Republican Primary

[Rich_Olszewski]

I can’t vote for Obama. He’s made a mess of the economy and he is unrepentant about it. I don’t like his Justice Dept. I don’t like his stance on abortion or the health care mandate.

So far, no disagreement with you.

So, I’ll vote anti-Obama, even if I have to vote for mittens.

Again, no problem with your choice, though I’d probably pass on voting in that case. But, I can’t even be neutral if Gingrich is the GOP choice.

 

[gilliam]

Gingrich says he wants to have his contract with Freddie Mac fully released so that voters can judge for themselves what he did for the GSE:

Newt Gingrich said on Monday that he has requested the release of his consulting contract with Freddie Mac, adding that it would be “very helpful” if the release came before next week’s Florida primary contest.

Asked if he will release the consulting contract between his former company, the Center for Health Transformation, and Freddie Mac, Gingrich told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos: “We asked them to work out releasing it. They have a number of confidentiality agreements. I’m very comfortable with it being released.”

“I think it would be very helpful,” Gingrich said, when asked if he would like the release to occur before the primary.
I am sure we will hear more about this tonight.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Romney would have been more competitive in SC if he’d released his tax returns earlier - HotAir

Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital problem is real and Republicans are asking: Why wasn’t the GOP frontrunner better prepared to handle it all?

• Politico

“The country is thinking more skeptically about wealth and privilege in the wake of the Occupy Wall Street protests. Romney has not adjusted.” - E J Dionne for the Washington Post

“Mitt Romney cannot get the votes of those who think we need to reform and reduce the power of Washington, which I venture to say is a sizable portion of the base.” - Red State

Romney Fails to Connect to Voters Even in S.C.’s ‘Monied Burbs’ - WSJ

Mitt’s generalities are awfully condescending: The finely calibrated inoffensiveness is kind of offensive - Mark Steyn at NRO

Romney still has bigger financial warchest and has recruited Perry’s top fundraisers - WSJ

A Defense of Negative Campaigning - Michael Barone for NRO

 

[bbarrick8383]

I am puzzled as to why he is so reluctant in releasing them. We already know:

1. He’s rich
2. He didn’t pay very much in taxes
3. He funneled funds through the Camen Islands (sp?)
4. He give millions to the LDS church

I disagree with number 2.

Number 3 only gives a tax deferment, if he moves the money, he pays the taxes.

As far as number 4, I disagree with the LDS Church, but they do good things. If I’m not mistaken they played an important role on fighting gay marriage in CA.

When it comes down to it though, he has many of the same financial backers as Obama. I watched a really good video of him and his big money support but I can’t find it again. His taxes don’t really worry me too much.

 

[gilliam]

His taxes don’t really worry me too much.

They obviously worry Romney

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

I disagree with number 2.

Number 3 only gives a tax deferment, if he moves the money, he pays the taxes.

As far as number 4, I disagree with the LDS Church, but they do good things. If I’m not mistaken they played an important role on fighting gay marriage in CA.

When it comes down to it though, he has many of the same financial backers as Obama. I watched a really good video of him and his big money support but I can’t find it again. His taxes don’t really worry me too much.

For those of you into emergency preparedness, your local LDS church probably has classes and facilities to do large scale canning and vacuum packing as well. most people have no idea about this, and you don’t have to be a mormon to use the facilities.

 

[SouthCatholic]

The only problem is that Newt Gingrich is not on the ballot in every state. For example, only Romney and Paul are on the ballot in Virginia. This is going the get messy at the end because if the only reason Romney gets the nomination is because Gingrich did not receive any points from Virginia, folks will not be happy!

 

[mary_bobo]

They obviously worry Romney

Could it be that he realizes the lack of economic education of many (most) of our citizens and realize most will not understand the returns? They are blaming Romney for using the tax loopholes that have been created by our Congress. They are turning their anger in the wrong direction.

 

[gilliam]

The only problem is that Newt Gingrich is not on the ballot in every state. For example, only Romney and Paul are on the ballot in Virginia. This is going the get messy at the end because if the only reason Romney gets the nomination is because Gingrich did not receive any points from Virginia, folks will not be happy!

May not be an issue if Newt wins Florida

 

[qui_est_ce]

Could it be that he realizes the lack of economic education of many (most) of our citizens and realize most will not understand the returns? They are blaming Romney for using the tax loopholes that have been created by our Congress. They are turning their anger in the wrong direction.

That’s a good point. But Mitt has been really good about explaining things. In the Thursday night debate he gave a good defense of his venture capitalist business… I think he is clear and easy to understand. He doesn’t sound like he is backpedaling

 

[Erich]

Given how fickle voters are…

Ain’t that the truth.

Newt supported the TARP bailout, slammed Paul Ryan’s plan to overhaul Medicare (calling it “Right-Wing socialism”), bought in to global warming, supported cap and trade, and supported the individual health care mandate. These are not the inclinations of a conservative. He supports EVERYTHING I’ve been fighting against for the past 3 years.

Here is a one-hour mashup of videos showing Newt Gingrich’s anti-conservative behavior over the years. These are all in Gingrich’s own words. Lots of stuff I had forgotten about, on top of the ones I still recall: youtube.com/watch?v=eyeB36ctO5I

And people thought it was a great moment when he turned on the debate moderator for asking him about his ex-wife and her accusations? Newt led the charge against Bill Clinton on (among other things) issues of morality, and he wants a pass? I for one was really turned off by the way Newt deflected the question with his self- righteous anger.

 

[Havard]

Study: TV News Bashes Romney, Boosts Horse Race

Frontrunner Mitt Romney is getting by far the most negative press of the GOP field, according to a new study of television news coverage by the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University…

 

[gilliam]

What’s riding on tonight’s NBC debate?

http://images.politico.com/global/2012/01/arcp.jpg

 

[mary_bobo]

That’s a good point. But Mitt has been really good about explaining things. In the Thursday night debate he gave a good defense of his venture capitalist business… I think he is clear and easy to understand. He doesn’t sound like he is backpedaling

I don’t think I indicated that he was back-pedaling. I agree that he was clear, but he is talking to people who do not understand what he is saying (for the most part) and to those to whom class envy is paramount. I think he would make a good president, but his personality is such that he does not arouse enthusiasm in the masses.

 

[Mudgely]

I will vote for whomever can end the intolerable atrocity of abortion in this country. That certainly will NOT be Obama.

Sad to say, it is unlikely that gringrich could defeat a sitting president. Strong mind but weak character. At least the republicans are doing better this time around. They fielded weak mind and weak character candidates for the past several elections.

 

[gilliam]

Under pressure from rival Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s consulting business released his contract with Freddie Mac on Monday on a website. Click here to view Gingrich’s contract with Freddie Mac.

The contract calls him a consultant but is vague about his specific duties. It calls for a $300,000 retainer and $25,000 in fees monthly for the year 2006. It has been previously disclosed that Gingrich was paid more than $1.6 million by the mortgage giant over an eight-year period.

nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/gingrich-group-releases-freddie-mac-contract-20120123

 

[Semper_Zelare]

I don’t think I indicated that he was back-pedaling. I agree that he was clear, but he is talking to people who do not understand what he is saying (for the most part) and to those to whom class envy is paramount. I think he would make a good president, but his personality is such that he does not arouse enthusiasm in the masses.

From what I’ve learned studying political science… you cannot become President unless you have an enthusiastic base.

Did Obama have an enthusiastic base in 2008? How bout McCain? Remember when McCain supporters got angry and nasty the last month bc defeat seemed inevitable?

I don’t see how people buy into the case that you need a moderate to win moderates. Barrack Obama won all the independents/ moderates, yet he was far left. Why? Because his base convinced them. Their energy was contagious, and swayed the independents.

Same thing with Ronald Reagan. Clearly the most conservative candidate that year. Yet, he won in a landslide.

The thing is, Romney has been poised to win througout all of this. He had money, organization, etc. Yet, 70-75% of Republicans consistently rejected him for other candidates. If he had an ounce of charismatic leadership he could’ve won by now. Instead his whole strategy has been “play it safe, don’t do interviews, ride the tide of inevitablity”.

That strategy got thrown out after South Carolina. Now he’s going to have to go head to head with Newt Gingrich. Who, despite media attacks… is a conservative icon. He embodies conservatism.

 

[gilliam]

Rush explains what is going on with the panic in the Republican elite and why people are now going Newt’s way

mediaite.com/online/rush-limbaugh-the-republican-establishment-is-in-a-full-blown-panic-over-gingrich-winning/

 

[bbarrick8383]

From what I’ve learned studying political science… you cannot become President unless you have an enthusiastic base.

Did Obama have an enthusiastic base in 2008? How bout McCain? Remember when McCain supporters got angry and nasty the last month bc defeat seemed inevitable?

I don’t see how people buy into the case that you need a moderate to win moderates. Barrack Obama won all the independents/ moderates, yet he was far left. Why? Because his base convinced them. Their energy was contagious, and swayed the independents.

Same thing with Ronald Reagan. Clearly the most conservative candidate that year. Yet, he won in a landslide.

The thing is, Romney has been poised to win througout all of this. He had money, organization, etc. Yet, 70-75% of Republicans consistently rejected him for other candidates. If he had an ounce of charismatic leadership he could’ve won by now. Instead his whole strategy has been “play it safe, don’t do interviews, ride the tide of inevitablity”.

That strategy got thrown out after South Carolina. Now he’s going to have to go head to head with Newt Gingrich. Who, despite media attacks… is a conservative icon. He embodies conservatism.

A conservative I use to follow named Zo has a video about an enthusiastic base. He said like Obama, Dr. Paul is the only candidate whose been able to produce enthusiasm amongst his supporters so far this election.

Mitt will never see that.

Newt might.

Santorum no.

Democrats are switching parties for the primaries to vote for Paul.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

For those of you into emergency preparedness, your local LDS church probably has classes and facilities to do large scale canning and vacuum packing as well. most people have no idea about this, and you don’t have to be a mormon to use the facilities.

All Mormons are required to have a year’s worth of food stashed away.

And they are happy to include non-Mormons in their bulk purchase program.