Posted on 01/06/2011 12:48:14 PM PST by Bigtigermike
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continues to hold the pole position for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination in the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. But the surprise runner-up to Romney was the two-term Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who moved up from fifth place when the last ranking of the potential GOP White House contenders was conducted a year ago.
Romney's assets and liabilities are well known and haven't changed much since last January. He has a national network of political and financial supporters left over from his unsuccessful run for the 2008 Republican nomination, a command of economic issues derived from his days in the private sector as a corporate turnaround artist, and the hard-won experience from have run for the presidency before.
But Romney must also figure out a way to convince Republican activists that the health care reform measure that he signed as governor of Massachusetts is different from the national health care reform passed by Pres. Obama and congressional Democrats that is anathema to the GOP rank-and-file. He also has a perceived authenticity deficit. Romney "probably knows more about macroeconomics than most but will need to learn to speak or appear more genuine," cautioned one Republican Insider.
SLIDESHOW: More on the Insiders' picks.
Daniels has taken few obvious steps to lay the foundation for a prospective 2012 candidacy in the last year, but Republican Insiders nonetheless have gravitated to him as the lead alternative to Romney. Daniels is seen as having a solid conservative record as governor, particularly in controlling state spending. Yet there's still doubt about how effective a candidate he'd be. Daniels "has the credentials; needs to work on his charisma," said one Republican Insider.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com ...
Let me say this again. I will not, under any circumstance, vote for Romney or any other RINOS. I learned my lesson with Bush, who couldn’t have set the stage for Obama any better than he did.
A great reason to listen to the Outsiders, not the Insiders,IMHO...
Colonel, USAFR
That being said, I still ain't drinking from a punchbowl with a small turd in it.
DON’T LET THEM TELL US WHOM TO VOTE FOR!!
I’m glad you clarified the term “Rear Deja Vue” with a definition. I was assuming that it meant “you have the feeling you’ve seen this ass (Mitt) before”.
Either one works for me. Go away Mitt the Twit.
Great, a rino and a social liberal. What could go wrong?
Romney won the governor's race with 49% of the vote--he squeaked in, and only did so by pouring huge amounts of money into the campaign at the last minute to "put him over the top" at the last minute with 49% of the vote.
After 4 years in office, he had a 30% approval rating (that's why he didn't run for reelection, he would have gotten creamed).
In the 2008 GOP primaries he only got 22% of the vote despite spending record amounts of money.
The conclusion is pretty clear: Romney is a terrible politician. Whether you are talking liberal Mass. or conservative GOP states, Romney has shown no ability to garner votes--despite having poured vast amounts of money into every race he has been in.
I'm not even talking about his political positions yet, just his ability as a politician, which is 2nd rate at best.
I looked closely at Romney last time and concluded that even McCain was better. Why would I go for him this time. Obama has proven incompetent, thank God, so why should I want his Republican clone. Never
Any RINO would be simply a McCain II against Barry. No wonder the MSM/rats are humping the leg of Romney. However, WE don’t want him. Copish? And we WE are legion.
BigtigerMike,
Quoting the WHO,
“We won’t be fooled again”
Just say NO to Rino’s, Compassionate conservatisism, and Obammy.
This reminds me of the general consensus on Freerepublic regarding John McCain prior to 2008. No one here liked him or trusted him and rightfully so. I hope we don’t see a repeat of that fiasco. If conservatives no longer have a voice in the republican party, the USA is doomed.
I’ve got both hands raised.
One for zero - one for Mitt.
Each has a single digit extended.
Guess which one? (a clue - neither is a thumbs up.)
Turns out... I was right. They were both RINO's neither of which deserved to be POTUS as they both had serious flaws. Bush was the "lesser of two evils" at best.
FUMR
Go ahead and run. You will become a laughing stock in short time
It appears that the NATIONAL JOURNAL is flacking for these RINOs, so I thought I’d check on WHO publishes it and what their political leanings might be. According to what I read on Wikipedia, it is a left wing rag for DC political insiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Journal
She is very eluctable and smoking hot!
We need a Hottie for President who represents our values.
No he’s not, and neither is Mitch Daniels, it’s only the RINO/Loser establishment that likes these guys, there is ~no~ real grass-roots demand for them.
-J.S.
No different than 1979. Reagan & Bush were FAR behind John Connally and Howard Baker in a similar survey that year by U.S. News & World Report.
Nothing ever changes in ruling-class land.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.