1) These focus groups seemed stacked with voters for one candidate everytime. I beleive they say they are not sure who they would vote for just to get in these groups and sway the outcome.

2) Ron Paul is CLUELESS on foreign policy. Get him off the stage. I am not wasting my time on the tin foil hat brigade.

I think this kind of live surveying only encourages ADDmerica.

I just can’t fathom why people are stuck on the “late start” myth.
If you still can’t support him after reviewing his platform and record, at least you were able to go beyond your initial prejudicial justifications for losing hope in Fred.

geckomon on January 11, 2008 at 3:16 PM

There is also the fact that he doesn’t seem to be working very hard at running. I’m also worried about his health. He smokes too much and he’s constantly clearing his throat. He doesn’t look healthy. Otherwise, I would agree that he’s a good man and I’d certainly be fine with him winning — I’d support him in the general election. But, I’m not going to vote for him in the primary.

Lastly, and most importantly in my mind, is the impression that he is in this only half-heartedly. If Fred had been in from the start I would be a strong supporter of his because I like his message and his style is okay too. Because of his late start I am less inclined to support him.

Snidely Whiplash on January 11, 2008 at 1:39 PM

I have some optimistic news for you! You are able to modify your first impressions! It’s allowed! It’s called informed decision.
One, He was in it from the start, he just chose to start at a time he wanted to. Most importantly before any primary had begun.
Two, he is full heartedly into it, he wouldn’t be running if he didn’t want to run. He has said it time and time again. I implore you to not write off a candidate for the reasons you have described, it’s time to get past that.
Compare his platform to your platform desires. Compare his record to a record you desire. Make your decision from that, not because some pundit or anchorman say otherwise.
I just can’t fathom why people are stuck on the “late start” myth.
If you still can’t support him after reviewing his platform and record, at least you were able to go beyond your initial prejudicial justifications for losing hope in Fred.

On the other extremes we have Clinton and Edwards, who have ALWAYS wanted to be president and have scripted their entire adult lives to that end. I still believe Fred when he says that he accepted the call to duty after surveying the Republican field and seeing no conservatives in the race.

I totally agree. I feel like Fred is really in the race for the right reasons, because he cares about this country and where it’s going. People like Hillary Clinton salivate at the thought of being President so they can finally start the Socialist revolution in this country. This is why I’m SO turned off by Democrats. All they want to do is take more power from the people and put more in the hands of the government. That’s it. They aren’t running to actually support people and give people more freedom, they’re running to start all their social programs and implement their ideas and tell us how to lives our lives, because they know better than us. And I mean, anyone who looks at Hillary’s career can see the Presidency has always, always been her goal. She is trying her damndest to get in that White House, and she’ll do anything to get there – stay with a lying, cheating husband because he’s well-liked and influential, and immediately run for Senate in New York of all states (because of their “strong tradition of welcoming people from all parts of the world”….riiiiight) or because if she has the support of a huge state like New York behind her, that fits right in for her plan to become the Socialist Savior of America. Scary.

Snidely Whiplash on January 11, 2008 at 1:39 PM

On the other extremes we have Clinton and Edwards, who have ALWAYS wanted to be president and have scripted their entire adult lives to that end. I still believe Fred when he says that he accepted the call to duty after surveying the Republican field and seeing no conservatives in the race. Especially during these consequential times. If it took him a while to finally decide and finally roll out a campaign, so be it. He’s in now and I’m on the bandwagon.

What it shows is that Southern voters are much more saavy than New England or Iowa voters

Yeah! It really blows my mind that in Iowa, those people just run from group to group, depending on who’s ahead at the moment! Sheez, base your decision on facts and stick to your candidate for goodness sake!

I watched that last night and was disappointed in how many of the people spoke of Fred getting into the race ‘too late’. Hey, he was in before the first caucus and primary, wasn’t he? And SCarolina is getting ready to vote. What’s ‘too late’ about that? You just walk into the booth and execute the vote for Thompson and then, all of a sudden, it’s not ‘too late’. Sheesh.

Does Luntz administer IQ tests before he picks these people?

pistolero on January 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM

There are a couple of issues here. One, by delaying his entry, the good organizational campaign people are already working for other candidates, so your pool of experienced people to draw on is much smaller. Second, your fundraising machine is starting off at a disadvantage. Third, name recognition is hurt, though not so much for Fred since he is a well-known actor.

Lastly, and most importantly in my mind, is the impression that he is in this only half-heartedly. If Fred had been in from the start I would be a strong supporter of his because I like his message and his style is okay too. Because of his late start I am less inclined to support him.

heh

I wasn’t able to see last night’s GOP debate–in part because I needed to catch my breath after the Primary here on Tuesday and in part because I wanted to spend time with my girlfriend without her having to hear……

Not sure, the connection that fred was making, are ALL Muslim’s now Jihadi’s?

It’s a nice Pander for a vote, thats about all.

At the end, I find it heartening that several of the focus group folks see right through the Democrats’ “change” crapola. It is empty nonsense. These South Carolinians aren’t buying any of it.

These were likely Republican primary voters. We pay these people to see through crapola. It’s heartening to know they stay bought.

Most ironic line of the night:

John McCain commenting on border security …

“I know how to secure the borders. I come from a border state where our borders are broken. More people come across our border illegally every year than most any other state.“

At first you would think he misspoke. I’m not sure what his point was, cuz I only inferred he has already failed in his own state.

Mitt denied it from the horse’s mouth on his post-debate interview with H&C earlier.

BKennedy on January 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Heh. Politico is nothing if not consistent.