Republicans waiting for the next Reagan (VA GOP focus group picks FRed!)

The Los Angeles Times ^ | November 3, 2007 | Doyle McManus

[2ndDivisionVet]

RICHMOND, VA. -- National polls show former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani leading the pack of Republican presidential contenders. Statewide polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, the key early states in the nomination process, find former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the strongest position.

But an evening with conservative voters in a suburb of Virginia's prosperous capital tells a different story: Many, perhaps most, Republicans are still essentially undecided. They're looking for the next Ronald Reagan, and they're not sure they've found him yet -- although some are hoping former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee will ride in and sweep them off their feet.

"The [next] president needs to be a strong leader . . . somebody who's going to be able to pull the country together," said Susie Rommell, 54, an information technology trainer. She said she favors Giuliani but could change her mind.

"I want a strong conservative," said David Armstrong, 42, an accountant. He said he favors Thompson.--snip--

At the beginning of the evening, a straw poll around the table gave Giuliani four votes, Thompson three, Romney two and Sen. John McCain of Arizona two.

One of the participants didn't make a choice and, although Morley did, she said: "But I'm really undecided."

Several others nodded in sympathy.

Two hours later, when offered a choice between solely Giuliani and Thompson, nine of the 12 voters said they would probably pick Thompson.

Giuliani won praise for his toughness and his leadership in New York after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but criticism for his moderate positions on abortion and civil unions for homosexuals.(continued)

[2ndDivisionVet]

But I thought Rudy was the most electable "conservative" in the race?! My brain hurts!

[bill1952]

but I'm electable! - see these legs?

[Jim Noble]

Fred:Reagan = Mondale:FDR

[Always Right]

Fred really needs to find a message that starts to resonate with more voters.

[big'ol_freeper]

With Romney you get this on a national level:

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

We need a lot more than Reagan to get us out of this mess. I’m hoping for something infinitely greater.

Romans 8
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

[codercpc]

I really don't think it is the message, it is the presentation of the message. On paper, Fred is almost everything I want, yet when I see him deliver it, I am underwhelmed.

This is not MSM talking points, they are my gut feelings. I just do not see him beating Hillary. A whole bunch of people on this board disagree with me, but if Fred has not been able to engage the primary voters, even though the message is good, how in the world is he going to engage the rest of the general public?

I am looking forward to his appearance on Meet the Press tomorrow, because he is generally very good on the one on one interviews, but he needs to be more than average.

Reading the whole article about the participants is revealing. When talking about their ideals, they almost all by the end of the evening side with Fred, yet why wasn't that enthusiasm there before the talking began. These are engaged voters, presumably they have been paying attention, yet they did not have the enthusiasm for Fred. Why not? I say it is the presentation. Fred MUST change his style. Whether we want to believe it or not, we live in a media world, 30 second sound bites rule the day, and we are not going to change it by getting 51% of the voters to actually read position papers on the web.

Another thing that stood out was the whole groups want of change from the present administration. Every one of these participants voted for GWB in 2000 and 2004, yet they are all tired of him. How does Fred convince the public that he will change things, and not be more of the same? Where is Fred significantly different from GWB?

[ASA Vet]

moderate positions on abortion and civil unions for homosexuals

Rino Rudys postions on those are typical leftist (not "moderate") commiecRAT views. Another effort by the MSM to change the meaning of words.

[stockstrader]

JulieAnnie’s liberal positions are ‘moderate’ by LA TIMES (and MSM) nut-case, looney-left, standards.....lol

[2ndDivisionVet]

1% IN THE POLLS. That doesn’t spell “Beat Hillary” to me, sorry.

[rogue yam]

Where is Fred significantly different from GWB?

Entitlements, spending, immigration, Federalism, sovereignty (e.g. L.O.S.T.), etc.

But I do agree with you about Fred's presentation. He needs to amp it up!

[Condor51]

Julie Annie a 'moderate'.
Yeah I guess so, by LA Slimes standards.

To them anyone who doesn't condone or promote sex with barnyard animals is a 'moderate'.

[Crawdad]

This is like Alabama football fans waiting for the next Bear Bryant. It ain’t gonna happen.

Reminds me of the old joke after Coach Bryant died:
Q:How many Bama fans does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: 99. One to screw in the bulb and 98 to stand around a talk about how good the old bulb was.

Roll Tide. Beat LSU.

[LibLieSlayer]

The sleeping Tiger awakens (Conservative voters are starting to pay attention).

LLS

[dit_xi]

Well look no further.

Duncan Hunter

26 yrs. of experience in Congress
Right of every issue
Right every time
Army Ranger (Father a Marine, Son a Marine)
Patriot
Hero
True Conservative

Clearly the best choice amongst them all

[dakine]

3 strikes:

1. 26 years in Congress (last Rep. to win W.H.?)
2. 1% this late in the game...
3. Not photogenic/charismatic (reality stinks, live in Youtube/15 second bit of fame era...)

Could be a fine addition to a GOP cabinet...

[AuntB]

That’s it, just dismiss the best guy in the race. Be careful what you wish for, ‘cause you’ll give us another RINO, but then maybe that’s what you prefer.

[Brices Crossroads]

“Where is Fred significantly different from GWB?”

Federalism and Consitutionalism, if you are looking for broad differences. Translated into policy, he differs with Bush on Immigration, Spending, big government solutions to everything, to name a few very big differences. His differences with Bush are approximately as profound as were Ronald Reagan’s differences with the godfather of “Big Government Republicanism” Nelson Rockefeller. But you knew that. You object to Fred because you do not like his style. Many people do like his style, though. At the end of the day, you and most of the people who “want a winner” above all else will wind up voting for him.

And he can beat Hillary. He can do so by uniting the Republican base first and foremost, not just trying to scare them with Hillary. Fear is not enough of a motivator. He can also reach out to persudable independents and Democrats on the Immigration issue unlike Rudy who was a “sanctuary city” mayor in New York. That is how he beats her.