Republican Primary

[_Abyssinia]

I’m surprised it wasn’t higher. In 2008, McCain pretty much had the nomination wrapped up by the time the Ohio primary took place (March 4th.) He won every county in Ohio, and his victories that day secured him the Republican nomination.

This year, the Republican field is still an open contest. I would think there would be more interest. Then again, local races may have been the motivating factor in 2008.

There were 20+ states up for grabs on Super Tuesday in 2008, 41% of Republican delegates were awarded on Super Tuesday. This year there were 10 states and with proportional representation it is not possible anyone could wrap it up at this stage.

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

Who would you call ultra-conservative? Bear in mind I was raised in a town where a member of the John Birch society was my government teacher and taught Birch doctrine instead of the textbook He put communism on thr far right and JBS on the far left!

I agree with you on Ron Paul, in some aspects libertarians are very liberal and in others very conservative.

No, the are neither. They are libertarian.

 

[ProVobis]

… in some aspects libertarians are very liberal and in others very conservative.

That’s a misleading uni-dimensional oversimplification the way I see it but in any case, I’m very disappointed after yesterday’s vote. It just reinforces the corrupt government. Scott’s offer to help plant banana seeds in Costa Rica looks more and more tempting.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Six wins for Mitt - yet he still can’t close the deal

“Mr. Romney had hoped that a string of Super Tuesday victories… would effectively bring the Republican race to a close. But he found himself winning over Rick Santorum by only the slimmest of margins with almost all the votes counted in Ohio, the most coveted primary of the night, while losing other contests across the South.” - New York Times

 "[T]he news could have been much better for Romney, he's escaped with his life, but will have face continued doubts over his inability to finish his rivals -- even though his delegate total by the end of the night puts him well on the way to winning the Republican nomination." - [The Atlantic](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/mitt-romney-wins-an-ohio-nailbiter-and-snaps-up-delegates/254050/)

The battle for the Republican nomination is now a battle between the conservative movement and pure mathematics - [Slate](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/03/mitt_romney_narrowly_beats_rick_santorum_in_the_ohio_republican_primary_.html)

Mr. Inevitable survives another scare - [Commentary](http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/03/07/mr-inevitable-survives-scare-romney/)

Romney best able to beat Obama, but still not loved - MSNBC

Romney’s Southern problem continues

“Romney’s perceived trouble in empathizing with Americans who struggle to pay their bills is part of his larger difficulty in consolidating his party’s base, particularly voters most animated by social issues. It has encumbered his campaign against GOP rivals, and it risks becoming a drag on his candidacy in the general election, should he win the party nomination.” - LA Times

“If anything, Tuesday’s results confirm that Romney still has some big problems with the base of the party. The Republican Party is a Southern party, and he hasn’t done well in the South.” - Larry Sabato

Romney’s forward strategy: keep grinding it out and hope for conservatives to come to terms with his inevitability

“Despite clear signs of continued resistance in the GOP’s conservative heartland, Romney reaffirmed the verdict of his momentum-shifting victory last week in Michigan… Romney’s nail-biting win in Ohio, capping a night that widened his overall delegate lead, may allow him to begin shifting the conversation among Republicans from whether he will clinch the nomination, to when.” - National Journal

Despite strong Tennessee showing, Santorum needs Gingrich to drop out in order to make a real impact

“A scenario involving a Gingrich departure from the race, helping Santorum consolidate the anti-Romney vote, still threatens the former Massachusetts governor. Santorum supporters point to Gingrich’s failure to win a single state outside of the South. “Right now, if you’re either Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich, you’re thinking, ‘oh my gosh, if I could just get Mitt Romney one-on-one,’” said political commentator Juan Williams on Fox News.” - Daily Caller

 'After Ohio came in tonight, it is clear Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee if Newt Gingrich stays in the race. Gingrich is now only serving as a spoiler to Santorum." - [Erick Erickson](http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/03/07/the-nominee/)

Super Tuesday gives cool kid Rick Santorum some false hope - Tim Stanley

Loudly Catholic Santorum loses Ohio Catholics - CNN

Santorum’s lack of organization is hurting him

“He ceded Virginia – where he lives – and its 46 delegates because he failed to qualify for the ballot. He lost the chance at picking up another 18 delegates in Ohio, because he failed to file full delegate slates. Santorum is fighting an uphill battle against a well-oiled Romney political machine and these mistakes are proving to be very costly.” - CNN

 

[_Abyssinia]

Gingrich is just clinging on after his victory in his home state, Georgia

“Despite Gingrich’s triumphalist speech in Atlanta and his vow to soldier on, his rationale to remain in the Republican race just became slimmer. Gingrich will pocket a large share of the delegates in Georgia by nearly doubling Romney’s vote total there, but his failure to beat Santorum in Oklahoma and Tennessee undercut his push to once again emerge as the singular conservative alternative to Romney.” - CNN

Ron Paul’s time is running thin after continued failure to win

“Paul’s best shot at finally scoring a win, after a much-ballyhooed caucus-driven strategy, was supposed to be in North Dakota, where anyone could vote. Instead, Santorum was the surprise winner there. Paul also came up short in Alaska and Idaho… Paul’s media coverage has already fallen off considerably as his delegate-slog plan has failed to net him anything close to a competitive margin… But, just as Howard Dean was unable to do in 2004, Paul has not managed to translate that energy into actual votes.” - Politico

The almost-endorsement: Sarah Palin votes for Gingrich in Alaska

Palin Sarah"Sarah Palin revealed… that she voted for Newt Gingrich in Alaska’s caucuses on Tuesday. “Newt is whom I chose up here in Alaska to best represent the ideas that many Alaskans want to see, the preferred presidential candidate in this area. That’s who I cast my vote for,” Palin said." - CNN

 

[pnewton]

No, the are neither. They are libertarian.

I thought that they had to fit some level. Actually, I am considering not even voting in the Republican primary this year, as my state has be disenfranchised by the primary system. We were bumped from this Tuesday to late in May. I would hope that all Texans would realize that we do not matter to the Republican Party, except for donations, and only donate in money to the extent we get a say, which is nada.

I will see how the local elections play out before I decide what primary to vote in. Texas doesn’t get to count this year in the presidential fiasco.

 

[rlg94086]

I thought that they had to fit some level. Actually, I am considering not even voting in the Republican primary this year, as my state has be disenfranchised by the primary system. We were bumped from this Tuesday to late in May. I would hope that all Texans would realize that we do not matter to the Republican Party, except for donations, and only donate in money to the extent we get a say, which is nada.

I will see how the local elections play out before I decide what primary to vote in. Texas doesn’t get to count this year in the presidential fiasco.

From what I’ve read, the date was moved by decision of a three-judge panel, due to redistricting delays after the 2010 election. What does that have to do with the Republican Party not caring about Texans? There are plenty of states that don’t have their vote early.

Quit playing the victim and just vote. Or, dont vote. I dont think it will matter for your candidate. He hasn’t managed to win a state yet, and his delegate count is the lowest. I don’t think it would have made a difference to his candidacy, if Texas voted yesterday.

 

[bbarrick8383]

Yesterday as I was leaving my house to turn on to HWY 32 I saw someone had put out a half dozen or so Ron Paul yard signs. As I went up the road to the school where I vote they had placed two huge RP signs by the road. I haven’t seen the sign of any other candidate here and although they voted for Santorum I was proud that others in my county are supporting him.

 

[rlg94086]

Yesterday as I was leaving my house to turn on to HWY 32 I saw someone had put out a half dozen or so Ron Paul yard signs. As I went up the road to the school where I vote they had placed two huge RP signs by the road. I haven’t seen the sign of any other candidate here and although they voted for Santorum I was proud that others in my county are supporting him.

Indeed. Ron Paul has certainly won in the yard sign, button and sticker election. He seems to be lacking in the ‘getting votes’ department though…

 

[TexCatholic4JMJ]

From what I’ve read, the date was moved by decision of a three-judge panel, due to redistricting delays after the 2010 election. What does that have to do with the Republican Party not caring about Texans? There are plenty of states that don’t have their vote early.

Quit playing the victim and just vote. Or, don’t vote. I dont think it will matter for your candidate. He hasn’t managed to win a state yet, and his delegate count is the lowest. I don’t think it would have made a difference to his candidacy, if Texas voted yesterday.

This is the reason that it was moved. The fact is that it was the Democrats with organizations such as Lulac, etc who kept protesting the distribution of voters into
the legislators’ chosen districts, so the primary date had to be moved. Incidentally,
the three judges were also Democrats. Just saying…

 

[bbarrick8383]

Indeed. Ron Paul has certainly won in the yard sign, button and sticker election. He seems to be lacking in the ‘getting votes’ department though…

I didn’t expect him to win. Santorum was no surprise here though, the Christian population here is constantly barraged with pro Israel/Santorum rhetoric. I’ve even heard them play commercials to donate money to poor Israelis as if they were some third world African country. Quite sad because the population here will most definitely fall for it. They vote their morals first here, and I’m happy they did so even though it was for such a horrible candidate for the job. Don’t get me wrong, I think Santorum is a great person, he just needs to be kept away from the POTUS position.

 

[andrewstx]

I thought that they had to fit some level. Actually, I am considering not even voting in the Republican primary this year, as my state has be disenfranchised by the primary system. We were bumped from this Tuesday to late in May. I would hope that all Texans would realize that we do not matter to the Republican Party, except for donations, and only donate in money to the extent we get a say, which is nada.

I will see how the local elections play out before I decide what primary to vote in. Texas doesn’t get to count this year in the presidential fiasco.

I am in Texas and considering the same thing, for the same reasons. But I may vote if the nomination is still not decided at that late date.

I am unhappy with the Texas legislature for for puttting us in this situation. And for the sake of gerrymandering for keeping the latinos from voting. Do they not realise the latinos are very conservative, pro family values, Catholic and pro life, all in all perfect Republicans?

Why make their votes innefectual?

 

[TexCatholic4JMJ]

I am in Texas and considering the same thing, for the same reasons. But I may vote if the nomination is still not decided at that late date.

I am unhappy with the Texas legislature for for puttting us in this situation. And for the sake of gerrymandering for keeping the latinos from voting. Do they not realise the latinos are very conservative, pro family values, Catholic and pro life, all in all perfect Republicans?

Why make their votes innefectual?

You are assuming that the redistricting was “for keeping the latinos from voting.” One of
our congressional representatives (not mine, unfortunately) is a latino, very conservative,
a great person, but he is a republican. So he doesn’t count and it is assumed that the
district is “not represented” because his district is"democrat." Just one example.

 

[pnewton]

I am unhappy with the Texas legislature for for puttting us in this situation. And for the sake of gerrymandering for keeping the latinos from voting.

I wouldn’t put it all on the legislature. The Democrat judiciary are the ones that drug their feet in order to postpone this. This was in 2010.

I would be happy if just once Iowa and New Hampshire went last. The idea that all Americans get the same vote for president is a joke.

Quit playing the victim and just vote.

Still judging others and making assumptions, I see. How is that working for you? At least you reinforce my anti-Republican Party beliefs. I never was one to just shut up and do as I’m told for the party. I used to be a regular donor, but they will never get another penny from me.

I’m still getting the junk mail though.

 

[ProVobis]

Do they not realise the latinos are very conservative, pro family values, Catholic and pro life, all in all perfect Republicans?

Then the Democrats could use them.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Gingrich is vowing to stay in the race. It will be interesting to see whether he, or Santorum, will win the deep South states of Alabama and Mississippi next week.

The momentum on the ground here is for Rick Santorum. Expect Rick Santorum to win both Alabama and Mississippi.

Even if Gingrich is still in the race to split conservatives, it is impossible for Mitt Romney to win either Alabama or Mississippi. It is impossible. Look at Tennessee… Mitt Romney outspent Rick Santorum 3 to 1 in Tennessee. Mitt Romney won 3 counties, Rick Santorum won something like 95 or 100.

Now I want y’all to imagine that if Tennessee is conservative, Alabama and Mississippi are even more so. I’d say Alabama definitely competes with Oklahoma for the most conservative state.

Did you know we were the state with the most members in Congress to unanimously vote against Obamacare? Not only did we have 4 Republicans vote no on Obamacare, we also had 3 Democrats vote against it. Making it a 7-0 in Congress, and obviously our Senators voted against it.

Sorry for my Alabama conservatism rant. Just had to get it out of my system.
Roll Tide.

 

[rlg94086]

Still judging others and making assumptions, I see. How is that working for you? At least you reinforce my anti-Republican Party beliefs. I never was one to just shut up and do as I’m told for the party. I used to be a regular donor, but they will never get another penny from me.

I’m still getting the junk mail though.

Just calling it like I see it. You claimed, without evidence, that the Republican Party doesn’t value Texans votes, so you may not vote in the primary. That is playing the victim. You probably didn’t recognize it, since you were the one doing the whining.

 

[rlg94086]

This is the reason that it was moved. The fact is that it was the Democrats with organizations such as Lulac, etc who kept protesting the distribution of voters into
the legislators’ chosen districts, so the primary date had to be moved. Incidentally,
the three judges were also Democrats. Just saying…

Okay. So, pnewton is even more wrong about its being moved as a sign of the Republican Party not valuing Texans’ votes. Thank you for the confirmation that his conspiracy theory has no basis.

 

[rlg94086]

I didn’t expect him to win. Santorum was no surprise here though, the Christian population here is constantly barraged with pro Israel/Santorum rhetoric. I’ve even heard them play commercials to donate money to poor Israelis as if they were some third world African country. Quite sad because the population here will most definitely fall for it. They vote their morals first here, and I’m happy they did so even though it was for such a horrible candidate for the job. Don’t get me wrong, I think Santorum is a great person, he just needs to be kept away from the POTUS position.

No worries. Santorum won’t be the nominee.

 

[rlg94086]

The momentum on the ground here is for Rick Santorum. Expect Rick Santorum to win both Alabama and Mississippi.

Even if Gingrich is still in the race to split conservatives, it is impossible for Mitt Romney to win either Alabama or Mississippi. It is impossible. Look at Tennessee… Mitt Romney outspent Rick Santorum 3 to 1 in Tennessee. Mitt Romney won 3 counties, Rick Santorum won something like 95 or 100.

Now I want y’all to imagine that if Tennessee is conservative, Alabama and Mississippi are even more so. I’d say Alabama definitely competes with Oklahoma for the most conservative state.

Did you know we were the state with the most members in Congress to unanimously vote against Obamacare? Not only did we have 4 Republicans vote no on Obamacare, we also had 3 Democrats vote against it. Making it a 7-0 in Congress, and obviously our Senators voted against it.

Sorry for my Alabama conservatism rant. Just had to get it out of my system.
Roll Tide.

You do realize that Romney doesn’t need to win Alabama or Mississippi, right?