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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He was one of two Republicans to oppose them.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Didn’t Reagan raise taxes?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
McCain throws out names when he is preparing to give a weak answer.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Mitt slaps Mitt of tax cuts again. Heh.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Because it’s not a failure of spending on infrastructure. It was a design flaw in the original structure, and no government inspection would have seen that at the time.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Bingo! And that he should do some homework and get a clue.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
*Mitt slaps McCain on tax cuts.
My bad.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
BAM! Turns it right against Johnny Mac.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Right…McCain is right, tax-cut without controlled spending is useless.
Same with what he says about illegals…stupid to deport people unless you secure the border first. At least McCain is a forward-thinker.
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Romney really ought to whack Mac on his bizarre “My opposition to the Bush tax cuts was meant to create MORE tax cuts,” shtick.
flip on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Whose bright idea was it to let CNN into the sacred halls of the Ronald Reagan library, anyhow? They sully the place.
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Go, Mitt, Go! Hammer on those entitlements! Now that’s a conservative talking point.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Entitlements?
Is Fred helping Mitt??????
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Here we go. . . Remember, McCain isn’t for la amnestia!
kc2ige on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
McCain is lookin’ a lot like Saul Tigh tonight. Rather disturbing, no?
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
“Because it’s not a failure of spending on infrastructure. It was a design flaw in the original structure, and no government inspection would have seen that at the time.”
So, the infrastructure is fine and this is an example of good infrastructure…the Minneapolis thingy, I mean?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Huck is not answering the question.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Say adios, chameleon.
huckfan on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Hit him Mitt!
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
That question on illegals to Huck must have come from a libtard. Only a lefty would be so clueless as to confuse an Amendment with a Law.
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
His plan awarded legal status before the border was secured. The government had to do a full background check, fingerprint check and find a reason not to allow the illegal alien to stay within 24 hours. Failure to do so would result in at least temporary legal status.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Huck starts pandering…
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:40 PM
heh…btw, Is Ron Paul taking notes? Or simply playing tic-tac-toe with himself…and losing
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Ooooooo will Romney bring up Juan Hernandez against McCain when it is his turn? Hmmmmmmmmm
One only hopes.
I salivate at the prospect.
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
I love how McCain and Huck keep saying “as I’ve said before” whenever they want to make a conservative point. I would be thrilled if they really meant it, but I don’t believe ‘em.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
NOW Hucky is all about stare decisis.
LOL!
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Mitt, ask McCain, to his face, about JUAN HERNANADEZ.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
That would be no.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
OK Mitt, Here’s your best chance to gain some ground for Tuesday. If you’re to chicken$hit to nail McShamnesty on his open borders policies and advisers, then you don’t have what it takes to take on the dems in Novemeber.
csdeven on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Huck: Amnesty Shill.
Translation: Johnny pick me for Veep!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
You’ve been playing our drinking game? lol
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Oh, give me a break. Spending on infrastructure is needed - I agree with Huckabee on that. I disagree with his use of the Minneapolis bridge collapse as an example of government failure. It was an engineering failure, not a government one. His soundbite is cheap, tacky and untrue.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Come on Mitt! Hit Juan in the cajones!
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
The Minneapolis bridge didn’t collapse because of neglect for the infrastructure. The idiot that built it didn’t design it properly.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Maybe Hangman.
hoosiermama on January 30, 2008 at 8:42 PM
“I would be thrilled if they really meant it, but I don’t believe ‘em.”
And you believe MITT?
Gawd!
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:42 PM
they dont run from police cars
most of the times the courts let them go anyway.
there is no fear from the police by illegals
Mojack420 on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
NO AMNESTY
Ugly on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Ahh, here we go…I was gonna reply, but here comes the immigration questions..
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Cmon, Mitt. We need you now.
AbaddonsReign on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Mitt says “Go Home”. “Go home” “Go home”.
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Too bad he had to be dragged kicking and screaming to that position, and supported something totally different when he sponsored his bill with Ted Kennedy. Which is why many of us don’t trust his conversion–especially since he lies in denying that he ever supported shamnesty. But he still claims that “he got the message”.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
So close with the Z-Visa…
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
How many bridges in the U.S. are built improperly?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Mitt should have prepared better for this question. He’s sinking himself.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Was that the first round of applause for Mitt?
kc2ige on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Wow - applause for Mitt
Ugly on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Mitt hits a homer on immigration.
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Chameleon is repeating Huck’s policy. Sweet.
huckfan on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
I believe that would be yes, as governer of California. But it was only to close a huge budget gap and I think he worked to lower them when surpluses came in.
ThePrez on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Hit that Z visa, Mitt!
hit it HARD!!!
fred5678 on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
McCain NEVER wanted to secure the border, is Janet looking to be McCain’s Monica?
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Not surprisingly…..Mitts immigration response got the first clap of the night.
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
I bet money she is a card carrying member of NOW
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Not exactly. He got the first round of applause and the focus group had him above 70% the whole time.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Sounds like Mitt’s playing all sides too…”90 days, or longer, or longer for some…”
Sounds a lot like “temporary legal status” to me…
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
McCain is being ask tough questions?!
Hell has frozen over!
Mcguyver on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Oops - she almost said “illegal aliens”. How shocking for her!
Good question though. McCAin’s going to sweep it under the rug. “We all want the same thing”
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
We’re in agreement McCain? I don’t think so. Over 80% of Americans opposed your plan.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Because you want this issue to go away John, that is why you say that.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Look at that smokescreen McCain is blowing! Set negative ventilation!
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Were any of these twits paying attention when we told them how we felt about illegals? Romeney’s answer to that question was sickening. McCain’s is just preaching to the plebs. I don’t believe him.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
We aren’t all in agreement, you flip flopping jack@ss!
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM
So McCain is emphasizing process rather than results?
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
How’d you like Mitt’s answer on the big dig? Heh.
huckfan on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
(said like Sen. Byrd) Wrong!
He’s already stated he would sign his craptastic bill if he becomes POTUS.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Ask the governors. I’m sure they did inspections in their own states. My governor did.
Still, your spin doesn’t change the fact that Huckabee is taking cheap shots.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Yes, but do they know it. That’s the open question.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I don’t beleive that any of them will build the wall. That’s why I get PO’ed….
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I’m sure he’ll drop the “Juan” bomb before this discussion is over.
TexasBella on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Hahahahahahahaha!
I wouldn’t cite Arizona as a model of border control.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
y 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM
He is probably writing Don Black and Leo Metzger love notes for the donations.
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Um . . . I was skeptical on this one when Huckabee first said it so I did a little digging - Reagan did raise taxes in CA while governor, I found multiple references to it during his 76 and 80 runs for the nomination.
Govgirl on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
ASK.ABOUT.JUAN. What is this “we” jazz?
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
They have that time to pack their things up, JetBoy. Just like he said that people with kids would have their kids finish the school year, then go home.
McCain’s plan gives them temporary legal status, eventually permanent.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Maybe they can turn on the plane’s engines to disperse that. :P
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
The criminal aspect is just a way to avoid the question. But I doubt Mitt will nail him on it.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Dude, give it a rest. Your boy dances on the graves of some unlucky commuters to make an insignificant policy point. He looks like crap every time he does it.
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 8:46 PM
My bill will not be voted on is not the same as I would not now vote for my own bill.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Gaaahg…erp…blech..
I’m trying to watch but 20-30 seconds is all I can stand.
rockhauler on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Et Cetra Et Cetra, McCain is “yada yada”ing this debate.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Ah ha! He’s dodging answering (yes) to signing his own bill.
mwa ha ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Why did your supporters sue to stop AZ’s employment verification law from being enforced John?
Deety on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Lettuce head - we want the border secured first and last!
No crapola of rewards for invaders.
No soliciting bribes after the fact for crossing the borders.
fred5678 on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
McCain was for his own immigration bill before he was against it.
Good grief.
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Make him answer the question, Anderson HairDye.
Bill O’R needs to be on this panel.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Coop’s afraid he’ll get conservative cooties if he touches the Reagan diaries.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 8:47 PM
He said it was mismanaged and badly handled, so that was nice.
Still, he should have been a bit tougher.
Slublog on January 30, 2008 at 8:48 PM
He is afraid to touch it because it will curse him. LOL
Nelsa on January 30, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Good one!
mikeyboss on January 30, 2008 at 8:48 PM
And the whole thing about judges is why we can’t let Hillary in.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:48 PM
I can’t believe Mitt let McCain off the hook.
This isn’t the boardroom Mitt. It’s bare knuckle politics.
csdeven on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I’d prefer Mark Levin.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Either way tho…”he got the message”. That’s good enough for me. Mitt, it just seems to me, is just pandering this issue.
He just said himself that every case is different.
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Or that he’ll catch fire.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Looks like these guys don’t want to hit immigration hard.
Bah. Like any of them would win Kern and LA counties in the general anyway.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
So, in other words, Huck won’t take a stand on O’Connor, because it’s not politically opportune at the Reagan Library.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Can McCain or Huckabee ever answer the question they’re asked?
Troy Rasmussen on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Mitt shouldn’t have been tougher on the Big Dig. The mafia was involved.. He doesn’t want to wake up with a horses head in his bed…
(Plays Godfather Theme Song)
(Eats garlic bread)
Weebork on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I`m getting bored listening to all this. Not a Great Communicator among them.
FIRST LOOK AT PRESIDENT RUSH LIMBAUGH!
ThePrez on January 30, 2008 at 8:49 PM
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