What the GOP Primary Has Told Us: Moderate Romney Will Have Hard Time Generating Turnout to Defeat Obama

No matter how many columns Ann Coulter writes defending Romneycare one thing is clear – Mitt Romney is a moderate at best.
The fact that George Soros approves of Mitt is also of some concern.

And so far the GOP primary has told us – a moderate like Romney will have a difficult time defeating Obama.
The Washington Times reported, via Lucianne:

When Newt Gingrich surged in South Carolina, he brought along massive gains in turnout – record turnout, in fact, with bigger gains in voter participation than in Iowa and New Hampshire. The Jan. 21 South Carolina primary drew about 602,000 voters, a 35 percent increase over 2008, as the former House speaker defeated former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Mr. Gingrich received 40.4 percent of the vote to Mr. Romney’s 27.8 percent.

In Florida, Mr. Romney surged but turnout was low. The Romney-Gingrich battle in Florida appears to have produced slightly fewer than 1.7 million voters. That is a decrease of about 12 percent from the 1.94 million who voted in 2008. Mr. Romney received 46 percent to Mr. Gingrich’s 33 percent.

In Florida, Mr. Romney mounted an aerial assault, running around 13,000 negative TV and radio ads, outspending Mr. Gingrich 5 to 1. Mr. Romney won by flooding the airwaves with negative personal attacks, but we still do not know his campaign theme. He didn’t win because he had a clear message, but because he cut and slashed his opponent with negative ads. To win in a general election, you need an aerial assault and boots on the ground, and you also need a message. Negative ads without a clear message will not turn into votes at the national level.

Mr. Romney still has not connected with evangelicals, Tea Party people or conservative voters. The more moderate-to-liberal Republican voters are more likely to support Mr. Romney, but moderate-to-liberal Republicans do not constitute an army on the ground. Liberal Democrats share something in common with conservative Republicans and independents: They organize and bring excitement to the campaign. But moderate-to-liberal Republicans do not bring the same excitement to a campaign. They do not organize and mobilize their friends and communities.

Mr. Romney connects more with moderate-to-liberal Republicans because he is viewed by many GOP voters as being moderate-to-liberal himself.

Republicans have not fared well when nominating a moderate-to-liberal presidential candidate. Sen. Bob Dole and Sen. John McCain are bookend examples of what happens when Republicans nominate a moderate to lead the country. Conservatives simply cannot get excited about a moderate-to-liberal presidential candidate. If he should become the nominee, Mr. Romney easily could be to the 2012 presidential race what Mr. Dole was in 1996 or Mr. McCain was in 2008.

For a Republican presidential candidate to win a national election, evangelical and conservative support is required. Evangelical and conservative voters provide the army that will increase voter turnout for Republicans.

It appears Rick Santorum is running against Mr. Gingrich to support Mr. Romney but, in reality, is not running for president himself. The former Pennsylvania senator has absolutely no chance of winning. Mr. Santorum likely could become this election’s H. Ross Perot, who split the ticket in 1992 and 1996, allowing Bill Clinton to win two terms. Hoping to get a seat in the Romney administration likely will keep Mr. Santorum in the primaries because the more votes he takes from Mr. Gingrich, the more he helps Mr. Romney, whom he endorsed in 2008.

#1 February 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm
bg commented:

++

updated: February 3, 2012

What Mitt Romney could learn from Herman Cain

[2.) Cain went on to explain to Carlson the importance of reaching three obvious GOP target groups: base Republicans, evangelical Christians and independents. Then, he said something really interesting: The eventual GOP nominee will need to reach out to traditionally Democratic groups as well. As he put it: “There are some disgruntled Democrats who have buyer’s remorse — that’s how we win in November.”

Truer words have never been spoken. We’re not talking monumental numbers here, but there are enough disaffected Democrats to make a dent in Obama’s vote tally. If the GOP is to have any chance of winning in November, it will need to put some boots on the ground and step up its game in Democratic-leaning areas — especially minority areas. I know that the party has an opportunity to pick a large number of people who voted for Obama in 2008, having spoken with and interviewed black Democrats and Republicans who voted for Obama but are now upset with the president’s performance. Cain’s advice is not only sound but comes from someone who has been in the trenches and knows the landscape. Democrats, who count on the race card and the GOP writing off minority voters, won’t expect a battle in their own backyard until it’s too late. Plus, reaching out to minorities is just the right thing to do.]

i miss Herman Cain, but i’m betting Obama et al still fear him..

==
#2 February 6, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Mad Hatter commented:

“What the GOP Primary Has Told Us: Moderate Romney Will Have Hard Time Generating Turnout to Defeat Obama”

It’s not just Romney running for the Republican Nomination. Because of his baggage, Gingrich isn’t drawing well. Santorum, as much as I like him, is struggling, and Ron Paul has a following, that’s the only reason why he’s finishing third and fourth place all the time.

We as Conservatives have to be honest with each other, there is no true Conservative in this race. Newt calling Paul Ryan’s Budget plan, “Right Wing Social Engineering” sounds like Barney Frank, not a Conservative. Defending a state wide mandate to require citizens of Massachusetts to buy Health Care isn’t Conservative.

The only way turn out is going to improve for the Presidential Election is for Romney or Newt to bring on Senator Rubio, Congressman West, or Governor McDonnell of Virginia as a running mate. That will energize the Conservatives and increase turn out against Obama.
#3 February 6, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Finncrisp commented:

The candidate who has the most money ultimartly pushes everyone out. W followed that line in 2000, and got reelected. Romney is following a similar trajectory., He needs cross over votes and independents. Clearly, no amount of media spin can cover all the groups Obama has chosen to attack – our troops, Traditional churches who value life, seniors, small business, utilities, banks, etc.

Let’s stay focused on the prize. Not Obama in the White HOuse.
#4 February 6, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Aaron Z. commented:

Soros is pretending to approve of Romney so that Republicans will reflexively made Gingrich the nominee.

Conservative turnout was higher in 2008 than in 2004. Most conservatives want to get rid of Obama. In addition, most independents and many Democrats will be willing to vote for the Republican if they aren’t threatened by him.

Gallup reported that the more conservative a voter was, the more likely that voter would vote for anybody but Obama.

You can’t predict general-election turnout based on primary turnout, especially in the upcoming election.
#5 February 6, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Spike commented:

Rubio…with that comes the Spanish vote and Florida
#6 February 6, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Patty commented:

we need boldness, real constructive criticisms of Obama. Romney needs to buck up his game.
#7 February 6, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Spike commented:

This is what many of us have been saying. The lame stream media have been pushing Romney because they know he cant beat Obama…and all you Dummies who voted for him in the primaries will be sorry when Odipper is re elected. We need some one strong to enter!
#9 February 6, 2012 at 1:10 pm
The Elector of Saxony commented:

” Plus, reaching out to minorities is just the right thing to do.”

But it has never worked. The only way to “reach out” to minorities is to offer them more race-based set asides, quotas, freebies, and goodies than will the Democrat in the race. Outreach to minorities is futile when the entire federal government is now organized to prop up a phony black middle class with lifetime jobs in the government for which they are wholly unqualified, grossly overpaid, and from which they can never be fired. The other chief aim of the Federal Government where so-called minorities are concerned? Encouraging legal and illegal chain migration of minorities and lavishing upon them free food, housing, education, medical care, and cash money.

What so-called minority is going to spend two seconds listening to Republicans talk about how they want to slash the Federal government, sharply cut back welfare for the able-bodied, curtail immigration of the unskilled and unlettered, enforce the border, end quotas and affirmative action, and promote tougher law and order?

“Hey, Minorities? We have a really great plan for you, and we think you’re going to really prefer it to what you have now. We’re going to make you get up in the morning, every morning and go to work for your housing and food, you’re going to have to be responsible for supporting your own children out of wedlock, and we’re going to put you in jail for slangin’ the Chronic or playing the knockout game. Oh, and those of you here illegally and thinking about bringing your 25 kids from Honduras for a free school in which to park them all day until they are 21 and still can’t read English? Just wait there, the van will be around to collect you and all the other members of your gang and dump you on the other side of the double walled, 50 foot high, electrified border wall.” To quote a famous minority group member, “What choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” We have nothing at all to offer 99% of the minorities in this country. What we have for them, they have proven they don’t want.
#10 February 6, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Beef commented:

Nice to see the Gateway Pundit is onboard with the latest George Soros attempt to influence the American political process.
#11 February 6, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Patty commented:

President Obama has convinced Americans to settle for a poor economy

Yet, primary voters gravitate to Mr. Romney, not because they are persuaded he can beat Mr. Obama, but rather because he is a more plausible candidate than his baggage laden and eccentric rivals.

He spends too much time trying to convince voters of the inconceivable—pink slipping workers at Bain Capital makes him an experienced jobs creator and he cares about the poor when he says he worries not about them; responding to critics that say he is not conservative enough; and slinging mud of his own.

Mr. Romney’s overwhelming victories in Florida and Nevada offer him a period of grace before the next significant cluster of primaries and caucuses that bind delegates—from February 28 to March 6, twelve states will so vote.

He should use this period to explain to Americans why creating enough decent paying jobs requires fixing trade with China, revving up domestic oil production, and fixing problems in financial regulation and health care—how he’s going to get those things done.

Merely offering tax cuts and less regulation—like Republicans of yore—won’t cut it. George W. Bush nearly wrecked the country for good ignoring the very same issues Mr. Obama is now mismanaging.

Mr. Romney must offer Americans something more, or they won’t make a change.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/06/president-obama-has-convinced-americans-to-settle-for-poor-economy/?intcmp=trending#ixzz1ldAZ2XlM

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/06/president-obama-has-convinced-americans-to-settle-for-poor-economy/?intcmp=trending

So, if Americans don’t turn out then, Americans will settle for poor economy and Obama.

Obama’s words.
#12 February 6, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Patty commented:

I would stress that China’s advancements are a big factor in this election. They are surpassing us leaps and bounds. Therefore, it would be at the GOP’s advantage to talk about this.

And the gas prices and why Obama would axe XL pipeline and Obama’s energy failures.
#13 February 6, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Aaron Z. commented:

The Romney-Gingrich battle in Florida appears to have produced slightly fewer than 1.7 million voters. That is a decrease of about 12 percent from the 1.94 million who voted in 2008.

Another thing to consider is that in Florida in 2008 there was a property-tax relief initiative on the ballot that drew voters who were not interested in the presidential contest. That’s one reason why there were more voters in 2008 than in 2012.

There’s no question that Republicans aren’t excited about Romney. But in November they’ll be excited about dumping Obama, especially after the summer of high gas prices, and the beginning of the winter with high fuel-oil prices. And don’t underestimate the impact that ObamaCare is having on religious organizations. Carter made a similar mistake when he stripped private religious schools of their tax-exempt status.
#14 February 6, 2012 at 1:21 pm
JimmyT commented:

I couldn’t disagree with your assumption more. Conservatives, moderate repubs, independents, and moderate dems will vote against bambi. Bambi is no longer a novelty . I believe he has disillusioned many of the less hardcore in his base who will just stay home rather than vote for a repub. IMHO. P.S. Soros doesn’t like Romney. If you believe that, I have some old lotto tickets I’ll sell you for $.50 ea. I’m sure if you scan them you will surely find 1 winner! Can’t you tell when you’re being had?
#15 February 6, 2012 at 1:23 pm
SOB commented:

Soros is pretending to approve of Romney so that Republicans will reflexively made Gingrich the nominee.

Wow, for being such a brilliant businessman, if what you are saying is true, he’s a complete F*up politically

All his statement on Romney did was make WallStreet types with an overall Liberal View but money-first stance give money to Romney.

No middle of the pack Republican primary voters are swayed by a Soros statement though – if you knew who he was, you already couldn’t stand Romney. If you don’t, you could care less what he says about anything.

But we all know he did not say that in an effort to hurt Romney; that’s lunatic conspiracy territory.

He said it because its just true – everything Romney has done while governor, or says he will do if elected, shows that the differences between Obama and Romney are nil to only slight variation in the very fine print.
#16 February 6, 2012 at 1:28 pm
LibertyAtStake commented:

I agree with Mark Levin that Mittens’ primary strategy does not translate to a winning general election strategy. He is outspending all his GOP rivals on negative advertising (which depresses turnout even when a winner, btw). He can’t beat Obama at this game. Can he articulate a conservative message that beats Obama instead? I dunno – haven’t seem him do it in the primaries.

d(^_^)b
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
#17 February 6, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Paz commented:

Romney and Newt are losers. Independents will not vote for either of these jerks. Put in a real Constitutional candidate and they will.
#18 February 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm
SOB commented:

@#14 February 6, 2012 at 1:21 pm
JimmyT commented:

I couldn’t disagree with your assumption more. Conservatives, moderate repubs, independents, and moderate dems will vote against bambi.

While its true that each group will vote against Obama to some extent; the level at which they do so is the issue.

In the end, many will stay home seeing the very small difference between the two candidates. And no matter how much Republican (go along to get along) Lap-Dogs insist Conservatives will come out just to vote against Obama; it isnt going to happen – already the Tea Party is indicating it could care less about a Romney v Obama race and are will focus solely on local elections. Without the Tea Party getting out the vote showing support for Romney, there will be much fewer Independents or Undecideds being given reasons to choose the lesser of two evils and get motivation to vote at all for a President.

Between a President no one can stand and a Liberal Republican without a plan to really do anything much different, you will have a very low turn-out overall and we will be left resting our fate on the more desirable of two guys no one wants to vote for…

2012 will be the most uninspiring election this country has seen in years despite so much room to tap enthusiasm being present. Where this is possibly the most important election of peoples life; a choice between two empty suits will leave most people sitting on their couch instead.
#19 February 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Charlie commented:

Rubio would make a great VP but he is not eligible.

The issue has to do with both parents being citizens at the time of the child’s birth and having no other allegiance to another country.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/19/2462473/birthers-ask-is-marco-rubio-eligible.html#storylink=cpy

ALLEN WEST IS 100% ELIGIBLE!!!!!!!!!
#20 February 6, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Liz commented:

They’l do anything to keep obama from having to face Romney, won’t they? I think the American people are getting quite serious at this point. Over 50% in Nevada and stepping it up.
#21 February 6, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Marsh626 commented:

Nonsense. The Right will come out in droves to vote against Obama in 2012. We could nominate a turtle for God sakes and people would still vote for him/her/it simply in protest of the absolutely moronic leftist Obama regime.
#22 February 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm
SOB commented:

@Paz commented:

Romney and Newt are losers. Independents will not vote for either of these jerks. Put in a real Constitutional candidate and they will.

That’s just wrong – and even Bill Maher with his liberal panel admitted that Newt stands a good chance of stealing a ton of Democrat and Moderate support away from Obama.

People in the middle or on the Democrat-lite side remember Newt for saving the failed Presidency that was Bill Clinton by doing the tough things that were needed in a big way. You can run all the negative attack adds you want, but that doesn’t change. And Obama wont be able to use the “well you should question his Conservative principles” attack against Newt in an election – only Romney can use that in the primary.

Obama would have a very tough time coming up with a strategy against Newt; he can try to talk about the failed ethics charges his party crammed through, but most people could care less about that now so long after the fact with no actual evidence of wrong doing. Otherwise, Newt is the only candidate from any side (well, outside Paul who is a nut) with bold ideas that show the country can be fixed – and that is what people want. Plus, he has a record of doing just that already – unlike Romney who made his state worse while Governor.

On the other hand, Obama has been running against Romney for the last 3 years;with his “anti-Rich” and “occupy/anti-wallstreet” class warfare position being delivered to attack Romney (and similar GOP Establishment types) the entire time. Because Romney has also never met a position he is willing to stand up for, everything Romney ever delivers as an idea will be met with “well, I am not sure why he is against that now because when he was Governor he did yada, yada, yada” or similar.

You cant win when your candidate doesn’t have bold ideas – protecting the status quo is not going to get anyone to vote for you. When you have also reversed every position you have ever taken, and are the poster-boy for the people that have been demonized for 3 years; well you fail…
#23 February 6, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Skinner commented:

Where is Jim going with this?

Will GatewayPundit be slamming Mormonism in a few months too?

Will this blog be a continual slam on Romney when he is our nominee and he has Rubio as his VP?

When does it stop Jim? Because if and when you do decide to back Romney it won’t be sincere…

.
#24 February 6, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Mrs. X commented:

Unreal…I am further right than a bicyclist on the Autobahn and I WILL BE VOTING for Romney or whomever the candidate is for the GOP. Stop with the 2 year-old cry-baby stuff. I may not always agree w/ Romney but I NEVER agree w/ 0bama. He is ruining our country and taking it down the $hitter and you want to complain about Romney? Give me a break. We will never have the perfect candidate and Reagan is dead and gone…who, btw, WAS ALSO once pro-choice! We must pray for a true conversion to conservatism, even for 0bama.

Anybody but 0Bama 2012.
#26 February 6, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Pragmatic commented:

Anybox but Romney or Obama (both are Democrats) 2012!
#27 February 6, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Pragmatic commented:

Anybody but Romney or Obama (both are Democrats) 2012!
#28 February 6, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Jerry C commented:

Anybody but NObama or Romney or Gingrich or Santorum (all are Demonrats) 2012!

My God! Do we the people have anyone who will fight for us?!
#29 February 6, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Flyover Fred commented:

Romney can earn my vote only by conceding he’s unable to lead on his own, and subordinates to a coalition of conservative governors through a pact that will shed the Federal government of massive centralized bureaucracies and move their responsibility back to the states. I don’t trust him, and know from his track record that at best, he will guarantee a full-out radical progressive rise when in four years, his “I reduced *growth* in spending from 150% to 140%” and “I didn’t cancel Obama’s programs, I made them more efficient!” fails to avoid the immanent debt and deficit collapse.

In four years, if we do not have radical fiscal reform, radical shuttering of this bloated, repugnant, rotting beast of a Federal Leviathan, we will hand to the progressives the final proof that the slow form of progressivism that the RINOs advocate has failed, leaving the only other option to be extreme radical progressivism.

Yes, I’d rather have four more years of Obama than a Romney who sets it up for the end of any meaningful resistance to the radical progressives. And yes, lacking strong supervision for this pathetically weak liberal candidate, many of us will not stay home… we will vote for Obama to put an end to the RINO disease once and for all.
#30 February 6, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:

…many of us will not stay home… we will vote for Obama to put an end to the RINO disease once and for all.

I can’t bring myself to cast a vote for the cretin currently in office. That’s too much.

I’ll just be doing whatever I do on any other Tuesday night…
#31 February 6, 2012 at 3:08 pm
MJ commented:

Ann should just tell the truth;
People are going to vote Romney b/c he ‘looks’ presidential and thats it.
#32 February 6, 2012 at 3:13 pm
JR commented:

It’s the incompetent extremist on the other side that will drive people to the polls.
#33 February 6, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Multitude commented:

Those who don’t realize Romney will lose in the general are living in a bubble. Go now and read the great Powerlineblog discussion and take the bubble survey now!

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/01/bubble-what-bubble-my-bubble-score-is.php

It will be the overwhelming consensus of the regular (non elite) American folk that Barack Obama may be a terribly weak, ineffective and lousy cure, but Mitt Romney is the disease.

I was reading Wollstonecraft this weekend when her writings on a very similar issue (regarding the elites of her day constructing a variety of taxes to rob the productive classes). People, we’re heading into a French Revolution and you all want to appoint a bourgeois noble to represent conservativism? How crazy are you to think that the average auto mechanic, gray-collar clerk, grocery store employee, school teacher, etc. will embrace a blue blood to fix what an increasing majority know they caused?

There is some seriously tough medicine that needs to be force fed to the few conservatives that have a chance at getting the big picture: the overwhelming majority of the people of this country know that it is Romney and people like him who did inside deals, controlled government, got their trillions in contracts, regulatory schemes to push out competition and drive up prices, and got bailouts when they failed. They know first hand that every government contract is awarded to these elites, their friends, and the companies they all sit on the boards of. Obama’s green and pharma scandals are nothing new; Mitt’s waist deep in it. Top that with Congress insider trading and you have a whole corrupt elite that’s screwed us all.

You think they’re going to vote for the wolf to remodel the henhouse? At least Obama’s not a rich wolf of pedigree (he’s not, he’s a wild and more dangerous one). Romney’s type eats a few hens a day but fattens enough to stay in power. He represents the disease we know, the pedigreed ilk who got us into this mess.

You will not find a majority to elect Mitt, nor any other noble, in this economic and political climate. You RINOs have been shown this dynamic in the past two elections, and the embracing of anybody-but-an-elite in the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street combine to send a message. Give us a reformer from the middle class now, or face the guillotine when the Tea Party’s more radical cousins in Occupy prevail (at which point many would be wishing for the lousy muddling of Obama’s weak cure).
#34 February 6, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Mtncougar commented:

Re: Mad Hatter and to anyone else who needs to seriously study up.

Newt did *not* bash Ryan’s plan. He was asked (listen to the interview) should Republicans get a majority like the Democrats had, whether Repubicans should force things through like the Democrats forced through Obamacare.

Newt answered that question like ANY good conservative would. Ann Coulter’s – and other’s – repeating of the lie that Newt was bashing Ryan’s buget grosses me out. Seriously. Study up.

Oh, and add to the fact that Romney can’t generate turnout (well said in the article) there is also Bain Capital.

Romney will get crushed by the leftists MSM over Bain Capital. If you haven’t studied Bain, here’s a good place to start (below) an interview with a conservative Venture Capitalist about Bain’s business model…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmrEUHdwAwQ&feature=youtu.be
#35 February 6, 2012 at 3:24 pm
SOB commented:

Yes, I’d rather have four more years of Obama than a Romney who sets it up for the end of any meaningful resistance to the radical progressives.

Exactly.

And while I, like Blacque, can not vote for Obama – I can vote for the Green Party to ideally help crush the Democrats for 2016 and beyond (The Green Party getting Federal Funding, Debate Coverage and National Media attention for future elections (if they manage 5%) is the not-throwing-your-vote-away alternative to a Romney v Obama ticket)

And because there are so many disgruntled Democrats that will be voting Green Party already themselves, I am hopeful my non-Romney, non-Obama vote can help them get that recognition.

Which is sad really, as I will possibly be voting for openly Communist and overall disgusting, Rosanne Barr – but what can ya do; its the only positive vote I will be left with in a Evil v Evil v Evil-with-benefits ticket
#36 February 6, 2012 at 3:25 pm
S. Wolf commented:

Liz #20

They? Who is they.. Democrats? Perish the thought. Romney is to all effect running against Obama in the Democratic primaries.

‘Mitt Romney’s 1992 Democratic Primary vote for Paul Tsongas — a technocratic modernizer and reformer, but very much a Democrat — raised some Republican eyebrows last week.

What hasn’t been mentioned: Romney’s vote formally enrolled him in the Democratic Party.

Romney registered to vote in 1976 as what Massachusetts authorities now call an “unenrolled” voter — a member of neither party. Under state law, primaries are open, and unenrolled citizens may participate in either primary.

But under the law as it stood in 1992 — it was changed in 2004 — “essentially enrolled unenrolled voters (commonly referred to as independent) into the political party based on the ballot they chose at the presidential primary,” Michelle Tassinari, the director of the elections division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, told BuzzFeed.

“After voting, a voter would have had to ‘unenroll’ by completing additional paperwork to go back to their ‘independent’ status,” she said.

Romney had not previously been a member of a party, and there had been speculation at times that he would run for office as a Democrat. One option might have been the 1994 Senate primary, had that seat been open. But when Teddy Kennedy sought re-election in 1994, Romney challenged him as a Republican.’

Mitt Romney Was A Democrat

Except Romney lacks the courage to run as a Democrat so his fallback is to run as a Republican. But make no mistake Romney is exactly who the Democrats want.
#37 February 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Multitude commented:

as I’m sure to get a few confused at the linkage between Occupy and the Tea Party, here’s the difference for ya:

Occupy Wall Street is a bunch of well intentioned, naive folks (and fools and a bunch of crazies who’re there just to stir up chaos) who correctly believe that the blue blood elites who’ve taken over the U.S. this past century and brought European feudalism to prevail are to blame, but incorrectly believe that a Soros-backed anti-American global state Capitalist (Obama) will lead them to freedom.

The Tea Party is a bunch of well intentioned folks (along with fools, racists, nuts and other oddballs that will show up to stir up chaos) who correctly believe that the blue blood elites who’ve taken over the U>S. are to blame, but incorrectly believe that “moderate-liberal” pro-American blue blood progressive elites (Romney, McCain, Hatch, Graham, etc.) will lead them to freedom.

and to be fair, not all Occupiers nor Tea Partiers believe the elites will be their saviors. Can you imagine what would become of a Tea Party/Occupy Outreach Day?
#38 February 6, 2012 at 3:33 pm
J commented:

I’m getting sick and tired of being told to hold my nose and vote for the democrat the republican party has provided for me. First it was mccain, in the employ of soros, now it is a kennedy like romney. Obviously holding our noses first, doesn’t get a rino elected, and second, the next candidate the republicans decide to field is even worse. There has to be a better way. As far as romney is concerned, I really don’t see any difference, other than skin color, between him and obama.
#39 February 6, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Chinahand206 commented:

Hoft you can do better. After all you are pushing the great Newt on the U.S. Try his latest PAC TV add and expand on it. After watch all Newt accomplished, I was left in awe. Just think what he would have done if he had not decided to rest on the 7th day.
#40 February 6, 2012 at 3:47 pm
DaMav commented:

Really now, didn’t you mean this?

It appears Newt Gingrich is running against Mr. Santorum to support Mr. Romney but, in reality, is not running for president himself. The former Speaker has absolutely no chance of winning. Mr. Gingrich likely could become this election’s H. Ross Perot, who split the ticket in 1992 and 1996, allowing Bill Clinton to win two terms. Hoping to get a seat in the Romney administration likely will keep Mr. Gingrich in the primaries because the more votes he takes from Mr. Santorum, the more he helps Mr. Romney, whom he endorsed in 2008.
#41 February 6, 2012 at 3:48 pm
James commented:

As opposed to Gingrich who will have a hard time getting anyone to turn out.
#42 February 6, 2012 at 3:53 pm
DaMav commented:

If you really don’t want Romney you will quit pushing Gingrich and urge him to get behind Santorum.

Anyone pushing Newt at this point looks a lot like they are really trying to help Mitt get the nomination
#43 February 6, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Martin T commented:

Newt could win the southern states of Georgia and Tennessee on Super Tuesday and Oklahoma is possible. A lot can happen in four weeks.

I do know is that I don’t want Mitt, I won’t support Mitt, campaign for Mitt vote for Mitt and I will leave the GOP because of Mitt. Nuff said.
#44 February 6, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Tjexcite commented:

Soros knows he is more powerful than the even the President. The framework is in place that switching a D to a D-lite or R or T can not stop their plan. To fundamentally transform the world to a New World Order.
#45 February 6, 2012 at 4:15 pm
StrangernFiction commented:

People, we’re heading into a French Revolution and you all want to appoint a bourgeois noble to represent conservativism?

This is the key point, and why I will not vote for Romney in November should he be the nominee. Romney will not only lead the GOP if elected president, he will be the chief spokesman for and representative of conservatism.

The average American does not make a distinction between Republican and conservative. They are one in the same in their eyes. A President Romney = conservatism gets blamed.
#46 February 6, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Multitude commented:

DaMav… Santorum has a track record of being an extreme social conservative and fiscal liberal. How do you address that? I keep hoping he’ll realize he’s getting his behind kicked because too many socially tolerant folks avoid him like the plague and make some sort of contract to only deal with economic, governmental reform and foreign policy issues that are certain to destroy the country if not dealt with.

Strangely, he seems to stick around his comfort zones. If you think Romney’s unelectable, a Santorum bringing abortion bans, gay marriage bans, speech codes and other fundamentalist fun won’t get 20%. But if he swears off the micromanaging of peoples personal lives for his term(s)…
#48 February 6, 2012 at 4:37 pm
BurmaShave commented:

What the “elites” are saying is that they need more time and opportunities to thoroughly ruin this once great country, by which time the GOP will be completely redefined as the Tea Party, the nation’s capital moved to Wichita, Kansas, and Washington DC bulldozed flat.
#49 February 6, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Aaron Z. commented:

Yes, I’d rather have four more years of Obama than a Romney who sets it up for the end of any meaningful resistance to the radical progressives.

After four more years of Obama, there will be no chance whatsoever of resisting the radical progressive agenda. For some reason people think that a moderate Republican is worse than a Marxist who’s already implementing his agenda with executive orders, unconstitutional recess appointments, and massive amounts of cash funneled to his donors and the unions.

The idea that we win by losing is sheer insanity, but I’ve long since realized that you can’t talk people out of anything. Most people are ruled by what the French call the idée fixe, a notion that simply resists all factual evidence to the contrary.

A second Obama term will make life easier for all of us, because we’ll no longer have most of the choices we have today. I hope all the “true conservatives” who have a part in such a fiasco will be proud of the contribution they made to the downfall of a once-great country.

Me, I’ll vote for the lesser of two evils, because that’s always what every single election is. I won’t deliberately cast a vote to destroy everything simply because I couldn’t get my own way. I’m governed by ethics, not childish emotions.
#50 February 6, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Screwy Squirrel commented:

Excuse I didn’t mean to break in on a Democratic Party blog. You people writing that you would vote for barry soreto and allow that clown 4 more years of destroying this country are really a bunch of Idiots. Don’t stay home but don’t you bitch and if barry wins 4 more years of him appointing judges like the wise latina. You people make me puke.
#51 February 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Screwy Squirrel commented:

Excuse I didn’t mean to break in on a Democratic Party blog. You people writing that you would vote for barry soreto and allow that clown 4 more years of destroying this country are really a bunch of Idiots. Don’t vote stay home but don’t bitch if barry wins. 4 more years of him appointing judges like the wise latina and shoveling more money to his cronies. You people make me puke.
#52 February 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Zim commented:

No matter who it is get off you butt and vote. Do you really think Obama will be better!!!!
#53 February 6, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Molon Labe commented:

Romney is a bad joke. He is Obama in whiteface. Do we really need someone who is going to manage the decline?

Newt screwed up with his amnesty policies. He has enough baggage and isn’t smart enough to figure out lobbying should have been acknowledged. I guess he figures if Romney can lie his ass off so can he. It just doesn’t work.
#54 February 6, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Molon Labe commented:

#51
Zim

Tell me one reason Romney would be better?
#55 February 6, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Molon Labe commented:

#50

Screwed Squirrel:

Again can you list one reason Romney would be better than the Dear Leader? Just one?
#56 February 6, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Marsh626 commented:

Gingrich has been denounced as a liberal and RINO by the online and radio Right for almost a year now. And now suddenly it’s Romney who’s the big liberal and RINO and Gingrich is the hero.

You people blow my mind.

Both Gingrich and Romney are solid conservatices. You might not agree with them on a couple of issues and they may have voted for a couple of liberal policies in the past, but it’s now time to put the petty bickering aside and to start considering who has the best chance of beating Dear Leader Hussein.

I’m pretty sure we all know that it’s Romney.
#57 February 6, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Molon Labe commented:

#48
Aaron:

Please explain to us why jumping off the Empire State Building is prefferable to jumping off the Empire State Building carrying an anvil?

This is what you advocate. You get to the same place, jsut a little bit slower. This is insanity. I’ve long since realized that you can’t talk people out of anything. Most people are ruled by what the French call the idée fixe, a notion that simply resists all factual evidence to the contrary. Indeed!
#58 February 6, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Molon Labe commented:

#55

Marsh the moby goes Romney is a solid conservative.

Care to tell us what he has done that makes him a solid conservative. I can give you two accomplishments that show him to be an extremist liberal for each oneyou list.
#59 February 6, 2012 at 5:22 pm
lizzy84 commented:

@SnF./#45

I too am very averse to voting for Romney. The Supreme Court, however, is a huge factor and we could lose it for a generation..something to consider.
#60 February 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Fionnagh commented:

#2 Here’s the complete Gingrich quote which you conveniently took out of context:

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich said on “Meet the Press” in May. “I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”

Speaking Friday on Ben Domenech’s “Coffee and Markets” podcast series, Gingrich referenced the “right-wing social engineering” comments in response to a question about Medicare.

“What I was saying was in answer to a very specific question, which was: if there’s a program which is very, very unpopular, should Republicans impose it, and my answer was no,” Gingrich said.
#61 February 6, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Fionnagh commented:

#34 Sorry. I was so irritated by Poster #2 quoting Newt out of context that I didn’t read any other comments to see if someone else already put #2 straight. You did.
#62 February 6, 2012 at 5:33 pm
squeaky commented:

as we argue just who would beat obama – i hear rumblings about the congress. the whole argument being framed is that it’s the fault of congress that nothing is getting done and the congress being zeroed in on would be the one that’s been seated just over a year and not the pelosi controlled congress. we’ve been thru 2 years with the inmates running the asylum.
[But while the GOP isn’t overtly concerned about holding the House, there is a credible case to be made for why it could be in play.]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/democrats-chances-of-retaking-the-house-improve/2012/02/06/gIQAIF6buQ_blog.html
#63 February 6, 2012 at 5:39 pm
gosh! commented:

7 resons why Mitt Romney’s electability is a myth…………….http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2011/12/27/7_reasons_why_mitt_romneys_electability_is_a_myth/page/full/
#64 February 6, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Old One commented:

This lifelong conservative who voted for Goldwater at age 21 Will Not vote for Romney. He will be worse than Obozo. I am frnkly tired of holding my nose and voting for the likes of rino Mc Cain, Ford, & Doleful. I pray for the destruction of the republican party and Romney is the man who will do it. He inspires zero enthusiasm and will assure oblamer gets four more years which is what the statist RNC wants.
#65 February 6, 2012 at 5:46 pm
bigL commented:

Great posts but the over all situation is a mess. It looks like to me that the GOP elites and the
donk power structure has decided to re-elect Obama. It is all about the spoils. Everyone gets paid.
Very disenheartening….
#66 February 6, 2012 at 6:27 pm
kate commented:

“Soros is pretending to approve of Romney so that Republicans will reflexively made Gingrich the nominee.”

This is what I have thought all along.
#68 February 6, 2012 at 6:57 pm
S. Wolf commented:

BigL #64

re It looks like to me that the GOP elites and the
donk power structure has decided to re-elect Obama

Looks like.

‘And, by the way, many of the Illinois Republicans are no better than the Democrats. That’s why they call it “The Combine”.’

Now We Will See The Real Obama h/t bg
#69 February 6, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Dale commented:

Oh give it a rest Jim!!!! The Republicans are SICK and TIRED of Marxist / Lenninest Mao Tse Dung Obummer, they will vote for whatever Republican is the nominee. I happen to support Romney and I will be voting for Gingrich / Santorum, hell even Paul if he’s the nominee. I don’t hear that much support from the Gingrich tards. I am certain though, if people are sick enough of the naked marxist in the whitehouse, they’ll vote for whomever. Stop with the DEMOCRAP talk okay Jim???
#70 February 6, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Dale commented:

#65 AGREED!!!!! All of a sudden the Conservatives now trust SOROS the Devil?????? What is it with these Evangelicals???
#71 February 6, 2012 at 7:33 pm
bg commented:

++

Mad Hatter #2 February 6, 2012 at 12:52 pm

re: Gingrich

Mtncougar #34 February 6, 2012 at 3:23 pm

Fionnagh #59 February 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm

thank you..

==
#72 February 6, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Multitude commented:

If you are intending to vote for Romney based on the rationale that “Romney is marginally better than Obama,” please pay careful attention. You are an enabler of the RINOs and more complicit in the destruction of this country than you most likely realize.

To their unfortunate credit, the progressives understand politics and societal behavior far better than most of us conservatives. This shouldn’t surprise anyone; most of us here probably go into a car dealership and want a fair deal, take it or leave it. To want to drag out the negotiations with a ton of mind games is just not our thing. We have private lives, family interests, and playing games in social spaces isn’t part of that plan. For progressives, they do master those manipulative spaces; they thrive on it. They’ve made a great deal of headway understanding how to manipulate various groups and subgroups (some argue their very lifeblood of the coalition structure of the Democratic party depends on this understanding).

Let’s share a critically important concept they’ve learned, and that those RINO and ultimately progressive enablers have not: electoral effectuality. It may seem strange, but in the control of social systems, overt, declared intentions, principles, etc. are mostly meaningless. That’s why Obama will blather whatever the analysts tell him to. He’d talk about tube socks and paper cups if that’s what the analysis indicated was necessary. Rational analysis, like “Romney would be less liberal, therefore he is the superior candidate” is quaint, cut and simplistic. It’s also wrong.

Tactical decisions have an effectual consequence that set up strategic conditions, opportunities, consequences. Consider the boneheaded support of McCain in ’08. We heard the same rationale then by these same well intentioned simpletons: “McCain sucks, but he’s better than Obama.” We also heard it in 2K with Bush, which is instrumental to understanding how the more advanced progressives play ball. Electing a RINO Bush generated massive class warfare, hatred and didn’t elect Obama, it rejected anything-but. It created the critical oppositional mass that the progressives played and put in an anti-American globalist shill.

The left is now playing for 2016, not 2012. Whether or not Obama gets another four years is immaterial; nobody will sufficiently undo what he’s put into place and he’s unlikely to get anything more done. As they’d quote Lenin, “we got the first revolution done.” Soros indicated Obama’s spent and it shows. He cannot execute second revolution. That’s the job for 2016′s progressive. If there’s four more years of Obama, it actually damages the second revolution strategy significantly since Obama serves to only taint the brand and show society that his measures were a failure. Better to get him out and get a RINO pro-America global Bourgeoisie noble in. The best possible case is a nibbler: “I won’t cancel Obama’s programs, I’ll fix and nibble at them to make them better.” If he fails, he’ll validate the premise that slow and steady progressivism just isn’t radical enough. If he succeeds, Obama gets to take credit.

But don’t take my word for it. As I’ve seen Glenn Beck advocate, you need to read the enemy closely. There’s very little of Lenin I haven’t studied, nor contemporary applicants of it. It’s quite evident where this administration’s backers have constructed their playbook and I’ll admit that they’re running circles around the old school, “aww shucks” well intentioned conservatives or the naive pedigreed inbred country clubbers who think this is still the old game. Czar Nicholas II thought the same and couldn’t be bothered to set aside his skinny dipping parties, assuming the revolution’s hacks couldn’t possibly be a threat.

Soros said it but the right isn’t interpreting it correctly; please go back and listen to him very closely. He observes that Obama is done, tired and essentially consumed. Whether he stays for another four years and does some damage to the radical progressive brand, or Romney comes in to nibble and tweak and assign 100% of the blame for the pending collapse to the Republicans, he is indifferent to either option. BOTH get him and his coalition to where they intend to go.

You are essentially screwed. Newt might shake things up a bit, but its unlikely he’ll be elected. Same goes for Santorum, who will almost certainly focus on all the wrong things (social issues) and make sure some kid in Cleveland isn’t viewing dirty pictures on the Internet while America burns. Blame the RINO establishment for embracing the cult of Nicholas II. Blame their enablers for buying into the “X is less bad than Y” trickery and not understanding effectuality. Blame a complacent 52% who was bought off for trinkets using their own blood money.

Lacking a radical surprise (ala Santorum “I won’t mess with social issues, only fiscal/foreign” pledge, a rogue surprise candidate, etc.), 2016 will be the year where the slavery of America fully begins.
#73 February 6, 2012 at 7:44 pm
bg commented:

++

kate #65 February 6, 2012 at 6:27 pm

well, that explains so is Goldman Sachs backing.. /s/

oh yeah, i had a couple of ideas myself..

==
#74 February 6, 2012 at 7:59 pm
bg commented:

++

re: #72 February 6, 2012 at 7:44 pm bg

re: Goldman Sacks

bit more here & here..

==
#75 February 6, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:

The AP seems to think that the Tea Party is going to reluctantly back Romney.

Maybe some of them will, but I wouldn’t bet on it being a significant number.
#76 February 6, 2012 at 8:29 pm
bg commented:

++

TEA Party Patriots

February 6, 2012

Palin: Happy Birthday, President Reagan

Palin Named Woman of the Year by
Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute..

more here..

==
#77 February 6, 2012 at 8:35 pm
NorthernX commented:

I doubt it.
People are going to turn out in droves to hand Obama his ass come November.
It will likely be the most lopsided victory in US history–and a testimony to his complete fail as a leader.
#78 February 6, 2012 at 8:51 pm
MSO commented:

I don’t see how Romney is going to get past the Damon Corporation Medicare fraud once the general election is underway.
#79 February 6, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Multitude commented:

NorthernX/#76: You’ve got to get out of your bubble. Just because people hate the situation doesn’t mean they’re going to A) blame Obama for it (hint: most still think he got handed a disaster by Bush and even RINOs like Romney keep advancing that line, just saying he’s over his head), and B) do not count on them “throwing out a weak cure for more disease.” Most lower-income and many middle-income people blame the fat cat elites like Romney for offshoring their jobs (hint: they’re quite correct, and those jobs are not coming back!), for getting bailed out, for getting sweetheart deals from government contracts and for hording the money and pushing it offshore into Bermuda and Swiss banks. Romney… again is complicit in all of this.

Obama will run on the “don’t muck it up… I’m doing the best anyone can to fix RINO messes.” He’s right… Bush and the RINOs did mess it up economically. Regardless of whether you agree of his methods of “curing” us, most people won’t go back to the guy who made them deathly ill in the first place.

You have to have a viable place to run to if you’re going to run from Obama… and the RINOs have given us no such option. “It may be that the sole purpose of your existence is merely to serve as a warning to others.”
#80 February 6, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Molon Labe commented:

I doubt anyone is willing to turn out the Dear Leader to replace him with the Master Cylinder. Exactly how does Romney differ from Obama? A review of his record as gov of Massachusetts reveals he follows the same game plan as Obama. More taxes, more regulations, bigger government, more spending.

Yeah I’ll definitely vote for a man who is the flip side of Obama. And everyone who I know who can’t stand Obama aren’t going to vote for his evil twin.
#81 February 6, 2012 at 9:41 pm
doc commented:

This has got to be the lamest article I’ve ever seen here and I’m a dyed in the wool conservative. My cat could beat Obama…Romney is going to be the next POTUS.(period)
#82 February 6, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Estragon commented:

It is sad to see the level of dishonesty even Hoft has sunk to by supporting Gingrich. When you hang with the immoral and unethical, you wake up with fleas.

The Times did NOT “report” this at all. It’s an opinion piece by Matt Staver, who is not even a WT writer, but Chairman of the “Liberty Counsel” – a non-profit whose only other named officer is his wife.

The article is pure invective. He offers no evidence for the assertion that primary turnout is in any way related to the party’s vote in the general election. He blames Romney and Santorum without the slightest bit of evidence.

Gingrich is sinking like a stone as he reverts to the nasty little egomaniac who has been betraying conservatives for 20 years. But those of you left holding the tattered remnants of his finery will find that giving up your decency in your little deal with the devil is a longer term proposition than Newt will be.

Good luck, you misbegotten miscreants!
#83 February 6, 2012 at 10:46 pm
bg commented:

++

doc #81 February 6, 2012 at 9:41 pm

hah, so that’s why the Marxist Support Machine et al are already
claiming an Obama victory over Romney, go figure.. /truth sarc/

==
#84 February 6, 2012 at 10:47 pm
bg commented:

++

Estragon #82 February 6, 2012 at 10:42 pm

what the heck are you rambling about.. again??

==
#85 February 6, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Girlyman commented:

I’m also as conservative as they get. Even sent money for Scott Brown and I’m not even from Massachusetts. I hope the dirty SOB looses his ass. What do we get when we get a RINO? Absolutely nothing. Boehner needs to go, Lugar needs to go. Get rid of them all!
There isn’t a conservative bone in that Congress. If it come to Obama or Romney, neither gets my vote. What the point!
#86 February 7, 2012 at 1:02 am
SOB commented:

@lizzy84 commented:

“I too am very averse to voting for Romney. The Supreme Court, however, is a huge factor and we could lose it for a generation..something to consider.”

Which is ironically actually one of the reasons I wont vote for Mitt

3/4 of his judge appointments in MA were Liberal or Agenda-Driven Independents. Sure, now after the fact he blames his congress – but while in office he bragged “(I haven’t) paid a moments notice to nominees political leanings” and about how what he really wanted was “diversity”

Meanwhile, he has already hired John Sununu – you know, of David “home run for Conservatives” Souter pushing fame. Yeah, the consistent Liberal vote appointed by Bush (over Clarence Thomas, for Petes sake!) was at the behest of the guy Romney has now hired as well. (Sununu also happens to be the driving force behind Bush breaking his tax pledge too – which ironically is where Newt gained his Establishment resentment…)

So yeah, nominating Romney to win the Judges battle is kind of like picking the Pace Car to win the Daytona 500. Good luck with that!
#87 February 7, 2012 at 6:19 am
StevefromMKE commented:

You people who will not for Romney are nuts…
#89 February 7, 2012 at 8:43 am
bg commented:

++

StevefromMKE #87 February 7, 2012 at 6:19 am

no, the RNC who totally smeared via LIES about Cain and Gingrich,
not to mention ignoring Santorum or demeaning Bachmann, told
US they were going to shove Romney down our throats are..

==
#90 February 7, 2012 at 8:44 am
bg commented:

++

re: #89 February 7, 2012 at 8:43 am bg

who told US

==