Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Rob Long ·
March 1, 2012 at 7:20pm
As noted elsewhere -- and by "noted" I mean the whole gamut of reactions -- I'm casting my vote for Mitt Romney.
Should it come to that. Rarely, of course, do Republican voters in California matter at all.
But perhaps another way to pick one of the four candidates currently running on our side is to ask, Which one of them would do this?
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
MJMack: Seriously, no one believes Romney, the Bain "vulture capitalist", would do this?
I think he would do it in a heartbeat. · 15 minutes ago
My first reaction, too. You don't get to be the head of a major organization without knowing how to fire.
I can see Newt enjoying it more, though.
Apr '11
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Paul A. Rahe
MJMack: Seriously, no one believes Romney, the Bain "vulture capitalist", would do this?
I think he would do it in a heartbeat. · 11 minutes ago
Romney is far too timid to do so. · 2 minutes ago
This is the problem with thinking in generic terms of moderates. Romney's never been afraid to fire people, including people in important positions, including at the cost of public controversy. Doing so has been a key element of many of his achievements. No other candidate has an record of doing so, except in the sense that attacking political opponents has been an aim.
But, yeah, of course, Newt would do so in a heartbeat, based on... well, he's a real man, with real achievements, right? Real men are kind of like Reagan, and Reagan did it. Likewise, Santorum would always stand on principle. Unless the interests of the team dictated otherwise.
Oct '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Santorum oppose a union? Well, it would be novel.
I'm another one who thought of Newt first, but it doesn't change his electability. He might have Reagan's backbone, but he missing the trustworthiness the public has to feel.
I'm thinking Paul Ryan has the starch. Don't underestimate him just because he's so pleasant.
Yes, the Santorum crack was snarky, but the man earned it, you know.
Edit; I see now you ask which of the four current candidates. I'm still praying for a Hail Mary convention to save us. Anything can happen in politics and I'm counting on it.
Edited on March 1, 2012 at 8:58pmFeb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
I think you're wrong, Prof. Rahe. He may be coy and nuanced in his campaigning. However, his record when in a leadership position is one of decisive, effective action. In every executive role he's taken, both public and private, his performance is not timid or wishy-washy.
Edited on March 1, 2012 at 8:58pmFeb '11
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
The next time a president is said to be in the oval office, musing on the domestic policies of Calvin Coolidge, I'll know we've made progress.
Nov '11
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Not if it involved the lunar colonist shuttle...
...
This is one thing I can imagine Romney doing, although I don't know that he do it as fast as 48 hours...
And they wouldn't dare try this with a vice president named Chris Christie or Scott Walker...
Feb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Percival: Newt: Sure, in a heartbeat.
Santorum: Maybe, maybe not.
Romney: Nope -- wouldn't be prudent.
Ron: Would announce that the Federal Government has no business regulating air travel and would fire PATCO, the FAA, the NTSB, and the rest of the Department of Transportation. Then he'd sell Air Force One and Marine One. And I'm still not voting for the guy. · 1 hour ago
My sentiments exactly. Sure makes me wish that the moderate chucklehead were not running so we could focus on a debate between the two more conservative chuckleheads. Oh well.
Apr '11
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Specifically, here, musing on Coolidge's performance as Governor of Massachusetts. I don't want to name any names here, but I'm guessing that one candidate is probably more aware than others of the history of that office.
The same candidate often talks a little like that, too.
Dec '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
MJMack
I think you're wrong, Prof. Rahe. He may be coy and nuanced in his campaigning. However, his record when in a leadership position is one of decisive, effective action. In every executive role he's taken, both public and private, his performance is not timid or wishy-washy. · 58 minutes ago
Edited 55 minutes ago
I'd feel a lot better about Romney if he would start drinking coffee, coffee gets those adrenergic neurons fired up and clicking on all cylinders.
Feb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
A Mormon joke? Really?
Dec '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Not really, just a fact.
Feb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
You know, if you want to take a stab at the guys religion, have the cojones to come out and say it and then stand behind it. Don't veil it as some tongue in cheek pseudo-science and then put up the cute and disingenuous defense that you're simply citing medical facts. Quite lame.
Dec '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
Get over yourself, it is a medical fact.
Feb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
It may be, but youre still claiming that his LDS beliefs make him less capable to be president. I know you think it's funny, but it's actually just dumb and that you try to pretend you're not going after the LDS religion is pretty cowardly.
Apr '11
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
jetstream
MJMack
I think you're wrong, Prof. Rahe. He may be coy and nuanced in his campaigning. However, his record when in a leadership position is one of decisive, effective action. In every executive role he's taken, both public and private, his performance is not timid or wishy-washy. · 58 minutes ago
Edited 55 minutes ago
I'd feel a lot better about Romney if he would start drinking coffee, coffee gets those adrenergic neurons fired up and clicking on all cylinders. · 16 minutes ago
Do you doubt his ability to work hard over extended periods, with impressive results, without caffeine? If so, I'd advise reading about his business career and the impressions of those who worked with him.
If it is a religious thing, I have some serious concerns about his faith, but can see no theological imperative behind coffee drinking. A good Orthodox Christian is permitted to spend his whole life avoiding Coke, as I would imagine a member of your denomination/ faith/ school of atheist thought is.
Dec '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
James Of England
jetstream
MJMack
I'd feel a lot better about Romney if he would start drinking coffee, coffee gets those adrenergic neurons fired up and clicking on all cylinders. · 16 minutes ago
Do you doubt his ability to work hard over extended periods, with impressive results, without caffeine? If so, I'd advise reading about his business career and the impressions of those who worked with him.
If it is a religious thing, I have some serious concerns about his faith, but can see no theological imperative behind coffee drinking. A good Orthodox Christian is permitted to spend his whole life avoiding Coke, as I would imagine a member of your denomination/ faith/ school of atheist thought is. · 7 minutes ago
Get a grip, what is wrong with you two ... it was a joke about drinking coffee and it was factually correct.
Feb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
It was a joke about the fact that Mormons don't drink coffee and you're not convincing anyone that your point was simply a scientific observation.
Jun '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
I really don't know that any of these four would fire these guys. I think it's clear that Newt is the most likely but Reagan had a long history of hatred of these thugs and I think he relished the fight but probably not the damage done to the individuals who were sheep-like enough to trust in their lemming union bosses.
Reagan -- because of his background -- was ready for the firestorm that erupted. There aren't many who could really be depended on to take this sort of action.
This is why a track record is so important. Newt's the only one with a serious track record of doing things that are opposed as much as this fight was.
And any Republican who knocks off Obama will have a lifetime of hatred directed at them. Who is really ready for this? This is a fight that's been a long time in coming and it's going to be something ferocious.
Every fight against the left during this next election will be twisted into a racial battle -- on every issue.
Dec '10
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
If the suggestion that Romney could benefit from drinking a mug of coffee elicits this kind of hysterical response, then any mention of Romney's numerous major deficiencies as candidate must be against the rules.
In the mean time, light up a Pall Mall, try to relax and acquire some perspective.
Edited on March 2, 2012 at 1:47amFeb '12
Re: Another Way to Pick a Candidate: Who Would Do This?
JS, you made a crack about Mormons and are desperately trying to characterize it as something else. No one buys that you weren't taking a piss at the expense of LDS beliefs. It would be more respectable and honest if you'd just own up to it instead of pretending you weren't. I don't think it's the most offensive thing I've heard. It's definitely PG on the scale of religious snark, but with admittedly so much legitimate material to use in making fun of Mitt, it seems strange you feel the need to take a poke at his religious belief and practice.