*PING*
SC is the third most important Primary state afterward Iowa Caucasus and New Hampshire...it’s referred to as a “make or break” for Presidential candidates - Nikki will help Palin no doubt.....yes a strategy was in place by Sarah to compete against Romney and “spoilers” pushed by the GOP against her!
Nikki is a Pink Elephant for sure...she identified with Sarah more than Mitt any-day....she appreciates Mitt endorsement and raising money for her but she was pulled from 4th to 1st in a matter of a week after Sarah endorsed her...wow!
If you are counting on Palin stopping Romney you better make sure she runs against him, just saying....
DeMint is a Romney man. Despite the interesting developments in SC tonight, the fact that Lovable Lindsey is still there makes the other natters seem unimportant.
1. Romney endorsed Nikki Haley BEFORE Palin did.
2. Palin will not run.
Interesting observations ALL — but a bit premature still. Romney endorsed Nikki Haley before Sarah Palin did. It didn’t move her in the polls. When Palin endorsed her. Within a week, it shot her up 20% in the polls, and she took a commanding lead — from which she never fell, even after two attempts a sliming her with lies by the good ole’ boys here in SC to drag her down with FALSE scandals. If you judge sheerly by whose endorsement meant the most — Sarah Palin wins hands down. That’s not libe yo mean much 2 years from now when the Presidential primaries start.
Also, someone mentioned that Sarah won’t run in 2012. YOU may be right — or you may be WRONG. Sarah is being VERY intelligent about building a STRONG base of WINNING candidates whom SHE has personally endorsed and campaigned for. Her average is WELL over .500 (closer to .750!) right now. That will be a formidable “army” of favors to call in when it comes time for endorsements in any future campaign. ANd, consider that she’s already put out feelers and opened up an office in Iowa... Sarah may not run — but she’s certainly laid the ground work to prepare if shr decides to. And if she doesn’t, I ENVY the candidate she decided to support for the nomination EARLY in the primary contest nex time around! WHAT a network she’s building!
Third, someone mentioned that JIm DeMint is “a Romney man.” That is indeed true.” He endorsed Romney during the 2008 campaign, and may do so again in 2008 — or, HE may not. Time will tell. He also spoke very favorably of his close friend Congressman Gresham Barrett who was running for governor of SC — but when it came down to the runoff between Barrett and Haley, DeMint said “BOTH were strong candidates and WHOEVER won, SC would get a good governor.” IN other words, he remained non-commital. SMART on DeMint’s part, and indicative of knowing WHEN to back away from a candidate whose “ship is sinking.” Romney’s ship just might be “sinking.” DeMint make see that before long, and begin to back away. He could support Palin for 2012 — IF she runs, or perhaps another candidate altogether — say Chris Christie of NJ? He is looking AWFUL good right about now!
Still too early to speculate. Lots of fresh faces and ideas and names circulating. Many of the names are worth considering to one degree or another in light of recent events or positions on current issues.... Bobby Jindal, Haley Barbour, Rick Santorum, even Jim DeMint himself — though he denies any interest in running.... We shall see. None of these issues will be resolved in the next few weeks. So it’s ALL speculation and prognostication now anyway.
But that’s sorta the fun part of it here on FR isn’t it? ANd some of us can do JUST as good as the folks on the FoxNews panel with Bret Baer anyway :-D
But Haley endorsed Romney last time around, and Mitt has been doing everything he can to keep her at arm's length and charm her, even now.
Unfortunately, as I have said previously, it seems that every GOP woman of note: elected official, pundit, talk show host, columnist, writer, journalist, PAC leader, or committee chair - almost ALL of them are absolutely in love with the Handsome Mitt Romney. Lopez, Coulter, Ingraham, Whitman, Noonan, Buchanan, you name it - the list goes on and on - and some of them are actually very open about the “He's so dreamy!” factor.
You and I would think that Palin’s endorsement, and the subsequent victory it brought Haley, should trump that and lead Haley to return the favor in 2012. But that won't necessarily be the case.
I actually expect Haley to endorse Mitt again, and he will spare no time or expense continuing to lay the charm on her until 2012. I hate to say it, but I think the chances of Haley endorsing Mitt are about 70%, with a 20% chance of her choosing to stay neutral.
Like it or not, GOP women - almost ALL of them - are under Mitt Romney's spell, BIG TIME.