Posted on 01/14/2008 2:51:28 PM PST by americanophile
Not if Michigan conservatives have anything to say about it.
Despite his lead in national polls, conservative Republicans are deeply distrustful of John McCain. While most concede that the nationally-known McCain could be their best hope for retaining the White House in November, many feel that McCain’s embrace of liberal positions - from pushing amnesty and campaign finance reform, to opposing tax cuts and promoting greater federal regulation - would amount to little gain. Indeed, many contend that a President McCain, already predisposed to compromise with Democrats, and widely rumored to have considered leaving the Republican Party, would be a GOP disaster.
All eyes are now focused on Michigan, where tomorrow’s primary could have an enormous repercussions for Republicans. A McCain victory could boost the Senator’s standings nationally, and provide the momentum necessary to give him a resounding win in South Carolina, where he currently leads in the polls.
With so much riding on Michigan, throughout America, the conservative war cry has gone up - vote Romney.
Though most readily concede that Romney is an imperfect candidate, he is by all accounts, the leading Reagan conservative in the field - the others being former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, and California Congressman Duncan Hunter, who has gained little traction.
The late enthusiasm for Romney however, isn’t due to a sudden epiphany by conservatives that Romney is there guy, rather, it’s a concession by most that other than Thompson, Romney is the best shot for true conservatives.
Thompson, the candidate that most excites conservatives has performed poorly in the race, and despite a surprisingly good debate performance last week, still trails McCain, Huckabee and Romney in South Carolina. The Palmetto State is largely seen as a do or die contest for Thompson, and a surging McCain, fresh off a Michigan victory over Romney would almost certainly spell disaster for Thompson and could propel McCain right through to the nomination.
By contrast, a Romney win in Michigan would mark a sea change in the race. Romney, who has been on shaky ground since his victory in Wyoming, needs a big state win to keep himself in the race and increase his momentum heading into the southern primaries. Moreover, such a victory would send a message across the country - that Reagan conservatism is still at the heart of the GOP.
Despite the press’ characterization of the Republican race as a free-for-all, battle lines have increasingly been drawn around complimentary campaigns; it’s now a struggle between two groups - the more liberal McCain and Huckabee versus the more conservative Romney and Thompson.
Weekend polls showed a slight trend toward Romney, but with so many variables, it’s difficult to tell who will take the Great Lakes State. An open primary, such as Michigan has, is widely regarded as favoring McCain, whose appeal to independents and moderate Democrats could give him the win. Moreover, Michigan is familiar territory to McCain, who beat rival George W. Bush there in 2000. Still, with every Democratic candidate besides Hillary Clinton boycotting the Michigan primaries, it is unclear whether enough registered Democrats or Independents will turn out to either vote against Hillary Clinton by choosing “uncommitted,” or vote for John McCain.
Despite the open primary, Romney also has reason to smile. The name Romney is familiar to Michiganites, as Mitt Romney was born in Michigan, and his father, George Romney, served as Michigan’s governor, as well as chairman of the Detroit-based American Motors Corporation. Romney’s association with the state, and his reputation as a successful businessman, adept at turning failing organizations around, may propel him to a win with an electorate suffering from economic woes. Add to that a possible enthusiastic turnout from conservatives, including Thompson supporters, and Romney could eek out a win that would have enormous implications.
At this point it’s simply too close to call, but Michigan may hold the key to the GOPs immediate future - will it be the continuation of the Reagan model offered by Romney and Thompson, or a trend left, toward the compromise and economic populism offered by McCain and Huckabee?
In the end, turnout, and the will of non-Republicans may hold the key.
He and his constituency(the media) are sure trying. This election will be a defining moment for the GOP.
Into what? Demo Party-lite?
exactly.
As a pro-life copy of the Democrat Party??
Can he remake the GOP? No.
McCain voted against permanently barring gang members and terrorists from the US and voted against a border fence. His treatment of his first wife was cruel and nasty. He cannot be trusted because of his lack of character, his extreme liberal agenda, and his apparent mental problems.
Uh, no, he can do it, but this POS will not get my vote doing it.
Good lord I hope not.
Related thread with an eyewitness FReeper account in posts #4 and 12.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1953531/posts
Not if we conservatives have any say in the matter.Conservatives dont vote for rinos under any circumstances.
Of course he can remake the GOP, just not with conservatives left in it.
Do we have to wait until super Tuesday to have a decent primary where Independents and Dims can’t interfere?
Yes.
“He and his constituency(the media) are sure trying. This election will be a defining moment for the GOP.”
Sure he could redefine the GOP. But he will have to do it with illegals, democrats, moderates and RINO’s, cause he won’t be getting my vote UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
I can personally guarantee that the GOP will be one person short if McCain becomes the nominee.
There’s no doubt going to an anti-Granholm vote tomorrow here too. My guess it won’t for McCain, as he SOUNDS like Granholm on more things than I feel like typing out.
McCain : California STEALING Arizona’s water!
AS a Californian, I am therefore a thief in Mac’s eyes.
I hope Rudy, Fred and/or Mitt have that ready for an ad buy here!
I won’t vote for him, or any lower candidate that supports him. He’s a Democrat, pure and simple.
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