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Perez Abomination Grows
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Tea Partiers for Freedom
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Streetcar Line
This Race Is Far From Over
How an open convention could reinvigorate Republicans.
(Page 3 of 3)
Meanwhile, I did not assume a successful challenge to the Arizona and Florida delegations. The Santorum team has said publicly that they can succeed even if they don’t win Wisconsin, but they are counting on winning the rules challenge in the two sun states. But to be on the safe side, I am leaving Arizona and Florida alone for now. Even then, again, the arithmetic shows Romney can be blocked.
Also to show restraint, I did not award wins to Santorum in other states where he is running relatively close, such as Oregon.
Again, this is not a wish list, but an honest assessment. Romney still isn’t a shoo-in; Santorum still has a real chance to force a second ballot at the national convention — and then, all bets would be off.
Part Four
It must be acknowledged that
there are a lot of people, “establishment moderates” and
conservatives alike, who for some strange reason are scared stiff
by the idea of a seriously contested convention. For decades, I
have thought their fears are groundless, and that a contested
convention could instead provide a huge boost to the party in which
it happens. (Remember that it was only a week or two before the
Democratic convention four years ago that Hillary Clinton finally
had to admit she had lost to Barack Obama; somehow, that
example of a close and fiercely contested nomination battle
did not harm their party’s ability to win in the fall against a
candidate, John McCain, who had several extra months to prepare and
to consolidate Republicans behind him.)
To be clear, conservatives should not wish for a brokered convention. Technically, a brokered convention is one in which, yes, power brokers pull strings behind closed doors and shift entire blocs of delegates with them, as if the delegates are sheeple. This scenario, of course, would cause a public-relations nightmare, with the media going nuts sliming Republicans for resorting to tawdry deals from proverbial smoke-filled rooms.
But that’s not likely to happen. Party rules don’t lend themselves to those occurrences anymore. A lot of states at one point had something called the “unit rule,” which stated that a state’s delegate votes would be cast unanimously for whoever has a bare majority within the state. The unit rule is now a thing of the past. Also, huge numbers of delegates once ran as openly “uncommitted,” rather than even being informally pledged to a particular candidate. Again, those uncommitted delegates tended to be deliverable en masse by powerful party big-wigs. But far fewer delegates these days are now elected while openly “uncommitted” as part of a deliberate strategy to reserve power for the big-wigs.
Instead of a brokered convention, what is needed — and what is likely to happen if no candidate enters a convention with majority support — is a contested, open convention. This would be a good thing for the party.
First, the drama would be riveting. The convention would actually mean something rather than being a mere propaganda vehicle — a vehicle the public increasingly sees through, and increasingly tunes out. The public would watch, rapt, just as they watch so many types of “reality TV,” except that in this case, unlike in artificial scenarios such as in Survivor, the “reality” would actually be real. It would actually mean something, not just for those in the competition, but for the viewers, too. The fate of their country would hang in the balance; viewers would have a real stake in the fight.
Second, what the public would see would be anything but a bunch of politicians trading favors. Instead, what would soon become clear would be what has been lost in these last three decades of uncontested conventions: namely, delegates are mostly ordinary people, volunteers rather than party officials, who are in it not for perks or privileges but because they care deeply about their country. They are housewives, small-business owners, professional women, or retirees worried about their grandchildren. The media would be unable to draw nasty caricatures of delegates as a group, as they do at every quadrennial Republican confab; instead, when each individual’s vote actually makes a difference, the delegates would be interviewed exactly as the individuals they are — and viewers at home would identify with their dilemmas.
The public would see “ordinary Americans” making the momentous decision about who should be the nominee seeking the post powerful position in the world. The resulting impression would be a very good one for the party and the eventual nominee. Not only that, but the whole scenario would re-educate a now-cynical public in the idea that participation in civic life really matters, and that this is still a political system of and by the people. Result: A reinvigoration of the civic order, one that would especially inspire those who empathize with the conservative vision of the Republican Party.
The nominee who emerges from a contested convention could thus do so with a huge surge of momentum to take the fight to Barack Obama in the fall.
Therefore, if the voters of Wisconsin and following states decide to fight back against the establishmentarians and vice-presidential wannabes who tell them their votes shouldn’t matter, the very reasonable chance still exists for Mitt Romney not to sail to a first-ballot convention victory. Even if he does ultimately win on a subsequent ballot — a far from certain result — he might benefit as much as anybody from the magic a contested convention could produce.
The establishment is dead wrong to try to end this contest prematurely. The voters deserve to have their say.
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
Jack in Wi.| 4.2.12 @ 7:53AM
The Republican vote in these primaries is tiny, for such a contested race. They need something to invigorate a disgusted base. Right now it looks like Obama, as bad as he is, will be re-elected.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 9:49AM
It's not April anymore Jack. Osama bin LAden rising from the dead and being re-offed by Seal Team X can't save him. I'd vote for Ron Paul first. So would Harry Reid. Look how Obama screwed him!
You really need to get your basement checked for radon...
Possum Dearie| 4.3.12 @ 5:49PM
You're nuts, if you believe Harry Reid would vote for Ron Paul. Obama is beating frontrunner Romney by 10 points in key swing states, while SCOTUS might strike down his signature policy... one authored by his presumptive opponent! The author hit on it that voters guess the wheeling and dealing has already been done to get Romney to this point. An open convention would restore some much-needed transparency to our government and motivate swing voters to come over to the GOP.
Vern Crisler| 4.2.12 @ 11:15AM
Quin should just give it up the Santorum-boosting. The Republicans have whored away their principles this year in order to vote for an empty soul, who will be demolished in the general election. Even now the moron-stream media is telling us how good everything is, and the American electorate -- most of them economic and political retards -- fall for it.
Better to pull the lever for Ron Paul as a protest vote. At least Ron Paul stands for something (crazy though it might be). We need to send a message to the Republican establishment. No more moderates! That should be our slogan from now on. NO MORE G-DDAM MODERATES!
Crassus| 4.2.12 @ 12:10PM
I'll write-in Keith Richards before I'll vote for Ron Paul---or Mittenz Romney.
Clint| 4.2.12 @ 9:48PM
That's Because You're An Israel Firster Smear Bund Traitor Bastard, Crappus.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To An Open Convention.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 1:43PM
Vern;
Are you saying Santorum is a moderate?
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 7:38PM
Santorum is a moderate on economic issues. He tries to sell himself as the principled conservative, but he is just a failed politician. He admittedly sold out to unions because it was politically advantageous in Pennsylvania, and he sold out to "take one for the team" according to his own admission in the Arizona debates. I think he has shown himself to be a bit of a hypocrite, and the more we get to know him, the less we like him. I think he has no chance in the general election, and his campaign will soon wane after he loses everything in April (including his home state of Pennsylvania where they know him best and only 30% of the people like him).
PC Scipio| 4.2.12 @ 11:27PM
From you lips to god's ear, Vern. Those damn economic numbers keep coming in strong and ther market keeps going up. I've been waiting too damn long for a dip in order to go long again.
Possum Dearie| 4.3.12 @ 5:54PM
Hilyer is correct that there is a large contingency of bought media promoting a Romney nomination even though they are merely reenforcing a narrative in one of his better months. This was likely part of Romney's strategy. They are gambling that perception is reality.
Publius| 4.2.12 @ 8:03AM
It's over...Romney will beat Trayvon Obama like a drum.
Conniption Fitz| 4.2.12 @ 11:55AM
How? Romney can't and won't debate...and even if somehow, he got himself psyched up to debate Obama, what could he and Obama say to each other but, "Me too."
Romney's Massachusetts social and healthcare programs were the experimental lab for Obama's national policies. In debates, Romney stammers and stutters and shifts positions or outright lies. Romney is severely 'non-factual' as Newt Gingrich said. No wonder his wife says she won't let him debate again.
Romney is a white rich kid who can't debate. He does not have what it takes to face Obama. His money will not insulate him from the kind of attacks Obama and his crowd will dish out.
Amerigo Chattin | 4.2.12 @ 6:24PM
"Romney won't debate"!?!?!?!?
Has any major party political candidate in the last century participated in (AND WON) more debates than Mitt Romney!?!
Ted| 4.3.12 @ 8:48AM
Yes. His name was Ronald Reagan.
Possum Dearie| 4.3.12 @ 5:56PM
When in recent history have debates decided elections?
PHIL| 4.2.12 @ 8:06AM
Right on, Quin!
mildred r bean| 4.2.12 @ 8:09AM
4 years of a weak Obama is a lot better than 8 years of a dishonest republican liberal.
Who's he kidding? A promoter of abortion, homsexual marriage, global warming tyranny? For me, Romney? Forgetaboutit
W| 4.2.12 @ 8:19AM
Wisdom from the usual phonyRepublican voter of the day masquerading with another catchy name.
Bobloblaw| 4.2.12 @ 8:58AM
What makes you think Obama will be weak if he wins???? There will be lite to no ticket splitting in November. If Obama wins, especially if he gets the 53% he got in 2008, the Dems keep the Senate and win the House. Given obamas effinity for executive orders and the right's fear of challenging him, don't assume a weak Obama. In fact you ain't seen nothing yet if he's reelected.
Russel| 4.2.12 @ 1:24PM
Moonbean , if zero gets another term , you ain't seen nothing yet . Assume that Alinsky has moved into the white house . Now if that's a decent picnic for you , you should have set sail for N Korea some time ago .
Unger| 4.2.12 @ 8:41AM
Paul Ryan just proved that he can be bought, too. Swell.
My vote remains for Rick Santorum.
Not for the eternal chameleon named Romney.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 9:45AM
Mine, too!
To the "Let's just settle on Romney and get after Obama" crowd I say three things.
1. The sooner the Democrats slime artists (and the mainstream liberal media) know who our candidate is, the sooner they can start to savage him, with opposition research, push polls, planted stories, and all the rest. Delaying the selection works FOR us, not against us. If Obama knows who his opponent is he has a target - not knowing means NO TARGET.
2. Every time Santorum and Romney throw a barb back and forth it is always from a direction that Obama can never use. Sure those two have beat each from the right side, but as long as that argument has been "I'm more conservative than you are!" the damage is really limited. What the political consultants are missing is that the country does not want to have four more years of Obama. The country wants to go the OTHER way. Either Santorum or Romney will represent the other way. The independents know about 10% de facto unemployment, economic shriknage, home market devastation, selling out to Russia and radical Islam, $5gasoline. They know that's Obama. That's how they are going to vote.
3. The real question is how does Obama respond to our candidate? With Santorum Obama can only deride his conservatism. With Romney he can quote the Governor's past support Cap and Trade, Romney Care, or weak conservatism to dispirit the Tea Party. That won't work with Santorum.
And of the two Romney is more Bidenesque in his gaffes - they are gratuitous and oblivious of the regular guy Americans. He knows race car and sports team owners - he's building his $87 million house this year during the hardest financial times since the 1930's. Why doesn't he just wear a top hat and striped trousers like the little rich guy in the Monopoly game. He is John Kerry with the sole improvement that he earned his money rather than married it. He is Barack's imaginary 1%. He and Nelson Rockefeller would have been best buds except for that generational divide.
The Santorum gaffes have been him sticking to his principles when faced with trick questions from lefty media types. The 'what do you think of gay marriage' which they immediately follow up with, 'why do you always talk about gay marriage - are you obsessed with it?' Santorum has already started stuffing those questions back down reporters throats. Pushing back at reporters is the stuff of leadership.
The independents are looking for a real person and Santorum, in my book is it.
But don't tell the Dems until the convention!!!!
When I ran for political office the one consultant I ran into told me, repeatedly: "Keep your powder dry! Save it for when you need it!" He was right, naming our candidate now only helps one person, Barack Obama; and it hurts 300,ooo,ooo others, whether they know it or not!
Don't Tread On Me!
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 9:46AM
$5 gas - that's how they are going to vote means the OTHER way. Sorry.
DTOM
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 7:48PM
Obama won't need to attack Santorum (he gets himself into hot water whenever he speaks, and he doesn't know how to undo the mess). He has zero organizational skills, and his message appeals only to a slim minority. He hasn't really accomplished anything, and the people of his own state don't like him very much. Santorum would be the weakest Republican candidate of my lifetime.
Nick| 4.3.12 @ 1:28AM
DavisJohn,
"Santorum would be the weakest Republican candidate of my lifetime."
How old are you? Two?
Your commentary shows a complete lack of knowledge of presidential electoral politics.
rickg| 4.3.12 @ 6:19AM
You are right. In the general, maybe 7 states?
Clint| 4.2.12 @ 8:43AM
Obama Is A TARPSTER, Where Romney Is A TARPSTER.
Obama Is A OBAMACARIST, But Romney Is A ROMNEYCARIST.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To An Open Convention.
Fred Farkel| 4.2.12 @ 12:03PM
Get your foot off you dick Clint. You are babbeling again.
Rmney/ Paul that's your ticket.
Clint| 4.2.12 @ 9:54PM
Get Your Mouth Off Bibi's Salami, Farkel.
You're Slobberin' Again.
Bibi's Your Mancrush.
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 9:14AM
The right doesn't own the GOP-you are learning this now. By the way some of you free loaders better start donating to GOP candidates and other helpful group. WE don't nrrd your nit wit know it all political philosophy. You conservatism it works every time mantra. We are reaching out now to Hispanics(WSJ)-so please you nuts lock yourself in the attack-we need to moderate some views for their views. This week all of you need to write a check to Scott Brown-he is an excellent guy and center right as he can be. So help him out. I gave money to Bachman and that loon you insisted on running in Deleware, not to mention the zombie in Nevada who lost to an even bigger zombie-even though you all insisted she was the second coming. Start writing those checks or beat it. GOP is a big big tent-get used to it or screw !
Scorpio51| 4.2.12 @ 9:31AM
I beg to differ with you on Scott Brown being center right. His voting record tells on him.
I do agree that we need to support these candidates who are working their butts off right now to save conservatism (Santorum and Gingrich).
They won't survive if we don't help them out.
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 9:43AM
The election is not about saving your brand of " canservatism" you self absorbed narcistic fool. It is about winning an elevtion. There is a conservative party I believe-join it. We are the GOP. We are bigger than caonservatism as you define. Your narrow view belongs in a small very minor party. The people you despise real REpublicans are flexing their muscles - had enough of your right wing shit dominating everything.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 10:02AM
Yeah, right!
In 2010 it was the centrist Republicans carrying all the water, spontaneously having rallies all over the country to save those lazy, do-nothing, go-along-to-get-along, Tea Party right wing kooks. Yeah, sure! That's what happened.
Why don't you addled Nelson Rockefeller country clubbers go out and find out what is happening beyond the beltway and the CBS monitors!
Good grief. Real Republicans flexing their muscles - I say baloney, bologna! Give this country unbridled conservatism, ala Reagan and they'll give you a landslide victory. Give them conservative lite, that ol' Compassionate Conservatism, and you'd better have a majority in the Supreme Court. Look at every election since Nixon and you'll see the more conservative the candidate, the bigger the vote - the more moderate the candidate, the smaller the vote.
Consultants be damned! They're just trying to get on NBC's camera for pay! You still have to pay them win or lose. How many political pundits are out there selling their advice on a contingency basis? NONE.
Stop listening to the Etch-A-Sketch crowd, conservatives, Republicans! Unless they'll work on a contingency fee basis, you know "No Win, No Pay!"
Don't Tread On Me!
Gearjammer, better have your basement checked for radon, too.
DTOM
MarkR| 4.2.12 @ 1:00PM
Pound sand.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 1:29PM
Mark,
I see the brilliance of your logic, the correctness of your facts and the depth of your thinking.
Good thing we have insightful people like you here!
Back to your sandbox, midget.
DTOM
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 6:30PM
Latest Gallup-Obama killing Repubs with women's vote. You're hero Rush said war on women was a failure . Sure it was. Hey let's have an open convention insist on those mandatory vaginal probes. Get lost-go to the conservative party-everyone of you malcontents leaves we gain 3 with Hispanis, women, moderates, those who do not want abortion outlawed. Beat it. Take your 2 percent of the vote and screw. We Rinos are pissed off and we will trample you retards.
aware| 4.2.12 @ 7:03PM
What's wrong with "vaginal probes"?
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:03AM
Wow, perhaps you should go back to school and learn to read and write before you enter the political blogs.
Vern Crisler| 4.2.12 @ 11:19AM
gearsjammed has just given us the Romney political philosophy. Get used to it sunshine conservatives.
Nick| 4.2.12 @ 3:10PM
You are starting to sound just like 3/5 Bob, Gearjammer.
Remember him?
RINOs do not win national elections.
O'Romney is McLame 2.0.
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 6:31PM
Came closer than Goldwater. Go away. A GOP loberated from your right wing jail is gonna happen-deal with it.
Nick| 4.2.12 @ 7:39PM
You don't know what your talking about, Gearjammer.
What is being "loberated"? And, how is the GOP going to accomplish it?
You're wrong about Rush, again. The Sandy the Slut episode has done nothing to women's support for the GOP:
http://www.realclearpolitics.c.....r_gap.html
Are you 3/5 Bob?
Richie| 4.3.12 @ 2:21AM
You losers can stuff it. The Tea Party won the midterms without the help of the establishment
RINOs. I stopped giving to the GOP a long time ago when my monies end up supporting RINOs time and time again! Now, I support conservatives who believe in conservative principles and live by them! Romney does not
have principles which is why even Obama will beat him!
Scorpio51| 4.2.12 @ 9:28AM
Finally, an opinion piece I can get behind.
Newt has been saying that he staying in the race until Romney has the needed delegates. He doesn't believe that he will get them. He's a weak candidate.
So, an open, contested convention is fine with me and one I'm hoping for. The GOP isn't going to sell us out AGAIN. McCain folded and look where it got us.
So, I'm all in for this primary continuing. The remaining states are entitled to have their votes count. The GOP knows they have a weak candidate which is why all these people are coming out for Romney.
If you will check, you will find that Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio's campaign coffers are now full with Romney money.
Tampa, here we come.
Jabber3| 4.2.12 @ 9:39AM
PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS? Are you kidding me?
Shamus| 4.2.12 @ 9:48AM
With a pathetic piece of garbage like Rick Santorum offered as the alternative to Mitt Romney, it's hard to have any enthusiasm for the Republicans.
Santorum is a loser who has taken insane positions like favoring the Bridge to Nowhere and allowing professional wrestlers to dodge steroid testing. The man is a freak, and he's giving the GOP a bad name.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 10:04AM
What other wisdom have you deduced or great Shamus. How you doing with the Romney Cap and Trade thing?
Which Race Car do you own?
Try bringing some facts, next time.
Shamus| 4.2.12 @ 11:28AM
I'm not a fan of Romney. My feeling is that both of the political parties are failed institutions. I don't own a race car.
If you want facts, here are some. Obama in 2008 had about the same experience as Rick Santorum in 2012. Both are lawyers who worked as lobbyists. Both served as legislators, although Santorum served longer than Obama. Neither has any particular accomplishments to speak of during their time in Congress.
Romney's political philosophy appears to be that of either a conservative Democrat or a liberal Republican. He has some business background and was a governor. I'm quite baffled about what he would do if elected, but he appears to be pretty weak on the campaign trail, so there's a fair chance no one will ever know.
Santorum talks the talk, but he doesn't walk the walk. His positions are conservative, but he has no record, and he seems to have a flashy temper and to say strange things at times, so he probably wouldn't do particularly well as nominee.
It seems to come down to which of the poor candidates will run against Obama.
Dai Alanye | 4.2.12 @ 1:29PM
Shamus needs to get his facts straight.
Santorum was chosen for leadership by his peers starting with his first term in Congress. Comparing that to Obama's sham legislating is dishonest in the extreme. Further, Santorum's ratings from conservative organizations average an A, and that for a man from a blue state.
Shamus| 4.2.12 @ 1:43PM
So what were Santorum's accomplishments as a legislator? I don't remember any, but perhaps you can enlighten me.
Daniel| 4.2.12 @ 2:00PM
Wellfare reform (not entirely his, but he was the biggest player) and the partial birth abortion ban (that one was pretty much all his, and a fine display of coalition-building at that), just to name a couple. Santorum was, unlike Obama, a leader in the Senate. In the House, although he was inexperienced, he took the lead on several issues, including a controversial ethics investigation. Based on his time in office and leadership while in office, Santorum is one of the most qualified candidates in quite a while.
Shamus| 4.2.12 @ 3:57PM
After reading a bit about welfare reform I can see your point. Perhaps he's better than I thought, though he still seems to make some strange statements on the campaign trail, such as unemployment not being important to him. I know he didn't mean this, but the press isn't going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 7:51PM
He wasn't in Congress during welfare reform. I think you are referring to Newt Gingrich.
Nick| 4.3.12 @ 1:25AM
Check again, DavisJohn.
Senator Santorum led the effort to get Welfare Reform through the Senate.
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 1:38PM
Yes and Obama spent the previous ten years preaching socialism as a New Democrat. That is a real political party. You should find out about it. Obama has complained over the last ten years how the US constitution is a "Collection of negative rights that inhibit the federal government ability to do things."
Santorum has stayed with his principles through thick and thin.
Romney has stayed with his principles as long as they were comfortable - Cap and Trade being just one example.
You can comb through the bills Santorum voted for as a legislator to find unconservative positions - yes you will find them. Reagan signed a lot of COMPROMISES too. But both Reagan and Santorum identified those things as compromises they didn't like but had to live with.
Romney? He just turns the Etch-A-Sketch over and starts again.
A successful Presidency requires a fundamental commitment to core principles. Romney's never shown commitment to anything but his own election.
And selecting our candidate now just gives more time to the other side to destroy our candidate.
Our best bet to beat this unprincipled President would be to surprise him with a candidate he hadn't even thought about.
There is no intelligence in hurrying up and selecting the most Obama-like candidate we can find.
It's about principles NOT business experience.
Abe Lincoln could never have withstood your screening...
DTOM.
Shamus| 4.2.12 @ 1:53PM
Lincoln was a captain in the militia during the Black Hawk Wars, but setting that aside, he didn't have a lot of leadership experience. Lincoln did, however, have a clear and distinct platform. Do you really think Rick Santorum measures up to Lincoln? I don't see it, but I suppose you could be right.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 7:53PM
I am offended that anyone would disrespect the memory of Lincoln by comparing him to Santorum.
p2Texas| 4.2.12 @ 4:24PM
Santorum has served in both Congressional houses, worked on significant welfare reform legislation and tax reductions. He admits his misjudgments and has focused on balanced budget and debt reduction inititatives in recent years. In addition, he has more appeal to middle and lower income groups than Romney, which may come into play in swing states with independent and conservative Democrats (yes there are some).
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 7:54PM
Santorum only has appeal with the lower income groups because they are also the lower educated groups. Santorum does well with uneducated (uninformed) voters. That is his sweet spot.
Ted| 4.3.12 @ 8:59AM
That's a hoot. Did you know that Super Blue States like California, New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts are considered more "educated" than places like Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama? Because the Super Blues have more per capita college graduates? Take a look at the relative economic health of those states. Tell me what you see. What did the "educated" and "informed" voters in the Super Blues vote for? Democrats. Democrats who pushed a Leftist Statist agenda. High taxes. High government spending. And job losses. More job losses. And More job losses. Population flight. Educated indeed.
Education does not equate to being an informed voter.
SpiralArchitect| 4.2.12 @ 6:45PM
You compare President Decline's experience to someone and make no mention of his familiarity with and eagerness to use Alinsky (community orginizer moniker) methods.
No mention of his fondness of Lenin or Marxist ideology?
You have failed. You do yourself and others a disservice as these few things alone will be large boosters for someone that has no viewable history to waltz into the throne room as the new leader of a totalitarian America.
SpiralArchitect| 4.2.12 @ 6:46PM
The above was a reply to Shamus.
Vote totalitarian
0bama '12
H Abdullah Shabazz| 4.2.12 @ 9:57AM
Romney, a lying liberal.
Obama, at least he says he's a liberal.
And the President, his second term, chronic bad relations with Congress, even the democrats, facing a budget mess, he will be the unltiamte empty suit.
Romeny always goes with our Enlightened Establishment. Unless he's in a right wing primary.
Abortion.
Romney supported this mass murder. His wife ardently. Until they needed the right wingers.
Homosexual marriage
In Massachusetts he welcomed it, conspicuously.
But then he needed those heathen right wingers.
Global Warming
In Massachusettss he was more an environmental nut than the Democrats in the legislature! But then he neeeded the suport of the right wingers.
A lying liberal. If right wingers go for that, that what is their "limiting principle"?
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:13AM
Well, at least you admitted that Obama is a liberal, but you conveniently left off, "lying"
Obama is a Marxist,deal with it. America won't be America anymore if he's re-elected.
Bill| 4.2.12 @ 10:09AM
Romney is the inevitable GOP candidate. This race is over!
Mike Hawk| 4.2.12 @ 11:05AM
Let's all just roll over and make the Anointed One President for life. Hugo Obama for dictator.
Dai Alanye | 4.2.12 @ 1:32PM
This makes Bill's third (or is it fourth) faulty prediction, as his favored candidates are tossed one by one into the ashcan of political history.
Bill| 4.2.12 @ 2:34PM
This time, I'm "dead right."
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:15AM
Rombots are ridiculous and sound like Democrats.
There is no reason for this race to be over. Or maybe Romney is afraid to have one more debate in Texas?
There are unbound delegates out there, so don't say the race is over.
Anthony| 4.2.12 @ 10:57AM
The lying leftists who infest this site are into their "Four more years of a weakened Obozoare better than a lying Romney".
I despise Romney, but four more years of Obozo will end in tyranny, lawlessness, and the end of our Constitutional Republic, which America will not recover from, sans civil war.
Just ask the Russians and the New Black Panthers for starters.
Vern Crisler| 4.2.12 @ 11:22AM
We are not lying leftists. We are just true conservatives who are tired of being sold down the river.
Richie| 4.3.12 @ 2:14AM
This conservative will not vote for Romney and
because of the endorsements from the RINO
establishment politicians, I will make sure to
vote against those politicians when they run for
re-election! These shameless, unprincipled politicians need to be booted out and they will!
Derek Leaberry| 4.2.12 @ 11:18AM
The race is probably over because your average Republican has the soul of a corporate vice-president. Next in line, right. Inevitably, Rick Santorum might not be the answer but chameleon Mitt Romney is certainly not the answer.
Ross Kaminsky | 4.2.12 @ 11:46AM
Quin:
Very interesting, insightful article.
One question for you: It seems to me that your description of the way the process works suggests that grass-roots organization becomes extremely important.
How do you see Romney's organization versus Santorum's organization right now? Although Santorum narrowly won the caucuses in Colorado, he didn't really have much organization, and I don't know if that's changed. And those caucuses were not fully binding, as you know. So I could imagine Santorum doing better -- or worse -- at the convention when the delegates are actually awarded.
A lot of the early talk, despite the varying results around the nation, was that Romney has more money and a better organization. And that would be easy to believe, except that Santorum has won a lot of caucuses, which speaks at least a little bit to organization, though perhaps more to enthusiasm.
Also, this is more of a rhetorical question, but what makes you think a Ron Paul delegate is likely to want to cooperate with anyone? After all, look at the rhetoric of Ron Paul supporters on these very comment pages. The loudest ones are narcissistic self-important buffoons. This is not to say they all are; indeed, the loudest ones are probably a distinct minority. Still it is hard for me to see those people "playing ball" with anyone until absolutely forced to.
Quin| 4.2.12 @ 12:07PM
Ross,
Thanks. Organizationally, Santorum benefits from the help of all those conservative movement leaders who endorsed him, because a lot of them have organizational muscle. Plus, conservative activists tend to be more familiar with and skilled at caucuses and conventions than moderates do, so even without a "from the top" organization from the Santorum folks themselves (and there IS one, but this is just an example), they know exactly how to organize these things without direction from above.
This dynamic applies, by the way, both to the "Christian Right" activists AND to the old-line Reaganites: Both groups tend to be strong at the grassroots, able to organize at conventions, etcetera.
MikeN| 4.2.12 @ 11:52AM
Quin Hillyer, have you considered the impact of the rule that you must win 5 states to be on the ballot?
If Newt's delegates and Paul's delegates do not have their candidate on the ballot, then perhaps Romney doesn't need 1144, but just more than Santorum, as the other delegates abstain on the first ballot. Or perhaps the other delegates are free to vote on the first ballot, which means Romney can pick up some delegates from those two candidates, while losing none of his own.
Quin| 4.2.12 @ 12:10PM
No, the number needed is 1,144 no matter what. It takes a clear majority of all delegates, not just of voting delegates, to win. But it IS true that there are circumstances under which Paul and Gingrich delegates could be free agents on the first ballot. If so, they can go to Romney OR Santorum. My guess is the Gingrich ones would swing strongly to Santorum. The Paul delegates, however, are harder to predict.
Tim| 4.2.12 @ 12:03PM
If Obama Care is struck down in June
Obama beats Romney in November.
The free riders will come out in droves and the conservative vote will be temporarily subdued
because of the Obama care defeat and lack of inspirational candidate
emilio lizardo, PhD| 4.2.12 @ 12:10PM
this is why the GOP is in such bad shape- skunks like Quin Hillyer and the sheep who believe four more years with BHO is a better than Romney. Unf*****elievable.
Quin| 4.2.12 @ 12:23PM
Not even close to being true. This is crazy. For the record, I would support Romney over Obama in a heartbeat.
aware| 4.2.12 @ 7:28PM
I believe that. But if that's what it comes down to its not something to think is good. It's bad. When everybody is "wishing" various other, presumably "more" conservative, "dream" candidates would magically ride in on a white horse and save the whole stinking mess, it is a sign of serious identity crisis within conservatism itself.
I mean, seriously, all the work, the talk radio, the "Right Wing"(HA!) print empires, the voting(HA!), and all it ends up getting you is a chance to pick a McCain or Romney? Pitiful.
Something is badly wrong.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:01PM
I consider Santorum to be an extremely weak candidate. I believe he is being propped up by the "conservative" media because they want an alternative to Romney. In my opinion, Romney is an outstanding leader and candidate. He is highly organized, has strong family values, and has been very successful at every endeavor. I don't consider him a weak candidate at all. People that know him best tend to agree.
Rita Dumais| 4.2.12 @ 12:13PM
I guess y'all gotta write something, eh Quin?
Tim| 4.2.12 @ 12:19PM
No true conservative believes that Obama Is better than Romney.
All foks are saying is that the lack of trust for Romney and the obvious corporate raider mentality he has had for years and the Social Engineering that he displayed in his own State
with Romney Care speak for themselves.
If Obama Care is struck down and he is the Nominee more Free Lunch folks will vote than true conservatives and that will favor Obama.
So Obama wins in that scenario 52% to 48%
If Obama Care is upheld Romney Wins by default.
But I rather see Obama Care struck down.
Dane| 4.2.12 @ 12:29PM
Tim, "No true conservative believes that Obama Is better than Romney."
No true conservative believes that Romney is a true conservative.
daboss| 4.2.12 @ 12:45PM
or Santorum, for that matter.
he is simply a pro life progressive.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:03PM
Nonsense. You need to get to know Mitt Romney. Try reading his book "No Apology: the case for American Greatness".
Richie| 4.3.12 @ 2:26AM
You said it. Romney pays lip service and says a lot
of things to prove he is a conservative but, in
an unguarded moment, he said himself that the
only thing he shares with conservatives is the R
beside his name so, Romney is not a conservative and he said so himself! Why would any person with a modicum of intelligence vote for Romney as the conservative candidate when he is not a conservative. His actions as governor are pretty liberal like Romneycare, support for Planned Parenthood as well as numerous flip flops. He stands for nothing!
RCV| 4.2.12 @ 12:33PM
Quin: You are always a pleasure to read, but this is pure fantasy. After Tuesday, the race is essentially over. Santorum will hang up haplessly until he loses his own state's primary, and then will line up behind Romney (whom he happily endorsed last time around).
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 1:40PM
Looking forward to hear from you on Wednesday!
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:04PM
After Wednesday, Romney will have almost 100 more delegates because he will win all three states tomorrow.
After April, it will be obvious that Santorum and Gingrich cannot block Romney from getting to 1144.
Les| 4.2.12 @ 12:36PM
Its getting pretty sad and embarrassing now. Romney is going to sweep Tuesday in MD,DC and Wisconsin. He is likely on the 24th to win NY,CT,NJ,RI and has a very good chance in PA. Only a true stooge/tankjob would say "it's far from over".
DTOM| 4.2.12 @ 1:42PM
Wednesday is still 40 hours away. And as long as Santorum is running, he's running.
He's gotten so little respect from the RINO establishment for so long - he doesn't really require it.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:07PM
Santorum is only in the race because of the establishment conservative media (like this author). He is the latest in a long line of "alternatives" that have been promoted by the media. Santorum's "base" consists mainly of uneducated voters who listen to media pundits or others. Among the educated voters, he gets very little support.
C. S. P. Schofield| 4.2.12 @ 12:55PM
H. L. Mencken predicted the death of the convention-as-actual-candidate-selection when he saw how the two parties were reacting to the first TV cameras. An open convention in either party would constitute an enormous improvement in our political fortunes. Let's hope.
JASmius | 4.2.12 @ 12:55PM
Give it up, Quinster. Your candidate has lost, and he deserved to lose, just like my candidates (Pawlenty and Perry) did. If Santorum follows your advice to be a bitter-ender, and was able to force the nightmare scenario of a brokered convention (aka a GOP civil war with the whole country watching that would make unifying the party afterwards impossible - an increasingly risible implausibility), he'd destroy his chance to take his "turn" as the GOP nominee in 2016 or 2020. If you want to see Rick Santorum in the White House one day as anything other than a tourist (which will never happen in any case, for a whole host of reasons), you should be urging him to get out of Romney's way *now*.
Casey Abell| 4.2.12 @ 12:59PM
"Indeed, I have refrained from commentary on the overall, relative merits of the candidates. But now I will make a slight exception..."
Funniest thing I've read in a long, long while. Despite that ridiculous pledge which he never kept, Quin has been screaming for Santorum nonstop for months now.
Look, Quin, everybody knows how deep in the tank you are for Santorum. Don't make us laugh by pretending that you've ever been remotely close to impartial.
Tim| 4.2.12 @ 1:00PM
The Supreme Court will most likely strike down Obama Care....and rightly so......
Then what?
How does Romney rally majority of the folks against a tidal wave of scare tackets from the Left that will claim all free lunches will stop?
Than you may even have struggling independents re think this election.
Without a real passion filled cause like social Issues who is a charasmatic conservative leader it any going to work for Romney if Obama Care is struck down.
Just saying Obama is a Marxist ain't going to cut it.
Majority of the People will choose a free lunch over idiology every day of week and twice on Sunday.
Again....I am talking about a majority not us posting on this web site.
JP| 4.2.12 @ 2:57PM
Oh, there is plenty Mitt can do and say. Ever hear of the Stimuls? Or how about $250 billion/month defecits? Five dollar gas? Unemployment that, according to the Fed, will begin creeping up this summer? How about no budge for 3 years? Solyandra? Fast and Furious?
I could go on, but you get my drift
David| 4.2.12 @ 1:29PM
Thanks Quinn. Some of the posters here just aren't able to understand many of the good points you made. Those are the same posters who refer to a "brokered" convention when they really mean an "open" or "contested" convention, which as you point out, may be a very good thing for the party and a good civics lesson for the public.
MikeN| 4.2.12 @ 1:40PM
In that case, it is still the case that Romney doesn't need 1144 to prevail on the first ballot. If the Paul and Newt voters are free agents on the first ballot, but not his own delegates, then he could make do with 1100 or less.
Connection, Not Compromise| 4.2.12 @ 1:52PM
It's not over until it's over.
Romney has not yet secured the Golden 1144. If he succeeds in gathering 1144, then we’ll talk about circling the wagons round. Until then, we are still in the primary process. This is OUR chance as free Americans to dialogue about the future of our Republic and to vote for the candidates supporting the issues that are near and dear to our hearts.
If we roll over and play dead just because a few more lukewarm endorsements emerged this weekend, then we ensure our own defeat and we weaken the credibility of our Conservative cause come future elections.
If Mitt secures the nomination, his ability to win the national election will solely rest upon his own ability to connect with and communicate his message of freedom to the American people.
Les| 4.2.12 @ 2:05PM
"So your saying there's a chance?"
Lloyd Christmas,Dumb and Dumber
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 2:14PM
Yawn, ZZZZZZ.....all these numbers things are putting us to sleep. As Dandy Don once sang, IF 'IFS' AND 'BUTS' WERE CHERRY AND NUTS, WE'D ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! Obama and the Democratic Party are no doubt jumping for joy and smacking their lips over this dragging out of a Republican nomination candidate selection. It'll be hard enough to SPLAIN Romney's healthcare bill in opposition to the WELFARECARE that the Democrats are craming down our collective throats, but it's doable. Romney has many faults as do all candidates but at least he's intelligent and has accompolished worhtwhile things in his career. None of us would agree with many things that any/all of the Republican candidates have in their closets, but overall Romney would be a viable candidate for president. Santorum however would be a disaster and would be easily defeated by Obama/Democrats. I realize that you people want so hard to believe that your preferred candidate is the second coming of Ronal Reagan and the Ultimate Conservative, BUT HE AIN'T, OKAY? He never was nor ever will be thus. He's a simpleton congressman who devotefully religious but who couldn't even hold onto his state congressional seat. He will obliterated by the Democrats as a Radical over-zealous Catholic in November. Unlike Reagan, he has not administered as a state governor, he has not issued-proclamated numerous political viewpoints like Reagan, and he simply is not Reagan and far from it. With your excessive desire to somehow make the numbers fit to guarantee his nomination, if you succeed in doing so you'll be gauranteeing his defeat as the Republican in the fall. Again Democrats are liking their chops wanting him as our candidate, so that they can easily destroy him and many Republicans with him. Again, you want a Reagan and I understand that, BUT HE AIN'T REAGAN! In proposing his candidacy, you're only destroying what is possibly the only chance we Republicans have of defeating Obama in November by denying the inevitabality of Romney and the need to close ranks around him and begin formulation of plans to defeat Obama. You're destroying the Republican Party also in the process, all for your tunnel vision of wanting a social conservative with no administrative/business experience or knowledge. You're substituting your Catholic wishes for a Super Pope onto a political candidate, due to your rightful disgust with the internal faults of the Church. Romney by his nature of being a private business person is fiscally conservative, and although he's not inclined to speak publically about religious matters, he's still conservative. His need to govern/survive politically within an extremely liberal state [Ma] dominated by the Kennedys has blinded you to his political philosophy. Would you also describe Bill Clinton as a conservative because he was govenor of a southern conservative state? Of course not, and you shouldn't brand Romney as a liberal or moderate accordingly. THINK FOR ALL OF US PLEASE!!!!
Ron| 4.2.12 @ 2:23PM
So...If Mittens decides on a "Romney/Santorum" ticket, he cannot possible lose, right?
He keeps his backing and picks up Santorum's not inconsiderable vote getting power, based on Mr. Santorum's performance thus far. Mr. Santorum might get bashed as a "sellout" briefly, but all he has to do is state he is looking at the lesser position to help the country, and he can still come out smelling like a rose.
Win-Win all the way around, except for poor old Clint who still thinks, for some reason. Dr. Paul is even in the running...I look at the picture captioning the article and Dr. Paul looks lost, like an Alzheimer's patient wandering about...
JP| 4.2.12 @ 2:54PM
Santorum doesn't represent a sizeable block of GOP voters like Bush41 did in 1980, or Reagan in 1976. It makes no sense to put him on the ticket. I like Rick, but for most voters he is a turn-off. His biggest asset is he isn't Mitt. But, that doesn't count for much. Personally, I don't know who Mitt should pick a VP. Rubio is a freshman senator; Paul Ryan may be smart, but he is not a good national politican. And I think that low ball DOJ leak that Niki Haley was being investigated for fraud (it turns out she wasn't) was a warning shot by Obama not to select her.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:13PM
Niki Haley might be a very good choice. Rubio would be excellent. Bob McDonnell (Virginia governor) might also be a good choice from a swing state. Santorum would NOT be a good choice. Does anyone really think he would be an asset? He's not even popular in Pennsylvania. The only way he would get on the ticket is through a brokered convention.
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:33AM
No chance that Romney picks Santorum for VP.
In fact, it would be the height of hypocrisy if Santorum delegates went to Romney. After all the preaching Rick has done against Romney? Please!
Ira| 4.2.12 @ 2:27PM
I will vote for Rick Santorum on Tuesday. He most closely represents my views and values. Saying that,he is not going to win. And I know that,but also have to vote my conscience. In Novemeber thoug,even if Jack in Wi was running against Hussein I'd vote for him(though I imagine JAck will vote for Obama).
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 2:42PM
Shazam, no doubt all you super conservaties will now critisize this man as a RINO-CINO etc STUPIDLY [just as you have with everyone else endorsing Romney and requesting a consolidation of Republican support] :
'..... ACU Chairman Calls on Romney’s Rivals to Exit Monday, April 2, 2012 10:02 AM
By: Ronald Kessler Ronald Kessler reporting from Washington, D.C. — Mitt Romney’s rivals must end their presidential campaigns if Republicans are to retake the White House, Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union, tells Newsmax.Cardenas, who has endorsed Romney, says that if Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich continue their campaigns into the GOP convention in late August, Republicans will not have time to raise money and organize to beat President Obama.
Al Cardenas addresses the 39th CPAC on Feb. 9 in Washington, D.C.“I’m calling on supporters of the other candidates and their peer group whom they listen to, to say to them, ‘I respect you, I care for you, I don’t regret having fought a good fight, but I’m moving on, and I hope you consider doing the same,’” Cardenas says. “That’s the message to my friends who are still in the camps of the other candidates.”With one million members, the American Conservative Union is the preeminent organization representing the full spectrum of conservative thought. It runs the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, which dominates the conservative political agenda, and publishes an annual “Rating of Congress,” the gold standard for assessing members’ ideology.
When he was 12, Cardenas and his family fled Fidel Castro’s Cuba with only the clothes on their back. He became a prominent lawyer in Miami and a successful investor. He essentially rebuilt the Republican Party in Florida, becoming its chairman and helping Jeb Bush win election as governor. He was a mentor to Sen. Marco Rubio, who was a young lawyer in Cardenas’ Miami law firm.“The level of discourse in the campaign has begun to appeal to our lower instincts instead of our higher instincts,” Cardenas says. “Candidates are concentrating more on each other’s superficial faults than talking about our vision for tomorrow or taking on the president. And that wear and tear is having a detrimental effect on the general election process.” What tipped the scales for Cardenas and made him issue a call for the remaining candidates to drop out was that “both Speaker Gingrich and Sen. Santorum have publicly stated that their campaign strategy is no longer winning the nomination outright but preventing Mitt Romney from getting the nod and fighting it out at the convention,” Cardenas says. “That’s just not a workable formula. There’s no way we can compete with the Barack Obama machine given an eight-week time period. You can’t raise resources.” To be effective, “You’ve got to spend money on day one, and you can’t start day one being the day after the convention and organize all 50 states, or at least swing states,” Cardenas says. “We just would not be competitive.” So the question becomes, “Are we willing to give up the White House for the sake of letting the contest run through the convention? And the answer to me, clearly, is no,” Cardenas says.
Cardenas says he has always felt that Romney is a conservative who is the most competent presidential candidate and would have the best chance of defeating President Obama.
“It’s not that difficult to be a successful conservative governor of Oklahoma,” Cardenas says. “It’s far more difficult to be a conservative governor of Massachusetts. Mitt Romney clearly ran the executive branch of government in Massachusetts as far to the right as one possibly could.”Cardenas cites the fact that romney vetoed more than 800 bills that he felt conflicted with fiscal and social conservative principles. He balanced the budget and left a surplus. Romney’s healthcare plan for Massachusetts was developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation. At the time, Gingrich and other conservative leaders endorsed the idea. The Massachusetts legislature, where 85 percent of the members were Democrats, tacked on provisions that made the legislation more costly, Cardenas says.“Romney has clearly said that the federal mandate at the heart of the Obama healthcare bill is unacceptable,” Cardenas says. “He’s clearly said that he would work with the Congress to repeal it on day one of his presidency. And he clearly has said he would give day-one waivers to all the states to abandon it. I’m comfortable with that answer, and I’m comfortable with the fact that he would govern as a conservative.”
As for the claim that Romney is a flip-flopper, “If you agree with that claim, then in essence you’re closing the door to everyone who has transitioned in their public views,” Cardenas says. “As conservatives, we’ve always had a penchant for embracing those who found their way into our ranks. We did that with Ronald Reagan, who proved to be every bit as trustworthy as we had hoped.” Especially on some social issues, Romney’s thinking has evolved, Cardenas says.
“He’s been preaching the conservative message now for a long time, and I take him at his word that he’s had this conversion on a few critical issues,” Cardenas says. “I know that he’s always governed as conservatively as he could, given the circumstances. I’m comfortable with his evolution, and I’m comfortable with the honesty and integrity of that evolution.” Cardenas says Romney’s character is flawless.“He has a reputation that is beyond reproach in the business world, which is as cutthroat a world as there is at his level,” Cardenas says. “In terms of his family life, he’s been a loyal husband and loving father for four decades, and he’s led an admirable personal life, not only with his family but with his faith, in terms of how much effort and resources he’s put to support his faith, and those who depend on it.”Rivals who have attacked Romney’s Bain Capital because it let go workers don’t seem to appreciate how capitalism works, Cardenas says.“Those Democrats who criticize him criticize him for the same reasons they don’t want to shrink a bloated government,” Cardenas says. ”They think that giving a pink slip to a government bureaucrat in order to reduce the size of government is a heartless thing. We consider that to be a champion of the taxpayer’s rights to keep more of our money.”In business, Cardenas says, “You sometimes have two choices: You either reduce the work force and save the business, or the business fails and then everybody’s out of work."Asked if Romney will tap Rubio to run as his vice presidential candidate, Cardenas says he is confident the Florida senator will be among Romney’s top picks.“If he gets the call, I’m hoping he says yes,” Cardenas says. “I know Marco wants to be the best senator he can be. He’s not lobbying for the job. But it’s very hard to turn down a future president in terms of serving your country.”....'
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:42AM
That's just nonsense.
A lot of KoolAid is being consumed these days. in '08 the race was over in March. How did that work out?
People are being bullied and we're not going to tolerate it. Texas and California is delegate rich and the people should be allowed to register their vote.
Mitt has to earn his 1144. If he can't do it, we know we have a weak candidate.
JP| 4.2.12 @ 2:49PM
If Mitt clinches the delegate count in June, and he begins to veer further Left (from his already Center-Left platform), then considerations for a contested convention should come into play. Otherwise, I don't see the point.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:18PM
Look Idiot he has been running as a conservative for 5 years..............If you want to say that you don't trust him to govern that way that would make more sense than saying his platform is left of center..
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:16PM
His platform is not Center-Left. Have you paid any attention at all?
The biggest problem we have as conservatives is that a large portion of the movement remains far too ignorant.
David| 4.2.12 @ 3:19PM
Al Cardenas, head of the ACU, should have a little more on the ball than that.
I can't believe that on FEBRUARY 9TH, FEBRUARY 9TH, he was calling on everyone but Romney to get out!!! Unbelievable, in that the primaries had only been about a month old at the time.
Argue with Quinn's points about this extended primary and even an open convention will help the party and the eventual GOP nominee.
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 4:40PM
Okay, numerous individuals have opined that this extended campaign is imploding into nitpicking nonsense back-and-forth about whose the true conservative, etc which is asinine. The need to finalize this thing is real. If it drags on, the Republican Party will be damaged from same and any/all candidates along with it. The Democrats are salivating at this, and they will be the only winners......and Obama will win! The country will lose accordingly as another Obama term will result in a total implosion/destruction of this country [if you think his three years so far has done substantial damage, what do you think another term will do?]. WAKE UP! The survival of this country is at stake. These hanging on Santorum supporters are spitting in the wind in their asinine quest for a true conservative [and Rickey is not same......he's a SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE but not an ECONOMIC CONSERVATIVE (explain how bedding down with labor unions is ''''''conservative'''''')?]. The longer this drags out, the more damaging it is to the Republican Party and its conservative candidates hope to take over the Senate and to control congress! WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:46PM
Finally someone who makes sense........The author of this article thinks the nomination is the prize itself..WRONG....the prize is getting rid of Obama....If by some miracle Santorum pulls off the nomination he will lose to one of the worst presidents in the history of this once great republic.....
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:17PM
I agree.
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:43AM
Still gulping the KoolAid Oldefarte.
David| 4.2.12 @ 3:20PM
Another question is, we know what Romney NOW SAYS about being a conservative, BUT do you really trust him??? I don't.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:16PM
Why would I trust Ronald Reagan? He was a Democrat and as governor of California signed a pro abortion bill into law....BUT I voted for him twice and glad that I did....
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 4:43PM
Okay, then do you trust Obama? Because that is who you'll end up with for the next four years. You have two choices Democrat or Republican [and the Rickster won't win period....he can't even win his home state of Pa]!!!!!!
Mike Hawk| 4.2.12 @ 9:17PM
We haven't voted in PA. Our primary is April 24th.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:18PM
Polls in Pennsylvania show a very close race...not a very good sign for Santorum.
Mike Hawk| 4.2.12 @ 9:15PM
I was once a Democrat and voted for The Jimmuh. I haven't voted for another Democrat since and that is 36 years now. I guess you ding-a-lings will hold that against me and say I can't be trusted.
PPlatts| 4.2.12 @ 3:50PM
At last a real, plausible alternative to the pundits' predictions and hope for those who haven't had a chance to vote yet. Those who are prodding voters to "coalesce around Mitt Romney" at this point are only encouraging apathy.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:20PM
Plauisble?.............let's see what Quinn has to right on Wednesday morning.................
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:21PM
On Wednesday morning (after Romney wins all three states and picks up almost 100 more delegates), Quin will say "it's still not over". After April 24th, when Romney again wins all of the states (or maybe splits up Pennsylvania with home town Santorum), then he will say the same thing.
Can anyone really stand up and say that they are excited about Santorum? Do they really think he would make a great president? Honestly?
MikeN| 4.2.12 @ 4:05PM
Why should Rick roll over and quit? To preserve his shot in 2016? What shot would he have to quit after rolling up a long string of primary wins? He just got 49% in Louisiana. He will have been ten years out of office if he tries in 2016. And going all the way to the convention didn't stop Reagan from winning in 1980.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:12PM
Listen.he is not 68 like Gingrich.Santorum is only in his early 50's.... he has plently of time to run again
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 4:48PM
Santorum is NOT Reagan, okay and never will be!
He should quit to preserve any chance that a Republican can defeat Obama, that why! He can't win even if he's the nominee....the Dems will destroy him. Oh and Louisiana voters [like all southerners have poll surveyed stated that the economy is their primary concern, and that they'll vote Republican as they always historically do and even for Mitt]!!
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:24PM
The longer he runs, the less I like Santorum. From the recent polls, I would say that many share that opinion. If he is running for 2016, he is not making a very good impression.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:10PM
Nice fantasy......you really must have nothing to do to right this drivel. An open convention would energize the Republican base? Santorum would end up losing anyway and ruin any chances he might have in either 2016 or 2020.
H Abdullah Shabazz| 4.2.12 @ 4:27PM
Abortion.
Mass murder of 55 million
Gov Romney said, "I have always been pro-life"
Quote, unquote.
And so, we're supposed to vote for a guy, with a perfect record for a dozen years, as a pro-abortion barbarian, when he lies to our face about it?
Cause he's going to keep capital gains taxes low?
Karl Rove and his boardroom republican elite, you wont sell us down the river, again. We're out of here.
But hey, Gov Romney, if he does get in, I cant wait to see him raise those capital gains taxes.
Now that would be a howl.
Almost tempts me to vote for him.
Water| 4.2.12 @ 4:30PM
Was Ronald Reagan always pro life when he signed a pro abortion law when he was governor of Calf.?
Oldefarte| 4.2.12 @ 4:49PM
Abortion is not a major concern of voters....maybe Catholic fanatics but not the rest/majority of voters. IT'S THE ECONOMY AND THE DEMOCRATS, STUPIDS!!!!!!!
Bill| 4.2.12 @ 4:49PM
Get over with it. Romney or Obama!
JimP| 4.2.12 @ 4:51PM
I sure hope you are right, Quin. IMO the longer the GOP primary fight drags out the better overall for the GOP this fall, especially if Romney gets the nomination. I apologize to the TAS commenter whose nom de plume I have forgotten, whom I first saw post this idea on another thread several days ago. I think he was exactly correct. Right now the GOP primary is background noise to most voters. Given that Romney is a walking talking klutz gaff machine who is loath to go after Obama, having the nomination process drag on to August limits the amount of time Obama and the Dems can pound 'Mamma's boy' Mitt [Don't get your panties in a wad Mitt supporters. You KNOW that's exactly how he comes across and from what I can tell exactly what he is.].... I digress.... anyway Mitt will get pounded and not be effective at limiting the damage. We conservatives will "have to drag him across the finish line" if in order to get rid of Obama. So go Newt, Rick and Ron. Make him EAARRRNNNN every delegate.
Republican Victory| 4.2.12 @ 4:56PM
Ryan-Rice in 2012!
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 6:35PM
They don't hare Rinos and are reasonable people.
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 6:36PM
hate
Storm| 4.2.12 @ 5:13PM
I think the 'establishment' needs to see how an open convention can actually help the RP. Millions of voters would not feel trampled on and the bitterness of 'them' picking 'our' nominee would fade ...
*566 does NOT equal 1144!
I still have NOT voted!
*this # is not firm
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:27PM
I still haven't voted either (California), but Romney will certainly get our 172 delegates in the winner take all (he currently leads by 20 points).
Mr. P. | 4.3.12 @ 9:27AM
CA is NOT winner-take-all. It is also a closed primary. And there are a lot of rural areas in CA ripe for Santorum.
Quin| 4.3.12 @ 3:49PM
It is not winner-take-all. Most of the delegates are awarded by congressional district: Whoever gets a plurality in each congressional district gets all that district's delegates (I think it's 3 delegates per district). So if, for instance, in four adjoining districts, Romney wins a huge majority in one district, but Santorum wins a narrow majority (or plurality) in the other three, Santorum would get nine of the 12 delegates from those districts.....
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:49AM
You nailed it!
Bill| 4.2.12 @ 5:18PM
R-Resolute
O-Organization
M-Money
N-Natural
E-Energetic
Y-You asked for me
You welcome!
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:49AM
Please...that was nauseating.
H Abdullah Shabazz| 4.2.12 @ 5:22PM
Abortion is not a major concern of voters....maybe Catholic fanatics but not the rest/majority of voters. IT'S THE ECONOMY AND THE DEMOCRATS, STUPIDS!!!!!!!
If you say so. I mean, please calm down.
Anyhow, those "catholic fanatics", you think its okay when Gov Romney lies to them? Moslems too? Whatever.
But being "fanatics", maybe they dont enjoy being lied to. And the republicans, maybe they will want to get them back. How you figure they can do that?
How do get them back?
Nick| 4.2.12 @ 5:30PM
GO AWAY, anti-Catholic bigot!
Nick| 4.2.12 @ 5:35PM
Oops!
Sorry, Shabazz. I didn't know you were quoting someone else. Please accept my apology.
Pharisee Nick| 4.2.12 @ 10:53PM
So, is Olde Farte an anti-Catholic bigot for saying that or do you always just pick & choose who you want to appear so self-righteous in front of??
Nick| 4.3.12 @ 1:21AM
Pharisee,
How am I being "self-righteous"?
And, I know where OF is coming from, because we have discussed this in the past. We have agreed to disagree. Therefore, I know he is not an anti-Catholic bigot.
Anything else you would like to know?
Occam's Tool| 4.2.12 @ 6:03PM
I voted for Santorum, donated to Santorum, went to two Republican caucuses for Santorum (General and County).
But really, if Romney is running, he may have many faults, but he's not a traitor to our country. Obama got his political start in the home of two genuine traitors to their country: Ayers and Dorhn. He appointed another traitor, Van Jones. Please. Romney falls in the range of normal presidential politician, like Eisenhower. Obama is something completely different.
H Abdullah Shabazz| 4.2.12 @ 6:18PM
Thank you for your kind note
The misunderstand was largely my fault, for not putting things in quotes.
And its possible that the offensive quotation came from a provocateur. It was over the top.
Bob Redman| 4.2.12 @ 6:20PM
Thank you, Mr.Hillyer, for the excellent analysis.
For months I have been advocating (not daring to predict) a contested convention because our current primary process discourages the participation in it by our best qualified candidates, namely our crop of extraordinarily successful sitting governors, starting with but not finishing with Perry.
gearjammer| 4.2.12 @ 6:37PM
Walker may go in Wisconsin down says Rassmussen. Gonna send his some money. What are you agokes gonna do comb his record for imperfections ? Losers.
Cpm| 4.2.12 @ 6:43PM
So many 'true conservatives', and each successive 'true conservative candidate' has fallen by the wayside, and now the last 'true conservative candidate' that NO ONE gave a crap about 3 months ago is hanging from the cliff by his fingernails, supported only by the remaining self described 'true conservatives' still in the bunker. It is time to come together and support the nominee. If you don't, the 'real RINO' won't be Romney, the only RINOs will be those that claim to be Republicans but won't support the nominee.
Worried for the country| 4.2.12 @ 6:46PM
"The voter's deserve to have their say"
Quin, your proposed outcome WILL disenfranchise millions of Romney voters. The only way Santorum will win is to deny Romney delegates through arcane party rules and insider delegate deals. Voters will be pissed. They will feel cheated. I can't imagine a worse scenario.
A contested convention would be a disaster. The longer Obama is uncontested the worse it is for the eventual nominee. Obama is building organizations in every state. He's been running for months instead of governing. I see the propaganda Obama is sending out to young voters in my daughters social media.
Our candidate needs the time to raise money and build the campaign organization and contest Obama's propaganda. Late August isn't enough time.
You might like Santorum. I appreciate your honesty. However, Santorum has never run a thing in his life. Exactly like Obama. Not very compelling.
DavisJohn| 4.2.12 @ 9:29PM
I agree.
TrueCon| 4.4.12 @ 2:13AM
Ronald Reagan went all the way to the convention in 1980 and won a majority--more than 50% of the vote--in a 3-way race. So, your premise is not valid.
If Romney is so darn wonderful, he'll welcome the opportunity to get his ideas out there for another few months. Oh, wait. Sorry. He just spends his money trashing other people.
I can see why you're worried.
p2Texas| 4.2.12 @ 7:51PM
That might ring true if Romney had an overwhelming majority of popular votes--with the split conservative field, he does not have this. What is worse than roughly half of the primary electorate being told their votes are insignificant because the party establishment has already determined that Mitt Romney is their designated choice, is the amount of money spent on the negative campaigning on his behalf. Reinforces the image of Romney as representing big business, out of touch with voting public and not winning the hearts and minds of voters on the issues.
Worried for the country| 4.2.12 @ 8:26PM
He certainly has the overwhelming plurality of the popular vote in a 4+ way contest and that is likely to increase as he gains momentum. I believe he is making progress winning the minds and hearts of voters. He is increasingly winning TEA party voter and conservative majorities in the later primaries.
I agree that he could have done better winning hearts and minds with voters earlier. His platform is very Reaganesque and he should have run on it earlier. His campaign made a huge mistake letting the Mitt vs. anti-Mitt narrative marinate for 6 months.
wodiej| 4.2.12 @ 8:28PM
the only reason you favor an open convention is because you like Santorum and he isn't winning. I would be willing to bet if Gingrich was in 2nd place, you would be screaming for him to get out and support Romney.
jayb| 4.2.12 @ 9:15PM
It's funny how some people claim to be a conservative then they support Big Government Rick Santorum.
Santorum was one of the big spenders from that 2001-2006 deficit spending Congress under Bush. He was the earmark king and he voted for more spending bills than Lincoln Chaffee!!
Mike Hawk| 4.2.12 @ 10:00PM
FO, he was my Senator and you are full of crap. You must be a Paulbot, that's their line.
Mike Hawk| 4.2.12 @ 9:48PM
Screw the polls, let's wait till the ballots are cast.
David| 4.2.12 @ 9:50PM
Bill, I am busting a gut laughing reading your ROMNEY =. You truly go from one BS comment to another.
The very last thing people think of when they see Romney is NATURAL. He's a wooden board.
And we asked for him??? He has been cramming himself down our throats for 7 long years. The ONLY reason any of us supported him the last time around was because he was the only one standing between McCain and the nomination.
rex walters| 4.2.12 @ 11:08PM
Your kidding me right? A brokered convention when Romney has garnered 60% of the votes needed and much of the high ranking support from fellow Republicans. Do you hate him that much? If he garners the votes, will you vote for him or opt to sit on the sidelines. Stop dreaming and write a real article.
H Abdullah Shabazz| 4.3.12 @ 12:01AM
What do you call people, like the Romneys, who tell nonsensical falsehoods, thinking theyre helping themselves?
Romney himself said "I have always been pro-life"
And his Missus said " we’ve always been pro-life."
That's beyond bizzare. Could anyone believe it? Could they?
Most pols who lie know theyre doing it. Take Presidnet Clinton. Spitzer. Anthony Weiner Spiro Agnew, guys like that.
Is liars the right word for the Romneys?
I dont think so. This is worse. They dont know what truth is! The concept is foreign to them. They dont understand they sound like fools.
Is Insane the right word? That doesnt seem quite right either. Maybe its too general.
What is the word for it?
Get Smart| 4.3.12 @ 1:10AM
You're delusional. Romney will win at least 13oo
delegates by June 5.
Scorpio51| 4.3.12 @ 9:56AM
Do you have a crystal ball?
MPPB| 4.3.12 @ 3:16AM
Let us pray the "Anybody but Romney" vote keeps turning out in spite of what the MSM keep telling us.
Mr Romney said in an interview that he anticipates :
"that there will be departments and agencies that will either be eliminated or combined with other agencies...but I'm not going to give you a list right now."
The nation is in crisis, desperately in need of leadership and we get that twaddle from our
"presumptive" standard bearer?
Our country and the republican party need an open convention.
There are better candidates to be had.
Winning candidates to be had.
We've already had "Hope and Change".
Are we really going to fall for "Change and Hope"?
Mr. P. | 4.3.12 @ 9:25AM
Rick Santorum for President 2012!
Mr. P. | 4.3.12 @ 9:43AM
Quin has written an incredibly insightful -- and I might add exciting -- article!
John L Wiggins| 4.3.12 @ 10:35AM
The train has left the station.
Jensen| 4.3.12 @ 11:45AM
Dear Mr. Hillyer, Please seek professional help before you are forcefully committed for being certifiably insane.
It's one thing supporting Santorum, it's another thing publicly admitting to said poor judgement, and it is yet another thing to spin so far into a fantasy-world that you can actually imagine Romney not securing the nomination.
For your information the American people in general and the conservatives in particular are fed up with the current administration and want to see Obama ousted at any price.
Santorum doesn't stand a chance against Obama, as few independents or even moderate conservatives can abide his religious insanity.
It is quite simply the economy stupid! And Santorum has about as much economic clout as a golden retriever or maybe a community organizer. Romney has the credentials to take on Obama in an election focused on the economy.
So your religious nutter can take his war on pornography and crawl back under the stone he came from.
MPPB| 4.3.12 @ 9:31PM
The "price" for four years of a mediocre Romney presidency will be eight years of Hillary Clinton.
Tom| 4.3.12 @ 11:47AM
By this logic, Gingrich could win it just as easily as Santorum, or someone else heretofore unknown. I've been running an internet only candidacy for a while now, and it's starting to grow--we just passed 300,000 hits. You can view my positions on my "issue stances" page. I'm write in only, and I don't accept campaign contributions. www.gradyforpresident.com.
Chris Downey| 4.3.12 @ 1:20PM
Great article. An open (and honest) convention is in fact the GOP's only chance to save itself. The Establishmetarians are the Whigs-in-waiting. If the base sees the establishment ramming Romney down its throat, the wheels will come off. There will likely be no GOP by 2016 as the factions fight to coalesce into new major party.
TrueCon| 4.4.12 @ 2:17AM
Exactly.
We shoulda done it after 2006, but GOP groupies like Rush Limbaugh (he's SOOOO proud of his friendships with Bush and Boehner, and bragged about his "secret meeting" with Romney--they're playing that nihilist "all is lost!" oaf like a violin) told us it would be a total disaster.
Karen Talarico | 4.3.12 @ 1:42PM
This is a most intelligent forward and timely political piece. As an Independent I have been waiting to vote for someone with sense and brilliance... yet I don't agree with on everything. Rick Santorum is that candidate.
somnolence| 4.3.12 @ 5:28PM
Quinn, you are clutching at straws rather pathetically. Romney will be the standard-bearer, with either Rubio or Martinez a likely Veep choice. Count on it. The scenario you paint is a stretch, just like the 3 pages it fills in this slot.
Brian Richard Allen | 4.4.12 @ 1:38PM
.... either Rubio or Martinez a likely vice-presidential running mate ....
Why?
On the basis of ethnicity, perhaps?
What more can either of them do than talk well?
Are we become "liberals?"
Alan West is surely the closest to a leader the Republican Party can presently muster.
somnolence| 4.3.12 @ 5:32PM
As I've said before it is either Obama or Romney. Seems elementary to me in November, other than those poor souls who want to put the country on the precipice of going over the cliff completely. That would be totally unnecessary, and I guess they can reserve enough to forego their conscience, but I would certainly sleep better with Romney in the White House, with no reservations whatsoever.
MPPB| 4.4.12 @ 12:04AM
Mr Romney's unfavorable ratings are off the chart.
He's trailing badly in just about all tossup states.
Many conservatives have no desire to vote for him.
We need to get to an open convention and draft a
formidable candidate who isn't currently running.
This may be the last chance to save the republican party from itself.
Walter| 4.3.12 @ 11:02PM
How could someone this stupid be a senior editor at your magazine?
Ken Royall| 4.4.12 @ 3:00AM
It's over. It's been over for quite some time. Smell the coffee and get on the winning side so we can oust Obama this fall.
Brian Richard Allen | 4.4.12 @ 1:33PM
.... The establishment is dead wrong to try to end this contest prematurely. We voters deserve to have our say ....
Please, Dear Lord -- Amen!
obadiah| 4.4.12 @ 8:35PM
replutocraticans like george w romney
demoplutocrats like george w obama
i think i know who's going to win the election.
they're the ones who win all the elections.