His positions are identical to Obama’s. Only a racist would vote for someone who has a record like Obama’s but is white. That’s what the media will say.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

The number of Republicans and Democrats in the country is just about even. In fact, the gap between the parties is the smallest it has ever been in nearly nine years of monthly tracking.

During the month of September, 33.9% of Americans considered themselves to be Republicans while 33.7% consider themselves Democrats. For both parties, those numbers are up less than a single percentage point from August. As a result, the number of voters not affiliated with either party fell from an all time high of 33.5% in August back to 32.4% in September.

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If Republican turnout is demoralized because they have to support a candidate they are holding their nose for, you are looking at a worse loss than 2008.

I disagree that Romney would necessarily damage the conservative movement. Romney isn’t a conservative and no one really believes otherwise. Conn Carroll made this point in the Examiner today, and it’s something others have talked about: conservatives will be vigilant from day one, in a way most weren’t when Bush was elected.

The rise of outside groups and decline in party strength is a crucial factor underlying all this. When conservative elites compromised on nominees like Eisenhower and Nixon, conservatives were basically powerless to do anything to influence them later. But the dynamic is different now.

In some ways, Romney’s lack of ideological conviction is actually a good thing, because he cannot possibly sustain an electoral or governing coalition without conservatives. Whereas someone like Perry might go against conservatives at times because he ‘has a heart’, Romney would only do so for political gain. That means he can be deterred from unwise actions by the threat of political pain.

Now all this is to day- it would be far better to have an actual conservative. But a President Romney would only be a disaster if conservatives let it be one.

Why does Rick Perry get to be the unquestionable, rock-ribbed conservative when in fact he was a former Democrat that was Al Gore’s campaign chairman in Texas and praised Hillary’s work on healthcare? You can call it a flip flop or you can call it a conversion, but isn’t it a good thing to eventually get to the right position?

I understand how bad it looks when you show a clip of a candidate saying one thing a decade ago a sings a different tune now, but I would argue that’s true of any candidate running. Politics is an unseemly business. I’m not a Romney fan, I would prefer someone else, but we’re getting to slim pickings and sometimes you have to play the cards you’re dealt.

If Romney really were the “Manchurian candidate” who’s a closet liberal, wouldn’t it have been FAR easier for him to run as a Democrat in deep-blue Massachusetts? He would have won easily and could have been his “true” self AND easily won elections there.

My guess is Romney will be a conservative on the big picture issues that matter (like Judges, Spending, Taxes, National Security, etc.), but will occasionally let us down. So just about like every other GOP President we’ve had except Reagan. Unfortunately though, Reagan is not running.

Conservatives can push a Moderate Republican into making the right choices, especially if we have an even stronger conservative majority in Congress (which is likely if we have a big win at the top of the ticket).

If Romney does nothing but make Obama a one term President, I think he will be worth every penny.

“Romney would only do so for political gain.” That doesn’t make me feel any better. In fact, that’s exactly my worry.

So much of what I like about Romney is his record and his understanding of things. I’ve read books by him and books about him.

Let’s not forget that what we deride as RomneyCare was not merely advocated and designed by Romney. He had help from The Heritage Foundation, which has now backtracked from it. I’m not an advocate for the Massachusetts model, but I’ve read all the alternatives looked at by Romney in his book, No Apology, and the man clearly has a great grasp of what’s going on.

He has a track record of turning things around and finding novel solutions. And I think better of him for NOT backing off on RomneyCare in Massachusetts even if it would be politically expedient. It has not be implemented as he had hoped. Not everyone pays a premium as he had hoped. Businesses pay fines, a provision that he vetoed and was overridden on.

But I see him demonstrate his understanding of foreign policy, I read about his thoughts on education. I see his history of being able to get down to the core of a problem.

And I also read him look at realistic ways to fix Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Read his book and you’ll see that he already has thought of it.

I came into this cycle wanting to run from Romney, but I’ve wound up feeling what I felt in 2008: Mitt Romney gives us the best chance to truly fix this country. We need to work to get 60 seats in the Senate and grow our majority in the House and WE DO need to hold him accountable BUT we don’t need to hold him to unrealistic standards.

I will vote for Romney here in Florida in the primary. I will work for him to get the nomination. And if he doesn’t get the nomination then I will work to get whoever the GOP nominee ends up being elected.

I will NEVER vote for a Democrat. I will NEVER not vote, as it is also a vote for a Democrat.

But I don’t believe Romney would be a devastating blow to conservatism. In fact, I think he can launch us on a new era of fiscal responsibility, a smaller Federal Government, and great economic growth. I also know to look at his record as governor of Massachusetts with a grain of salt because there was only so much he could do with a Democrat legislature. I want to see how he works with a Congress that he can balance the budget with.

I will have high expectations for him. And I do think that many of my fellow conservatives will be pleasantly surprised by what he does when he becomes President.

I feel very strongly right now that we have been given the right man for our time, but that so many don’t know it yet. I understand why many within the GOP are leery and concerned. I pray that Romney ends up putting all those fears to bed and rising to the occasion like he has so often during his life.

Once the ad war beings it will be all over for Romney. Most Americans are not paying close attention right now. Once there are ads on tv comparing Romneycare to Obamacare it will be over for Romney. Also the calendar favors Perry. If Perry wins Iowa and South Carolina, he will likely win Florida and clean up on Super Tuesday.

The clip was typical Jon Stewart: somewhat humorous, extremely one-sided, and meant to steer your views towards what the left would have you believe. Is there a candidate who he could not similarly tear apart?

Personally I’m not going to rely on Jon Stewart to shape my views. I like Cain, Perry and even Romney. I would have preferred Chris Christie but he said no. I will vote for whomever we select as the Republican candidate. But I will not allow the leftist media to influence my vote.

He said what he had to say to be elected governor of a very blue state. I’m sure he would love to take it back now. What’s he done recently to make you believe he still feels that way?

I feel no need to convince you of anything regarding Chris Christie, I just think it’s a little juvenile to treat him as if his weight problem has anything to do with his views, policies, or politics.

for tax relief. That’s worse than Obama’s $250K, and it will hurt small businesses. It goes against everything conservatives and republicans have been saying since Obama got elected.

but the overwhelming majority of the commenters here will support,and probably actively work for, the eventual Republican nominee, even if it is Romney. Four more years of Obama is unthinkable for most of us.

Before Romney supporters light me up, you need to honestly look at the polling data and realize that, after five years of exposure to Romney, something approaching 75% of Republicans prefer someone else, actually anyone else. That does not mean that Romney won’t be the nominee, but it does mean that most Republicans are in no hurry to accept him.

With all due respect to his many supporters here, as far as Perry goes, he has radically misjudged the response of the nation to his softness on illegals present in the nation. I am perfectly willing to accept that he is knowledgeable about what is required to secure the Texas border and committed to doing so. However that does not give him a pass on illegals already here, his previous opposition to E-verify only now shifting to grudging support, and his pandering to a subset of the hispanic vote. Perry supporters draw attention to various details about his position, and the small numbers of illegals that actually have benefited from the instate tuition program. You may be perfectly correct, it doesn’t matter because on principal, the people who will be voting in the Republican primary strongly want the illegals to leave. Setting up a situation where they are denied jobs and services so that they self deport is the simplest method. Perry’s stance is 180 degrees out of phase with that goal. No amount of explaining, or apologizing will fix this. Perry either back tracks and fundamentally changes his position or this will be the albatross that sinks him. Frankly I hope he gets the message, because today with no change in either of their positions I’d take Perry over Romney in a heartbeat.

If Perry continues to sink where will his support move? Right now to Cain. Yes he has minimal organization. Yes he is a bit gaff prone. Yes 999 has some issues. Yes he’s had stage 4 cancer. So what?

Cain has a compelling story; He is a rousing speaker; When interviewed he exudes adult competence and maintains good humor when challenged. A lot of people like what they here. A lot of people’s main concern, and one that I share, is with Cain’s “electability”. Electability is a strange thing. I can remember back to 1980, when there was a large segment of the Republican party that was very worried that an aging former actor and governor was too conservative and to old to be elected. We know what happened once Reagan answered that question. Cain may stumble, he may commit a gaff, he may fail to fill his staff with the expertise he needs, but if he does not stumble and convinces enough people that he can win the general, Cain could be the nominee. The lack of trust that the average Republican primary voter has in Romney, makes this possible and as the original post indicates, this is not something that Romney can easily address.

It’s hard to see how at this point any other candidate can move into contention. Paul has his 11 percent or so. Bachmann is over. Maybe Newt can get enough traction to continue to gain, but he is well known and so far the primary voters are not enamored with him. If Perry and Cain both implode he might draw enough anti-Romney support, but at this point that seems unlikely. At most Newt would probably split support with Romney and that is all Romney needs.

Romney’s “last man standing” strategy has a weakness. He is counting on his opposition to implode or dry up so that he is the only viable choice. Either Perry or Cain can prevent this from happening. They control their fates and Romney’s.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/cain-says-he-would-not-be-comfortable-as-perry-s-running-mate-20111006

Sure he would be a better president than Obama, sure he would be somewhat conservative.

But In my mind he would be another G W Bush, or maybe another G H W Bush.

And we just need more than that right now, we need much much more. We need real leadership to eliminate Obamacare, to reform entitlements, and appoint the right judges, and to navigate our way through an ocean of red ink.

Does anyone here actually, truthfully confident in Romney’s leadership or the direction of his ideology?

how Romney would get the independent vote, when he has effectively chased away the Latino-Hispanic sector, very important voting bloc in next year’s election. Many Latino-Hispanic identify themselves as independent. Obama still has 80% support from his Democratic base. And those zillions that he & the DNC have banked are going to rip a would be nominee Romney right up off the floor.

Anyone find it odd that Politico reporting Wall Street is backing Romney when there is an Occupy Wall Street Protest going on right now? Bain Capital made Romney & his investors millions while thousands of workers lost jobs. Reports that Romneycare is a jobs killer and has drained the MA treasury begs the question in my mind, why is this guy considered the best candidate for economic turn around?

Someone please educate me to Romney’s record of success besides the debt-surplus achievement. That alone is not reason enough to get into his camp. And it is a camp.

Team Perry for the long haul~

OK…I’ve read the posts. After the Indies went for Obama, didn’t object to the non-vetting process…they just wanted to be out of GWB…the fundamentally transform America was soothing to many people. The problem was…they didn’t know what this country was being transformed into. So..we have record unemployment, 1/2 the families on government assistance, fast & furious, Government Motors; Dodd Frank, Obamacare, Stimulus; Solyndra, the GPS company that could interfere with our defense, mega bucks on vacations while we went out of work, Blaming other people for his choices. I think you get the point and you could probably add a whole lot more. So…I ask…”next time the election comes up…I’m going to look into the record”. “I’m going to look for the proof”. I’m not going to let this happen again and I’m going to try to help others realize that we can’t afford to let an “empty suit” lead us.

So…Romney…Nope-Obama-Lite; Cain…Nope- he’s made some remarks that are not called for, i.e., Perry and Obama are alike; Newt – He has some really good solutions…he has evidence…balanced the budget..held Clinton’s feet to the fire and left us with a surplus. He knows the in-outs of government…BUT…would he be a GOP Guy? Then here is Perry. I like Perry and right now…I will stay with Perry until he leaves…if he does. WHAT IS PERRY’S EVIDENCE?

1. JOBS. Wow…that’s what our problem is.
2. Against Abusive Regulation
3. Passed Tort Reform – Loser Pays
4. Healthcare Plan in Texas now – called Healthy Texas.
5. Served in the Military
6. No baggage as far as family problems.
7. Wants MOST…I did say Most government back in the hands of
the States…so that the people have more control of the govern-
ment instead of the other way around.
8. Wants Energy Independence
9. Strong on BORDER SECURITY…Yes he is…check it out. Did
not give Illegals driver’s license; did not grant sanctuary cities.
Took out of the State budget what the FEDS are supposed to
do…protect and secure the border.
10. Wants the education system more in control of the States.
11. Does not apologize For America
12. Has the humility to admit when he was wrong (HPV)
13. Can identify with the poor as well as the rich. His mother
made his clothes. He is the American Dream.
14. Shows conviction…in his beliefs and in his country.
15. Wants to reform SS, leave those approaching SS and on it
to stay and also allow options for younger people.
16. Wants to reform Medicare – means testing
17. Believes in Peace Through Strength and wants our service-
people home from Afghanistan/Iraq.

Now….the UNTRUTHS…or HALF TRUTHS.

1. Yes, Perry was once Democratic…JUST LIKE REAGAN.. He
did back Gore in 1988…when Gore ran on family values and
the 2nd Amendment. Back then Southern Democrats were
Conservative and Gore, being from Tennessee could only
get on the ballot by “acting” Conservative. Gore lost to DeKaukis (sp)…ANOTHER ROMNEY.
2. Perry is a Bildenberger…Does anyone know what that organi-
zation does? It is a stuffy bunch of influential people who ask
people from ALL OVER THE WORLD to share their DIVERSE points of
view. Perry’s appearance and subject…READY…State’s Rights
and Energy Independence. Do you think they asked him back?
I don’t.
3. The Dream Act. Well…kinda…sorta…THE TEXAS DREAM ACT.
Not the Federal Dream Act. So, if you are a child of an Illegal
this can be a person working in Texas on a Green Card or VISA,
the Federal Government requires that their children attend
school. So, when those children graduate, if they, along with
bordering states want to go to school, they can get in-state
tuition. WHY…THAT’S NOT FAIR…I’M A CITIZEN. Are you sick
and tired of pushing one for English…I am. The Legislature..
along with Perry would rather have a person who has lived in
Texas for three years and has applied for citizenship to
graduate with a better chance of a higher salary…which benefits
the states and their citizens. Besides..THEY PAY…NOT US.

Now…we have an immigration problem…we have to solve it…
it cannot be solved by us ignoring it. How do we get these
people out of hiding to submit to identification and further…
how do we stop companies from hiring illegals WITHOUT
PAPERS? Going to have to be REQUIRED to carry a card,
going to have to get in line to become a citizen, going to have
to learn English. Deport the criminals…THEY GO BACK..
THREE TIME offenders on misdemeanors – YOU GO BACK.

But let us not forget that we have no problem with the law
concerning Cubans…dry land…they are citizens. Or, if people
from Mexico join our Military…they get citizenship. So…we have
to solve this…and the only way I can see this happening is by
using a percentage per year.

4. HPV Vaccine – That’s why we have checks and balances however, let’s put some facts on the table…even for Ms. Bachmann. First…”Innocent little girls” need to receive the vaccine before they become sexually active OR IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE. Go google it. Second…mandates cannot be mandates if they have an opt out. It’s an oxymoron…they can’t coexist. The Legislature turned it over…Perry admitted his mistake and I believe learned a lesson from it. Remember folks…Polio was all but a mandate with very little evidence that it would work…there was an opt out..and we don’t have Polio any longer. HPV is an epidemic in the USA and yes…you die from cancer and the treatment is for boys and girls…young boys and girls.
Was his heart in the right place. I think so….was his process…He says no. At least he did not write a book called No Apology.

5. The Fed is “almost” treasonous”. Well folks, like it or not, when your money is debased…and it is your money…not the governments….it is treasonous…forget the almost.

6. He would fire Bernanke…so would I.

So…is Perry one of these people that clings to his Bible and Guns…probably. Is he ashamed of his God…Nope. To me…he’s as Conservative as they come. Oh you might not agree with the immigration business…but then…if you were governor of a border state..what would you do? Their parents are working in Texas LEGALLY…do you punish the child and let it become a migrant and then bi*ch because they can’t speak the language. You answer that…someone has to answer it…it has to be solved.

I sure wish I had.

Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwwcAa6nHm4
Romney actually promoted “gay marriage” — implementing it in violation of the Constitution, without legislative authorization. Romney called the illegitimate court ruling “law.”
Romney supported Kevin Jennings’ “gay” propaganda in the Mass. public schools, a “Governor’s Commission on Gay & Lesbian Youth,” and Dept. of Educ. “Safe Schools” programs. He issued proclamations celebrating GLBT “Youth Pride” events.
Romney included Planned Parenthood and its $50 abortions in RomneyCare.
RINO.