Tennessee just might become relevant in GOP presidential primary

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 1/8/12 | Tom Humphrey

[SmithL]

NASHVILLE — Mitt Romney, who finished third in Tennessee's 2008 Republican presidential primary, has established a solid lead in organizing to win the state this year — if that will still matter on March 6.

And some of the state's leading Republicans think that the political dust to be stirred in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and elsewhere will not be settled on that "Super Tuesday" two months from now. If so, Tennessee just might be in the national limelight for a moment.

Three other Southern states — Georgia, Texas and Virginia — also have primaries scheduled on March 6. But Tennessee could be far more competitive than the contest in those states.

In Virginia, only Romney and Ron Paul qualified to appear on the ballot, though Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have legal challenges pending. Texas is seen as a certain win for its governor, Rick Perry, should he still be in the race. And Georgia is the home state of Gingrich and a recent poll showed him the state's favorite.

The consensus of national political pundits seems to be that Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, is certain to still be in contention and the question is whether Paul, Sanatorum, Gingrich, Perry, Jon Huntsman or some combination will keep him from having a lock on the nomination.

[SmithL]

And, as luck would have it, my brand new Tennessee Voter Registration showed up in yesterday's mail.

And in compliance with Tennessee's new Voter ID law, I will take a government-issued photo ID with me when I go to vote.

[napscoordinator]

though Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have legal challenges pending.

Poor Rick Perry doesn’t get credit for the lawsuit. Too many Ricks confuses everyone.

[Linda Frances]

I guess the NRC got the message to each state, mitt is who you must vote for. Just do as I say. If we can break away from the force pushing mit and vote conservative, we should all come out of the voting booth with blue thumbs. We are free to vote for who we want.

[SumProVita]

I personally don’t know anyone in TN who is voting for Romney.

Those I know do NOT want him.

[TribalPrincess2U]

But the media does want him.

[Coldwater Creek]

Smith, have you come home?

[SumProVita]

Are you talking about the Tennessean...and the traditional news? Most people clearly understand where they’re coming from. They only watch local news for the weather and some local events....not the biased punditry/reporting.

[Coldwater Creek]

Sane here!

[SmithL]

I have come home.

[Crazy ole coot]

Me too. Been gone for over 60 years and am back home in Tenn. Not going to vote for Mitt!!

[Calliecat]

I'm a native of Nashville(no longer live in TN), and I'll be surprised if Romney doesn't carry Davidson and surrounding counties. There's so much wealth in the area, including lots of "old money", particularly in Nashville---and a plethora of RINOS, people! My brother and sister-in-law live in Belle Meade (actually a city unto itself), and when I was there for Christmas, it was "Romney, Romney, Romney". Some of these people were Perry supporters back during the summer, but moved on after a few weak debate performances. I haven't heard much talk about the other candidates.

I come from a conservative family(Republican for generations) but my brother has a number of Democrat and Independent associates, many of whom plan to vote in the primary; he thinks Romney will probably carry much of middle Tennessee due to that additional support. My brother and sister-in-law have yet to decide on a candidate, primarily because they aren't enthusiastic about any of them.

I don't have a reading on any other part of the state.

[FreedBird]

How many Mormons are there in Tenn.? I think I read there are 5 million in the country. Lots of those people will vote for Romney.

[FreedBird]

The media knows he is the most liberal Republican running for President.

[leapfrog0202]

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

[bert]

Tennessee does not support conservatives and in my view will support Romney.

The conservative candidate for governor and lt Governor placed second to the moderate mainstream Huntsman clone republican Haslem.

The worthy conservative Ed Bryant failed to be elected to the senate in site of his great and worthy service as a leader in the impeachment of Bubba Clintom.

In the conservative 1st distict, the conservative Congressman Davis was thrown out after a single term and replaced with a moderate mainstream Republican.

If it has a part, Tennesse3e will likely seal the nomomaton for the yankee

[SumProVita]

“How many Mormons are there in Tenn.?”

Wiki is not the best place for information about Mormons in TN, but:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Mormon_population_by_state

Another site:

http://www.ldsfacts.net/growth13.htm

[Coldwater Creek]

WELCOME HOME!

[SmithL]

Thanks. It feels great to be back!

[CPT Clay]

Being that Virginia had a snafu and Texas primary was moved to April 03...

[no dems]

Texas’ Primary has been moved to April because the Libs, NAACP and other left-wing orgs. have challenged the Congression Redistricting plan that the State Legislature drew up and it’s going to court. So, Primary is now in April.