Is the 2012 GOP going to pull a 1964?
While I still expect Mitt Romney to be the Republican nominee for president, I have to admit that data such as this, from a recent Quinnipiac poll of registered Republican or Republican-leaning voters, give me pause:
Three out of four believe it’s more important to nominate someone who shares their beliefs on the issues rather than someone capable of beating the hated Obama? At first, I thought that must be some anomaly, something gone awry with the polling. But I checked around and found a CBS poll that asked a similar question this month.
Again, “58 percent said they believe it’s more important to have a nominee who agrees with them on the issues than one who can beat Mr. Obama next year. Thirty-nine percent said the opposite.”
That’s not the 74-24 split reported in the Quinnipiac poll, but it’s still an overwhelming margin. It helps to explains why Karl Rove and others among the party’s Washington elite seem more and more frustrated by Romney’s inability to close the deal. It also explains why certain well-connected conservative columnists are becoming increasingly harsh in their attacks on Newt Gingrich (see here and here).
They fear, with good cause, that the GOP is at least open to another “Goldwater moment,” in which it selects a champion based on emotional resonance with the base rather than his chances of success come November. That’s the opening through which Gingrich hopes to wriggle. If you look at their records, he’s no more conservative than Romney. But he is better equipped, both emotionally and rhetorically, to give GOP voters the red meat that they crave.
– Jay Bookman
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359 comments Add your comment
Schrodinger's cat
November 29th, 2011
6:55 pm
A paraphrase from your liberal stereotyping spokesperson Douchetaster..er Soothsayer.
Looks like Sooth touched a nerve…
———————————————————
it did make me giggle in a juvenile sorta way ….it’s more original than most
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
6:57 pm
“Looks like Sooth touched a nerve….”
A stuck pig squeals!
For you erudite posters, way back when, before we lived sanitized lives, people used to slaughter pigs right at home by “sticking” them right in the jugular.
Either that or starve to death.
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
Ross
Are there any folks who fit that stereotype in the GOP?
Truth-O-Meter
November 29th, 2011
7:03 pm
Granny,
You are priceless!
Keep telling the truth and shaming the devil (that’s what my granny used to say).
Common Sense
November 29th, 2011
7:08 pm
“Sorry, sport.
Georgia’s Republican primary is open to anyone regardless of political affiliation”
Sorry, chump, it’s still none of your business.
ragnar danneskjold
November 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
In 1964 there was only the lamestream media, cheerleading for leftism. Even so, by 1980 the voting population understood the nature of leftism, and its causative relationship to a lousy economy. I suspect the cause is lost for Obama, and any non-Obama will win in 2012.
Ross Perot
November 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
Didn’t your father teach you not to call people names if you didn’t want to be called names back Douchetaster? Oh that’s right, you never had a father figure.
TaxPayer
November 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
I was actually leaning toward voting for Mitt in the primary because we already know how that one will play out. The Republican evangelicals will sit out the election.
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
7:14 pm
common sense
it’s absolutely our business Mr. Chump…
(politeness counts)
just in case the GOP could field a candidate worth a hoot.
well, not this year, but y’all gave us TR and Ike…
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
Sorry, chump, it’s still none of your business.
My folks –die-hard conservatives — voted in the Dem primary for decades.
Kinda different when it’s your ox that’s gored, ain’t it?
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
rags
if the GOP hasn’t been able to post a mission acomplished banner over
the lame stream media since 1964 what makes you think they can
deal with the middle east, the economy, the environment, walk and chew gum at the same time….
Schrodinger's cat
November 29th, 2011
7:19 pm
Can just anyone vote in a Dem Primary?…if I may show my ignorance and laziness…
Ross Perot
November 29th, 2011
7:21 pm
I’m sure there are Granny, but I doubt very many could match the passion and vitriol of Douchetaster.
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
Cat
In Ga. anyone can vote in any primary (just one), and vote for a different candidate in the general.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
“Didn’t your father teach you not to call people names if you didn’t want to be called names back Douchetaster? Oh that’s right, you never had a father figure.”
Ross: your utter frustration and hopelessness is on display for all to see. Only you don’t even realize how foolish you look.
I did not not call you a name — I was speaking metaphorically.
Unfortunately, though, your clairvoyance skills are somewhat rusty because my Father is still alive and we have been together all of our lives.
I knew you wouldn’t take me up on my earlier challenge. So, like some many of your cohorts, you are left with just personal insults and petty insults. Really, Wrath, it’s unbecoming of any intelligent person.
As many before you will testify, I will wear you down long before you wear me down. So, have at it!
Jay
November 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
Now now folks. Let’s cease with the namecalling, etc., please.
Schrodinger's cat
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
Thx K
I’m embarrassed not to know that or I should be…but hey, I only got so much bandwith
Bone
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
Emotion! Try “I feel your pain!”
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
I’m sorry I called you a name, Ross, really I am. I sincerely hope that you can somehow accept my apology.
Ninja
November 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
People complain about the stuff Reagan was most culpable for instigating, and yet they idolize him. I only wish I had known the power of BS was that strong when I was younger.
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
Ross
we’ll have to disagree on that.
mr. g has this cousin jack…
douchetaster? how about jock sniffer? ball scratcher?
if men insult men they should use manly men words.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
Actually, that douche doesn’t taste all that bad . . . kinda like a summer’s eve!
Schrodinger's cat
November 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
Now GG or is it gg?…he was more creative than that…I by no means condone that kind of banter but it got style points in bad taste…then again, I will watch the 3 stoogies
Soothsayerc
November 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
“He who angers you conquers you.”
– Elizabeth Kenny
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
7:38 pm
GG or gg depends on whether I can use two hands or not…i did somthing to this old notebook and it doesn’t remember me anymore. oddly geriatric.
we’re eating chinese and the egg rolls are pretty good tonight
either that or i’m a double naught spy
TaxPayer
November 29th, 2011
7:41 pm
People complain about the stuff Reagan was most culpable for instigating, and yet they idolize him. I only wish I had known the power of BS was that strong when I was younger.
It’s all in the delivery and for some reason trickle down does it for a Republican. To each his or her own.
Ross Perot
November 29th, 2011
7:41 pm
I didn’t take the name personally, i was trying to make a point. I apologize to all offended in the room, including Jay!
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
7:46 pm
Jay @ 7:24 Thanks.
Ross Perot
November 29th, 2011
7:46 pm
Wasn’t there a song by Seals and Croft that went something like, “Summer’s Eve makes you feel fine…?”
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
7:47 pm
Wasn’t there a song by Seals and Croft that went something like, “Summer’s Eve makes you feel fine…?”
No.
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
I suspect that most posters on this blog weren’t fully consious during the Reagan disaster. I was. The only reason the country survived was Tip O’neil.
barking frog
November 29th, 2011
7:52 pm
Mr_B, I admit I was not fully conscious during the Reagan tenure.
At the time i was fully committed to the eradication of alcohol.
I drank all I could find.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
7:55 pm
Kamchak: I beg to differ, there was a song called Summer’s Eve!
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
7:57 pm
Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out alive!!
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
7:57 pm
Mr_B, I admit I was not fully conscious during the Reagan tenure.
At the time i was fully committed to the eradication of alcohol.
I drank all I could find.
Too funny!!
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
7:59 pm
Mr_B
I consciously resisted the canonization of St. Ronnie-of-the-RayGun.
When the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, it was painfully obvious that a deal with Iran had been struck.
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
8:00 pm
Frog: The greatest thing I ever got out of drugs was an appreciation for the benefits of ethanol.
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:01 pm
Sooth
You just missed by three letters or so.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 29th, 2011
8:02 pm
Sooth… that was painful. She’s no Weird Al.
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
8:03 pm
What i remember most about Reagan in 5 words or less…..
Ummmmmm
Ummmmmmm
Ummmmmmm
Alzheimers…….
Matt
November 29th, 2011
8:04 pm
Is this article a jab at GOP or comparing Obama’s presidency to Lindon B. Johnson? I’ll take Goldwater or Gingrich any day of the week! So long as Palin sits on the sidelines.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:05 pm
Keep: you didn’t have to pay to get in did you?
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
8:06 pm
Matt
Take my Goldwater or Gingrich….Please!
They don’t get no respect
Thogwummpy
November 29th, 2011
8:08 pm
Well, one thing is for sure, Obama’s beliefs are shared by a minority of Americans; and the independents have seen the “empty suit” for what he his…an arrogant celebrity that despises the traditional liberty that made this people great.
detritusUSA
November 29th, 2011
8:09 pm
Modern republicans and conservatives are nothing more than old time communist dupes. Power to the top, to hell with every one else.
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
8:10 pm
granny I’ll take your goldwater and raise you with a Nixon. I’ll even throw in Ford.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
I hope there’s someone out there who hasn’t seen this yet.
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Debbie: the great thing about Alzheimer’s is that you get to meet so many new people….
OK, utterly insensitive, but if you can’t laugh you gotta cry. (Lost a couple of relatives to Alzheimer’s)
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
8:12 pm
Well, one thing is for sure, Obama’s beliefs are shared by a minority of Americans; and the independents have seen the “empty suit” for what he his…an arrogant celebrity that despises the traditional liberty that made this people great.
Not intended to be a factual statement.
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
“an arrogant celebrity that despises the traditional liberty that made this people great.”
And outside of your own fevered imagination, how would you support this statement. Facts, please.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Sooth, pay to get in? Nope, I am the key master. She was the off-key master.
a reader
November 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
well now that i am a little bit older and a little bit wiser and already know the outcome – it’s still kind of interesting to watch it play out.
Boris Badnoff
November 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
Look at how America and the world have been transformed since The Messiah descended from Heaven and magnanimously consented to become Our God. A thriving, robust economy featuring full employment. An end to partisan divisiveness and everyone is holding hands and singing praises to Our Revered Master. World peace and absolute harmony. North and South Korea have united and attribute their new brotherhood to the example set by Our Nobel Prize Winner. The Iranians, Palestinians, and Israelis have bonded as peas in a pod. And Our Glorious Leader has set a Work Ethic for all to follow; you’ll never find him playing golf or shooting hoops when there are problems that need to be addressed. Whoops. Pardon me. Got a stash of Bookman class weed.
Cynthia Bookman
November 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
No, more like the DEM Party’s goind to pull a 1980.
Recon 0311 2533
November 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
With Obama down 8pts. in his job approval more bad news that the Democrats don’t want to hear.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Americans are lazy.
Look before I leap...
November 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
@ragnar 7:09
Revisionist history ragnar. You have been drinking Rush’s kool-aid again I see.
Since 1952, there have been 9 recessions defined by real GDP contraction. Only one of which happened while a democrat was in the Oval Office. All others happened under GOP executive leadership. Looking at the GDP by year, we seem to do quite well on the average with a democrat in the White House. So much so, its a true wonder that the GOP manages to maintain the myth that they are the party of big business.
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Oooooh, a recap of the daily Ragamuffin report.
More cool beans!
Paulo977
November 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
USinUK :why? and, please be specific and show your work.
_______________
Ahhhh not fair!!!!
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
President Barak Obama is the MOST divisive President in U.S. history.
He is using tactic straight from the Bolshevik Marxist playbook; “CLASS WARFARE”.
And as usual the less intelligent DemocRats and useful idiots have fallen for it; hook, line, and sinker.
Dogs 34 LSU 17!
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
Is the 2012 DNC going to pull a 1917?
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
Gosh, Boris, I thought maybe you were talking about Bush there for a minute. Except for the fact that Bush was the “24/7″ President. He worked 24 hours a month, 7 months of the year.
The rest of the time he was “clearing brush” down at the ranch.
Jay
November 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
“With Obama down 8pts. in his job approval more bad news that the Democrats don’t want to hear.”
Gee, for some reason Recon fails to mention that Rasmussen has Obama up six points on both Romney and Gingrich, and up 10 on Cain. And again, that’s Rasmussen.
Speaking of bad news that certain people don’t want to hear and all….
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
I think good little Bolshevik “Look before I leap…” is drunk on the Lawrence O’Donnell koolaid.
President Obama has raised our debt more than all previous president combined.
The National Debt Road Trip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yxFtTwDcc
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
USMC: my Bolshevik Marxist playbook; “CLASS WARFARE” has done worn out long ago. Heck, I cain’t even read it no more! Could you please post that tactic the Chairman Barack is using. I really would appreciate it! Thanks in advance for your help until I get my new copy in.
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
The daily Kook?
You really shouldn’t rely on the gooey Drudgey goodness.
Just sayin’.
Schrodinger's cat
November 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
hmmm…
say good night….
Mr_B (aka Moose and Squirrel)
November 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
“Boris Badnoff
November 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
Look at how America and the world have been transformed since The Messiah descended from Heaven and magnanimously consented to become Our God. A thriving, robust economy featuring full employment. An end to partisan divisiveness and everyone is holding hands and singing praises to Our Revered Master. World peace and absolute harmony. North and South Korea have united and attribute their new brotherhood to the example set by Our Nobel Prize Winner. The Iranians, Palestinians, and Israelis have bonded as peas in a pod. And Our Glorious Leader has set a Work Ethic for all to follow; you’ll never find him playing golf or shooting hoops when there are problems that need to be addressed”
Gee, Bullwinkle, this guy REALLY thinks any of the folks that voted for Obama in ‘08 expected him to ON HIS OWN rescue an economy that had been trashed by unpaid for tax cuts and “let the business community police itself” thinking, expected the US could be the world’s police force forever, and to micromanage every facet of the the three branches of government, over which he has any control of only one. They sure must be DISSAPOINTED.
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
And as usual the less intelligent DemocRats and useful idiots have fallen for it; hook, line, and sinker.
Well now thats not nice.
Dogs 34 LSU 17!
Now thems fight’n words USMC!! You have just gone too far!
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
The Bolshevik Marxist Playbook
by Dr. Suess
I think I read that.
One Commie Two Commie
Red Commie Blue Commie
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
USMC: to decrease the National Debt, would you be willing to reduce Military spending to 2000 (i.e., pre-Bush) levels?
Jay
November 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
President Obama has raised our debt more than all previous president combined.
Outright, blatant lie. Not even close to being true. Repeating such nonsense would embarrass most people.
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
“Speaking of bad news that certain people don’t want to hear and all….”–Jay
Sounds like Bluster from the weak-minded ideologues…
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
Bluster from weak-minded ideologues?
The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
“Outright, blatant lie. Not even close to being true. Repeating such nonsense would embarrass most people.”–Jay
The weak minded like Jay Bookman are taught to say these things to go along with the Party talking points. Honesty is not one of Jay Bookman’s strong points.
Party and philosophy come first and trump the truth in Jay’s twisted Marxist world views.
Jay is taught to say these intellectually dishonest things.
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:35 pm
“The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.”–Koatchek
I think Koatchek must be high on dope or dog food down at the Occupy Wall Street/Atlanta socialist movement.
Midori
November 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
and intelligence is not one of USMC’s strong points.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
USMC: Show Jay up! This here’s yore big chance! Post something that contradicts what he said. Ready!
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Same ol Jay Bookman—you don’t agree with a blogger, and you block them. Typical.
I had a post taken down earlier.
Of course I’m not the one whining like a WATB, you are.
Recon 0311 2533
November 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
“Gee, for some reason Recon fails to mention that Rasmussen has Obama up six points on both Romney and Gingrich, and up 10 on Cain. And again, that’s Rasmussen.”
Sorry Jay but the head to heads will only be significant when the Republicans select their nominee. The worry for Dems is that the head to heads spread across 3 candidates this early and this close doesn’t bode well for Obama’s reelection hopes. Of course you might get Paul Krugman to whip you up a chart that provides hope and change.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
I think ol’ USMC has done had a few too many drinks with dinner or his oxycodone is beginning to take effect.
One way or another, your coherency is suffering!
granny godzilla
November 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
midori
yep no 4 star material there indeed
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
I think Koatchek must be high on dope or dog food down at the Occupy Wall Street/Atlanta socialist movement.
Don’t think, Meat; it can only hurt the ball club.
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
“Now thems fight’n words USMC!! You have just gone too far!”–Debbie
LOL! Hey Debbie, we’ll see Saturday night if the Bulldogs can pull off another UPSET…
Surly, you remember the last one:
2005 SEC Championship Game: 2005 #13 Georgia 34 #3 LSU 14
Jay
November 29th, 2011
8:40 pm
No, “Cramcrap,” I’m blocking somebody who lacks even the basic level of civility needed to post here without attempting to insult another poster with your lame blog name.
Your mother would be so proud, I’m sure.
Midori
November 29th, 2011
8:40 pm
Mrs G — along with his sidekick Deputy Dawg Del
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:42 pm
Thank God! we got the Sheriff riding along on this here cattle drive! Head ‘em up! Move ‘em out!
Recon 0311 2533
November 29th, 2011
8:43 pm
USMC, we can now attack in every direction. Get cocked, locked and ready to rock.
Midori
November 29th, 2011
8:44 pm
I thought it was my job to defend Kammy!!
I’m suing, Jay!!
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:45 pm
“and intelligence is not one of USMC’s strong points.”–Midori Sour
And I would say that the Marxist/Socialist mentality(garbage) displayed on this blog lacks intelligence.
(what is it again that makes Midori Sour so intelligent??? “crickets”)
Markus Justice
November 29th, 2011
8:45 pm
Obama was a mistake and voters realize it after his second year in office. White voters voted this clown in because of White Guilt and the chance to redeem themselves by taking a chance on a candidate the news media did not vet properly. You would have known his ties to Marxism, radicalism theories of economics and socialist views. He believe the US has to atone for its sin of slavery and capitalism. People forget he wants the elite to rule the country, not you being able to move upward in your career. Remember he said its the government’s job to spread the wealth, not people earning their make in life. Marxism ideology.
DebbieDoRight
November 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
USMC: LOL! Hey Debbie, we’ll see Saturday night if the Bulldogs can pull off another UPSET…
Surly, you remember the last one:
2005 SEC Championship Game: 2005 #13 Georgia 34 #3 LSU 14
Sigh. Let’s look at what’s been happening in the years since 2005 why don’t we………..
National Championships – Auburn (1) Alabama (1) Florida (2) LSU (1) Georgia (BIG FAT ZERO).
But they DID win an SEC Championship…
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
…defend your little whiny, bed-wetting Kammie. He likes to dis, but can’t handle getting his little feelings hurt.
Too funny!
I’ve been called much worse by a much better class person than you.
But if it makes you fell better to think otherwise….
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
USMC
November 29th, 2011
8:48 pm
“USMC, we can now attack in every direction. Get cocked, locked and ready to rock.”–Recon
Shout out to Recon, Scout and Del, etal ……Yut, Yut!
Midori
November 29th, 2011
8:48 pm
what else can one say about a person who has to LIE to make a point, USMC?
and that “Midori Sour” half @ssed joke is soooooooooooooo 2004………….
Kamchak
November 29th, 2011
8:49 pm
I thought it was my job to defend Kammy!!
Any. Time.
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:50 pm
“Obama was a mistake and voters realize it after his second year in office. White voters voted this clown in because of White Guilt and the chance to redeem themselves by taking a chance on a candidate the news media did not vet properly . . .”
Well, it sure seems like more than a few people are “loaded” already at 8:50 tonight!
Mr_B
November 29th, 2011
8:52 pm
Let’s see…. my copy of Das Kapital, the Manifesto, Chairman Moa’s Thoughts,the works of Leon Trotsky….. DAMN! Where’s my copy the Bolshevik Marxist playbook?
Soothsayer
November 29th, 2011
8:52 pm
Cramcrap: I wouldn’t be threatening anyone on this blog if I were you.
melvinowens
November 29th, 2011
8:52 pm
jack;”nobody in their right mind is going to vote for obama”-sorry jack i am in my right mind and i definitely will vote to re-elect barack obama