NationStates Jolt Archive

Wow, a third different guy won one of the state contests. That's just crazy. The Republicans have no idea what to do.

Link (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7918.html)

Michigan Republicans gave former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney his first victory in a big primary Tuesday, giving his campaign a much-needed boost.

Romney throws an already confused race into disarray by becoming the third different candidate to win a state. He came in second in both Iowa and New Hampshire, and won in tiny Wyoming.

In a speech shortly after the last polls closed, he declared his victory "the beginning of a comeback and a comeback for America."

"Is Washington broken?" he demanded, to the cheers of supporters. "Can it be fixed? Are we the team to get it done?" His backers shouted "Yes!"

Sen. John McCain trailed him in second as early results came in.

He conceded minutes after the polls closed at 9 p.m., speaking to supporters in South Carolina.

"I thought this campaign might be getting easier," McCain half-joked, reading from a prepared text and plainly disappointed. But, he continued, "we don’t mind a fight."

His allies were already declaring that South Carolina was the state that mattered. The Arizona Republican left Michigan for the Palmetto State while voting was going on to begin campaigning in the next state to hold GOP primaries. South Carolina votes for Republicans on Saturday and Democrats on Jan. 26.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came in a distant third in the Republican field in Michigan and has also already moved on to South Carolina.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won an essentially meaningless Democratic contest; the national party announced it would not seat Michigan delegates because the state is holding its primary earlier than party rules allowed.

Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards had their names taken off the ballot over the dispute.

But Democrats who support her rivals turned out in at least moderate numbers, with close to a third voting "uncommitted" — presumably a protest vote against her.

Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, a supporter of Obama, had urged Democrats to vote "uncommitted."

Turnout was predicted to be about 20 percent. Michigan will send 30 delegates to the Republican convention after the state lost half its delegates as punishment for voting before Feb. 5.

Only Romney rode out the night in the state, a sign of how high the stakes were for him.

Exit polls suggested the economy was the most important issue to voters, with about half putting it top — much higher than in Iowa or New Hampshire.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.) were also on the ballot but are focusing more on other states holding primaries soon.

im enjoying how ron paul is ahead of both fred thompson and rudy giuliani.

makes me wonder if they will have enough momentum to do well in the states they are actually campaigning in.

It doesn't really matter at this stage aside from being interesting.

What matters is who can beat who when this race is over.

I don't think McCain will beat either Clinton or Obama, he's of the same league but a -lite version.

Romney - I really can't get a handle on this guy, he seems to just be playing as safe as possible right now.

Giuliani - I just think he's going to blow it in some way or another if he even gets to the point where it will make a difference.

Huckabee - Please no, or please yes, he will never beat Obama or Clinton.

So Romney is the only person who could viably, in my opinion, beat his competition but, as said, I really can't get a handle on him or his policies.

I can't see the others getting a chance of nomination.

thats kinda how we see it at my house.

out of the motley group of republican candidates romney has the best...well ok the least worst chance of being an OK president if he should win the nomination and get elected.

thats kinda how we see it at my house.

out of the motley group of republican candidates romney has the best...well ok the least worst chance of being an OK president if he should win the nomination and get elected.

I posted this article (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13374660&postcount=85)in another thread, which may be of interest.

I think the economy is going to be a rising issue as America faces a likely recession and who's best equipped to handle that could well be a decider.

For me, that would make it Clinton against Romney, which I think would be quite interesting politically. I like Obama on a personal level but I'm not sure as to his policies - I'd prefer him as VP right now and shoo him in for 2016 if everything goes to plan....my plans...bu hwa hwa!

Right now, it seems as if it's the Democrats' race to lose, the GOP does not seem to have a viable candidate.

That being said, we have a long way to go till the general election.

What matters is who can beat who when this race is over.

Indeed.

[QUOTE=Barringtonia]I don't think McCain will beat either Clinton or Obama, he's of the same league but a -lite version.

Right now, a McCain vs Clinton contest is the GOPs best hope. Obama trumps all the GOP candidates. And Clinton versus any GOP candidate but McCain is a re-run of 2004's "hold your nose and vote for the least worst" election, which McCain will win.

That being said, we have a long way to go till the general election.

This is very true, more so in this election than others I think if only because of no incumbent VP running.

Right now, a McCain vs Clinton contest is the GOPs best hope. Obama trumps all the GOP candidates. And Clinton versus any GOP candidate but McCain is a re-run of 2004's "hold your nose and vote for the least worst" election, which McCain will win.

Eeh, I can't account for the perception of personalities - candidates are imbued with a history of perceptions by Americans that I can't access and I accept this has to skew my own thoughts on the matter.

Purely on policies, so far, I have to go with Clinton-Romney but that doesn't take into account the strong feelings felt about certainly the former and possibly the latter.

How does this victory mean that the Repblicans are in disarray? So they chose a different candidate for their, what, third pre-election election? That hardly seems like a sufficient amount of runs to make the determination that the party is split. Besides, it's not like the Democrats have any solid winners. Seriously, they all chant the exact same thing, "change". From what and to what they won't really say, just that it has something to do with evil big business and Iraq.

Also, you suck at polls.

I think this is a blessing in disguise. The GOP needs new blood and a new path for it's future, we already know that we can't just follow our old plans. Even if we lose one election, if we our able to put together a new platform and a new promise to the American people 2 years from now based off of the campaigns in this primary, I feel that will be more then worth it. For one thing, I don't believe the Dem's are actually going to come up with the "change" they promise. Sure, the president will be a black or a woman, but it will be a wealthy establishment black or woman with largely ordinary policies.

If anything, consider this election a plebiscite on the future of the Republican party. And anyways, as Indri I think is trying to point out, contest in the primaries does not neccessarilly equal failure in the general.

It doesn't really matter at this stage aside from being interesting.

What matters is who can beat who when this race is over.

I don't think McCain will beat either Clinton or Obama, he's of the same league but a -lite version.

Romney - I really can't get a handle on this guy, he seems to just be playing as safe as possible right now.

Giuliani - I just think he's going to blow it in some way or another if he even gets to the point where it will make a difference.

Huckabee - Please no, or please yes, he will never beat Obama or Clinton.

So Romney is the only person who could viably, in my opinion, beat his competition but, as said, I really can't get a handle on him or his policies.

I can't see the others getting a chance of nomination.

McCain can beat Clinton just on the divisiveness and hatred of her.

I posted this article (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13374660&postcount=85)in another thread, which may be of interest.

I think the economy is going to be a rising issue as America faces a likely recession and who's best equipped to handle that could well be a decider.

For me, that would make it Clinton against Romney, which I think would be quite interesting politically. I like Obama on a personal level but I'm not sure as to his policies - I'd prefer him as VP right now and shoo him in for 2016 if everything goes to plan....my plans...bu hwa hwa!

Problem is Hillary has no idea what she is doing. She's just LOOK AT ME! I'M A WOMAN! MY LAST NAME IS CLINTON!

Bloomberg insiders say a Clinton-Romney election would be best for him to jump in.


How does this victory mean that the Repblicans are in disarray? So they chose a different candidate for their, what, third pre-election election? That hardly seems like a sufficient amount of runs to make the determination that the party is split. Besides, it's not like the Democrats have any solid winners. Seriously, they all chant the exact same thing, "change". From what and to what they won't really say, just that it has something to do with evil big business and Iraq.

Also, you suck at polls.

Usually, someone will win all 3 or do very well for the most part. There's no clear anything. All 3 won pretty well and are very strong candidates. The REpublicans have no idea what to do.

Also, my poll rocks.

I think this is a blessing in disguise. The GOP needs new blood and a new path for it's future, we already know that we can't just follow our old plans. Even if we lose one election, if we our able to put together a new platform and a new promise to the American people 2 years from now based off of the campaigns in this primary, I feel that will be more then worth it. For one thing, I don't believe the Dem's are actually going to come up with the "change" they promise. Sure, the president will be a black or a woman, but it will be a wealthy establishment black or woman with largely ordinary policies.

If anything, consider this election a plebiscite on the future of the Republican party. And anyways, as Indri I think is trying to point out, contest in the primaries does not neccessarilly equal failure in the general.

And the Republicans can bring change that the Democrats would fail on? What the hell are you on? If the Democrats fail in 2008-2010, then I think a third party may arise somehow...at least with a number of seats.

I keep getting told Romney's father was governor, not him :confused:

I agree that this is the Democrat's race to lose, and with the slate of candidates they've put forward, I don't see it happening.

I keep getting told Romney's father was governor, not him :confused:
George Romney was governor of Michigan for 3 terms. Mitten Romney was governor of Massachusetts for 1 term.

I agree that this is the Democrat's race to lose, and with the slate of candidates they've put forward, I don't see it happening.

This makes no sense. Isn't it the Republicans' race to lose...some odd language quirk...

I ask this question not to be a prick, but as someone who really cant figure it out...


What in the world does anyone see in Mitt Romney? Hes a flip flopping Mass politician. The Dems tried that one, it worked out great:rolleyes:


Seriously...what do my friends on the right see in this guy?

George Romney was governor of Michigan for 3 terms. Mitten Romney was governor of Massachusetts for 1 term.

Thankee kindly.


This makes no sense. Isn't it the Republicans' race to lose...some odd language quirk...

Turn of phrase. Basically means the Democrats are a likely win and the Republicans don't stand a chance.

Of course it doesn't make much sense, it's English.

I ask this question not to be a prick, but as someone who really cant figure it out...


What in the world does anyone see in Mitt Romney? Hes a flip flopping Mass politician. The Dems tried that one, it worked out great:rolleyes:


Seriously...what do my friends on the right see in this guy?

Absolutely nothing though I cannot speak for those up in Michigan.

Edit: The poll does indeed suck.

I ask this question not to be a prick, but as someone who really cant figure it out...


What in the world does anyone see in Mitt Romney? Hes a flip flopping Mass politician. The Dems tried that one, it worked out great:rolleyes:


Seriously...what do my friends on the right see in this guy?

Isn't it also interesting he bears an uncanny resemblance to John Kerry...

Absolutely nothing though I cannot speak for those up in Michigan.

Edit: The poll does indeed suck.

No poll with Option 9 can possibly suck. It's an oxymoron. It's doublethink. It's...

im enjoying how ron paul is ahead of both fred thompson and rudy giuliani.

makes me wonder if they will have enough momentum to do well in the states they are actually campaigning in.
:headbang:

I ask this question not to be a prick, but as someone who really cant figure it out...


What in the world does anyone see in Mitt Romney? Hes a flip flopping Mass politician. The Dems tried that one, it worked out great:rolleyes:


Seriously...what do my friends on the right see in this guy?

do they love romney or do they look at the sorry group of republican candidates and say that he is the best of the lot?

which i think he is.

mccain is a panderer who is too old for the job

huckabee wants the fair tax and knows nothing about foreign policy

giuliani is a thrice married catholic with mob connections plus he is soft on the core republican issues of abortion and gay marriage.

thompson doesnt seem to want the job very much.

ron paul is a nut.

romney had been married once, understands money, is religious, has executive experience, and is the most likely to work hard at moving toward a balanced budget (if that is at all possible) he is also fairly soft on abortion and gay marriage but maybe the conservatives will buy his story of conversion to the correct stance on these issues.

This race is getting good. I'm bored of having one candidate easily outstrip the others early on.

Also: GO MCCAIN!

I like disarray. :)

Wow... youre right... the republicans are in disarray.
In fact... its almost as if republicans in different parts of the country are not part of some national hive-mind.