Discussion: The REPUBLICAN Party VII

[hippie_hunter]

I actually don't think it's that bad an endorsement. She is the first person who is associated with the "Tea Party" to endorse him. It won't send shockwaves through the political world but it at least gets the convo started for Romney from a Tea party perspective "well I guess he ain't so bad". I don't think O'Donnell herself will change anybody's mind how to vote but she basically plant the seed that somebody in the tea party doesn't mind him.

Exactly, while O'Donnell isn't a big help overall, her endorsement does help Mitt quite a bit with the Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachmann crowd.

 

[Arc-Light]

Uhhh ... is Mitt allowed to turn down endorsements?

Is she still not a witch...t:

 

[Marx]

Gary Busey has withdrawn his endorsement of Newt Gingrich.

Gary Busey has also withdrawn his endorsement of beef stew, the Loch Ness Monster and the color orange.

Christine O'Donnell has endorsed Mitt Romney, Politico is reporting that South Carolina governor Nikki Haley will end up endorsing Romney as well.

I can't imagine that endorsement really carries a lot of weight.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I can't imagine that endorsement really carries a lot of weight.

I think that both endorsements are big deals. While neither one of them carry a lot of weight in the long run, in the short term it helps Romney with the more conservative, evangelical, Tea Party-esque voters who dominate in the more conservative primary races like Iowa and South Carolina.

Endorsements like these can probably help some of the anti-Romney voters to just come to the conclusion that they should just accept him and go forward to the general election. If enough anti-Romney voters are convinced that going against Romney is a lost cause, it can probably lead to Romney winning in Iowa. And if Romney wins in Iowa, the primaries are over and the GOP can spend January 4 to November 5 focusing completely on the general election.

A Romney victory in Iowa would be the best case scenario for the GOP and some of it can be attributed to these endorsements.

 

[hippie_hunter]

The Des Moines Register has endorsed Mitt Romney for the Iowa GOP caucuses.

 

[Venom'sDad]

Lol!

 

[hippie_hunter]

Ann Coulter has come out against Newt Gingrich and is endorsing Mitt Romney.

EDIT: Bob Dole has endorsed Mitt Romney, various New Hampshire newspapers are endorsing Jon Huntsman.

 

[Venom'sDad]

Who cares...all of the Republican Establishment are going to support Romney. He is a moderate liberal....just like the establishment. They are only conservative every 2 years. They are trying to convince those right of center and conservatives that Romney is their guy, and the base is not going for it.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I really wouldn't call Coulter to be a part of the Republican establishment.

 

[Venom'sDad]

She is part of the establishment...look at what she does, not what she says. She is just like Hannity...will support the establishment no matter what. And in Hannity case, like Coulter, support Romney althought he claims he doesn't.

Watch what they do, not what they say.

 

[DACrowe]

Go ahead and run Gingrich. Trust me, the Dems will applaud your base's defiance against the "moderate liberal establishment" all the way to election day where Gingrich will be crushed.

 

[Venom'sDad]

I don't think so, that's what the establishment want all those right of center to believe, but Obama will lose to a conservative opponent. Reason why they want Romney...many policies have been the same. There would be a sharp contrast between someone like Gingrich and Obama. Obama can't win against a conservative opponent. If the Republican nominate Romney, a large enough percentage of conservative will either abandon the election or vote third party; and like the election of 92, split the conservative and independant vote, giving Obama a second term. Obama knows this, and that's what he is banking on...the reason why he wants Romney.

 

[enterthemadness]

Obama=not great President.

 

[DACrowe]

I don't think so, that's what the establishment want all those right of center to believe, but Obama will lose to a conservative opponent. Reason why they want Romney...many policies have been the same. There would be a sharp contrast between someone like Gingrich and Obama. Obama can't win against a conservative opponent. If the Republican nominate Romney, a large enough percentage of conservative will either abandon the election or vote third party; and like the election of 92, split the conservative and independant vote, giving Obama a second term. Obama knows this, and that's what he is banking on...the reason why he wants Romney.

That is the craziest thing I've heard in a long time....but I really hope enough GOP voters think like that. Because if so, they're setting themselves up for a 1964-styled epic defeat with Gingrich. Trust me Obama will be be very grateful if you nominate Gingrich over Romney next year.

 

[Thundercrack85]

A key problem is that neither Romney nor Gingrich are Protestant. Much of the Republican base is Protestant, and want to vote for one.

 

[hippie_hunter]

If the Republican nominate Romney, a large enough percentage of conservative will either abandon the election or vote third party; and like the election of 92, split the conservative and independant vote, giving Obama a second term. Obama knows this, and that's what he is banking on...the reason why he wants Romney.

That is sooooooooo not going to happen. If the Republican nominee is Romney, the conservative base will rally behind him. While they're not enthusiastic about Romney, their hatred of Obama is so intense that they'll rally behind anyone that is not Obama. The reason why Republicans are so much more enthusiastic about voting in 2012? To get rid of Barack Obama. The reason why they'll rally behind Mitt Romney? To get rid of Barack Obama. The reason why conservatives will turn out in droves no matter who is the nominee? To get rid of Barack Obama.

Getting rid of Barack Obama is the #1 priority of the conservative movement. Hell, I'm willing to accept Romney just to get rid of Barack Obama.

The only potential credible third party candidate right now is Ron Paul. And he won't do it because he doesn't want to ruin his son's Senate career. He also doesn't want to be the guy who guaranteed Barack Obama re-election (same with Donald Trump in this regard).

DA is totally right in this regard. Not only will Gingrich guarantee an Obama victory, he will probably give Obama a landslide victory. That most of all will probably kill Gingrich. Romney is seen as the guy who can beat Obama. And besides, how can anybody support Gingrich when his views on the environment and individual mandate are even more leftist than the positions that Romney ever took. Gingrich is no true conservative.

 

[hippie_hunter]

A key problem is that neither Romney nor Gingrich are Protestant. Much of the Republican base is Protestant, and want to vote for one.

They would prefer a Protestant, but as long as they're Christian (which both Romney and Gingrich are), they're acceptable. A Catholic and a Mormon are far more tolerable than someone that they see as a secret Muslim terrorist.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I question that. Polls generally showed that "only" about a fourth of Republicans believed that Obama was a Muslim. Though I admit, that poll may be out of date.

But even so, not being able to use your religion as a talking point in a very religious political party is a big disadvantage. Yes, they'd be more likely to vote for a non-Protestant Christian or a Mormon, but a Protestant could mobilize considerably more votes.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I question that. Polls generally showed that "only" about a fourth of Republicans believed that Obama was a Muslim. Though I admit, that poll may be out of date.

I am willing to bet that the Republicans who care about what faith a candidate is are also the same who think that Obama is a Muslim. Most Republicans, like normal people, don't care about a person's faith, just like how they think that Obama is not a Muslim.

But even so, not being able to use your religion as a talking point in a very religious political party is a big disadvantage. Yes, they'd be more likely to vote for a non-Protestant Christian or a Mormon, but a Protestant could mobilize considerably more votes.

Typically that would be a problem. But Obama is doing the job of rallying and mobilizing Republicans for whoever the GOP candidate is. Social conservatives would rather have a Mormon who at minimum will preserve the status quo or a twice divorced converted Catholic who cheated on his wife over someone who has taken a **** over all their "values," a good chunk of which see him as a Muslim.

After Obama has gone up against everything that evangelical social conservatives stand for, they too will rally behind whoever the GOP nominee is.

 

[SV Fan]

That is the craziest thing I've heard in a long time....but I really hope enough GOP voters think like that. Because if so, they're setting themselves up for a 1964-styled epic defeat with Gingrich. Trust me Obama will be be very grateful if you nominate Gingrich over Romney next year.

Yeah simple fact is Romney probably can sway alot of independent voters, while Gingrich will turn alot of them off. The only advantage Gingrich has over Romney is I believe he could rally the far right much better then Romney can, but those are people who are voting anybody but Obama anyways and is a minimal amount of extra votes if any

 

[Venom'sDad]

Obama only hope is to split the conservative base and independents...Romney gives him that opportunity. Romney has yet to poll better than 24% among conservative voters, regardless of what anti-Romney candidate rise and fall. The Liberal media is pushing for Romney as the nominee, because they fear a conservative nominee...so they aid in the vetting process to destroyed whatever conservative candidate rise. The establishment feel they can only win if they solidify the moderate/independent vote, because they wrongly assume the conservative is going to vote for the apparent Rupublican nominee regardless, because they want Obama out.

That is not going to happen, because of the sentiments conservative have against the establishment, in forcing candidates on them that they do not like or want.

You can say what you will, but it is Obama advisers that say time and time against they want Romney. They do fear Gingrich, reason why the main-stream Liberal media are trying to aid the establishment in tearing down any and all conservative candidates that rise in the poll. They are patiently waiting, and at times trying to provoke Gingrich into blowing up or go negative, to acheive that "I told you so" moment.

Romney is a weak candidate, who is a natural flip-flopper, will say anything to win, and many people see through that, whether many admit it or not. He has yet to break 24%, that says a lot.

 

[SV Fan]

They do fear Gingrich, reason why the main-stream Liberal media are trying to aid the establishment in tearing down any and all conservative candidates that rise in the poll.

Do you honestly believe Herman Cain was a legitimate candidate?

Romney is a weak candidate, who is a natural flip-flopper, will say anything to win, and many people see through that, whether many admit it or not. He has yet to break 24%, that says a lot.

Most things Romney has flipped flopped on are social issues, for the average independent voter I am guessing social issues rank low on what is or isn't important. I am guessing the biggest knock against Romney if he wins will be the fact that half of his foreign policy advisers he assembled are from Bush. I am guessing most people can give 2 craps what his stances are on Gay Marriage or Abortion and the ones who do are probably are already set who they will vote.

I am guessing of the republican field the only guys who might appeal to the independent voter would be Romney, Huntsman(I honestly have no idea why this guy doesn't have any support), Paul and maybe Perry.

 

[Axl Van Sixx]

If the Republican nominee is Romney, the conservative base will rally behind him. While they're not enthusiastic about Romney, their hatred of Obama is so intense that they'll rally behind anyone that is not Obama. The reason why Republicans are so much more enthusiastic about voting in 2012? To get rid of Barack Obama. The reason why they'll rally behind Mitt Romney? To get rid of Barack Obama. The reason why conservatives will turn out in droves no matter who is the nominee? To get rid of Barack Obama. Getting rid of Barack Obama is the #1 priority of the conservative movement.

Exactly. It doesn't really matter that some evangelicals believe Mormonism is a cult if a majority of their followers also believe Barack Obama is the Son of Satan...Hitler and Mao and Stalin combined, simultaneously an atheist and a secret Muslim terrorist, a fascist AND a radical socialist. They'll vote for anyone but Obama.

Hell, I'm willing to accept Romney just to get rid of Barack Obama.

Me too. That way I can get a corporate empty suit enacting hard-right policies without the disgusting pretense that he is somehow on "the Left" because he has black skin and a (D) after his name.

The only potential credible third party candidate right now is Ron Paul. And he won't do it because he doesn't want to ruin his son's Senate career. He also doesn't want to be the guy who guaranteed Barack Obama re-election (same with Donald Trump in this regard).

That's too bad. I'd take Ron Paul in a heartbeat over any of the other bozos running.

And besides, how can anybody support Gingrich when his views on the environment and individual mandate are even more leftist than the positions that Romney ever took. Gingrich is no true conservative.

I know, right? How dare a conservative care about something like conservation.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I know, right? How dare a conservative care about something like conservation.

It's not exactly that but more along the lines of how can anybody support Gingrich over Romney when Gingrich has done almost everything Romney has in terms of ideology but even more to the left. Is the hard core right winged anti-Romney vote that ignorant?

 

[Axl Van Sixx]

Obama only hope is to split the conservative base and independents...Romney gives him that opportunity. Romney has yet to poll better than 24% among conservative voters, regardless of what anti-Romney candidate rise and fall. The Liberal media is pushing for Romney as the nominee, because they fear a conservative nominee...so they aid in the vetting process to destroyed whatever conservative candidate rise. The establishment feel they can only win if they solidify the moderate/independent vote, because they wrongly assume the conservative is going to vote for the apparent Rupublican nominee regardless, because they want Obama out.

That is not going to happen, because of the sentiments conservative have against the establishment, in forcing candidates on them that they do not like or want.

You can say what you will, but it is Obama advisers that say time and time against they want Romney. They do fear Gingrich, reason why the main-stream Liberal media are trying to aid the establishment in tearing down any and all conservative candidates that rise in the poll. They are patiently waiting, and at times trying to provoke Gingrich into blowing up or go negative, to acheive that "I told you so" moment.

Romney is a weak candidate, who is a natural flip-flopper, will say anything to win, and many people see through that, whether many admit it or not. He has yet to break 24%, that says a lot.

There is no bigger myth in American politics than the "Liberal Media". Perhaps you can explain to me why a bunch of large corporations would choose to air views decrying the influence of large corporations in politics.

...unless, of course, the term "Liberal Media" only means media that is not explicitly conservative (only implicitly). That is, the Fox News definition. Either way, it's ridiculous.

What I find much more interesting is how much symmetry there is on either side of the political divide. Rank-and-file conservatives are sick of the establishment and the media interfering in their choices and pushing their favoured nominees, as are rank-and-file progressives on the other side. The real divide in the United States today isn't conservative vs. liberal or Republican vs. Democrat: it's capital vs. labor, corporations vs. the rest of us, the D.C. and New York Establishment vs. the plebs.

I think a lot of Americans are starting to realize this already, and this was one of the central messages of the Occupy movement. The media always wants to stay within its clear and defined boundaries, red vs. blue, Republican vs. Democrat, because then it's easy to shove people's political passions back into the two-party duopoly. That they can understand. What they can't understand is united popular opposition to the corrupt system as a whole.

It would be great if someone like Ron Paul were nominated. Just thinking of him grilling Obama on his imperialist warmongering policies - something no other candidate would ever do, because maintaining a global archipelago of military bases and America's right to intervene in other countries' affairs is bipartisan consensus among the Washington elite - it's a tantalizing thought. I would love to see someone, anyone, shatter that bubble.

But my guess is it'll be Romney. And that's fine. The funny thing about it is, it will basically equal out the Democratic and Republican bases. Progressives and liberals are generally either disappointed or enraged by the Obama administration, but the gullible among them still fear a Republican administration would be even worse. Populist conservatives have no love for Romney - and many evangelicals consider him a member of a cult - but they believe Obama and the Democrats are the root of all evil and so will vote for what they see as the lesser of two evils.

This Lesser of Two Evils crap, as the philosophical justification underpinning the two-party duopoly, is killing America.