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
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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?
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Sucking up to the Dems again, eh McCrankypants? You are not a uniter.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:23 PM
McCain is NOT a Federalist.
WTF? So shocked…
CABE on January 30, 2008 at 8:23 PM
You know, I’ve noticed that McCain uses a lot of emotional appeal during his turn. It must work.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:23 PM
I guess McCain doesn’t realize that when things cost money, it requires spending money.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
That’s the sound of me biting my hand, btw…
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Just answer the freakin’ question John!
Tony737 on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
We’re going to do something about climate change. Yep let’s make winter illegal. That’ll do it.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
His well-known federalist friends Mel Martinez, Juan Hernandez and Joe Lieberman.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Definitely works for me.
I haven’t heard much about Fred’s prospects for the VP slot lately, but I hope he’s still a front-runner.
docob on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Where is the true Conservative Federalist, Fred Dalton Thompson!!!!!
Romney/Thompson 2008!!!
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Ask any Chemical Engineer, Green tech is more harmful, less efficient (requiring more), and creates more waste.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
And he chooses to prove his federalist bonafides on an issue that obviously involves interstate commerce.
Mark1971 on January 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Illegals trash the environment along the border, John–too bad you couldn’t give a rat’s ass about that.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
The only thing I care about in that arena is getting off of the foreign IV of oil dependence.
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
GE makes plane engines Macky
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Oh noes…
As anyone here know, I’m all for McCain these days…but for him to say man-made greenhouse gasses are causing climate change…ugh.
But at least he saves it a bit…leave it to the states.
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
No agreement w/out China & India? Promise?
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
GO MITT GO!!!
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:25 PM
groan, not global warming. It’s cold outside
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Screw the federal government, McCain.
Bring on the states succession movement.
We won’t need you for president. Woooohoooo!
Mcguyver on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
You know I wish Romney would use what Gov Arnold used during the recall election. Gov Arnold once quipped that he, unlike his opponents owned a business and had to write checks, and not just cash them. It was good. Romney needs something like that since he did run businesses.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Show your business strength Mitt! GOOOOOO!
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Debate Chat here at my blog!
Rightwingsparkle on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Truth to Power Mitt!
Great response!
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:26 PM
GO MITT!!!!
America Warming…. good line
Kini on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
“What about campaigning for a half-dozen Democrats against those same conservative Republicans in state races?”
Hell, Ive read at leat a dozen comments on this blog today campaigning for Hillary in the general.
What was that you were saying?
So…out of the HUNDREDS of candidates for local offices in the State of Arkansas…you want to condemn a good man for campaigning for other GOOD CONSERVATIVE local candidates who Huckabee judged to be right for the elected office at stake?
Your logic really sucks.
If you knew Arkansas politics and who the candidates he supported were, you’d realize how ridiculous this attack is.
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
That’s one heckuva set
Ugly on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
“They don’t call it ‘America warming’, they call it ‘global warming’”
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Warming is GOOD for the environment! Sheeesh, what is wrong with reclaiming land lost to ice and longer growing seasons?
Remember, england used to have vineyards.
Also, warming is good for the cariboo.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Agreed. I used to work in auto emissions, and I can tell you that the cleanest, most efficient fuel known to man is leaded gasoline. Ethanol takes more power (and land) to produce, and is less efficient for the amount of CO2 released.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Would somebody please throw Ron Paul a quick question…poor thing…
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Hm. Nice answer Huck.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Janet Hook is exactly like that snotty Des Moines chick from the No Hand Show debate.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Huckabee supports the NRA.
National Recovery Act.
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
someone ask about illegal aliens getting rebates!
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Did she say Ecomony?? With the m and n mixed up.
Troy Rasmussen on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Romney/Thompson ticket works for me!!!!!!
Winebabe on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Now how is that idea different?
LOL!!!!!!!……
It’s different cause he’s a nutbag……LOL
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Awwwww, poor Ron, Coop didn’t let him change the subject.
Nader/Paul ‘08!
Tony737 on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Huck just cited the Heritage Foundation. Isn’t that the chattering class, Huck?
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:30 PM
“I said that when I was in Florida.” Admitting pandering?
mikeyboss on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Not funny Huck.
imshocked on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Huck gloating about bridges collapsing AGAIN. Nice. Very Christian.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Huck: you’re in traffic, pointing fingers, one at a time. Goodun. Expected.
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Gotta agree with Shmuckabee on the 1st part of his answer.
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Whose’s trying to light a cigar? (click click click)
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Somewhere, John Maynard Keynes is smiling at Huckabee’s answer.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I hate all that imported foreign concrete!
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I’m not a McCain fan either, but was prepared to accept him as the least of all evils. But he sure is making it hard to do.
docob on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I guess no one clued Huck in to the fact that the bridge that collapsed was just designed poorly and maintenance had nothing to do with it’s demise.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:31 PM
whoops that’s on my computer hehe
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:32 PM
And Romney follows up with logic. Love it!
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Ron Paul says “empire”.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:32 PM
And Romney follows up with logic. Love it!
OMG – Our EMPIRE!
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Stormfront goes back to unilateral retreat.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
The “big dig”…yeah, I wouldn’t be touting that…
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Drink!
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
I know he is nuts, but that reduce spending and reduce government from Paul was tugging at my heartstrings.
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
I do feel cheated when questions of infrastructure are brought up in CA. It’s like I’m in a running joke but nobody’s filled me in on the joke.
The roads in CA are terrible, by the way.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Anyone else feel Paultard wants to take us back to the barter system?
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
I want to smack Paul every time he uses the word “empire”. Using that word just reveals that the speaker has no understanding of actual empires.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Ron, sorry, you are some piece of work. All I hear is the Peanuts adult sound when you talk, mwa mwa mwa mwa MWA MWAmwa
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Suck. It. Up!
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Honestly, what does McCain know about paying your own bills?
gimmie a break…
DwnSouthJukin on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I can’t believe Paul & Huck still think that anyone gives a damn about their opinion.
Please just shut the hell up and let the grownups talk.
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I’m a very even keel guy, but that irritates the piss outta me.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Who’s doing the camera work? Scorcese? Someone tell CNN this is a debate, not a movie.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Oh yeah, John take down Wall Street.
Do liberals even realize where America’s real strength comes from? I HATE class warfare.
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Mitt – never use the words “Big” and “Dig” in the same sentence again, please.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
McCain is lost, he’s rambling.
DwnSouthJukin on January 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Punish Wallstreet John? That’ll help! Right!
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
“Punish Wall Street.” That’s an inspired way to burnish your conservative credentials, Mac.
flip on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
“I guess no one clued Huck in to the fact that the bridge that collapsed was just designed poorly and maintenance had nothing to do with it’s demise.”
So what are saying…you want more government to insure good oversight on the overseers of the inspectors of new construction?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
So when did the GOP decide money was bad, Senator McCain?
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Greedy people on Wall Street? Ah that;s the ticket, business is your enemy? but who is funding you when YOU were broke last summer?
The more he talks, the more I cannot STAND McCrankypants.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Why, exactly, would you give people with poor credit ratings lover interest rates? That’s like giving insurance rate cuts for people who have more car accidents.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
I think McCain is repeating the “Economy for Dummies” talking points here. . . .
kc2ige on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Yeah, because nothing helps conservative Republicans like attacking Wall Street.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Heh. Ain’t that the truth.
McCain’s apparently never heard of caveat emptor, and doesn’t believe in treating Americans like adults when they agree to a contract.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:36 PM
MY solution: rewrite those ARMs with provisions that make them affordable.
But the consumer should be responsible at the same time. If you entered into a mortgage @ 1% then it is now prime + 1, sorry charlie. If you entered at 5.5% or so and you are now at 10%, needs to be rewritten.
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:36 PM
No, I think he’s saying that Huckabee should stop misusing the issue of the Minneapolis bridge collapse as a cheap-shot soundbite to bolster his ideas on infrastructure.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:36 PM
McCain wants to make the tax cuts permanent?
OMG….that is f**king rich.
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Good move, align yourself with RON PAUL McCrankypants
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Ooh, the CNN commenter catches McCain in double-talk.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
“We need to make the tax-cuts permanent.
Right on, McCain.
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
McCain was part of the FDR Revolution.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Invoke Reagan!!!
*drink*
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
McCain, you voted against the tax cuts numerous times.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
See? McCain is throwing out names, that tells me he was asked a good, damaging question. It’s also non-responsive.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
“No, I think he’s saying that Huckabee should stop misusing the issue of the Minneapolis bridge collapse as a cheap-shot soundbite to bolster his ideas on infrastructure.”
Why?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Yeah, too bad he voted against them.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
:gag:
McLiar is making me ill with the lies.
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
We are NOT your base. Stop saying that.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
HAAAAAAA!!!!!!
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Well, for once I agree with McCain – COngress overspent.
Too bad McCain doesn’t vote that way.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Umm…rich people employ people. Am I wrong?
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
McCain: I was against the tax cuts before I was for the tax cuts.
imshocked on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
The L.A. Times isn’t lobbing softballs at McCain. Wow.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
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