Two Views: Straw poll coming up for GOP

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Opinion) ^ | September 14, 2009 | Martha Zoller, Michael Bailey

[NoRedTape]

Two Opinions:

The first major straw poll of the 2012 Republican presidential nomination takes place next weekend at the Family Research Council Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. Will Republicans establish an early leader this election cycle? Or will a few frontrunners battle it out until deep into the primary season?

By Martha Zoller
Talk-show host, ?Georgia News Network
" It’s hard to say. I love polls, all kinds of polls. Karen Handel won the straw poll in Columbus for a governor’s race that is not happening until November 2010. Next weekend, the well-respected Family Research Council Values Voter Summit will take the first straw poll for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Straw polls depend on how well you mobilize your folks at the meeting. I’m predicting a three-way contest between Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. Rick Santorum is a favorite with this crowd, so he is one to watch, too."

and...

By Michael Bailey
Associate professor of government, Berry College

"Ironically, straw polls not only do little to winnow the number of candidates, but they can encourage politicians with little or no chance of winning to jump into the race wholeheartedly. Because they are a kind of manufactured and almost phony event, and everyone knows it, they are little more than opportunities to publicize one’s name. Possible candidates who do not meet expectations can rightly point out that the poll has no binding consequences, and those who beat expectations can enjoy a little boost in the sun. "

[NoRedTape]

Where's Bobby Jindal? ............

[SoConPubbie]

I bet you that the Mittster will be packing the straw poll again.

[Zathras]

I’d rather see a poll of those Republicans we need to throw out of Congress.

[KarlInOhio]

I’m predicting a three-way contest between Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. Rick Santorum is a favorite with this crowd, so he is one to watch, too."

I'm predicting a three way battle for a distant second place among Romney, Huckabee and Santorum.

[Paladin2]

Just say no to JUANnabies.

[VictoryGal]

> Where’s Bobby Jindal?

After his weak rebuttal of the SOTU, I’d say he needs to season a bit more.

[wk4bush2004]

SA-RAH! SA-RAH! SA-RAH!

Sarah Palin is and shall be the front-runner. The GOP leadership is gonna be shown that we do NOT need their hand-picked anointed ones!

We want SARAH, NOT Romney, NOT Huckabee, NOT anyone else! SARAH PALIN!!!!!!!!!!

We are NOT gonna listen to the liberals and we’re not gonna listen to the traitorous RINOs; WE WILL NOT LET THOSE SLICK PEOPLE ANOINT OUR CANDIDATE!!!!!!!!!

IT’S SARAH PALIN & MICHELE BACHMANN FOR 2012!!!!!!! OH YES!!!!!!!!! WE ARE GONNA WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LibLieSlayer]

I do not care... if the repubics want my vote they had better nominate Palin.

LLS

[FlingWingFlyer]

Judging from their selection of John McCain in 2008, I see the MSM and the leftwing bloggers selecting either Colin Powell or Lindsey Graham for the GOP candidate this time.

sarc/

[LibLieSlayer]

It is PALIN or nothing... either I vote for her in the republican party or I vote for her in a third party... but I will be voting for Sarah... it is up to the repubics as to whether THEY want to WIN or LOSE!

LLS

[Jo Nuvark]

It won’t matter who we run if the elections are rigged.
I say we post Rolling Thunder and other veterans groups
at every polling place to protect voters from SEIU,
ACORN, COI and BLACK PANTHER intimidation.

Then there are the issues of recounts and the disenfranchised
military vote.

Let’s ask Free Iraqis to come in and lay down some
election smack.

[Falcon28]

Clinton was basically booed off the stage during his speech at the ‘88 Dem Convention. Four years later he was the President.

One poorly delivered speech is irrelevant. The fact is Jindal would destroy Obama in a debate. Palin? Not so much. Gee, golly, gosh... say ain't so Joe - you betcha!

Flame away.

[Vigilanteman]

I'm predicting a three way battle for a distant second place among Romney, Huckabee and Santorum.

Yep! The only way I'll vote for any of them is that if Sarah isn't running. Not just Sarah, but about a dozen more I could name like Bobby Jindal, Jim DeMint and Joe Wilson.

Especially Hucksterbee. He is the man most responsible for giving us McCain.

[discomatic]

I wish the Republicans could find a Republican somewhere.

[VictoryGal]

Yep, couldn’t agree more. Sometimes I feel like throwing most of them under the bus, and picking someone at random from the Tea Party organizers.

[Nick Danger]

I say we round up all the people who want to start the 2012 presidential campaign, load them into boxcars, and haul them off to Death Valley, there to rot in the Sun.

Fer cryin' out loud, can we not have even one year without people running for president? We haven't even taken back the Congress yet, and I don't mean from the Democrats.

[Paladin2]

Repeat after me:

No JUANnabies, SARAH, SARAH, SARAH!

[Rastus]

Nah. The MSM will make Obama the Democrat and Republican candidate. “It’s a choice between hope and change!”

[ROTB]

Whos wasting our time taking a Presidential “straw poll” before the 2010 elections?

[Robbin]

It is PALIN or nothing... either I vote for her in the republican party or I vote for her in a third party... but I will be voting for Sarah...

BINGO! We have a WINNER...