Posted on 09/13/2011 10:32:01 AM PDT by Borough Park
TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney’s path to the Republican nomination became clearer Monday night — and it had little to do with his attacks on Rick Perry over Social Security.
Instead, it was the fire Perry took from the right at the CNN-Tea Party Express debate that suddenly seemed more threatening to the Texas governor’s chances than Romney.
Perry was sharply criticized by Michele Bachmann for his support of vaccinating girls against HPV and whether he did so as a favor to an aide-turned-lobbyist and a pharmaceutical firm, he was hit by Rick Santorum for his opposition to a border fence and backing of Texas legislation to give the children of illegal immigrants in-state college tuition, and he was dinged by Ron Paul over whether taxes have gone up in Texas.
Taken together, few issues resonate as much with the conservative base at the moment as culture, cronyism, American identity and fiscal purity. And Perry was forced on the defensive over each of them in Tampa.
That might be the Texan’s chief vulnerability and his main rival’s best hope: that the Republican undercard of Bachmann, Santorum and Paul remain in the race to bloody Perry so much on his right flank that Romney can consolidate enough of the GOP establishment to eke out a plurality victory.
The former Massachusetts governor’s high command could barely contain their glee after the forum.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
McLame 2008 redux.
The inference of the article is that Bachmann, Santorum and Ron Paul are to the right of Rick Perry. They are not.
I doubt it. These also-rans who are hammering Perry will not win, and their voters will gravitate to Perry long before Romney. There is no case for a conservative to vote for Romney over Perry in the primary. There is not a single issue that Romney is has a better position than Perry. He’s a failed governor who couldn’t even run for reelection. He signed the worst bill on healthcare among the states.
I mostly agree with this analysis. I think Perry had a rough night, and Romney will be the one who gains from it. Remember, a lot of people are looking to “electability”. Romney’s relentless attacks on Obama also work in is favor.
Not working in his favor; his refusal to disavow Romneycare. But as long as he continues to point out that he will repeal Obamacare on day one, I think he can weather that.
Hate to say it kids, but I think things will begin trending towards Romney.
I think Bachmann is certainly to the right of Perry.
Even Ronald Reagan granted amnesty and didn’t he create the Education Department?
You’re not going to get a 100% conservative presidency, and why anyone would think Mitt Romney will be more dependably conservative than Rick Perry, well that one boggles the mind.
IMHO, I will vote for any of them except Ron Paul.
Let’s continue to let the Left define our candidate. Let’s continue to let Romney do that, using the Left, as he continues to support obamacare, which will destroy what is left of the United States under his presumed tutelage. God Help Us.
Rick’s vulnerability is not the other candidates, it’s his support of giving taxpayer’s money to an illegal for in state intuition. That is NOT a conservative stance. It seems almost like a democrat left’s view/all about feelings/doing something to make it appear that he’s a caring guy. -it’s there-you can’t hide it.
Polutico wants Romney becasue they want a depressed conservative base. They know that a strong conservative candidate is more of a threat than a moderate like Romney. Polutico knows that they have lost moderates and their Leftist base is depressed with little means to re-ignite enthusiasm.
The strategy by the Left is entirely negative and uni-dimensional-attacking the Republican.
The man who installed Romneycare can say all he wants about repealing obamacare-— but he WILL NOT. He is lying. He is an establishment RINO. Staples, good Lord.
Politico certainly wants a moderate republican to run against Obama. Romney is getting bad out there. Laughable, even. And some say, Michelle jumped the shark. Romney’s numbers will fall even more.
The dialog should be steered to jobs, whenever these guys are asked a question. We can deal with HPV, stem cells, vouchers, school lunch etc. when we’re back working again.
These guys should be talking about medicare, not SS. That’s the real threat to our future, financially. SS is like prescription drugs were 10 years ago. The problem went away on its own.
I agree that a Bachmann or Santorum voter is far more likely to go for Perry than Romney if they drop out. The Paulistas will all be casting write-in votes for the Green Tree Milkman next November.
Unless there is a last minute entry that recasts the field of candidates. Willard gets the liberal Pubbies and most of the moderates. Perry will garner the conservatives, the traditionalists and some moderates.
The liberal establisment and media cohorts will continue to work overtime in order to assure Romney is the nominee. Appears some Republicans will also lend a hand to Romney.
Myth Romney scored a coup upon calling Obamas “Union PAYBACK” as “Union PAYBACK”..
Because.......... that is exactly what it IS..
THATS WHY?... Bachmann is better than Perry..
Perry talks a good game BUT Bachmann has the fire in the belly to perform it..
Perry gets along with democrats quite well.. i.e. is befuddled.. tricked.. bamboozled..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.