Posted on 02/15/2010 5:51:45 PM PST by TitansAFC
Just from the perspective of blogworthy content, I’m thrilled. A Huck vs. Palin race would be fascinating, but having Mitt in the mix all but guarantees a “centrist elites vs. populist conservatives” storyline for the nomination. Can’t. Wait.
One of the first big moves of 2012 — “Mitt Romney Names Matt Rhoades PAC Executive Director: BOSTON — Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced today that Matt Rhoades, who has held senior positions on major presidential campaigns and at the Republican National Committee, will serve as the PAC’s executive director. … ‘He’s been a friend and an adviser for several years now and I’m pleased that he has agreed to run the day-to-day operations of my Free and Strong America PAC. He shares with me the view that 2010 is going to be a critical election year, with many races and lots of opportunities to elect Republican candidates,’ said Governor Romney.
“Rhoades is currently a Vice President with DCI Group … He replaces Peter Flaherty, who will become a Senior Adviser to the PAC. He previously served as Communications Director for Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign … During the 2006 election cycle, Rhoades was a Deputy Communications Director in charge of research for the Republican National Committee. He also was Research Director for the 2004 Bush/Cheney re-election campaign. Rhoades also has held the position of White House Liaison at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in the Bush Administration.
According to Ben Smith, who’s reading this as a surefire sign that Mitt’s in, Rhoades also has a pipeline to Drudge. Consider this a follow-up to last night’s Quotes of the Day that showcased the makings of a bold Romney gambit: A path to the nomination that would concede the south to whomever emerges from a Huck/Palin bloodbath and focus instead on winning New Hampshire and Michigan early and then cleaning up in the coastal states. (Don’t laugh: Scott Brown’s win reportedly has Republicans coming out of the woodwork in blue New England.) I find it hard to fathom losing Iowa, South Carolina, and Florida to an opponent and then cleaning up on Super Tuesday, so expect Team Mitt to quietly push behind the scenes for bluer states to move their own primaries up to help their guy build a little early mo.
Here’s Ron Brownstein from this a.m.’s “Morning Joe” handicapping a Romney/Palin white collar/blue collar class warfare clusterfark in the primary. My heart says “stop” but my traffic sensibility cries “proceed.” Exit question: Are Huck and Palin going to come to some sort of understanding before the primaries that only one of them should run? If they both jump in and draw off each other, it leaves Romney alone to skate through by cleaning up with centrists. And Huck, at least, would probably find that prospect intolerable.
In 2008, we had a nit-wit at the top of the ticket, we can’t afford a MITT-wit in 2012.
FR is a no-Willard zone.
Well he is obviously going to run on the GOP ticket in 2012. If Sarah Palin can’t beat Romney in the GOP promaries, then she sure as heck wouldn’t have won in the general elections either. I like her chances against Romney though.
You’re kind of making my point.
Didn’t everone say the same thing about McCain after Bush (”No more RINOs”).
We must learn from history - the GOP establishment has gotten the guy they wanted in every race in my lifetime except Reagan vs. Bush. They know how to get this done in SPITE of the grassroots, with many of the aforementioned old school tricks.
You can SAY “Romney is dead” all you want, it does not change the fact that in reality he is the heavy favorite to win 51% of the delegates.
"Shall not be infringed", "Right of the People", "laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding", Title 18 Sect 242.
FU WIllard. Go away...
Who Cares?
... and then crash and burn in the general when the American public chooses the authentic Liberal over the Liberal pretending to be conservative again.
He's certainly the favorite. Whether he's the "heavy" favorite remains to be seen. JMO.
Not getting my vote. I’m voting PALIN! And proud to do it whether she runs or not!
Should have been a “double barf alert” on that post.
Another big government Republican we don’t need.
1.) Huckabee has basically ruled out a 2012 run. I don’t think he believes he can win in 2012 (though 2016 I would not rule out).
- - - - - - - - -
I think Huckabee *is* planning a run in 2012.
Romney is a non-starter for me. Same goes for Huckabee.
My concentration is on this year’s elections.
And just like McCain, he will loose the general election. And I don’t believe in the inevitability of his nomination. Things change.
Sarah has her big money people as well. The think is we just do not hear about them. Sarah meet with money people in Tenn. when she was there. I would find it hard believe Sarah hasn’t put the word out to folks on the state level. During her book tour Sarah took time to meet and greet GOPers before the public at just about every stop. I would not be surprised Sarah meet some today in FL. Tomorrow she is in AR to fund raise for the AR GOP. One other thing big money is only one vote but a lot a small donations is many votes.
Imagine Mitt at the Daytona 500 addressing the crowd.
Now review the tape of Sarah addressing the crowd yesterday.
Mitt has zero charisma.
Dead candidate walking.
At my Precinct Caucus this last Saturday Romney was a distant second in a straw vote taken at the door. Palin was the leader by several votes.
When I think of Mitt I think about that GOP Debate “show of hands” question. Question - “Show of hands, if you think climate change is a serious threat and man is the major cause of it.”
Hands that went up, McCain, Rudy, Mitt, and Huckabee - before Fred Thompson saved their butts with the were not playing hand games here.
The Video speaks for itself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAYtC_jcK1U
Please no Huck, Palin or Mitt. But who? We appear to have such a shallow bench...
Here! I’ve got YOUR favorites!! Bob Dole, Gerald Ford, John McLame, George H.W.Bush , George W. Bush. All Moderates, all RINOS. No MORE!!!!!! EVER!!!!! Palin all the way. And if you Romney-bots think this country would ever elect a MORMON, you are crazier than a loon! A two-bit Marxist Chicago Dem thug yes! A Mormon? NO way Jose!
LOL, I’m voting for Palin in 2012 whether she’s on the ballot or not. GMAB.
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