The 2012 Republican Primary thread, early edition

[Uncle Ted]

[/B]

Very likely true. I really wonder, however, if the USA's voters are ready for another Texan with a bit of a swagger who loudly loves Jesus. GOP primary voters probably are. Then again, Republicans have their history of liking candidates who have run before and are thoroughly vetted. (Reagan, Dole, Bush I, McCain.) That dynamic favors Romney. It's going to be interesting. As one who'd love to see Obama defeated, I'm interested in whether the Tea Party element will produce an ideologically acceptable candidate who can't win. They managed to do that in 2 or 3 senate races in 2010. Not sure they have the clout to do that in a presidential nominating race. We'll see.

This Texan doesn't even doesn't want Perry. But if it gets him out of Texas I'll vote for him.

[Joe Public]

The Boston Globe has an article comparing Romney and Huntsman with respect to their activity in the LDS church:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/08/15/gop_rivals_have_different_takes_on_mormon_faith/

[LA Ute]

It'll be interesting to see how this plays in New Hamsphire:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry plunged into a New Hampshire fair on the second day of his presidential announcement tour in the brash and bold style that has been his trademark. With his entourage of Texas Rangers at his elbow, he strutted through the crowd, brown cowboy boots on his feet and Lone Star cuff links on his sleeves, giving sharp salutes and thumbs up to some voters and grabbing the shoulders of others in a warm and lusty hello.

Here's an interesting take, which must be read in light of its appearance in the L.A. Times, which is a left-of-center paper:

Marc Mears of Manchester, who attended a house party Friday night for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, is one of the independent voters who won't consider Perry.

Mears regrets his vote for President Obama in 2008, saying that "Obama is so weak, he might as well be a kitten." Describing himself as "center-left on social issues," Mears said he was turned off by some of what he had been hearing about Perry — including reports that the Texas governor at least once expressed sympathy for those who favored secession.

"We had a swaggering governor from Texas run the country before. It didn't go so well," Mears said.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Perry enters the race on Saturday. Two days latter Rasmussen takes a poll and Perry is up by 11 points on Romney.

Romney isn't winning this thing.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epo...tion-1452.html

[Jacob]

Perry enters the race on Saturday. Two days latter Rasmussen takes a poll and Perry is up by 11 points on Romney.

Romney isn't winning this thing.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epo...tion-1452.html

I wouldn't put too much stock into that overnight poll. Perry hasn't been in a debate and hasn't been seen by anyone who responded to that poll. It's completely meaningless.

Now I like Perry's economic extremism more than I like Romney's moderation, but most people disagree with me and Romney's still got a great shot at winning this thing.

[dabrockster]

Perry enters the race on Saturday. Two days latter Rasmussen takes a poll and Perry is up by 11 points on Romney.

Romney isn't winning this thing.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epo...tion-1452.html

I saw that and cursed. THIS is the best the GOP can get???

[Babs]

Now I like Perry's economic extremism more than I like Romney's moderation, but most people disagree with me and Romney's still got a great shot at winning this thing.

No, he really doesn't.

[LA Ute]

No, he really doesn't.

That's what many said about McCain at this point last time. I don't think anyone knows. We'll see if money starts flowing to Perry in a big way.

[dabrockster]

Jon Stewart talks about Ron Paul:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/enter...on-paul/41311/

[Babs]

We'll see if money starts flowing to Perry in a big way.

Perry is an epic fundraiser. It's not going to be a "big way" question, it's going to be a question of whether he can get the little guy support that Obama is so good at. I think whatever he gets will be enough to take on silver-spoon Romney. It remains to be seen whether he can get enough support from sources that don't scream Texas-oil-baron.

[LA Ute]

Perry is an epic fundraiser. It's not going to be a "big way" question, it's going to be a question of whether he can get the little guy support that Obama is so good at. I think whatever he gets will be enough to take on silver-spoon Romney.

Romney made his own money. Yeah, his dad was president of American Motors, but Mitt had to drive Ramblers as a kid. A very inspiring Ramblers to riches story.

http://www.hoenterprisesclassics.com...ican%20012.JPG

[Babs]

Romney made his own money. Yeah, his dad was president of American Motors, but Mitt had to drive Ramblers as a kid. A very inspiring Ramblers to riches story.

Yeah, sorry, but it doesn't come across that way to the average voter. I think the headlines that ran last week were a net worth of something like 200m, and an auto-exec dad who once ran for president himself.

[LA Ute]

Yeah, sorry, but it doesn't come across that way to the average voter. I think the headlines that ran last week were a net worth of something like 200m, and an auto-exec dad who once ran for president himself.

Yep. Mike Huckabee's most devastating line from 2008 was that Huck "was more like the guy you worked with than the guy who laid you off." It's just part of Mitt's story. It remains to be seen how voters will respond to it.

[Jacob]

No, he really doesn't.

I think he's got a tough road to win the nomination. But I don't see him losing to Obama if he can get it.

There are just too many factors to start writing peoples eulogies right now. Had Huckabee dropped out of the race after South Carolina, it would have been a very interesting race between McCain and Romney. But I got the feeling that Huck stayed in mainly to stop Romney.

If Perry beats Bachman in Iowa and then NH ends up Romney, Perry (close 2nd), with Bachman 4th or 5th, would she drop out? Probably without an Iowa win. Then it's probably a very close race between Romney and Perry to the finish. But Perry could do bad even in Iowa, killing his chances. It's way too early to tell, especially with Perry.

[byu71]

I am going to make this very astute observation. Whoever Jeb Bush in Florida and John Kasich in Ohio back, that will be the republican nominee.

Of course if they don't back anyone, my brilliant observation is mute.