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
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?
Blowback
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McCain – I know how to pander (to foreigners), compromise (border security), and stifle (free political speech).
fred5678 on January 30, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Honestly. The economy is more than just a campaign topic. What happens to it when Mac is president? We won’t be thinking eh, what the h3ll then.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 9:21 PM
You lost us when you went for the illegals before your own country. I honor your service, but you lost us McCain.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 9:21 PM
footsoldier? Mr. McCain, show me your voting record. Show me one thing you did to help the Reagan Revolution.
cannonball on January 30, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Wow, McCain managed to be a foot soldier and a leader at the same time.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Mitt’s doing well with the economy argument.
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Mitt: we pick governors, not senators.
Waiting for gheyy little Huck jokeytime theather…
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
McCain is going to turn a Kerry with his military service pretty soon. If he shows up at the convention and says he is reporting for duty, I’m going to puke.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Mitt scores a bingo ” people look to Governers not Senators for leadership” When was the last time a Senator won the Presidency ??? Kennedy?
Joey1974 on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Holy cow! Is this debate actually supposed to go for 3 hours?
William Teach on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Mitt is right about Govs vs Congress.
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Leaders don’t flip-flop continuously and pander to whatever crowd he’s speaking to, Mitt-wit!
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
The “Olympics”, Mitt?
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Here is McCain’s version of Hillary’s “It Takes a Village”
fred5678 on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Al-Ozarka… are you for tuition breaks for illegals like your man Huck is?
cannonball on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
“Mitt’s doing well with the economy argument.”
Yeah, GOP faithful! It’s the economy, STUPID!
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
mcvain is not helping himself with that smug mug. reminds me of my cat after eating a mouse.
mustang1 on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Good analogy, 3-D chess.
CrimsonFisted on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
See? Huck has to look to Ron Paul for sympathy—”Hey, I didn’t get to say I was governor, too! And look at those dead Minnesotans!”
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Go Mitt! You tell’em how to run a strong economy!
kcd on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Mitt *knows* 3D chess.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I think Huck and Paul have a reason to be irritated with the way this debate is being run. If you aren’t going to ask them questions, then just have a debate with the top two and go with that.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
3D chess?! He won my vote right there. Captain Kirk for Prez. Spock for Veep
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Romney = Positive & Uplifting
McCain = Boring & Negative
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Civilian control of the military has always been part of our system. Military experience is appreciated but certainly not required. And I say that a veteran myself.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Low Blow McImmigration
lsutiger on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Mitt actually laughed in his face just now!
kcd on January 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Ugh. Demonize capitalism again. It shows your true class warfare mentality, McShame.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Since when do governors need “on the job training?”
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Mitt seems like the only one smart enough to play 3 dimensional chess.
mikeyboss on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Not to mention McCain has the support of every elected official in Mexico.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Arrrgggg. This is driving me crazy. McCain had a Senate resolution for timetables.
Why the hell doesn’t Mitt’s campaign have this?:
Buy Danish on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
“sometimes people lost their jobs…”
low blow… and he’s pissed that Mitt used negative ads? What a lousy hypocrite.
cannonball on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Heh. +1
a capella on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Sorry John….your Reagan pandering taint workin’
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
How much experience did BJ have? Exactly.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Just a appoint a General as Sec of Defence and bingo
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Oh crap, Stormfront is gonna go EMPIRE again.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Blah blah blah. Droning on and on and on. McCain, please break the monotone.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Dozer McCain drones in with somnambulistic repetition.
profitsbeard on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I’m sorry….Mitt really is coming off, IMHO, as a pompous arse.
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
McLiar must not be President of the United States.
SimplyKimberly on January 30, 2008 at 9:25 PM
That’s what Santo Juan is sounding like.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
+1
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
We do judge you by your supporters, McCain, like the NYT!!
Troy Rasmussen on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Mitt could’ve attacked McCain re: Gitmo, waterboarding, and timetables. He missed an opportunity…
CliffHanger on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
“Al-Ozarka… are you for tuition breaks for illegals like your man Huck is?”
Would you deny an education to a bright kid whose parents lived here illegally and you were not allowed by federal law to ask if his/her parents lived here illegally?
Would you?
Sorry, pal…If I’m a liberal because I support a kid’s higher education who has grown up in our schools and excelled in them because the FEDS have done absolutely NOTHING to plug the borders, I’m guilty.
I wonder…do you feel guilty?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
I can’t believe ron paul is getting more face time than huckabee!
kcd on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
How so? Especially compared to Maverick, who exudes prick.
btw. I called EMPIRE again.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 9:26 PM
My god, the Ronulan is making some sense! Damn, I need a drink.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
The problem with Ron Paul is that just when he starts to make sense and I find myself nodding his head, he keeps talking and turns crazy.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
The squeaky troofer gets the grease.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
By RuPaul’s furious pen strokes, I’ve just hit on the possibility of him being the courtroom reporter artist.
hoosiermama on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I think Mac is smug. It’s crazy isn’t it? How two people can watch the same thing and come to different results.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
RP: Quack! Quack!
CliffHanger on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Another Huck joke. STFU, please.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
And every Mexican citizen that wants to come here illegally.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I Absolutely Will Not Vote for McCain,for anything,he’s a smug self centered little man,Romney all of a sudden sounds better to me,
Bib
Bobnormal on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Again, Ron starts out great, and then devolves into crazy-land.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Whiney a$$ Huckabee! Don’t turn off the spigot, you bigot!
kcd on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Huck did not get his laugh. Tried three times.
mikeyboss on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
LOL!
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Huck, stop bitching about questions when your poll numbers are so low.
darii on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Yeah all of BJ’s military experience came after he became POTUS. And they were all pretty much spectacular failures. Unless he was actually trying to hit an aspirin factory.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
HA! Here goes Huck “I WAS GUBNER! Hey, how about a joke: How many Minnesotans does it take to fill a river?”
Cuffy Meigs on January 30, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Well, Huckabee is taking an unexpected tack.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
It’s nice to see someone finally give the 10th Amendment some love – even if it’s Huck.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Huck agrees with Mitt that Governors are better leaders. I think that’s all the support Mitt’s going to get from him.
CliffHanger on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I’m enjoying it. Huckster isn’t the center of attention and he’s fretting. Oopsy,..just took a little shot at the mods for leaving him out. Time for another joke,..maybe one about bridges.
a capella on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Good message Huck. It’s a good reason to endorse Mitt when you go out.
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Hick is making a great case for Romney.
Over30 on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I’m sure that will change to reflect Christian values soon enough.
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Yep and that’s a problem cause some of ‘em are gonna vote.
Oldnuke on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Huck makes a good point about the role of governors while taking a swipe at McNasty.
The Ugly American on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Nice freakin catch.
p0s3r on January 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM
True that.
OK, in a way I can see the “smug” on McCain. That smirk isn’t really helping him…
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
“Whiney a$$ Huckabee! Don’t turn off the spigot, you bigot!”
LOL! I would wager in a NEw-York-Minute that Huckabee is the ABSOLUTE least bigoted person on the platform…including the mediators.
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
False premise. No denial of education, just a denial of preferential rates for foreigners versus citizens of neighboring states. Duh.
fred5678 on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Did you hear the help Huckabee got? I heard THE VOICE. AHHHHHHHHH
Troy Rasmussen on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
What, then, is McCain coming across as?
cannonball on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Say, don’t Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
wish someone had the balls to ask mcvain, how could you pretend to be able to run the USA when you couldn’t manage the defensive systems on a F4 Phantom.
mustang1 on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Right now I’d go for Romney/Huckabee.
To prevent the Drone.
profitsbeard on January 30, 2008 at 9:30 PM
And Ronald Reagan was a Governor, not a Senator.
Over30 on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Yikes! Don’t presume to know what RR would do or say. Mistake… it’s a “gotcha” question.
CliffHanger on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
“HA! Here goes Huck “I WAS GUBNER! Hey, how about a joke: How many Minnesotans does it take to fill a river?””
Idiots! Don’t you realize that it’s YOU who are being irreverent?
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
What you want to bet we hear “footsoldier” in McLames answer?
kcd on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Dude, does Mitt sound like he knew that question was coming or what? He’s very prepared for why RR would endorse him.
TX Mom on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
I heard it too. Somebody said, secretly, “Where is it?”
Also, I wonder if Huck has flipped on us in the last hour. I wouldn’t be surprised if McCain’s performance and recent coverage haven’t turned him off completely.
askheaves on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Not sure where you’re going with that–Lord knows I’m no fan of Clinton. There have been plenty of good and bad Presidents who served and plenty who didn’t. But there’s no constitutional requirement for military service, much as I appreciate the fact that someone took the oath and wore the uniform.
ReubenJCogburn on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Mitt for the Win
MirCat on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Oooooo…..
RR would say no to McCain-Feingold!!
Good one, Mitt.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 30, 2008 at 9:31 PM
+1
cannonball on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I’m not really liking the “would Reagan endorse you” question…
JetBoy on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
McCain’s falling for it as well. This is the best we can do…?
CliffHanger on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
So was that a no, McCain?
Spirit of 1776 on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
McCain just went after Romney for changing his stance? Are you f***in sh***en me?
amerpundit on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Wrongo, Mac. Reagan raised taxes and signed abortion legislation as governor of CA. Shut your lying face.
fiatboomer on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Like YOU McCain? You know, changing your positions over the years.
(Nevermind Reagan was a pro-life convert, dumb McCain)
BKennedy on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
“Say, don’t Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?”
Don’t they?
Answer: YES, they DO!
Now…ask me if I think it is relevant to the presidency.
Then ask Huckabee.
Al-Ozarka on January 30, 2008 at 9:32 PM
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