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Could Iowa Conservatives Undermine GOP in 2012?
Associated Press ^ | 11/20/08

Posted on 11/24/2008 1:50:19 PM PST by lewisglad

"We've gone so far to the social right, particularly in caucus attendees, that unless you meet certain litmus tests you have a very difficult time competing in Iowa," said Doug Gross, the party's 2002 gubernatorial nominee. "I think you'll have some candidates who won't compete here unless they perceive that's somehow changed."

David Roederer, who headed John McCain's Iowa campaign, agreed.

"I would not encourage a moderate to come right now and participate in the caucuses," Roederer said. "It is a danger for the party, and it is a danger for the future of the caucuses."

Or as conservative state Rep. Christopher Rants put it: "Huckabee won the caucuses, but he couldn't go the distance. Maybe some people will bypass Iowa."

Of course, candidates who meet the standard laid down by social conservatives seem eager to swoop into the state. Later this week, 2008 caucus winner Mike Huckabee will hold events in the state as part of a book tour, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has planned appearances a couple of days later.

Both are targeting those social conservatives, a competition that's intensified with the emergence of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Palin was little known in Iowa until last summer, when she was named presidential candidate John McCain's running mate. She drew big crowds at events in several Iowa cities in the last six weeks of the campaign.

"She connected with a lot of people," Roederer said. "The person who has to be the most concerned is Huckabee. He was the only social conservative back then."

In a telephone interview, Huckabee played down speculation that he was starting early in Iowa due to conservative pressure from Palin.

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: 2012gopprimary; ia2012
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1 posted on 11/24/2008 1:50:20 PM PST by lewisglad
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To: lewisglad

Isn’t the GOP doing a pretty good job of undermining its own self?


2 posted on 11/24/2008 1:51:02 PM PST by Corin Stormhands (Your Ad Here)
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To: lewisglad

We need to start a “Chuck Huck” movement now.


3 posted on 11/24/2008 1:52:48 PM PST by NavVet ( If you don't defend Conservatism in the Primaries, you won't have it to defend in November)
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To: Corin Stormhands
"I would not encourage a moderate to come right now and participate in the caucuses," Roederer said. "It is a danger for the party, and it is a danger for the future of the caucuses."

A danger for RINO's running for President!

4 posted on 11/24/2008 1:52:53 PM PST by lewisglad
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To: lewisglad

Dump the caucuses!


5 posted on 11/24/2008 1:53:27 PM PST by Nonperson (Live Free or Die!)
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To: lewisglad

The GOP has learned nothing.

They stubbornly continue on their way over the cliff of oblivion.


6 posted on 11/24/2008 1:53:42 PM PST by SoConPubbie (GOP: If you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior.)
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To: lewisglad

How about we switch all Republican contests to caucuses and make them “closed” that way we can eliminate all RINOS.


7 posted on 11/24/2008 1:54:53 PM PST by JSDude1
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To: lewisglad

As an Iowa Consevative (fiscal and social) I hope the RINOs do not come here. If the Republican party continues down the line of trying to promote RINOs instead of conservatives I will be an independent by the next straw poll anyway.

The RINO way is what has nearly killed the GOP but those at teh top seem to want to continue down that failed path.


8 posted on 11/24/2008 1:54:53 PM PST by CTK YKC
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To: NavVet

And tie Mitt Romney to him as he is tossed...


9 posted on 11/24/2008 1:55:23 PM PST by ejonesie22 (Stupidity has an expiration date 11-4-2012)
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To: lewisglad; The Mayor; Jim Robinson

Maybe a few more real Conservatives in every race and the GOP could repossess the RNC from its typical MORAL COWARDICE.

We need to constantly remind people that Social Conservatism = Moral Right. The pagans will howl. That’s why God invented earplugs.


10 posted on 11/24/2008 1:57:47 PM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: lewisglad

Nice premise the AP comes from. How about, “Iowa Conservatives vow to Save the Party”.


11 posted on 11/24/2008 1:58:25 PM PST by DManA
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To: NavVet

why does it state he got the conservative vote as he never he got the evangelical vote .

He was never going to win


12 posted on 11/24/2008 1:59:00 PM PST by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman no sick MA,CT sham marriage end racism end affirmative action)
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To: ejonesie22; NavVet
And tie Mitt Romney to him as he is tossed...

Amen!

If the candidate is not a fiscal, moral, and military conservative, that candidate needs to be kicked to the curb right now!
13 posted on 11/24/2008 1:59:22 PM PST by SoConPubbie (GOP: If you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior.)
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To: Nonperson

YEA!! Or at least give the caucuses some authority. Now they are just window dressing of democracy. In caucus states the party elite make all the real decision.

I don’t know the best way to pick a candidate but I know the way the Republicans do it now is the WORST way.


14 posted on 11/24/2008 2:00:21 PM PST by DManA
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To: lewisglad

Make all contests closed primaries. Limit it to people who have been party afiliated for at least 10 years and continuous residents in their respective states for justas long. That ought to solve the problem as to whop should represent the GOP, otherwise it don’t mean sh*t.


15 posted on 11/24/2008 2:01:23 PM PST by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: lewisglad

It is all about BIG FARM & Ethanol subsidies. Republicans have lost Iowa.

Sioux City Journal
Democrat Web site raps McCain on farm issues

By Charlotte Eby Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2008
DES MOINES — The Iowa Democratic Party has launched a Web site criticizing Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s opposition to ethanol subsidies and the recent farm bill.

The site, McCainVsIowa.com, highlights McCain’s record on issues they say are important to working families and farmers.

“The record is clear: when given the opportunity, Sen. McCain has actively fought legislation critical to the economic growth of the state of Iowa,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan. “He has sided with oil companies over Iowa biofuels, and called the farm bill, which provides an important safety net to Iowa farmers, ‘corporate welfare.’”

The Web site includes a video with clips of McCain vowing to veto the farm bill if he were president and criticizing ethanol subsidies.

Democrats launched the Web site just days before McCain is scheduled to visit the Iowa State Fair, a showcase of Iowa’s agricultural heritage.

Chris Taylor, a spokesman with the Republican National Committee, said McCain has a long history of voting against subsidies.

“He continues to be a man of conviction, and he’s always stood by that,” Taylor said.

He added McCain has put forward “common sense plans” to help Iowans and farmers with the rising prices of energy and gas.


16 posted on 11/24/2008 2:02:03 PM PST by KeyLargo
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To: lewisglad
Why don't these so-called moderates run as Democrats instead of Republicans? That way they would run against a conservative and guarantee that a liberal won't be elected.

...and, of course, that is why they run as Republicans; to guarantee that a conservative won't be elected. That is their purpose in life.

17 posted on 11/24/2008 2:02:08 PM PST by Perchant
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To: JSDude1

here’s a thought

only republicans can vote instead of the way NH goes voting in a RINO both times


18 posted on 11/24/2008 2:02:08 PM PST by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman no sick MA,CT sham marriage end racism end affirmative action)
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To: lewisglad

I hate Iowa.


19 posted on 11/24/2008 2:02:27 PM PST by ichabod1 (You won't know obammunism is here until it puts a boot in your (fat) bottom.)
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To: JSDude1

here’s a thought

only republicans can vote instead of the way NH goes voting in a RINO both times

forget the Dems and forget the independents


20 posted on 11/24/2008 2:02:31 PM PST by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman no sick MA,CT sham marriage end racism end affirmative action)
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