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The GOP needs a brokered convention in 2008
vanity | January 22, 2008 | neverdem

Posted on 01/22/2008 8:38:59 PM PST by neverdem

Free Republic Opinion Poll: (1/22) With FRed dropping out, who do you now support for the Republican nomination?

I just lost my reason for changing my registration from Conservative to the GOP in New York. My pick in that poll was none of the above. Slightly more than half on this forum prefers Romney as I write this.

I don't know why Fred didn't get more support, but when he got a little more than half of the support of Mike Huckabee in the South Carolina, that told Fred something. Huckabee was his main rival for the social conservative vote. I don't know what those folks in South Carolina were thinking when they voted for Huckabee, but a candidate who proposes to ban tobacco smoking and who criticizes the present administration for being too bellicose is not credible, IMHO, not to mention his otherwise populist politics.

When it comes to the general election, I'll most likely support the GOP's nominee, but if it is Romney, I won't be surprised if a lot of the "base" stays home. Some will stay home because of his religion. That's probably the worst reason not to vote for him, IMHO. Debra J. Saunders wrote today in the San Francisco Chronicle: "But don't tell me Romney is the true conservative in the race. His record reveals a solid conservative - when it has been in his interest to be one." Suffice it to say, the author barely starts to criticize Romney for all of the changes in his political positions over various social issues over the years. Should Romney win the nomination and in November, I expect as many disappointments as the current occupant of the White House.

I don't have to mention the other RINOs that are left in more ways than one. How did we get to this point where we are left with such a bunch of dismal RINOs? I don't know. The drive by media didn't help. But that is beside the point. The point is what do we do now. I say vote in the remaining primaries in a way so that we get a brokered convention. Considering what we are left with now, how could we do any worse?

Some might fear a brokered convention. I fear muddling along with any of these RINOs. David Freddoso wrote last month in National Review Online: "A brokered convention would allow for an airing of grievances for a party that has to decide its direction after a major loss." November 2006 was such a loss. Conservatives and small 'l' libertarians have just had another loss in this GOP primary season. A brokered convention could result in having a nominee we want to vote for, as opposed to voting against whoever the donkey is, after they have a nasty primary battle, or Bloomberg who's shaping up as the serious third party nominee. The left are eating their own. Fierce fighting over the minority vote may be the real surprise of the '08 Democratic race, with many blacks gravitating to Sen. Barack Obama and Hispanics to Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The new poll found 77 percent of the adults surveyed opposed making driver's licenses available to illegal aliens, while just 16 percent supported the idea.

Licenses fared poorly across party lines, including near-blanket opposition among self-identified Republicans, at 88 percent. Among independents and Democrats, it was still overwhelmingly unpopular, drawing 75 percent and 68 percent opposition, respectively.

A brokered convention could take advantage of another fracture in the donkeys and appeal to a great many folks sick of endless illegal immigration while our entitlement and social programs are undermining our finances. Another third party effort from the right, e.g. Constitution Party, would be courting disaster even if Bloomberg draws votes only from the left and center, IMHO.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008election; 2008rncconvention; election2008; gop2008
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To: neverdem

Slightly more than half on this forum prefers Romney as I write this.”

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Only 683 members voted for Romney in the Forum oll...

Thats 52% of people who voted, members and non-members...only 1,194 altogether out of 2,264 voted for Romney.....

Look at the details...

:)


21 posted on 01/22/2008 9:03:27 PM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: neverdem

I think the media has everthing to do with it. Most people just pay peripheral attention to politics (if at all). The only basis they have for a decision is how the media presents their darlin’s


22 posted on 01/22/2008 9:04:14 PM PST by KTM rider ( SCOTUS '08 it's more than the oval office this time)
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To: neverdem
I don't know what those folks in South Carolina were thinking when they voted for Huckabee

It's not that hard to figure out. Huckabee IS an evangelical, rabidly is opposed to abortion and the homosexual agenda and has a great record on social issues.

Like or not, Fred came off as not being particularly interested on those issues.

Some people actually believe these values issues are more important than other issues and want someone to champion them rather than give lip service to them.

23 posted on 01/22/2008 9:08:45 PM PST by Ol' Sparky (Liberal Republicans are the greater of two evils)
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To: dschapin

and Fred’s 100% pro-life record meant nothing. the NRLC endorsement meant nothing. Welcome back, Carter.


24 posted on 01/22/2008 9:09:00 PM PST by ari-freedom (The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government)
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To: Jim Robinson
Question will be, which way will Huckabee’s Evangelicals break?

That's the $64,000 question. I think a lot may stay home without a genuine social conservative in the race. They'll think he's a phony or dislike his religion. I don't have problems with his religion, just him as a politician. I think I'll vote for Dr. Paul. At least I agree with his domestic proposals.

I need a brokered convention. I made a bet that neither Rudy, Mitt or McCain would get the nomination, and another bet the the GOP would win in November. None of those guys seem to believe in anything except themselves. Drat!

25 posted on 01/22/2008 9:10:42 PM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: neverdem
Save for study tomorrow.

I am hugely disappointed now that Duncan and Fred are out.

I am a Catholic and Romney's religion is small potatoes compared to Huckabee, a Baptist that lies; Guliani, a Catholic who isn't and supports abortion and 'gay rights'; and McCain who is a democrat.

If the choice has to be made, it's Romney.

26 posted on 01/22/2008 9:13:25 PM PST by Eagles6
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To: MplsSteve
However, I fear a brokered convention for one reason.

Maybe the donkeys will have a brokered convention too! Pass the popcorn, please.

27 posted on 01/22/2008 9:27:47 PM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: neverdem

This isn’t aimed at you, neverdem, but I’ve been wandering the net tonight reading comments, and I’ve learned something. I thought liberals were the biggest whiners in America, but I was wrong.


28 posted on 01/22/2008 9:27:54 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Nobody cares that you won't vote for so and so, and nobody cares if you don't vote.)
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To: neverdem
A brokered convention could be the Answer!

Finding a Candidate, that respects the strongest “plank points” of each major Candidate could be hard to do. Letting the delegates pick a VP to fill the weaknesses of the Top Dog, would be a show!

Finding a pair {pres & vp} might be do-able. Forcing a VP on McCain could be tough, he seems to want GORE.

29 posted on 01/22/2008 9:30:39 PM PST by PizzaDriver (an heinleinian/libertarian)
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To: neverdem

As an Evangelical, let me just say that Huckabee is transparent, and easily identified as a phony and a hypocrite. I won’t be voting for the likes of him. Don’t like any of ‘em now.


30 posted on 01/22/2008 9:34:32 PM PST by I'm ALL Right! (THOMPSON '08)
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To: Eagles6
If the choice has to be made, it's Romney.

That's the way I broke it down. But God help me if I have to vote for a Massachusetts Republican who started a socialist revolution in healthcare.

31 posted on 01/22/2008 9:35:53 PM PST by VeniVidiVici (Benedict Arnold was against the Terrorist Surveillance Program)
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To: neverdem

If I understand it correctly, the delegates are committed for the first vote and then free to vote whomever after that? We are picking a lot of delegates who support Ron Paul even though they are committed to others (Romney here in Nevada). Do I have that right?


32 posted on 01/22/2008 9:36:18 PM PST by Duchess47 ("One day I will leave this world and dream myself to Reality" Crazy Horse)
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To: neverdem

They may get it, and it would make things much mor einteresting.


33 posted on 01/22/2008 9:39:01 PM PST by TBP
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To: WOSG

NOBODY is going to “sweep teh board” on February 5. And that’s a good thing.


34 posted on 01/22/2008 9:41:43 PM PST by TBP
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To: WOSG
I digress - if mcCain wins Fla he will have a slight lead in delegates on super tuesday. The press pimp'in his "momentum" will get some votes, but there is no way McCain wins in sagebrush, farm belt or southern comfort regions against Romney

http://theelectoralmap.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/10-16-sagebrush.jpg mcCain will not have 50% of the delegates @ convention.

35 posted on 01/22/2008 9:42:36 PM PST by TeleStraightShooter (The Right To Take Life is NOT a Constitutional "Liberty" protected by the 14th Amendment)
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To: WOSG
Florida is winner take all. McCain is in the lead, Romney is #2.

Actually, Rasmussen has Romney ahead of McQueeg by 5%, and I suspect Romney will pick up most of Thompsons voters that don't stay home and pout.

36 posted on 01/22/2008 9:45:00 PM PST by Mogollon
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To: napscoordinator

The GOP needs a “hookered” convention so that we can see if they have any balls to confront the Democrats, or whether they are now political eunuchs.


37 posted on 01/22/2008 9:45:11 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper (Madmax, the Grinning Reaper)
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To: neverdem
Maybe the donkeys will have a brokered convention too!

If tehy do, watch Algore make a move.

38 posted on 01/22/2008 9:46:01 PM PST by TBP
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To: Duchess47; Clintonfatigued
If I understand it correctly, the delegates are committed for the first vote and then free to vote whomever after that?

I believe so.

We are picking a lot of delegates who support Ron Paul even though they are committed to others (Romney here in Nevada). Do I have that right?

Maybe someone who knows more than me can comment on that.

39 posted on 01/22/2008 9:48:12 PM PST by neverdem (I have to hope for a brokered GOP Convention. It can't get any worse.)
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To: gidget7

The power brokers in the party horse trade {ethical and otherwise} for votes and keep voting until a compromise candidate is reached. C.Coolidge & A.Lincoln were selected this way.


40 posted on 01/22/2008 9:50:47 PM PST by TeleStraightShooter (The Right To Take Life is NOT a Constitutional "Liberty" protected by the 14th Amendment)
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