Posted on 02/06/2008 3:11:00 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Despite what the pundits, talking heads, and self-annoited experts say about the Republican race, it is more muddled and more up in the air than at any time since Iowa.
Why?
Because 60 percent of the Republican Party is against John McCain.
And the more a dour Tim Russert or an arrogant Chris Mathews says that, “the Republican race is, for all intents and purposes, over,” or this one, “it is very hard to see how John McCain can be stopped,” the more agitated conservatives get.
That translates to “we lefty pundits who dominate the TV airwaves want McCain so we will just proclaim him the inevitable nominee.”
But conservative GOP voters are rebelling against McCain; yes, he gets moderate Republicans and independents who come into the GOP primaries. But the base — conservatives — are voting against McCain.
So I ask you this question: How can the Republican Party, with a huge base of conservatives, nominate a candidate who hates them and who they despise?
This is the crux of the dilemma that is ripping the GOP apart now. Ann Coulter’s "Hannity & Colmes" diatribe was more than amusing. It raised this question: Who do conservatives hate more, John McCain or Hillary Clinton?
The question, more than any answer, is instructive: The fact that we are even talking about this shows how divided we Republicans are and how unaccepting of John McCain we will be.
We feel like he is being jammed down our throat by the left, and by the same inside-the-beltway GOP establishment that has been, frankly, wrong on just about everything from amnesty to Dubai Ports World.
The two candidates opposing McCain are both having difficulty cobbling together enough support on their own to defeat McCain; they are splitting the conservative vote and enabling a moderate-to-liberal win.
And Huckabee is clearly in the tank for McCain. Yesterday’s rigged convention in West Virginia was designed to deny Mitt Romney a “Romney Wins West Virginia” headline running all day long on cable TV. While within the rules, it was a petty, ugly example of the "real McCain" at work.
As the so-called GOP front-runner he should be above that kind of thing. But it tells us he is still more afraid of Romney than he is of Huckabee. Therefore, conservatives are increasingly going to rally to Romney from here on out.
And what Romney now needs to do is simple: pick an upcoming state — a crucial one — and make it a mano-a-mano race, Romney vs. McCain, and win it!
It is time Romney beats Mccain one-on-one because if he cannot, then McCain will win the nomination by default.
But if Romney draws the line in the sand and beats McCain, then we have a new race on our hands. The conservatives will rally to Romney and McCain could still be stopped.
So, Mitt, get going and fast.
Your task is a difficult one: take on not just McCain but the entire D.C. establishment.
Let it all out . . . get angry; show some passion. Embrace the talk-radio hosts, as they represent the GOP base.
Take on McCain and squash him, and soon, maybe in Ohio.
Make the economy the issue.
Do us all a favor.
McCain has no chance in the general. IMHO
Yes, the great anti-Mormon conspiracy theory so rampant among FReepers these days. (Even Hugh Hewitt was buying into it today, accusing 20-25% of Huckabee supporters as being "anti-Mormon." No facts. Doesn't matter these days. Accuse away). So, you're seriously trying to tell us that McCain "insiders" somehow were able to turn around thousands of votes in 49 to 51 districts in California from the ocean to the border to border to border?
Boy, you used the magic word of the day - specifically.
I want to hear SPECIFICALLY how a candidate for president will equalize government revenue and spending next year.
I think we are pushing moral boundaries by running up huge debts for those Americans who will follow us.
How's that?
We get McCain as our nominee.
The conservatives refuse to vote for him.
The Democrats get a choice between a real liberal and an 80% liberal.
It’s a done deal.
We’re toast.
It is disgustingly disingenuous how the Romney haters continue to scream "government health care, government health care" when in fact the Massachusetts plan was ALL about lowering private health insurance plans so everyone could be covered.
aint that the truth, there no jobs at all here, ive been out of work since october. and the only people who get jobs here are arabs,albainians and mexicans.
the places around here may as well just put "no americans allowed" signs up.
Both McCain and Huckabee would legalize 30 million illegal aliens — and since “doing the jobs Americans won’t do” doesn’t pay very well, that constitutes an immense expansion of Foodstamps, Welfare, Medicaid, etc. to cover all those newly “legal” low-income workers. $400B/year worth.
McCain knows nothing about the economy, not even enough to see the connection above. McCain actually thinks cutting a $200 million earmark for a “Bridge to Nowhere” is a big deal while pushing amnesty that will cost a THOUSAND times as much EVERY year.
Huckabee used taxpayer money as though it was his own while governor. His Christians-help-the-downtrodden attitude becomes pure Socialism when it is taxpayer money he is using instead of his own. His Christians-turn-the-other-cheek attitude resulted in a THOUSAND pardons for murderers and rapists as governor. His support of the FairTax shows he doesn’t understand the economy — he claims it is a tax on the wealthy and everyone else will get lower taxes, which is bad enough since it constitutes class-warfare vote pandering, but ignores the fact that it frees up the really wealthy to AVOID taxes completely by spending their money outside the country.
Romney understands the economy. He understands the effect taxes have on the economy. He understands the danger of legalizing 30 million low-income workers and the crushing burden it would have on taxpayer funded social programs.
The man also supports a form of infanticide. Read for yourself: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18647
Tell me if you still find him enticing after you read that article.
Okay wise @$$, who do you recommend? McCain? To bitch with no solution is a waste of our time.
He will win neither.
It is almost impossible for me to get into Romney because I am still not sure of the sincerity factor. Romney came to the stands he is taking very recently as we all know. I do like his stands on many issues, be will he flip back when he gets into office?
I am trying to listen to the arguments about McCain. I honor his military service and his bravery during those years. I just cannot believe that he will now do the dance that will be required to pull Conservatives behind him. After he is elected, will he become even more of a liability than he is now?
You are a Veteran and I will trust your judgment. Will you now support Romney or just vote for him?
Romney is heads above Huck. Socially, Huck is a little more conservative but barely (and I have to wonder, someone who is as gung-ho for McCain, how socially conservative they reall are). Fiscally, Romney is just smarter than Huck and Huck’s smarter than McCain. Romney beats them all. His ideas make sense and they are well thought out. The haters will dismiss them and the haters will lose the election and possibly the republic. Nice job guys.
[They won’t vote for “whippersnappers” like Obama, Edwards or Romney. Huckabee is right in the middle.]
Huckabee is 52 and Romney is 60. Your comment doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t the elderly vote for Romney using your logic ?
I know for me, that although it's important that the candidate have a conservative track record - that is not the ONLY criteria I use.
McCain is definitely trending more liberal in the last few years, while Romney has been trending more conservative. But beyond that, there has got to be a nicely rounded package. Look at the packages:
McCain: old, bitter, angry, vindictive, long-time incumbent DC rooster, stick it to the conservatives and suck up to the democrats. He's not a very good speaker (WAY over uses the term "my friend" - what a phoney) and he is generally acknowledged by other politicians to be certifiably insane. The thought of him being the President scares me to death.
Huckabee: no gravitas whatsoever. He has a funny sounding name, looks like Gomer Pyle & his family (especially his sons) - I'm sorry - they don't belong in the White House. Not to mention that he oozes populism and exhibits a seething resentment of Mitt Romney's money. He is Jimmy Carter all over again. I don't understand why a preacher would want to go into politics - the sleaziest profession in the world. I've read the story about his fat jerk redneck son torturing and hanging a stray dog at camp & Huckabee covering his a$$. A person that could raise a child that would do such a thing - that raises red flags all over the place for me. I also feel like he is lying through his teeth when he says he & McCain don't have some kind of deal between them. The trick he pulled in WV, although legal - was scummy in my book & not worthy of someone calling himself a preacher of God's word. Huckabee strikes me as a mean nasty man - I could go on & on about the things I don't like about him. Oh, and did you know that he is #6 on Judicial Watch's "10 Most Corrupt Policitians of 2007"? Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007
Romney: Not my first or second choice - although now I wish I had supported him earlier. He really is the candidate that has the most going for him. He is photogenic, has plenty of money (and is spending lots of it - putting his money where his mouth is) an excellent speaker, he has a nice family & the story about him & his wife being childhood sweethearts is just so very nice. I don't guess anyone can dig up much dirt on him, or they would have already. He's a Morman - who cares? Every Mormon I've ever met is super nice, straight and hardworking - only a super bigot would hold his religion against him. He has a proven record of being able to handle fiscal matters very well & even though he has taken some liberal positions in the past - he is head and shoulders above the other two candidates still in the running. He has held himself with impeccable grace and good manners - he is a consummate gentleman - and he has CLASS. On a stage debating the old hag Hillary or the young, vibrant Obama - he would carry himself very well.
We are now at the point where we will not have a perfect candidate. We must pick the best that are left & McCain & Huckabee just have too much baggage. We need to stop nit-picking or we will have another Clinton in the White House.
Just curious. IYO, who is the 100% liberal and who is the 80%?
Is it your mother's fault that you still speak like an eighth grader?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1966040/posts?page=96#96
You are correct. The main threat to America, both in economic and cultural terms, is the flood of third worlders who will eventually be powerful enough to enact a defacto takeover of US sovereignty.
But don't worry. The Romney-haters will protect us all with their constant complaining about "socialist" healthcare and $50 abortions... or some other imaginary figments of their imagination.
I do not expect a turnaround any time within the next several years. My advice to someone your age is to go South or West unless there are overriding reasons to stay in this area.
All the best. Tcats
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