Posted on 07/11/2010 7:47:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The November midterm elections are just four months away, but a handful of politicians are already looking far down the calendar to 2012 -- and it's starting to show.
Though the 2012 presidential campaign arguably began as soon as the 2008 campaign ended, the water testing is starting to become more visible. It takes a long time to raise the millions needed to run for president and build national attention -- so with about two years to go until the conventions, a few potential candidates seem to be getting the ball rolling.
The political activity is taking place in all the familiar forums. Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty this weekend returned to New Hampshire, site of the first-in-the-nation primary, for the third time in seven months. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a 2008 presidential candidate, is expected to be campaigning hard for fellow Republicans in the midterms while building visibility. And former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin just launched a splashy new online ad.
"I think that Romney and Pawlenty are getting a good head start," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. "But it's also true that those other candidates, most of them, people like Palin and Newt Gingrich and Haley Barbour, could raise money very quickly. They could put a campaign together quickly if they had to."
Pawlenty is trying to raise his profile in a state critical to presidential politics. During a visit to New Hampshire's Strafford County Republican Picnic Saturday, Pawlenty didn't speak about any plans for 2012. But he told a crowd of about 100 people that Washington needs to change.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“What the h*ll is wrong with you people?”
I guess it depends on what your definition of “is” is. She did firmly say to Oriely that she was against Amnesty...and then made it clear that she was against amnesty for the illegals that don’t register when told to. It was more than clear that McCain or someone has CONVINCED her that the people here illegally MUST be allowed to stay.
...and if you look at my past posts, I have consistently supported her - although she’s always had trouble with this issue, and that did worry me.
It is a VERY easy issue - and if she has to weasel and wordsmith, it will cost her the nomination - regardless of what you or I want.
Jeb Bush makes his brother, George, look like Tom Tancredo on immigration.
By the way, here is the interview.
You judge for yourself...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2550627/posts
“Remember when people actually talked about queer Charlie Crist for veep? I say queer as is odd not as in homosexual queer. Crist is married.
Is Lindsay Graham-nesty married?”
There are a lot of questions regarding Crist being queer, regardless of his obligatory trophy-wife.
As to Grahamnesty, he’s not married and he’s recently been outed - that’s why people think he’s now acting a bit more conservative (i.e., no more blackmail).
All I have to say is: NOT Romney (or any other RINO that pops up out of nowhere)!
“She wins hands down in that group and she is McCain’s girl. She is good and they suck. Gingrich is a POS RINO. I would take Mitt over Newt. Pawlenty is probably #2 in that group.
I wish Christie was better on guns and amnesty because he is much better.”
I agree with you...Sarah is still the best of the pack - but when I see a no-nonsense conservative like Thune not listed, it’s just a bummer.
When Palin stood up for Jan Brewer, she crossed the Rubicon. She's a target of the pro-amnesty forces along with all the other left and RINO groups.
Of the other 2012 possibilities, who else has supported Brewer? Possibly Newt. I have not heard boo from Romney, T-Paw or the Huckster.
The main things she said made it clear that she was not going to let law breakers get off scott free, and that illegals were lawbreakers.
She never said she would let them stay after registration, you're making an assumption about that.
And it wasn't so easy with O in her face as you are saying. I'll wait to hear her flesh it out rather than pretending her endorsement of McCain is affecting her judgment on this issue. She sounds nothing like the McCain of 2007, never has and I'm betting never will.
“She even used the “D” word (deport): either by eliminating jobs and benefits (forcing them to self-deport) or actual deportation.”
Yes - but this is what bugged me today:
“We won’t complicate it any more. Let’s keep it simple and let’s say, ‘No, if you are here illegally and you don’t follow the steps that at some point through immigration reform we’re going to be able to provide, and that is to somehow allow you to work. If you’re not going to do that, you will be deported you will be gone.”
She seemed to be saying that you can stay if you play be (her) new rules...I think most of us would like them to LEAVE in some way, and then come back, as necessary, in a controlled manner.
“She sounds nothing like the McCain of 2007, never has and I’m betting never will. “
That I agree with. Back then, we were being told that we needed amnesty or we would never have them vote for us. As if they would have anyway.
We will not win with Sarah - too many people on OUR side of the aisle won’t vote for her - WE NEED BOTH AISLES to overcome the Obama stench that is rising up to destroy the country. I wouldn’t rule out the Indiana Gov’r Mitch Daniels or Chris Christie as the 2 most NEEDED because they are both FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. THE NUMBER 1 Issue America will be Desperate for in 2012 is SOMEONE TO STAND AGAINST SPENDING BIG TIME!
I agree, but that's going to be a tough proposition; one that will not only be opposed by Dems but also RINOs like Graham, Lugar, etc.
‘I hate perpetual presidential campaigns’.
I know what you mean, but three years ago, Fred Thompson hadn’t started his campaign in July, and folks were saying (correctly) that he was too late. Most likely all serious campaigns will have started by the end of next spring, like it or not.
One thing for sure, she made it clear that she is serious in wanting to solve border security, doesn't think amnesty is a good thing (she even mentioned Reagan's mistake), and will press the issue until it is resolved.
I like that.
“I agree, but that’s going to be a tough proposition; one that will not only be opposed by Dems but also RINOs like Graham, Lugar, etc. “
Doesn’t matter. It would be a VERY POPULAR position and Tea Party would take care of whiners.
Mitch is going no where with his running up the white flag on all issues other than fiscal responsibility. That gives the dems carte blanche on every other important issue there is and that's not something I can support.
The GOP had the majority in the Senate. Alan Simpson (R-WY) dropped the ball, but Reagan should not have signed the bill without border security first.
check you mail
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