Now, even Huntsman seeks running room on Romney’s right
When Jon Huntsman entered the Republican presidential race, the conventional wisdom held that he would try to position himself as a centrist and challenge Mitt Romney for moderate GOP primary voters. That belief held up through the first several debates, when Huntsman staked out a not-so-hawkish view on foreign policy, stated support for civil unions, and accused his own party of “run[ning] from science**.”
But apparently, Huntsman has decided to portray himself instead as the more conservative of the two. At least, that’s the impression given from the “Open Letter from Jon Huntsman to John Sununu” his campaign released this morning, mildly scolding the New Hampshire governor for endorsing Romney instead of a true “conservative governor”:
* While Mitt Romney opposed the Bush tax cuts and raised taxes and fees by $750 million in Massachusetts, I signed the largest tax cut in Utah history which helped our state lead the nation in job growth.
* While Mitt Romney implemented government healthcare in Massachusetts — which included an individual mandate and became the blueprint for Obamacare — I signed free-market healthcare reform described as “the other end of the spectrum” from the Obama-Romney approach.
* While Mitt Romney once declared that he does not “line up with the NRA” and pledged to not “chip away” at Massachusetts’ onerous gun control laws, I signed landmark legislation to defend the Second Amendment.
* While Mitt Romney was once ardently pro-choice — stating in 1994 that “abortions should be safe and legal” — I am proud to be a lifelong defender of the sanctity of life.
* While Mitt Romney proudly declared himself an independent during the Reagan-Bush years — even saying during his Senate campaign that he was “not trying to return to Reagan-Bush” — I am proud to have served in President Reagan’s administration which ushered in a golden era of prosperity in America.
When you look at his past statements, positions and voting record, the idea that Mitt Romney is a principled conservative is an impossible conclusion. It is more than his one term dealing with a liberal legislature; it’s a lifetime and record of inconsistent and liberal positions.
One last thing I almost forgot to mention: while we both served President George H.W. Bush — you as Chief of Staff and me as ambassador to Singapore — Mitt Romney supported and voted for Democratic presidential candidate and potential Bush opponent Paul Tsongas.
There’s not much new here in the way of accusations against Romney, just an interesting mix of fiscal and social issues with which Huntsman tries to push Romney to Huntsman’s left. A few observations:
- It’s officially Romney versus everyone else in this race.
- While I give Huntsman 1 million to 1 odds of winning the nomination (”So you’re saying there’s a chance!”), what will be the impact on Romney’s chances of having yet another candidate trying to tear Romney down? Can we expect a big “gang up on Romney” strategy in future debates?
- Romney now has to overcome this line of thinking bound to enter some GOP voters’ minds: “If even Jon Huntsman says Romney’s too liberal to be the nominee…”.
- If Huntsman is able to gain even a few percentage points of support in opinion polls with this approach, whom does that hurt most? (My guess: Probably not Romney; perhaps Cain, if he sheds voters due to his recent gaffes, or Perry, the other ex-governor in the race?)
- A change in approach likely signals one of two things: desperation time for Huntsman, because he knows he can’t win with his previous approach; or a decision that running to the right in the primary isn’t going to hurt any Republican against President Obama if the economy remains stagnant. Or maybe some of both.
Thoughts?
** – Partisans of both the Democratic and Republican brands embrace science when it suits them and ignore/attack it when it doesn’t. To believe the notion that one party is faithful to dispassionate analysis, and the other not, is to ignore the stances of the “faithful” on genetically modified crops, nuclear energy, DDT as a tool for fighting malaria…
– By Kyle Wingfield
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173 comments Add your comment
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
11:59 am
is to ignore the stances of the “faithful” on genetically modified crops, nuclear energy, DDT as a tool for fighting malaria…
Please share, Kyle. I presume you are talking about unspecified Democrats, if you can find a major player who is insane about a large issue (such as climate change) then let the rock-slinging commence.
Nobody—and I mean NOBODY matches Republicans for their enthusiastic denial of reality.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:01 pm
Huntsman has little chance.
ByteMe
October 24th, 2011
12:03 pm
To believe the notion that one party is faithful to dispassionate analysis
Pathetic strawman attempt. When the other REPUBLICAN candidates on the stage — Huntsman excepted — claim that evolution is a myth and that students should be taught that the earth is only 6000 years old, that’s “running from science.” It’s like trying to claim gravity doesn’t exist.
Just the same as the only time I want to be told that Zeus and Apollo were all-powerful is in old Magnum PI reruns.
Jefferson
October 24th, 2011
12:09 pm
I thought Cain was the main.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:12 pm
Jefferson….”main” what?
Jefferson
October 24th, 2011
12:14 pm
The main main.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:16 pm
Jefferson….the main main….hmmmm
Road Scholar
October 24th, 2011
12:17 pm
Kyle: whose words were those included in the double asterisks? Huntsman? Yours?
Southern Comfort
October 24th, 2011
12:18 pm
I thought Cain was the main.
Is that main as in mainkind?? Sounds kinda like Terrance Howard’s character in Hustle and Flow.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
12:21 pm
…..”main” distraction from the fact they’ll have to take Romney if they have any chance of winning. The Republicans are running through candidates with the desperation of a bachelor going through strippers at his stag party.
Side note on ‘ol Humman: one of the talking heads on Sunday interviewed Hillary Clinton via satellite. At the closing, the host did the obligatory “thanks for joining us” and she said “it’s very nice to speak to you from UZBEKISTAN.” Way to snark ‘em Hillary!
Frankie
October 24th, 2011
12:22 pm
President arrives in DC with his family. I would LOVE for Jon Jr to become president because he has in his package Jon Huntsman Sr – legendary philanthropist and global business man, Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman Corporation, his wife and their numeous kids — it would be excellent to enjoy this passel of kids and their antics over the next four years. USA needs a handsome well spoken bunch in DC — now’s the time and Jon Huntsman Jr has the whole package for US President.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:24 pm
Radical con positions will flip flop in the general.
Who passes the con purity test?
newt is next in line but if our President is such a “failure” (lie) why can’t you cons find somebody that can beat him?
Four more years.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:26 pm
Getalife….”newt is next in line but if our President is such a “failure” (lie) why can’t you cons find somebody that can beat him?”
We have, anyone of the candidates can beat Obama.
Can you say 39%?
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2011
12:29 pm
Road: Those were my words.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:32 pm
“We have, anyone of the candidates can beat Obama. ”
That is hope.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:33 pm
Getalife….NO, hope was America trusting in a man that had no experience to do the job he was applying for. Then we all wonder why he has failed miserably.
ByteMe
October 24th, 2011
12:36 pm
NO, hope was America trusting in a man that had no experience to do the job he was applying for.
John McCain has been President before?? Romney has been President of the USA before??
Will wonders never cease. I must have dozed through those moments.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
“has failed miserably.”
That is a mindless lie.
He crushed aq, got obl and daffy, freedom in the ME, saved our economy from the w depression, etc….
Google “President Obama’s accomplishments” then apologize for that mindless lie.
Your credibility is at stake ug..
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
ByteMe….excuses excuses…LAME, none of them will help him in 2012. It is over. Even Steve Jobs told Obama to his face that he would only be a one term president.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:43 pm
Getalife….”saved the economy from a depression” hahah can you say “double dip recession”? Fool.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:44 pm
I would like for Kyle to write about the gop obstructing everything but socialism for the banks and their unpatriotic behavior towards our President on his victories.
Why do the gop get a free pass Kyle on obstruction to further the recession? They did not have the guts to debate our President’s jobs bill and you give them a free pass.
Not on my watch.
Lets write some intellectual honesty on the gop party.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:46 pm
ug,
You have no credibility and write lies about our President.
Next.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:47 pm
Getalife…..You have no grammar to write on a blog. Go find an ebonics site somewhere, save us all from the headache of hearing your pointless rambles. You give blacks a bad name.
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:48 pm
ug,
Racist card is desperate.
I accept your surrender.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:49 pm
Getalife….hahah THERE IT IS!! THE “R” WORD….WHAT A TIRED USELESS ARGUEMENT. I WIN!
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
ug,
You lost credibility and played the race card.
Next.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:51 pm
Getalife….I never played the race card. However if you would like for us all to go back and pull up your older posts we can show where you have on MANY occassions. Fool.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:52 pm
I choose to rise up above the “R” word….being that it has absolutely no meaning!
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:53 pm
Nobody likes a sore loser ug.
Anybody else with intellectual honesty dare to engage on the gop obstruction do nothing party?
getalife
October 24th, 2011
12:55 pm
Didn’t think so.
I will check back later.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:55 pm
“Nobody likes a sore loser” Yep that is why Obama has a 39% approval rating. The numbers dont lie.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
12:56 pm
Those were my words
Kyle’s silly strawman assumes something like opposing nuclear power plants = denial of evolution.
Unless there is a major Democrat out there that denies nuclear fission, Republicans are still the undisputed champs of idiocy.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
12:57 pm
Aquagirl….your point?
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
1:11 pm
The point is opposing nuclear power plants because of safety concerns is not the same as opposing them because you think nuclear physicists are all conspiring to protect their jobs.
Republican candidates oppose teaching evolution because they poo-poo the science. They don’t object to the teaching methods, they deny the basic premise. There are certainly Democrats (and Republicans) who oppose nuclear power. But their objections are rooted in concerns of waste disposal, plant failure, etc. They don’t say splitting atoms is all imaginary because no one can see them.
If you don’t get this distinction, I’m not surprised. But you may want to drop that UGA from your handle, the inability to discern political from scientific disagreement does not speak well of your thought process.
emo
October 24th, 2011
1:13 pm
Too bad, I had a little respect for Huntsman when I thought he was getting in line for it be his turn in 2012. Now it looks like he’s got the Kool-aid IV in, too.
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2011
1:26 pm
Aquagirl: I am drawing in part on experience from past reporting: I wrote about GMOs and DDT/malaria at my previous job. All three issues I mentioned are ones against which green activist groups lobby, based on such unscientific precepts as the precautionary principle, while claiming to be “pro-science.” And they have the most luck with center-left parties, both in the U.S. and around the world.
However, here’s one example. A couple of dozen members of Congress wrote the FDA commissioner trying to block the approval of GM salmon. They barely even appealed to science. While the vast majority of them were Democrats, the key point here is that most of them are from areas that just so happen to produce the vast majority of the salmon caught in the U.S.
That’s my point: Democrats rail against Republicans for being “anti-science,” but most politicians embrace scientific findings only to the degree those findings align with their other interests.
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
Now, back to the main thrust of the post: Huntsman, Romney, and the shape this primary election is taking.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
1:43 pm
Aquagirl….can you prove that the nuclear scientist are not conspriring? I dont think they are but we cannot be sure can we?
Also, I am typically a repub and I am more of a creationist. However I have NO problem having my son being taught evolution. It is a THEORY not a fact. My concern is if the schools want to teach evolution then students should have the OPTION to also be taught creationism.
emo
October 24th, 2011
1:56 pm
And that OPTION is available in almost every church, synagogue and mosque.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:00 pm
emo….ok so why is it ok to teach a theory in school but not both sides of the arguement?
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
They barely even appealed to science.
Genetically engineered salmon escaping and interbreeding with wild salmon is based on concerns of genetics and ecology. None of the politicians claimed those fish would mutate into killer snakes or anything like that. Those are actual scientific subjects, I’m not sure why you think otherwise, Kyle. Then again, you support a party that went ga-ga over the dude who squeaked by with a “C” in Animal Breeding. If you want examples of non-native species that wreak unintended havoc, you must have missed the kudzu fields.
And why wouldn’t politicians from areas affected object? If there was a regulatory matter than might negatively affect peach production, of course congressmen from Georgia and the Carolinas would be at the forefront of opposition. Just as representatives from Montana look out for sheep production, this is not horribly base political behavior—as long as such objections are based in reality.
Again, questioning why a fish is under FDA regulation is not anywhere near denying evolution. One means denying the entire field of molecular biology, and every science department in major Universities.
And I’m sure you’d love to move on from this topic. But you’re re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Promoting open stupidity and denialism ensures it doesn’t matter who we elect, because in 30-40 years we’ll be another France or England has-been nation.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
Aquagirl….where did that topic come from?
Geo
October 24th, 2011
2:12 pm
“He crushed aq, got obl and daffy, freedom in the ME, saved our economy from the w depression, etc….”
That’s a lot of code but I think someone has discovered modelling glue…
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Geo….AMEN!
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
Aquagirl: Their complaints were about the adequacy and transparency of the first review process and environmental impact study. Which is poli-lobbyist speak for: We don’t like the results of the first review process and impact study.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
2:20 pm
where did that topic come from?
The stuff about salmon? From the link in Kyle’s 1:26, click on the word “example”
Also, if you don’t understand the meaning of “theory” in a scientific sense, or why creationism isn’t a science, it again does not speak well of your alma mater. Creationism is a belief, with no supporting evidence, and evolution is indeed a fact. If you don’t accept that fact, that’s your business. But you have no more right to demand creationism is taught in schools that a Hindu has to demand we teach the earth sits on a turtle’s back.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:23 pm
Aquagirl….actually no, creationism is a theory just like evolution. There is just as much supporting evidence of creationism as there is for evolution.
Did I ever say that I was demanding to have creationsm taught in schools???? WOW radical eh?
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
“There is just as much supporting evidence of creationism as there is for evolution.”
Yes, thank God Noah was able to fit every single animal in his arc protecting the world’s animals from a flood that covered the whole world.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
DannyX….amazing eh? Actually it was only two of each.
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
Lake Lanier is way down again, I guess its time for another Pray for Rain.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:36 pm
DannyX…I know I was up there last weekend on my boat. It is actually dangerous out on Lanier right now. Be safe.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
2:52 pm
There is just as much supporting evidence of creationism as there is for evolution.
Look, I’m going straight to begging here: I have friends who attended UGA. I am a native Georgian. Please, if you’re going to state outright untruths, take the “UGA” out of your handle.
Creationists ran like rats from the Kitzmiller v. Dover case. Somehow all that supporting evidence wasn’t on display when they had to actually PRODUCE it, and prove to a commie leftist Republican G.W. Bush-appointed Judge that creationism is science. I suppose the poor children of Dover were not worth the fight for your creationist friends. Those kids now learn only evolution. If they all burn in hell, I suggest you speak to your creationist buddies who refused to testify in court.
Their complaints were about the adequacy and transparency of the first review process and environmental impact study.
Kyle, I’ll accept your word that the objections had some basis in political motivations, since you obviously covered the case and knew the players. I can understand how fishermen depending on wild salmon would want to undercut fish farmers. However I doubt the entire matter had as much scientific investment as global climate change or evolution. Unlike creationism “vs.” evolution, you can make a science-based argument for saying “we don’t know what will happen if some of these non-native fish escape into the wild.” There is probably no consensus among scientists since there aren’t as many studies. Plus the ecosystem is complex, foreseeing every contingency (partly based on how the fish behave) is not a sure thing.
Again, comparing that to Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry’s embrace of dimwit craziness….not even close.
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
“Again, comparing that to Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry’s embrace of dimwit craziness….not even close.”
Amen!
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:59 pm
Aquagirl…..just not worth the arguement….I pray you will seek the truth.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:01 pm
“position himself as a centrist”
Guess he didn’t see where the last “centrist” got his arse kicked by a community organizer.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:02 pm
Billy Bane….agreed the American people do not want a Centrist.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
getalife needs to getajob.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
UGA 1999
Huntsman was DOA. My pick is Perry or Cain. A Perry/Rubio ticket would beat Obama any day of the week. My left wing comrades can’t even tell me what the guy will run on in 2012.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:07 pm
Billy….I was thinking Perry and Rubio as well. However a Romney/Cain ticket wouldnt be too bad either.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
“Romney/Cain ”
That is an oxymoron. Romney is a “centrist.”
Jack
October 24th, 2011
3:20 pm
I wish Guiliani was in the race. I’d have something to get excited about.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:25 pm
” I’d have something to get excited about.”
You and about 5 other people.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:30 pm
I love how you keep it real Aquagirl!! Keep on girl
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:32 pm
What argument? She has fact behind ger theory. You have faith behind your belief. While I commend your faith, it shouldn’t be used anywhere in the debate process… Sorry, you had your azz handed to you and all the prayin’ in the world won’t change that fact
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:32 pm
” She has fact behind ger theory.”
What’s a “ger” theory? You could use a dictionary behind your arguments.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:33 pm
@CHUCK
LMFAO!!!!!! You called that one
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Does UGA offer degree programs in theology?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Aquagirl
What’s Obama’s winning strategy for 2012? Just wondering because these little “talking points” you and other left wingers throw out are non-issues in an economic climate of 9.1% unemployment.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Billy….isnt it hilarious! They couldn’t all tie a single shoe with all of their brains combined!
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
“Does UGA offer degree programs in theology?”
No, but you can get one in pottery making, basket weaving and jogging.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:35 pm
My, what a cunning opponent you must be Billy. Of course you are correct, I’ll strike “ger” from my vocabulary in the future, OK?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:35 pm
UGA 1999
I’m still laughing at how left wingers seem to think that non-issues are winning strategies.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:36 pm
“My, what a cunning opponent you must be Billy.”
At least you can recognize greatness when you see it, Chuck.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Indeed Billy, I’m sure in your mind there is no one greater
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:38 pm
“Indeed Billy, I’m sure in your mind there is no one greater”
Chuck, if you want to debate something, let me know. Otherwise, your sophomoric comebacks are boring. Come up with something interesting.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:39 pm
@Billy
ditto
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
3:48 pm
More Christian science, this is from an e-book written by a mega church pastor in Seattle,
“”…(Pleasuring ones self) can be a form of homosexuality because it is a sexual act that does not involve a woman. If a man were to (pleasure himself) while engaged in other forms of sexual intimacy with his wife then he would not be doing so in a homosexual way. However, any man who does so without his wife in the room is bordering on homosexuality activity, particularly if he’s watching himself in a mirror and being turned on by his own male body.”
I guess this proves homosexuality is waaay more prevalent than anyone thought, affecting about 90% of all men.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
How did a blog about Huntsman turn into a blog about homosexuality?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
UGA 1999,
you still around?
Nat Turner
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
Jon Huntsman should be in the lead. He is level-headed, and has a proven track record in Utah. The man left with an 80 percent or more approval. Plus, he understands the world having been an ambassador.
As for Noah’s Arc, how nice that Noah was able to get two of every animal on his arc. I guess that the predator/prey relationships clocked out like Ralph E. Wolf and Sam Sheepdog at the end of the day.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
Billy….I am here.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
“Otherwise, your sophomoric comebacks are boring. Come up with something interesting.”
This from a guy whose best retort was making fun of a typo.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
Thoughts?
Huntsman is about as exciting as John Kerry. Huntsman is the choice of MSNBC because they know full well that Obama will beat ANYONE who is even remotely moderate.
Bottom line: We need a conservative.
My choice is Perry or Cain. Either of those guys would beat Obama.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:55 pm
“This from a guy whose best retort was making fun of a typo.”
Dern, for a second I thought you were banned.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
“Jon Huntsman should be in the lead.”
But he’s not because he is nothing. His campaign is nothing. He’s boring and he wants to play the centrist roll and NO ONE on the GOP is having any of that.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
Billy….Right now I think Romney, Perry or Cain could beat Obama.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
UGA 1999
Just wondering if you’ve seen some of the “intelligent” remarks from left wingers like DW.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:58 pm
“Right now I think Romney, Perry or Cain could beat Obama.”
Romney would beat him but Romney is not what we need. We don’t need to put a candidate who put up Obamacare before it was Obamacare.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:58 pm
@billy
“My choice is Perry or Cain. Either of those guys would beat Obama.”
How do you and UGA like living in your fairy tale world?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:59 pm
“How do you and UGA like living in your fairy tale world?”
When one can’t argue/debate they resort to acting like little children.
saywhat?
October 24th, 2011
4:04 pm
UGA 1999 wrote “ByteMe….excuses excuses…LAME, none of them will help him in 2012. It is over. Even Steve Jobs told Obama to his face that he would only be a one term president.”
Steve Jobs is dead. Shows how much he knew.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:04 pm
So, there were two of each animal in the ark? That’s how well the creationists even read the Bible. As I recall, there were seven of each clean animal, not two. Next, you’ll tell me Noah was in the ark for just 40 days. (Hint: not even close). And you want the Bible taught in public school. LMAO.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:06 pm
“Steve Jobs is dead. Shows how much he knew.”
Wow.
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:06 pm
@emo
Of course he does… his religion is the RIGHT religion and all the other ones suck. And so does science! *rolls eyes*
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:10 pm
Billy….I know it is hilarious. And they all wonder why Obama only has a 39% approval rating and is doomed for 2012. It is so funny that they act so blinded. Their ship is sinking and they refuse to get off.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
4:11 pm
Regarding Huntsman, I’m not sure he’ll be able to sell what he’s pitched here. Yes, Romney is perceived as a centrist (although Joe McCarthy would be a centrist in today’s GOP) which irks the conservative base; yet he flip flops at the drop of a hat, thinks corporations are people, looks down on the poor and unemployed and never met a tax cut he didn’t like regardless of circumstance… traits that endear him to that same conservative base.
Huntsman is more direct, more realistic and more aware of the plight of the common man… which means there’s no way he’ll be perceived as to-the-right of Romney… which means he’s got a Hindu’s chance in Heaven of securing the GOP nomination.
What is beyond me is why Romney is even being considered. The republican party has turned so far to the right in the past 10 years that he no longer belongs there. His base dislikes him… greatly, yet he continues to be at the top of polls. Why? Why don’t y’all just nominate Santorum or Bachmann or whatever whackadoo represents you best? If y’all want creationism in schools, gay marriage and abortion outlawed and English to be the “official” language then vote for someone who will do that for you. Personally I’m looking for someone who won’t immediately reenact and amplify the same fiscal policy that put us in the canyon we sit in economically, someone who uses our military as a last resort and not for Daddy’s revenge and someone who identifies as much or more so with the common citizen than the lobbyist/CEO. Yeah, I’m still looking
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:12 pm
emo…you find that hard to believe but you think we all came from monkeys? HAHAHAHA
Selective reasoning eh?
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:12 pm
However sometimes I do see a baby gorilla and it makes me reconsider evolution….hahahaha
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:13 pm
Jumping on a ship that screws over the poor and middle class to the benefit of the ultra rich is not the boat for me. Sorry bud
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:15 pm
“Jumping on a ship that screws over the poor and middle class to the benefit of the ultra rich is not the boat for me.”
Obama is rich and receives lots and lots of cash from “evil companies.”
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:15 pm
UGA 1999
It’s really not worth getting into arguments over that kind of stuff.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:19 pm
DW…see that is the thing….the left screws the middle class and the poor. You are just too blind to see it.
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:20 pm
@BILLY
Point obviously missed. Yes, he has a lot of money. Yes he gets contributions from companys like EVERY OTHER politician. Does Obama believe in screwing over the poor for the benefit of the rich like republicans do? NO.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:21 pm
I never said we came from monkeys, although some Republicans make me reassess that stupid claim. And you still don’t know what’s in your own Bible.
This just in: Your latest Messiah, Marco Rubio, has been lying his head off about his humble Cuban roots. Not that any of you care about the truth.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:21 pm
DW…YES if it means he will get reelected.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:23 pm
” Does Obama believe in screwing over the poor for the benefit of the rich like republicans do? ”
Like every other dead beat lib: Dems good, GOP bad.
Right out of the playbook.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:23 pm
” Your latest Messiah, Marco Rubio, has been lying his head off about his humble Cuban roots. Not that any of you care about the truth.”
LOLOL!!!!! I love left wingers! Hey, tell me how 9-11 was an inside job.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:24 pm
DW
It’s not the GOP’s fault that you’re poor.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:24 pm
“And you still don’t know what’s in your own Bible.”
I do. Care to ask me some questions?
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:25 pm
@billy
I challenge you to prove me wrong then. If you ARENT rich, white, and christian what does the republican party offer you?? A 999 tax plan? LMFAO
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:26 pm
Im poor? Suuuure. And you know me how? Moron.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:27 pm
Why can’t you answer any of my questions first?
And yes, I do think Bush made sure not to protect us against AQ so he could start a couple of wars and play with what he considered his toy soldiers.
“You’ve covered your a**. Now get out of here.”
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:27 pm
DW….why is it the governments job to offer you ANYTHING???? Keep using the government as a crutch, you will never learn to walk.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:28 pm
‘I do. Care to ask me some questions?’
I did. How long was Noah in the ark?
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
DW….please tell me what either party offers whites that blacks do not or cannot get? This should be good! hahaha poor souls!
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
“I challenge you to prove me wrong then. If you ARENT rich, white, and christian what does the republican party offer you??”
It’s not what they offer me, it’s what they get out of the way for me. People like you for instance.
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
@uga
What the F are you talking about?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
“How long was Noah in the ark?”
Very long.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
“Why can’t you answer any of my questions first?”
Because you didn’t ask me, cupcake.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
emo…..here read this, you may learn something….
http://www.godspointofview.com/public/qanda/how_long_was_noah_in_the_ark.htm
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
What do Dems offer black people?
Black people have voted for Dems for decades and they’re STILL poor!
-Charles Barkley
mum
October 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
Both Huntsman and Romney come from wealthy families, so I’m sure they know how life is for the poor and working class out there.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:32 pm
Kyle, how many times can one blogger name call before they get banned from your blog?
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:32 pm
“Very long.’
Brilliant. That’s why Obama is SURE to be re-elected. All of you put together have an IQ equal to room temperature. In October.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:33 pm
emo….is that why Obama’s approval rating is at 39%? hahaha
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:33 pm
emo…is that why 70% of americans currently believe that our country is going down the wrong path and the economy is getting WORSE?
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:34 pm
UGA, I already knew it; that’s why I asked. All you know is how to spell G-O-O-G-L-E.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:35 pm
Because republicans control the House.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:36 pm
And their approval is approximately 13%.
carlosgvv
October 24th, 2011
5:05 pm
Looks like Hunstman has finally learned what Mitt found out earlier. He now understands that far-right “born-again Christians” are in charge of the Party and will only support those who embrace their wierd and distorted views. So, like Romney, he will now do and say anything necessary to gain that support. And, like Romney, he has tossed his true beliefs out the window.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 24th, 2011
5:28 pm
Considering that Romney is lying about how he really feels, even obozo is running to his right, although he lies too.
And now Huntsman joins the lie.festival.
You don’t understand these liberals, huh, Kyle?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 24th, 2011
5:33 pm
This is how screwed up Conservatives are right now, Huntsman and Romney lie so that voters think they have the same positions that Herman Cain does but the voters say Herman Cain is not slick enough and needs to lie more like Romney and Huntsman do.
yeesh
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
5:38 pm
I am sorry to be so late and missing the initial debate between Kyle and Aquagirl. At this point I can only comment that Kyle has shown himself to be scientifically illiterate, lacking an understanding what science is.
carlosgvv
October 24th, 2011
5:47 pm
UGA 1999 – 2:23
Evolution is not a theory, it is a proven fact. The hard evidence lies in the fossil record, molecular biology and other areas of science. There is not one shred of scientific evidence to support creationism. I can only guess that you either go to or graduated from one of those “Christian” schools who know nothing about science or one of those schools whose teachers are so frightned of fundamentalist parents and school boards that they don’t dare teach evolution. Either way, you show an apalling lack of any understanding of science.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
5:56 pm
“And their approval is approximately 13%.”
What’s Obamas?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
5:56 pm
“Evolution is not a theory, it is a proven fact.”
No it isn’t.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
5:56 pm
“I can only guess that you either go to or graduated from one of those “Christian” schools ”
Is Duke a “Christian” school because I went to Duke.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
6:06 pm
MarkV
What degree do you hold?
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
6:11 pm
carlosgvv @5:47 pm. “Evolution is not a theory, it is a proven fact.
Billy Bane @5:56 pm: “No it isn’t.”
Sorry, carlosgvv. Billy Bane is right in the above. Evolution is a theory, supported by plentiful scientific evidence. Creationism is a hypothesis, and you are right, it is not supported by any scientific evidence.
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
6:12 pm
Billy Bane @6:06 pm. “MarkV – What degree do you hold?”
Why do you ask?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 24th, 2011
6:17 pm
Wow, the Iraqis don’t like this guy at all-
President Obama wants to help Iraq’s economy – What kind of economic strengthening advice can Obama give Mr. al-Maliki? Will he suggest a tax on Iraqi millionaires and people making over the Iraqi equivalent of $250,000 per year? Perhaps he’ll suggest thousands of new regulations on Iraqi businesses and industry? al-Malikicare? Major investments in green technology to jump start Iraqi businesses and create Iraqi jobs of the future?
Obama has not been able to strengthen the American economy in almost three years. That’s the economy he was elected to work on, the only economy he should be focused on.
Yo, that’s what I’m sayin….
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
6:24 pm
“Why do you ask?”
Because of your endless rant about global climate change stuff.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
6:24 pm
” Creationism is a hypothesis, and you are right, it is not supported by any scientific evidence.”
Since when is faith scientific?
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2011
6:27 pm
Billy: You are sounding an awful lot like someone who’s been banned from this blog…
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
6:34 pm
Billy Bane @ 6:24 pm : “Because of your endless rant about global climate change stuff.”
Can you show evidence of my “endless rant about global climate change stuff?”
@@
October 24th, 2011
6:38 pm
If Huntsman were to move right of Romney, he’d still be pretty far left. Cain, Romney, Gingrich OR Cain, Gingrich, Romney is how this thing’s gonna play out.
Partisans of both the Democratic and Republican brands embrace science when it suits them and ignore/attack it when it doesn’t.
I heard (read) THAT!!!!
There are eviroweenies, then there’s scientists like Patrick Moore, with his Bachelor’s in forestry and Ph.D. in ecology. Who to believe?
Moore criticized what he saw as scare tactics and disinformation employed by some within the environmental movement, saying that the environmental movement “abandoned science and logic in favor of emotion and sensationalism.” Moore contends that for the environmental movement “most of the really serious problems have been dealt with”, seeking now to “invent doom and gloom scenarios”. He suggests they romanticise peasant life as part of an anti-industrial campaign to prevent development in less-developed countries, which he describes as “anti-human”.
I’ll go with Moore.
If biotechnology can give me more tomatoes per vine, I’m good. “Moore” than enough for me and my neighbors. The way it should be.
@@
October 24th, 2011
6:53 pm
Oh, forgot to mention…it was Moore who came up with the phrase…“Frankenfood scare tactics.”
Eeeeeek!!!!
@@
October 24th, 2011
6:59 pm
Am I getting the cold shoulder?
Thpbppt
schnirt
dd
October 24th, 2011
7:04 pm
God, all of your posts read like little kids going tit for tat.
Take a look in the mirror folks!!
JKL2
October 24th, 2011
7:27 pm
getalife- Racist card is desperate.
Played here everyday by you Demwits.
You have no credibility.
I accept your surrender.
JKL2
October 24th, 2011
7:29 pm
DW- Does Obama believe in screwing over the poor for the benefit of the rich like republicans do?
No. He believes in screwing over the poor(and everyone else) for the benefit of him and his friends.
No Repub Will Win In 2012
October 24th, 2011
7:59 pm
All these rich republicans and their rich lackies thinks FOX NEWS and the 1% of the rich will OUT VOTE the 99% of Americians suffering—No WAY. Keep fooling yourselves and making a yourself look siily. November 4, 2012 11:00PM EST. have your answer. Sorry Rich Folk!
Listen up
October 24th, 2011
8:12 pm
one of the 99%
can’t have sex without a tent. bummer.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 24th, 2011
8:21 pm
JKL2- That isn’t getalife’s whining that you hear, it’s the narcotics that he’s been eating.
You don’t think anyone could come up with that sort of crazy s___ without some help, do you?
carlosgvv
October 24th, 2011
8:23 pm
Billy Bane – MarkV
At some point, a scientific theory gains enough hard evidence to be accepted in the scientific community as fact. Evolution is one of these theories and is the cornerstone of modern Biology as you know, MarkV, or should know. As for your, Billy Bane, your posts show you know nothing about science and are only showing your profound ignorance by such mindless posts. Billy, I think Yahoo for Kids might be a better place for you to go to.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 24th, 2011
9:11 pm
First free vote in Tunisia ‘a celebration’ – Urinal
The winning party was based on religion, dominated by religion and entirely composed of religion and the AJC happily calls it a celebration. A “religion” that mutilates woman, murders innocent people and seeks the return of the 7th Century.
How much sicker does it get, Lord?
@@
October 24th, 2011
9:18 pm
The problem isn’t that Obama has lost his touch. He didn’t have it in the first place.
Something I realized early on. At the very least, I thought he was politically savvy. He ain’t even got THAT goin’ for him.
He’s HOPEless.
@@
October 24th, 2011
9:22 pm
No, I’m not blue today.
Laughing Out Loud
October 24th, 2011
9:56 pm
Actually, there is more scientific evidence supporting the theory of creation than there is for the theory of evolution. To examine the evidence (facts) on either side of the issue with an unbiased mind is the challenge. I dare say, Aquagirl has never read one book or even one article regarding creationism. Her position (though it is only supposition on my part) is probably from some unhappy experience with church life and/or religion. She has a bias of closed mindedness and unbelief.
Laughing Out Loud
October 24th, 2011
9:59 pm
Although it is no laughing matter, Obama is quite successful in creating and maintaining class warfare.
Aurelius
October 24th, 2011
10:33 pm
Do the Republicans require a candidate running to the Right of Barick Obama or a candidate running to the right of Mitt Romney?
Sound like the latter.
the
October 24th, 2011
10:44 pm
LOL: how dare you tease the trolls here with heresy. Yes, there is a proof of God. but first lets see how history defines our involvement in Vietnam and compare that with the Nixon justification and the vestiges of that same nonsense as given by the Joint Chiefs of Staff today.
You are a total idiot. You stink worse than a putrid turd. You have no brain. You have no future. You are a vermin magnet. Enjoy the stench, you piece of sheet jackwad from hell, you.
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
10:48 pm
carlosgvv @ 8:23 pm
With all due respect, you are mistaken. True scientists, who must always consider a possibility of alternative explanations, no matter how small, never call even well documented theories like evolution facts.
MarkV
October 24th, 2011
10:52 pm
Laughing Out Loud @9:56 pm: “Actually, there is more scientific evidence supporting the theory of creation than there is for the theory of evolution.”
Coming from a very appropriate handle. Such a statement is a very good reason for laughing out loud.
the
October 24th, 2011
10:53 pm
Tghe support for the theory of creation is that we are here. The support for the theory of evolution is that we are hard of hearing. God is in the details. The proof is in the
the
October 24th, 2011
10:55 pm
the…the…
@@
October 24th, 2011
11:03 pm
Mayor Reed is evacuating Woodruff Park.
As the turning point, he cited when the protesters teamed up with organizers of a two-day hip-hip concert without proper security plans or personnel. Reed said the concert, which attracted about 600 people, had been wrongly advertised as featuring rapper Ludacris.
“I spoke with Ludacris,” Reed said. “He was never going to the park.”
The protesters LIED?
It would appear so.
the
October 24th, 2011
11:06 pm
The proof of God. Gee, have I got your attention?
the
October 24th, 2011
11:08 pm
@@: U R a LIAR.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 25th, 2011
12:11 am
“But you’re re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Promoting open stupidity and denialism ensures it doesn’t matter who we elect, because in 30-40 years we’ll be another France or England has-been nation.”
Aquagirl,
While I agree with you on the potential decline, somehow, our founders founded a great nation WITHOUT the “wisdom and experience” of Charles Darwin behind them. Despite the nascent scientific movement of the eighteenth century, they began this country with the first premise that men, (people if you like) are created by God. Though you may marvel at this “stupidity” in “misunderstanding” the Creation story vs. evolution, please know that one of these accounts explains everything that exists, and the other does not.
If you rely upon science to explain the universe, you will ALWAYS come up short, Aquagirl. The universe can not logically explain itself and we can not, by studying from within it, understand what came before the fourteen billion or so years that it has exsited and continued expanding.
So, as you scoff that Christians are in your mind, stupid, and as you sneer at a people, that only the most backwards and fundamental version of which, really thinks a world was created in six days instead of 4.5 billion years, which was several billion years after the first generation of stars in our galaxy began to fuse hydrogen into larger-atom elements that make up our planet and our bodies, you might just consider that stories aren’t really as devoid of truth as you may think them to be. The light did come first, after all.
Truth ought to be the goal that we can agree upon, not the striving to achieve truth through science only, which is severely limited by strictly emprical or “human” knowledge and our ability to test theories. If your focus is really truth, you simply can not ignore Creation stories as cavalierly as you do. They happen to be as fine an explanation of reality as anything we know. If you want to ignore physics, thermodynamics, chemistry and move right to microbiology as an explanation for everything, be my guest. It just isn’t a very large picture of everything.
Furthermore, it can’t be that “dumb Creationism” was the reason behind the decline of Europe over the last 60 years. Have you been to Church over there? They’re really quite empty these days, and there is absolutely no evidence that they would have anything at all to do with “dumb american creationists” than turn their noses at them.
I think rather that the rearranging of deck chairs on the Titanic is a metaphor more accurately describing the Europeans, who through all these years of decline have abjured the fundamental tenets of republican democracy in favor of bureaucratese, social programs and multi-culturalism.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 25th, 2011
12:25 am
MarkV @ 1048,
You were right, of course. Furthermore, carlos said that evolution was a “cornerstone of modern biology”, and I wanted to point that out because it really makes no sense.
Understanding DNA certainly is a cornerstone of modern biology because it is a useful bit of information to know about curing disease, fixing genes, etc., On the other hand, evolution isn’t useful to a biologist because it is an entirely natural process that only begets understanding without benefit. There’s nothing particularly revealing about evolution except to politically nail creationists, whom you don’t like, to their Bibles.
If I understand that the earth revolves around the sun, is that also a cornerstone of science?
No, but it is a fact much more easily proven than evolution.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 25th, 2011
12:30 am
Geez the @ 1044
Overreact much?
Sounds like your beliefs might be as strong as many believers.
Only difference is they believe in something.
Ed Darrell
October 25th, 2011
3:43 am
Kyle, you wrote: [Aquagirl: I am drawing in part on experience from past reporting: I wrote about GMOs and DDT/malaria at my previous job. All three issues I mentioned are ones against which green activist groups lobby, based on such unscientific precepts as the precautionary principle, while claiming to be “pro-science.” And they have the most luck with center-left parties, both in the U.S. and around the world.]
Surely you are not claiming that the case against DDT is in error, are you? That’s the scientific view, supported by 60 years of research and experience, and hard reality. Where did you write about the DDT/malaria issue earlier?