Open thread: The last, best hope for conservative kind; Update: Mitt backs off on Super Tuesday ads?
posted at 7:41 pm on January 30, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | regular view
8 p.m. ET on CNN. Romney gets a rare opportunity, at the Reagan library no less: If he figures out a way to take down McCain, he’ll capture the base’s imagination instantly. People were aching for someone to hammer Huckabee about his squishiness and ol’ Fred came through, winning ecstatic praise but not having enough support by that point to do anything with it. Mitt is a different story. If he lays Maverick out by channelling the frustrations you’re hearing elsewhere in conservative media today, he’s got a shot at (finally) getting some people excited. If he doesn’t, he’d better pray Limbaugh et al. have some sort of doomsday weapon in reserve.
Huckabee has an unusual opportunity too, to cement the non-evangelical base’s loathing of him by hammering Romney on McCain’s behalf. If it becomes too obvious a game of good cop/bad cop — especially with Maverick ducking Romney on Meet the Press — the rivers of anti-Huck venom will flow tomorrow like the mighty Mississip, which should be enough to finish off the dumb rumors about him being on the ticket.
Sound off below, and look out for some questions in this vein especially given the dust-up this weekend over timetables. The Arnold endorsement is coming soon, possibly even tonight, and some key southern endorsements are on tap for tomorrow. Exit question: At what time precisely will Hugh Hewitt’s “Romney won the debate” post be published? It’s already mostly written, I’m sure. Over/under is 10:32.
Update: Throwing in the towel?
In a major boost for John McCain, Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney signaled Wednesday he’s not ready to commit to a costly campaign in the states holding primaries and caucuses next week.
Several officials said that on the heels of a defeat in Tuesday’s Florida primary, Romney’s campaign was not attempting to purchase television advertising time in any of the states on the Super Tuesday calendar…
Officials familiar with Romney’s plans cautioned they could yet changes. They said that paradoxically, the Florida defeat had been followed with a particularly strong day of online fundraising. But they added that in discussions so far, the former Massachusetts governor had selected the least costly of a variety of options prepared for his review.
Why wouldn’t he go for broke, unless he thinks he’s throwing his money away?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 11 Next »
Well this is the one chance. If people are going to be tuned in before Super Tuesday voting, this is it.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Slice like a hammer Mitt. Put the JD/MBA to use and get McHuckabee winking and stammering.
Cold Steel on January 30, 2008 at 7:45 PM
McCain and Huckabee have already cut a deal. Huckabee stays in until McCain raps up the nomination. A vote for Huckabee from now on is a vote for McCain as Huckabee will suck votes from Romney.
I hope that conservatives in the remaining primary states can see through this sham and not throw their votes away on Huckabee.
orlandocajun on January 30, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Id look for Paul to try and make a good showing as well. He needs to attack the candidates to have any hope of placing higher then 4th on super tuesday
offroadaz on January 30, 2008 at 7:45 PM
If Gov. Romney can frame McCain for what he is; Romney will get the votes of the conservative base on Super Tuesday!
Romney needs to attack McCain where McCain is weakest; no choice left…
When the NYT supports you; you have conservative credential issues! Romney needs to milk that!
Romney also needs a miracle…
PRAY!
IntheNet on January 30, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Mcguyver on January 30, 2008 at 7:46 PM
If CNN and other MSM want McCain, they’ll give all the time to Ron Paul and Huckabee tonight.
JiangxiDad on January 30, 2008 at 7:47 PM
The Last Supper. Mormon style: no alcohol, no caffeine, no stimulus, no chance.
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Since it seems to be the “season of endorsements”, how ’bout Fred coming out and endorsing Mitt before Super Tuesday! What could it hurt other than his strongly held conservative positions which did not seem to serve him well enough in his own campaign. And where is Jeb Bush. He was a Florida Governor. Where does he stand? This is a dirty fight and there will be no winners if Hillary wins the Presidency. It’s time for and all or nothing strategy on the part of true conservatives. Even “conservative light” is better than McCain.
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 7:50 PM
I wonder if Mitt will go out with any dignity. If he had dropped out today, I’d had wished him well. However, he is probably going to media blitz the country to death with his tired message, and lose big on super duper teuday.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 30, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Well, this is make or break for Mr Romney. Will he throw out some fireworks, or will he, like Sen Obama, try to “take the high road”?
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
‘Splain to me why an event like this is on the Clinton News Network with Anderson-f’in-Cooper rather than on Fox, where there would at least be a chance of some reasonable and useful questions. Just saying…
bofh on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Oh PLEASE! A lying, flipper is the last hope?
Come on people get a grip.
Chakra Hammer on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
True Huck brings nothing to any ticket but trouble. He has the same problem that Mitt has he belongs to a hardcore group that cant reach out to any others. Mitt cant win in the South and Huck cant win anywhere that doesnt have a large evangelical base.
The sad thing is Huck owes his rise to Mitt being in the race. The some evangelicals were so stired up to stop a Mormon from becoming president that they backed huck. Now that Mitt is falling so is the Huckasurge. Evangelicals no longer feel threatened by Mitt.
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
McCain hates close competition….there’s no way he’d put Romney as his VP. McCain’s still pissed at Bush for 2000.
Debate Predictions:
McCain makes lame joke about wrinkles and being old.
Huckabee says “Christ” a minimum of three times.
McCain tries to claim experience with the economy.
Ron Paul has diarrhea and no one notices.
CABE on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Im still pulling for Paul
Even though I know 98% of the readers on Hot Air hate him :)
offroadaz on January 30, 2008 at 7:51 PM
BTW I would urge Mitt to stay in IF he feels his message is Important. you always fight for what you believe in.
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Won’t happen… The christian right are gonna go down for their boy no matter what. Sad. *sigh*
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 7:52 PM
99.99%
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Does this mean I’ll have to watch CNN tonight… for the first time since FNC arrived in my neighborhood?
petefrt on January 30, 2008 at 7:52 PM
How many nanoseconds are there between debate-end to TV transmission?
Vizzini on January 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Mcguyver
What’s with all the incessant Allahpundit (or Allah Pundit or whatever) hate?
Calm down, amigo, you’re acting like that crazy hate-filled bastard McCain. And that’s a scary road to go down…
TexasJew on January 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
What it comes down to is, would you rather have a RINO in the White House, where we would at least get some of what we want, or Clinton/Obama, and we would get everything we hate?
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Mitt definitely needs to pull a Fred! on both McLiar and Huckascam.
Its now or never.
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Come on Romney… Beat ‘em! Beat ‘em! Beat ‘em into the ground!
/wishful hoping…
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
What’s up with The Dorky Kos talking about the Republican primary?
- The Cat
P.S. Yeah, I know
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 7:55 PM
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:52 PM
That’s a repeating 9 right WA? If there is one thing that unites us here, it is Ron Paul.
99.999%
Cold Steel on January 30, 2008 at 7:55 PM
who gives a crap about Paul? There are only 2 relevant candidates.
lorien1973 on January 30, 2008 at 7:55 PM
I weep for conservatism tonight. It died when Fred dropped out.
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Conservatives don’t hate Ron Paul, we just hide them under the stairs like Ross Perot and other crazy relatives.
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 7:56 PM
As bad as McCain would be, imagine how the GWOT would go under Billary or Jimmah Obama.
gmoonster on January 30, 2008 at 7:56 PM
I like Ron Paul. I don’t love Ron Paul, though.
Ian on January 30, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Give him hell Mitt.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 7:57 PM
fixed
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Ron Paul & Ralph Nader
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
By the way, you know who’s not not going to win tonight’s debate? Mitt Romney.
Ian on January 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Hey Allah/Bryan/Whoever Everything shows “No Comments » | 0 Trackbacks” Just FYI
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Two egos on one really small planet
William Amos on January 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
We don’t hate him, but the three legged stoo; of conservatism DOES include strong military, and we ARE in a war, so if he would just include that one little itty bitty ideology in, he’d stand a much better chance.
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Dude I think the site’s broken. Keep seeing “No Comments”…
CABE on January 30, 2008 at 7:59 PM
I have no doubt Mitt knows what is happening in the blogs today, and the absolute frustration if Amnesty McCrankypants. Here’s hoping he channels Fred:
Kill the enemy.
Protect the border.
Punch a hippie.
(Well, Cranky would do that one too.)
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Sorry folks – it’s being worked on…..
erik on January 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Mitt needs to do a laundry list criticism of McCain’s transgressions tonight just like Fred did with Huckabee in South Carolina. That’s the only chance he has to break through.
BTW, William Amos, your post on another thread about why you would make a “surrogate” vote for McCain if he was the nominee, on behalf of all the military (Petraeus, Odierno, et al) was the most stirring and effective statement of why Republicans should hold their nose and vote for McCain that I’ve seen all day on any blog. Great, great post, and you have convinced me to do the same if that’s what it comes to. Thank you.
Dudley Smith on January 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
I swear if Romney does not take McCain down tonight I will seriously be considering sitting out this election. If he doesn’t show some balls and stick it to McManiac then I am done with them all.
Vigilante on January 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Yeah! At least Romney dint hire illegal immigrants to mow his lawn. Oh wait…
myamphibian on January 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Everytime Romney smears McCain, it becomes ever more unlikely I would ever vote for Mitt.
Mitt is running a classless campaign.
JayHaw Phrenzie on January 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
online link anyone?
Troy Rasmussen on January 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Ooops, stooL.
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Heh! Two eggs in a small basket, hard boiled and cracked!
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Cnn.com dude.
CABE on January 30, 2008 at 8:02 PM
With all my heart, I agree. The military is more important than any “lesson” we need to learn!
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
The last great hope for conservatism ISN’T a conservative.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Why in the hell is Ron Paul on the damn stage? He is wasting our time as is Huckabee!!!!!
Winebabe on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
If Mitt is out after Tuesday, McCain will do what Mitt did after Fred left. He will automatically take up Mitt’s message, thus trying to pull in the conservatives.
csdeven on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Nice—Air Force One backdrop is badass.
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
I thought it was nice of Huck to hold Nancy’s hand like that. She seemed lost.
bnelson44 on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
I hate to say it, but the only conservative in this debate is Ron Paul. And I can’t stand Ron Paul.
But I’m also a Giuliani backer, so McCain will work nicely with me, although he’s way too liberal on them borders.
Vincenzo on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
great… anderson cooper, some LAT chick…. and a Politico guy. Just great.
VolMagic on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Hot dog, Anderson asked for a fist-fight. Let’s get it on.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
There are no rules. This is ANARCHY!
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:04 PM
So much for the idea that Senators never win the White House. I’m still pulling for Romney, but if he loses it’s the all-Senator race in the general. Odd.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Did anyone else get misty eyed when they showed the inside of Reagan’s desk inside Air Force One?
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Anderson Cooper. Feh.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:04 PM
No, but it made me want jelly beans. Of course I’m too young to remember Regan…
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Mcguyver on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
AC has a napoleon complex. He’s like 5′2″
VolMagic on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Heh. We’d be in for some great leadership, er consensus building.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
“Don’t talk ill of other Republicans…”
“Now, how much does Bush suck?”
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Mitt, just answer the question and then give your spin. You come off as combative. Am I wrong?
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Straight talk, DRINK!
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Yeah, okay McCain – let’s have some straight talk. Why did you vote against the tax cuts you now claim helped save the economy?
kc2ige on January 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Americans are uncertain if you are going to change your position on tax cuts again.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Awwww, Straight Talk Express is leaving the station!
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM
No way. We’ll all be totally smashed by the midpoint of the debate.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM
NO HE DIDN’T VOTE FOR THE BUSH TAX CUTS.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Can McCain speak any slower?
TexasBella on January 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
He was probably coached to be combative. Mitt has a reputation of being a robot
bnelson44 on January 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
LOL!
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
We went on a spending spree and YOU were in the Congress then.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
OMG was that an alzheimer’s moment from McCain? Seriously, he lost his train of thought in mid sentence
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Never tell a old person or a politician he doesn’t have a time limit.
bnelson44 on January 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
ARROGANT ECONOMIC POLICY!
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Drink every time someone points to Air Force One.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Sparta, Sparta…, This is SPARTA!
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
The very premise of this question is to pit Republican against Republican and seeks only to further the Democrats’ plan to run against Pres. Bush and not the candidates on the stage.
kc2ige on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Oh we’re playing that game again?
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Geeze how big is the trucker lobby in Arkansas?!
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
There will be a lot of those I think.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Or mentions Reagan! Drink!
Califemme on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
What is that RON? Capitalism?
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
I don’t want government policies… touching me.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
AC stopped Huckaliar before he could blame it all on rich people.
csdeven on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Romney was smart not to take the bait on that question. It was designed to make Republicans look bad.
imshocked on January 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
My bad.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Gold Standard!
Take a drink!
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Wow, Huckster talking about truckers again–just like at every other debate. What’s he going to do next, start singing “Convoy”?
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Mitt’s noggin is huge. He’s a full head taller than everyone sitting there. I thought he was short?
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 11 Next »