Romney leads by double digits in Florida (oh no!) Mitt 36 Newt 24 RickS 16

The Hill ^ | January 9th | Daniel Strauss

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

According to the Quinnipiac Poll released Monday, Romney leads the field among Florida Republicans with 36 percent of the vote, followed by Newt Gingrich with 24 percent, then Rick Santorum at 16 percent. Behind them, Ron Paul has the support of 10 percent of Florida Republicans, Rick Perry has five and Jon Huntsman trails with two percent. The poll also found that 54 percent of Florida Republicans say they could change their minds in the coming weeks.

[Tomato lover]

“ONE has got to bow out. MUST, MUST, MUST, or we’re gonna lose.

But if they do — we WIN — with a conservative ...and we take out Obama.”

No Mittens vote will ever touch my ballot.

[Utmost Certainty]

I agree with your commentary. If there isn’t a coalescing around one ABR candidate right now, there won’t be a time to do it later. Hell, this should’ve already happened a month ago. I see people trying to rationalize, “well… let’s just see how it goes after a couple more primaries…” But it’ll be too late by then—it’s not an understatement that Romney will have this thing entirely in the bag before January is over.

My compromise? I’d be fine with a Newt/Santorum ticket. It’s obvious that Newt’s got the ideas and experience that Santorum doesn’t have. I’d be interested to see what Santorum could turn into after 8 years serving under a Gingrich presidency.

[Ingtar]

Florida is not that big, as far as delegates go. They tossed away half their delegates by moving up. Yes, it is the first of the big electoral vote states and was the decider in 2008. South Carolina voters, and to a lesser extent, those in Florida, will likely react badly to having their choices limited too much.

[caww]

The only proof I have that Santorum is doing great is the latest poll in NH where Santorum is beating Newt and Perry. I think that means that the people want Santorum.

...look what "the people" gave us in 08'.....this is a replay as we see the media pushing Romney and hoping Santorum will out Newt....then there's no contest..Obama wins.

If Romney gets the delegates he's in no matter what percentages the rest come in as....and if that's the case America is done.

We cannot let Romney win this primary because ego's stand to be affected among us. IMO Santorum, though I like him, cannot stand against the Obama Machine.....Newt's the only one who can slug away, and will, to beat on Obama and unafraid to do so...He's already proved he has the ability.

Whereas Santorum reminds me of others who have had the ammunition to be effective but wouldn't use it...so will Santorum deliver it, and that with the force to shake the independents and former Obama supporters? It's just too risky and we cannot afford that.

[newzjunkey]

Santorum is unacceptable to me. I cannot abide his I, I, I, me, me, me petulance and anger. He's a big government, establishment neocon statist and borderline theocrat. He's like Obama with a social conservative message and less charm. NO THANKS!

Those flocking to him on his SoCon message better start looking deeper at his proposals and voting record. I'm quite angry at the so-called "tradition" of imbecilic early voters foisting a nominee on the rest of us.

[GonzoGOP]

South Carolina voters, and to a lesser extent, those in Florida, will likely react badly to having their choices limited too much.

Romney won Iowa, he is going to win New Hampshire, he is out ahead by double digits in South Carolina and is leading in Florida. If we don't stop splitting the conservative vote before Florida then Romney will have won the first four primaries. He already has most of the establishment locked up and with the momentum from for consecutive win he will have all but locked up the nomination.

If reality hurts the feelings of the people in Florida too darn bad. Conservatives can either feel good or win. Pick one. Holding out for your pet candidate will hand it to Romney, who will in turn hand the nation back to Obama. It is just that simple.

Push the big states farther back. It is the big states early in the race that forces the quick decision. If the fourth primary was Montana, Alabama or Alaska we could keep arguing about the "Best" conservative candidate. But after Florida the delegates get decided very quickly. After that it is all about big organization and establishment support. So if Romney is still the front runner at that point no insurgent is going to unseat him.

We cannot let Romney win four in a row. The chance to beat him in Iowa was lost. New Hampshire was a lost cause from the start. If we still have a three way conservative split Romney will pick up South Carolina as well. Florida is the conservative's last ditch. We need to have all our guns pointed at the enemy. If we are fighting in three or four directions among ourselves Romney will cut us to pieces and defeat us in detail.

[castyourvote2012]

Regardless of what you may think of them, as of this morning Mitt Romney has the most votes for being the next President and Rick Santorum has just barely pulled ahead of Ron Paul for second with votes coming in pretty fast. Who do you think the next President should be? The votes are rolling in and the results are quite surprising. Make a difference. Participate in the 2012 Ebay United States Presidential Election Poll and cast your vote. Go to Ebay and Search for 2012 Ebay Poll, pick your candidate and vote. It is that simple. Proceeds to help benefit the American Red Cross.

[mojitojoe]

I would love it if he beat Barry the Marxist Kenyan homo, but he won’t win FL, you can take that to the bank. too many lib wackos on the SE coast. I’m telling you FL will go to Newt or the one we all despise. Write that down, let’s talk after the primary.

[mojitojoe]

I’m voting for Newt in the primary, done deal. In November, ABO.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

On Twitter:

BREAKING: Sources tell Fox Todd Palin will endorse Newt Gingrich.

[Drew68]

Social concerns are not as important to voters as they are here on FR.

Uh oh... Better don your flame-proof undergarments.

[Parley Baer]

“Florida: Mitt-36, Newt-24, Santorum-16

South Carolina: Mitt-30, Newt-23, Santorum-19

Santorum’s bounce out of Iowa has already peaked and started to fade in N.H..”

Exactly right. Newt is ahead of Santorum in the majority of the states and nationally. We need to get behind Newt and stop Romney. GO NEWT!

[Zajko]

Any compromise these candidates had to agree amongst themselves which involved one (or two) of them stepping aside and supporting the other as a genuine ‘contract for America’, would have my support.

I don’t expect to see it. But I’d have the utmost respect and admiration for any man in the field big enough to do it. To step aside while you still have theoretical hope yourself, for the greater good of America. Fat chance, with this lot.

Same re endorsements: there are influential conservatives out there who have elected not to run, but whose voice and support could make a real difference at this point - could help that all-important colaescing of support and formation of a genuine conservative challenge. But it seems they also are scared of ‘picking the wrong horse’ and are ‘saving themselves for later’. By the time they do get round to sticking their oar in, this boat’s gonna be well and truly sunk.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I know that comment won't go over well with many FReepers and although I respect their views and Jim R, it is only a comment relative to what I hear outside of this forum.

This seems to be especially true given the economy and the instability of the world.

[dfwgator]

I don’t care about Romney’s social positions, his fiscal positions are bad enough.

[CainConservative]

Todd? Who cares? I want Sarahcuda!!!

Sarah actually VOTED for Huck before taking McLame’s number two in 2008..

But McLame (33%) hijacked our nomination from Huck (30%) & Thompson (15%) - the prohibitive favs among conservatives in SC, the decider state.

And now Willard (30%) is scheming to do the same versus Newt (A STRONG 23% WHO NEEDS HELP..C’MON SARAH!), Santorum (19%), and Perry (5%) - the evangelical three favs by far and away combined over Willard.

Sarah should endorse the strongest Evangelical/Christian/Conservative candidate just as she VOTED for our strongest one in 2008...

IN 2012: That’s Newt!!!

[LuvFreeRepublic]

whatever

[publius321]

My sentiments EXACTLY.

“Santorum & Gingrich must unite to win: One must yield or the Party will be hi-jacked once again” (from last night)

http://youtu.be/fgHs94otlDk

[LibsRJerks]

It is. So people better snap to reality and get behind WHO CAN WIN, WHO CAN DEBATE, WHO HAS A RECORD, AND WHO CAN ARTICULATE the CONSERVATIVE cause — the ONLY one who can is ....Newt.

Santorum would be a constant Saturday night live parody. He’s all over the place.

He deserves a role, however ...and he could have that.

But we need to get behind ONE to beat Mr. 25% Ceiling.

[Ingtar]

The conservative vote is split because the group who believe both Gingrich and Santorum are conservative and/or acceptable seems to be the minority. Taking one of them out of the equation does not necessarily put the other in a position of beating Romney. Some of the “released” voters will go to Romney, some will not vote at all, and others will find someone else for whom to vote, perhaps even Paul as a protest. Can you even guarantee that the Santorum voters who came out of the Undecided pool are the same ones who were polled as for Gingrich?