Can You Hear Us Now?
As much as Rick Santorum deserves credit for his tremendous victories last night in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado, what do you think the results mean? Isn't it true that many of the contests thus far have really been the electorate saying, repeatedly, "I don't like the frontrunner!"?
When Gingrich won South Carolina, we can certainly point to his articulate defenses of freedom and his savvy campaign performances. But we can also see the electorate saying "Don't tell us Romney is sufficiently good."
When things moved to Florida, voters said "But don't tell us Gingrich is up to snuff either. He's awful."
And now we're back to folks saying, "No, really, we have serious problems with Romney."
Gingrich did well in South Carolina because Romney had shown himself surprisingly inarticulate in defense of liberty and mumbling during debates. Romney was rewarded in Florida for putting up a great fight without having all the ex-wives of Gingrich (and running more negative ads than was thought possible). And Santorum is faring well now because conservatives still don't trust Romney and part of that is his weakness on social and economic issues. On all issues, I guess.
But what's the solution? Certainly not for anyone to get out of the race, is it? If the electorate is truly dissatisfied with this slate, this needs to continue to be messy all the way to the convention. That way, we either get a brokered convention -- to dream the impossible dream! -- or we get a candidate who becomes good enough to take on Obama.
Got that? Nobody drop out. Ron Paul, keep doing what you're doing, picking up a few delegates here and there. Santorum, work your magic in the midwest, ok? Romney, keep winning coastal states. Gingrich, do you think you could rally and pick some southern states up?
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Comments:
Oct '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Apart from prolonging the contest into sudden death overtime, and providing material for a wonkgasm, what is the attraction of a brokered convention? Isn't doing deals in smoke-filled back rooms just playing to the strengths of the discredited party apparatchiki?
May '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Has anyone done an analysis of the early and write in vote in Florida? I wonder how many would have voted differently has they waited? Would it have made a difference?
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Well, I've always wanted a brokered convention and didn't care if it was Dem or GOP. For the excitement and political intrigue. But in this particular case, I want it because I have rather serious problems with each of these candidates. Delegates are bound to vote for their candidate only on first ballot. After that, they can vote for anyone they want. Including, you know, Paul Ryan.
Sep '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Don't discount a Denny Crane write in ballot Mollie
Jan '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
What does it mean?
It means that Romney is not electable, even by Republicans.
It means that the country is so diverse, state-by-state, that anything remotely resembling a national consensus is unattainable.
It means that the only conservative left in the group that isn't too pro-union, too liberal, or too off the deep-end - and can pass a reality check is Newt Gingrich.
He's the only one left standing that won't have you washing your hands after voting.
Dec '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
You may remember a little kerfuffle here in Colorado between the delegate-selected Dan Mays and the apparatchik choice of Tom Tancredo? This came up at the caucus last night. The GOP delegates, precinct captains, and district captains are not going to let that happen again. If the good smart fair-playing hard-working Americans who are our neighbors represent us in the smoke-filled back rooms, I'm fine with that. Although, unlike Mollie, I'd prefer Gingrich got out and let the clear choice be between Santorum and Romney. Paul isn't going anywhere.
May '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
I'm looking forward to seeing things unfold over the next several weeks. I especially want to see if increased exposure to the reality of Rick Santorum, as opposed to the media caricature of him as a one-issue zealot, will begin to change the impression that he's unelectable.
If he can avoid stridency without losing passion, I think he'll pull it off.
Dec '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
I really, really love that the process is working. I'll be fine with Romney as the nominee, but only if he earns it. I have my reservations about each of the candidates, but watching each state have its voice and knowing that people are taking the process very seriously gives me hope for a beneficial outcome.
Aug '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
A friend of mine -- a staunchly pro-life social conservative -- seems to dislike Rick Santorum quite a bit. Or as he put it today, Rick Santorum's wins are making him consider voting for Mitt Romney. He believes Rick Santorum is a big-government statist. What am I missing?
Dec '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
There's going to be a lot made of the low turnout. We'll see what the Romney campaign does with it.
I just want everyone to know that the people I shared a gym with last night were from all walks of life, varying education levels, and various income groups, and they're the very heart of the party. They're very very concerned for our country, they're passionate about this election, and they're unanimous on the one important thing: Anyone But Obama!
Jun '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Mr. Santorum has earned his chance to run with the ball. His victories yesterday make that indisputable. As for what the press has to say, who cares? No matter who our candidate is, we know the treatment he'll get. And as far as the independent vote is concerned, it's Mr. Obama who needs to worry. Last time I checked they had abandoned him two to one.
Jan '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Aw, and here I was looking forward to presidential lectures about the dangers of contraception...
Dec '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
I really don't see the attraction of dragging a candidate kicking and screaming into the nomination when he or she has made it clear that he or she lacks the stomach for the nominating contest. Is that kind of reluctance really what you want in a candidate who has to go up against an incumbent backed by the machinery of the Left (including the mainstream media)?
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
No, I don't want that kind of reluctance. But it's the whole beggars, choosers thing.
Aug '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
I can see one possible reason for dragging this out: it creates a moving target for Obama.
Oct '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
My question is, did Santorum actually win or did the anyone-but-Romney vote just switch back to him like it did in Iowa? He has a whole lot of work to do to prove to me that he can equal Bob Dole or John McCain in the general election, let alone win.
Edited on February 8, 2012 at 5:15pmOct '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
Santorum taking Colorado really is a big surprise to me. The GOP hacks truly run this state, and any conservative who can get past those gatekeepers is more than worthy of attention.
HRH-Os impetuous attacks on the Catholic church, and Christianity in general, especially in the military, only server to amplify the importance or Santorum's win.
But, of course, we all acknowledge that it's the economy, stupid.
Or is it??
Jul '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
This turned in to quite an exciting primary.
May '10
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
I think there are a lot of voters like me. That is, people who would have said all along that Santorum's values, principles, and policies are closest to their own, but who bought into the idea that he was unelectable, and so scrounged around for the least-bad alternative. For me, Iowa was enough to seal the deal in his favor.
I think there are even more out there who would like and approve and get behind Santorum if they could see who he really is and what he really holds, and get past the stupid fears like that he'll issue a federal mandate banning birth control.
We'll soon see, won't we?
Apr '11
Re: Can You Hear Us Now?
katievs: I'm looking forward to seeing things unfold over the next several weeks. I especially want to see if increased exposure to the reality of Rick Santorum, as opposed to the media caricature of him as a one-issue zealot, will begin to change the impression that he's unelectable.
If he can avoid stridency without losing passion, I think he'll pull it off. · 1 hour ago
It's more the things that he has said in the past that worry me, more than any worry of what he may say in the future. Although, Duane is correct when he says that Rick has a worse habit than Romney of getting drawn into making comments that blow up in his face. And that 18% blowout loss in 2006 is not reassuring.
Edited on February 8, 2012 at 5:42pm