Discussion: The REPUBLICAN Party XI

[hippie_hunter]

Republicans sure helped lower Congress' approval ratings, but it's not like the Democrats made things better either. As a matter in fact, both parties demolished Congress' reputation. Faith in both parties is just horrific.

But the point I'm making is that people move on and voters are a very fickle bunch. If the people were so full of hate, anger, and distrust of the Republicans, they wouldn't have made the gains they did back in 2010. Sorry, but that's just plain fact. Sure the voting demographics may be a bit different, but independents are willing to give Republicans a shot if they offer a good alternative. The question is: Will Romney be a good alternative to Obama? To tell you the truth, I dunno. Romney is a pretty weak frontrunner, but on the other hand, Obama is a pretty weak incumbent. Will they try and fix their weaknesses? How effective are they going to be in campaigning? Are they going to shoot themselves in the foot? Who knows. But to say that one side is definitively going to lose at this point in time because people don't like the party of a candidate is just wrong.

 

[DACrowe]

Approval ratings are much lower for Republicans than Democrats (who are still dismal, for the record) right now. Why? Because the GOP is getting more of the blame for this horrendous Congress than the Democrats are.

I understand your point is that voters are fickle. But by the same token, the 2010 election was an entirely different ball game than the 2012 one and one should not rely on that as a guide for what voters will turn out this year and how they will swing in November.

 

[SV Fan]

I understand your point is that voters are fickle. But by the same token, the 2010 election was an entirely different ball game than the 2012 one and one should not rely on that as a guide for what voters will turn out this year and how they will swing in November.

57% of people that could did vote in 2008, 38% voted in 2010. I expect that number probably to be like 52/53% this year.

The Tea party people getting in is probably the best thing for Obama because I am guessing 1%-2% of those that will vote, probably wouldn't have voted at all if the Dems kept power in 2010 but will vote out of fear of the Tea Party gaining more power now in 2012.

 

[enterthemadness]

I read the Libertarian Party could die out after this election...

 

[Smashlilman]

Romney should just pick someone boring. Not Pawlenty (didn't have the foresight to stay in race), just someone inoffensive, boring, boring, competent and boring enough. Being exciting is a one way trip to controversy.

If he goes with someone too boring they will just became a none factor like Biden. Obama could pick Biden because he could excite his own base and still appeal to moderates and independents. Romney isn't going to be able to do that. He's going to need someone exciting. he needs someone to energize Republicans in the Swing states. As of right now he's on the path to a lose. He needs to do what McCain did only he needs to actually vet his VP and make sure that they are disciplined and team player.

He needs someone that's exciting and disciplined. He need his VP to be a willing puppet.

 

[Paradoxium]

Every time the Republican selects someone exciting, it is the local village idiot or someone totally insane. Palin was exciting. Rick Perry was exciting. Newt Gingrich was exciting. It's going to be Captain Boring of the SS Vanillastein.

 

[DBryan]

I love this theory you've developed. It actually seems pretty consistent.

 

[SV Fan]

I was talking about this the other day(weird bills Republicans passing), here is another

http://rt.com/usa/news/arizona-bill-conception-abortion-387/

Arizona bill declares women pregnant two weeks before conception

 

[Chris B]

Most reports have suggested that Romney is more likely to make a safe choice rather than a game changing choice when it comes to his running mate.

Christie isn't suited to be playing second fiddle and McDonnell plays right into the "war against women" narrative. When it comes to firing up the base, Thune and Jindal would be logical choices but don't really add anythine electorally. Rubio is too untested.

I'd say Portman is the favorite right now. His political machine has been attributed as what carried Romney over the finish line in OH last month, so he'd probably give the ticket a bump there. He'd also bring the most gravitas to the ticket out of any of the often mentioned names and has the conservative credentials to appease the base.

 

[Anita18]

If he goes with someone too boring they will just became a none factor like Biden. Obama could pick Biden because he could excite his own base and still appeal to moderates and independents. Romney isn't going to be able to do that. He's going to need someone exciting. he needs someone to energize Republicans in the Swing states. As of right now he's on the path to a lose. He needs to do what McCain did only he needs to actually vet his VP and make sure that they are disciplined and team player.

He needs someone that's exciting and disciplined. He need his VP to be a willing puppet.

Um, I'm pretty sure Palin was exciting ONLY because she was completely bonkers.

 

[bell110]

How did the popular narrative that the Republicans are about limited government happen? Did I miss something? I hear it all the time, yet I don't feel enough people are calling them out on it.

 

[DBryan]

Yeah, limited WHERE exactly?

They want a say in what you do in the privacy of your own home (drugs, sex), who you can marry, when you get to use contraception if at all, they want to take away the choice of abortion, they want to tell us that unpublished non-peer reviewed myths should be taught on equal footing with established science...

I mean, WHERE exactly are they small government?

 

[Marx]

So, I stayed out of here today. Why? Because Romney being the nominee was news....back in December.

Still, tomorrow the general starts. The independents may not care until August, but the campaigns are going to be heading into full swing. I guess Romney can start shaking his etch-a-sketch at this point.

Romney has to figure out which version of himself he is going to run with in the general first...

 

[Marx]

Most reports have suggested that Romney is more likely to make a safe choice rather than a game changing choice when it comes to his running mate.

Christie isn't suited to be playing second fiddle and McDonnell plays right into the "war against women" narrative. When it comes to firing up the base, Thune and Jindal would be logical choices but don't really add anythine electorally. Rubio is too untested.

I'd say Portman is the favorite right now. His political machine has been attributed as what carried Romney over the finish line in OH last month, so he'd probably give the ticket a bump there. He'd also bring the most gravitas to the ticket out of any of the often mentioned names and has the conservative credentials to appease the base.

Portman is very divisive here in Ohio.

 

[Anita18]

Yeah, limited WHERE exactly?

They want a say in what you do in the privacy of your own home (drugs, sex), who you can marry, when you get to use contraception if at all, they want to take away the choice of abortion, they want to tell us that unpublished non-peer reviewed myths should be taught on equal footing with established science...

I mean, WHERE exactly are they small government?

When government gets in the way of them making money. And taking away guns.

 

[Paradoxium]

Well if you guys had to lay money down (ignoring what you want) who would it be

 

[Paradoxium]

If I had to lay cash down - RIGHT NOW - I think it is Rob Portman. He is the most boring so far. It's possible to get someone duller but so far I haven't seen anyone duller.

 

[Chris B]

Portman is very divisive here in Ohio.

On that note, there was actually an Ohio PPP poll that showed picking Portman wouldn't result in a win for Romney there.

Which makes sense. In the modern era, VP nominees really don't gurantee that their state will vote for their party's nominee anymore. Which is why likewise, I don't think it's a sure thing that McDonnell would put VA into the Republican column or Rubio with FL for that matter.

I think it's more of a case that picking one these guys would give the ticket a small bump in the polls in their home state. Which in a close race, may or may not make a difference.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Really, you need a VP who is a little exciting, but not completely off the wall.

 

[Chris B]

If I had to lay cash down - RIGHT NOW - I think it is Rob Portman. He is the most boring so far. It's possible to get someone duller but so far I haven't seen anyone duller.

I'd probably agree on Portman, but I wouldn't rule out John Thune. The main rationale behind him being that he could excite the Evangelical/Religious crowd.

I don't think he'll go with Rubio or Jindal unless he's really down in the polls.

 

[Marx]

On that note, there was actually an Ohio PPP poll that showed picking Portman wouldn't result in a win for Romney there.

Which makes sense. In the modern era, VP nominees really don't gurantee that their state will vote for their party's nominee anymore. Which is why likewise, I don't think it's a sure thing that McDonnell would put VA into the Republican column or Rubio with FL for that matter.

I think it's more of a case that picking one these guys would give the ticket a small bump in the polls in their home state. Which in a close race, may or may not make a difference.

Portman has burned a lot of bridges in Ohio. I'm not surprised at all by the results of that poll.

 

[hippie_hunter]

You will guys will get a kick out of this:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/newt-gingrich-utah-primary-check-bounces/

 

[Thundercrack85]

The Daily Show had a pretty funny skit showing Newt Gingrich's running his campaign out of his car.

 

[Superman]

Allen West: I've 'Heard' 80 House Democrats Are Communist Party Members

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/allen-west-democrats-communist-party_n_1417279.html

Allen West Releases His Own Video Of Communist Accusations

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/12/allen-west-communist-video_n_1420919.html

Only 80? Why not go for 100 or all Dems? I mean if you're going to make up crap why not go all the way?

 

[SV Fan]

Only 80? Why not go for 100 or all Dems? I mean if you're going to make up crap why not go all the way?

I think his theory is any member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus is a socialist and socialism = communism so...