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?
“I sat out ‘08, but I have trouble thinking of a Republican candidate I wouldn’t vote for if it meant defeating Obama’s reelection.”
You’re so right. That’s what I’ve said time and time again - we’re going to need EVERY vote possible to knock The One out of office.
That’s upside down.
Me too.
Right on about everything you said! And EVERYone who doesn’t want/can’t stand/rightfully fears a second term of b. hussein obama had better get it.
I hope the hell I am, but remember this is the country that had to vote for OBummer or McCain.
A lot of folks floating around ain't the brightest bulbs and still get to vote in primaries.
I really wish Sarah would go ahead and declare she is running before some scum floats to top and gets MSM driven momentum.
Nope, he’s never won an alection, she’s won more than five. IMO, he’d be her “Dick Cheney”, especially on foreign affairs, national security and the like.
Hahahaha! They might have to actually go out and get real jobs or [GASP!] join the military if he keeps squandering the family fortune...
“I also think conservatives are seriously underestimating the ability of barack obama to pull votes in 2012.”
Amen to that. And I hope and pray you’re wrong about most conservatives - I’m very conservative, but the idea of a second term of BHO is so horrifying (and would be the death knell for this Republic) that I certainly WILL vote for whoever his opponent is.
If we can take the Senate, which seems likely IMO, Obama will be our mouse to play with.
Whatever.
“We don’t need to destroy Obama, fixing him in position will be sufficient (and potentially entertaining).”
Wrong. Do some delving into just how much damage he’s set in motion (with much more to come) through executive orders, certain cabinet heads (environmental, homeland security, commerce, etc.) and czars - completely circumventing congress and soon, even the SCOTUS. On that subject, how much more likely if he wins a second term, that he’ll appoint at least one more SC justice.
Oh YES, the presidential election does very much matter.
Obama without a democratically controlled HOR and Senate is a totally different President. At that point, you might say, we own him.
Hit me up again in 2012, we’ll see.
Yea I bet he’s going to have all kinds of problems raising money for this election. Might as well count him out.
For those of you who want to discover the essence of Mitt Romney and have some ammunition to help your family, friends, neighbors and work associates reconsider their support of him I would invite you to read the excerpts of a You Tube tape from Sept 22, 2010 in which Romney speaks at a business forum in Los Angeles:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/01/28/many-major-former-romney-supporters-not-backing-him-this-year
At bottom of first page under technopeasant at 4:17 AM
Romney is no more conservative than McCain—probably less so.
But he is just as committed to his own career over principle—probably more so.
President Mittens. It just doesn’t sound Presidential. He does have good hair though.
Maybe being a liberal, from liberal parents, from the liberal state with his main ‘accomplishment’ being Romneycare had something to do with it.
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