Posted on 01/17/2008 9:20:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
THE ISSUE Republicans have three different winners
POINTS OF DEBATE None of the Republican candidates save for Ron Paul and Fred Thompson offer anything resembling freemarket conservatism
THE STAR’S VIEW It’s no wonder Republicans are having a hard time settling on a candidate
Republican voters are having a hard time settling on presidential candidates, now that the party has three separate winners after its first three major primaries.
In Michigan on Tuesday, Republican Mitt Romney salvaged his political campaign, which had been withering following losses in New Hampshire and Iowa. Arizona Sen. John McCain failed to attract the significant numbers of Independent voters that are the heart of his campaign. Rudy Giuliani, who not long ago was viewed as the presumptive nominee, received less than 3 percent of the vote — a small number even though he basically declined to campaign there. Fred Thompson, who was also once viewed as a formidable candidate, received only 4 percent. Both men were beaten by libertarian candidate Ron Paul, proving that Mr. Paul is less of a fringe candidate than mainstream Republicans would have us believe. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor with populist economics, came in a distant third, but heads into South Carolina as the favorite.
Michigan is one of the most depressed states, caused by the nation’s long-term decline in rust-belt industries and a Democratic governor who has imposed tax increases on an already struggling economy. Mr. Romney offered an optimistic message as he promised that his managerial skills could bring back high-paying automotive jobs. That appealed to Republican voters, rather than Mr. McCain’s “straight talk” that such jobs would never come back. Mr. McCain probably is right on that point, although his promises of government retraining programs aren’t too realistic, either. Mr. Romney is now emerging as the “economic” candidate, although his native-son status (he was born in Michigan, where his Dad was governor) and deep pockets might offer the best explanations for his win.
For an economic candidate, it’s hard to understand what Mr. Romney is saying. As Jerry Taylor of the libertarian Cato Institute wrote, “What does it say about the Republican Party when the leading fusionist conservative in the field — Mitt Romney, darling of National Review and erstwhile heir to Ronald Reagan — runs and wins a campaign arguing that the federal government is responsible for all of the ills facing the U.S. auto industry, that the taxpayer should pony up the corporate welfare checks going to Detroit and increase them by a factor of five, that the federal government can and should move heaven and earth to save ‘every job’ at risk in this economy …?”
In fact, none of the Republican candidates save for Messrs. Paul and Thompson offer anything resembling free-market conservatism. Mr. McCain, with the First Amendment-stifling campaign-finance law, and Mr. Giuliani, with his zeal for police-state-style anti-terrorism measures, are hostile to limited government. Mr. Huckabee’s economics would be more at home in the Democratic Party. Perhaps there’s a good reason Republican voters are having a hard time settling on a front runner.
The headline makes Republicans sound like a bunch of flakes (that we can’t decide on a candidate). But what about the libs - they’ve got three frontrunners as well!!!!!
It's kinda funny that the dems are deciding their nominee on emotion and presentation, while we are wrestling with issues and campaign promises.
There's not a dime's worth of difference between dem candidates except nuances. The republican candidates all differ greatly from each other.
Yeah, it’d be a shame if folk used the run up to the nomination to actually ask questions, debate issues, and check the patterns presented by the various contenders.
That’s not how properly docile peasants are supposed to act.
Last I checked the Democrats cant decided on their candidate either. Latest polls do not look all that promising for Hillary. She has lost a lot of African-American support over the past few weeks and Obama is way ahead in SC.
It’s wide open for the GOP...but the Democrats are split 40/40 on Obama and Clinton with Edwards getting the other 20%.
Earthbound ~ Rodney Crowell
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_R6UH3k4ksg
National Rifle Association: A+
Americans for Better Immigration: A+
Eagle Forum: 100%
Christian Coalition: 100%
Family Research Council Action: 100%
Campaign for Working Families: 100%
Concerned Women for America: 100%
National Right to Life Committee: 100%
Federation for American Immigration Reform: 100%
National Federation of Independent Business: 100%
Gun Owners of America: A
** GodVoters.org: A ** (the ONLY A)
See their endorsement here
American Conservative Union: 92%
Americans for Tax Reform: 88.5% (lifetime, most recent rating was 100%)
National Tax Limitation Committee: 88
National Taxpayers Union: B
ACLU: 7% (indicates very conservative)
NARAL: 0% (indicates a pro-life record)
I’ve not had a hard time at all picking who I want. Since way back before I had my first 100 Draft Fred bumper stickers printed my mind was made up. If people would get the shite that is the msm out of their ears they would know who to support as well.
Personally I think the uncivil war the Democraps are having is much more fun.
BIG BUMP!
Most of the states have not voted yet. Why should a few states make the choice. Far more important I have not voted yet, after I vote it will be know.
I was with Fred and will go back to him if he has a good showing in SC. Otherwise here in Florida, Im doing what I can to stop McCain....even if that means voting for Huck, Romney, or even Rudy.
Republicans better decide on Fred Thompson before Saturday!
Like I said, I’d vote for Fred. But Florida is winner-take-all. If Fred has no chance of winning here, and I vote for him anyway, it will only help McCain get all 57 delegates from here.
Fred is 15 points behind Romney, McCain, and Rudy here in FL. He would need a HUGE victory in SC to make up that much ground.
“The Squirrel Gourmet is not an option.”
Who’s the Squirrel Gourmet?
Mitts=Whatever you want politician
Huckabee=pro-life rhino
McCain=Consistantly comprimises conservative principles
Rudy=Liberal on too many things
Mitt=North east, and west
Huckabee=Southern support
McCain=Open primary states
Rudy=liberal dominated states
None of them hold the traditional coalitions together.
If we’re not brokered or Fred doesn’t win...then I think we’re in for a hella of a ride. The hillary rollcoaster.
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