Glenn Beck: ‘Mitt Romney Could Be The Only Guy That Could Win’ In 2012

Mediate.com ^ | April 8th, 2010 | Frances Martel

[iowamark]

Glenn Beck and radio pals Pat Gray and Stu Burguiere rattled down the list of potential Republican nominees for President in 2012 this morning, and they had some bad news for the Tea Party movement: Sarah Palin probably won’t run, Ron Paul is still and long shot, and Mitt Romney, as of now, is the GOP’s best bet.

While Gray and Burguiere are harsh to most of the candidates, Beck spreads the love around. He tells his co-hosts that he likes Palin but doesn’t think she will run, Bobby Jindal but doesn’t think he has the charisma, and Congressman Paul but doesn’t think America is ready for him. Then, at the bottom of the pile, he finds Mitt Romney:

"I have to tell you that Mitt Romney could be the only guy that could win, and I don’t know if he could because I think that Americans are going to be I mean, this country is going to be in deep trouble by 2012, and the next term, if it’s not decided this term, the next term will decide our fate. Then I hope that Americans are ready for an adult and are ready for hard news."

It’s a strange, possibly sad conclusion from someone who had called Romney out for “flirting with socialism,” but ultimately Beck was trying to determine who could win, not who he thought should. If Beck was playing process of elimination, which he clearly was, it’s hard to refute his conclusion that Romney is the least likely candidate to crash and burn in a general election, if only for being a conservative from the most liberal state of America and having moderate successes like universal health care under his belt. Or– and this one is for you conspiracy theorists out there– maybe Beck is intentionally downplaying the Republican candidates’ ability to success so as to clear the brush and become the reluctant right-wing candidate by default. After all, he is the second-most popular human being in America. (Link to a Harris poll: Glenn Beck is the second most popular television personality in America… second only to Oprah Winfrey.)

Listen to the segment below:

[reaganaut]

Nothing unreasonable there...do you think Pawlenty, Jindal, Huck would be ahead of Romney?

- - - - - - - -
Romney, in reality, would get less votes than any of those, not that I am a fan of them either, but Romney has WAY TOO MUCH baggage. If the GOP gives him the nom, it is a vote for Zero.

[greyfoxx39]

This is not the person we need. This is a guy who will deal away the things we believe in, for the sake of a deal.

Yes, and all the while, doing it with that supercilious, not a hair out of place "I'm above the fray" demeanor that marks his persona.

[reaganaut]

Thank you sir! That was the one I was looking for. Not sure why I couldn’t google it.

[Bigg Red]

Duncan Hunter is the best chance we’ve got.

&&&
Indeed!

[yongin]

The RNC is looking to have the GOP Convention in Salt Lake City. If Romney is the nominee, then Mormons polgamy will be the issue in 2012. The media will make it acceptable to bash Mormons.

[svcw]

White Horse Prophecy and Orrin Hatch's repeating of it

Pure lunacy.

[yongin]

Newt and Rick Santorum have already made trips to Iowa, NH, and SC.

Haley Barbour, John Thune, T-Paw, and Mitch Daniels plan to raise their profiles after 2010.

[greyfoxx39]

I don’t remember the thread, but I agreed with your comment. I’d hate to be Beck at ward get-togethers if he didn’t support Mitt. I don’t think very many people realize how tribal mormonism really is.

[The Duke]

Duncan Hunter is more than “the best chance” ... he would be an amazingly successful candidate, and I’m convinced the best president since Reagan.

[rlmorel]

Duncan Hunter was my choice last election, but I have to face the facts: no matter how solid he is, he was unable to move people.

Sadly.

Then, I decided to go with Thompson, and I saw him being interviewed in New Hampshire, and...he looked completely like a lost, old man.

Sadly.

[reaganaut]

I’d hate to be Beck at ward get-togethers if he didn’t support Mitt. I don’t think very many people realize how tribal mormonism really is.

- - - - - -
Exactly. The ones who see that best are those of us who have been there.

And not just ward get togethers, career wise and calling wise as well. Callings can be VERY political.

[LS]

Yep, it will be a battle for the soul of the party, but neither of whom you named will be the nominee.

[yongin]

Remember Romney made ObamaCare possible. Conservatives should not reward the father of ObamaCare, Myth Romney.

[svcw]

tribal mormonism

If I could do graphics, I try my hand at a big bon fire with guys jumping around pounding their chests wearing black slacks, white shirts and skinny ties.

[LS]

Don’t think it’s any of them, either.

[reaganaut]

Romney? Why place Alpo on the menu when there’s prime rib for sale at the wholesalers?

- - - - - -
You are making the assumption that Beck puts the country before his ‘church’. The temple oaths he has taken state otherwise.

There is more at play here than just 2012, I am sorry to say.

[DoughtyOne]

I think you’ll have to explain this one to me. I have no idea what you’re trying to say.

[Captain Kirk]

Beck’s alleged radicalism is all a pose to get ratings. He is very much an establishment Republican when push comes to shove. Never forget that he supported TARP.

[abigail2]

SARAH PALIN FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY I want her for President, but we could gather the conservatives together under one party, insure a conservative platform, and the RINO's will run off. Right now it seems like the best thing for the country. Best thing for the party. We could finally raise some funds. Glenn Beck might even come back!! If we break off into separate parties we're done for...please ping everyone you know and see the reaction. STEELE HAS GOT TO GO IF WE WANT TO WIN ANYTHING! Show we have some guts for a change.

[ejonesie22]

Good luck with that...