Posted on 06/25/2007 10:51:41 AM PDT by jdm
What if Iowa and New Hampshire both had parties, and nobody came?
With no offense to my friends in those two states, I must report that some Republican presidential candidates are toying with the idea of skipping the historic first two contests in the race for the GOP nomination.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has put to good use the early support - especially money - he has enjoyed from many among the Republican "old establishment," including plenty of longtime Bush supporters.
Romney has flooded Iowa with TV campaign commercials. He has also put together a strong organizational team on the ground there. Partly in recognition of this, top Romney rivals Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain have now withdrawn from the nonbinding "straw poll" vote scheduled for later this summer in Ames, Iowa.
Both men's polling numbers have dropped in Iowa. Plus, the Bush White House has hired away Giuliani's top political coordinator in Iowa.
Then there's the matter of Fred Thompson. The latest polling in Iowa shows Romney leading, with Giuliani and Thompson tied for second place.
Thompson's sudden spike in the polls has been meteoric, following his comparatively modest statement that he would establish a presidential exploratory committee, as they're called. He isn't officially a candidate yet, and he hasn't been actively campaigning in Iowa or New Hampshire.
The strategic wild card for all of these candidates is Florida's decision to move up its primary to Jan. 29. In response, South Carolina likely will hold its primary earlier, too.
To candidates already boxed out by Romney's money in Iowa and his name advantage in New Hampshire, it's getting tempting to shift focus to Florida and South Carolina.
(Excerpt) Read more at jacksonville.com ...
ping
So, Romney’s in the lead in these two states, and he is the only one who has been spending money on advertising.
Anyone wonder if things might change when Fred starts advertising?
Romney’s at 25% after LOTS of advertising, and being the ONLY advertiser.
Fred’s at 17% before entering the race. If Fred’s advertising takes 4 of Mitt’s 25%, and wins a share of the rest, he will have an easy lead.
The only mistake at this point is to think that Mitt’s early lead means he has it sewn up. He’s pushing his chips onto those two squares.
Realistically, Mitt will need a home run in IA and NH to survive. Anything less, and his campaign may end soon after, and start thinking about 2016.
Mitt Romney has put to good use the early support - especially money - he has enjoyed from many among the Republican “old establishment,” including plenty of longtime Bush supporters.
Mitt Romney, the new George Bush. He would be as close as anything to a third Bush term.
That by itself would be enough for me to oppose Romney.
N.H. will move their primary to the end of 2007 if neccessary.The state has a mandate for the Atty.Gen. to move the primary to whatever date he or she sees fit to ensure a N.H. primary that is meaningful.
There’s just something creepy about Thompson and his female conquest days - even though his former ‘girlfriends’ still ‘adore’ him, he’s had way too many liasons for me - I believe the real reason he got married is for appearance purposes in his bid for the White House - believe me, he’s been thinking about this for a long time. I want someone with some real family values and I don’t believe Fred is it .
There’s just something creepy about Thompson and his female conquest days - even though his former ‘girlfriends’ still ‘adore’ him, he’s had way too many liasons for me - I believe the real reason he got married is for appearance purposes in his bid for the White House - believe me, he’s been thinking about this for a long time. I want someone with some real family values and I don’t believe Fred is it .
You need to keep in mind that Fred’s the only one in the race who hasn’t been dreaming about being President since he was elected to the High School Student Council.
So, you only support candidates who spend their single years not dating?
I find it hard to believe you, and I think you are just anti-Fred because you support someone else, and are making up this “reason” because you are unable to persuade others here why your guy is better than Fred.
What a load of manure.
Your effort to trash the successful Thompson campaign to prop up the flailing Team Romney is about as subtle as a knee to the groin.
Fred needs to come out against the shamnesty bill and he’ll rocket to the top.
It seems to be all your side has left. Keep on yammering as the object in Fred's rear-view mirror known as Mitt receeds in the distance.
He has. He has called for securing the borders before trying to change internal issues. A sensible approach.
When a Romney supporter starts off a statement with "There's just something creepy about..." it makes one wonder if they have the same definition of "creepy" as the rest of the world. You want a "creepy" candidate, then Romney is your man.
Fiscally liberal? That is a lie.
- While in the Senate, he waged total war against government waste and fraud. Just one of many glowing reports from Citizens Against Government Waste:
CAGW PRAISES THOMPSON REPORT ON FEDERAL MISMANAGEMENT
Key excerpt: “Once again, Chairman Thompson deserves great credit for exposing the pervasive problems in the federal government,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said. “As CAGW has documented repeatedly, many federal agencies and programs are duplicative, unaccountable, nontransparent, get poor results, lose money, are mismanaged, and outdated. These problems have persisted for decades, and as this report indicates, are growing worse and require rapid action.”
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_NewsRelease_06052001b
-He also ferreted out and brought to light federal abuses of power:
- He doggedly held the line on taxes; as one example, he was one of only 36 congress members and only 9 senators to receive the coveted “Taxpayers’ Friend” award from the National Taxpayers Union:
CITIZEN GROUP SALUTES “TAXPAYERS’ FRIENDS” IN CONGRESS: JUST 36 LAWMAKERS RECEIVE AWARDS FOR SCORES ON NTU’S 2002 RATING
Key excerpt: “Not all Members of Congress fought day in and day out during 2002 for the principle of limited government that is the cornerstone of our country’s greatness,” said NTU President John Berthoud. “Fortunately, at least 36 allies in Congress demonstrated an unwavering commitment to taxpayers. We are proud to honor this fiscal ‘coalition of the willing.’”
http://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=113&org_name=NTU
- He has been a tireless champion of federalism/states’ rights:
THOMPSON EARNS “RESTORING THE BALANCE” AWARD FROM NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES
Key excerpt: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, has been selected to receive the 2000 “Restoring the Balance Award,” presented by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The award, given annually to national policymakers committed to federalism and its impact on issues involving state legislators, was presented to Thompson last night at the NCSL’s Leader to Leader Dinner in Washington.
Thompson’s dedication to the principles of federalism and sound government policy has resulted in the Committee’s advancement of the Federalism Accountability Act, and Senate passage of the Regulatory Right to Know Act, the Federal Financial Information Assistance Management Improvement Act, the Truth in Regulating Act, and revision of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Now, you see, that is exactly the problem we concervatives have. We insist on having the “perfect” candidate who agrees with every single one of our “pet” issues. How about if we vote for the one who has some ability and intelligence to be CEO of the U.S. and a bit of integrity?
What if Iowa and New Hampshire both had parties, and nobody came?
I think that would be funny.
They are about to crap themselves to be first, let no one come. I would get a big laugh out of it.
No problem.
I’ll make it easy for you.
Vote for the candidate that most favors Trolls and you will have EXACTLY what you want. Prefect representation for the effected or affected class.
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