, wanting to pull the rug out from under the courts. Interesting idea, though I don't really agree with it. He certainly does get right to the point though, doesn't he?

 

[southsider2k5]

Ron Paul higlighting his social conervative credentials, now that he is becoming a slightly bigger blip on the radar. He's apparently a staunch pro-lifer, wanting to pull the rug out from under the courts. Interesting idea, though I don't really agree with it. He certainly does get right to the point though, doesn't he?

 

His Iraq stance leaves him no chance at the Republician nomination.

 

[mr_genius]

Ron Paul higlighting his social conervative credentials, now that he is becoming a slightly bigger blip on the radar. He's apparently a staunch pro-lifer, wanting to pull the rug out from under the courts. Interesting idea, though I don't really agree with it. He certainly does get right to the point though, doesn't he?

 

I like Ron Paul (and the Libertarian party in general), but all this liberal support of the guy is very precarious. He is pretty much 90% against everything they support. If they thought the Bush tax cuts were too much, a libertarian would go way over the top of those. Also, the federal governments role in just about everything would be greatly diminished, as would our involvement in the United Nations. Also, he isn't going to just be against a war started by the GOP, he is going to be against just about any military action the Dems will take.

Edited October 19, 2007 by mr_genius

[NorthSideSox72]

His Iraq stance leaves him no chance at the Republician nomination.

Yeah, virtually zero. I still think he may be setting himself up for an independent run.

 

[southsider2k5]

Yeah, virtually zero. I still think he may be setting himself up for an independent run.

 

I have said it before... I agree 100%. It would be interesting to see what combination of issues appeals to the most people. Ron Paul seems like he is on the right page of at least a couple of hot button issues, and it could be enough to make him a spoiler.

[Jenksismyhero]

I like Ron Paul (and the Libertarian party in general), but all this liberal support of the guy is very precarious. He is pretty much 90% against everything they support. If they thought the Bush tax cuts were too much, a libertarian would go way over the top of those. Also, the federal governments role in just about everything would be greatly diminished, as would our involvement in the United Nations. Also, he isn't going to just be against a war started by the GOP, he is going to be against just about any military action the Dems will take.

 

 

Man that'd be terrible.

[Texsox]

 

 

Speaking at a gathering of Evangelicans

Thompson got polite applause for his pledges to oppose abortion and same-sex marriage, then promised that in his first hour as president, he would "go into the Oval Office, close the door and pray for the wisdom to do the right thing."

 

The crowd leapt to its feet, applauding and yelling its approval to a smiling Thompson.

linked

 

I can see why some people here are impressed. He seems to be garnering the hard core religious types. Perhaps cleaning up the airwaves, slowing the porn industry, cutting back on abortions, might be a step in the right direction.

 

 

 

[Rex Kickass]

Except the problem with Thompson is the same problem that Richardson has. Horrible campaigner. Speaks in a monotone voice, head down reading most of the times. He doesn't seem vibrant, he looks like he's late for a nap. And that's gonna kill him in the polls.

[YASNY]

Except the problem with Thompson is the same problem that Richardson has. Horrible campaigner. Speaks in a monotone voice, head down reading most of the times. He doesn't seem vibrant, he looks like he's late for a nap. And that's gonna kill him in the polls.

 

I agree. You'd think that someone that has experince as an actor can have a better public persona. Apparently, he's not too damn quick on his feet. We'll see if he can turn the tide, but I doubt it.

[Rex Kickass]

When you cant memorize lines like "We must have good laws. We must do our best to stop bad laws," it doesn't exactly engender confidence.