Posted on 01/30/2008 5:47:25 AM PST by meandog
HARACTER COUNTS; some- times it counts in the count. In Florida, Arizona Sen. John McCain yesterday won the Republican primary, overcoming big disadvantages favoring former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. What disadvantages? Let us, well, count.
Mr. Romney built a huge campaign apparatus in Florida over the last year, while Mr. McCain, since his campaign nearly expired last summer, was able to do very little organizationally in the Sunshine State.
Many Floridians voted early--before Mr. McCain picked up the endorsements of Florida U.S. Sen. Mel Marinez and the state's governor, John Crist (to say nothing of Sly Stallone).
The number of voters self-identifying as conservatives rose from 50 percent four years ago to 60 percent this year, and a solid majority preferred Mr. Romney. Independents--a group that has been kind to Mr. McCain--could not vote in the GOP primary.
Yet Mr. McCain pulled out a victory, in no small part, surely, because he seems simply more genuine than his chief GOP opponent, whose stances on key issues such as abortion and immigration have changed with the office he's pursuing. By contrast, Mr. McCain backed a "surge" in Iraq three years before it was ordered, and later when that position badly hurt him in the polls. His "heterodoxies" (ask any of the talk-radio gasbags) on immigration and the environment, whether one agrees with him or not, show him to be a man, not an ambition-twisted taffy stick.
Mr. McCain, now the bona fide Republican front runner, may have saved the angry right from itself. Among Republicans nationally, Mr. McCain has a 71 percent favorable rating, and Independents like him. He could win--and not just the GOP nomination. Never count character out.
McCain picked up the “gods waiting room vote”
He did not win because he stands for something, he picked up their vote because he is an old man like them.
I think the election is rigged.
McCain doesn't count with me.
All liberal. Democrat judges.
Wouldn’t even pardon a Iraq war veteran for a minor indiscretion.( More Romney secret anti-militaryism?)
The race has not yet been run to the finish and so I'll remain hopeful.
If mcpain wins the nomination, I'll hold my nose, take a barf bag to the polls and vote for queeg.
I'm retired, in my mid 60's and am fairly well set from a financial perspective so whomever becomes President won't have much effect on me personally, but my kids and grandkids will suffer.
Excellent! I stole this as my tagline. hahahaha
We have seen the Romney/Frank opposition to the Bush tax cuts. The Romney judges. The Romney health care. The Romney lower taxes and sock it to everyone with larger fee increases. The Romney pandering. I'd say that neither one of them has a Conservative track record despite their words to the contrary.
I may or may not hold my nose and vote for the liar, but I will not delude myself to believe he is a “man of character”. I will also refrain from debasing myself by extolling the virtues of a very flawed man. Argue the merits about the immigration bill if you want to. I was referring to his claims that he was never for amnesty which any open minded person can see is an outright lie. I still hold out a glimmer of hope that the American electorate will come to its collective senses and send this dishonest politician into retirement.
My first choice was Thompson.
But now it's Romney. I can ignore some of his record because he had to govern in liberal Mass. He has changed some of his positions and I don't think he will change-back again. Remember Ronald Regan was once DEMOCRAT and actor union guy. But he changed once and for all. So I want give Mitt a chance.
Also McCain has no personal character - divorced his wife for rich and good looking second wife (like gingrich-kerry) - Keating five - wimpy military career/ skills etc.
worst public record amnesty bill/maacin-feigngold/maccain-liberman/etc.
I will never vote for McCain - I will abstain in NOV.
change registration to Independent.
John McCain is a Soclialist scumbag, WHO*E.
I will vote for the Democrat before I vote for McCain.
There is not a dimes worth of difference between the two.
At least as Rome burns we can blame the Democrat President.
see reply # 49
JM may be a character but he has no character.
Lying psychopath = character? No, thanks.
And Reagan appointed Anthony M. Kennedy.
Why would you assume that he is the front runner today?
There are about 1000 delegates for him to win next Tuesday to be the front runner, it is highly unlikely that he will win the bundle.
Kiss your 2nd Amendment rights goodbye, I think is what he's saying. The "private sale loophole" is the last hurdle to total gun registration. McCain's already co-sponsored a "gun show loophole" bill (McCain-Lieberman). He's one step away from doing to 2A what he's already done to 1A.
Puke.
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:Liberal?
Romney 24%
McCain 49%
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:Moderate?
Romney 21%
McCain 43%
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:Conservative?
Romney 37%
McCain 29%
We have a liberal winner!
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/30/florida-republican-exit-poll/
But the big difference between the two is that MR is not insane.
Ah yes, the ultimate retort of the FRiberals, smear Reagan.
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