Oh Republicans. You can be so dumb.
None of the candidates for President seem to get it. The reason there was such a Trump bump is not because of any of his policy proposals, but because of the directness of his delivery. This is why Chris Christie is so popular. Under close inspection, he's not particularly original or competent. But he expresses his emotions authentically. This is what voters react to so intensely.
John McCain's veer to the right was one of the least savvy moves in American political history. He seemed to convince himself that his history of bipartisanship was a liability, when it was what the country hungered for -- electing Barack Obama as a result. And now the Republicans are doing it all over again. Ever anxious to placate their base, they are marginalizing themselves so far out of the mainstream that they can kiss the independents who determine Presidential election winners goodbye in 2012.
Newt Gingrich -- in his dickish way -- showed a glimmer of understanding of this need to placate the middle in his attack on Paul Ryan's Medicare plan. But he also confirmed a pattern of such ping-pong postioning that it destroyed any remaining credibility he had. The Michelin man punctured himself with a Tiffany cufflink and is deflating before our eyes.
Mitt Romney has been listening to the wrong people -- it's McCain redux. Instead of running from his health care plan, he should be embracing it. It has, after all, been extremely successful, plenty to run on. And he should also never have disavowed his support of abortion -- there is no worse flip-flop because it's so obviously insincere. He'd be far better off focusing on all the ways he'd try to reduce abortion and increase adoption, all while trumpeting the fact that he stays consistent on his policy stances.
It's too late now, but Mitt should have delivered this speech: "I recognize I am far too moderate for most Iowa caucus voters. I'd be delighted to get their vote but I won't campaign for it. I'm going straight to New Hampshire where I hope the Republican primary voter understands that our first priority has got to be winning in November, not passing ideological litmus tests. My message is very simple. I can deliver an American future that Barack Obama can't. Here's how." It's still the economy, stupid.
Tim Pawlenty should be driving home one simple idea: You can have boring and competent, or you can have Barack Obama. Instead he's oozing inauthenticity in his attempts to be "T-Paw" and pretend he's angry. Be yourself, Tim. A middle of the road Governor from the Midwest with no scandals, one wife, and a balanced budget in your past. You used to be for cap and trade? So explain why it was a good idea. Hell, explain why global warming is not a hoax. That would take balls, Tim. If you've got enough of that, you don't need charisma.
Even this early, it might be too late for either Tim or Mitt. But there's someone out there who thinks he's the last Republican moderate, and as much as I hope he stays home, I've got some friendly advice. Let Bachmann corner the far right vote. Aim for a coalition of the old fiscal conservatives and social moderates who could conceivable fritter away at the Obama majority. Come convention time, they'll turn to you over a sure loser. But no matter what, speak consistently, honestly, and unapologetically. Run on your record, not away from it. But whatever you do, don't pander. It's so last month.
Any Republican who wants to win in November has got to lay claim to one trait that Americans value most because they see it the least: integrity. The candidate who means what he says and says what he means will be rewarded for it. And if he isn't, at least he'll be able to sleep at night.
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Al Eisele: A Scouting Report on the 2012 GOP Hopefuls
2012 Republican Presidential Candidates: ABC News Guidebook - ABC News
Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012 ...
-Strengthen our USD
-No Inflation
-Balance the Budget
-No Mandated Healthcare
-Creates MANY JOBS
-New Crop Industries
-Free Market
-Very Pro Life
-No Bailout
-No Patriot Act
-Stays out of foreign DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, but contract/trade with all
-No Unjustified War with no objectives
-Brings our Troops Home after over 10 YEARS OF FIGHTING!!!!
The US could have fought WWII in 10 Years!
TROOPS HOME NOW!
Thank You
Mr. Ron Paul 2012
oh and throw in the use of the semi-official campaign slogan from RonPaul2012.com Presidential Exploratory Committee's website:
RESTORE AMERICA NOW
Say it with determination and Vigilance.
Also what you meant to say is that the U.S. could have fought 2 or 3 World War IIs in 10 years.
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."
-Ronald Reagan
Honor Ronald Reagan and Vote Ron Paul 2012 to keep him fighting for our country!
Youtube search: Ronald Reagan and Ron Paul: A Comparison
Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmsP95Bl9pM
Support the troops!
Vote Congressman Vietnam War Veteran Ron Paul M.D. 2012 - Restore America Now!
Thank You :)
I am a Ron Paul Republican
Mr. Ron Paul for 2012 Republican Nom and President
If I may, please;
Mr. Ron Paul for 2012.
America I beg of You. Look into Ron Paul's issues. This guys is as genuine as they come. Mr. Ron Paul is the American system working, literally handing us the "right guy."
Regan said, “what to ask is am I better off now than 4 years ago. Is food cheaper now than 4 years ago? Are taxes lower now than 4 years ago? Is the job situation better than it was 4 years ago?”
With Ron Paul’s 2012, it and they would be.
Constitutionally, legislatively, and morally, Ron Paul has no equal. His 22 year voting record speaks for itself.
Please research and find out for yourself. Listen to this guy talk.
Watch Dr Paul question Ben Bernanke if you doubt Paul understands even subtle aspects of the economy. Imagine Palin or Romney doing that?
Constitutionally, legislatively, and morally, Ron Paul has no equal. His 22 year voting record speaks for itself.
Please help give America back Her Constitution.
Ron Paul for Republican Nom and President in 2012
Thank You
Mr. Ron Paul is okay with the USA getting OBL. Mr. Paul just thinks that if you are going to run a military operation, less than 40 miles from that US, recognized sovereign nation, You should at least let them know You are "doing something."
Technically, according to international law, that is a declaration of war by the US.
It is this removal from an idea so simple by the US's elected officials over the last 20 years that I fear brings us to some of the US's current, and sometimes predictable outcomes.
Electable or not people are not spared from doing what is right. Do whats right and hope others do the same. Or better yet get involved to maturly and rationally explain a few postitions. Personally I find Mr. Paul the easiest candidate to defend. Funny huh?
Anyways, I digress; If you think that Mr. Ron Paul has good core principal ideas, nominate him and then vote for him.
Thank You for Your time Sir;
Mr. Ron Paul for Republican Nom and President 2012 Please
Obama is the best moderate Republican around already. Obama is their candidate and they will not publicly acknowledge it. Nor in fact will the Democrats admit their leader is a corporatist Republican more than a Democrat.
why are the Independent voters fleeing Obama
and supporting Mitt Romney?
A history of moderation is a GOP created illusion. The GOP is firmly on the right. Anti-government unless it's intefering in what are personal choices such as whom you marry and your decision to have or not have a child. If you can't house or feed the child that they insit that you have, the GOP washes its hands of any responsibility. The GOP mantra is Government handouts make us dependent. The GOP is a party of hypocrisy and inconsistency, moderationisn't even in its vocabulary.
Meg Whitman.
They are forcing potential candidates to either renounce previous positions (which are currently unpopular to the base) or flip-flop and look like a craven hypocrite to the general populace.
Given what a tough fight this would be for the GOP candidate regardless of the primary battle, I think any smart candidate will sit this one out and wait until 2016, hoping that the tea party will be marginalized by that point and they can fight a primary battle without tacking so far right that they are unelectable.
Whatever creature emerges with the 2012 nomination will be a hideous mutation, repulsive to the general electorate.
Its a trap, a paradox of their own making and long may it last.
The candidates aren't dumb. They are just painted into a corner politically. The Republican Party acts more like a RELIGION than it does a political party. Where everyone has to believe the same things...and there is NO room for ANY dissent.
Which is why Romney is running from his own health care plan. Which is why Gingrinch is staring over the edge of the abyss...for simply acknowledging how the vast majority of Americans (according to every poll) see the Ryan proposal for privatizing Medicare. Which is why virtually all candidates of any real substance are determined to sit out the 2012 Presidential election. I'm betting they realize that the person who wins the nomination will be dragged so far to the right in order to win the primary...that he (or she) will be unelectable in the general election.
The GOP is simply reaping what it has sown over the past 40 years. Putting for a political orthodoxy that you present as absolute truth, and absolute good...makes it easy to mobilize a faithful army of voters to the polls to support your agenda.
The only problem is that it also turns that orthodoxy into a intellectual closed box, that no new ideas can enter....and almost impossible to change directions when REALITY demands it.
So the entire party is rushing headlong over a cliff...and punishing anyone who refuses to keep up the pace.