Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Mitt Romney has been stationed by media as the threshold a candidate must cross to be the GOP nominee for President:
May 2011: Ron Paul ahead of Romney in the polls
June 2011: Palin ahead of Romney in the polls
July 2011: Bachmann ahead of Romney in the polls
Early November 2011: Cain ahead of Romney in the polls
Late November 2011: Gingrich ahead of Romney in the polls
What does all this say about Mitt?
As others take turns being the contender beating Mitt, one can argue, and I do, that Mitt’s inability to stay on top reveals the lukewarm support the Republican rank and file actually has for him as a candidate.
Are Republicans conducting an “anybody but Mitt” search for a candidate? Do we keep our invitation to Mitt on hand like a high school senior hangs on to her acceptance from her “safety school” until she gets that Ivy League rejection letter?
Four years ago McCain ended up being the last man standing, which is about all the enthusiasm most of us could muster for his nomination.
Will we, next summer, send Mitt into the ring with an endorsement saying “I guess it’s your turn” or “Here’s your prize for hanging in there?”
Right now, it sure feels that way.
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Dec '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
The last time Mitt really excited anyone was when the other choice was McCain. I think that tells most of the story.
Sep '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
I have not been inspired by Romney in the least and yet I would vote for him over the others right now if I had the chance. Ken Langone on CNBC this morning said he had worked hard to convince Christie to no avail but then he made the case for Romney in a few ways that I found persuasive. I expect that Romney will run a better campaign and win over more people as the time draws closer.
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
I was taken to task when I wrote some weeks back, "Who but his co-religionists are thrilled at the prospect of Mitt Romney's nomination?" But I still think that my judgment was in a rough and ready way true, and I did not mean it as an attack on Mormons. I can easily understand why Catholics were excited by JFK's candidacy in 1960 and why African-Americans felt the same way about Barack Obama's candidacy in 2008. Outsiders long for acceptance and affirmation. It is only natural.
The sad truth is that Mitt Romney is the only Republican clearly qualified for the job who is willing to run this year. Rick Perry may be qualified but his handling of himself has raised questions. Newt Gingrich certainly meets some of the qualifications. He may meet more. We shall see. None of the others are contenders; and, with regard to Herman Cain, I say this with deep regret.
So. yes, Mitt is apt to be the last man standing.
Edited on Nov 22, 2011 at 10:25amJun '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
I don't know what it is exactly, but Romney reminds me of Nixon. I don't imagine that Mitt's team will do any office break-ins, but Mitt's smile is a little too nervous and he looks a bit uncomfortable mixing with the riff-raff. Echoes of Nixon. But, Nixon also won. May not hurt him.
Oct '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
"As others take turns being the contender beating Mitt, one can argue, and I do, that Mitt’s inability to stay on top reveals the lukewarm support the Republican rank and file actually has for him as a candidate."
Maybe it's just a matter of the electorate looking for perfect conservatism, and when each poseur fails to live up to expectations, Mitt emerges as the best alternative to "perfect conservatism," which is unattainable, anyway.
Maybe the fact that it's HE who survives each challenge says something about HIS staying power. Sure, we all have our issues with him (as we all have issues with EVERY candidate), and that's why there's a revolving door of challengers.
We're looking for perfect, we try out each anyone-but-Mitt candidate, they stumble, we realize the perfect is the enemy of the good, thus Mitt remains at the top. He's not perfect, none of them is, but he's the best of the bunch.
Maybe it's really that simple. He's just the best of the bunch.
Aug '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Over at Right Turn Jennifer Rubin has an exclusive from Jeb Bush (my knight in shining armor):
In their effort to find an alternative to Mitt Romney, some conservative pundits are musing about a stalemated primary or that proverbial deadlocked convention we’ve all been longing for these many decades. I certainly have been sympathetic, and indeed I was among those urging other candidates to get into the race. But it’s not happening, and Republicans need to get real and make their choice from among the existing candidates.
One of those some pundits still pine for (and for very good reason, considering his experience, conservative credentials and character) is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. But he was emphatic yesterday, telling Right Turn, “Republicans will be choosing from the candidates currently in the race.” No, he’s not going to save Republicans from the task of choosing among imperfect candidates. No, there is not going to be anyone else to step in either.
This being the GOP, the mantle of NotRomnidate must next fall on Rick Santorum, after all, he is the next line.
I don't see Bachmann, Perry or Cain getting another bite at the apple.
And Huntsman...
Nov '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Mitt is the perennial bride's maid.
I like the line: "Mitt is the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Obama."
Oct '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
For me at least, he's out of the running. Even if he were to regroup and exhibit Goldbergian solidity, Steynian articulosity (Scrabble word!), and Longian creativity in his debate performances, I would still be afraid of him melting down against Obama. He just isn't ready for the big league.
Do those three adjectives suggest anything to any one? Yeah, yeah, I know, Rob's busy.
Dec '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
The proof of the depth of the Anyone But Mitt sentiment in the GOP electorate is the fact that rather than Romney accruing increasing support as each non-Romney falls from a leading position in the polls, we're actually seeing previously rejected non-Romneys rebuilding support. Perry's numbers are off their lows, Cain's numbers seem to have reached a floor, and Gingrich came back into contention after a disastrous start.
Romney's 25% seems to be a ceiling, not a floor.
Dec '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Jeb Bush, the native son of Florida, has missed the Florida primary filing deadline. So it's pretty obvious he's not jumping into the race. Nor is anyone else.
May '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
If the "base" stays home and pouts because their ABR (whoever it is this week) isn't nominated, we deserve what we get.
We expect the center-right to be adults, not maturity clones of OWS.
Oct '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
It feels like the GOP is going to go with the "Next in line" method again. That means Romney and while that wouldn't be my first (or second) choice, the stakes are too high to sit in the corner and pout. I'll vote for him.
Peter Robinson performed one of his characteristically excellent Uncommon Knowledge interviews with the magnificent Dr. Rahe recently that covered what the stakes are in this election. My guess is that we're already past the point of no return when it comes to the administrative state replacing a republican form of government, but I could certainly be wrong. I hope that I am. I'll be curious what his opinion would be if President Obama wins a second term. I would think that once Obamacare becomes wound into the fabric of the administrative state and our daily lives, that all hope is lost for the restoration of the republic.
Man, I'm a downer. I'm so sorry, but I just find Steynian pessimism a really compelling argument these days.
Aug '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Duane Oyen: If the "base" stays home and pouts because their ABR (whoever it is this week) isn't nominated, we deserve what we get.
We expect the center-right to be adults, not maturity clones of OWS. · Nov 22 at 11:34am
The prospect of a second Obama administration must provide some sense of urgency. If at some point that prospect does not unite and energize the GOP then we will loose the Presidency and perhaps the House as well.
Perhaps Romney and a more conservative Veep will carry the day. Rubio or Ryan would suit me fine, I would love to see Allen West in that slot too, because we could use a soldier's voice in the room.
Edited on Nov 22, 2011 at 11:46amAug '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Publius:
Man, I'm a downer. I'm so sorry, but I just find Steynian pessimism a really compelling argument these days. · Nov 22 at 11:43am
It is quite a temptation, that is why I had to stop listening to Derb, and I love Derb's sense of humor.
Remember what Dr. Rahe said uh-boot Steyn's being Canadian: he had no Thatcher, no Reagan.
Nov '11
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
By my thinking, Mitt's more disqualified, than qualified.
He's disqualified because his ambition is the kind that aims to take charge of things big and inefficient and make them efficient. But the thing is, between big efficient central government and big inefficient central government, I much prefer the latter.
Actually, I would much prefer small efficient central government, but that's not the sort of thing to attract the quiet burning ambition of a man like Mitt.
Postmaster General--that's the job I want Mitt for.
Sep '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
What's amazing is that your progression of leaders shows that Mitt was never anyone's second choice. If he had been, his numbers would have monotonically increased as each contender rose and fell and their supporters moved on to #2. What it says to me is that for 20-25% of the voters, Mitt is #1. For 75-80% he's dead last.
Oct '10
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Squishy Blue RINO
Publius:
Man, I'm a downer. I'm so sorry, but I just find Steynian pessimism a really compelling argument these days. · Nov 22 at 11:43am
It is quite a temptation, that is why I had to stop listening to Derb, and I love Derb's sense of humor.
Remember what Dr. Rahe said uh-boot Steyn's being Canadian: he had no Thatcher, no Reagan.
It's also important to remember that Dr. Rahe is substantially more intellectually gifted than I am and has a superior understanding of the history, politics, economics, and probably just about everything compared to me. This is the guy who set out to write short bit comparing Sparta with America and ended up writing a 1200 page book on it.
I love America and I desperately want to be wrong about how bad off we are right now and the ability to correct it.
I can't listen to Derb either for the same reason. Very sharp fellow, but I have to limit my pessimism to Mark Steyn otherwise I'll be positively insufferable to listen to about this sort of thing.
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Duane Oyen: If the "base" stays home and pouts because their ABR (whoever it is this week) isn't nominated, we deserve what we get.
We expect the center-right to be adults, not maturity clones of OWS. · Nov 22 at 11:34am
You are far, far too hard on the base. Conservatives are tired of being betrayed by folks who give their views lip service. Sooner or later they give up hope. "Cheat me once, shame on you! Cheat me twice, shame on me!" How can you honestly blame them for their frustration?
Nov '11
Re: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Paul A. Rahe: I was taken to task when I wrote some weeks back, "Who but his co-religionists are thrilled at the prospect of Mitt Romney's nomination?" But I still think that my judgment was in a rough and ready way true, and I did not mean it as an attack on Mormons. ....
Edited on Nov 22 at 10:25 am
My wife is Mormon and she was very excited about Mitt 4 years ago. Now, she is afraid he is to much of a squish and she has some fears about electability because of his religion. The same is true of my mother-in-law. Excitement 4 years ago now afraid he is a squish. I think they both want red meat from their candidate to match their fears about the direction of the country. I expect they share that with most of us. We are scared so we want someone that obviously "gets it" and isn't afraid to speak out.
Mitt is not my first choice, but between Mitt and Newt, I think Mitt would have the best chance at beating Obama. I can imagine more "Regan Democrats" voting for Mitt then Newt.
Edited on Nov 22, 2011 at 12:31pmRe: Whose turn is it to beat Mitt Romney in the polls today?
Let me clarify my position. I understand why Catholics might rally to John Kennedy, Greek-Americans to Michael Dukakis, African-Americans to Barack Obama, and Mormons to Mitt Romney, and I can understand why conservatives might sit out 2012 rather than vote once again for yet another managerial progressive.
In every case, I believe, those inclined in this fashion had (or have) reason to be so inclined. In every case, I think there was (or is) reason -- better reason -- for taking the other side. And let me add that I know Catholics who voted against Kennedy, Greek-Americans who voted against Dukakis, African-Americans who voted against Obama, and Mormons anything but enthralled with Romney.
I am one conservative who will turn out in 2012 to vote for Romney if he is the nominee. But, then again, I voted for the first Bush, Bob Dole, the second Bush, and John McCain -- which is to say that I am a glutton for punishment.