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The Spectacle Blog
Some random thoughts on the passing scene (with apologies to Thomas Sowell).
1. Jeb Bush’s endorsement of Mitt Romney reflects the establishment view that Illinois means its over and that it is time to rally the Republican Party around Romney rather than continue a primary campaign that will, the argument goes, only drive up his negatives for the general.
2. Illinois was good illustration of the slow-moving train wreck that this primary campaign has become. Romney’s margin was decisive but still weak by past frontrunner standards. Conservatives still were lukewarm toward him, but did not embrace the alternatives enough to keep him from winning.
3. Rick Santorum is supposed to be the Rust Belt candidate. Perhaps if he stuck to his economic populist message he could have been, though that might have put a ceiling on his conservative support elsewhere. He has clearly lost that mojo.
4. Outside, Newt Gingrich’s fourth place finishes are becoming increasingly common. The rationale for his candidacy is hard to see. Santorum would no doubt benefit in some states and national polls from him leaving the race, but I’m not sure it would have much more impact than that. I think there was a period of time, probably before Ohio, when a Gingrich departure would have made Santorum a real threat to overtake Romney but that window has closed.
5. A slim chance still exists for Santorum and company to deny Romney a first-ballot victory at the convention, at which point all bets are off. But that window is starting to close too.
6. The “Etch a Sketch” controversy is a good example of conservative distrust for Romney. And it’s not a problem that’s unique to Romney: since Richard Nixon, Republicans have been running to the right in the primaries and then to the left in the general. Ronald Reagan was the exception.
7. Romney endorser John McCain is also a problem. Many conservatives held their nose for him in 2008, watched him lose to Barack Obama, and said, “Never again.” Romney is finding out that they mean it.
8. Paul Ryan’s right-wing critics are correct that he should cut faster — a balanced budget in 2040? — but are being shortsighted if they don’t understand this is mainly a debate about what Ryan wants to do with Medicare.
9. I very much doubt Tim Tebow will start for the New York Jets at the beginning of the season. Mark Sanchez just signed a large, early contract extension, Tebow’s biggest contribution will be improving the Jets’ recently lackluster running game, and this only makes sense inasmuch as this forces opposing defenses to prepare for both quarterbacks. But Tebow could be starting there by the end of the season, especially if 2011 Sanchez returns in 2012.
10. I feel badly for Tebow that this was his destination. I just don’t think this is his scene.
11. Ron Paul passed 1 million votes last night. It took him basically the entire campaign to manage that feat in 2008.
View all comments (20) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/03/21/from-jeb-bush-to-tim-tebow
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W| 3.21.12 @ 3:13PM
McCain/Palin were beating obama/biden in the polls until the stock market crash in sept 2008, followed by McCain's temporary "suspension" of his campaign to return to DC. Palin had fired up the conservative base, and McCain would have probably won without the crash. Everyone would now be saying McCain was a genius for picking Palin to solidify the base while he attracted the moderates and independents.
RJ| 3.22.12 @ 2:41AM
It would have been a whole different picture if the crisis was a military crisis rather than an economic one. However, McCain would have faced relentless opposition from the Democrats from day one regardless of how many time he reached across the aisle. And I doubt that many Republicans would have been happy with him, as is the fate of GOP "moderates." McCain was a genius in selecting Palin, but, according to columnists like John Fund, his campaign hamstrung her effectiveness.
Vern Crisler| 3.21.12 @ 3:49PM
Your number 7 is exactly right:
7. Romney endorser John McCain is also a problem. Many conservatives held their nose for him in 2008, watched him lose to Barack Obama, and said, "Never again." Romney is finding out that they mean it.
The old mantra of "where are you conservatives going to go?" has lost its magic. We will never again support a moderate Republican. However, we will do all we can to support conservatives in Congress.
Con Chef (NB) | 3.21.12 @ 4:10PM
I'm with Mr. Antle. I personally think that Tebow should've gone to Miami. I DO look forward to watching him play, though. I always have. Even as a Tennessee Vols fan (heresey, I know).
JP| 3.21.12 @ 4:17PM
Now that Mitt has the nomination virtually wrapped up, look for him to moderate his "moderate" views in an effort to capture the fictitious Independents. The MSM will come down on his hard, and he will wilt under the pressure. By convention time his poll numbers amongst conservatives will be negligiable -worse than McCain's in 2008
Oldefarte| 3.21.12 @ 4:57PM
Newt and Santorum are toast....game, set and match! If taxpayer-voters use their intellect, they'll realize that this election is not like 2008's, in that this country will survive or devastate according to which choice is made. We are at the fork-crossroads. there's no longer a middleground. If we choose unwisely, Europeon financial bankruptcy will come within 2013. You can whine about Romney the RINO and stay home in November but your country will self-destruct unless you hold yo nose and vote Republican Romney!!!!
Mark in LA| 3.21.12 @ 6:48PM
Given the way the Republicans and their lackeys in the media treated Ron Paul, continually distorting his positions, I doubt any Paul voters feel any loyalty to the Republicans. I won't vote for Romney.
Clint| 3.21.12 @ 6:25PM
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Ruling Elite Fops For Their RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.
These Are The RINO-CINO Faux Conservatives Fops, Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
WL| 3.22.12 @ 12:16AM
You know something Herr Clint-rich Goebbels ,
Your canned and pasted poetry composed with the care of a crack addict really does have a rhythm to it...It could almost be a jingle for a second grade class...It's probably more fitting for first grade though since it closely resembles that idiodic pap all of the lesser brained kids liked reading in those insufferable Dr. Seuss books.
All that being said, you could probably start your own rap label with all that rhyming you got going on...
I can see it now...
"Got my mind on my money and my money on Bibi!"
Clint| 3.22.12 @ 6:30AM
Call Your Mancrush, Bibi.
Clint| 3.21.12 @ 7:03PM
"Asked whether conservatives Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich had pushed Mr. Romney so far to the right that he’ll have trouble with moderates in a general election, Mr. Fehrnstrom said that wouldn’t be a problem.
“Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch-A-Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart it all over again,” Fehrnstrom said.
That comment – which appears to imply that Romney can forget what he’s said and take new stands in the fall – came bouncing back to whack the Romney camp faster than a SuperBall pitched against a concrete wall. The Santorum campaign sent out an email alerting reporters to Fehrnstrom’s words, claiming they’re proof that Romney is a Massachusetts moderate."
WL| 3.22.12 @ 12:20AM
I like that Superball reference Clint....because I never knew what those things were called...they WERE cool though...
However, I think a description that would get the point across even better though...would be if you compared it to how fast you jump up and hide the girly magazine when your mom comes in your room unexpectedly...
Clint| 3.22.12 @ 6:34AM
Uh Oh !
WL Says His Mancrush Bibi Has Superballs.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.21.12 @ 8:48PM
If Obama gets re-elected...........we don't deserve a free country.
Paulbots stay at home... You deserve what you get; tyranny.
WL| 3.22.12 @ 12:10AM
Ken (OT),
I bet you really are a Texan because I like Texans and your comment is very much in the LIKE category in my book!
Clint| 3.22.12 @ 6:36AM
That's What The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, Johnny McCain Told Us.
Romney Is McCain Rediux.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
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porno | 3.22.12 @ 5:31AM
Talking about real estate loving it Here’s some mildly amuzing stuff I found: Thought for the day? : Crime doesn’t pay… does that mean my job is a crime?
joan| 3.22.12 @ 6:56AM
Well thank God I don't take my marching orders from Jeb Bush. Endorsements mean squat to me.