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The GOP needs a brokered convention in 2008
vanity | January 22, 2008 | neverdem

Posted on 01/22/2008 8:38:59 PM PST by neverdem

Free Republic Opinion Poll: (1/22) With FRed dropping out, who do you now support for the Republican nomination?

I just lost my reason for changing my registration from Conservative to the GOP in New York. My pick in that poll was none of the above. Slightly more than half on this forum prefers Romney as I write this.

I don't know why Fred didn't get more support, but when he got a little more than half of the support of Mike Huckabee in the South Carolina, that told Fred something. Huckabee was his main rival for the social conservative vote. I don't know what those folks in South Carolina were thinking when they voted for Huckabee, but a candidate who proposes to ban tobacco smoking and who criticizes the present administration for being too bellicose is not credible, IMHO, not to mention his otherwise populist politics.

When it comes to the general election, I'll most likely support the GOP's nominee, but if it is Romney, I won't be surprised if a lot of the "base" stays home. Some will stay home because of his religion. That's probably the worst reason not to vote for him, IMHO. Debra J. Saunders wrote today in the San Francisco Chronicle: "But don't tell me Romney is the true conservative in the race. His record reveals a solid conservative - when it has been in his interest to be one." Suffice it to say, the author barely starts to criticize Romney for all of the changes in his political positions over various social issues over the years. Should Romney win the nomination and in November, I expect as many disappointments as the current occupant of the White House.

I don't have to mention the other RINOs that are left in more ways than one. How did we get to this point where we are left with such a bunch of dismal RINOs? I don't know. The drive by media didn't help. But that is beside the point. The point is what do we do now. I say vote in the remaining primaries in a way so that we get a brokered convention. Considering what we are left with now, how could we do any worse?

Some might fear a brokered convention. I fear muddling along with any of these RINOs. David Freddoso wrote last month in National Review Online: "A brokered convention would allow for an airing of grievances for a party that has to decide its direction after a major loss." November 2006 was such a loss. Conservatives and small 'l' libertarians have just had another loss in this GOP primary season. A brokered convention could result in having a nominee we want to vote for, as opposed to voting against whoever the donkey is, after they have a nasty primary battle, or Bloomberg who's shaping up as the serious third party nominee. The left are eating their own. Fierce fighting over the minority vote may be the real surprise of the '08 Democratic race, with many blacks gravitating to Sen. Barack Obama and Hispanics to Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The new poll found 77 percent of the adults surveyed opposed making driver's licenses available to illegal aliens, while just 16 percent supported the idea.

Licenses fared poorly across party lines, including near-blanket opposition among self-identified Republicans, at 88 percent. Among independents and Democrats, it was still overwhelmingly unpopular, drawing 75 percent and 68 percent opposition, respectively.

A brokered convention could take advantage of another fracture in the donkeys and appeal to a great many folks sick of endless illegal immigration while our entitlement and social programs are undermining our finances. Another third party effort from the right, e.g. Constitution Party, would be courting disaster even if Bloomberg draws votes only from the left and center, IMHO.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008election; 2008rncconvention; election2008; gop2008
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To: neverdem
A brokered convention could result in having a nominee we want to vote for...

Or not. Everybody seems to think that Romney, McCain, and Huckabee would go into the brokered convention as the leaders and Thompson would pop out the other end as nominee. That's ridiculous.

81 posted on 01/23/2008 10:49:16 AM PST by Non-Sequitur (Save Fredericksburg. Support CVBT.)
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To: truth_seeker
In the end I will vote in my primary Feb. 5th, and will vote in the general for the Republican because I want a Republican administration, with advisors and cabinet members, because that is far superior to the alternative.

And I accept that such a Republican administration might be very imperfect, yet would be better than the alternative.

I have never had a favorite, and should it come to a “brokered” convention, rest assured those making the deals and tradeoffs will be seeking the best chance to win the election.

And that should be the highest priority, for it best advances conservatism, however imperfectly and incompletely

Sound logic and reasoning.

It flies in the face of what I've seen in the crybaby and loudmouth postings on FR lately.

- John

82 posted on 01/23/2008 10:52:07 AM PST by Fishrrman
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To: Dreagon
he appointed some dumb liberal judges while he was governer..

Which judges?

And what percentage of the all his judge appointments were those particular judges?

My point being, of course, that there is always a disappointment in the bunch when someone makes a lot of appointments.

Human beings make dumb decisions occasionally.

Look at Ronald Reagan's appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor.

Was SHE a rock solid take-no-prisoners conservative Judge??

Nope. She sided with the liberals to enact some of the worst decisions of the last half of the 20th century.

83 posted on 01/23/2008 11:04:52 AM PST by Edit35
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To: Non-Sequitur
Or not. Everybody seems to think that Romney, McCain, and Huckabee would go into the brokered convention as the leaders and Thompson would pop out the other end as nominee. That's ridiculous.

That's an unwarranted assumption. I'm just asking for someone different from the four RINOs. Tom Coburn would do fine by me. I can't believe the GOP can't generate a single genuine conservative.

84 posted on 01/23/2008 11:20:12 AM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: GOP_Raider
Here is one place that has a delegate count. Note that some delegates are estimated, because they are from caucuses.
85 posted on 01/23/2008 11:37:15 AM PST by LexBaird (Behold, thou hast drinken of the Aide of Kool, and are lost unto Men.)
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To: neverdem
I'm just asking for someone different from the four RINOs.

If 4 RINOs go into the convention with all the delegates then you can count one of them being the nominee. You're not going to have all 4 walking out with nothing. Brokered convention or no, I've got a better chance of snagging the nomination than Ron Paul does.

86 posted on 01/23/2008 11:55:36 AM PST by Non-Sequitur (Save Fredericksburg. Support CVBT.)
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To: neverdem

prepare for the Mittmormaniacs to come a’callin....


87 posted on 01/23/2008 12:00:51 PM PST by cherry
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To: WOSG

So Romney has double the delagates McCain does and Rasmussen has Romney up by 5. And you’re going to proclaim McCain the front runner by some poll that has McCain up by 2?


88 posted on 01/23/2008 12:17:28 PM PST by Invincibly Ignorant
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To: neverdem

“Draft Coburn instead!”

I would vote for Coburn.

Tough. No BS. Principled.


89 posted on 01/23/2008 3:30:16 PM PST by sergeantdave (The majority of Michigan voters are that stupid and the condition is incipient and growing.)
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To: neverdem

A brokered convention would be infinitely informative. We’d discover the true Republican Party position on the issues according to the selection that would come out of a brokered convention.

I say, bring it on.


90 posted on 01/23/2008 3:32:48 PM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: Jim Robinson

It’s a brokered convention which is the best possibility. None of the candidates currently in the running are very inspiring.


91 posted on 01/23/2008 3:43:19 PM PST by Clintonfatigued (You can't be serious about national security unless you're serious about border security)
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To: neverdem

I think that’s right. But for that to happen, no one must win a majority on the first ballot.

So if Rudy Giuliani were to win the Florida primary, it would keep the Republican field from settling on a front-runner. If McCain or Romney wins the Florida primary, they will be closer to a first-ballot victory.


92 posted on 01/23/2008 3:46:22 PM PST by Clintonfatigued (You can't be serious about national security unless you're serious about border security)
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To: wardaddy; Joe Brower; Cannoneer No. 4; Criminal Number 18F; Dan from Michigan; Eaker; Jeff Head; ...
The Bush Administration's Support for Gun Control from the Pres. of the Brady crew

Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) To The Bush White House: Withdraw Your Brief

Unintended Consequences - The Case of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Swiftboating a hoot from John Kerry!

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

93 posted on 01/23/2008 7:56:14 PM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: neverdem

If its brokured, go with Gov Mark Sanford- SC??


94 posted on 01/23/2008 7:58:39 PM PST by GeronL
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To: neverdem

I’m not seeing any real support for the mayor wwnbn.


95 posted on 01/23/2008 8:12:26 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: gidget7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brokered_convention


96 posted on 01/23/2008 8:15:35 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: sageb1

What’s wwnbn?


97 posted on 01/23/2008 8:15:41 PM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: Jim Robinson

“Question will be, which way will Huckabee’s Evangelicals break?”

They’ll probably vote Dem. ;)

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/229/story_22903_1.html


98 posted on 01/23/2008 8:19:46 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: Jim Robinson
...which way will Huckabee’s Evangelicals break?

For Huckabee -- especially in the South -- including Florida.

99 posted on 01/23/2008 8:22:53 PM PST by unspun (Mike Huckabee: Government's job is "protect us, not have to provide for us.")
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To: neverdem

“What’s wwnbn?”

who will not be named


100 posted on 01/23/2008 8:34:04 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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