The 2012 Republican Primary thread, early edition

[Borderline Divine]

Because he gave every Democrat the perfect talking point during the 2012 campaign. Apparently reigning in entitlements is "right wing social engineering."

And I can't wait to start using it.

Honestly the GOP right now reminds me of the Dems of days gone by. Rather hold fast to unpopular social issues and get shitwhacked at the polls than set them on a shelf and get elected.

How are you going to de-fund planned parenthood, gut entitlement programs and break the unions once and for all if you aren't in power?

[San Juan Sun]

A very good week for Mitt Romney:

1. He delivers a speech where he doesn't repudiate Romneycare (this would have killed him as flip-flopping for political expediency). Instead he draws distinctions between his plan and Obama's, and reaffirms his absolute opposition to Obamacare. Make no mistake, this was no home run speech. It was at best a bunt single, but a strikeout here would have ended his game.

2. Huckabee drops out. I don't expect that he'll get a lot of Huck supporters, but he loses an opponent with a governing record, charisma, and a solid organization.

3. Trump drops out. He would have flamed out anyways, but the last thing Romney needs is a bunch of dwarves all sniping at him. Less dwarves are better for Romney.

4. Gingrich falls flat on his face. Completely dominates the news cycle after the healthcare speech.

5. Mitt raises 12 million $$$ in one day. It doesn't keep Daniels (speaking of dwarves) out of the race, but it sends a big message: this is the major leagues.

[Surfah]

A very good week for Mitt Romney:

1. He delivers a speech where he doesn't repudiate Romneycare (this would have killed him as flip-flopping for political expediency). Instead he draws distinctions between his plan and Obama's, and reaffirms his absolute opposition to Obamacare. Make no mistake, this was no home run speech. It was at best a bunt single, but a strikeout here would have ended his game.

2. Huckabee drops out. I don't expect that he'll get a lot of Huck supporters, but he loses an opponent with a governing record, charisma, and a solid organization.

3. Trump drops out. He would have flamed out anyways, but the last thing Romney needs is a bunch of dwarves all sniping at him. Less dwarves are better for Romney.

4. Gingrich falls flat on his face. Completely dominates the news cycle after the healthcare speech.

5. Mitt raises 12 million $$$ in one day. It doesn't keep Daniels (speaking of dwarves) out of the race, but it sends a big message: this is the major leagues.

He also got a little nod from Christie.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

And I can't wait to start using it.

Honestly the GOP right now reminds me of the Dems of days gone by. Rather hold fast to unpopular social issues and get shitwhacked at the polls than set them on a shelf and get elected.

How are you going to de-fund planned parenthood, gut entitlement programs and break the unions once and for all if you aren't in power?

WTF are you talking about? You do know that the Democrats just lost the most House seats since -- what -- 60 years? And then the governorships and state legislatures were landslides in favor of the GOP.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

A very good week for Mitt Romney:

1. He delivers a speech where he doesn't repudiate Romneycare (this would have killed him as flip-flopping for political expediency). Instead he draws distinctions between his plan and Obama's, and reaffirms his absolute opposition to Obamacare. Make no mistake, this was no home run speech. It was at best a bunt single, but a strikeout here would have ended his game.

2. Huckabee drops out. I don't expect that he'll get a lot of Huck supporters, but he loses an opponent with a governing record, charisma, and a solid organization.

3. Trump drops out. He would have flamed out anyways, but the last thing Romney needs is a bunch of dwarves all sniping at him. Less dwarves are better for Romney.

4. Gingrich falls flat on his face. Completely dominates the news cycle after the healthcare speech.

5. Mitt raises 12 million $$$ in one day. It doesn't keep Daniels (speaking of dwarves) out of the race, but it sends a big message: this is the major leagues.

One potential bad thing -- Rick Perry is supposedly looking at running. He could end up being the guy that fills the vacuum. Long record in Texas. Texas is doing better than the rest of the country. Not short and bald like Mitch Daniels.

[Borderline Divine]

WTF are you talking about? You do know that the Democrats just lost the most House seats since -- what -- 60 years? And then the governorships and state legislatures were landslides in favor of the GOP.

I'm painfully aware of the results of the mid-term election. But your side seems willing to flush those historical gains in a mere two years with the multiple over-reachs of those new Governors and Legislatures, your back door agendas against unions, and the ridiculous assault on women's health issues.

And the Ryan budget. You'd think he was working for our side...

To say nothing of the self-immolation your presidential primary process has become.

Did you know that polling just this week indicates that if the election were held today both Scott Walker and your chubby poster boy Christie wouldn't be re-elected in their home states?

Also, what is your opinion on the GOP jobs bill? Oh thats right, jobs, jobs, jobs was just a campaign slogan. Turns out de-funding NPR and PP are much more important to that new class of teabagger congresspersons.

[Jacob]

Did you know that polling just this week indicates that if the election were held today both Scott Walker and your chubby poster boy Christie wouldn't be re-elected in their home states?

LOL. Too bad elections aren't held today and elections aren't decided by "polling."

But, it won't be surprising if/when Christie isn't re-elected in a state like NJ.

[Borderline Divine]

One potential bad thing -- Rick Perry is supposedly looking at running. He could end up being the guy that fills the vacuum. Long record in Texas. Texas is doing better than the rest of the country. Not short and bald like Mitch Daniels.

Why do "you people" keep spewing that line?

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/

Also might Perry find it a little...awkward...that he has actually endorsed Texas' seceeding from the union? In this day and age it's awfully hard to deny making a statement that was recorded from multiple sources.

Although Newt is trying really hard to do that just today.

[Jacob]

Why do "you people" keep spewing that line?

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/

Also might Perry find it a little...awkward...that he has actually endorsed Texas' seceeding from the union? In this day and age it's awfully hard to deny making a statement that was recorded from multiple sources.

1st, he didn't endorse that.
2nd, why are you so sure that such a position would be a negative?

[Borderline Divine]

1st, he didn't endorse that.
2nd, why are you so sure that such a position would be a negative?

1. - No, he said it might be a good idea. I'll dig up the Youtube for y'all.

2. - Your not serious, are you? If the man wants to be President of the United States he'd probably do well to sound more like Lincoln and less like Jeff Davis.

And if you think this country, just 4 years removed from W. would elect another GOP Texas Governor...

[Borderline Divine]

LOL. Too bad elections aren't held today and elections aren't decided by "polling."

But, it won't be surprising if/when Christie isn't re-elected in a state like NJ.

My point is that a lot of voters are experiencing buyers remorse just six months after the election.

And I should know about that. I've got a pretty good case of it with POTUS.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Why do "you people" keep spewing that line?

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/

Also might Perry find it a little...awkward...that he has actually endorsed Texas' seceeding from the union? In this day and age it's awfully hard to deny making a statement that was recorded from multiple sources.

Although Newt is trying really hard to do that just today.

Good hell, is that all you could come up with? Texas has to call a special session in the legislature to balance the budget. You do know that the State of California is heading towards junk status rating, correct? California lawmakers travel to Texas to figure out how Texas is creating jobs.

[Borderline Divine]

Good hell, is that all you could come up with? Texas has to call a special session in the legislature to balance the budget. You do know that the State of California is heading towards junk status rating, correct? California lawmakers travel to Texas to figure out how Texas is creating jobs.

$27 billion shortfall? And all it's gonna take is a special session and it will all just go poof right?

I know things are big in Texas. Thats a big shortfall. Texas has been an absolute GOP labratory for years now. I love's me a fiscal conservative with a $27 billion shortfall. Y'all can't keep cutting nurses and schoolteachers forever. At some point your going to have to actually collect some tax revenue.

Or you could secede...I'm sure you'd have lots of ways to defend your border and coast lines that wouldn't cost MUCH money.

[Jacob]

$27 billion shortfall? And all it's gonna take is a special session and it will all just go poof right?

I know things are big in Texas. Thats a big shortfall. Texas has been an absolute GOP labratory for years now. I love's me a fiscal conservative with a $27 billion shortfall. Y'all can't keep cutting nurses and schoolteachers forever. At some point your going to have to actually collect some tax revenue.

Or you could secede...I'm sure you'd have lots of ways to defend your border and coast lines that wouldn't cost MUCH money.

You have apparently mis-read the article. The article on the speccial session and balancing this budget clearly states that 2.6 billion is needed to balance and avoid special session. That's less than 10% of your 27 billion which doesn't appear to be a current shortfall and not related to the special session or current legislation.http://www.texastribune.org/texas-ta...-texas-house-/

[Jacob]

2. - Your not serious, are you? If the man wants to be President of the United States he'd probably do well to sound more like Lincoln and less like Jeff Davis.

I'd welcome the conversation on succession or splitting up the country into 2 or 3 separate nations. Unfortunately, I think the press and elites would make such a conversation beyond the bounds of what they would consider "legitimate" conversation.