Posted on 01/28/2011 10:06:30 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Most them aren’t definite no’s, but even if they’re holding out for the time being merely to see who else jumps in, that’s … not encouraging. Some, like Judd Gregg, may end up endorsing him anyway but might want to see if Daniels (or Huntsman?) declares first. Others, like DeMint, who have embraced the tea party full-fold almost certainly aren’t going to endorse him unless the entire “true conservative” bench decides not to run. Either way … not encouraging.
My favorite part? Hot on the heels of a rumor that Mitt might skip Iowa, there’s now a rumor circulating that he’ll skip South Carolina too. That makes superficial sense since both are social-conservative strongholds, but have we learned nothing from the Giuliani catastrophe, my friends?
As much as anything else, it calls into question just how far ahead of the pack he is as the 2012 contenders emerge. Even as Romney tries to project inevitability by signing up top GOP money men in Washington and New York, the defections suggest he’s seen as far from a sure thing even among insiders. After all, if top Republicans were willing to commit to Romney four years ago when he was a lesser known commodity, why won’t they get on board now when he’s a household name in the political circles and clearly among the most formidable candidates for his party’s nomination?…
Romney’s top strategists in [South Carolina] – who also are DeMint advisers – indicated that they hadn’t heard from their 2008 candidate and were unlikely to get behind him this time…
Peter Brown, a top GOP donor in Columbia who also served on Romney’s state finance committee in 2008, explained why he was not committed again.
“The word on the street is that Romney will skip South Carolina,” Brown said. “Most conservatives believe we need a Jim DeMint-type, assuming Jim will not run for president, someone who really wants to push for a limited federal government – not a government that will grow more slowly.”
Another possibility: His former South Carolina team might be convinced that Romney not only can’t win the state, he can’t win in the south more broadly. Whether that’s because he’s suspect on abortion or because he’s from Massachusetts or because of his faith, I don’t know, but PPP’s polling of some southern states suggests he’s having difficulties throughout the region. And by “difficulties,” I don’t mean he’s in second behind Huckabee. I mean he’s in fourth, way, way out of the lead, with a favorable rating among Republicans between 50 and 60 percent. If this is all about RomneyCare, I’m not sure why the objections would be so much sharper regionally. Any theories, southern readers?
Excuse me?
That you're ready for ZOT?
I’ll guess that he doesn’t think Sarah can win, but that he’ll support her and vote for her when she’s the nominee.
You’re saying that you’re mentally deficient and looking to find your way home? Worry not! It’s that way, my lad. :)
And get him a huntin’ license!
The only one that comes to mind is Hunstmann, although I would be holding my nose if I had to vote for either Huckabee or Romney.
. That is not to say that I am always 100% on board with the GOP or, as I see it, that is not to say that the GOP is always 100% on board with me and, judging from the lack of love I’ve seen for John McCain around here during the 2008 election,
Check his homepage; he’s mad at us because we didn’t “show enough love” for McCain.
Don’t underestimate Romney, he can win without S. Carolina, and no matter what, don’t underestimate Obama. God help us, but he WILL be tough to beat.
I’ve decided not to feed the trolls, even ones who’ve been here awhile, unless there’s a good reason. It’s not up to me to determine who gets to stay here.
I guess I don’t understand the sit-it-out thing: there’s always a lesser of two evils.
You only have so many elections in your lifetime. Waiting around with your thumb up your _ss for the perfect candidate is like a surfer waiting for the perfect wave- it may not come.
I was a political dork when I was young but I voted. I voted for Reagan twice but I voted for Ross Perot the first time he ran and we got Clinton and the AWB.
They’re fixing to try us all again.
I have been saying for months that we’re probably going to lose the Whitehouse. The party is hopelessly divided. Sarah Palin doesn’t fix that, she exacerbates it. Giving her your lunch money doesn’t change that. It didn’t help Ron Paul either. Lots of conservatives sent him money and were furious when he lost his primary battle and outright refused to vote for McCain because they were way overinvested in him. McCain, incidentally, LOST WITH SARAH PALIN as his running mate. Think I’m wrong? I have two words for you “Christine O’Donnell”.
Exactly. Don’t trust him far as you can throw him.
Miss Christine O’Donnell never won an election. Governor Sarah Palin has won at least five of them, including the first female and youngest governor in her state’s history. Talk about apples and oranges.
The problem is in your mind.
You’ve been listening to the enemy, and he has you by the gonads.
Vote with your heart, for what you think is right.
After the primaries, it will be clear.
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