Presidency IV - High Stakes politics in Orlando Florida

Vanity ^ | 10-20-07 | Ranger

[moonman]

I voted for Alan Keyes in both 1996 & 2000 Florida primaries. The pubbies didn’t want him then and he has no chance today.

[2ndDivisionVet]

FRed on Immigration

The United States is a nation of immigrants. Throughout our history, legal immigrants have brought energy, ideas, strength, and diversity to our country, our economy, and our culture. This must continue. But in the post-9/11 world, immigration is more of a national security issue. A government that cannot secure its borders and determine who may enter and who may not, abrogates a fundamental responsibility. I am committed to:
* Securing our borders and enforcing immigration laws. Amnesty is not an option and the toleration of “sanctuary cities” must end.
* Reviewing our immigration laws and policies to ensure they advance our national interests. Uniting Americans by welcoming legal immigrants willing to learn English, assimilate into our communities, and become productive citizens.

From www.Fred08.com

[NautiNurse]

The four candidates took the stage in alphabetical order of Giuliani, McCain, Romney, Thompson. All but Romney were introduced by Senator Mel Martinez, the recently retired Republican Party Chairman.

Thompson spoke for 4 minutes, and not about issues. He introduced his wife Geri. He chuckled about being bald. Fred thanked the people who put together the biographical video.

Our county representatives were shocked at the brevity of Fred's speech. Thompson had a great opportunity to showcase his qualifications as a Presidential candidate in front of the FL GOP party faithful, and he didn't do this. Indeed, he was disappointing. The crowd left the rally 30 minutes early thanks to Thompson's lack of preparation and enthusiasm.

Giuliani was the most passionate of the four candidates. Rudy warmed the crowd by acknowledging Florida's importance in the election process. He spoke at length about fiscal responsibility, the dangers of Hillary health care, and the War on Terror. Giuliani earnestly and methodically appealed for votes, as he carefully avoided abortion and gun rights issues.

Mitt Romney had his wife and son Tag with him. Mrs. Romney told us how wonderful 60 year old Mitt is as a husband, father and grandfather. Mitt talked about his family and a 1963 Rambler. He spoke about repealing the capital gains tax for everyone making less than $200K, and repealing the death tax. He received strong applause for the tax issues.

John McCain was soft spoken, and utilized his dry wit. McCain emphasized his experience in the military, and 50 years in national security. McCain repeatedly talked about securing the borders to the same skeptical audience who had heckled Mel Martinez about amnesty.

One of these candidates will most likely be the GOP nominee for President. I was rooting for Fred until yesterday. In fact, I deliberately left my Thompson campaign poster behind. We'll see if he pulls a rabbit out of the hat tonight. Otherwise, Fred is in trouble.

[longtermmemmory]

Folks remember the GOP PRIMARY decides the presidential election.

A Giuliani win creates a “40 yard penalty” of either third party suicide run and/or people staying home. It is guaranteed Giuliani will NOT get donations or money from values voters. No volunteers.

These debates matter because whe essentially are interviewing Thompson and Romney for the job.

The others are just window dressing. No insult to the remaining candidates. (well maybe a little insult to ronpaul) If hunter had blipped like huckabee he might have had a chance but his campaign is DOA.

Look for Giuliani to use his lawyer zingers to emphasise “I beat clinton by attacking the line item veto”, “I was mayor on 9/11” and “only candidate who can reach to moderates”.

No Giuliani, No Problem

No Giuliani, No Problem.

[W04Man]

Fred in Orlando with the crowd:

FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:

[Caipirabob]

Thanks for the assessment. I support Fred, too. It's getting me concerned to read these observations. Fred needs to really come on strong if he's going to garner enough support to pull off a primary victory.

I've donated to Fred several times already, but I will be paying close attention from now on.

I've been criticized harshly on this forum for having "high expectations" from our candidates, but winning in 2008 is a serious thing. I'm perfectly willing to endure the verbal assaults of sycophants who are not willing acknowledge the situation for what it is. Fred's people need to understand what his perceived weaknesses are and do their best to show strength in those areas.

We need a conservative candidate who will take the initiative to actually lead us to victory. We need a candidate who will compel people to vote for them based on the issues. We can't count on someone to coast through because people don't want to vote for Hillary.

I want Fred to be that man, but all the wishing in the world can't change things if he isn't the man to pull this off.

I will not set sail on another cruise on the "SS Bob Dole", no matter how nice the deck chairs are arranged.

And for the FReeper "bots" who can't stand a little common sense reality check, loosen up and get that oxygen flow going back to your brain.

This is coming from a Fred Thompson supporter. He will not win by default, he must actively take the issues to the supporters and in the debates, take Hillary to task for her obvious failures on the issue.

Well, at least we have several choices out there. I sure don't want a RINO to win the primary, that will kill the party. Yet what we have is still way better than the democrat party choice, which is a coronation of their dark queen followed by several high profile human sacrifices. Will it be Obama or Edwards who goes first?

[freekitty]

What do they mean “for those who paid”? What the heck does that mean?

[mission9]

I have given money to Fred, earlier in the year, I have tried to organize for Fred, this was the first opportunity that I have had to see him in person. I did not believe the reports that I have been getting from others, that he is a lackluster campaigner. After experiencing in person what Fred had to offer the cream of the Florida grassroots crop, “lackluster” is a kind word. Don’t believe me? ask anyone who was there. McCain did a better job. Bob Dole in 1996 was a better campaigner.
I assure you, I am not “gushing” for Mitt. But many in Orlando are. That is my honest report to you.
My interest here, I want a unified party to defeat Hitlery. Giuliani did a very effective job on stage. The number of Giuliani supporters outnumbered the Fred Thompson people; they displayed enthusiasm. Even the enthusiasm of the Thompson crowd was not there.
There are many grassroots people in Florida who would never, ever support Giuliani no matter how enthusiastic or effective he is on stage. I cannot sell anybody on Mitt Romney, but many came to the conclusion, based on FRED’s no-show performance that Mitt is the Man.

[mission9]

Giuliani, McCain, Mitt, and Thompson donated 100,000 each to the Florida Republican Party for the mainstreet, storefront stage time with the grassroots. Charlie Crist is a marketing genius.

[Joe Brower]

[mission9]

He said 1962 rambler. Your observations were spot on. I did not record nor take notes on the spot, but I relied on my fresh memory. I want Fred to do well as much as anybody. But I want to win against the Democrats more. A united Party can do this. Mitt personally made the case that he is the man to unite the party. McCain, Thompson and Giuliani do not make that case, they are selling themselves.

[Joe Brower]

Dag-nabbit, wrong list again. Well, in an RKBA-related way, we could submit the theory that who gets to be the next POTUS could have some effect on firearms law. $;-)

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

[SauronOfMordor]

The MSM is pushing Rudy at us. What’s the difference between Rudy and Hillary?

Dems would find him an acceptable alternative to Hillary, which is why they push him. The problem with Rudy is that he does not energize the conservative base, which is why the MSM love him.

The election will be won or lost on the basis of which candidate will generate enough enthusiasm to get people to go to the polls on Election day. The prospect of Pres Hillary will get conservatives in the mood to go out and vote, but not if they do not perceive the Republican candidate as being much of an improvement

[FreedomPoster]

>>Smells suspiciously like a pitch for Rudy the abortionist liberal.

I just watched a segment from Sunday Morning on CBS, that showed a lot of Rudy, pumping him up, and showed pretty much all of the other major opposing R candidates, other than Fred.

Hmmmmm.

I left to go off and do other things, I don’t need to watch that.

[NautiNurse]

Yes, it was a 1962 Rambler that Romney spoke about at length. Odd that Mitt would talk about how crappy the car ran when his own father George Romney was the head of AMC while the Rambler was in production.

[mission9]

The message was innovate or lose in the market.

[spacejunkie]

Great summation. Thank you.

I love Romney.

For the record, and obviously I’m not running for president, but I absolutely used to be pro abortion and pro gay marriage. Through knowledge, understanding, maturity and my faith I have come to clearly see that those are stands that do NOT align w/ my God and good moral standing. I have no problem that Romney has changed his stance.

[kAcknor]

1962 Rambler that Romney spoke about at length. Odd that Mitt would talk about how crappy the car ran

My dad had a '63 Rambler Ambassador in 1971. Crappy car doesn't describe it properly. It was a quality vehicle with the worst styling one could imagine.

It was the Geek of the car world.

In spite of that, it was available to me on date nights, and to a typical teen the FULLY reclining front seats were innovative indeed! ;)

[freekitty]

That’s rigging the campaign.