Michele Bachmann eats a corn dog at the Iowa State Fair
Posted on 08/13/2011 2:20:12 PM PDT by Brandonmark
Funnel cake. Deep fried twinkies. Even fried butter on a stick. Republican politicians mingling with farm animals and standing on hay bales to denounce President Barack Obama - and paint all their rivals as Obama clones, in contrast to themselves.
Welcome to the Iowa State Fair and the starting point for the 2012 Republican White House race, where would-be presidential candidates and ordinary voters are served up small government rhetoric and big portions of the unhealthiest food this side of the Atlantic.
It is nearly 15 months until the next US election, and the first real votes in the Republicans' long contest to choose their challenger to a politically vulnerable Mr Obama will not be cast until a cold winter evening in February.
But this weekend the opening shots are being fired in a campaign which will determine what kind of conservative runs against America's first black president in November next year, what kind of party the Republicans now are and what kind of country they want the US to become.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Michele Bachmann eats a corn dog at the Iowa State Fair
I watched all of the speeches. The worst delivered I felt was Ron Paul, followed closely by Thad McCotter and then sadly Michele Bachmann. I think the Three best speeches of the day were by Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and even though it pains me to say it....Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty gave the speech of his life and I think he knew he had to.
Up until today I would have sworn the man was an automaton created in the labs at Disney.
I hope the 1, 2, 3 of the poll goes Cain, Santorum, Bachmann but we cannot have everything now can we? I fear that Ron Paul will finish strongly and thus we shall be stricken with the little creep for the duration.
Thanks for the assessment.
Cain did very well. Going last, he could benefit the most from the people that went and listened to everyone before making up their minds.
I’m suspect of Pawlenty’s “enthusiastic” supporters at the front of the stage.
Bachmann needs to transition from the personal story to the more “substantive” speeches. But they know the IA voters better than I do, seems like everyone was over-touting the social issues ad nauseum. Disappointed she didn’t even mention repealing Obamacare (I thought Steve King had set her up nicely in his speech with the whole inaugaration thing).
Ron Paul is a lunatic like normal, but his crowd didn’t look as large and rowdy as I thought it would be.
Anyway, Huckabee is on television right now. I should have guessed he wasn't running, but I've never seen him in full profile. The dude has put on CRAZY weight. It's not as noticeable when you're looking at his head and shoulders on his show, but they had a nice shot of him sitting in a char. Good lard! I mean, lord!
As far as speeches, McCotter looks like a Ferengi and talks like Ben Stein in character. Whatever voice is telling him to run for President needs to suffer the 'mute' button. I've never really seen him speak for that long, and I'm sure I never will again.
Ron Paul wasn't terrible, he's just Ron Paul. Bachmann wasn't great, off her game for some reason. I like Santorum, but he's just not presidential material. Congress is more his speed, and it's a shame he didn't stay.
I very much hope Mr. Cain does well.
Finally, something we agree on.
Cain’s been very substantive and good. And I thought he had the largest down-front audience when he spoke (maybe because his folks were last left in the arena), but he still did a heck of a job. Wouldn’t surprise me if he finished 2nd.
The country needs leaders like him. Principled and smart if we are going to straighten ourselves out.
I agree with everything you said. CAIN has had a good day in IA...including a hug with Sarah Palin. The Ronulans are out in force, so we will see...
I just damn near had the wife throw me out the door and my 90 year-old mother-in-law almost had a heart attack when I told them that if Rommney/and/or Perry are on the ballot in 2012 I’m voting democrat. I’m serious. I’m a former liberal and these two bozo’s are RINOS.
I think Herman Cain gave the most compelling speech. He’s what this country needs right now. And he’s not afraid to tell the truth.
“Congress is more his (Santorum’s) speed, and it’s a shame he didn’t stay.”
He would have stayed there if the voters of his state would have him.
“We have a country with big problems - and all we have are relative lightweights running.
This country is so screwed... “
It is always darkest before the dawn.
The gathered results:
1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%)
2. Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%)
3. Governor Tim Pawlenty (2293, 13.57%)
4. Senator Rick Santorum (1657, 9.81%)
5. Herman Cain (1456, 8.62%)
6. Governor Rick Perry (718, 3.62%) write-in
7. Governor Mitt Romney (567, 3.36%)
8. Speaker Newt Gingrich (385, 2.28%)
9. Governor Jon Huntsman (69, 0.41%)
10. Congressman Thad McCotter (35, 0.21%)
I understand your point of view, even if I disagree with it. I sat home in ‘08. I don’t regret it and I will not try to change your mind.
If it were up to me the bottom four would drop out.
It's just starting to turn dark - so it's not near dawn, rather that would be dusk.
We're in for a long, cold night - with lightweights at the helm..
I like your pessimism. It proves you are a conservative.
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