Republicans under scrutiny in Iowa [Giuliani, McCain and Romney problems in Iowa caucuses]

BBC News ^ | May 6, 2007 | By Jamie Coomarasamy, BBC News, Iowa

[Jim Robinson]

[Giuliani, McCain and Romney all face problems with the grassroots activists in Iowa caucuses]

~~snip~~

Grassroots activists

In some ways, keeping up the interest level may be easier for the Republicans, because they have more to prove to their grassroots.

At least, that is true of those in Boone County, north of Des Moines, who I met at their monthly meeting in a room above the local public library.

These committed grassroots activists, who will vote in the caucuses and set the tone for the presidential race are - in general - from the socially conservative wing of the party.

For them, all three frontrunners - Arizona Senator John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - are problematic, whether it's because they have been married more than once or, in the case of Romney, because they are of a different, Mormon faith.

Marti Streeter, the co-chair of the Boone County Republicans, said she could not vote for any of the three leading candidates - and if Mr Giuliani were the nominee, she would resign from the party.

Others, though, were less categorical. Tom Rosenbaum was among those who gave the former New York mayor high marks for his performance on 11 September 2001.

However, Mr Giuliani's three marriages prompted another activist, Matthew Murch, to say "if the choice was between Giuliani and Hillary, I'd write in Mickey Mouse as my candidate".

Senator McCain was accused of changing his mind on issues, but the candidate with most to do in Boone County seems to be Mitt Romney.

Unprompted, a majority of those in the room stated categorically that they would never vote for a Mormon.

"We are a Christian nation," Anne Darby said, "and we should have a Christian president."

[WOSG]

“Nonsense. Anyone making the claim that Romney is as liberal as Giuliani hasn’t looked at his record and hasn’t even glanced at his platform, which is by far the most well spelled-out of any candidate in the race—Democrat or Republican.”

I agree. Also I have a concern about where these folks even stand on some issues. Ideology aside, Romney has the most thoughtful, organized and clearly stated positions and the most up-front and organized campaign. He brings competence and articulateness to the table.

[SoCalPol]

We are a Judaeo Christian Nation

[WOSG]

My second answer ... we dont need to picture it ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1829020/posts?page=6

... it seems Romney handled himself quite well on Pat Robertson’s turf.

[Lexinom]

Remember 1992? Character counts.

Issues like marriage and personal life are not some minor peripheral concern but a window into the real person - in stark contrast to what they want the public to see. It is the reason employers often ask for personal references.

No, this gentlemen was absolutely correct to cite this as the #1 concern with Rudy. Midwest farmers are neither stupid or foolish, and aren't looking to be dazzled by celebrity status like many city folks. They're looking for real content.

[Lexinom]

Fields white for the harvest ping (Iowan Republicans unhappy with the Top Three)

[EternalVigilance]

You sound like Romney staff, newbie. Are you?

[EternalVigilance]

If that sounds like a liberal, I’d like to see your definition of a conservative.

If this sounds like a conservative, I'd like to see your definition of a liberal:

Romney strongly defends his decades-long pro-abortion record

[Jeff Fuller]

Check out his campaign flyers from '94 . . . Front and Back Below is a portion of the flyer with some of the specific issue stances: Looks like he ran a pretty conservative campaign back then to me! I like to divide conservative credentials into three distinct areas: 1) Fiscal Conservatism 2) Social Conservatism 3) "Toughness" Conservatism (i.e. militarily or "tough on crime") Romney has had a consistant and flawless record as a "Fiscal Conservative" AND as a "Thoughness Conservative." Those points are solid and there has been no "movement" by Romney in those areas. Romney did not run in Mass as a "social conservative" but saying that he was a "social liberal" is not really correct either. His social stances put him as a solid "moderate" in this senatorial bid as Kennedy was to his left as the real and bonafide liberal in the race. So, to sum up . . . Romney was never close to being a "liberal." To even say that he was a "moderate" is missing two huge pieces of the conservative pie. Romney may have run as a "social moderate" but that's as far as the allegations should go. In reality, Romney's "move to the right" hasn't really been all that far.

[gondramB]

>> Issues like marriage and personal life are not some minor peripheral concern but a window into the real person - in stark contrast to what they want the public to see. It is the reason employers often ask for personal references.

No, this gentlemen was absolutely correct to cite this as the #1 concern with Rudy. Midwest farmers are neither stupid or foolish, and aren’t looking to be dazzled by celebrity status like many city folks. They’re looking for real content<<

Character does count. I’m not sure 1992 is the example you want... wasn’t that the year Clinton was elected?

[Spiff]

I watched the GOP Debate "Perp Walk" that someone put up on YouTube and one of the suggested YouTube videos just happened to be a campaign commercial of Romney endorsing liberal Democrat Rocky Anderson for Mayor of Salt Lake City.

Here's a link to the video.

Rocky Anderson

• Liberal Democrat in a conservative Republican state
  
• ACLU affiliated civil rights lawyer
  
• Board Member of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
  
• Kyoto Protocol supporting envirowhacko
  
• Sierra Club gave him the "Distinguished Service Award"
  
• Enacted full-fledged Affirmative Action program by executive order
  
• Extended, by executive order, benefits to gay partners of city employees
  
• Occasional poster at moonbat Daily KOS
  
• Antagonistic towards LDS Church (Mormons should make a note of that)
  
• Spoke at anti-war rally and called for George W. Bush's impeachment
  
• While Mayor, called for "the biggest demonstration Utah has ever seen" to protest George W. Bush's appearance at VFW convention
  

This isn't Giuliani endorsing Cuomo over Pataki for Governor of New York, but it's pretty darned bad. It's a major strike against Romney, especially with Utah Mormons who are aware of Rocky Anderson's outright liberalism and antagonistic attitude towards the LDS Church.

[EternalVigilance]

"Rocky Anderson is a strong leader and a great mayor!" - Mitt Romney campaign commercial

[newgeezer]

Romney could win in massachusetts shoudl be a point in his favor not against it.

Massachusetts wouldn't knowingly elect a conservative to statewide office. So, is Romney liberal enough for Mass. voters? Or, did he lie his way into their hearts ("run left and govern right")?

The other possibility is that the Dem vote was split and he won with something less than 45% of the total. But, according to Wikipedia, "Romney was elected Governor in November 2002 with 50 percent of the vote".

So, that Romney was able to win 50% of Massachusetts—by any means—is definitely a point against him.