Is there a winner among (what’s left of) the GOP field?
Herman Cain jumped in, at an Atlanta rally attended by thousands at “high noon.” Mitch Daniels slunk out, via an email to supporters sent in the middle of the night. Another weekend, another news cycle so full of Republican presidential politics you’d think it was spring 2012, not spring 2011. Where does it all leave us?
Cain’s decision was hardly a secret, so let’s focus on Daniels. The Indiana governor was seen as a top choice for fiscal conservatives but potentially vexing for social conservatives. He talked for months as if he didn’t want to run, but no one seemed to believe him — or maybe they just didn’t want to believe him — until his midnight email Saturday. Compared to, say, Donald Trump, Daniels’ declining to run feels like a real loss. (OK, compared to Trump, Charlie Sheen’s declining to run would feel like a real loss.)
So we can now add Daniels to a long and distinguished list of Republican governors or ex-governors who say they’re not running for president next year: Mississippi’s Haley Barbour, Florida’s Jeb Bush, New Jersey’s Chris Christie, Arkansas’ Mike Huckabee, Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal and Texas’ Rick Perry. That’s seven men who have won a total of 12 gubernatorial elections and racked up a host of policy achievements — but who insist they have no interest in running for president.
What do you think of the GOP presidential field?
- Beat Obama? Please. (156 Votes)
- There's a winner in there. (120 Votes)
- I can imagine a Republican beating President Obama, but not one of these guys. (120 Votes)
Total Voters: 396
Loading ...Next to them, the govs and ex-govs who say they are running or are still exploring a run — Utah’s Jon Huntsman, New Mexico’s Gary Johnson, Minnesota’s Tim Pawlenty and Massachusetts’ Mitt Romney — comprise a lesser list. I don’t think the comparison improves very much if you add Alaska’s Sarah Palin to the mix.
Of course, it only takes one — and there are non-governors in the running as well: Cain, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, former Sen. Rick Santorum. Your question this Monday morning: Does the current field have a winner in it? Answer in the poll to the left and in the comments thread.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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162 comments Add your comment
buck@gon
May 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
Bullseye @ 10:10,
If that happens, then your fiscal future is Greece, and your cultural future is Turkey, France & Mexico.
JP
May 23rd, 2011
10:20 am
I am a Dem and still believe Obama is very vulnerable in 2012 – the economy could still be sputtering, gas prices could still be high, etc… I even think Romney could win. For you folks that follow GOP stuff, what about Huntmsan or Pawlenty?
buck@gon
May 23rd, 2011
10:25 am
Dr. Pangloss @ 10:12
Dr.,
Sorry to burst your poll-bubble, but I’m worried about Kyle Wingfeld and his gloomy mood here. That poll you mention is practically meaningless. Fully 20+% of respondents didn’t even answer the poll for Romney or Huckabee, and they’re the most well-known ones here. OK, Gingrich. The President has the simple advantage that everyone knows who he is. Those numbers will change. Better to look at Prez O’s approval ratings among likely voters. Not thrilling if you’re a community organizer.
It’s OK, Kyle. You can come out now! No one yet knows who these candidates are, and the poll is misleading. It contemplates that Obama can’t be beat because Republicans haven’t yet received enough support. Well….. Duh!
Whacks Eloquent
May 23rd, 2011
10:26 am
JP,
I like Pawlenty, but he’s as exciting as a cardboard box. He would make a great VP candidate though, for either Romney or Cain.
Huntsman failed to impress me yesterday at his party in NH, where my wife quipped that “all 13 Republicans in New Hampshire were there”! Seems like a nice guy, better for a cabinet post.
Herman Cain’s turnout (somewhere between 1200 and 15000) is too me indicative of what GOP voters are looking for. Someone who can excite them, energize them. The media downplayed the Tea Party less than 2 years ago, and look what happened. Those same voters are still energized, and they want to decide the candidate, rather than letting the GOP pocketbook holders pick their puppet. Question now is will they succeed? Herman Cain will not outraise Romney, but neither did Huckabee…
Clay Grant
May 23rd, 2011
10:28 am
Nothing but bullet points from Herman. Another AJC reporter asked him a rather basic question about the Fair Tax, and was amazed that how little he knew about it. Understand the desire to have someone to take you back to the so-called ‘good old days’, but if he’s in any way your guy then you are truly desperate.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
May 23rd, 2011
10:29 am
Dear Alan @ 10:16, good morning, obviously you slept through the 2010 elections – or perhaps you think ObamaCare and 10% unemployment after destroying the American future via a government stimulus is an electoral winner for the pretender?
Libertarian Chick
May 23rd, 2011
10:30 am
Rick Patel, you just made me throw up in my mouth a little. Chic? Charming? How about dumb and demeaning?
RGB
May 23rd, 2011
10:32 am
@ Robert: The American People have never seen organized terrorism at the ballot box and I hope we never will again. It’s time for serious GOP candidates to choose sides….saw the majority of White Americans (poor, uneducated, disenfranshised [sic]) vote for the entire GOP ticket regardless of the candidates [sic] experience.
It is difficult for one to take you seriously when you describe people who want to restore fiscal prudence to the United States as “terrorists”. Are you a member of the pro-financial destruction crowd? That sounds more closely aligned with terrorism than a group of people who want to save these United States.
Additionally, you should conduct a little research on the average educational background of voters. Your findings would prove your prejudices and preconceived notions wrong.
Based on the specific content of your writings, you appear to be a disgruntled homosexual waiting for society to step up and approve your lifestyle choice. Further, you label people “terrorists” who believe your choice is immoral. But it is your choice so you should live with it and not resort to tearing down others who don’t agree with you. After all, isn’t THAT what you are after for your own life–that others don’t tear you and your lifestyle choice down?
@Robert: Why do think it is the responsibility of other people to prove or disprove the number of people who attended Herman Cain’s rally? Get a life, man. Using your rationale, if Fox News distorts the size of Republican rallies, then a liberal-owned news organization would under-report the size of attendees of such rallies. Do you know who owns the AJC/WSB, etc.?
@DeborahinAthens: From your incoherent single, but long, paragraph, it is obvious that you reject the idea of a Creator and resent people who desire to be obedient to Almighty God. And that is your right. But it sounds as though you are not aware that this country was founded on Christian principles. In fact, of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 29 had seminary degrees. You are free to worship or not worship whomever you choose, but you’ll understand that most people in this country do believe in a Higher Power. They are not trying to indoctrinate you into anything but one cannot separate this country’s foundational principles from the laws and policies that guide this country.
“In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity” appeared at the beginning of the peace treaty between the new America and Britain. That sounds Christian to me. This treaty was signed by four people including the British ambassador, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.
So I urge you to avoid denouncing, trashing, and persecuting people of faith because there’s simply no future in it.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
When the Republicans remember that there used to be millions in the Republican party that are fiscal conservatives but are not religious wing-nuts, they might just wake up from this tea-party induced nightmare.
——
You obviously don’t know what the Tea Party is about. Fiscal conservatism is its unifying principle. Turn off MSNBC and it’s lineup of haters and educate yourself. That way you won’t look so foolish.
JB
May 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
This next election isn’t about the republicans at all. It’s clearly on OBAMA and the question asked is…DO YOU WANT 4 MORE YEARS OF HIS AGENDA?? Donald Duck could run and beat OBAMA if he just runs a good campaign simply put.
I saw a poll friday that said generic republican getting 45% and Obama 43%. Generic candidate says it almost doesn’t matter, people want the country in another direction. Obama will not be difficult to beat next year. His crap politics have done nothing but sink us further in debt!! Thats change we can believe in right? Meanwhile, americans are looking for some change in their pockets! Obama is another jimmy carter! He will lose handily next year. Bank on it!!
Obama had no record to run on last time. Now his record is massive debt and terrible foreign policy! Even bush got congress approval for the wars but this president got us in libya and failed to even seek congress? The same man who blasted bush for his handling of wars but it appears pot meets kettle here! The same obama who claimed he would end gitmo, end both wars when he got in but has increased drone attacks killing thousands and still fighting in afghanistan. That record will sink him at the polls. This is common sense people. Just watch!
Devil's Advocate
May 23rd, 2011
10:45 am
I’m confused. So now we’re saying the left leaning AJC is drumming up support for a right candidate? Is this sabotage as the AJC believe Cain cannot beat Obama and so they want him to win the Republican nod (a la McCain)?
HDB
May 23rd, 2011
10:48 am
Lil’ Barry Bailout
May 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
“You obviously don’t know what the Tea Party is about. Fiscal conservatism is its unifying principle.”
If such was the case, where was the Tea Party when the nation was getting BUSHwhacked??
Jeff Connington
May 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
Kyle, you are in bed with your messiah, Barack Hussein Obama. And so is you liberal newspaper. Cain so far more qualified to be President than Obama EVER was. Obama never held a job in his life. He never had to run for office. He and his Chicago thugs had the opposition eliminated so he could slide right in. Obama was a worthless Illinois State Senator who set a record for voting “present”. Here your messiah and community organizer ran as a Democrat, and as soon as he took office, he started implementing his socialist Marzist fascist policies. He is the father of lies. In over 500+ Obam promises, he fulfiulled ONE, taking down Bin Ladin. Where are all the jobs? Didn’t your messiah BHO promise to “focus on jobs like a laser”? What about the 787 BILLION dollar so-called-stimulus slush fund? It created ZERO “shovel ready” jobs. The 787 billion dollars was nothing more than an Obama-Reid-Pelosi re-election money laundering fund for Dem’s. Obama has BAMBOOZLED 51% of the FOOLISH Americans who voted for this man in an empty suit. Herman Cain had abt 12,000 at his Atlanta rally, NOT 1200 as you liberals claim. Cain is Obama’s WORST nightmare, and wipe the floor in any debate. Obama has to run on his record,, which is ZERO accomplishments to improve this country, ZERO.
Kyle Wingfield
May 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
Jeff @ 10:51: Welcome to the blog. It’s quite obvious you’ve never been here before…
Gerald West
May 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
Kyle, your poll has a bias toward Republican candidates, and against good sense. You need a fourth option: “they’re all losers”.
What sensible person would want a replay of the last Republican adminstration that began by plunging the federal budget into deficit and ended by wrecking the economy?
Devil's Advocate
May 23rd, 2011
11:06 am
Wow, Jeff is angry today! How many times is someone going to play the “X would wipe the floor with Obama at a debate” card? Seriously, didn’t we hear this during the last presidential campaign season? Obama debated Democrats and Republicans and got elected.
People wonder why a “real” conservative cannot get elected as president anymore (Bush wasn’t a conservative to many conservatives). Well this is why. The platform of too many republicans is to mud sling. They start off on policy issues but quickly abandon them (probably because they don’t believe what they are saying in the first place) and resort to attacks on the liberal’s character and record. That game is old and has been played.
Newsflash people, Obama was elected because he gave voters what they wanted, a candidate who generally stuck to his platform and responded to attacks more than generating his own. He was a breathe of fresh air on the campaign trail. Granted, this has nothing to do with his performance as a president, that is what re-election is for…
When a Republican runs in that manner then that person will have a fighting chance. People of all parties are tired of voting on the best mud slinger. Stick to issues or you’ll simply be viewed as a “hater”. Cain appears to be the best Republican candidate as long as he doesn’t resort to tearing Obama down to build himself up. It’s ok to point at Obama’s policy decisions and state why you think they are wrong but please leave all the birther, community organizer, “Chicago Way”, and other anti-Obamaisms alone unless you do want him re-elected with ease.
RGB
May 23rd, 2011
11:20 am
What sensible person would want a replay of the last Republican adminstration that began by plunging the federal budget into deficit and ended by wrecking the economy?
Exactly right. I sure hated those days of $200 billion annual deficits and $8 trillion in national debt.
: )
Goldie
May 23rd, 2011
11:29 am
That 3rd option in your poll should read “Beat Obama? Puh-leeze.”
Dave R.
May 23rd, 2011
11:31 am
DeborahinAthens wrote: “The final nail in Christine O’Donnell’s coffin was when, during a debate, she disagreed about one of the basic tenets of the Constitution and her opponent quoted the REAL verbiage, line by line, and the dim-wit said, “…really? It says that really” (or words to that effect).”
Just as in the left quoting Tina Fey, “And you can see Russia from my house!”, you get it wrong again, Deborah. As usual.
In the debate with Christine O’Donnell, her opponent claimed that there was “a separation of church and state” in the U.S. Constitution. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, why don’t you go get the copy of the Constitution you so adamantly claim to have read before, and find that particular quote in it.
Go ahead. READ the Constitution, DeborahinAthens, and show us all your startling intellect and reading comprehension and point to the exact quote the Democrat claimed was in the Constitution.
Never mind, oh mindless one. I’ll save you the trouble. After being caught in the lie by such a lightweight as Christine O’Donnell, he back-pedaled (as you, I’m sure will) and quoted the actual text of “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion”, which is NOT the same as “a separation of church and state”, nor was it found in the Constitution as he alleged.
Your blind hatred of the GOP is just as bad as the blind allegiance of those in the GOP to social engineering by religious beliefs.
Goldie
May 23rd, 2011
11:35 am
“Obama has to run on his record,, which is ZERO accomplishments to improve this country, ZERO.”
Jeff — and your candidate Mr. Cain has been elected to office how many times??? So, how many “accomplishments” has Mr. Cain had to “improve this country”???
Your comments about Our President are ludicrous.
GT
May 23rd, 2011
11:42 am
The Republicans are almost SNL when it comes to picking serious candidates. They have somehow gotten in their minds that America’s love for superficiality demands they run a Palin or a Newt. It is like the ninth inning and your team is 19 runs behind so you pitch the right fielder, to save arms for better days. Unless you drag up a real player, which still may be beat, you don’t stand a prayer, and what you have on the slate now are better suited for dancing with the stars than presidential timber. There is always the lucky punch as shown by Jimmy Carter where all the stars in the universe line up right and the tomato can they put out there will connect but after the damage Carter did to the Democratic National Party for years after I would think the Republicans hope their guy or gal will take a fall like he or she is suppose to in the first round. Any of these candidates running for the Republican Party could kill the party forever introducing the much needed third choice for middle America.
Halftrack
May 23rd, 2011
11:46 am
There is probably a winner in there. The candidates all need to start talking in the image of a President. It is still early in the elephant race. Take notes from Israel’s PM. The song by Peter, Paul, & Mary “Ole Stuball” applies here. Just keep principled, have a backbone to carry the weight and eyes on the finish line and the voters will respond accordingly.
snoqualmiefalls
May 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
Is there a winner in this field of candidates or potential candidates?
NO there is no winner. But I sure want to see this parade of losers, especially when they attempt to attract TeaParty followers or religious followers or social conservative followers. Don’t know about you, but I already have the popcorn out.. I love the smell of CRAZY during campaign season, and the above mentioned candidates fit the bill.
Dave R.
May 23rd, 2011
11:51 am
“The platform of too many POLITICIANS is to mud sling. They start off on policy issues but quickly abandon them (probably because they don’t believe what they are saying in the first place) and resort to attacks on the OPPONENT’S character and record.”
Fixed your typo, Devil. No thanks needed. Your bias was showing too readily.
TRUTH
May 23rd, 2011
11:57 am
The short answer to the potential (and current field) of GOP candidates is an emphatic “NO!” The OP field, either having committed, or in the process of being manufactured to BE a candidate, offer NO NEW IDEAS. It is sad that this election cycle breaks no new ground for the GOP. What we citizens have figured out is that the message, although feebly packaged differently, is essentially the same failed ideas of the previous Republican administrations. Throw in the factually inept Tea Party and you have the basis for a complete rejection of the Republican model. The elephant in the room is that the GOP in its backlash against their resounding defeat in ‘08 was to embrace the manufactured “crazy” they created and now its very creation is ripping the GOP parent to shreds. Most of the candidates who have rejected a run for the Presidency, flirted with and supported the insanity of the Tea Party. They have made their names synomynous with insanity, and now are trying to distance themselves from it, even in the face of factual evidence (that darn internet) of their previous support. Paul Ryan nail gunned his own potential run with the most insane budget while protecting the rich and big business, REALLY? Romney…er, not likeable, and attacks his own views…I think that is called schizophrenic. Bachmann…now that is the definition of crazy. Ron Paul, I like, but his is the support of the Tea Party, which means he is subject to leave the reservation at any moment. Herman Cain, well there goes that claim of previous “executive experience.” He was a CEO of Godfather’s, free pizza for everyone on Fridays!! (Sounds like a great Sr. Class President slogan..) Might not know much about how the world operates, but will ensure pizza delieveries in 30 mins or less or its free!! (whoops, another pizza company)…
So, that’s pretty much it. The GOP flirted with the Donald, Newt (who actually has a campaign, and is denying everything he’s ever said, til he denies he’s ever said that he denied it previouly), Palin who FINALLY has been determined to be a mean Twitter-er and of no political substance.
Looks like a DEMOCRATIC pounding is coming your way, GOP. OBAMA 2012
Dave R.
May 23rd, 2011
12:00 pm
“So, how many “accomplishments” has Mr. Cain had to “improve this country”???”
Well, Goldie, Cain’s actually employed people by earning money and distributing it, rather than taking from others by force and distributing it. He’s done it in an ongoing, sustaining enterprise rather than taking us into debt for one-time jobs.
By bringing Godfather’s Pizza back from bankruptcy, Herman Cain has already employed more people than Hope & Punt ™ could ever hope to do.
I think that qualifies as “accomplishments to improve this country”.
But I’m sure you won’t.
GT
May 23rd, 2011
12:04 pm
Tea Party vs. Union. For the Teabags it is a social event where these retirees can show off for their spouses and friends and say they still have the vinegar. Easy stuff when no one is there to oppose them and they have the press to themselves. For the union it is real time, few show up with their spouses who are having to work the other job or taking care of America’s future at home. The teabags had their way in the off year elections making up idiotic stuff for the press and voters and shouting down candidates trying to answer their idiotic questions. The bet here is Obama doesn’t encourage his thugs and will point out where they have missed the boat, unlike the Republican candidates who lead the parade.
MrLiberty
May 23rd, 2011
12:05 pm
Whacks Eloquent – No need to lay the current economic crisis on Cain because of his stint at the Fed back in KC, but as the Federal Reserve needs to be abolished in order to restore freedom, liberty, sound money, and economic security to this nation, we cannot afford to have a former insider in the White House fighting the process and doing their bidding. Ron Paul’s position has been clear since he was first elected in 1973 – End the Fed. Had we listened to him back then, the multiple economic crises since might well have never happened, and certainly the gigantic mountain of debt would never have been possible as that is all the Fed really does (aside from destroying the dollar of course).
RGB
May 23rd, 2011
12:24 pm
Community Organizer. No private sector business experience. Never met a payroll. Can’t read an income statement or balance sheet. Or balance a budget. Or lead thousands of people to meet an objective. Never emerged from bankruptcy but willing to lead a country there.
Sounds like a great Sr. Class President slogan.
To reacap: Libs hate all businesses and, by extension, all those with private sector experience. My recommendation: Don’t buy anything from a private sector business for the remainder of the year.
That’ll show ‘em.
Devil's Advocate
May 23rd, 2011
12:30 pm
Dave R.,
I rest my case. You offered nothing in your response other than to prove that Democrats are the same as Republicans. The Left is the same as the Right. If they are all the same, why fight in the name of something different? If the Republicans are going to run as the principled party of do gooders then why would you want to paint them as the same as Democrats?
Bottom line, stop the mud slinging! Hillary slung mud and got beat. Commentary on Obama’s campaign was that he would be eatten alive by Hillary because he wasn’t “dirty” enough. Obama struggled at slinging mud and ran on “hope and change”. While the Right loves to mock running on “hope and change”, it won. It beat Clinton and McCain. But as I said in my other post, the majority was willing to vote for Obama because he didn’t base his candidacy on tearing down his opponents. He presented a vision and the majority of voters bought it, right or wrong. End of story. Stop thinking like a sports fan and start thinking like an objective observer with no dog in the fight.
Food for thought.
For the record, Democrats run on the heart strings of the people. Their message is often about helping anyone and everyone in “need”. The PROBLEM with this is that it costs too much money to blindly go throwing around “help” to both those in need and those who are too lazy to earn their keep. The Democratic platform doesn’t need mudslinging up front anymore because they are playing the class warfare angle. When a voter is hurting that voter will tend to vote for the candidate that better promises to help their situation regardless of party. The Democrats are going to play this card as long as the conditions of our nation keep dealing it.
The problem with the Obama administration isn’t that he’s breaking campaign promises, it’s that the implementation of his promises are too costly in the first place. It all boils right back down to liberal spending vs fiscal conservative responsibility. Yet, Republicans only focus on that as the opening act to the full show of attacking character. But that’s ok, it’ll work this time won’t it? Maybe if we play the birth certificate card just one more time it’ll finally stick (Yeah, right).
I like Cain because he appears to be a candidate that knows how to comment on Obama’s policy decisions and not focus so much on all the other stuff. Hopefully his advisors and campaign handlers won’t drive him down the path of mud slinging first, policy second which would make him just another politician.
Obama showed us the formula of what will win these days. Many Tea Party and Republican candidates were able to use that to have good showings in 2010 as well. Just state what you think is wrong and how you’d fix it and let the people decide. Voters appear open to going with the unknown or “change” more than ever because they are tired of long term career politicians doing the same old stuff. Party doesn’t matter…
GT
May 23rd, 2011
12:37 pm
Mr Liberty where did the feds come in play with the latest economic crisis? Outside baling the very banks out of the problem after the fact that through pure free enterprise and greed became impotent where was the feds finger in this pie? This will be historically noted as Wall Street through its vast resources keeping the government out of the kitchen for the purpose of cooking what it wanted to cook. Ron Paul is a country preacher fighting the devil, he is way over matched, a water hose versus a tsunami. Until someone has the guts to let the street be true free enterprise which means a depression and a grassroots resurgence there is no cure. Why has Wall Street have to be in New York City or any place in this modern time of computers. Government still has to be run from Washington, I guess, but there is no reason to encourage this systemic risk nature of Wall Street.
Gordon
May 23rd, 2011
12:40 pm
The only two serious candidates are Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. In saying that, I mean they are the only ones with a chance to win. If I had meant serious to mean their ideas might actually solve problems, several of the candidates could be considered serious and Obama could not.
TRUTH
May 23rd, 2011
12:46 pm
@RGB 12:24 PM That sounds like a great idea to not buy anything from a private sector business, however, its somewhat naive. The problems with us Liberals, and now MOST Republicans, is the massive tax breaks that are offered to those “Private Sector” businesses that still do not create jobs for the American public. They move it to countries where they can get cheap labor. So, its not a “hate” of big business, its about making big business play fairly. And it does sound like a Sr. Class President slogan…. just sayin’.
Chris Matthews
May 23rd, 2011
12:51 pm
Deborahinathens is a left-wing nut job! Instead of Athens ..you should be in the State Hospital !
marc
May 23rd, 2011
12:54 pm
The real winner in the GOP field is Barrack Obama..(unbeatable in 2012)…..Hillary Clinton then becomes the 1st women president 2016 and 2020…….the Republican’s next shot is really 2024……but not as they are today….. with each generation the GOP gets more out of step with mainstream America each year……I voted for Reagan, Cinton, both Bushes and then Obama…..Americans don’t blindly party up for a President…they voted for the best man…..and face it….. the GOP can’t find one.
Devil's Advocate
May 23rd, 2011
1:02 pm
marc gets it. The extremists on the Left and the Right all think they are more important than the swingers who simply want the best candidate. If either party were so perfect we’d only have a one party system.
Jefferson
May 23rd, 2011
1:06 pm
Cain has zero chance and his pizza was not good. Paul is too old. Grump Old People. – GOP still no credibility. Danials too short. Newt too fat and dumb. Like a resteraunt with a bad menu.
Clay Grant
May 23rd, 2011
1:14 pm
I’d like to stay, but this is just like anywhere else with Republicans taking their cues from Fox News without really understanding the issues. Fact: 7 of the 10 trillion debt came from your two heroes: Reagan and W. Fact: Revenues are at their lowest level since 1949 (adjusted for inflation of course), due to the Bush tax cuts. Fact: Bush left the house on fire and every credible economist said it would take years to fix this. Fact: You can’t balance the budget on 1949-level revenues (well I guess you can if you don’t care about anyone outside your own home). Fact: Republicans were for individual health mandate, cap and trade, and the 1967 Israel borders … until the moment that Obama was for them. It’s not about issues, it’s just about taking adversarial stances. Summation: this has never been about any issues other than low tax rates for the wealthy. And you are the foolish people who are propping them up. They laugh at you, from inside their gated communities! Obama knows he won’t get anything accomplished in his second term because of ya’ll. All he wants (and expects) is a couple of Supreme Court seats.
GT
May 23rd, 2011
1:15 pm
Gordon, Obama can and will be considered seriously. For one thing he articulates which is a far better way of communication than whatever smirking and mumbling is or shouting to a charged up crowd of relatives, anything they want to hear. I wonder who Bin laden would now take seriously upon us. But then you Gordon have a God given right to not respect anyone. I keep forgetting how your well bred crowd shouted down Obama, called him a liar in the middle of the speech to Congress. If only the same rude man had chosen to explode as we were being told of the weapons of mass destruction, but htat was fact and this guy only writes fiction. Your disrespectful following have questioned Obama’s nationality because he came for a place call Hawaii or his college credentials because he is black. Gordon you don’t have to respect anyone that is how you get to the point of not being taken seriously in the first place. It is my guess Obama can stand the loss of that kind of respect, the kind base on false foundation. It is the Republican Party that seems to be cracking under the burden of reality.
Goldie
May 23rd, 2011
1:23 pm
Dave R @ 12:00 — and I seem to recall some other wonderful Repub calling himself the “CEO president” about 11 years ago… now, remind me again who that was, and how did all that business “experience” of his work out for America? What we got from him was massive unemployment and jobs shipped overseas, all the while starting 2 foreign wars and giving tax cuts to the wealthiest citizens — what business CEO worth his underwear would carry on like that and expect to keep his job???
Most American voters have seen what you Repubs really mean by “fiscally conservative” and your lack of sense when it comes to “business sense”, and we don’t want no more of you!
Side Note
May 23rd, 2011
1:27 pm
Aquagirl
May 23rd, 2011
8:42 am
“….nutcases…wackos…lemmings…hate groups”
Wow. When you have nothing, call people names. Laughable.
A fact from the 2004 Presidential Election
May 23rd, 2011
1:35 pm
At this point before the 2004 Election, Howard “I have a scream” Dean was the clear front-runner on the Democratic side. Enough said.
Dave R.
May 23rd, 2011
1:49 pm
Goldie, you will never see me defending Bush, nor will you see me defending the GOP and Democrat CONGRESSES that were the real reason for this latest economic mess.
Unlike you, I know what and who caused this mess, and it was no single administration nor policy.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 23rd, 2011
1:57 pm
If such was the case, where was the Tea Party when the nation was getting BUSHwhacked??
——-
Our President Bush never proposed a trillion dollar deficit, much less a decade’s worth of them. Your Idiot Messiah is a fiscal disaster.
MrLiberty
May 23rd, 2011
2:00 pm
GT – If you understood the american banking system you would not be asking what role the Fed played in the 2008 economic crisis.
But for review – the Federal Reserve acts in the role of price fixer – for money. They, and they alone set the interest rate. Back in 2001 after 9-11 they set the interest rate practically at 0%. Banks were able to borrow basically for free. This created enormous mal-investment. This money flowed in various directions, but Bush’s push along with other criminals in congress to create the “ownership” society pushed a ton of that money in the direction of housing. Thanks to horrible government policies bad loans by the boatload were made. Deregulation and poor oversight encouraged the creation of all of the bizarre financial instruments that became the worthless structure the economic house of cards was built upon. Ultimately it was greed among the bankers and wall street that created these instruments, but without the money created out of thin air by the Fed, loaned at zero percent, etc. there would have been no money to lend, etc.
Money for loans is supposed to come from savings. When people defer immediate purchases for long-term purchases by either saving or investing, they send a message to businesses, etc. that long-term projects can be supported in the future. To encourage savings, banks pay higher interest rates to savers. The more savings, the less they can pay to encourage those savings, and thus the lower interest rates they can charge borrowers. So the greater the voluntary savings, the more money available to lend and the lower interest rates. When a central bank like the Fed gets involved, the banks don’t need savings (which americans aren’t big on anyway). They subvert the process by making counterfeit money available to the banks at 0% interest which artificially sends the message that long-term projects will be able to be supported in the future. The opposite of course is true. There is no real savings, there will be no money in the future to pay for the homes, businesses, etc. and other long-term projects and so the inevitable bust comes.
Yes, there is always greed. That’s why it is so important that the free market set interest rates and that savings be the source of lending money, not a criminal organization like the Fed.
Go to www(dot)mises(dot)org to find out everything you need to know about the Federal Reserve and the destruction it has done to our country since its founding in 1913.
The Snark
May 23rd, 2011
2:01 pm
I don’t know if there is a “winner” in the group — only the voters of November 2012 can answer that question. The real question should be whether there is anyone in that group who can wisely and competently carry out the duties of the office, and there is not, except possibly Romney, and no one knows who he is any more.
Cobbian
May 23rd, 2011
2:01 pm
DeborahinAthens, thank you. Well said.
There is a fiscal middle ground that includes spending cuts and tax increases. We need to stop the tax breaks for big oil, the subsidies for millionaire farmers, and the over-spending on the new military hardware that the military says they do not want and do not need. We need close regulation of finance and banking – especially any that are “too big to fail.”
And, we need to get out of peoples bedrooms and back to Constitutional guarantees of equality for all – that includes gay people. We need to handle the illegal alien problem – not just make a political football out of it. That means compromise and set up another amnesty, path to citizenship, whatever you want to call it. Before he announced his run for the presidency, even Newt said “we are not going to deport 11 million people.” He has his rare moments of rational thought.
I am tired of Republican games played to appeal to the crazy tea partiers.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 23rd, 2011
2:02 pm
When Democrats lose, AMERICA wins.
Robert
May 23rd, 2011
2:03 pm
@RGB – According to the dictionary (Webster) the “tea party” fits the definition of a terrorist group -” the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal”
What comments do you disagree?
1. The homegrown terrorist group(s) known as the “tea party” (aka klanmens, skinheads, birthers, etc.).
2. Weapons of choice are hatred, fear and rage/mob mentality against minorities, women, gays & lesbians and Muslims & Jews.
3. The whole world saw their hatred and bigotry on display during the 2010 midterm elections.
4. The whole world heard their call to battle (take back my country).
5. The American People saw the majority of White Americans embrace the “tea party” and vote for the entire GOP ticket regardless of the candidates experience which is why the GOP is in trouble today.
6. The American People have never seen organized terrorism at the ballot box and I hope we never will again.
7. Time for the GOP to choose sides. The American People or the homegrown terrorist group(s) known as the “tea party”
It seems you are angry and confused.
Fletch
May 23rd, 2011
2:07 pm
LBB – “When Democrats lose, AMERICA wins.”
When people excercise independent thought and stop acting like sheep in a herd, AMERICA wins.
Just thought I’d fix that for you.