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.
Someone needs to inform Willard that the Second Amendment isn't just about punching holes in paper or Bambi.
Romney is a non-starter for me. Same goes for Huckabee.
Don't know about you, but I've no interest in ANY candidate who ran for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2008.
Romney, Huckabee, Thompson, Giuliani, et al all have one fatal flaw: They couldn't defeat the weakest Republican candidate since Alf Landon in 1936.
If you can't beat John McCain -- the Anti-Republican -- in a Republican primary, how the hell can you be expected to defeat any Democrat in the general?
The wild card where Romney is concerned is Pawlenty, I think. My guess is that they would be competing for the same voters, which could set up an interesting parallel with a hypothetical Palin/Huck battle.
“A Big Mac from every McDs he passes ???”
A pole dancer from every strip joint he passes???
Will NOT Vote for Romney. <————— notice the period
You are neglecting how powerful the Tea Partiers and populists in general are becoming and how much stronger they will be in two years.
Palin has been in the lower 48 for two weeks and became the sweatheart of the Tea Party and wowed them at the Daytona 500.
Where does Mitt stand on any issue today? Where will he stand on any issue in 2012?
Right. I have no interest in any of them.
yeah I tend to agree... and Romney will be doing his Book Jig in Utah soon, where he’ll surely appear to be doing well coming out the gate with his book....MSM will surely be set to watch the numbers and compare with Palins run with her book. Utah is Morman country so he’ll come out smelling like a rose no doubt.
Because he’s for gay rights and abortion he’ll have a tough time getting the grass roots on board...and being Morman is not going to help him aside from those who are...I know folks don’t think that’s an issue..but if you look at his video from 94 he consistantly made it an issue by focusing everyone on the fact he doesn’t bring his personal life into politics..which just drew attention to this issue. It will matter he’s Morman as much as most blacks voted for BO.
His money and business affilates will be on board and his experience is strong in that respect. I think they’ll focus on his business and monetary successes in light of the monetary isssues in the country. They aren’t going away soon.
As for Palin...we still don’t know if she’ll run though it looks closer than before she would. I’m still not convinced she’s going to. The question for me then is of she doesn’t who is? Huck doesn’t have it to face either of these...Newts History...Thume needs to ratchet things up a lot very soon if he’s going to be in the picture...unless the GOP has someone hiding in the background we’re unaware of????
Just sharing thoughts and where I’m at..
Huckleberry screwed Us in 2008 by conspiring with McPAIN and he really bombs in FOX TV! We and AMERICA will be Richer and More Secure if Huckleberry will go back to playing in his Band and reman his Church Pulpit!!
I will never vote for Romney. If he gets the GOP nomination it will signal that it is time for a third party.
We need to make it clear to the RINOs that conservatives would rather lose in 2012 than elect Romney.
Yep! He is another Bob (BORING!) DOLE and/or Dried Up WarPrisoner and Liberal Senator Pretend McPAIN!!
Romney can pound sand. How’s that for a thought?
Huck on Fox! He’s the only host I just can’t listen to..tv changes channels then. He reminds me of “neighborhood guy” on that kids show for so many years..Mr’ Rogers? I think...and I didn’t let my kids watch him either.
That’s where I’m heading as well.
F Romney. He’s a damn socialist. No place for him in the conservative movement.
Bump!
“Mittens” Romney can have the RINO’s. I’ll take Palin ... or whoever she thinks is the best candidate.
I think I am going to enjoy FR all I can up until the day Romney announces.
Then this place will completely self-destruct. Ugh. I don’t want to see it. It is going to be like the Reds and Whites in old Russia. It isn’t just some of his “band” that are viscerally hated around here.
I will say this: If the choices are Romney, Huckabee and the like, and that is all the Republican party is able to come up with in 2012, we are in deep, deep shiite.
The country needs more, much more then either of those two could deliver.
Mr. Rogers is a great analogy! altough I would liken Huckleberry more to Soupy Sales! may he RIP!
There's at least a year to go, and just because at present no one looks effective, or electable (and the ones who may be don't want it), and as fast as things are moving our guy will appear. Run Romney and you will face another 4 years of O'Muzzie and an America more like the Soviet Union.
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