GOP grassroots on fire

politico ^ | Jonathan Martin

[flyfree]

I've been covering the GOP presidential race since November of 2006. In those many months — across many states — I have never seen a crowd with the energy that I witnessed yesterday at the Erwin Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Yes, there was an inherent buzz owing to the pending veep announcement.

But even after the choice was proclaimed, the crowd seemed to become more jacked. And when Sarah Palin delivered, they seemed to instantly fall in love.

They were, if you will, fired up and ready to go.

And outside the arena, far from Dayton, the response I've gotten from Republican activists coast-to-coast has been one of almost joy. My e-mail in-box is bursting with enthusiasm from loyal GOPers who've been either glum, skeptical or downright unhappy for the past two years.

[been_lurking]

I'm much more interested in how this choice goes with independents and Regan democrats

They outnumber the Base by a significant amount

That you would make such a patently false assertion speaks volumes about your knowledge of the subject. Quite simply, you are wrong.

If you disagree, then please cite both your figures, and your sources.

[nothingnew]

heh heh heh....I read you loud and clear, even if others here don't.

FMCDH(BITS)

[impeachedrapist]

McCain raised $4.5 million yesterday. Do you think it came from all those mushy middle types you’ve supposedly been observing for 25 years?

[been_lurking]

I've been keenly involved in observing politics for over 25 years

Bookmarked. There is nothing I like better than helping self-proclaimed experts eat crow after making statements like this.

I will be sure to remind you of your current statements on 5 November.

[Republicanprofessor]

I read on a blog today that in a debate with Biden, Palin will make him look like Ted Baxter.

As a conservative woman, I am so energized by this pick that I can’t get any real work done today, drawn as I am to all the blogs, FR especially. It seems that some democratic women will come over to her side, especially those more upset with Obama than favoring abortion “rights.”

It would be great to see some in-depth debates about some issues, such as abortion, where “all” women are seen as pro-choice. Perhaps we shall see the death of identity politics in favor of strong individuals who think rationally about the issues and their ramifications instead of settling for easy solutions that feel good now but cause more problems down the road as the Democrats do.

[reagandemocrat]

Well.... I’m voting for McCain/Palin.

[truthguy]

And, I don't know if you noticed, but us fired-up Evangelicals brought victory in the last two presidential elections. We do more than "observe" and more than vote. We hit the streets and the phones and donate cash. Oh yeah, and we pray too.

You seem to be missing the point. There simply are not enough of you "evangelical" voters out there. Look I'm getting a lot of heat over this but I'm not trying to offend people. I'm a paleo conservative from the get go. I'm pro life and pro balanced budget and most of my friends, relatives, and colleagues think I'm hard right. The point is that most of my friends and colleagues are either moderately liberal, middle of the road, or moderately conservative. This is where the great bulk of voters are. We also have an electoral college. So even if we win every vote in Utah this will mean very little nationally. This is why WE MUST link up with economic conservatives and middle of the road types to win. It's all in the math. Remember GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH

[TomasUSMC]

They were, if you will, fired up and ready to go.
/////////////
Hey dems are coming over in droves too. Palin connects with alot of people, across all kinds of lines.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

You make some good points. But I think the ‘glass ceiling’ issue trumps a woman's politics, when it comes to liberal woman voters. Look at my state, the ultra-left wing state of maine. We have two republican senators. Susan Collins, a rhino, at least voted for the iraq-war and Bush's tax cuts. She may be pro-abortion. Anyway she'll most likely win a close race against Tom Allen. Because she'll have a majority of the woman's vote. I think a large number of woman that voted for hillary, will vote for McCain because of Palin. The anger towards obama, plus Palin crashing through the glass ceiling, will trump the abortion issue in their minds. Out of 9 million or so woman that voted for Hillary, I'd guess half will either vote for McCain are not vote. That’s a huge number. Sates like PA and Ohio are going to be decided by 50 to 100,000 votes. So a defection of that many voters would be devastating to obama’s chances.

[edzo4]

I think polling may show McCain gets a bounce even before his convention, check out this aol poll results

[truthguy]

When I look at McCainPalin I see a soldier and a mother

You don't see very well. McCain was acutally a sailor.

[impeachedrapist]

The point is that most of my friends and colleagues are either moderately liberal, middle of the road, or moderately conservative. This is where the great bulk of voters are.

We're not interested in your opinion or what your friends do. You've supposedly been observing politics for a quarter of a century. So produce some data to back up your assertion, by showing that independents outnumber Dems and/or Pubs AND are as equal or more likly to vote.

[muleskinner]

I still, personally, believe Romney would have been a better choice. Romney could not be challenged on a lack of experience like Palin,...

Heard the following last night" The conservative press hates Romney and McCain was able to cut him off at the legs in the debates - Biden would do the same" In fact, Romney would probably be a better choice, but Palin is the better political choice. And among the four candidates, she's the only one with real executive experience.

The Alaskan old boy Republican "Bridge to Nowhere" network underestimated her to their regret. They are toast.

[saminfl]

This is why they keep getting clobbered in elections. Then when clobbered they say the candidate isn't conservative enough. Amazing.

You doofus. I guess that's why Ronald Reagan won two landslide elections. I predicted the other day that there would be trolls trying to diss Governor Palin.

[Sir_Ed]

I was buying some stuff at the local 7/11 the other day, and I mentioned Palin to the woman behind the counter and she lit up.

She’s just an ordinary Shmoe, just a clerk, and she got excited because Palin has so much to offer.

Furthermore, Palin’s a redneck. She rides Harleys, hunts, works on her husband’s fishing boat, she was a union member and her husband is still a union member.

I believe this really cements the Joe Six-Pack crowd, as well as us evangelicals.

Ed

[spacejunkie01]

Amen Navy! I totally agree with what you said...I was in the same boat.

The day of Saddleback is the day I went from voting AGAINST Obama to FOR McCain.

He’s really pulling it together. And this pick of Palin is perfect!

[flyfree]

When I look at ObamaBiden I see two lawyers,
When I look at McCainPalin I see a soldier and a mother

Well, I like it! When I see Palin thought I see not only a mother but a blue star mother (and McCain is a blue star father). For some of us, that is important.

[Artemis Webb]

You aren't from these parts are ya?

[nikos1121]

Biden-Palin Fantasy Debate Part I by Nikos1121

HOST: Senator, Biden, are you still againt drilling?

BIDEN: Yes. My opponent, Mzzz Palins, I know feels differently, but the fact is, drilling today will not result in any more oil to the consumer or drop in gas prices for at least ten years. The effect on or natural wildlife and environment also needs to be taken into consideration. The drilling in Mzzzz Palinzes own state has been castatrophic. Have we forgotton the Valdez Oil spill? No, we need to be creative in finding energy alternatives and not just add more revenues in the coffers of Mzzz Palinzes’ friends at BP, Exxon and Shell. And BTW, President McCain...I mean Senator McCain also opposes drilling in ANWR.

HOST: Govenor Palin, response?

PALIN: I didn’t know that I’ve become two people. (laughing) The Alaska Oil Pipe Line has been in existence for over 30 years. It’s brought over 15 BILLION barrels of oil to our people. It has done so in a way that not only protected wildlife and the environment but carabou herds have actually flourished during this time. Politicians at the time, such as Senator Biden were AGAINST the Alaskan Pipeline and in fact, voted against it.

BIDEN: That’s a lie. That’s not true.

PALIN: Excuse me Senator, but that is not a lie. You voted against the Alaska Pipeline.

BIDEN: I voted for it.

PALIN: Senator, you may have changed your vote in the end after the measure passed, so that you were on the winning side, but initially you spoke out and voted against the pipeline. This is fact not fantasy. May I continue? Oil spills are always a potential problem, but they account for less than 1% of our ocean’s oil pollution. The vast majority comes from our own planet through underwater oil seapage. Lastly, I’ve worked closely with several countries and companies, in tapping trillions...yes trillions of natural gas that lies in Alaska. This is clean, cheap and available energy. The effects on our economy and energy reserves will be immediat. The revenues from which can be used to discover new sources of energy. And BTW Senator, Shell Oil and others you mentioned paid over $11 billion dollars in taxes last year. Alaska alone received over $10 billion dollars in oil revenues last year. If we were to follow the lead of the democratic party our country would never have drilled for oil 30 years ago in Alaska.

HOST: Senator Biden points out that Senator McCain opposes drillng in ANWR which is in your state. Do you agree with him?

PALIN: Senator McCain is four square behind drilling for oil in Alaska. He has definite concerns about drilling on federal grounds there. He’s an environmentalist of the first magnitude, and I’ve had lively discussions with him on this issue. I’ve learned some things from him and he’s learned things from me. When he’s convinced that our nation’s refuges are safe he will NOT be opposed to drilling in ANWR, an area which is less than the size of Disneyland I might add.

[flyfree]

Forget the tatoo, that really is a dumb idea. But get a yard sign: http://store.johnmccain.com/