The American Spectator : The Search for a Consensus Conservative

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The Search for a Consensus Conservative

By W. James Antle, III on 8.22.11 @ 6:09AM

The demand for Perry, Ryan, and Christie.

The straw hadn’t even settled in Ames, Iowa when Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced he would be seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Yet even Perry’s entry wasn’t enough to stop the clamor for House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to throw his hat into the ring. The Ryan buzz was then swiftly followed by another round of rumors about a Chris Christie bid.

What is it that keeps Republicans searching despite a field that by some measures ought to be full? Some of it is a sense that there is something lacking in the current group of contenders, whether it be gravitas or the intangible qualities of national leadership. Others fear that no one presently running can unite the conservatives they need to win the primaries with the swing voters who will decide the general election.

But the biggest void many Republicans hope Perry, Ryan or even Christie could fill is that of consensus conservative. There are many conservatives running for the Republican nomination right now. Most of them, however, appeal only to slices of the conservative movement.

Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum are drawing heavily from social conservatives, though Bachmann has also worked to tap into the Tea Party’s fiscal conservatism. Ron Paul’s supporters view him as the gold standard of conservatism, but many hawkish Republicans consider his foreign policy views are worthless fiat currency. Mitt Romney attracts certain business-minded conservatives and establishment Republicans, while leaving activists cold.

The distinctions between the different groups can be overstated. Christian conservatives are among the strongest fiscal conservatives in the country. Some polls have shown Tea Party supporters tend to be quite conservative on social issues as well as economics. But it is clear there has been a search for a full-spectrum conservative, a quest that predates the 2012 presidential race.

Last time around, many hoped Virginia Sen. George Allen would be the consensus conservative. Allen lost reelection to the Senate in 2006, dashing any hopes for a top-tier 2008 presidential campaign. Romney tried to position himself as the “four-legged stool” conservative, but his Massachusetts record and rhetoric made this difficult. This produced a groundswell for Fred Thompson, who entered and then underwhelmed.

The problem goes back even further. Since the beginning of modern American conservatism during the Cold War, only two Republican candidates — Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan — have united the movement. Apart from Goldwater and Reagan, conservatives have tended split their support among various candidates. The eventual Republican nominee is normally the establishment candidate who can win the most conservative votes.

Most campaigns for the Republican nomination follow the pattern of the 1988 race to succeed Reagan. George H.W. Bush was the Reagan-backed frontrunner, ensuring a critical mass of conservative support. There were candidates to his right, chiefly Pat Robertson and Jack Kemp, but they split conservatives into rival camps. Bush was also helped by the fact that another viable candidate, Bob Dole, appeared to be running to his left.

Bush won the nomination. Eight years later, Dole finally got the nod by following the same playbook. Many conservatives backed Dole while Pat Buchanan, Phil Gramm, and Steve Forbes split the vote to his right. Lamar Alexander ran vaguely to Dole’s left. Then in 2000, George W. Bush won plurality conservative support with Forbes, Alan Keyes, and lesser candidates running to his right and John McCain running to his left.

Will history repeat itself this time around? On his campaign website, Rick Perry bills himself as a “Reagan Republican.” He has no cap and trade, Romneycare or TARP bailouts in his background. Emphasizing American exceptionalism, Perry’s stated rationale for his campaign is vintage Reagan: getting Americans “to believe that America’s best days are ahead, that we are not consigned to a fate of high unemployment and rising prices, and that our place in the world can once again be secure with a policy of peace through strength.”

For his part, Paul Ryan appeals to economic, social, and national security conservatives while running on one of the party’s most ambitious conservative domestic initiatives since the Kemp-Roth tax cuts. Ryan is recasting supply-side economics for a country that is basically broke. His message nevertheless resonates with a broad cross-section of movement conservatives.

Chris Christie gives the impression that every day he is carrying out the domestic equivalent of Reagan firing the air traffic controllers. Before the bipartisan battles in Wisconsin, it was Christie who took the fight to the public sector unions. Christie showed that groups once thought to be untouchable — like teachers — could be confronted successfully.

Of the three, only Perry is running. Others have tried to play the role they are being asked to fill only to come up short. This much has clear: conservatives have been looking at the Republicans who want to lead them and have been left wanting more.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (228) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 6:32AM

Christie is not a Conservative. He needs to stay in NJ and get his house in order. If he wants other office he could run for the Senate to replace that senile oldphart Lousenberg.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 7:48AM

Christie is a fat slob and no real conservative. Ryan I know well and is more of a policy wonk. He might make a good Speaker of the House. The moderate, neocon, and countryclub Republicans have led us over the cliff in the last 6 elections. It is time for the real Dr. of Democracy Ron Paul.

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 8:01AM

A old over the hill, at 76, Libertarian isn't going to get nominated. Ron Paul is not a conservative. His kook followers are noisy though and nasty as Rick Perry knows.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 5:11PM

Paul Ryan just announced he isn't running. christie isn't running. I predict right here that Sarah Palin will endorse Ron Paul in the end. Lets get behind thenew nomineee of the Republican Party Ron Paul.

Clint Brooks| 8.23.11 @ 1:26AM

A vote for Paul is a vote for obama.

Dan Hirsch| 8.22.11 @ 10:01AM

Jack,

I agree with you entirely, except that whenever I have seen Governor Christie, he has been well groomed, neatly and appropriately attired, and his surroundings have been clean and orderly.

He calls himself 'fat.' So I think you are wrong about the 'slob' thing.

Why be catty? It only detracts from you...

Don't tread on me...

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 2:07PM

It isn't personal with Christie. There are worse people. We ad a big court case and our chief witnesswas a big tb of lard. Our lawer pleaded with us not to put him on the stand. He said women jurors hate fatso's. Well he was one of our men and we didn't want to hurt his feelings. We lost the case but did recover some in the court of appels

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 3:15PM

Drudge has a headline Right now. Bachman and Paul tied with obama. So much for Ron paul is someone who has no support. This is the Gallop poll. Of the four top candidates Bachman, Paul, Perry and Romney, Ron Paul is the only one with the intellectual and moral capacity to be President. The other 3 are as Braindead or worse then the last 4 presidents, including Obama. He is the only one who thinks for himself, will appear on any forum, and isn't controlled by pollsters and handlers.

Solo| 8.22.11 @ 4:01PM

Errr....you better re-read that Gallop Poll.

\Romney polls ahead of Obama by 2%
Perry is tied.
Paul is trailing by 2%
and Bachmann is trailing by 4%.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:35PM

Did you ever hearf the term margin of error? Romney is the annoited one. all the rest have huge publicity. Ron Paul is even with all of them. Ron is the Man Baby. They can't keep him down no matter how they try.

Drunken Sailor| 8.22.11 @ 7:19PM

So if the poll doesn't say exactly what you want you use the margin of error to make it fit your view? Ok, if the margin of error is +/- 3 then

Romeny ahead by 5%
Perry ahead by 3%
Paul trainling by 5%
Bachman trailing by 1%.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 7:45PM

Ha Ha. Or Paul is winning. That is what margin of error is. We don't know the final numbers, but it is a statistical dead heat. This is the candidate that the media has called a kook, nut, and with no chance is in a tie with Obama and the other brain dead candidates. Ron Paul has by far the most active and passsionate supporters. He raises the most money from small supporters and he has all the issues that the country is concerned about. He is the man. His time is now. All the spin and lies can't change that.

JoeG| 8.24.11 @ 2:31AM

Do we really believe these polls? The part about the rhino Romney being best positioned against Obama is self-serving to the establishment.

loulou| 8.22.11 @ 11:44AM

Christie is jihadi-loving RINO.

Grzmlyk| 8.22.11 @ 1:09PM

One of the few areas where I diverge from Ann Coulter is on Christie. She has been swooning over him for a long time.

I'm surprised that Ann forgets the first rule of being a constituent: Never, EVER fall in love with any politician, because EVERY politician will disappoint you.

The question is, how much?

While Christie may be tough on some leftist sacred cows like the unions (for now, anyway) an across-the-board conservative he is not, and as others here have pointed out, he holds some disturbingly liberal opinoins.

Also, while Ann and others may welcome Christie's combative style at this moment in time, that's because he's swatting liberal gnats. Were he elected president, I'm guessing he'd be equally combative across the board with all issues and questioners.

That would wear mighty thin in about 1 month.

Sorry, Ann. I'll still run away with you, but I don't want Christie in our wedding party.

smokedaddy| 8.22.11 @ 11:27PM

Exactly right.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 6:52AM

Chris Christie is basically a Northeastern moderate with a brusque manner. The best description would be a heavy set and confrontational Scot Brown who will disappoint social and national security conservatives.

Paul Ryan needs to stop playing Hamlet and make a decision and/or throw his weight behind a candidate. He also needs more issues than the nationally "toxic" Medicare reform plan where Mona Charen has shown roughly 80% of self-identified Tea Party supporters would rather have Obama's plan of doing nothing. That doesn’t bode well for a Ryan run.

Currently, the best conservative running is Rick Perry and of those on the outside the only viable alternative for traditional conservatives, who would like to win, is Paul Ryan.

Probably the worst thing that could happen to the right and nation is Palin somehow gets the nomination. If so then we’re going to take a sure bet (ala Nevada and Delaware 2010) and it will become an unnecessarily close run thing.

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 8:10AM

Perry is no Conservative. He isn't a "Reagan Republican", heck he wasn't even a Reagan Democrat. He was an Al Gore Democrat.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 8:28AM

Thanks for the non-insightful insight, Clint-Sean-Jack...

Go back to French-kissing your autographed picture of Ron Paul...

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 8:48AM

Ha you support Al Gore's campaign manager and you call yourself Doctor Right. Thanks for giving us a big nanny state government Doctor.

Kilgore Trout| 8.22.11 @ 9:06AM

Sean? U mean Sean (The "chin") Penn??
We no listen U.

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 9:27AM

You another one of the big government lefties we have here Trout?

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 4:58PM

Everyone's a Big Gov. Lefty to you Paul-bots.
But as usual, you're wrong.
LOL.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:28AM

You're a moron.

Perry used to be a Democrat, genius. So what? So did Ronald Reagan.

Ron Paul used to be a Libertarian, until he realized that identifying with those fools was a loser proposition, so he cynically became a Republican.

Dan Hirsch| 8.22.11 @ 10:05AM

Cong. Ron Paul is also very, very isolationist. More so than most Republicans, most voters, and most adults...even a few non-socialistic Democrats.

Let's just hope that he endorses whoever wins this thing on the Republican side...we need EVERYBODY.

Don't tread on me...

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 2:08PM

Paul is going towin the nomination are you going to endorse him?

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 2:30PM

Gee, Jack...I dunno.

Last week, you said you WOULDN'T support the nominee if it wasn't Paul, so why should I support Paul if he's the nominee??

And please...learn the difference between "endorse" and "support".

Le Cracquere| 8.22.11 @ 6:22PM

Given that highly unlikely premise, my response gives me no pleasure, but neither would it require a second thought: FOUR MORE YEARS.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 8:56AM

Doc it's time to ignore the hot air crowd and just focus on promoting real conservative values and principles against those whose social and foreign policy philosophy is akin to Barack Obama and the Democrats.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:29AM

You're probably right, but pointing out their idiocy is easy, and fun, too.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 12:40PM

I know. I'd liked the school yard fights too, but I was in elementary school then.

Plus, I really do feel sorry for them. They feel so inferior they have to stoop to calling names and insulting people without any clear backup for their beliefs.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:43PM

does AIPAC pay you well for yourwork here? well they have been trying to surpress the fact that ron Paul is loved by a lot of people. the Gallup pollhas Ron tied with Obama dispite the fact the main stream media has him frozen out.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:15AM

Your foreign policy views are straight out of the NeoCon Chicken Hawk school

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:22AM

And yours are straight from the dummy school.

Anyone who believes, as Ron Paul believes, that our nation's security is grounded in the best intentions of our enemies is a complete fool.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:34AM

And of course Ron Paul doesn't think that. He does think its foolish to fight endless war in the Middle East. Just like Ronald Reagan.

Reagan's Wisdom on the Middle East: LEAVE

http://orangepunch.ocregister......leave/619/

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:23AM

BTW...HI, Clint! LUV the new name.

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 4:20PM

Don't forget his newest moniker, "android".
LOL.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 8:54AM

Funny you bring that up in regards to one of Mr. Antle's articles since he supported Democrat Jim Webb for the Senate and was at one time a fan of many so-called "blue (lap) dog" Democrats.

Reagan was a New Deal Democrat and worked with Harry Truman to give "Republicans hell."

Those who have abandoned the Democrats make some of the best conservatives and Republicans -- Bill Bennett and Jeane Kirkpatrick are two prime examples who joined Reagan in the GOP.

How about a candidate who before the 2010 elections said she'd support Democrats? Though for a short time an elected Republican her husband and son are "independents? That's none other than Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin.

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 9:26AM

Perry is no Reagan nice try RINO. We can tell who you are when you attack Ron Paul who has the best record in Congress.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:30AM

Ron Paul IS a RINO.

He's NOT a Republican. He's not even a Conservative. He's a Libertarian masquerading as a Republican to get votes.

In short, he's a fraud, and his supporters are dupes.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:16AM

The heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism ----- Ronald Reagan.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:24AM

Notice that Reagan didn't say "isolationism".

Also notice that Reagan understood well the value of a large, professional, modern military.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:35AM

You're so stupid you don't even know what isolationism means. Ron Paul is hardly an isolationist.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:57AM

Ron Paul is a crack-pot with a dangerous view of foreign policy.

And his followers are the kind of cranks who used to vote for Lyndon LaRouche.

Yes...Paul is an isolationist.

WilliamR| 8.22.11 @ 12:25PM

Ron Paul supports free trade, free travel and dialogue with every country. That is called internationalism. Isolationism means cutting the rest of the world off. Again, Ron Paul is hardly an isolationist. He's an internationalist. You on the other hand are a dumbass.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 12:59PM

Oh, he supports "free travel"?? Thanks for clearing that up!

And "dialogue", too?? WOW!! What a leader! And so smart, too!

After all, NOTHING says serious like a good "dialogue"! Those Chinese, North Koreans, and all those crazed Muslim lunatics just LOVE to chit-chat! And they're so trustworthy, too! I'm sure President Paul will take them at their word (and, of course...they'll NEVER lie, right??).

Seriously...how dumb are you?

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 1:05PM

Now you advocate attacking the Chinese?

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:30PM

Clint-William R. -Sean:

Did I SAY I "advocate" attacking the Chinese, Einstein??

You obviously favor burying your head in the sand (or in your ass) as the Chinese build a HUGE military presence in the western Pacific that threatens our valuable allies like South Korea, Thailand, Tiawan, and Japan, right??

Here's a clue:
The fact that Ron Paul supports free-trade is meaningless if our trade partners can't trade.

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 5:11PM

Not quite, they used to follow Harry Brown around till he died in 2006. He was 79, Ron Paul picked the the mantle. He is 76.

chuck| 8.22.11 @ 9:28PM

The Anarchists are supporting Ron Paul. What does that tell you?

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 4:23PM

And Reagan also said (in the same speech no less), that he wasn't so much in agreement as Libertarins as far as their party.

He understood the difference between what the word libertarian meant, and the Libertarianism of the party.

And that was decades ago. Now, the Libertarian party is filled with rabid Paul-bots.

Aces and Eights| 8.22.11 @ 5:50PM

"Perry is no Conservative. He isn't a "Reagan Republican", heck he wasn't even a Reagan Democrat. He was an Al Gore Democrat."

The operative word here is "was."

gazinya| 8.22.11 @ 8:56AM

You are quite a peach with a very large pit. Looks good but not worth the bite.

loulou| 8.22.11 @ 11:46AM

If you like amnesty for illegal aliens and the Trans Texas Corridor then Perry is the guy for you.

He has some good qualities but his weakness on illegal immigration disqualifies him.

darcy| 8.22.11 @ 2:35PM

I strongly agree with you, loulou. In fact, Perry wants de facto open borders. This is NOT a conservative position, not by any reckoning. Check out amnation.com/vfr and search "Rick Perry illegal immigration" for further evidence of Perry's views on this topic.

Mr. Antle: You do no one a favor -- certainly not conservatives -- by writing a column about searching for conservative consensus when none of the three politicians about whom you write are conservative. All three of your so-called conservative have yawning gaps in their conservative credentials big enough to drive a truck through.

darcy| 8.22.11 @ 2:45PM

From amnation.com/vfr

"Perry on borders
George Halstead at the American Renaissance website tells us of “Ten Reasons Why Rick Perry is Bad on Immigration.” It’s a devastating picture. Perry may not quite sound the sickly-sentimental notes of George W. Bush on the subject, he may not be in love with Mexicans as Bush was, but substantively he is at least as bad."

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 7:24AM

BullCrap RINO-CINO Micky.

"WASHINGTON -- With Medicare at the top of U.S. lawmakers' fall agenda, Tea Party movement leaders hope to ignite support for Republican plans to transform the popular federal health care program for the elderly.

Thousands of Tea Party movement activists are expected to descend this month on town hall meetings across key battleground states as part of an intensifying campaign before the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.

Their priority is a plan to cut Medicare costs proposed by House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, which could become priority now that a debt-limit deal between President Obama and Congress has made potential Medicare cuts a centerpiece of the deficit debate."

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 7:38AM

Clint,

Stop pretending to be in the Tea Party.

Ron Paul is NOT in the Tea Party. He did not establish the Tea Party, and he is not responsible in any way for the movement's success. You and the rest of his Liber-Tard followers have a different agenda than the vast majority of folks in the Tea Party movement.

Clint. The Tea Party poseur.

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 8:03AM

A Libertarian retread closing in on the age of 80 is not a viable candidate. His kook fololowers aren't going to help any.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 8:42AM

The Pope, Warren Buffet, Rupert Murdoch, Sumner Redstone, and several others are running huge enterprises at a lot older ages then Ron Paul. None the less your loving concern must be addressed. I answer it this way Ron Paul for President. Rand Paul for Vice President. By the way Ron Paul is far more alert and has more brain power in his little finger then the last four dimwitted Presidents had in their whole empty heads.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:35AM

The Pope: Elected by a select group of Party elites, NOT by Faithful Catholics. And his rule is basically autocratic.

Warren Buffet: A liberal Billionaire who got rich off of government subsidies, lobbying, and crony capitalism, and who wants ME to pay more taxes.

Rupert Murdoch: I like Rupert because Liberals hate him. And he built his Empire from scratch.

Sumner Redstone: Is a walking corpse. He died years ago, but nobody told him.

Ron Paul: A nut.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 8:57AM

Nonsense as usual. Ron Paul has led the fight for limited and sound fiscal government for decades. The public has finally caught up with him. Huge majorities, by polling, favor bringing the troops home and ending foreign aid. These wars are as popular as terminal cancer. Ron Paul is the real Doctor of Democracy.

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 9:11AM

You ROn Paul kooks are loyal, I give you that. None of you aforementions "leaders" are heads of state and most own their enterprises. The pope is one who is in for life, generally that isn't for long. DOes that mean you want ROn Paul to be President for life??

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:37AM

"Ron Paul has led the fight for limited and sound fiscal government for decades."

You fools would like people to believe that Ron Paul is the only Congressman who ever existed who thinks the Federal Gov't spends too much money.

Believing in common sense is NOT leadership, it's just common senses.

And Paul is NOT a Tea Party leader.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:18AM

Ron Paul's supporters are the founders of the Tea Party movement. 14 months before Rick Santelli went on his rant, supporters of Ron Paul were holding Tea Party rallies across the country on Dec 16, 2007 to mark the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea party.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:26AM

No, Clint...they're NOT.

You are 100% wrong.

NO ONE was using the phrase "Tea Party" prior to Rick Santelli's announcement.

And even if they were, THAT has nothing to do with the Tea Party movement that currently exists.

Ron Paul did NOT establish the Tea Party, NOR did his brain-addled followers.

Nice try.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:38AM

Face it, you're an idiot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNiDx7qTjA

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:51AM

Thanks for proving my point, dummy.

The link you provided is from a small-scale meeting that took place in Eugene, Oregon in 2007, when Bush was still President.

It also takes place on the day that the original Boston Tea Party occurred, which makes it contrived.

NO national Tea Party movement existed until AFTER Rick Santelli's now famous pronouncement on CNBC in 2009. That was the catalyst.

And Ron Paul's moronic supporters have very little to do with it's success. The Tea Party is NOT an isolationist, anti-Israel movement that supports letting Iran build a nuclear weapon.

Face it...You're a clueless stooge.

WilliamR| 8.22.11 @ 12:30PM

Punk, there were Tea Party rallies from coast to coast on Dec 16, 2007. From Boston to Los Angeles. From sea to shiny sea. Thousands upon thousands participated. And to top it off Ron Paul set a record by raising 6.2 million dollars online on Dec 16, 2007. Ron Paul is the Godfather of the Tea party. Now NeoCon chicken hawks like you are trying to hijack it. Face it, you're a loser.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:03PM

Dork (or Clint, whichever you prefer)...

You can call it whatever you like...and you can believe it, too...

...But that doesn't make it so.

Now I KNOW without a doubt that you're Clint, the Tea-Party poseur. Your nonsensical, childish ramblings, your semi-coherent sentences, your 8th-grade insults, and your repetitious posts of the same incorrect information are proof-positive of your idiocy.

Face it, Clint...You're a moron. And you're an intellectual lightweight.

WilliamR| 8.22.11 @ 2:52PM

Punk, I'm not Clint. You get dumber by the second.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 3:50PM

Thanks for sharing, Clint.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 10:52PM

There's The Second Asshole Poseur Punk Post.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 12:43PM

Doc,
If I understand the Tea Party members it was more a spontaneous response to Obama's mockery of our nation and Constitution. They claim no party affiliation or leader. Do I have that right?

loulou| 8.22.11 @ 11:47AM

Now you've done it: Clint is going to go off on you!

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:31PM

...I'm quaking...

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 10:54PM

That's Why You're Hiding In New Joisey Nzi Anti-Catholic Bigot,Dr.Reich.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 12:44PM

Smoke this You Nazi Bigot,Dr.Reich,

"Tea partiers in two camps: Sarah Palin vs. Ron Paul

Tea party activists are divided roughly into two camps, according to a POLITICO/TargetPoint poll: one that’s libertarian-minded and largely indifferent to hot-button values issues and another that’s culturally conservative and equally concerned about social and fiscal issues.

The survey, an exit poll conducted Thursday by Edison Research at the massive Tax Day protest on the National Mall, found that the attendees were largely hostile to President Barack Obama and the national Democratic Party — three-quarters believe the president “is pursuing a socialist agenda.”

Yet they aren’t enamored of the Republican Party as an alternative. Overall, three out of four tea party attendees said they were “scared about the direction” of the country and “want to send a message to both political parties.”

Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.

Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.

When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. '

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On The Poseur Poster Coward's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

Drunken Sailor| 8.22.11 @ 2:05PM

So by your own posting Sara is the tea party favorite and not Ron Paul? Just what were you trying to prove with this post?

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 2:24PM

Sarah Palin over RINO Ron Paul any day.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 10:57PM

Liston To The Plastic Phoney Sarah Palin Badmouther Little Micky RINO tryin' to cover his Anti-Tea Party Tracks.

Get Bent,You Little RINO-CINO Weasel.

marco| 8.22.11 @ 11:59PM

RINO Ron Paul has a nice ring to it. What a pathetic, palsied old fart that loser is. Tea Party founder, my butt. Nominee, oh yeah. Hallucinate on, psychos. Enjoy the straw polls while you can, the real voting starts soon enough. And your old RINO will get his 2-3%.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 7:42AM

I don't know. Clint attacking Medicare is a loser right now. Paul Ryan is a nice guy. Nice guys finish last. Ron Paul has the right ideas. First we slash the military and the corporate welfare before we look at the entitlements. The bloated rich are the ones that want to cut granny off dialysis. The best things to cut first is the military and the hundeds of billions of foreign aid and corporate welfare before we cut the poor off food stamps. I am going to work in a food pantry in a couple hours. There are a lot of suffering people out there.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 7:55AM

Don't forget, Jack:

After we slash the military and make every American much less safe in a dangerous world...

...THEN we can cut-off all aid to the war-mongering, evil Zionists in Israel, and finally rid the world of what former French President Jacques Chirac once affectionately called "...that shitty little country."

Weakening America and hurting the Jews...that would make you Paulista freaks REAL happy, wouldn't it?

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 8:50AM

After 63 years on the dole, the worst welfare queen in the world will have to finally carry itself. You Zionists would much rather throw granny off dialysis then cut one penny from the lavish Israeli subsidies. If you want to pay for it be my guest. All the hundreds and hundreds of billions in aid to Israel is nothing but a horrible unconstitutional subsidy of your Jewish religious fantasies. All that military around the world makes us far more enemies then friends. Let the rest of the world defend themselves. We are broke.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 8:50AM

gazinya| 8.22.11 @ 9:03AM

Well Jack, we could just follow The Obama suggestion when asked about granny. "Give her a pill and be done with it."

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 9:40AM

Pssssssst...Hey, Jack...

I'm not Jewish, so you don't have to hate me.

But I wish you would, anyway, you disgusting anti-semitic creep.

BTW...The dry-cleaner called. Your brown shirts are ready for pick-up.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 12:54PM

Psssst....Hey Nazi Bigot Dr.Reich....

You're busy, hating Catholics.

We wish you wouldn't you disgusting Anti-Catholic creep.

BTW-Himmler called. you're SS uniform is ready

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:05PM

Has anyone else noticed that aside from repeating the same old, tired insults in post after post that Clint's scribblings are completely derivative?

Clint, you're the intellectual equivalent of "I know you are, but what am I?"

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:20PM

I'm right here across the border from New Joisey,Toughie Girl.

Come & Get Me, Nazi Bigot, Dr.Reich.

Clint's Mom| 8.22.11 @ 1:34PM

I bought Clint an X-box 360. Would someone PLEASE come over and play with him?

He's really not that bad when you get to know him. And he's NOT fat. He's big-boned.

And that smell is a glandular thing, he can't help it.

And you're all assholes.

- Clint's Mom

Big Momma Right| 8.22.11 @ 3:08PM

Knock it off,Junior. Quit humpin' the dog & get me another beer.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 3:52PM

Utterly and completely derivative.

Nary an original thought.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 10:58PM

You're A Gutless New Joisey White Trash Bigot, Dr.Reich

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:05PM

Dr. R - it's happened again .... I agree with everything you said. As I mentioned a few weeks earlier, the Paulbots are like a perpetual 9/11 -- they united all Americans regardless of political affiliation, religion or social status.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:25PM

Now, Obama LawBoy RCV buddies up to The Anti-Catholic Nazi Bigot,Dr.Reich.

They're Goosesteppin' together.

YeloStalyn| 8.22.11 @ 10:30AM

You do realize that our interventionism around the globe causes more problems than it solves when dealing with RATIONAL states, right? As such, coming home will NOT help our relations with Islamic radicals... our primary enemy of the time. I like a lot of what Ron Paul promotes... fiscal responsibility, bringing home the troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, cutting off foreign aid to ENEMY states. However... his ideas on letting Iran get the bomb and how letting them do that will someone equate to peace and stability for us and our allies is insane.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:48PM

ther Muslims don't have 500 atom bombs and a plan The Samson Option to blow up most of the Middle East. i would say they are far more civilized then the Israeli's.

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 6:24PM

Ah, now we see the real Paulbot views. "The Muslims are far more civilized than the Israelis." Yes, the guys who took down the World Tade Center, killing thousands (or was that the CIA, in the Ron Paul truthers' view?), who kill Americans daily in Iraq and Afghanistan, who butcher women and children in schools and on busses and airplanes. Those folks -- in the Paulbot minds -- are the civilized ones.

Thanks for taking off the mask for at least one moment, Jack. You're a Jew-hating scumbag young man.

W| 8.22.11 @ 6:33PM

Jack, Iran is trying to get atom bombs. Iraq was trying until the Israelis bombed their project i 1981. Libya was trying also until the Iraq War. Iran publicly says it wants to destroy Israel, maybe they don't have a name like "Samson," maybe they have a name like the "Allah Akbar" project.
Maybe we can make up a name for Iran's project since they are not smart enough to have a name.
I don't understand why you do not see Iran as a threat. They kidnapped our embassy employees for over a year, support terrorrism, and publicly state they will destroy Israel. What more do you want to change your mind.

Al Adab| 8.22.11 @ 7:24PM

W:
As most of you might guess, I am no apologist for Israel. However, a nation that was founded under international Law by action of the UN has a legitimate claim. That they have existed (barely) while under seige from their neighbors for many years and through many wars is still a truth.

When Gaza was returned to its inhabitants they had an opportunity to create the Singapore or Hong Kong, perhaps the monte Carlo of the Eastern Med. instead they became an agressive indeed terrorist, entity. Any nation under such attack as is Israel has the right to defend itself. Ours is the only nation under attack that seems disinclined to do so.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 7:52PM

Israel is the greatest violater of UN resolutions and International Law in the world. Every house built by the crackpot zionists, on the West Bank, is a total violation of International law. The whole occupation is a violation of International law.

W| 8.22.11 @ 8:35PM

Sheik Al Adab, I agree with all your points. Great comparison to Singapore and Hong Kong. That area on the Meditarranean could be a terrific vacation area if the Palestinians were interested in improving their lives instead of killing Israelis.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 8:08PM

The crimes we committed against Iran pale to the Chicken poop you are talking about. We overthrew their elected goverment and installed a tyrant who ruled them for 25 years. We helped Saddam Hussain invade Iran causing millions of deaths and disabilities.. We shot down a innocent Iranian airliner killing 200 people. They have asked for peace for years. They have the biggest Jewish population of any Muslim country. They can leave any time they want. They have as much rights as anyone else.

They are treated far better then the Palistinians. Now they are far from perfect but their democracy is easily better then Israel. The whole population can vote and there is vigorous debate in the country. Iran is a peaceful country, with a peaceful population. They always treated the Jews well which were among the richest part of the population. They have never threatened Israel with nuclear attack because they have no bombs and aren't building any. So say our CIA and International agencies. It is under constant inspection. The Iraniasn have not invaded anyone in hundreds of years. It is time to send an ambassador there and resolve all our differences.

W| 8.22.11 @ 8:31PM

Jack,
You are losing whatever credibility I thought you had. You cannot possibly believe Iran is a functioning democracy and is more democratic than Israel.
Can women dress as they please and act as they please?
Can homosexuals act as they please in Iran?
Is there a free press in Iran criticizing the ayatollahs and mullahs? I could go on and on about basic human and civil rights.
All Iran has to do is accept Israel and renounce its intent to destroy it and we would exchange ambassadors.
How is Israel a theat to Iran, does Iran need some of Israel's land?
As for the Shah, that was the best government Iran ever had. He was modernizing the country, women had more rights than now, and he was trying to reduce the power of the radical muslims. It was one of the best moves of the CIA to depose the crazy commie in power and help the Shah. If Jimmy Carter had any brains and courage he would have supported the Shah when Khomeni returned to Iran from his Paris exile. The middle east would be a safer place, our citizens would not have been kidnapped for over a year, and there would be no threat of nuclear war in the middle east.
Doesn't it bother you that Iran kidnapped our citizens for over a year? That is an act of war obvious to all except Jimmy Carter and you.

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 10:37PM

Jack, you have shown your true Coles and utter ignorance. How can anyone profess to be a "libertarian" and then heap praise on "democracy" in Iran -- a thoroughly repressive theocracy, where women have virtually no rights, there is an unelected "Supreme Leader", secret police harrass anyone who doesn't cover their hair, dresses as they please, or tries to access western media.

If anyone doubted before that you were an idiot, Jack, you've erased those doubts once and for all.

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 10:38PM

That's "true colors"

Nick| 8.22.11 @ 11:08PM

RCV,

I thought you were trying to speak Jack in Wi.!

"They are treated far better then [SIC!] the Palistinians." - Jack in Wi.

It's "than", Jack, the word is than! Sheesh!

Don't you have someone who can proof-read your posts? Again, you look like a functional illiterate.

marco| 8.23.11 @ 12:08AM

Wow, a couple of you seriously defective Paulinistas are actual Third Reich-style Nazis! And you think that the public posting of your racist venom will lead to old RINO Ron's nomination? More like his deportation, if he gets too close to your ilk.

George S| 8.22.11 @ 8:14AM

When you arrive at the food pantry, look at all the labels and throw away all those items made by corporations. Will that help the suffering or hurt them more? At least you will be consistent. Can you see why if we cut money to the military and tax corporations out of existence, then all that extra money going to the treasury would be useless if corporations -- and the jobs they provide -- were to disappear? Who would make all the wonderful stuff that the government can now buy for you?

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 10:30AM

Corporations give us most of our food. Why would I do that.?

loulou| 8.22.11 @ 11:51AM

You mean you're on food stamps?
I BUY my food.
You parasite.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:49PM

It means I help out at food pantries and soup kitchens for the poor and destitute.

JGwen| 8.22.11 @ 8:00AM

No small concern for me is the persons urging Christie and Ryan to enter the fray. When I read Rove, Bush and even Boehner are pushing ... it seems to me they are hoping they can generate candidates that can be pushed into RINO performances. I highly respect components of Christie and Ryan's performances. On the other hand Perry's positions and performance are public record and he isn't beholden to the "Old Line" crowd.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:50PM

Paul Ryan just announced he will not run,

Bumr50| 8.22.11 @ 8:05AM

I would actually like Rick Perry more if most of his supporters hadn't turned into a lynch mob of fanboys that immediately declared every other candidate unfit, and weren't afraid to share their feelings.

I can understand defending someone that you feel would make a good candidate.

I DO NOT understand this circling of the wagons. Or maybe I do. I've noticed that the staunchest Perry supporters tend to be old school GOP, much less accepting of the Tea Party as a serious political movement.
I believe that a lot of the angst on their part is driven by more than just support for Perry - a belief that a solidly Tea Party candidate can't win that's so strong that Perry's throwing his hat in the ring represents a "return to reality" for the GOP.

I don't begrudge them that.

But I also have absolutely no allegiance to the GOP. None. Nada. Zip. In fact, my only REAL link to them is my voter card that I have to have in order to cast a primary vote in my home state of PA.
IMO there was something more behind the wall of defensiveness that was thrown up big and immediately by Perryites, and that's the best I can do to try and explain it.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 8:33AM

Then I must be an outlier.

I'm a Perry supporter who also thinks that Bachman, Palin, Cain, and Santorum would make excellent Presidents and I'd have no reservations voting for any of them.

I'm also not a fan of the GOP establishment, and hope that we can toss them out of office next year, as well, up to and including John Boehner.

And Ron Paul is a nut.

Bumr50| 8.22.11 @ 8:40AM

As am I.

I consider the theory that if Paul Ryan runs for President he's a Bush stooge dedicated to destroying Rick Perry to be ludicrous, however, and that's one of the things I've been hearing.

Now would the Bushes support Ryan over Perry? Probably.

I think the thing that I’m looking for in Perry is an ability to “sell conservatism,” because I believe that as stupid as that sounds, it’s really important right now.

I'm not sure he's that guy or gal yet.

I’m sure that there are a lot of people that disagree with me.

IMO, we HAVE to take back the rhetoric and sell our brand, and as much as we’d like to believe that our policies turning this country around are enough, they’re NOT.

If, in ten years we’ve had a two-term Republican that has turned America around with sound fiscal and defense policy, yet the socialists have maintained a stranglehold on the dialogue, we’ll soon be facing the same problem.

Like it or not, presentation counts. I think that’s antithetical to a lot of “serious” political minds on the Right.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 8:49AM

I think Perry IS selling Conservatism, he's just not labeling it. And I think that's a wise strategy.

Conservatism is a common-sense approach that mirrors how people live their lives, whether they know it or not. But the word"conservative" has been poisoned by the Left to the point that many people who live conservatively nonetheless have negative opinions of what conservatism actually is.

When I hear Perry going after the Fed, or sticking it to a reporter, or talking about Anerican exceptionalism, or lower taxes, or job creation, I'm satisfied. He gets it.

YeloStalyn| 8.22.11 @ 10:38AM

I agree with you whole heartedly about the label of conservative. A lot of people, especially younger people, feel that conservative is equal to Christian Bible-thumping. Yet, when you start to ask them about all sorts of policies, they think just like a conservative. The left has, and to degree with our help with the Christian Coalition's success, been able to make conservative equal to religious zealot. While many conservatives are Christian... they're not zealots. In fact, a lot of conservatives can express their views with civics rather than "Because God Said So!" However, the media has consistantly tried to say it's otherwise and make us look like theocrats.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 12:47PM

Right! He's not perfect, but the greatest President since George Washington -- Ronald Reagan. Reagan gave us amnesty for illegals, the highest spending as a percent of GDP until the insane Obama and raised Federal taxes 7 times in deals with Democrats, but he was a great President.

One think you've got to admire about Reagan he was a great friend of Israel and enemy of jihadists (though he didn't effectively go after them).

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 11:01PM

" Rick Perry supported Lance Armstrong’s 3 billion dollar Texas taxpayer funded medical research center. That’s like ObamaCare. That’s not free market.

Rick Perry, secured a 300 million dollar business handout slush fund for him and just the two leaders of the legislature to dole out to whomever he felt like being friendly to. That’s corporate welfare, a recipe for corruption, and as bad as the TARP bailouts that caused the Tea Parties to explode all across America. In fact, Perry gave 20 million dollars to Countrywide Financial which later went bankrupt.
He supported a new state business tax. He set up toll road tax collection booths all over Texas highways. The Austin Tea Party and the Austin Toll Party booed him on the steps of the state Capitol for that.

Rick Perry, signed an executive order mandating young Texas schoolgirls to get the HPV vaccine, while his former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck. Perry's judgment was so bad the Texas legislature revolted against him and overturned his decision,"

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Carpe Diem.

Kilgore Trout| 8.22.11 @ 9:10AM

"I'm not sure he's that guy or gal yet."
Don believe Perry is EVER gonna be "that gal"
just sayin.

C(lint) Elegans| 8.22.11 @ 11:01AM

"I'm a Perry supporter who also thinks that Bachman, Palin, Cain, and Santorum would make excellent Presidents and I'd have no reservations voting for any of them."

Uh, Oh! Watch Out. Doctor Reich Stumps for Catholics.

irish19| 8.22.11 @ 12:44PM

And what, pray tell, is wrong with Catholics?

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:06PM

Clint, who is mentally deranged, is under the impression that I hate Catholics.

This, despite the fact that I've repeatedly expressed my admiration for Rick Santorum.

Clint (who also goes by the name of William R.) is a complete moron.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:33PM

You're A Paranoid Liar Anti-Catholic Serial Bigot,Dr.Reich.

Just go to The Archives & follow Dr.Reich's Fixated Fanatic Anti-Catholic Posting Trail.

Dr.Reich is a Lapsed Catholic/Anti-Catholic Bigot.

He thinks he's A Reformed Whore.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:45PM

Yeah New Joisey Dr.Reich.

What Happened to Your Big Bloviatin' Anti-Catholic Mouth, Gutless ?

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 2:06PM

What happened to you, Clint?

How did your life get to this point?

Clint... there's ONE continuous thread that runs through ALL of your bad relationships.

It's you.

WilliamR| 8.22.11 @ 12:31PM

And you're a loser.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 12:57PM

Ron Paul Wins NH Straw Poll

Ron Paul got a great birthday present Saturday, as the 76-year-old defeated 11 other Republicans in Saturday's New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll.

Paul, a congressman from Texas, won a commanding 45 percent of the vote and bested runner-up Mitt Romney by 35 percent votes despite not actually attending the event,

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Dr.Reich's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:07PM

Winning straw polls and a token will get you on the subway.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:07PM

The "Young Republicans Straw Poll"???

You mean the one that's STACKED with moronic, 20-something Paulies?

How impressive...

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:41PM

Smoke This Anti-Catholic Bigot, Dr.Reich.

"Fresh on the heels of his well-received second placing in the Ames straw poll on Saturday, Ron Paul has trounced so-called “frontrunner” Rick Perry in a presidential survey of voters in both candidate’s home state of Texas.
“Answering the question, “If the Texas Republican primary were held today, which presidential candidate would you be most likely to vote for?” 22 percent of those polled selected Mr. Paul. Just 17 percent of respondents voted in favor of Mr. Perry,” reports the State Column.

The survey was conducted by Azimuth Research Group.

Paul has lambasted Rick Perry as another RINO Republican, a wolf in sheep’s clothing who poses as a firebrand conservative and yet through his actions has proven himself to be an establishment figure.

“[Governor Perry] is getting into the race, I think, doesn’t bother me at all, obviously because he pretty much represents the status quo. And the other candidates, in one way or the other, are part of the status quo. And I represent something different,” Paul said earlier this week."

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 2:34PM

"Vision to America" is a blog, you jack-ass!

LOL!!!!

Hey, everyone! Some guy's blog says that Paul will beat Perry in Texas!!!!

Oooooooooh, Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 3:26PM

Duuuhhhh !

"Azimuth Research Group conducts opinion polls using a variety of methods designed to produce reliable results. We run periodic polls on topics of current political interest and also specialized polls on commission for organizations and candidates.

The principles in Azimuth Research Group began doing polling purely on commission for groups and campaigns in the 2008 election. After the 2010 election we decided to fill our time between paid polling campaigns by doing selected pubic interest polls and formalized our organization as Azimuth Research Group in early 2011.

All of our public polls are conducted as much as possible in accordance with the standards and practices of the American Association for Public Opinion Researchers."

Vlady| 8.22.11 @ 1:40PM

Okay, so I have to ask... You have piqued my curiosity. What does "wipe your feet" mean?

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:47PM

Shhhhhhh !

It's a double secret Tea Party password

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 2:36PM

OK, I'll tell you.

It means I'm into "fisting"...receptively.

Big Momma Right| 8.22.11 @ 3:12PM

Junior was into fisting until I super glued his asshole shut.

Junior, quit humpin' the mailman's leg & get me another beer.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 3:53PM

Utterly and completely derivative.

Nary an original thought.

talkradio55| 8.22.11 @ 4:07PM

I too would actively support any of these people you've named here. Palin, Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, or Perry would get my vote without hesitation.

However, I would also like to make your observation, Bumr50. Not just some Perry supporters, but also Romney supporters and Ron Paul as well. Interesting point I'd like to note: those candidates who conservatism is not in question (Bachmann, Cain, Santorum) are being told to us that they don't have a prayer of winning. It's people like Romney, Perry, and Paul whose conservatism are in doubt who are being pushed by the media.

Just sayin'.

Sean| 8.22.11 @ 4:50PM

Ron Paul has the most conservative voting record out there. Bachmann has very questionable votes like voting for stimulus.

Maxwell| 8.22.11 @ 8:25AM

Every time I see Chris Christie mentioned I just shake my head. If I recall, this past weekend CC came out in favor of MMGW. That was in the Star Ledger of New Jersey. Second, at home I still have the poster of him and his views of guns, not very friendly, matter of fact, VERY anti guns. He is also in favor of open borders and has not come out against Obama Care.

I say often, open a can of North East Republican and out comes a Democrat.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 8:41AM

Christie was NOT the 1st choice of Conservatives in New Jersey. We supported Steve Lonegan, and had he received the nomination and won, he'd be doing a far better job than Christie.

I voted for Christie in the general election because the objective then was to get the loathsome and execrable John Corzine out of office. On that score, mission accomplished, but Christie is NOT a Conservative, and he'd disappoint Conservatives -greatly -as President.

I don't understand Ann Coulter's support of Christie.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 9:02AM

Anne Coulter helped create the conservative crackup in 2005 that led to the Reid/Pelosi Congress and Obamanation.

She recently joined the board of a gay Tea Party group. So her support for a NE moderate isn't a surprise.

W| 8.22.11 @ 10:11AM

Michael, I do not understand your statement that Coulter helped create the conservative crackup in 2005 that led to the Dems victory, please explain.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 1:33PM

W,
In 2005 in an overreaction to the nomination of Harriet Myers to the Supreme Court Coulter, Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingram, etc. went ballistic and jumped on the MSM bandwagon hammering Bush. Harriet withdrew her nomination and Sam Alito (a great jurist got the nod). Rush bragged it was a “crack down” he was wrong and electoral history proves it. (Interestingly, Bush is the only President to place only solid conservatives to the Supreme Court, but they seem to ignore that.)

Then came the idiocy of comprehensive immigration reform Bush was wrong, but his critics were often no better. What’s worst Social Security reform took got lost in the controversy. Interestingly, during the debate those who liked to tout that they were “Reagan Republicans” refused to mention Reagan was an open borders guy who actually granted amnesty and citizenship to illegals – a case of bad history or distorting Reagan to fit their agendas. (I think we should look back to Eisenhower on this issue.)

The alternative media also failed to defend Bush on Katrina whose response was exactly what the Federal government is supposed to do – support the state governments. I was there and it was Democrat Governor Kathleen Blanco and James Lee Witt (Clinton’s former FEMA Director who wouldn’t let the Red Cross bring water to the Superdome, etc.). Sean Hannity to prove his independence to liberals joined them and lambasted the Federal response without understanding that (1) the response is local the Federal government assists the state government and (2)the gravity of the disaster. An area the size of Great Britain had been devastated and it was going to take time and strong state leadership to be successful (note only in Democrat Louisiana were things screwed up).

Chuck Schumer sensing the moment began the mantra of profligate Republicans and Coulter, Rush, Hannity and O'Riely swallowed the Kool-Aid. Thus, in 2006 instead of the realignment Bush and Rove were trying to create (based on the foundations of Reagan's big tent) the Democrats swept to power. The alternative media kept up the attacks on Bush (who should have vetoed the 2007 onward Democrat budgets) and Republicans. I wrote Quin Hillyer as early as 2005 warning that if the alternative media kept up their attacks the GOP would panic and a moderate would get the nomination (in 2007 I said it would be McCain). The rest played out perfectly for Obama who got his nomination, because of the Clinton fatigue that was evident in the Democrat base.

You don’t beat up your sitting President in today’s political landscape (you thrash it out in private and you vote down their misguided policies, but with a smile not a grimace) it scares independents (1/3 of the electorate) and will throw the election to your enemies. Democrats are actually helping us right now by going after Obama – good on them.

You can fight it out in primaries, because the majority voting public is less interested. But once you’ve got the candidate you rally to them and do your best to get them elected. I’m not a Romney or Palin fan, I prefer Perry, but if Romney or Palin get the nomination I’ll be 100% for them, because this could be a realignment year with the right candidate and Republicans (preferably conservative ones) will dominate government for a generation. Obama and the Reid/Pelosi Congress had that chance, but they screwed it up royally by pushing too fast FDR/LBJ liberal/social democrat policies that Americans instinctively knew were bad for the country.

When a 1/3 of the electorate are independents who don’t grasp that politics is civil war without the bloodshed you’ve got to have sound strategy and a willingness to work within the system to bring about reform. As Reagan, Lee Atwater, Bush (43) and Rove understand it is incrementalism that works. Once we rid the White House of Obama we’ve got to be careful not to repeat the same mistakes he did. We can repeal Obamacare and should, but entitlement reform should start with block grants of Medicaid back to the states . . .

A plan of comprehensive reform is doable, but you’ve got to get the public on your side this is the best way to go and sometimes you take a step back to move forward. It’s too bad we didn’t learn that from Reagan.

W| 8.22.11 @ 3:37PM

Michael.,
Hannity, Rush, and Coulter did a better job of defending and explaining Bush than Bush did. It is unfair to blame them, even slightly, for the debacle in 2006. There were many reasons for loss, such as
1. The sex scandals. Republicans are held to a higher standard.
2. reckless spending
3. Iraq war.
4. Afghan war.
5. Bush. He failed to defend himself and his policies. He had the two worst press secretaries in history, Scott McClelland and Dana Perino. Watch Perino on Fox now and you still can't understand if she supports Bush.
I agree with much of what your say, but Bush and Rove and Perino did a lousy job explaining and defending. The only one speaking forcefully was Cheney.
Hannity, Rush, and Coulter are the most effective voices for conservatism. All three say they are conservatives first, and Republicans second, so they do criticize Republicans.
I am glad they criticized Bush on the issues you mentioned, we got Alito instead of Meirs, and beat the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill.

Nick| 8.22.11 @ 11:27PM

Excellent points.

Mr. Tomlinson,

What the Roves of the world don't seem to understand is that for every mushy Moderate/Independent vote they pander for, they lose 1.5 to 2 conservative votes who will stay home on election day rather than abandon their principles.

In other words, a GOP presidential nominee can only go so far to the middle before he becomes un-electable.

The Rove-mentality of Compassionate Conservatism results in a tie, 2000 Bush v. Gore, or, barely winning by 60,000 votes in Ohio, 2004 John 'I-served-in-Vietnam' Kerry.

Running as a strong conservative results in landslides: Nixon 1968 & 1972; Reagan 1980 & 1984.

smokedaddy| 8.23.11 @ 12:08AM

Good points on Katrina and a partial point on immigration. But I'm with W and Nick on the tunnel vision of the Rove consultant types who trot out the move to the center canard every 4 years. The substance of conservatism is not fundamentally at odds with the beliefs of 70% of the electorate. The style of presentation is usually what gets conservatives in trouble unnecessarily. Buchanan, but also Paul & Bachman, to an extent.

What we need is an attractive, well spoken, preferably female candidate who's views are mainstream Republican but who is not afraid to take on the GOP old boy network on behalf of the public good. Someone who has been through a national campaign and has been immunized to further slash & burn Dem inspired MSM personalized attacks. Someone who has a strong, guiding set of conservative principles but who doesn't put off independents by lecturing on personal behavior. A strong retail campaigner, as well as someone who gives a great speech and can call on a loyal core of supporters. Smart. Great family. Not so perfect tho that she can't relate to most Americans. Lets see...

W| 8.23.11 @ 8:59AM

Not to belabor, but Rove is overrated. In 2000 he did not disclose Bush's DUI early as they should have to minimize it.. Instead the Dems released it the weekend before the vote, and from what I read this caused a lot of social conservative, evangelicals to stay home, resulting in the close election and almost Presiden Algore.
They should have released that story in the beginning and everyone would have forgotten it by election.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:08PM

Dr.Reich Is Hiding In New Joisey.

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 5:08PM

"Christie was NOT the 1st choice of Conservatives in New Jersey. We supported Steve Lonegan, and had he received the nomination and won, he'd be doing a far better job than Christie."

Right on, Dr. Right. You better believe we were for Steve Lonegan!

If only!!!

Speaking of if only.. if only the NJ Repub party supported Bret Shundler in 2001, NJ wouldn't be in the mess it's in today. My husband and I strongly supported Shundler, and met him when he came to our area.

Perhaps we'd still be living there if the good guys got elected. Sadly, NJ has turned itself into another California.. I wish it well.
There's always hope!!

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 6:28PM

Pssst....he's a devout Catholic, Margie.

Margie| 8.23.11 @ 1:16AM

So?
Proving once again that your trying to pin yours and others here lie that I hate Catholics is fraudulent.

I hate false Religion and false doctrine, not people.
No matter how hard you try, you just don't get to define me.

RCV| 8.23.11 @ 11:20AM

But I'm interested in understanding how you could support someone so blind as to be devoted to the tenents of a demonic cult that "persecutes bible-believing Christians"?

Margie| 8.23.11 @ 1:19PM

I'm interested in how you could not only follow demonic teachings yourself~ but worship at the feet of a man who is a terrorist sympathizer and worse~ and yet call yourself a Christian?

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 10:20AM

The NJ RINO blue bloods like CHristine Todd Witless, will pull the rug out from under a Conservative any chance they get like they did to Bret Schundler. They would rather lose and throw bricks at the Democrat than win with a Conservative. They trashed Lonegan and then when Christie was in trouble, losing ground against Corzine he trurned began to sound more like Steve Lonegan which at that point caused a turn around whereby the Republicans actually won. Lonegan was campaigning against Corzine for 2 years laying the groundwork before the Establishment RINOs screwed him.

YeloStalyn| 8.22.11 @ 10:42AM

With very few exceptions, the GOP ought to never put up in the general election a candidate from north of the Mason Dixon line. Republicans from the North (primarily and especially the NE) are worthless.
Granted, though, there are certainly some GOPers from the South that aren't that great either :::cough:::BUSH:::cough:::

Maxwell| 8.22.11 @ 8:48AM

Doctor Right, I STILL have my sticker that states, Dump Corzine, Elect Lonegan.

Solo| 8.22.11 @ 4:25PM

I still have a sticker that reads:

"Palin 2009"

LOL!

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 8:59AM

One thing I really admire about Sarah Palin that will make it easy to vote for her if she gets the nomination -- she's 100% behind Israel. She may even be more supportive of Israel than Presidents Bush (43) and Reagan.

William R| 8.22.11 @ 10:20AM

What a dumbass.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 10:55AM

William R = Clint.

Clint's "brand" has been so damaged by all of the fake "Clints" on this forum that he's started a new identity.

New name...Sold old dumb.

Drunken Sailor| 8.22.11 @ 11:10AM

Hey DR.
Wonder if he realizes that William R King was the 13th vice president for only 45 days before he died of Tuberculosis. The man was a moderate and was elected as a Democrat. He opposed the abolition of slavery so I guess that fits with a Ron Paul fanatic.

WilliamR| 8.22.11 @ 12:32PM

No punk, I'm not Clint.

Doctor Right| 8.22.11 @ 1:08PM

YES...You are.

I know it. It is a fact.

William R. = Clint.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 1:50PM

Ha,Ha,Ha !

Now The Anti-Catholic Paranoid Dr.Reich think's Willim R. is Clint.

Boo !

You're An Imbecile.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 2:37PM

William R. = Clint.

It's simply NOT possible that one forum could have two braid-dead Paulistas spouting the same idiotic talking points.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 3:04PM

Israel Firster Poseur Is In The Building

That's The First One Today.

They're Desperate.

Drunken Sailor| 8.22.11 @ 2:13PM

Your catching up to Sybil but still have a ways to go. She had 14 personalities off the top of my head your only up to about 5.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 11:12PM

Asked & Answered Drunk.

Those Ain't My Posts.

BackToBasics| 8.22.11 @ 9:12AM

If Palin, Chrisite or Ryan get in the race it will be a mess. I think the vote would be split too much and have to be brokered at the Republican Convention.

Of the 3 I think only Palin may enter. I have never trusted Rove and his protestations of Perry may be a superficial argument to make Perry appear less establishment than he is and to distance him from Bush II in the minds of the many Republican voters who grew to dislike Bush II. Lesser names like Bill Bennett are backing Perry already and although Bennet is right-wing-establishment on many issues he is at least as open-borders as Bush II was. From what I've seen so far, Perry is similar, a center-right etsablishment candidate who is still within the sphere of what the establishment can back. It's why I've backed the more conservative Bachman and Cain while they remain in the race.

TURK| 8.22.11 @ 10:21AM

If it is true that Antle supported Webb in the Va Senate race in '06, then he has no credability to be pontificating about the candidate to beat OOOOOOOOOOOOOO in '12.

Perry announced in the middle of the nonsense in corn country that dictates Pres candidates every 4 yrs. So what happened ? Perry shot to a significant lead over the former "front runner" and ms Bachman. Immediately we were told by clowns like antle (rove, cristol and other compassionate bushie's) that the group of repub candidates didn't "excite" us. They excite me!!!! At the end of each debate we had seen them all perform admirably. All but the "Iran with nukes is OK" guy showed backbone in their response to media prosecutorial questions. Nasty questions like pudgy little bretty baer and his tax-spend--raise your hand ques were dealt with in a strong manner. The former OH WOE IS ME repubs from the past were non-existent. Hooray! Backbone for a Change!

Soooo-along comes Perry who shines as the non-Bush, and we aren't excited enuf. In '06 the establishment (Wash Post & rinos destroyed the candidate who would have swamped our Marxist friend) one Geo Allen.

In '08 the establishment just LOVED McCain(til the general) and trashed him in favor of the Marxist. NOW they just arent excited. DO ANY of YOU really believe Rove et al really love Ryan or Christie? It is clear Perry is a threat to the ruling class whether dem or repub. I predict he will withstand the filth thrown at him from both directions. The only non candidate left with any credability is Sarah. If she's in; we still can't lose.

Bottom line? Look for who Rove-theWhite House et al claim is their favorite candidate against whom to run and you have our winner!!

Ryan| 8.22.11 @ 10:44AM

Rick Perry is the establishment conservative candidate, and Romney is the establishment centrist candidate.

That's how I'm viewing it, and I think that it's going to wind up between those two, with the possibility of Ron Paul or Bachman playing some sort of spoiler. They just have too broad a base of fundraising support.

I imagine that we may be looking at a Perry/Ryan ticket when it's all said and done.

steve in ohio| 8.22.11 @ 12:34PM

The establishment has had their way since Reagan was able to beat them. It will be Romney or Perry. However, he will need to reach out to the Tea Party to get us on board. I wouldn't be shocked to see a Romney-Bachmann ticket.

RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:12PM

More likely a Perry-Rubio ticket. Ryan will drive away senior citizens if on the ticket, and Michelle Bachmann will drive away everyone.

Rubio is not only an attractive VP candidate generally, but he will siphon away crucial Latino votes from the Democrats, especially in key swing states like Florida, New Mexico, and Colorado. He'd be trouble.

Mike Hawk| 8.22.11 @ 1:50PM

Great. Kill Marco Rubio's career by nominating him for Veep. That's a dead end. VP is the end of the line, not a step up and certainly not usually a vote getter. Leave him in the Senate so he can be Majority leader.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 2:02PM

Never underestimate Rubio's ability to take lemons and make lemonade. G.H.W. Bush made it and no one thought he would without an endorsement from Reagan (who believed the party should decide in the primaries). Rubio is a master politician.

If the next Republican Presidency is moderately successful (after Obama who couldn't be by reversing his failed policies) Rubio will be sitting pretty for the Presidency.

I wish GOP President's would seriously limit themselves to one term so our candidates were constantly fresh and could capture the public's imagination. The second term is rarely as good as they think it will be.

Ted| 8.22.11 @ 2:56PM

RCV, not so fast. I am not sure that Ryan will drive away seniors. If the left drives the debate about the Ryan plan, then the left will drive away seniors. However, seniors tend to be more politically aware and involved than most other groups. If Ryan were to run, the campaign would have to hit this potential pitfall (the Left's misrepresentation of the Ryan Plan and its effects on seniors). But it's not a given that Ryan will drive away seniors.

However, your prediction of Perry-Rubio ticket has merit. I would not like to see Rubio run... Just yet. Part of Palin's problem is that she was thrust onto a stage for which she was not quite ready. Had she had more time to season as a Governor, she would most likely have been a greater force than she is now.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 1:51PM

Ryan,
Perry/Ryan would be a good ticket, but I'd bet on a Perry/Rubio ticket to build on Hispanic disaffection for Obama. It also will lock in badly needed Florida. The Republican Governor isn't an asset like Jeb Bush was in the past.

If it is Romney I see the same Marco Rubio on the ticket to offset his New England baggage. It would also keep the Dems from playing the race card on a lily white establishment type.

If it were to be Palin she'd need Paul Ryan to bring solid conservative thinking and leadership to the Presidency. She'd also need his knowledge of government to get legislation through Congress. It would be like LBJ was JFK's secret weapon in getting things done.

I think Bachmann is a team player and would accept to defeat. I sometimes doubt Sarah Palin, but she worked with McCain (God bless her) so she's got to be a team player too.

Ron Paul seemed to be a team player in 2008. If he is interested in advancing Rand's future he'd be wise to do as he did last election cycle. Rand, has upset some in the Tea Party over entitlements, but he seems to be safer than his dad so he might do better one day on the national stage.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 1:53PM

Rand upset some over earmarks and his seeming to back away from a ban on them.

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 4:37PM

Just as you learned of Ron Paul's kinship with Adam Kokesh, his son is pals with him as well.

Don't be fooled.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 11:16PM

" Rick Perry supported Lance Armstrong’s 3 billion dollar Texas taxpayer funded medical research center. That’s like ObamaCare. That’s not free market.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Carpe Diem.

Margie| 8.22.11 @ 4:36PM

Establishment conservative?
Huh?
Oh, never mind.

JP| 8.22.11 @ 11:30AM

Mitt is someone's favorite -who that someone is, is anyone's guess

Perry obviously has presented himself as the homegrown gun toting, loudmouth evangelical Texan. He will capture that segment (which is considerable). However, shades of W hang over his campaign. Can he really be trusted? Is he really what he says he is? In reality, is he a conservative statist?

Bachmann at times puts her foot in her mouth. Her promises of $2 a gallon gasolone may be sincere, but it does illustrate an undisciplined mind. Her campaign thus far is undisciplined.

That rest probably do not stand a chance. Which is unfortunate. Ron Paul represents a strand of the America that has had it with Progressives and Statists. And outside of Bachmann, he is the only major candidate who has gone on record of making the repeal of ObamaCare a top priority.

Obama will be a second term President unless things really go south. None of the current GOP candidates have even enough appeal to the Republican Party, let alone the broad electorate.

TURK| 8.22.11 @ 12:00PM

Unless things go south??????????????? What "things"? The Country is so far "south" we're shaking hands with the penguins. Are you hoping-hoping-hoping? That the Marxist survives to complete the destruction of our once great Republic?? Are we to accept your nonsense? Or will you see how strong Elmer Fudd will be against him? Or anyone?

JP| 8.22.11 @ 2:46PM

If you think this is bad (9% unemployment), you haven't seen anything, yet. I could get much, much worse.

Ronald Reagan| 8.22.11 @ 1:01PM

Well...there you go again, Clint, Jack, and the rest of you....I really do not appreciate you using my name and my life's work to promote today's Big L Libertarianism and taking my statements out of context. Your attitude and discourse with our fellow conservatives is disheartening and sure looks and sounds a lot like our Liberal friends across the aisle.
Well...this is what I actually said, quote from me in 1975 from Reason magazine.

"If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

Now, I can’t say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who call themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy. I believe there are legitimate government functions. There is a legitimate need in an orderly society for some government to maintain freedom or we will have tyranny by individuals. The strongest man on the block will run the neighborhood. We have government to insure that we don’t each one of us have to carry a club to defend ourselves. But again, I stand on my statement that I think that libertarianism and conservatism are travelling the same path."

Oh, yes, stop claiming that my old friend, Ron Paul, is the father of the Tea Party. That is nonsense.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 1:56PM

Thanks Ron for the clarification it was needed!

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 2:59PM

Ronald Reagan endorsed Dr.Ron Paul & Dr.Ron paul was one of only four Republicans to endorse Ronald Reagan against Gerald Ford.

Ronald Reagan,
"If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is here.

Rise Up In Rebellion.

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 4:57PM

I met Ronald Reagan and shook his hand. You sir are no ronald Reagan. He was a real Libertarian conservative.

Ronald Reagan| 8.22.11 @ 5:52PM

You are a lunatic. You never came in a thousand miles of Reagan. Take your meds and go back to your room. You have had enough time in the social room playing on the computer.

Oldefarte| 8.22.11 @ 1:59PM

No, the Republican candidate field is complete as is, and IMHO all of their candidates are outstanding in their own repsective right and I can easily live and become excited about any of them becoming our next POTUS. At this point, I honestly do not have a favorite among them but simply like all of them and think they are each honorable individuals, any one of whom would represent this country honorably as our next POTUS. Paul [monetary/fiscal], Bachmann [tax, religious conservatism], Perry [administrative/managerial], Romney & Cain [ditto], Ginguich [legislative], etc are each/all highly preferable to what we're faced miserably with at present. Once again and always, IT'S THE DEMOCRATS, STUPIDS!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 2:26PM

Oldefarte you're not blowing hard air, but keeping your fire fixed on the real enemy Obama and Democrats.

Oldefarte| 8.22.11 @ 4:45PM

Always, MT!!!!!!

martin j smith| 8.22.11 @ 2:20PM

The Republican Party has no agreed upon program or platform and that is because the Republican Party is both fractured and leaderless. The good news is that there are " ONLY" two major divisions:
The Conservative-Tea Party group on the one hand and the RINO-MAINSTREAM group on the other. And of course within each group there are nuances of differences such as Social Issues,Economic ,and Foreign affairs and Defense issues. Given the failure of GWB and John McCaine's campaign --these guys representing the RINO-MAINSTREAM group it is or should be not surprising to see a number who are running on the opposition ( Conservative-Tea Party ) viewpoints.
So just as there seems to be NO common ground
between Socialists and Capitalists there is also a vast divide between Conservative-Tea Party group on one hand and RINO_MAINSTREAM group on the other. and the reason is on side really is championing Capitalism and the other is viewed as comprising with Socialists and this Compromising is a disaster for it will lead to Socialist period.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 2:44PM

If we were going to pick the smartest Republican with a solid grasp of the workings of government it would be Paul Ryan hands down, he's a wonk, but this is politics and ultimately the question is can the candidate win.

Can Paul Ryan win with his bold plan to reform Medicare? Reagan wanted to abolish the Depts of Energy and Education and cut gov't -- didn't happen. George W. Bush wanted to reform Social Security -- didn't happen.

It is time to go back to basic conservative political thinking -- incrementalism. We need to win the White House and solid majorities in Congress (taking over the Senate). Then we need to begin dismantling the 6 years of Reid/Pelosi/Obama while we educate the American public as to the importance of reforming our broken and failed entitlement programs (that's unfortunately an acceptance America wants a version of the welfare state).

Losing to win gave us the Reid/Pelosi Congress and Obama. Principles are a must, but if Obama is reelected our principles, values and country are going to be as worthless as Obamacare.

We need to win in 2012 regardless of who the candidate ultimately is Perry, Ryan, Romney, Bachmann or Palin. They're all for getting our fiscal house in order, promoting a pro-growth economy that rewards business and hardwork, understand the value of social conservatism, support entitlement reform, generally support a strong foreign policy that supports Israel and safeguards America from jihadists, want real energy independence through fossil fuels & nuclear power and ain't Obama.

We win next year or otherwise we're going to be looking to Canada for foreign aid and leadership in the free world and that's just wrong.

Oldefarte| 8.22.11 @ 4:48PM

Pure gold, MT....bullseye! [We simply don't have any more time left after November of next year;if Obama is re-elected, this country will turn into the next Cuba]!!!!!!

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 2:53PM

Ronald Reagan endorsed Dr.Ron Paul & Dr.Ron Paul was one of only four Republicans to endorse Ronald Reagan against Gerald Ford.

Ronald Reagan,
" If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Rise Up In Rebellion.

linda| 8.22.11 @ 3:10PM

Ron Paul won't win anything but straw polls and phone in polls. Bachman doesn't play outside Iowa and has no money. Romney is liked by who? Rove is desparately trying to serve up some squish (daniel's anyone) who will fall as flat as Pawlenty and that leaves Perry who has money, is a conservative, and will beat Obama about the head and shoulders. Strap on your helmuts.

Clint| 8.22.11 @ 3:19PM

Harris Poll: If Ron Paul Won GOP Nomination, He Would Split Vote With Obama

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.), an official candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has performed well in several polls throughout his campaign. In may, Paul took second place in a CNN/WMUR poll of likely Republican voters. In June, Paul won a Republican Leadership Conference straw poll. At the beginning of July, Paul came in first in a Texas GOP poll, conducted by the Azimuth Research Group.

Perhaps the best indication of Paul’s candidacy so far is a Harris poll released today by Harris Interactive. According to the Harris poll, Obama and Paul would split the vote right down the middle if they were to run against each other in 2012.

Solo| 8.22.11 @ 4:40PM

Once again...not true.

Romney leads Obama by 2%
Rick Perry ties Obama.
Ron Paul trails Obama by 2%
and Bachmann trails Obama by 4%.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/149.....m_term=All Gallup Headlines - Politics

Jack in Wi.| 8.22.11 @ 5:03PM

It is all margin of error you dumb bunny. Paul has the money enthusiam, and the issues. The others have had all the media coverage. Ron Paul will be the nominee.

martin j smith| 8.22.11 @ 3:55PM

I think the key thing is that there is aneed to find a candidate all can at least "live with" or the" good enough" candidate: One who espauses Strong support for Small government,Capitalism,Strong national defense, and support American Exceptionalism. That would do it i think.

idalily| 8.22.11 @ 11:57PM

Agreed. the best way to find that candidate is by focusing on FISCAL SANITY. That must trump all other issues. Whether the far right likes it or not, Mitch Daniels was right. Social issues must be set aside for NOW. We can revisit them later, after we've pulled the country back from the brink of utter fiscal ruin. That means a fiscal hawk POTUS and Republican majorities who can spend the next four years cutting spending EVERYWHERE, rolling back everything Obama did in regulations, and telling whoever doesn't like it, "We are broke."

I'm not holding my breath. With all the bickering I see here about social issues, we haven't got a prayer, and if this insistence on sterling purity of social principles will give us four more years of Obama, another liberal SCOTUS judge, and oblivion. We MUST unite under a fiscal hawk, or the rest is meaningless.

NJK| 8.22.11 @ 5:22PM

There is no demand for Christie. He believes in man made Global Warming, he appointed a Judge to the high court in NJ with ties to radical Islam, and he wouldn't sign on to the lawsuit to fight unconstitutional Obamacare, even though it wouldn't have cost NJ a dime. That tells us, all we need to know. Stay in NJ. The heartland of America doesn't want him.

Orville| 8.25.11 @ 2:14PM

He believes in man made Global Warming because he knows how to read. 98% consensus in the scientific community says we need to get our environmental act together yesterday.

If he does run lets hope he also believes in the proven realities of economics. For thoses who know how to read, read how governmental inaction led to the Great Depression in 1929 and read how governmental action (although greatly hamstrung by the no-nothing House of Representativees) kept us out of a 15% unemployment 2nd Great Recession.

John | 8.22.11 @ 6:36PM

Gov. Rick Perry is a 100% fiscal and social conservative and he represents Texas-the land of American Conservatives, and he sure can defeat the devil (Obama), thus Gov. Perry remains the only hope for conservatives to retake the White House and regain control of America, it's the only path we can secure America from the liberals. So, please help Gov. Perry defeat Obama.

smokedaddy| 8.23.11 @ 12:37AM

I really love Perry's smarts & style. But on real, Tea Party like conservative substance, he's very mixed. The mandatory vaccination for middle schoolers was a wake up call, but what really sticks in my craw is the $200 million Technology slush fund thats sending taxpayer $ to his contributors, as documented by Michelle Malkin & others. Now, I love his style, his promotion of a business friendly, low tax state, and his support of bloggers. But I'm having a tough time washing down his Tammany style governance.

aware| 8.22.11 @ 7:33PM

A lot of people here seem to think this is 1999 and we have all time in the world, and once "we" win all will be well. Then we had to have "compassionate conservatism" now a "consensus conservative".
Some here even throw "Republican" around as though it was synonymous with "conservative". "Republican values" Ha! Without even blushing! TPTB in the Republican Party loathes conservatives, sometimes even more than losing('76, '92 and '08 jump to mind). Party hacks and knaves. They will foist another big government group thinker on us, sure as shooting.

And to top it off the forum descends into a defend your favorite Statist/candidate episode. The asteroid is approaching, we are the dinosaurs unable to comprehend the significance of it.

PCP Smoker| 8.22.11 @ 8:44PM

Ok, Conservatives, now we know the key words and tricky phrases coming from the Elitist Right, "consensus conservative". That means someone who is not a conservative, someone who supports amnesty for illegal aliens, "big government conservatism" and a "practical" approach to fighting Obama. That's someone who will NOT embarrass the elitists when attending their DC cocktail parties or talking to our liberal wives.
Anyone who is deemed a consensus conservatives does not get my vote. FUCK YOU Wall Street Journal, NRO, Weekly Standard, and the usual losers and assholes pushing GOP establishmentarianism here at The American Spectator (Antle, Quinn, Komishitsky, et. al.).

smokedaddy| 8.23.11 @ 12:40AM

Be thankful AS lets you use the eff word. I had to use asterisks with "pissed off" over at NRO.

aware| 8.23.11 @ 6:18AM

NRO=NWO

David| 8.22.11 @ 9:34PM

If we want conservative, then look to Rick Santorum. I think he is an excellent debater, know WHAT he believes, and can explain WHY he believes it.

The problem I have with Perry is his positions on illegal immigration.

Want to know a couple reasons that I am furious with illegals and the politicians who protect them?

First, the feel they have every right to be here and are entitled to the benefits that Americans receive.

Second, I have been paid COBRA insurance to continue my medical coverage in the amount of $570 per month (United Healthcare PPO Plan). I can't afford it anymore and have to cancel it at the end of the month. So I called my gastro to schedule a colonoscopy (up the butt) and an EDG (down the throat), and a complete lab work-up before it expires. After $570 per month, when I got to the hospital last Friday, I was informed that I had to come up $2,300 in deductible. They would not bill me and accept payments. THey wanted it all, so now I am one year overdue for those tests and cannot get them done because I can't come up with 2,300.

Yet millions of illegals, and millions of citizens, can have babies without paying a dime for any of the care. I know because I have 2 daughters who have had 2 children each, one of which was born at the very hospital where I was denied the tests, and all of their prenatal care and delivery were without paying a dime.

I have a friend who still has his job where I did work and he pays over $900 month to insure his wife and children. He just had a baby and his out of pocket was well over $2,000 after paying $900 a month.

THAT is why I have a problem with Perry and anyone else who is soft on illegals. People like me and my friend are having to pay for their free ride.

aware| 8.23.11 @ 6:15AM

You are a casualty in the ongoing war on the middle class. Both parties propagate this war at the behest of their banker overlords.
Import the minions of the 3rd world, look the other way on "labor laws" so you won't notice wages dropping like a rock. Flood the world with instant money and easy credit so you won't notice you're getting poorer while enriching Wall Street bankers with record "bonuses".
Torture statistics so you won't notice the approach of financial Armageddon. Control the markets with plunge protection teams, levitation teams, and ramp up teams armed with back packs of instant fiat so you won't notice stocks priced at 20 or 30 times earnings.
And last but not least, flood the field with hirelings and henchmen who spout populist nonsense diametrically opposed to their actual records, usually involving the willingness to bomb anybody(patriotism) while invoking the name of "Gawd"(religion), so you won't notice elections are false "choices" of banker approved candidates.
Meanwhile their evil creation, the State, masquerades as the upholder of civilization while actually destroying all semblance of community like fathers, family, churches, and local political control. Yes, it is a fine mess we are in.

Orville| 8.25.11 @ 2:05PM

Well said.

Still trying to absorb the truths from the rhetoric... but ..... well said.

Orville| 8.25.11 @ 2:09PM

The answer is true single payer universal health care. No COBRA, no United Health Care, no deductibles, just a recognition by society that everyone has a right to decent healthcare regardless of their economic circumstances. Take out the middle men. Have local committees of medical professionals taking actions to control skyrocketing costs, backed by a strong federal committment to science based health provision.

Nite| 8.22.11 @ 10:52PM

Governor Perry asked Obama several times to put troops on the border, but was refused. Protecting the borders is the responsibility of the Federal Government, so blame Obama. Obama is stopping the deportations and ignoring the courts, so again blame Obama. The TX Legislature refused to pass a bill on illegal immigration like Arizona. Perry was not in favor of that bill because TX would have been sued just like Arizona. Again, blame Home Land Security and Obama. TX did pass picture ID for voting and Governor Perry did sign that legislation. Perry is straight talking and is a fiscal and social conservative. I voted for him in the last 3 elections and will vote for him again. Of of the best things is that he has butted heads with Obama over the EPA and several other issues with TX. Perry is a friend of Israel, and is a defense hawk, believes in states rights. Obama wants to rule the US, so this is refreshing. Perry can beat Obama and his teleprompter.

POST American| 8.23.11 @ 12:20AM

-------------------BOTTOM LINE-----------------------

'Que Sera Sera' Sarah Pail---in?

'Me--shall' 'BALK--MEN'?

Tim 'PAUL---n'----TEA'?

Mitt 'Rome--Knee'?

Riki Tiki Tavistock TTT-RICKY 'PAIR--he'?

NOT the time for more Murdoch Tea-squaring.

FACT IS the Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama
CFR 'continuity of agenda' is as undeniable
as it is treasonous.

Ron Paul, such as he is, IS the only figure displaying any genuine substance whatsoever.

Dan Mathewson| 8.23.11 @ 8:00PM

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
What, if any? If not, how much?

Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel | 8.23.11 @ 2:40AM

Let's just cut through all the crap:

The Republicans are vacillating. They are second guessing themselves because they have been, and continue to be complicit with this unconstitutional bogus "president" and felony forger.

If the GOP nominee does not make an issue of Obama's ineligibility to be legitimate president and his multiple deceptions - and, especially, his felony forgery "birth" certificate, they [the Republicans] may be looking at an Obama 2nd term.

Republicans are damn fools for not going after Obama's jugular - that being his Achilles heel of not being a legitimate office holder, due to his non natural born citizen status and his latest felony "birth" certificate forgery. The more they ignore all this, the more it will come back to bite them in their political ass:

"Why some Conservatives will not vote for the 2012 GOP nominee:"

http://freedomtorch.com/blogs/.....s-will-not

Orville| 8.25.11 @ 2:02PM

go crawl back under your rock, rev.

David| 8.23.11 @ 11:29AM

Nite, I sincerely believe that the ONLY reason Perry publicly asked Bam Bam to put troops on the border is because he KNEW and we all KNEW Bam Bam would not do it. It was to score political points. Other then the illegal immigration issue I don't have much of a problem with Perry.

Orville| 8.25.11 @ 2:01PM

Reality is that rational, intelligent, Burkian conservatives have been out of favor with the yahoos (go ahead, call me an elitist) who vote in presidential primaries. McCain only won the last nomination by dissavowing most of the reasonable, intelligent, rational positions he had always held -on the environment, immigration, campaign finance reform, the intolerance of the religious right, etc.

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UPDATED: Former IRS Chief Refuses to Apologize

Kaylin Bugos | 12:45PM

Romney Donors Targeted by IRS?

Kaylin Bugos | 12:32PM

FLASHBACK TO: 1995

Pope Culture

By George Sim Johnston

A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck

By P.J. O'Rourke

Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
Dames at Sea

By John Corry
In the Absence of Guns

By Mark Steyn

In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
The Metaphysical Martini

By Werner J. Dannhauser
Counting the Costs of Clintonism

By Robert H. Bork

The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
Chuck McHagel

By George Neumayr

It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted

By Douglas Bartholomew
It’s the Best Time of the Year

By Mark Steyn

The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
The Bush Crack-Up

By Brit Hume

Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?