But What If Romney Should Lose?
A week ago, Rasmussen reported that Romney had taken a lead over Obama--a narrow lead, but a lead. Then came the Democratic convention--and now Rasmussen shows Romney trailing Obama all over again. Pondering these and similar polls, our friend John Hinderaker over at Powerline put up a post this past weekend entitled "Why is this election so close?"
If John's post hadn't proven so cogent it wouldn't have bothered me. As it was, the post represented one of the most thoroughly discouraging analyses of the state of our Republic that I have ever read. The critical passage:
On paper, given Obama’s record, this election should be a cakewalk for the Republicans. Why isn’t it? I am afraid the answer may be that the country is closer to the point of no return than most of us believed. With over 100 million Americans receiving federal welfare benefits, millions more going on Social Security disability, and many millions on top of that living on entitlement programs–not to mention enormous numbers of public employees–we may have gotten to the point where the government economy is more important, in the short term, than the real economy. My father, the least cynical of men, used to quote a political philosopher to the effect that democracy will work until people figure out they can vote themselves money. I fear that time may have come.
I, too, fear that the time may have come. "A government with all this mass of favours to give or withhold, however free in name," wrote John Stuart Mill,
wields a power of bribery scarcely surpassed by an avowed autocracy, rendering it master of the elections in almost any circumstances but those of rare and extraordinary public excitement.
Our own democracy, reduced to bribing us.
Talk me out of it--if ever you can, talk me out of it.
- Comment (125)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (13)
Comments:
Jun '12
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
In JH's analysis cited by you he also gives Obama too much credit. He attributes Obama's economic policies to ignorance. Based on Obama's own writings and his education, this is, in my view wrong. Obama is delibrately weakening the US economy per long established leftist dogma, that the best way to take over a country is to creat chaos. Nothing about the US economy is accidental it is planned to happen this way. Our salvation can come if enough people realize the enormous false promises of stateism and crony capitalism.
Nov '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
My comment also applies to anyone else in this thread who has gotten demoralized. People, really? When all the money and propaganda that went into Wisconsin just got Scott Walker through his recall election? Really? When you look at the 2010 House races? When you walk out your door and see nary an Obama sign?
My Facebook feed is even silent, and these are some of the most rabid Democrats around. When the feed kicks up, they try publishing graphs that say that the jobs situation is good. And I say to them, really people? Who are you kidding? You want people to believe something you write, or their own eyes? But the same goes for us. We'd rather believe some poll on the internet than what we see when you walk out our own doors. We need to wake up.
Apr '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
I completely agree, genferei. The Marxist "ideological subversion" of American society is the problem and is the greatest threat to America. Terrorism pales in comparison. The fact is that multiple generations of Americans have already been brainwashed (see my previous post) and trying to win them over by appealing to their intellect and showering them with facts is an exercise in futility. We're doomed. Even if there were a shimmer of a glimmer of hope that the ship can be righted (as suggested by genferei) by waging a "co-ordinated and comprehensive campaign" against the poisionous Marxist ideology, I can't help but think that Romney doesn't have the moral courage and strength of conviction to do the job.
Edited on September 10, 2012 at 1:12pmJun '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
CoveredUp: More optimistically, perhaps it has more to do with this:
"In Tampa, the Republican argument against the president's re-election was pretty simple: we left him a total mess, he hasn't cleaned it up fast enough, so fire him and put us back in."
I thought that was a very succinct and pointed expression of what's going on. Not the whole story, of course, but this is politics, where little soundbites can go a long way. It certainly did with me. · 5 hours ago
And that's what they call "concern trolling" folks! At least you're paying to post here, Sandra! ;)
Jun '12
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Can you imagine Ulysses Grant after one of his bloody battles in the 1860s taking advice like that? I don't know which but after one battle with casualties in the 5 figures he did not retreat as McClellan and other Union Generals tended to do.
Instead he carried on, as Albert Arthur and Strategoist wrote.
And wouldn't you know it...
Aug '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Amen.
Peter, Peter, Peter - "Always with the negative waves Moriarty, ALWAYS with the negative waves!"
And - "Oh, man. Don't hit me with those negative waves so early in the morning."
'nuff said
Aug '12
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
One thing I'm sure of is that Mitt Romney is a prayerful man. Daily he prays and seeks the Lord's guidance. As he works his way through the political challenges he is always seeking God's help. It is my belief that God desires this country to be free and full of opportunity for his children. Many of the founding fathers felt God's divine hand in what they were doing. I believe he is still there. God will not force the people of this land to vote one way or another, but he will give guidance and help to those who seek to do a great work for the USA. When my fears for the country rise up, I remember that God knows the end from the beginning and he is in charge. We need to all remember to pray for the voters of this country to be inspired to do what is right for it. I hope no one takes this as preaching. I'm just sharing what gives me comfort.
Apr '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Dear Peter,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY
Sincerely, Hazel
Jun '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
I posted this elsewhere on Ricochet, but will do so here:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/156887/1952-pre-convention-leader-won-elections.aspx
A "bounce" goes up, and then it goes down. Who's leading gallup right before the convention has won the election 12 out of 15 times (an 80% likelihood.)
Romney was AHEAD 47-46 with registered voters on 8/27.
Chill people. Outcome isn't known until November 7th.
Edited on September 10, 2012 at 1:52pmSep '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Peter, read this column from Sarah Hoyt. It might cheer you up.
http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/09/09/spreading-fear-and-despondency/
"But we already have a disadvantage in not having a dedicated media. MUST you amplify the media? What is the point of fear and despondency but to make our side give up?"
Apr '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
I was feeling demoralized and anxious this weekend as well. Then I realized that that is exactly how those in the MSM wanted me to feel. I refuse to be manipulated like that. I sent off some money to my candidates for the Senate and Congress in my area and I felt better. Also remember Gallup will not print their D/R/I splits, and polling organizations everywhere are having difficulty finding people to answer the phone. The percentage of respondents is way down this year compared to previous years. Maybe only people hanging around at home on food stamps and disability are answering their phones. Cheer up and fight on.
May '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
No whining until after November 7.
Nov '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Lucy Pevensie: Peter. Go read this article and then come back and write a different one yourself. Significant excerpt:
By the way, after I read this article, I edited my own demoralized post on the Member Feed by checking the box to keep it from becoming public. I would suggest that others do likewise. Otherwise, we are giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Dec '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
May I pile on? Obama beat Romney is fundraising last month. We are poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory again. Of course, such an outcome is inevitable depending on one's view of humanity in general. Time for that old struggle, again.
Oct '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Peter, here are some points you should consider:
I think you need to accept the fact that critical thinking is not a characteristic of the typical progressive or their acolytes in the media.
Sep '10
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
How do you payback $16 trillion while half of your citizens are yelling, "Gimme, gimme, gimme!"? The answer: You don't.
A Romney victory should buy us a few extra years, but it won't right this sinking ship. I think we are beyond the point where an election can save us. We need to turn to help from elsewhere.
Jun '12
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
DocJay, wish you were running for President. This country need your optimism.
Jun '11
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Mitt Romney could have put his campaign back ahead with the stroke of his pen. Maybe you should consider the "unusual" increase of $35+ million Obama brags on. Kinda funny that Obama's team waited for Mitt's numbers to tweet that they raised a couple million more. Worry is understandable, but IRRATIONAL HYSTERIA is a step (or two) too far.
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
He never married, but he did have a son. (A historical fine point that has no affect on the argument, I admit.)
Jan '12
Re: But What If Romney Should Lose?
Pseudodionysius: Our salvation comes from God, not from men. Augustine watched the Roman Empire fall around his ears and still faced the barbarians with courage. I'd rather go down with my chin held high than cowering.
Bring it on, whatever the case may be. · 7 hours ago
This is admirable, and I hope that I can behave as Augustine, but the two approaches are not, necessarily, mutually exclusive are they?