GOP guru Steve Schmidt: exit polls suggest Perry, Bachmann no longer “plausible”

SFGate: Politics Blog ^ | 1/3/12 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[SmithL]

GOP political consultant Steve Schmidt, one of the toughest guys in the business and the guru behind the 2008 John McCain presidential campaign, said that early polls suggest Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann are likely no longer “plausible” candidates after tonight.

And he told MSNBC it increasingly looks like former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum “may well emerge as the chief alternative to Mitt Romney.”

With Santorum showing strong in early exit polls, Schmidt — an MSNBC analyst — told the network moments ago that Santorum is “going to have to make a lot of decisions very quickly if he comes out on top tonight..he’s going to have to be drinking water out of a fire hose.”

[cripplecreek]

You don’t consider Santorum a conservative??

Of course.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Why would a so-called “conservative” work for MSNBC?

[Venturer]

A blog that actually thinks Iowa’s caucus is somehow relevant.

[Nifster]

So does that mean of course you do not consider him a conservative or of course you do consider him a conservative? Your answer is confusing

[oldbill]

Schmidt, the guru for McCain, was also a top campaign guy for Bush 2004. He took a sure landslide against an ignorant dilletante and turned it into a near loss.

So why should we listen to Schmidt?

[RobinOfKingston]

Why would a so-called “conservative” work for MSNBC?

The "so-called 'conservative'" slot is already filled at cnn?

[bvw]

A poisonous viper, evidently. See the interest in him by the left:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/17/steve-schmidt-mccain-camp_n_188354.html

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/11/sarah-palin-and-steve-schmidt-the-intra-gop-feud-continues-on/

[cripplecreek]

He’s a conservative and one of my top picks.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Steve Schmidt - only in San Francisco would they think he’s a Republican “tough guy” - looks like that creepy internal affairs cop on Mentalist.

[Graybeard58]

Santorum “may well emerge as the chief alternative to Mitt Romney.”

Fine with me.

No Romney/Paul/Huntsman.

[Luke21]

Steve Schmidt’s comments and views are identical to Kark Rove, another Republican “tough guy” and “guru.”

[Luke21]

Steve Schmidt’s comments and views are identical to Karl Rove, another Republican “tough guy” and “guru.”

[greeneyes]

Personally I want a single primary day nationwide.

When there are so many candidates, that would mean that someone could win the nomination with only around 25% of the vote( which means that 75% do not support the winner).
Not sure that would be so great for conservatives.

[Reynoldo]

to be fair and balanced

[Michigan Bowhunter]

GURU....FU......LOL!!!!!

[cripplecreek]

When there are so many candidates, that would mean that someone could win the nomination with only around 25% of the vote( which means that 75% do not support the winner).

So you're OK with middle of the road Iowa and left leaning east coast states picking the candidates for us?

Do away with this first in the nation crap and let the candidates campaign to their strengths all across the country instead of spending 9 months in Iowa and NH.

[allblues]

I think that would actually be Steve Schmuck they’re talking about.

[CSI007]

Ahh yes newt wins the south and we are stuck with another progressive republican who will then be torn apart by another liberal in the general election...

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Steve Schmidt, one of the toughest guys in the business and the guru behind the FAILED 2008 John McCain presidential campaign.

Schmidt is a nothing but a hack who is still doing the bidding of the GOP establishment to knock down Rick Perry in the waning moments of the Iowa caucus.

Just like he failed in 2008, Schmidt failed here. Perry got 24% and tied for first place.

[piytar]

This guy is an idiot. From Drudge:

“RICK 24.3% MITT 23.6% RON 21.8%”

Yea, Perry is done after WINNING.