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Political Hay
Letting Down the Tea Party
Republican primary voters are valuing intellect over ideology.
On paper, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann are nearly ideal Republican candidates for national office. Both are solidly conservative on almost all issues; both are evangelical Christians; both share blue collar upbringings; and both have populist, Washington-outsider messages. Election campaigns, however, don’t take place on paper.
In this past week’s national Gallup poll, Perry is stuck at 8 percent, Bachmann at 5. In Iowa, a socially conservative slice of the American heartland where both had been expected to do well (especially Bachmann, born in Iowa and living in neighboring Minnesota), Perry is hovering around 11 percent, Bachmann around nine (and even that might be overstated).
Bachmann and Perry very well could finished last and next-to-last, respectively, in Iowa on Tuesday, and be finished. Perry might have enough savings to limp to South Carolina and make a stand there — where he is polling even worse. He has registered 5 percent in the last two South Carolina polls, and that is more than twice his Real Clear Politics average in New Hampshire (2.3 percent). He’s at only 4 percent in Florida.
There are a lot of plausible explanations for why these two once-formidable candidates are on the cusp of elimination. The one I think works best is that Republican voters are placing a much higher premium on intellect than ideology.
I am not saying — nor do I think — that Perry and Bachmann are dumb. They are not. But another trait they share is an uncanny ability to come across as less informed, and at times less intelligent, than the other candidates in the race.
This is a primary driven almost entirely by the nationally televised debates. Millions of primary voters formed their first impressions of the candidates, or adjusted those first impressions, by watching one of the numerous debates or seeing the truncated coverage of them. Though both candidates had their moments, the debates left an overall impression that each was outclassed intellectually by the rest of the field.
Perry had his famous brain freezes, but even on his good nights he was woefully uninformed on the issues and had a tendency to shoot schoolboy zingers at opponents who had just given considered explanations of their policy positions. He would then square up and smile at the camera as if he had just flawlessly executed his lines during the taping of a chewing gum commercial.
Bachmann, much better informed than Perry, was stronger on policy. But she never seemed to possess the agility to get herself out of a tight spot or to expand beyond her comfort zone. And, fair or not, her delivery is damaging. Her slow, methodical march through talking points, often repeated, makes her appear dim, although her command of policy shows that she could ace the final if the debate questions were given in written form at the end of the year. She also has an unfortunate tendency to look into any camera with an open mouth and wide-open eyes, which is meaningless except that it happens to be an expression commonly associated with stupidity.
Off the debate stage, Bachmann and Perry only solidified the impressions they made in the debates, and in fact Bachmann lowered herself to Perry’s level through a series of gaffes. She famously placed the first battle of the Revolutionary War in New Hampshire, not Massachusetts, confused the Iowa towns that were home to John Wayne and John Wayne Gacy, irresponsibly spread false rumors about the safety of vaccines, and shamelessly spun bad campaign news with defenses that were obviously not credible.
In Iowa, Perry got the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices wrong and couldn’t name Sonia Sotomayor. In New Hampshire, he got the election, the date of the election, and the voting age wrong. And although one of his top advisors for years has been a Granite Stater, Perry thought New Hampshire had caucuses, not a primary.
Those might be counted minor flubs if uttered by any other candidate, but they were damaging to Perry and Bachmann because they supported the idea that these two were running a little shy of full wattage.
Compounding the problem were Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. Both are highly intelligent, and the debates gave each a chance to demonstrate not only their policy knowledge, but their intellectual agility. They can dazzle with data and think on their feet. On stage, Bachmann and Perry always paled in comparison, even when they scored points on tests of political purity.
Gingrich and Romney stole the show at the debates, and with it the bulk of primary voters, while Ron Paul drew many in the smaller pool of voters in Iowa and New Hampshire who continued to value purity over most everything else.
Two thousand twelve was supposed to be the year the Tea Party picked a Republican presidential candidate. It was supposed to be this great, historic opportunity for conservatives to finally get a nominee without compromising. But the two candidates who would probably be judged the most pure of all could be days away from seeing their campaigns ended, and the two candidates who are seen as having strayed the most from the party line over the years are leading nationally.
Lots of factors combined to bring us to this point, but the simplest explanation is that Republicans are going for intellect — which brings with it a sense of competence — over ideology. Bush fatigue probably explains a lot of that, as does the desire to beat Obama, who is far less intellectual than he is made out to be, but who is nonetheless a sharp and nimble adversary. Republican voters seem to be seeking a nominee who is sharper than Obama and more competent than Bush, and judging both Bachmann and Perry as inadequate by both measures.
About the Author
Andrew Cline is editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader. His Twitter ID is @Drewhampshire.
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Alan brooks| 12.30.11 @ 6:32AM
The worst one is Gingrich, the most evil politician since Huey Long.
bill| 12.30.11 @ 10:03AM
Obama is a DEVIL.
Jack in Wi.| 12.30.11 @ 12:47PM
The only intellectual and conservative running is Ron Paul. All the rest are just like Obama, in the pockets of the Zionists, Banksters, and Military Industrial Complex. The troops in huge majorities want Ron Paul. They are sick of putting their lives on the lines for the fantasies of chicken hawks like Romney, Santorum, Gingrich and the Neocons. They give Ron Paul the most by far of campaign contributions by the active military. They give him 10 times more then Romney and 100 times more then Gingrich.
End the Fed. End the wars. Close the bases. Bring the troops home. Let the world defend itself. Israel, the Arabs, Europe, Japan, and Korea are rich countries. we are broke and our troops are broken.
For Sanity, Solvency, Peace, Prosperiety and Liberty vote for Ron Paul. All the rest are more of the same. more wars, more loss of civil liberties, and more bankruptcy.
Ted| 12.30.11 @ 1:28PM
Ron Paul is not a conservative; he is a libertarian. He does espouse some conservative ideas/principles, but he is not a conservative. They are not one and the same.
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 4:34PM
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.
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 traveling the same path."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Elron H.| 12.30.11 @ 11:44PM
Please stay in Iowa with the rest of the Ron Paul tinfoil hat brigade.
Clint| 12.31.11 @ 6:08AM
Uh Oh !
The Poseur Punk Poster Is In The Building.
Watch The Video Poseur Punk Poster.
The Compassion of Dr. Ron Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?f.....Rv0Z5SNrF4
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
juandos| 12.30.11 @ 4:06PM
"The only intellectual and conservative running is Ron Paul"...
You can't possibly mean this Ron Paul, can you?
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 4:38PM
He Means This Ron Paul, In The Short Video:
http://digitaljournal.com/article/316304
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Alan Brooks| 12.30.11 @ 5:19PM
Waterworks Newt:
DES MOINES -- Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich broke down in tears when asked about his mother at a campaign stop at a coffee shop here Friday.
Asked by pollster and Republican consultant Frank Luntz talk about a "special moment" he remembers about his late mother, Gingrich first responded, "first of all, you're going to get me all teary-eyed - Callista will tell you, I get teary-eyed every time we send Christmas cards."
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 1:10PM
Who Is Mittens Romney ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1wPrsEP2nc
The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Mittens.
Hannah B.| 12.30.11 @ 5:19PM
Actually, we have several very good conservative candidates, including Gingrich, who has been demonized by the left and the RINOs for his immorality.
Honestly, I believe he has repented and amended his life. I have known him since before we could drive a car and understand quite well why he behaved as he did considering his family background. Such a childhood, if unhealed, most always leads drinking and drugs, or some kind of illicit sex - but people can change - thanks be to GOD.
That being said, ALL our GOP candidates are being demonized by the media and the left...all the Alinsky tactics: vile epithets, ridicule, etc. are being hurled at them.
Gingrich lost the support of the Bush team when he wouldn't go along with their tax hike.
Some of the politically conservative pundits (like Coulter and Drudge) don't like the social conservative candidates like Santorum, Bachmann, Perry and the new Newt.
The attacks are coming from right, left and friendly fire as well...and folks are predicting and betting on a winner even before the first primary vote has been cast.
Alan Brooks| 12.30.11 @ 5:22PM
Hannah, you know very well, despite what you may write, that Gingrich will not be the candidate next autumn.
Dan| 12.31.11 @ 10:32AM
Gingrich NEVER enjoyed support from the Bush clan, nor the Bush following.
Bush fought against Gingrich winning the position of House Minority Whip.
It's as much style as anything.
The Bush style typically is uncomfortable with the proclamation of stark choices, or statements of uncomfortable, but rather self-evident truths.
Recall GW campaigning against Gore and Kerry, and minimizing, almost trivializing the differences between them by saying, repeatedly saying, "we just have a difference of opinion."
Gingrich on the other hand would place those "differences of opinion" at another level, a world shattering, transformational level.
Even think of the adjectives and adverbs Gingrich prefers using. He loves for instance using the term "fundamental"
It was Gingrich who quipped years ago, long before Obama, that "Real Change requires REAL CHANGE!
Bush and anybody like Gingrich would never get along, because Gingrich is interested in advancing an agenda, whereas Bush, and those like Bush, are much more interested in being seen as playing well with the other children in the sandbox.
Gingrich is a force of a man.
The Bushs? It's no coincidence that the Bush men have often had their fundamental manhood questioned.
Who here thinks that a Gingrich would nominate some wimp like Souter, or an unaccomplished sycophant like Harriet Meirs.
But both of those selections say everything you need to know about the attitudes and prejudices that swirl inside the Bush family.
W| 12.31.11 @ 4:14PM
Bush 41 was a decorated war hero, was the youngest Navy pilot, quit Yale to volunteer, and his "manhood is questioned?" You sound Keith Oberaman and the MSNBC crowd. It is one thing to favor Gingrich but you are out in left field.
Bush 41 also nominated Clarence Thomas and more importantly supported him in the nomination battle instead of abandoning him as Reagan abandoned Bork. Bush 43 nominated Roberts and Alito.
What is it , do you hate Bush or like Gingrich. Hating Bush is not a reason to vote for Newt.
Grzmlyk| 12.31.11 @ 2:51PM
I'm sorry, Gingrich is no conservative. He's whatever he needs to be to be elected. The man has no ideological compass whatsoever.
His ongoing embrace of global warming is all I need to know about Newt Gingrich (though that is not the only area where he is wobbly). That is the camel's nose under the tent of Marxist redistribution and one-worldism. Sorry, that's a fact. It is not his impulse to "save the planet" that drives his support for this grift; it is his utter faith in Big Government.
I had to laugh when he labeled Paul Ryan's Social Security plan right-wing social engineering. What is cap-and-trade and "green energy" mandates from Uncle Sam but left-wing social engineering????
Just as if I had learned my wife was serially promiscuous with vacuous party boys it would end our marriage, so Gingrich's scurrilous appearance on that couch with Nancy Pelosi - and his embrace of goverment energy solutions - which have proven to be nothing but gigantic flim-flam boondoggles for the select few - has ended any possible support I would ever give that abject whore-in-conservative clothing.
He is a classic government-knows-best statist.
And he's not that impressive, frankly, although his off-the-cuff and very fleet-footed debate style is temporarily captivating. But, underneath the glib, self-satisfied know-it-all is a fairly run-of-the-mill narcissist; bright, but not exactly the idea factory he portrays himself to be, and, if the man has an ounce of wisdom in him, he sure hides it well.
He also lacks any discipline. In many ways, he reminds me of Obama - too lazy to do the normal blocking-and-tackling that his position requires, presumes to be the smartest man in the room, cannot brook intellectual criticism and is a card-carrying member of the status quo who pretends to be an agent of "change." Ha!
I would vote for Newt were his name on the ballot, but let's face it: Gingrich was the Romney alternative flavor of the month LAST month.
The truth is, the GOP establishment candidate is the one who will become the nominee: the powers that be, in cahoots with the mainstream media, have marginalized genuine conservatives (to my mind, that's Bachmann and Santorum; Perry is a non-entity) in favor of Romney.
Gee, what a thrilling prospect. So, instead of kicking the can down the road from the far left, as Obama is doing, Romney will kick it down the road from slightly-right of center.
What a comfort. Yippee.
NoMoBO| 1.1.12 @ 3:31PM
I am sticking with Gingrich. He is the man to stick it to Obama and put America back on track. I don't care what his "baggage" is. No one escapes life without making mistakes, bad decisions or hurting the ones you love or that love you. No one. Gingrich has assessed his life and has made changes to better himself. He has my vote. I do not want Romney to win. He won't change anything. The old guard Republicans want him because he will keep things status quo. They don't want their apple carts upset by a Gingrich or a Perry. Gingrich is the smartest man in the room, bar none, and will turn Obama into a sniveling, thumb-sucking idiot right in front of our very eyes. Give NEWT a chance. VOTE NEWT.
Seek| 12.30.11 @ 7:04PM
How so? Gingrich allegedly stands for strong conservative values.
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 10:43PM
" The New Hampshire Gazette
The Chickenhawk Hall Of Shame
name:
Willard Mitt Romney
rank:
Chickenhawk First Class with Distinguished Fleeing Cross
date-of-birth:
March 12, 1947
home state:
Michigan
missed opportunity:
Vietnam War
excuse:
None to speak of
preferred activity:
Trying to talk people into becoming Mormons
occupation:
Climbing ambition's greased pole
When your daddy's a Governor and a Cabinet Secretary, it's amazing how your odds of being drafted diminish."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Elron H.| 12.30.11 @ 11:46PM
The Dim-Wit Hall-of-Fame:
Clint.
Clint| 12.31.11 @ 6:31AM
The Poseur Punk Poster Elron H. Israel Firster Smear Bund Boy Is In The Building.
Tonawanda| 12.30.11 @ 7:23AM
Very perceptive article. As noted, there is a degree of unfairness in characterizing either in such a negative way, but conservatives are highly sensitized to a factor we cannot change: the absurdly unfair caricature the media will paint of any conservative candidate.
George Bush - - no conservative or friend of conservatives by any means - - proved beyond doubt that any non-Leftist can be successfully destroyed as a purported stupid jerk if he coincidentally has any superficial trait lending itself to that lampoon.
It is unfair and it is a fact. Conservatives are simply reacting realistically.
Alan Brooks| 12.30.11 @ 5:24PM
Bush was overrated in that he wasn't a coke damaged frat-boy. However he only cared- deep down- about his dynasty.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.30.11 @ 8:01AM
Marshall McLuhan stated it best, "The medium is the message." Politicians who do not take that to heart find out that video is a brutal mirror:
A commercial society whose members are essentially ascetic and indifferent in social ritual has to be provided with blueprints and specifications for evoking the right tone for every occasion.
Marshall McLuhan
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.
Marshall McLuhan
All media exist to invest our lives with artificial perceptions and arbitrary values.
Marshall McLuhan
martin j smith| 12.30.11 @ 8:05AM
Alan: Obama is our worst president ever beyond Jimmy Carter.
David W| 12.30.11 @ 9:24AM
We really do not know how bad Obama is. The media does everything within its power to prevent anything bad from getting out. It is hard to imagine that a man with the ideological background Obama has is as pure as the driven snow as some might think. I would not be surprised that once he is out of office (if he ever is) a lot will come forth.
da monk| 12.30.11 @ 4:03PM
David W. Like what?
Quartermaster| 12.30.11 @ 4:47PM
We don't know, and that's the point. The media is in the tank for the man.
Hannah B.| 12.30.11 @ 4:57PM
A picture is worth a thousand words:
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/sta.....x-wide.jpg
The story:
http://israelinsider.net/profi.....ret-son-of
There is more if you search for it.
juandos| 12.30.11 @ 4:09PM
I do believe that Obama is even worse than F.D.R. and that's quite an accomplishment...
Hannah B.| 12.30.11 @ 4:58PM
Yep - Economic chart - http://americanglob.com/2011/1.....ple-chart/
Hannah B.| 12.30.11 @ 4:49PM
Intentionally, calculatingly so.
Redatheart| 12.30.11 @ 8:11AM
"Both are highly intelligent"...will the media be relentless, unlike in 2008, to ensure that college transcripts are released? We were told Barack Obama was so superiorally intelligent beyond the rest of the nation, yet there's nothing other than practiced rhetoric to back up the claim. Mitt Romney refuses thus far to release his tax records ('stupid' Perry has done so) and Romney declared a few days ago he has no intention of releasing the identities of his campaign bundlers. The lack of transparency of both actions are technically legal, but highly unpopular with an electorate that is suspicious of politicians that are deliberate about withholding information. While Newt and Mitt speak with a convincing level of intellect, perhaps its the American people that are not particularly bright if they are willing to settle, again, for a leader that clearly has information to hide.
W| 12.30.11 @ 8:25AM
I agree both Perry and Bachman are intelligent and much smarter than Obama/Biden combined. It seems Perry did not prepare well enough for the debates. How you do on TV in these debates creates the impression to the voters, and first impressions stick. Bachman is more informed on national issues because she is in Congress, but she also looked unprepared for some of the questions.
Romney and Santorum were much better prepared for the questions. Of course, Romney has the benefit of the 08 campaign, and Santorum was a Senator for 12 years and went through four difficult campaings in Pa, one for the House and three for the Senate.
Perry should have been the leader given his military record, record as governor, and conservative views. Maybe he will do well in the primaries.
Stormzeye| 12.30.11 @ 3:54PM
I agree that Bachmann and Perry are not at all stupid or simple in their thinking. The difference between them and Romney and Gingrich as well as Paul is that those three have actually lived with these issues for at least twenty years. They have thought about these policy matters on a daily basis for decades and have honed, to varying degrees, a point of view that may change from time to time but at least they can be conversant about them. Bachmann and Perry are relatively new to these matters and as a result espouse points of view without the depth of understanding that only years of thought and analysis can reveal.
The problem with Romney is commitment to a certain position. The problem with Gingrich is that he's intrigued by the last "good idea" he heard and the problem with Paul is that he has become intractable and strident in his dogma to the point where a theologian would be embarrassed.
Dan| 12.31.11 @ 10:42AM
Perry wasn't prepared for the debates because he wasn't prepared for the office.
Stop creating some artificial Chinese wall between office preparation and debate preparation.
Had Perry been as knowledgeable about those subjects necessary to hit the ground running in the White House, then that would have shown through in his debate performance. His debate performances were a shambles because CLEARLY he hadn't prepared for the role.
Few here really understand how much time Reagan spent reading, spent reviewing arcane position papers on foreign policy, SALT talks, economic matters.
It's clear that Perry hasn't invested the amount of time necessary to even appear prepared for the job he seeks.
Perry wasted our time.
And for that, I hold him in as much contempt as I do Herman Cain. Both men wasted our time while they went off and tried to glorify themselves.
W| 12.31.11 @ 1:39PM
Dan
Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild, a labor union for actors. He dealt with and was familiar with the commie influence in Hollywood. He was a spokesman for GE and gave many speeches on current issues. He was then governor of California for 8 years.
You are correct that he had spent much time thinking and discussing the important issues of the day. So when he ran for president he had clear views on cutting taxes and defeating the Soviet Union and reducing the role of government.
He knew what he believed in and said it simply and eloquently.
Nancy in NC| 12.30.11 @ 8:51AM
We have a electorate that was raised on TV and weaned on American Idol. Most have read few books or had an original thought. They are like mirrors, reflecting what they hear. The government controlled education system has thoroughly indoctrinated them NOT to think or reason or have principles. Theirs is a feel good, in the moment society,
Therefore the rhetoric of Obama has resonated well. Sound bites are much more interesting and compelling than substance. Does anyone think a Jefferson or a Lincoln could get elected in the US at his moment in time?
Few know how much the national debt is, and many believe that George Bush did it all. Most are not as informed as the regular posters here, for sure.
And almost half of the country is depending on the government for tomorrow's rent and food, in one fashion or another. As for the national debt, it is in line with their credit card debt.
Fewer realize that the principles espoused by Obama and Company have destroyed Europe and have brought it to the brink of disaster. The very ideals that made this country great are reviled by a president who has never experienced mid-America and finds what he knows about it suspect, particularly guns and religion.
The corrupt media fails to point out the hypocrisy of the liar in chief, but harps relentlessly on every misstep of the GOP candidate.
The problem, IMHO, is Americans have no staying power. They jump from one thing to another, looking for a quick cure or another feel good moment. When one has no principles or fundamentals, expecially those espoused by our Declaration and Constitution, they gleam onto each and every sound bite, hoping this is the answer.
While many attack our leaders and want-to-be leaders, it might be wise to realize they are but a reflection of us...shortcomings and all.
How can an unprincipled, uneducated citizenry expect anything different?
Patriot Gal NC| 12.30.11 @ 9:45AM
Nancy in NC...
I could not agree more with your post. In reading some of the comments, I would say that even folks purporting to be Tea Party Conservatives...are obviously regurgitating the ladled out B.S. the so-called media have put out there about Pres. Bush and on Mr. Gingrich, as well. Even though it is exceedingly difficult to do...I routinely MAKE MYSELF read all opinions --good/bad or indifferent on every candidate out there. I find that this exercise has helped my intuition in moving through the "fog" --which is DELIBERATELY being put out there to keep everyone disoriented, until "they" decide to shine some light at us, that "they" wish for us to follow through this insidious "fog". People need to seriously pay attention to who "they" are trying to steer us to. Pay attention to this. To say we are being "played" is putting it mildly.
Stormzeye| 12.30.11 @ 3:59PM
Patriot Gal, your take on Tea Partiers is wrong. They are some of the best informed and most grounded members of the electorate based on my experience here in Florida. Don't be misled by what most of the media presents as Tea Partiers. Look for a local chapter and go to a couple of meetings. I'm sure you'll be surprised. If you count yourself as well read and well informed you should do this to add to your knowledge base.
W| 12.30.11 @ 10:28AM
Nancy
There have always been stupid voters, but you can't blame the American people because a candidate cannot communicate his message. The MSM is there but so is Fox, internet, and print media.
Reagan had no problem speaking directly to the people in his TV adresses to explain himself. He went over the heads of the MSM and there was no internet or Fox in his time.
Like or not this is the stage now and a nominee better be prepared and know how to communicate his message. He can't rely on the MSM or blame the people.
Reagan and Clinton knew how to communicate. GWB did a poor job after 2004 to defend his policies and this allowed his opponents to define Iraq and his economic policies as failures. Bush's press secretaries were awful while Clinton's were agressive and forceful.
BD57| 12.30.11 @ 9:48PM
I wish W just did a "poor" job. IMO, he didn't defend his policies at all.
Dan| 12.31.11 @ 10:48AM
To defend those positions those positions would have entailed conflict, a sharpening of the cultural differences across the nation.
So as the phrase went during the Bush administration, they weren't interested in "relitigating" the issue, and of course the specific issues they weren't interested in "relitigating" increased, until it became clear they weren't much interested in defending their ENTIRE stewardship of the nation's affairs.
This is EXACTLY the type of brain dead garbage that is par for the course with that brood up there.
Look at GW's Crawford ranch for instance.
Recall all the garbage about how much it meant to him, how much he loved it, how he intended to retire to it.
Yea, and how long did it take for GW to unload it once it was no longer useful to his public image.
There are REASONS the Bush family was behind Romney, and has been behind Romney for years and years.
It's sickening.
That Bush family has wrought so much damage to the country that it beggars description.
Niniane| 12.30.11 @ 7:53PM
Excellent comment. And many in my NC area just do not understand the domino effect of a bad economic policy on the country. They are happy with their welfare checks, food stamps, etc. It has really turned into an immediate gratification, and I need special treatment because I am alive society. I don't need to assimilate or speak English, but will just demand that I get catered to very loudly. And this is taught from a young age as kids get a trophy for just showing up for a contest or sporting event -- not because they participated.
Personal responsibility is not high on our community organizer's list as the dismal economy is the fault of Bush, hurricanes, Bush, oil spill, Bush, earthquakes and tsunamis, Bush, evil Republicans in a do-nothing Congress, Bush...
chuck| 12.30.11 @ 9:02AM
I agree, Perry always comes off as less than intelligent, and with a plastic smile. Does he practice that in a mirror?
Bachmann always had the bitchy ex-wife tone when on the attack, not an attractive feature. And her husband looked a little too "whipped". All husbands are to a point, except for the wife-beaters, like Clint (just kidding Clint, we know you're not married, no woman could stand you). But Mr. Bachmann just looks a little too "whipped", if you know what I mean.
Bachmann is right about Gardasil though, the shit is dangerous, largely ineffective, and should be removed. Do the research before you get you daughters shot up with this crap!
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 11:47AM
That's A Lie, "small chuckie."
" Ron Paul’s “Tea Party” money bomb meets $4 million goal
Ron Paul (R-TX), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, ended his “Tea Party” money bomb Sunday at midnight. Mr. Paul succeeded in meeting his fundraising goal of $4 million. The Paul campaign plans on using the grassroots donations for additional campaign activities in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. With the donation ticker still climbing, Mr. Paul has raised more than $4,048,000 as of 9am EDT Monday.
Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Manager John Tate urged supporters to contribute Sunday.
“The more resources we have, the more undecided voters in Iowa and New Hampshire we can contact through email, mail and TV to spread Dr. Paul’s message of liberty and free markets that has him skyrocketing in the polls in the early states,” Mr. Tate wrote.
“The establishment knows Ron Paul is the one candidate who is serious about cutting spending, standing up against assaults on our liberties, restoring sound money, and fighting for a return to constitutional government,” Mr. Tate added."
The Tea Party Steps On" the small chuckie."
chuck| 12.31.11 @ 8:54AM
What does Ron Paul's "money bomb" have to do with this?
And do you wear your jack-boots when you go out to stomp faces?
Clint| 12.31.11 @ 9:12PM
The Same And This Tea Party News Does RINO-CINO chuckie.
"ANKENY, Iowa – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul won another local tea party presidential straw poll in Iowa tonight, outshining his competitors in a display of growing organizational strength around the state.
This local win follows Ron Paul’s endorsement by two Buena Vista-area tea party co-founders, his endorsement bytwo Dubuque-area tea party founders, and his winning first place in the Dubuque Tea Party presidential straw poll."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
rhoetus| 12.30.11 @ 1:42PM
chuck my boy, are you afraid of strong women? How about Margaret Thatcher? Ann Coulter? Jean Kirkpatrick? Clare Boothe Luce?
chuck| 12.31.11 @ 8:36AM
I love strong women, am married to one. Keeps me on my toes.
Love Thatcher, wish we had one like her here. I like Bachmann, but she's not Thatcher. Ann Coulter is witty, cutting, has a way with words, and can sell a lot of books. She can also be annoying, and I don't really think she is as intelligent as she appears. She also needs to eat, she looks like an Ethiopian.
Bachmann has that "deer in the headlights" look. I'm sure she's bright, and has come far considering her limited experience. I just think that Newt has a much better grasp on the history of this country, where we came from, what made us great, and how to restore America to her former greatness. Bachmann may slow the decline, but Newt will reverse it.
rhoetus| 1.1.12 @ 11:59AM
Newt is the kind of technocrat that got us in the mess we are in now. He folded like a lawn chair when he was Speaker to Washington's "politics as usual". I can't trust him winning the future.
Chuck| 12.30.11 @ 9:04AM
The Tea Party is effective at the grass roots, the more local the election the greater the success for Tea Party backed candidates. As you raise the stakes and go for higher office the Tea party influence diminishes remember the US Senate races in 2010. At the Presidential level virtually irrelevant. Romney will probably be the GOP nominee and he is the total antithesis to the Tea Party movement. The Tea Party has two choices in the future find someone to step forward and lead the Tea Party from the get go and run as a Republican or run as a true third party candidate that can win states in a general election hence have a chance to be elected President. Otherwise the carousel of two major party liberals running for President will continue.
Timothy L. Pennell| 12.30.11 @ 9:24AM
When the Republican Leadership in the HOUSE, and the Senate, have been REMOVED, then we will see things happen, but not until.
Boehner, McConnell, Kyle. All these OLD FOOLS have gotta go. The days of 'Go along to get along', are OVER! We have the better Ideas. We have the Better Plans for the Economy, and JOBS. We have the better Plans for Social Security, and Fixing Medicare. We have the better Plans for Reforming the Tax Code (FLATTEN IT!) and Rebuilding our Military. (Make it BIGGER)
But, we're afraid. These Republicans are more concerned about THEIR JOBS, than they are with us having a Job. They're more afraid of what The New York Times, or the WAPO, or David Gregory and Bob Schieffer are gonna say about them, then they are of US. That has to change, NOW.
Once the New Year starts, it might just be time to take a Play out of The Jew Hating Muslim's Playbook. It might be time to fill up some BUSES, and take a drive to these people's HOMES. Let'em know that we are Sick and Tired of it, and we're not gonna take it, anymore.
They think they're afraid of the other side?Let's show'em what FEAR really looks like.
Tea Party People. (Not Clint. REAL Tea Party People) If you want someone's attention? Sometimes you've gotta go out and GET IT.
I told John Boehnor, a long time ago, that if he was not ready to Tow The Line, and do what WE sent him there to do, then the next time we see him crying, won't be because he's the Speaker of the House. It'll be because HE'S NOT!
Now it's personal.
Bye the way. I'm starting up a PAC. You've inspired me to enter the race. But......I'm gonna need a coupla bucks. Anything you can come up with, I would really appreciate. Ya know. Tell your friends. It doesn't have to be Money, per se. Do you have any broken Gold or Silver Jewelry? Gold Crowns are good. That kinda stuff. Hey. I'm in it to win it.
"TLP for You and Me"
It's kinda gotta ring to it, don't ya think?
(Send Money)
Minuteman78| 12.30.11 @ 11:51AM
I agree about Boehner. I think he squats to p. I never saw such a rubber-spined gutless wonder in all my life.
buckeyeman| 1.2.12 @ 11:07AM
Boehner's gotta go. I can't send you any money, however, until you learn that it's "Toe" the line and not "Tow" the line. You could use "tow" the line if you were pulling something with a rope but the common expression refers to someone's behavior, hence "toeing the line" in the sense of proper and orderly behavior (everyone lined up with their toes on a line on the floor - get it?).
I live in Boehner's district and am willing to run against him. That means you would have to tow the line and send the money to me.
bill| 12.30.11 @ 9:21AM
Rick Perry is articulate and authentic. He is the victim of smear campaign by MSM. He'll be the surprise winner of IA Caucus. He'll also win SC and FL, conceding NH to Mitt Romney (Mitt was the governor of neighboring MA, and that's no surprise). And Perry will clinch the GOP nod. He'll shred Obama in the debate and defeat him in a landslide.
It's miracle. It happened in 1980, history repeats itself in 2012. This time it's Rick Perry.
America will be better off without Obama.
Minuteman78| 12.30.11 @ 11:51AM
The PLANET would be better off without Obama.
David W| 12.30.11 @ 9:31AM
It would be very interesting to talk with those who are heading up/directing the campaigns of Perry and Bachmann. Do they have any skills working with the media? Did they talk with their candidates and honestly describe their "bad points" as far as image goes? Heck, a few weeks of work with a real DTM from a Toastmasters club could have vastly improved Perry and Bachmann's abilities to work the camera and debates. May not have been perfect, and may still not be enough to overcome the MSM's coddling of Obama, but it would have prevented others from thinking they are stupid.
TommyFrisco| 12.30.11 @ 9:35AM
Yes, Andrew, since our main goal is to defeat Obama, we are looking ahead to the general election. We are tired of the MSM constantly portraying our Republican presidents as being stupid and too conservative for mainstream America. It will be difficult for the MSM to tag either of those charges against Gingrich or Romney. Romney is a blue state, north-eastern liberal Republican with a record that any Democrat should find acceptable. The MSM viciously attacked Gingrich as being too conservative while he was Speaker of the House, but he has thrown some ideas out there since leaving public office that should attract moderates and liberals. We're hoping the MSM will focus on those comments and ignore Newt's conservative record of achieving the very things we need today.
Indy| 12.30.11 @ 9:51AM
I also believe some of the stronger candidates are sitting this one out or in the case of Pence, he opted to run for Governor. The bench strength of Rubio, West, and a few others just got to DC and with timing being everything 2012 was simply too soon but sadly 2012 is the election, 2016 will simply be too late. While we may be disappointed with the field, we need to focus on the Senate, House and state elections.
We need strong governors who will be willing to stand up to DC and we will need a Congress with stones to stand up to Obama if re-elected or if Willard or any weak GOP candidate wins, pressure will need to come from Congress....McConnell and Boehner must not be allowed to continue as weak leaders who spend more time fighting conservatives than fighting for our country which will hit fiscal ruin sooner rather than later.
Mark Jefferies| 12.30.11 @ 9:54AM
Look. A knowledgeble conservative friend of mine said it best, given the less-than-desired presidential candidate field: in 2012 we can take back the Senate, hold the House, and GET ANYONE in the White House who can be a placeholder for 2016. That's preferable to a Lame Duck Obama who can still damage us further by packing the Supreme Court! 2016 could be better pickins for a more-palatable conservative.
Stormzeye| 12.30.11 @ 4:06PM
Exactly correct Mark. As Chuck said earlier the Tea Party is a grass roots organization. If we take control of the House and Senate it almost won't matter who is in the White House. Except for Supreme Court appointments, his ability to influence the outcome of events will be severely diminished. All politics are indeed local.
George S| 12.30.11 @ 9:56AM
Republican primary voters haven't even voted yet. Where are you getting this "letting down" stuff? Ah, the polls...
Douglas Fletcher | 12.30.11 @ 5:25PM
Yeah, it's the usual "we know the future" attitude from people who never saw the Tea Party movement coming in the first place.
irish19| 1.2.12 @ 5:48PM
Bingo!
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!!
JGwen| 12.30.11 @ 10:19AM
Given your point that would be “Republican Voters” are “are going for intellect -- which brings with it a sense of competence -- over ideology.” I would, however, suggest this approach will likely prove Most Unfortunate for the Future of our Nation. By the time 2013 arrives, if we are so fortunate to displace the current President and take back the Senate ... we will need an Executive in the oval office ready to make choices, stake claims based on fundamental principles, press for reforms when the time is at hand, and resist capitulation even when it is politically expedient to do so. The problem will be that a Moderate Establishment President is far more likely to putter around the edges of problems and paper over the long term implications. This could leave much needed reforms such as those advanced by Representative Ryan waiting in the wings for disaster to occur. This could leave such decisive desperately needed actions re the eliminating or restructuring federal agencys such as Education, Energy, Commerce and Homeland Security and providing timely border security foundering.
As for the brilliant intellect, the man with infinite solutions ... idealists generate many paths to follow some of which are valuable, some of which aren’t. They tend to broad brush rather that fully flesh out their proposals, unintended impacts and oppositions. Like the hummingbird in the garden, they flit along looking for the next nectar to indulge in.
Given my choice of an elite, establishment moderate with a record of evolving “positions” on individual mandates, and particularly climate change and the like - or a conservative candidate who has a record of following through on his convictions, I would vote for the conservative candidate in a heartbeat!
I would start from the perspective that Governor Perry has sterling Executive Experience.
The conservative legislative majority in Texas, working cooperatively and energetically with Gov. Perry, set Texas on a path that has distinguished it from most of the country. Texas was “Last Into the Recession, First Out: Texas Tax Revenues Bounce Back.” Under Republican leadership, with Governor Perry leading the way, Texas has kept the tax burden low, its housing market stable, the regulatory environment fair. Leadership is about making choices, staking claims based on fundamental principles, pressing reforms when the time is at hand, and resisting capitulation even when it is politically expedient to do so.
Since Perry has been Governor, Texas has added more than 45% of the entire nation’s net new jobs among job-adding states. Keep in mind that Texas has about 8.1% of the nation’s population. You could also say that Texas, during Rick Perry’s tenure as Governor, has added more jobs than the other 49 states combined.
Gov. Perry has worked decisively to restore and strengthen constitutional principles, instill fiscal discipline, secure property rights, and free the economy so that Texas can take advantage of the hand that it’s been dealt. In the context of our crisis, America needs a president who will do the same for nation.
That he observes and encourages a Judeo-Christian ethic including a respect for the individual, individual responsibility, freedom and respect for the rule of law ... is at the least an “icing on the cake,” from my perspective.
I only hope our Nation will wake up to the Emergency we will be facing by 2013 and the disciplined strength our Chief Executive will need to turn our "Ship of State" around and head it back to safe waters, so we can again become the "exceptionalists" we are at our core!
bill| 12.30.11 @ 10:30AM
JGwen,
I agree with you 100%, you're a true patriot.
Seek| 12.30.11 @ 7:07PM
Perry is also a shameless enthusiast for mass immigration from Mexico. Indeed, he is even worse than Bush Jr. on this, favoring amnesty on a scale you cannot fathom.
Nite| 12.30.11 @ 8:54PM
That is not the truth. Perry has asked Obama several times for boots on the ground, and aviation assets. obama refused. Perry has military and TX Ranger teams on the border now.
bill| 12.30.11 @ 10:27AM
Here's a possible scenario of GOP race:
Mitt Romney: winning NH Primary and losing IA, SC, FL
Newt Gingrich: losing NH and IA, but winning SC (he's from the neighboring state, GA)
Rick Perry: losing NH and IA, second place in SC and winning the FL Primary
Michelle Bachmann: second place in IA, third place in SC, and fourth place in FL, it'll be over
Rick Santorum: winning IA, fourth place in SC, and fifth place in FL, ending the campaign
Ron Paul: second place in IA and NH, and the last place in SC and FL, then he'll be evaporated
Jon Huntsman: lost in translation
Mitt, Newt, and Rick will be on the GOP race after the Super Tuesday blowout, showing strength in different regions.
Mitt will capture the NE and the Midwestern states (MI, WI,IL,IN)states, and will win no southern states, but take UT, NV, CA, OR, WA
Newt will grab GA (his home state), VA, NC, KY, TN,AR
Rick Perry will snatch TX (his home state),MS, LA, OK, MO, NM, AZ, NE, CO
In the convention, Newt and Mitt will fall short in delegate count, and concede to Rick Perry.
Rick Perry will be the GOP nominee.
RCV| 12.30.11 @ 11:20AM
Newt is not even on the ballot in VA
bill| 12.30.11 @ 11:46AM
It's under litigation, it is not over yet.
Interested Conservative| 12.30.11 @ 9:31PM
Neither is Perry, and he's the one doing the suing.
RCV| 12.31.11 @ 9:38PM
Only if Gingrich can find one of those "activist judges" he's always railing against to overturn Virginia state law.
Petronius| 12.30.11 @ 10:43AM
The first and greatest blunder all these candidates make is their futile attempts to get the Liberal media who are sworn enemies of us all to Like them. This entails the utterance of as little true Conservatism on the stump as necessary. Et tu Newt. The character assassinations will continue until a real Conservative with a clean record spits all the bile spewed by these vacuous media bastards back in their faces with three little words: Who elected you? Do you hear me Mr. Santorum? Pick up the gauntlet and rake it across their treasonous faces. Stand in the public square and tell the voters of this country that your Attorney General will bollock the lot of them in Federal Court for all their deliberate lies, mis-characterizations, and treasonous acts in time of war by publishing classified information endangering our troops on deployment. Stop accepting all the false premises posited by "journalists" for the purpose of netting a "Gotcha". Stand for one thing above all others: Retsoration of Constitutional Government and all its limits on Federal power.
BackToBasics| 12.30.11 @ 6:02PM
from your post - "The first and greatest blunder all these candidates make is their futile attempts to get the Liberal media who are sworn enemies of us all to Like them."
For sure! These people are in their 50's, 60's and 70's and still have not gotten over their need to be loved by the media and also by Democrats. As you imply, they should just "go for it" and let the chips fall where they may. The current strategy is certainly not a winning one. There are still enough people who would rally to their side if they showed such conservative conviction that it could change the country's direction. Millions are very hungry for truth and conviction in political discourse and policy.
Bob Miller| 12.30.11 @ 10:44AM
So far, we have no knowledge of how Tea Party members vote in presidential primaries; we haven't had one yet!
rhoetus| 12.30.11 @ 10:56AM
I support the Tea Party and Ron Paul.
Clint| 12.30.11 @ 11:50AM
" Ron Paul’s “Tea Party” money bomb meets $4 million goal
Ron Paul (R-TX), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, ended his “Tea Party” money bomb Sunday at midnight. Mr. Paul succeeded in meeting his fundraising goal of $4 million. The Paul campaign plans on using the grassroots donations for additional campaign activities in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. With the donation ticker still climbing, Mr. Paul has raised more than $4,048,000 as of 9am EDT Monday.
Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Manager John Tate urged supporters to contribute Sunday.
“The more resources we have, the more undecided voters in Iowa and New Hampshire we can contact through email, mail and TV to spread Dr. Paul’s message of liberty and free markets that has him skyrocketing in the polls in the early states,” Mr. Tate wrote.
“The establishment knows Ron Paul is the one candidate who is serious about cutting spending, standing up against assaults on our liberties, restoring sound money, and fighting for a return to constitutional government,” Mr. Tate added."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.30.11 @ 10:59AM
Yeah Andrew
That's just what we need; a snot-nosed deep blue State "intellectualoid" advising us on who is smart and/or dumb.
Rick Perry on Fox (Greta) last night:
http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/.....ttack-iowa
Margie| 12.30.11 @ 2:12PM
You are WORSE by far than a snot nose. Reprobate.
REPENT, liar:
"But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23.
Nick| 12.30.11 @ 5:19PM
Margie,
Where's those answers to my three simple questions?
Margie| 12.30.11 @ 6:53PM
^^ This is your brain on Idolatry^^
Nick| 12.30.11 @ 7:15PM
Margie,
So, you give up, huh Fonzi?
Yeah! I win!
Just like Toddard, Marxist Reader, and 3/5 Bob.
How sad.
Margie| 12.30.11 @ 8:16PM
^^ This is your brain on perversion.^^
Nick| 12.31.11 @ 1:59PM
Do infants sin, or not, Margie? It's a simple question.
My 12 year-old nephews could answer it.
Margie| 12.31.11 @ 2:43PM
Hey~ OCD Pope worshipper~ if you wish to live your life according to what the phony Vatican teaches~ be my guest.
They baptize infants, don't they?
You will have to stand before GOD and answer to HIM.
YOU must answer the question yourself, Nick. I've answered your questions here repeatedly~ TROLL.
Now, stop being a RETARD and an OCD patient, and repeating yourself, it makes you look like an asshole.
Which you truly are.
Nick| 12.31.11 @ 3:15PM
"Now, stop being a RETARD and an OCD patient, and repeating yourself, it makes you look like an asshole.
Which you truly are."
Yes, I remember Christ using those very same words against the Pharisees!
This is exactly what Toddard, Marxist Reader, and 3/5 Bob used to do to me, when they couldn't rebut my arguments or answer my very simple questions. They would curse at me and call me names, like children. How does it feel to be in such company, Margie?
But, you have not answered the questions, even though you claim that you have. So, do it now.
Do infants sin, or don't they?
"So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander." - 1 Peter 2:1
God Bless!
Margie| 12.31.11 @ 5:50PM
Slander is untruth.
The TRUTH is that you are a liar, and so is your Reprobate pal, Ken.
NOW: Retard and liar: stop lying and asking the same answered question repeatedly, and I'll quit saying you're acting like an OCD retard. OKEEDOKEE punk?
Nick| 12.31.11 @ 6:36PM
Margie,
""Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." - Gal. 6:2-3
Now, when are you going to answer my three very simple questions?
Do you believe that infants can sin?
Did Paul mess up when he wrote, in the same chapter, that "many have sinned"?
Did the Holy Spirit inspire the Old Testament authors to write that Enoch and Elijah did not die, and then inspire Paul to write that "ALL [pantes] have died"? If He meant ALL, as in everyone who ever lived?
Until you can answer these questions, your argument, or, rather, your flawed interpretation, doesn't have a leg to stand on.
God Bless!
RCV| 12.31.11 @ 9:40PM
I'm sure God is really offended by someone blessing a newborn baby in the name of Jesus Christ.
Margie| 1.1.12 @ 3:31PM
God is offended by liars and false accusers and unrepentant Reprobates.
As it is written:
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
RCV~ you're a blatant lying scumbag and false aaccuser.
Ken is a blatant lying scumbag and false accuser, and he knows it, and yet he continues.. AND does it in the NAME OF GOD. That's what you call a Reprobate.
Nick is a liar and false accuser and an Idolator who spits in the face of ALL Bible believing Christians who take their stand on Scripture~ which he twists to suit his Pope worship.
"Every Word of God proves true; He is a Shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." Prov. 30:5 & 6.
"Everyone transgressing and not abiding
in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.
The one abiding in the doctrine of Christ,
this one has the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not
bear this doctrine, do not receive him into
the house, and do not speak a greeting to
him.
For the one speaking a greeting shares
in his evil works." 2 Jn. 1:9-11.
RCV| 1.1.12 @ 3:43PM
Zzzzzzzzzzz..........
Nick| 1.1.12 @ 11:32PM
Margie,
Do infants sin, or don't they? It's a simple question, for those who can understand Greek and the Bible.
"Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9
William Bloomer| 12.30.11 @ 11:05AM
Interesting ... you left out the 2nd & 3rd place nominees - Santorum and Paul - in that order. Where do THEY fit into your theory?
Kingofthenet| 12.30.11 @ 11:25AM
Yup, When I think 'Tea Party' the first association that come to mind is great intellect....and tri-point hats
bill| 12.30.11 @ 11:47AM
I support the Tea Party and Rick Perry.
Stormzeye| 12.30.11 @ 4:15PM
I support the Tea Party and anyone who can run Obama and his crowd out of the Washington.
irish19| 1.2.12 @ 6:05PM
Same here. Way to cut to the chase.
Naturalborn Texicanette| 12.30.11 @ 11:55AM
Perry's last two debates were quite good. He was articulate and focused....when he was allowed to respond to a question.
I still have hope that he will gain the interest of those who absolutely do not want the Romney machine to win the nomination. There is still plenty of time left for Perry to rise.
This whole "procedure" has been a roller coaster ride, so who's to say for sure which potential candidate will win out?
The liberal media has such a negative influence on America...manipulating what we see and hear in the way they want it presented. Focusing on the negatives and perceived "mistakes" of each candidate, one by one, in an effort to confuse and sway voters to their way of seeing and thinking of each individual candidate.
It's still pretty much a crap shoot at this point. But Perry is my choice, and will be until I am forced to vote for the "anybody" who runs against Obummer........
Matt| 12.30.11 @ 11:58AM
Perhaps the voters are finally waking up and realizing that pure ideology is NOT the way to choose a candidate. The majority of Americans are not far left liberals or far right religious fanatics. Most of us are in the MIDDLE somewhere, and tired of both extremes causing havoc in the primaries. hasn't either camp realized that they're being played by the candidates. They'll say ANYTHING to get the nomination, then when they safely have it tell the extremists on both sides to basically go pound sand, and tack back to the middle where they know it's safe to get elected by majority moderates.
As a former republican, I find myself quite at odds with the platforms shoved down the throats of the rest of the party. Not all of us are against gays in the military, or hell bent on criminalizing abortion, or being the world's policeman. The President represents ALL Americans, not just the extremists in both wings.
Quartermaster| 12.30.11 @ 5:00PM
The Necons want to be the world's policeman. They infiltrated the Republicans when the McGovernites ran them out of the Democrat party and managed to burrow under our skin and feed like the ticks they are. They aren't the GOP mainstream.
There is nothing extreme about preventing the murder of an unborn child. That you so obviously disagree marks you as one sick puppy.
Queers have no place in the military when they want to practice their perversion openly. I've seen the problems they can create when they had to lie to get in, and my son the problems under DADT. They are a risk to a unit's cohesion and integrity. Keeping them out is simple prudence, not an extreme position. Unless, of course you wish to see the military compromised even more than it already is by the PC gender nonsense.
It would seem you are better off as an ex-Rep. The proper home for you is among the Dems.
OTOH, the party platform is routinely ignored by the candidates anyway, so I don't see your problem.
Naturalborn Texicanette| 12.30.11 @ 12:08PM
Great link to comments by Perry on Greta's show!!! Thanks Ken!
I recommend that readers here check it out!!! This is the REAL Rick Perry!!!
Dai Alanye | 12.30.11 @ 12:29PM
American voters in general, and conservatives to a large degree, choose the candidate who looks and sounds most presidential. If a candidate acts dignified, looks confident, and reads his teleprompter flawlessly (think Obama) even preposterous policies will do him little harm. If a candidate appears angry and defensive (think Hillary) better policies and experience won't be enough to secure a win.
This has been true since at least the Eisenhower elections. Not that Stevenson had better policies or more intelligence, but it was being "presidential" that won Ike large majorities. There are plenty of other past examples but too little space to bore readers with them.
Romney has failed to dominate due to a subliminal lack of confidence, and to the fact his flip-flopping seems un-presidential. Gingrich soared for a time not merely due to his debating skill but to the fact that he showed no need to attack competitors, an indication of self-confidence. As soon as he topped the polls, however, his boastfulness, an un-presidential indicator of self-doubt, initiated his plunge toward the bottom. Loss of discipline and erratic choice of priorities accelerated it. These have killed his numbers more than the barrage of negative ads.
Bachmann's frantic over-response to Perry's entry into the campaign started her downfall, and her increasingly obvious desperation should finish it on January third. Americans don't want a desperate-seeming President.
Ron Paul is a special case, since he attracts acolytes looking for simple and easy answers to the nation's complex problems. Regardless of any temporary successes in early primaries, ordinary voters will soon be repelled by his eccentric persona and lack of dignity.
Perry has shown a more-or-less complete lack of gravitas, and this more than his gaffes has done him in. I won't claim he lacks true gravity -- that is, the willingness to treat important issues seriously -- but appearances count with the vast majority of voters. He seems to be a goober, and that's all it has taken to ruin his candidacy.
Finally we come to Santorum. Early on his whining about the lack of questions and his boastfulness about his accomplishments held him far down in the polls. Despite the justice of his statements, who wants a President with qualities like that? But as the weaknesses of other candidates (except Romney and Paul) have been exposed, Santorum has concurrently improved his presentation. His policies have always been strong and his experience better than any others except Gingrich, but those weren't enough to overcome his initial faults in presenting himself. Now, however, we see a more presidential candidate.
Quartermaster| 12.30.11 @ 5:04PM
Paul is attractive not because of his knowledge of what needs to be done to FedGov to have even a chance of turning things around. The need to take a meat ax to FedGov is not even disputed, and it is not a "simple answer."
Outside of that, Paul has serious problems rendering his chances a bit higher than zero. But, if the man elected does not take a meat ax to FedGov, it won't matter who is elected. The next term will see the economy crash and it will make the so called Great Depression seem like a Sunday School picnic in comparison.
Alas, Paul is the only one that is saying what needs to be done. I see little hope for the US.
BackToBasics| 12.30.11 @ 12:32PM
Is it more intellect that people are seeing or just the perception of it; smooth delivery in other words? The best example, Romney is quick on his feet in a speaking sense but does not divulge policy specifics; certainly not in an intellectual way. I understand Cline's point and think there is some truth to it but I also think that delivery is weighed more heavily than policy discussions are by at least 60-40 among Republicans and 95-5 by "Yes we can" Democrats.
SUBVET| 12.30.11 @ 12:49PM
GOP needs stronger leadership with character and I quote "Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country"......George C.
We need new leadership in the GOP.....when are we going to take back our country.
Who Knows?| 12.30.11 @ 1:16PM
Beware of intellectuals bearing gifts.
We choose X based on PERCEIVED self interest. What’s good for General Motors is good for the USA, and---“I AM General Motors”.
Actually, most Americans are, from their programmed core, essentially DRUNK. There are so many “beverages” to swallow! When the steady state of one is NOT sober, well, the chosen leaders reflect quite nicely this condition.
Drunken voters DESERVE drunken leaders!
Remember, you can pick up habits from swamis and wiseacre men as easily as you can from alcoholics---especially parents, and/or teachers, actors, lawyers, presidents and even people who love each other. And, the existing noospheric regime we’re presently living within is dominated by habitual OFFENDERS.
There is always a mix of players, fairly well delineated by the three lower stages of human life---the physical, emotional-sexual, and the mental. So, you have sport’s stars epitomizing the physical, actors the emotional-sexual, and then there’s the mental-intellectual domain, which, by the pigeon hole principle, necessarily hums along with a hierarchy of TODAY.
In the vital political dimension, brilliantly exemplified by the ongoing race for the GOP presidential nominee, we can’t miss the in-your-face visual and audible contenders, as they try to sell their own “best qualities”. I think anyone with an iota of awareness of this race, who’s been paying attention, can themselves decide how so and so rates in the physical, emotional-sexual, and mental-intellectual categories.
I just wonder how a free election would go if inmates of an insane asylum or a prison got to vote for their leader. Hey---we all know how ex cons go for Democrats! Well, I believe circa 2011 America, there are a whole lot of people quite “insane”; after all, Obama IS president.
So, I wouldn’t put too much credence on “intellectual” verses “idea” as a key decisive factor. It’s the whole man or woman who’s evaluated. Also, by the law of large numbers, since there are around 100,000,000 = a hundred MILLION individual voters, ranging in age from newbies = naïve “kids” to oldies = cynical “codgers”, etc, well---trying to take them all into account and say it’s the intellect over ideas that matters is HUBRIS on Jacob’s Ladder.
Besides—reality is always, already, all about SACRIFICE. Keeping attention in the sacrificial nature of life, in ALL forms, is the only truly sane way to be. “Take” a breath---here “I” come. Exhale, or “give” = sacrifice a breath---there “I” go.
In the meantime, the MEAN time of separative me verses you human existence, though, clinging to NOTHING, not guns and roses and religion and intellect and sex and football—that’s the ticket.
“Salutation to and worship of the Buddhas and their sons (the Bodhisattvas) is an integral part of the discipline of sacrifice. Offerings are made to them, and an elaborate ritual in the best Brahmanical style is undergone. An unreserved confession of one’s sins is made before them, and the devotee asks for their active help in this path. It would be wrong to understand this as theistic worship of an OTHER. The Buddhas are but the actual before the ideal, which it really is, by constantly having it before the mind’s eye and venerating it. True worship is self-worship; the lower is completely transmuted into the higher which it is in fact; the lower surrenders itself, and the higher attracts and raises the lower. Buddhist religion can only be a species of Absolutist Pantheism.”
“The Central Philosophy of Buddhism”, T.R.V. Murti, 1955, page 266
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.30.11 @ 1:40PM
Who Knows,
that was the dumbest example of navel gazing I have seen here....dumb-ass
Who Knows?| 12.30.11 @ 1:56PM
Really?
You mean it's dumber than the last time you made the same comment?
You are a broken record---try to read more and expand your vocabulary.
Thanks for reading what I enjoyed offering, though---if you did read it.
Who knows?
Margie| 12.30.11 @ 2:13PM
Ken thinks he is Pope of AmSpec.
Joe D.| 12.30.11 @ 1:56PM
A real sad article. I think both are very intelligent and more so the Obama off his message and telliprompter. Just because someone is good on camera does not make them more intelligent. We have the current president to prove that.
Wake up people, do not listen to people in the media, Andrew Cline or other Republican establishment types.
bill| 12.30.11 @ 3:13PM
In 1979, when Ronald Reagan relaunched his presidential bid, the establishment Reps wrote him off , and he got the GOP nod, no surprise.
Reagan trailed Jim Carter until the last few weeks of the general election, and defeat Carter in a landslide.
Most political pundits underestimated Reagan, and accused him for being not articulate and extreme. He proved them wrong and became the President.
It's 1980 all over.
Rick Perry made some minor mistakes in the debate, and that turned off so many GOP voters. But it ain't over yet. Because Perry will win in IA, SC, FL, and close the deal as the GOP nominee, and will defeat Obama handily.
It's a miracle.
chuck| 12.31.11 @ 8:48AM
Hell, it ain't even started yet! No one has cast a single real vote.
The real fun is about to begin!
somnolence| 12.30.11 @ 3:34PM
I really don't see any of the candidates withdrawing by the end of January, and in fact, most will still be around by the Convention. The delegate count will be divided up, and right now if I was a betting man I would say the ticket will be Romney/Bachmann(Jonah Goldberg predicts it the same), a ticket which will be capable of carrying 40 states outright. That is it: my fearless prediction. BTW it is rather sad that Perry's campaign money really isn't any better than Bachmann's at the moment. And Newt, although I despise his drug legalization stance and foreign policy stance, if Paul SOMEHOW became the nominee, you better believe I would vote for him over Obama because I know Congress would hold Paul to the line as would his National Security Council.
Interested Conservative| 12.30.11 @ 9:35PM
But short of impeachment, foreign policy and security is the area where congress can least hold the executive to account. It's in the constitution. It's what eliminates Rep. Paul from serious electability.
Very interesting how all the other reacted to Newt's challenge. Plays to the "timidity" theme amongst the field.
JimP| 12.30.11 @ 4:12PM
I submit that Bachmann and Santorum aren't doing well in Iowa because Iowans are not conservatives. They voted Democrat for Prez in 4 of the last 5 elections. According to some they are "Christian" socialists [an oxymoron, hence my quotation marks] /aka: 'social gospel' which is the new name for liberation theology. Plus, having open caucus voting allowing Dems and Indies to vote, and be polled, in a GOP caucus, why does anyone expect genuine conservatives to do well in Iowa? It seems to logically follow that they would not. We've been sold a bill of goods about Iowa being conservative is my conclusion. They like big government, especially farm and ethanol subsidies, they reportedly use Jesus as a means to worship Marx and they vote Democrat. "If it looks like, ...etc.."
Am I wrong Iowans? If so, explain how.
Thanks in advance.
Stormzeye| 12.30.11 @ 4:28PM
It is my understanding from my family in Iowa that the east of Iowa is liberal while the west of Iowa is conservative. There is also a strong notion of progressive isolationism that today is called Libertarianism. It is therefore a nice little microcosm of the U.S. in many ways and a good place to practice "retail politics" due to its size. Other than all that, it's just another state with a lot of rich farmers who receive a lot of "corporate welfare" in the form of farm subsidies.
JimP| 12.30.11 @ 4:40PM
Thanks, Stormzeye. That's very interesting. I appreciate the info.
WM| 12.30.11 @ 6:44PM
I completely disagree. Romney is leading with only a quarter of the vote, and Newt's support has plunged. Romney is ahead only by default, winning a critical minority of voters. Ergo, the vast majority of Republicans are not going for intellect over ideology.
Rick Perry is in trouble over his compassion con "heartless" comment. Competence does matter, but not more than ideology.
bill| 12.30.11 @ 7:35PM
Rick Perry is in the fourth place in the current IA poll. He will come from behind and win the IA Caucus, and eventually clinch the GOP nominee.
Perry will be Obama's NIGHTMARE.
bobmontgomery| 12.30.11 @ 8:15PM
Mr. Cline: So nice of you to start out your piece by saying you're not calling Perry and Bachman dumb....and then proceeed to call Perry and Bachman dumb. I believe Perry, in addition to being the leader of the second largest Republic in the world, flew airplanes for the US military, and I think Bachman has advanced degrees. You're just a pissant newspaper editor - sorry for pointing out your flaws.
Nite| 12.30.11 @ 9:09PM
Well, this article was nothing more than a hit piece apparently based on information from CNN, MSNBC, or heck even the Washington Post. The author shows no accurate knowledge of Governor Perry. Perry did very well the last three debates and I was watching. He has been clear and concise when answering question. I am curious though how this trashing leaning author would know how much money that Perry has? He was my Governor for a lot of years. When he says he will do something, he WILL!
He is a staunch conservative, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military, defense hawk, cut spending hawk, and is an honorable man. He has been trashed and lied about. I am in position. In comparison with the other candidates, he has 10 years of executive experience, setting budgets, cutting spending, and making decisions for a state larger than Iowa, NH, and a bunch of other states put together. Perry would be the best President by far of all the other candidates. Romney, Newt, Ron Paul, not much different than Obama. Bachmann out of money, Santorum, out of money and doesn't have the organization. That leaves Perry, the best choice of all.
JeremyR| 12.30.11 @ 9:32PM
Seriously? Ron Paul not that different from Obama?
Read his domestic policy on his site. He'll balance the budget in three years by cutting a whole lot of the federal government. Not just growth, the actual government. He'll completely abolish 5 agencies (though to be fair, so does Rick Perry...if he can actually remember which ones) as well as the TSA
JeremyR| 12.30.11 @ 9:26PM
What really hurt Bachmann was the vaccine crap. And people say Ron Paul is crazy?
Perry got off to a bad start with that attack on people who aren't in favor of open borders and really never recovered. Gay bashing isn't going to help him in the general election either - no one under 40 cares about gays unless they are very, very religious (and evangelical, I guess).
teapartydoc| 12.30.11 @ 9:37PM
The conservative/teaparty vote is splintered among several candidates. This is why the establishment guy and the libertarian are leading the field, not any dearth of intelligence. If Bachman, say for instance, was the only representative of this group and pulling in nearly twenty percent in the polls, the take by the writer would be entirely different. That look at the camera would be "mezmerizing". Political analysis (always emphasize the first four letters of 'analysis' when pairing this word with 'political') has this in common with Darwinism: both can always be twisted to give a satisfactory account of events, but only in retrospect, they make lousy predictions.
POST American| 12.30.11 @ 10:29PM
----------------Tavistock 'term dropping'--------------
--------------------DE-moralization----------------------
----------------------------OP------------------------------
-------------------------ALERT!---------------------------
---Drop that wimpy term 'TEA Party'
-------Foist the banner with more genuine,
more actual, just more descriptive names
such as:
----------------LIBERTY PARTY
-------------------CONSTITUTION PARTY
----------------------FREE MEN PARTY
--------------------------AMERICAN PARTY
John Moore| 12.31.11 @ 12:37AM
Republicans always face a hostile main stream media environment, which is hard to beat without someone who is smooth. Whether the person is intellectual or just appears that way doesn't matter - the media has brainwashed people into expecting that the president should act and sound like an Ivy League educated lawyer. Consider the derision W. got, due to the left-media's stereotyped assumption that if you talk southern, you're a dumb hick. This cost Bush a lot of votes., even though Bush was better educated and had a higher IQ than either Gore or Kerry. Unfortunately, I think Republicans need to nominate a smoothie, superficial or not.
SDN| 12.31.11 @ 7:15AM
Of course, there's a simpler explanation: Obama loves Paul and Romney even more than you do. Paul is a whackjob who couldn't win the general because anyone with sense will run screaming; ORomney is just Clorox dipped Obama, and the Tea Party will leave their wallets and energy at home at best, and their votes at home at worst.
Thus, the media won't point out their problems (not to mention outright racism, anti-Semitism, etc. in Paul's case), while magnifying or manufacturing the problems of every other candidate. Welcome to Team Obama, Andy!
Personally, I'd rather vote for Obama than ORomney; might as well "take my despotism pure" and deny Copperheads RINO cover for the disaster their policies cause.
martin j smith| 12.31.11 @ 9:50AM
Voters do not want a President that makes the Nation look stupid and GWB as well BHO do just that. And btw if ANYONE believes Obama is smart is absolutely wrong. The main thing he has going for him are the following: His looks,his tonal ability in speech( good at giving a prepared
speech ) and most important the MSM totally in his corner. That is it.
Now what voters want is NOT another inarticulate fool but they also want some one that believes in this nation as a Free Market Capitalist country which supports democracy at home and abroad. And please Ron Paul fans I know that YOU will interpret that to mean War Mongering --I know that because I have seen many posts that show many of Paul's supporters are bigoted hateful people who I believe represent Ron Paul.
We do not need another President that Hates America --we already have that.( Blaming America for 9/11 is disgusting at best ).
So it amounts to a candidate who is articulate,smart and is a Conservative in the sense
I have laid out. Romney,Paul,Huntsman and perhaps even Gingrich do not qualify in that regard. The others need to think about what their role is in their lower standings not to blame anyone else.
David| 12.31.11 @ 12:01PM
Sorry Andrew Cline, but I think Rick Santorum is the one who has been the most ideologically pure conservative - not Bachmann or Perry. He has a long track record and is very knowledgeable on all of the issue. Santorum is our best choice. And he will be a great debater when he goes ONE ON ONE with Bam Bam rather than trying to get his two cents in with 7 other candidates on the stage.
Chris| 12.31.11 @ 2:42PM
Bachmann, Perry = Cream Puffs & Ice Cream at 100 degrees
Chris| 12.31.11 @ 3:29PM
The Conservative/Republican Candidate needs to Prosecute their Campaign as well as Meese/Guiliani Prosecuted La Cosa Nostra.
That is what they are actually running against!
The "Chicago Outfit"/ Obama all one and the same.
This is why the GOP appear to be, "soft" & "Lazy", and always will be, for they have NO stomach to dispell the real truth as it sits in their laps. All one has to do is look up the Mob's History of Chicago politics for the whole Nation to see.
The cost of these "Domestic Terrorist" to the taxpayers is enormous, yet the RNC hasn't the brains nor the balls to drag it out.
Quaking in their high-heels will not cut it, purist won't either. Black eyes and bloody lips is not in the conservative Constitution will they scream for a storg military while applying band-aids to their uninformed dumb masses due to cowardness. Period!
The Unions are the perfect examples, all exposed by "Judicial Notice" in the 2nd Circuit NYC as the Teamsters, Laborers, SEIU et al are/were "Mobbed-Up" or still recieving their enema per the numerous "Consent Decree's on file.
The real Suckers are the Police/Firemen.
If you don't believe that, just ask the Boarder Agents fighting the Mexican Mafia with their hands tied behind the backs, while Holder supplies the weapons and lies about it. RIP Agent
Terry!
And there you have it Consevatives, Rush Hannity, Levin et. al.: Welcome to The United States Of La Cosa Nostra America, The Constitution Be Damned. But will YOU GUYS EXPOSE IT? How about This Website? Sissys!
Jim| 12.31.11 @ 5:20PM
In light of the fact that the Republican establishment has selected Romney for us and trashed all other possible contenders as they rose in the polls.
Because it was the Tea Party, and not the Republican establishment, that changed the balance of power in the house in 2010.
Because Romney is not as electable as the Republican establishment is aking everyone believe.
Because the Republican establishment has been aided and abetted by the MSM who realize that the easiest opponent for the one, is Romney.
Because of all this, this life-long Repblican, mailed in his voting registration change form yessterday and will soon no longer be a Republican. And will vote against, or sometimes not even vote, any Republican establishment candidate from this point forward.
Buck Ofama| 1.1.12 @ 3:17AM
I'm so disgusted, that if the c0cksucker is re-elected, I am just going to say fvck it, and stop following any of this shit.
Margtc| 1.1.12 @ 8:19AM
Bachmann is an excellent example of the Tea Party gone flaky. Bachmann was a good attack dog for the Tea Party. However, she doesn't come across as a serious person no matter how conservative she may appear; she took herself too seriously and she's finding out there's more to it than attack, attack, attack. She is NOT A LEADER. She'll be lucky to get re-elected to the house here in MN after this is done. I recall quite well how the TP folks were calling for Scott Brown to run for POTUS before they found out how very, very liberal Republicans are in MA - another problem with the Tea Party picks is that they pick people who aren't fully VETTED. The Tea Party is disappointed? Then they should do a better job of it. They all went home after the last election, as if there was no more work to be done. Well, OK then!
Rick| 1.1.12 @ 9:27AM
Abortion is murder, but you don't have to be an evangelical to hold that opinion. I have no use for bible thumpers, they are the bane of the GOP, in large part because they are also warmongers. None of the GOP candidates is Tea Party. They are all Republicans. The Tea Party is not part of the GOP. I am Tea Party, and I loathe the GOP. I want the GOP put out of business. If I thought the ea Party had anything to do with the GOP I would have nothing to do with them. The GOP is a sham party that exists only to provide the illusion of choice, to serve as media whipping boy, and to obstruct libertarian conservatism.
TEA PARTY| 1.1.12 @ 9:38AM
Rick Perry is refried George W. Bush. OK, I'm heartless, but Perry is brainless.
Bachman is an intellectual featherweight. A lawyer, not a producer.
Santorum supported Snarlin' Arlen Spectre - top abortionist.
Gingrich is Big Government.
Rombama isn't even worth discussing he's so disgustingly socialist.
Galer Dolan| 1.1.12 @ 4:49PM
Republican voters who place a high premium on intellect should ask themselves this question regarding Perry: Can a person--who grew up in a family without wealth, or much in the way of connections--rise to the rank of captain in the Air Force, and then win the office of Governor of Texas 3 times, without being highly intelligent and very determined?
By the way, let's be honest and acknowledge that in Iowa Perry did not get wrong the number of U.S. Supreme court justices. He was talking about Sotomayor and the other 8.
Mike Rogers | 1.2.12 @ 8:57AM
The Union Leader has faintly praised Gingrich, and can't stand Romney, and even pointed out the folly of Mitt unleashing Sununu senior as an attack dog.
Tenn Slim| 1.2.12 @ 9:25AM
Axelrods formulae for RE Election, vs the Tea Party formulae.
Control, Command, Communication + Money + a dedicated base = Re election.
Intellect, GOP Establishment, Discontent + a Very Silent but solid opined Voter Group = Obama down the capital steps success.
My money a goodly part of the Neveda betting machine money goes to Axelrod.
FOLKS. We were literaly Kenoed out of our collective socks in 2008. 2010, with the Town Hall local revolts showed that there are mulitple serious flaws in the Obama Machine. They simply could not cope. 2012 will see that problem healed. The Chicago Machine is in place, the tools are in place, the methods are practiced, the trainers have trained, only the span of the next 11 months have to be done. IF you or any other Conservative belives the Left will go quietly into the night, then like the 48 % polled for departure in the event of another 2008 disaster, I am off to the islands of the Solomons. Better a malaria attack than another 4 years of this fisaco.
Semper FI
randyinrocklin| 1.2.12 @ 11:57AM
the only poll that will matter is tomorrow's poll. Not one poll was ever accurate before the real polling begins.
Ivan Ivanovich| 1.2.12 @ 3:26PM
Of all the things Bachman says she has fought for she has not won most of them. What does that tell me? She's been posturing for the crowd. If a person wants something done they consider what can be done inside the current system and they tweek thier message to move the issue toward the side they believe in. Otherwise they end up "Out of the playoffs"