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Romney's Cheap and Empty Win
The American Spectator ^ | February 1, 2012 | George Neumayr

Posted on 02/01/2012 4:32:22 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

Mitt Romney's plastic and philosophically vapid campaign secured an easy victory in Florida on Tuesday night. Sunshine state GOP voters swallowed his "electability" argument whole, according to the exit polls.

It appears that country club Republicans have succeeded again in duping the GOP electorate into crowning a "centrist" Republican. Never mind that "centrist" Republicans rarely win the center. They usually lose the center while sapping the spirit of the party's conservative base.

Out of Bob Dole's and John McCain's tattered Big Tent steps another "reformed" RINO, Mitt Romney, who will receive, should he win the nomination, a similar thumping from the Democrats.

But let's say that he is "electable," for the sake of argument. Who cares? The purpose of politics in a republic is not simply to win but to win on sound principles. A party that pursues victory by scrapping or sidelining its platform will have no truth left with which to govern once it does.

If "electability" is the goal, why don't the politically correct plutocrats of the GOP just call for a one-party state? That way they could win every time.

The "electability" argument is bankrupt on both philosophical and practical grounds. It destroys the party's soul and guarantees defeat.

Even though Romney paid for this Florida win on his debit card -- outspending Newt by millions -- he still couldn't nail down the rank-and-file vote. Seven out of ten self-described conservatives didn't vote for him. This foreshadows the boredom and disgust that will keep conservatives home in the fall.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: backstabberromney; benedictromney; betrayerromney; brutusromney; flprimary; gopestablishment; gopprimary; santorum4romney
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To: JoeGar
Unfortunately, Romney is the least objectionable candidate —

To whom? The neutered GOP party?

We need Newt to teach the GOP how to fight (but they don't seem so inclined).

We did it in 2012. We can do it again.

101 posted on 02/01/2012 7:39:55 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: RFEngineer; Cincinatus' Wife

I don’t see it that way.

First, for there to be a brokered convention, Mitt has to be stopped from obtaining the nomination by primary and caucus votes.

That means going for the non Mitt.

Or non Mitts.

Trashing the leading non Mitt doesn’t get you there.

Your critique of Newt is over the top. It is exaggerated. I say this as not a Newt supporter as long as my guy had even the barest of shots at it, but when he withdrew I had to take a long, hard look. I agree with his assessment that Newt was the best he could endorse.

I am convicted that Santorum hasn’t got a prayer.

If you are hoping a brokered convention will pick Sarah Palin...

Sure, like the powers that be are gonna sit by and LET THAT HAPPEN.

But I can’t tell, because I don’t know your history, if that is your candidate or not.

But the pieces do fit as to your apparent mindset.

It.just.ain’t.gonna.happen.


102 posted on 02/01/2012 7:40:15 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: RFEngineer; txrangerette

The GOP machine will pull out every stop to keep from having a brokered convention.

You think Obama makes it up as he goes along? Just wait for the GOP to wrestle Mitt into the round hole.

And then lose the general election.

Hello mandated universal health care AKA socialism.


103 posted on 02/01/2012 7:45:15 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife; RFEngineer

Agree they will do everything possible to avoid a brokered convention.

But even if there were to be one, there are plenty of ways to keep Sarah Palin...or anyone else of that type...from being the nominee.

For Conservatives, trashing Newt as the by far leading non Mitt, isn’t going to get us anywhere.


104 posted on 02/01/2012 7:54:33 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: txrangerette

“But the pieces do fit as to your apparent mindset.”

I’d likely vote for Palin if she were a candidate - as she’d be the most conservative.

However, my criticism of Newt is based upon his documented, repeated mercurial nature on conservative issues, and his multiple divorces.

He’s not any more reliable as a conservative than Romney, he just says the right things but only occasionally.

The reason I want a brokered convention is not some pie-in-the-sky hope for a candidate that isn’t running, it’s to convey the ability of conservatives to rise up to demand what they want of a candidate, and their party.

If it is significant, it’s a way to take over the GOP, a political coup, if you will.

If there is no brokered convention, no matching invigoration of the conservative grass roots, then I’d like to know that too.

What I am most afraid of most is the possibility that too many erstwhile conservatives now get government checks or bennies of some kind, so they no longer care enough to do the things that might threaten the status quo - even if that status quo leads us into oblivion, fiscally speaking.

That theory is that they like their stuff - and feel like they deserve it and won’t lift a finger if it means their check or benefits are threatened.

I want to know if it’s true.

That’s why I want to see a brokered convention.


105 posted on 02/01/2012 7:55:57 AM PST by RFEngineer
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

“The GOP machine will pull out every stop to keep from having a brokered convention.”

Of course they will. That’s why it will mean something if it actually happens, or at least becomes an issue at all.

If there aren’t enough conservatives left to try to make that happen, I want to know.


106 posted on 02/01/2012 8:00:08 AM PST by RFEngineer
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To: Tennessee Nana

Mitt spent over $17 million for 50 delegates.

That is over $340,000 per delegate.

At this rate per delegate, he will need almost $400 million to get the nomination.

I have faith that other states won’t be so easily fooled.


107 posted on 02/01/2012 8:09:53 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: Vendome

How many people live in Florida?

How many are considered Republicans registered to vote?

I added up the numbers on the TV this am & didn’t even get 2 million votes.

IF only 12% of the whole state voted yesterday, that doesn’t sound good at all.


108 posted on 02/01/2012 8:12:11 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: RFEngineer; Cincinatus' Wife

Like I said, going over the top in your anti Newt rhetoric doesn’t even serve your stated purpose.

He is the leading Non Mitt...virtually the only thing standing between Mitt and the nomination by delegates on the first ballot.

Nor does it fit reality. Reality is, EVERY candidate is FLAWED.

Likewise Newt, but he also has certain strengths the others don’t have, that are sorely needed. There should be a BALANCED look at him...a sheet of paper with flaws on one side, strengths on the other.

A brokered convention appears to be some kind of test in your mind...if there aren’t enough committed Conservatives to make a brokered convention happen, you “want to know it”.

Apples to oranges.

You have fixated on this one thing to the exclusion of all other considerations.

Assuming this to be the “be all and end all” of testing Conservatives.

The reality is brokered conventions rarely, rarely happen no matter the breakdown of the electorate into their philosophical categories.

And even if one did happen, the outcome would really tell the story.

Not the happening, but the OUTCOME.

I assure you there are plenty of ways for the powers that be to keep one of your choice from being selected by a brokered convention.

Meanwhile, if you think verbally eviscerating the by far leading non Romney candidate is the way to get us Conservatives anywhere, I thoroughly disagree.


109 posted on 02/01/2012 8:16:31 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: ridesthemiles

I hear from a lot of people in N FL is that they think Romney is basically Obama with an “R”...here comes the new boss same as the old boss remarks...their vote doesn’t matter they’re all corrupt etc.


110 posted on 02/01/2012 8:33:17 AM PST by AnTiw1
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To: sam_paine
How many of us who held our noses and voted for Dole, Bush 41/Bush 43 are finally reaching our own “tipping point?” Eyes have been opened; and are still opening. For once, this election has exposed the power behind the GOP is not our friend; nor are their propaganda outlets (Rush, Beck, Fox News, Drudge, Coulter ...the list goes on and on.) We at least have seen who many of our enemies are. Have you and I not changed? If so, then others can too and there is real genuine hope, not the Obama kind).

Many do not realize that when the American Revolution took place about one third of the colonials were for the revolution, one third were Royalists, and one third watched to see which side would come out the winner. Seems to me we already have that first one-third and many more resources than our forefathers had. Have faith, Samuel, my FRiend.

Tale care and be well,

-Geoff

111 posted on 02/01/2012 8:33:33 AM PST by Ozymandias Ghost
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To: sam_paine
How many of us who held our noses and voted for Dole, Bush 41/Bush 43 are finally reaching our own “tipping point?” Eyes have been opened; and are still opening. For once, this election has exposed the power behind the GOP is not our friend; nor are their propaganda outlets (Rush, Beck, Fox News, Drudge, Coulter ...the list goes on and on.) We at least have seen who many of our enemies are. Have you and I not changed? If so, then others can too and there is real genuine hope, not the Obama kind).

Many do not realize that when the American Revolution took place about one third of the colonials were for the revolution, one third were Royalists, and one third watched to see which side would come out the winner. Seems to me we already have that first one-third and many more resources than our forefathers had. Have faith, Samuel, my FRiend.

Take care and be well,

-Geoff

112 posted on 02/01/2012 8:34:36 AM PST by Ozymandias Ghost
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To: Ozymandias Ghost

Rush is not supporting Romney.


113 posted on 02/01/2012 8:35:58 AM PST by Eva
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To: joesbucks

My responce is ...How so?


114 posted on 02/01/2012 8:36:06 AM PST by rightwingextremist1776
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To: Eva
Officially Rush is not supporting anyone; so, your statement is correct. What troubles me is that he should be WARNING everyone NOT to vote for Romney if he was the strong, principled Conservative he purports to be.

Rush is a brilliant entertainer whose “bottom line” is his first priority. There's nothing wrong with that; it's called capitalism; but, realize, he can never take a principled stand on the candidates; because that would anger all his viewers who support other candidates. It's as simple as that. Enjoy his show; I do ...it's fun and there is merit to some of the information provided amongst the comedy relief/satire. Sorry if I went overly hard on him the other day; as I pointed our I enjoy his program and his support for the families of Marines and LEO’s who were KIA/WIA is commendable and tells me in his heart he is a decent man.

Take care and be well,

-Geoff

115 posted on 02/01/2012 8:59:43 AM PST by Ozymandias Ghost
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To: livius
just such a nice young man

My grandmother said that is going to vote for Romney, for that very reason.

Did I try to talk her out of it? You don't know my Grandmother. :-)

Strange, she's usually pretty commonsensical when it comes to politics. For instance I've never heard my grandmother curse before, but not too long ago when we were discussing Hillary!, and the fact that she might challenge Obama, she called Hillary, quote, "That Evil B*tch", unquote. Was enough to snap my head around and take notice.

116 posted on 02/01/2012 9:01:09 AM PST by wbill
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To: Ozymandias Ghost

Post 115: second paragraph, “viewers” = listeners and viewers


117 posted on 02/01/2012 9:03:15 AM PST by Ozymandias Ghost
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Sarah took 5.6 million in 2010 and over 2 million in 2011 from the potential pot for the farm team.


118 posted on 02/01/2012 9:04:12 AM PST by joesbucks
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To: joesbucks

First I heard...details please? maybe a link or two?


119 posted on 02/01/2012 9:05:36 AM PST by rightwingextremist1776
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Just do a google search. All there.


120 posted on 02/01/2012 9:06:04 AM PST by joesbucks
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