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The vanilla power of Republican Scott Walker
The Los Angeles Times ^ | February 2, 2015 | Jonah Goldberg

Posted on 02/03/2015 11:52:20 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in America, not because it is the best (that would be coffee) but because it is the least objectionable. Put another way, vanilla is the most acceptable to the most people; it's not many people's favorite, but nobody hates it..

And that's why Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is the vanilla candidate.

A new Des Moines Register poll has Walker in first place — narrowly — among likely Republican caucus-goers. With Mitt Romney included in the poll, he was the respondents' first choice with 15 percentage points. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was second with 14 percentage points and Romney with 13. With Romney out, Walker's lead rose to 16 percentage points and Paul's to 15. First place in a tightly packed field is better than any of the alternatives, but it's not that big a deal this far out.

The big deal is the vanilla factor. According to Jennifer Jacobs of the Des Moines Register, 51% of caucus-goers want an “anti-establishment candidate without a lot of ties to Washington or Wall Street who would change the way things are done and challenge conventional thinking.” Meanwhile, 43% prefer a more establishment figure “with executive experience who understands business and how to execute ideas.”

Walker is in the golden spot. He can, like Bill Murray in the movie “Groundhog Day” listening to Andie MacDowell explain the perfect man, reply “that's me” to almost everything Republicans want....

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Iowa; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: 2015; 2016election; amnesty; bush; cruz; election2016; gop; randpaul; scottwalker; tedcruz; walker; wisconsin
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To: BillyBoy; All

More on Walker: http://thehill.com/opinion/dick-morris/231663-dick-morris-scott-walker-could-win


121 posted on 02/04/2015 10:12:59 AM PST by GOPsterinMA (I'm with Steve McQueen: I live my life for myself and answer to nobody.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

This may be an apt analogy. If you want to serve ice cream at home to guests, you usually stock up on vanilla because its acceptable to everyone.

A national political candidate has to hit that balance where he/she is acceptable to both conservatives and moderates in order to win.

We all oppose radical Islamists simply because they are too radical to bring into our social compact. The same principle holds true in politics. Winners are never from the extremes unless they hide their true self like Obama was able to do.


122 posted on 02/04/2015 10:33:59 AM PST by wildbill (If you check behind the shower curtain for a murderer, and find one... what's your plan?)
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To: wildbill

If Cruz is too extreme for republicans, then it looks like we need to start our own party.

Bold colors, not pale pastels.


123 posted on 02/04/2015 10:43:46 AM PST by magglepuss (Don't tread on me)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ...

He’s racist — get it? ;’) BTW, they eat frozen custard over there, and I’d beat all your asses to get some of it right now. ;’)


124 posted on 02/04/2015 1:29:16 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary men)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; sickoflibs; BillyBoy; fieldmarshaldj; stephenjohnbanker; GOPsterinMA; NFHale
Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in America, not because it is the best (that would be coffee)

Uh, isn't Obama coffee?

125 posted on 02/04/2015 2:44:28 PM PST by Impy (They pull a knife, you pull a gun. That's the CHICAGO WAY, and that's how you beat the rats!)
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To: Nextrush

I think that’s the point this article is trying to make - he’s managed to appeal to conservatives without pissing off the GOPe. He’s arguable the only candidate in the position (though Rubio could maybe get himself back there if he clarifies his immigration position).

He’s definitely my favorite candidate at this point. I like Cruz a lot, but Senators generally don’t make good Presidents, and he doesn’t have a proven track record like Walker. Walker enacted conservative policies in a left-leaning state and was vindicated at the polls twice for it.


126 posted on 02/04/2015 2:58:03 PM PST by MinnesotaLibertarian
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To: Impy

James Spader.


127 posted on 02/04/2015 5:18:48 PM PST by GOPsterinMA (I'm with Steve McQueen: I live my life for myself and answer to nobody.)
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To: magglepuss

Who is ‘the establishment’?

I would think the teachers unions would qualify. No?


128 posted on 02/04/2015 6:14:28 PM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: BillyBoy; 2ndDivisionVet; stephenjohnbanker; Impy; NFHale; GOPsterinMA
RE:”But NOW they're “concerned” that Walker might not be strong enough on immigration. Gee, wish why they been as “concerned” about it when they were touting the others. Any comment that Rand Paul might not be reliable on the issue with his libertarian background was meet with jeers of “you must want the RINO to win!”

We will see how it goes.
Its too early for me commit to anyone .

Just because the same crowd who kept posting ‘No one but Sarah’ four years ago is now posting ‘No one but Ted’ isn't a reason to rule everyone else out, its a reason to be suspicious.

I saw a FNC poll today surveyed Republicans and while Walker was ahead of Cruz by a bunch of points both were beat by Bush, Huckster and Paul.

129 posted on 02/04/2015 8:11:56 PM PST by sickoflibs (King Obama : 'The debate is over. The time for talk is over. Just follow my commands you serfs""')
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To: sickoflibs

How did this site go from mostly Cruz to all-in for Walker in a matter of days? Are there people here like the one’s who rush to the mall and buy the Super Bowl winner’s jersey minutes after the game is over who were never a fan before that? Is this a popularity contest or a beauty pageant?


130 posted on 02/04/2015 8:15:53 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: central_va
If you call open borders and amnesty a conservative agenda, he did.

What did he do in WI which delivered open borders and amnesty to WI?

131 posted on 02/04/2015 8:29:06 PM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; stephenjohnbanker; BillyBoy; Impy; NFHale; GOPsterinMA
RE:”How did this site go from mostly Cruz to all-in for Walker in a matter of days? Are there people here like the one’s who rush to the mall and buy the Super Bowl winner’s jersey minutes after the game is over who were never a fan before that? Is this a popularity contest or a beauty pageant?”

LOL, I think part of it is that that Rush was praising Walker so much last week after that Iowa speech that it made Reagan look lackluster in comparison. I heard a bit of it and Rush was really going on.

As you know I don't follow crowds so it just made me laugh;

Personally I have liked Walker for a while, he inspired my first youtube extranormal video in early 2011 when WI Dems shutdown the legislature to stop him from cutting public teachers benefits.

A Liberal Teacher explains Union Busting (Scott Walker Tribute) Feb 26, 2011

132 posted on 02/04/2015 8:31:04 PM PST by sickoflibs (King Obama : 'The debate is over. The time for talk is over. Just follow my commands you serfs""')
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
How did this site go from mostly Cruz to all-in for Walker in a matter of days?

Speaking for myself, I wanted to see Walker run for a long time already. I never said so though because it seem too much to ask, and also that he would simply be snowed under by the better speaking Cruz.

Then Iowa happened, and suddenly my guy is not only on top, he's one top by a mile!

I hope it will last, but history says the odds are soooooooooooo slim that I'll enjoy it while it's here.

133 posted on 02/04/2015 8:38:13 PM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; sickoflibs
Is this a popularity contest or a beauty pageant?

It's an election, and some us want to win it.

134 posted on 02/04/2015 9:39:22 PM PST by Impy (They pull a knife, you pull a gun. That's the CHICAGO WAY, and that's how you beat the rats!)
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To: GOPsterinMA

I’d like to kick him in the irma.


135 posted on 02/04/2015 9:41:30 PM PST by Impy (They pull a knife, you pull a gun. That's the CHICAGO WAY, and that's how you beat the rats!)
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To: sickoflibs; 2ndDivisionVet; stephenjohnbanker; Impy; NFHale; GOPsterinMA
>> RE:”How did this site go from mostly Cruz to all-in for Walker in a matter of days? Are there people here like the one’s who rush to the mall and buy the Super Bowl winner’s jersey minutes after the game is over who were never a fan before that? Is this a popularity contest or a beauty pageant?” <<

>> LOL, I think part of it is that that Rush was praising Walker so much last week after that Iowa speech that it made Reagan look lackluster in comparison. I heard a bit of it and Rush was really going on. <<

Heh. Its possible that Rush is part of the cause. I recall that Rush was talking up Rick Perry in 2012 and saying how "exciting" it would be if he entered the already crowded GOP presidential field. Overnight, a bunch of Perrybots sprung up on this site and started hailing La Raza Rick as THE anti-Romney candidate and second coming of Ronald Reagan.

It was amusing because as Impy noted at the time, Perry and Romney had more in common with each other than either had with the Tea Party. Perry was just a mediocre career politician who knows how to pander to his base. Then he was reinvented as a heroic anti-establishment conservative crusader overnight.

>> Personally I have liked Walker for a while, he inspired my first youtube extranormal video in early 2011 when WI Dems shutdown the legislature to stop him from cutting public teachers benefits. <<

I agree. I'd glad Rush is on the same side as me this time around, but as others noted, Walker has been in my top tier long before Rush mentioned him. I just found it doubtful that he'd do well nationally until the Iowa poll showed promise.

>> As you know I don't follow crowds so it just made me laugh <<

Well the other thing is Mark Levin has "concerns" about Walker (as I noted earlier on this thread, he amusingly had no problem cheerleading for other candidates whose record on immigration was far more "questionable" than Walker's). Rush is far better known, has been in the public spotlight far longer, and IMO is a much better face for the conservative movement in the USA, but Rush doesn't have the creepy "Talk show host=GOD" type of worship that Levin enjoys with his fanbase. So unless Levin warms to Walker, we can expect considerable "Walker is dirty filthy RINO scum cuz Levin says so" opposition from Levinites.

136 posted on 02/04/2015 10:24:05 PM PST by BillyBoy (Impeach Obama? Yes We Can!)
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To: Nextrush

Regardless, Walker has balanced a state budget and he has governed an entire state. He has learned to deal with both parties which is how this nation works. Cruz has done neither.


137 posted on 02/05/2015 1:59:25 AM PST by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: PapaBear3625

The ones that keep blasting Walker make me think Cruz is not fit for VP.


138 posted on 02/05/2015 2:01:42 AM PST by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: magglepuss
If Cruz is too extreme for republicans, then it looks like we need to start our own party.

Which will be ideologically pure, and lose every election. Like the Libertarian Party has.

I'm not talking about "too extreme for the GOPe", who I regard as Dem collaborationist. We need to see how Cruz plays outside our little niche to Republican voters in general, and the independents. Cruz may indeed provide the fire needed to enthuse conservatives and moderate (something lacking in McCain and Romney) or he may turn off people outside his highly-conservative niche.

139 posted on 02/05/2015 4:56:36 AM PST by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; Impy; BillyBoy
RE:” Is this a popularity contest or a beauty pageant?”

If it were a beauty pageant my vote would be for :


140 posted on 02/05/2015 5:03:34 AM PST by sickoflibs (King Obama : 'The debate is over. The time for talk is over. Just follow my commands you serfs""')
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