South Florida is as blue as ever, but I have only seen a handful of Obama/Biden 2012 bumper stickers and no yard signs.
That is REALLY surprising for Fort Lauderdale/Miami.
They should because all indicators are that Obama is going to have a really tough time in FL. Its been trending further red since 2008. Nelson even looks like he’s in his fight for his life. Gov Rick Scott’s reforms are starting to have the desired effect and his numbers have improved markedly. I’m not worried about Florida. The state I’m most worried about is Ohio. Not so much worried about VA this year. The Obama troops seem to be having trouble getting volunteers. :-)
I heard a couple of scandals (one of them not directly tied to him but too close for comfort) to do with Rubio regarding Congressional or House credit cards may have been why Rubio didn’t get picked.
The Tea Party is strong in FL and not likely going to go Obummer.
Pray for America
I think that Romney is demonstrating a genuine executive approach. And by that I mean, he is doing things that have a prolonged, persistent effect. Contrast that to the 0bama/Axelrod “nyah-nyah” type of playground name-calling idiocy that seems like it has this big denting effect when it is sounded, but mere days later, has turned into a nothingburger and indeed, now seems to prove disingenuousness and a ready willingness to mislead on their part. And what’s nice is that the media and blogosphere appear to be able to dismantle these oblique connections in record time. Witness what happened with the “Romney killed the steelworker’s wife with cancer” deal. And I also contrast Romney’s approach with the “Julia” website that went up, clearly without what I call adult supervision within the 0bama camp. This is what they do not have. They have buzz, they have impulse, but once any given item extends past their attention span, they’re onto something else to destroy or otherwise muck around with.
So, my point is, 0bama is hit and run, throw anything up on the wall and see if (or hope) it sticks. Romney is deliberate, strategic. I believe as a good businessman, he will insist his efforts be *cumulative*: His story on Wednesday should not belie his story from Monday. Yeah, yeah, flip flops.
Romney is taking his time. He exudes confidence. I believe Ryan will be a highly approved pick, at first blush, and a month and 2 months from now. I believe Romney thinks he can convince and educate voters. Lest you think I am using the words “I believe” and “Romney” too many times in the same post, I’m in no way a Romney zealot. I don’t have the slightest doubt whom I’ll vote for, though. I think the confidence he is putting on will work, will manifest itself. Ryan is a powerful communicator for the direct purpose of defusing the “granny over the cliff” chant, as well. Romney knows, there is a 20% chance 0bama will completely destroy himself with this flailing. He also knows that if he cannot get through to Jews in Florida, he’s toast anyway there. I think he is taking intensely well-considered moves....some of which may be perceived as gambles, but I think he’s weighed and measured his chances with a good deal of savvy.
Thank you for asking this question because I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’m thinking “yes”; they feel pretty comfortable about taking FL.
The problem the democrats have is that they aren’t able to grow their base. They have a block vote of liberal seniors who always vote and always have time to organize behind liberal causes. This block vote often creates friction by electing detestable leftists like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and formerly Robert Wexler.
The Left’s radicalism is what wakes the rest of us up and allows solid conservatives like Rubio and my congressman Allen West to come into the belly of the political beast and win when we need them most. There is a very formidable and growing conservative base statewide that is generally able to override the static liberal senior vote when things are critical. This is most definitely one of those times.
Another problem is that a lot of Jewish seniors don’t like Obama. The vast majority will still vote Democrat out of habit, but if there is even a small erosion of their vote, Obama will lose. The internals in this state, I guarantee are leaning decisively to Romney.
I think it meant Romney decided not to pander to Floridians or Hispanics. Win or lose, fair and square.
I am sure Romney people vetted all VP candidates
Rubio has way too many issues....but the main thing is that Rubio will not bring in Puerto Rican or Mexican-Amer voters. Romney cannot run a Cuban and expect to sway Mex-Amer voters in the West (some Obama-won states are in play)
This “myth of the Hispanic voter” is really “we want Illegal Alien Amnesty”. Any GOPer mentioning Hispanic Vote really means they want Illegals amnesty
On the other hand..
Seniors are a big part of the Florida vote; and, in general, Seniors hate Obamacare. The number one spokesman against Obamacare is...
And, Ryan has done extremely well with seniors in his past races.
ping
Another dimension to this train of thought is what is the implication for the senior vote? There are a lot of senior citizens in Florida, and you just KNOW the the democrats are going to try to hammer home the point that Ryan wants to gut medicare and turn old folks into dog food.
I believed Rubio when he said he didn’t want the job. The credit card thing is chump change and disappeared immediately, before his election I believe.
Palpable distaste for bambi here in north Florida. Among blacks too.
Husband overheard conversation among black restaurant workers a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta, consensus was they wouldn’t vote for bambi for dogcatcher,if you weren’t gay,illegal or on welfare he doesn’t give a crap.