Mitt staying in — to keep McCain from clinching?
posted at 5:11 pm on February 6, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Ambinder and Geraghty hear that he’s pressing ahead and that tomorrow’s CPAC speech will be somehow “major.” Really? Major enough to make up a 500-delegate deficit? He can’t win — but neither can McCain, maybe. From the California thread, an e-mail from reader James P.:
All Mitt (and Huckabee) need to do to deny McCain enough delegates to win the nomination is win 547 of the remaining 963 delegates - roughly 57%. Which means it will go to the convention, where anything can happen. Given that around 66% of Republicans voted for someone other than McCain last night, it’s not out of the question, especially given most of the upcoming contests are awarded on a proportional basis and McCain won’t be taking primaries outright (like he did last night).
A prevent defense? Geraghty’s thinking about it too and speculates that the plan may be to make it to the convention and then squeeze McCain for concessions. But concessions about what? There’s no way Maverick’s putting him on the ticket and there’s no issue so central to Romney’s candidacy that he’d be willing to run on it for another 2-3 months with no hope of winning and who knows how many more millions down the sinkhole. Or is there? A scorched earth campaign to pull McCain to the right on immigration would buy him goodwill with the base for 2012 but it’d also alienate the party establishment he’ll need to woo next time by dragging out the nomination process. Plus, he’d have to do it in a way that made it look like he was running on principle instead of acting out of spite. Tancredo could pull that off since his passion for his signature issue is famous, but what’s Romney’s passion? Tussling with McCain? If he’s going to frame it as a “stop the RINO!” crusade, which perhaps is what he has in mind for CPAC, then he runs into the recurring problem of Huckabee running that same campaign against him, and pretty successfully too. And even if it worked and he forced a brokered convention, Maverick will be so close to having enough delegates to clinch that he’ll end up as the nominee anyway. The only question is whether Romney will have bought himself anything by dragging him around the country through the spring.
What’s to be gained by Mitt dropping out, you say? A lot, potentially. Right now Huckabee has leverage over McCain. Maverick may need his delegates at the convention, and even if he thinks he won’t, he needs the race to end as soon as possible, before he suffers any more credibility-destroying red-state losses. The longer it drags on, the more delegates Huck wins, the more likely he is as the VP choice. The way to destroy Huck’s leverage is for McCain to stay out there on the trail and pile up the 44% or so of remaining delegates that he needs to clinch, but as James’s e-mail notes, that’ll be tough to do in a three-man race. In a two-man race, with Mitt out of the picture, it’s easy — so much so that Huck may throw in the towel for fear of pissing off McCain and that same party establishment he’ll need for his own 2012 run. Once he’s out it’s a walkover for Maverick, he can pick the veep of his choice, and Huckabee gets a prominent role at the convention plus the gratitude of Republican bigshots various and sundry for being a good soldier. Exit question: Reason enough to hope Mitt drops out?
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True dat.
csdeven on February 6, 2008 at 6:05 PM
I don’t know, CS, when the work runs out or slows down these new ‘legals’ are going to be hungry. Barry or the Hildebeast are going to have to feed ‘em, cloth ‘em, educate ‘em or they go knocking door to door looking for food, or stealing it. They certainly ain’t going back, right? So I see ‘em as democraps for life, along with their offspring and relatives from mexico that come as soon as they can, along with who knows who from the rest of the world. What a nightmare! We need a fence!!!!
countywolf on February 6, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Well I dislike him, to put it mildly, for his lies and calling them “straight talk” in addition to his political vies, it’s just that hoping for the unlikely only prolongs the agony and prevent a search for solutions.
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Speaking of “money grubbing”, how many pundits will ask if Hillary is “buying the election” now that she is using some of her own money to fund her campaign.
Buy Danish on February 6, 2008 at 6:08 PM
I think the bad consequences have already shown up. We have a redux of 1976, and I will agree that Reagan in retrospect did the right thing sticking it out. If the blogosphere existed in that era, they would have been saying he should have gone out to. It’s a paradox for Romney of an evil sort - if he quits, he’ll be branded for having no spine/staying power, if he stays, he’s a spoiler/spiteful. I would say staying is more honorable.
SkinnerVic on February 6, 2008 at 6:10 PM
That’s EXACTLY what I meant. I’m just trying to make sure that the fact that ALL THREE FRONT-RUNNERS will make passing the Amnesty as their top priority is internalized and that the best strategy to deal with this reality is found.
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 6:07 PM
I have the same dislike for liars. I think prolonging the magic will lengthen McCain’s noose. He’s going to ramp up the screeching when we don’t crown his….. He’s told a sweet lie the morning or evening before the last two contests. I’m looking forward to the pre-Texas mud John will be slinging.
Cold Steel on February 6, 2008 at 6:11 PM
From the artical:
He means that we brown skin hatin nativists and gibots who need to shut up should respectfully disagree.
The writing is on the wall. At CPAC McLiar is going to stick his finger in our eye again.
csdeven on February 6, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Lalalalalalala!! I can’t hear you!
csdeven on February 6, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Cold Steel on February 6, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Speaking of “money grubbing”, how many pundits will ask if Hillary is “buying the election” now that she is using some of her own money to fund her campaign.
Buy Danish on February 6, 2008 at 6:08 PM
The Clintonistas will consider that a sound investment. She has a knack of turning singles into $100K. Imagine what she can do with a $4mil investment. That’s probably why Ann will vote for her. She truly utilizes voodoo economics.
Cold Steel on February 6, 2008 at 6:13 PM
You wouldn’t believe him if he started channeling Reagan or claimed to have a divine vision that has turned him into a perfect conservative. It’s just doesn’t matter WHAT he says at this point.
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 6:14 PM
McCain channels Reagan like Edwards channels the unborn. McCain has no shame in his game. His answer to any relevant issue is “name dropping.”
March on Reagan Foot Soldier.
Cold Steel on February 6, 2008 at 6:16 PM
If Romney and Huckabee can win the 550-600 delegates you mention in the piece, what if Romney pledged his to Huckabee? He would have leverage with Huckabee, and maybe, between them they could keep McCain out.
I know that Huckabee and McCain are allies, and have read that Huckabee dislikes Romney. Nonetheless, politics makes strange bedfellows (I think I heard that somewhere) and Huckabee really really wants the nomination.
And Huckabee would be a more sure bet on Supreme Court nominees than McCain, in my opinion.
Who knows…my mind is just meandering…
Blaise on February 6, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Trying to prevent a McCain win in the primary is a waste of time and money. So is trying to prevent McCain from self-immolating in the general. Let him have his vanity campaign. Let the Maverick be as Mavericky as he wants. He’s toxic. He has more skeletons in his closet, more vulnerabilities to slime tactics than any candidate we’ve put up since Nixon. He’s going to get knee-capped in the general, and if the Republican party tries to step up for him, he’ll drag the whole party down with him.
Start focusing on the 2010 off-year elections. Or better yet, start focusing on the 2008 Congressional races while there’s still time to do something about them. Check here and look at the color next to all the “Tossups.” Now check here, and look at the color of all the states in the “Tossup” column.
We’re in serious trouble in the only branch of government where conservatism might potentially have any kind of voice at all.
spmat on February 6, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Exactly. With or without my vote he will get killed in November and that’s a good thing. He will look ten years older by then and will have had several public meltdowns by then. If he were in office he would sign anything the dems sent him and the republicans wouldn’t fight thier own president.
peacenprosperity on February 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM
You;re damn right we don’t believe him! How many times does he get to piss on you and tell you it’s rainin’? Screw McLiar!
jwp1964 on February 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM
My concern is that the sooner McLiar wraps up the nomination, the sooner the MSM can pick his bones clean, which I was kind of looking forward to. Plus I was hoping for Mitt in 2012 because there just might be no chance of an R winning in 2008 given the dem’s activism.
Hm. CPAC is going to be fun fun fun tomorrow!!!
JustTruth101 on February 6, 2008 at 6:25 PM
spmat — you are correct. Looking at the actual voter turnout for the primaries, the Dems were anywhere from about equal to, to twice as many as, the Reps. That is an indicator already of where the electorate is at for the general election. McCain is going to get hammered, and hammered hard, in the general.
So — best we can do is focus on the Congressional races and forget about McCain. He has a lock on the nomination but close to zero chance in November.
SunSword on February 6, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Aw, c’mon, CS, you hear real good! What the hell’s going to happen if we don’t stop the flow? I don’t think as private citizens we should pay for our countrys’ security, except of course with our federal taxes, out of our pockets like some people are doing at this minute in the SW states. In Texas or Arizone, I think, they’re building their own fence with their own money! Good idea, but why should we?
countywolf on February 6, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I don’t recall who made the point, but I don’t know that we understand why Mitt is running. Or at least the public at large.
He’s not running because it’s his turn, or it’s next in his political ambitions, or he’s dreamed of it, or it enhances his resume, or wants the power. He’s not a career politician.
He’s already been successful in business and even more so with this family. He doesn’t really need anymore success in this life.
His father told him to make his money and then when he was able to give service to his state and country.
I think he’s running out of a sense of duty to use his experience and skills to help fix the country. His one issue is restoring the government/GOP to conservative principles. But many times it’s the converts that are the strongest believers.
Is he perfect? no. Has he run a flawed campaign? yes. It is his first time.
But I think he’s in it to the end because he’s not planning on another run. I don’t believe that he necessarily has any plans to run again if he fails. So ingratiating himself with the party leaders and establishment don’t matter to him looking forward to another run.
In a way, maybe I hope he does fail, because being rejected by the GOP, he has the ability, experience, and resources to actually form a viable third party. He is the one winning the majority of the real conservatives and all the endorsements of conservative talk-radio.
Sebastian on February 6, 2008 at 6:33 PM
For those of you hoping for Mitt to hang in there and destroy McCain’s bid, be careful what you wish for - this is not 1976, and Romney is not Reagan. It’s a bad idea.
And speaking of Reagan, one of the main reasons that he lost the 76 nomination to Ford was because he announced that, if nominated he would name Richard Schweiker- a RINO! - as his running mate. Conservatives were outraged and many dropped their support for him, leading to Ford’s nomination, and Carter’s election.
So, it was largely due to Reagan’s blatantly political attempt to ally himself with a moderate (read non-conservative) that led to the disastrous 4 years of Jimmah.
There are no pure souls in politics. People need to get over that.
Priscilla on February 6, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Mitt could always run as a 3rd/4th/76th party candidate.
SECOND LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION PARTY FOR ME!
SouthernGent on February 6, 2008 at 6:40 PM
At this point I don’t really care a whit whether Mitt stays or goes. Either way, we are f’ed.
SECOND LOOK AT PEDRO!! VOTE FOR PEDRO!!!
thirteen28 on February 6, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I don’t much care if it goes to the convention or not, because I likely won’t be voting anyways- but consider the consequences:
1. It would leave the resulting nominee only 2 months to campaign, raise money and build organization before the general election.
2. Romney wouldn’t get the nod after the relatively poor showing he’s had.
3. Given that Romney isn’t exactly a conservative icon, it would damage his reputation- no one likes a sore loser who’s willing to take the party down with him out of spite.
Hollowpoint on February 6, 2008 at 6:49 PM
It’s probably Romney’s best play to bow out gracefully, and go after it next time.
I am reminded of how much Al Gore looked like an ass when he dragged the 2000 election on for two months. This was before I knew all I know about him now, and that was my initial turnoff to him.
I don’t want to see Romney suffer the same fate of doing himself in, and undermining his good will (even such as it is) with the voters.
But we shall see.
Hawkins1701 on February 6, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Hell, if it goes to convention - IT COULD BE FRED!!!
FDT the next POTUS! Yeah baby!
Ex-tex on February 6, 2008 at 7:09 PM
THIRD LOOK AT FRED!!!!!
IU_Conservative on February 6, 2008 at 7:15 PM
You’re such a Debbie Downer, Allah. It’s like you can’t wait to say someone is down and out. You’re right on the fence of being a realist and a pessimist this election season.
Sure Romney’s chances are slim and none, but you never know. McCain might have some skeleton in his closet they haven’t found out about yet.
And also he’s old. I mean he’s really old! Can’t you see how old he is?
Ballistic on February 6, 2008 at 7:18 PM
So we’re saying a McCain/Huckabee is worse than a McCain/somebody else? Now that is what I call progress!
myamphibian on February 6, 2008 at 7:22 PM
It’s not that unlikely. McCain is 71. His father died at age 70, and daddy McCain hadn’t been seriously injured/tortured in Vietnam, or had two bouts with skin cancer, like Jr. has.
I’m not saying it will happen (not wishing it on him either). Just saying it could.
AZCoyote on February 6, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Stay in there Mitt. Go to a brokered convention and fight for the Right to pick you over that lying, scamming, Keating 5 Political POS
Tim Burton on February 6, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Romney could have a heart attack also, after losing all that money, or his wife could murder him. >:}
Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Didn’t think of that! I was thinking more along the class envy parrots who squawked that Mitt was “buying the election”. I doubt that, say, Alan Colmes will complain, although Huck might chirp in on the topic.
I don’t know about the third party thing, but I agree with your thoughts about why Mitt is running. Very well-said.
Buy Danish on February 6, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Hollowpoint great points. Jeez, maybe that unprovoked swipe Romney took at Dole yesterday was the mask slipping off instead of the gloves coming off that the Romneyites thought they were cheering?
funky chicken on February 6, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Hawkins 1701 indeed.
funky chicken on February 6, 2008 at 7:59 PM
LOL!
myamphibian on February 6, 2008 at 8:07 PM
A quitter never wins; a winner never quits.
Would McCain respect Mitt if he caves to pressure to bow out so easily?
Would the country?
Take it to CPAC.
And if it stirs people, then:
Take it to the Convention.
It’ll depend on if Mitt can win the conservative core.
Huckster has the fried squirrel contingent.
But that won’t work, nationally.
Keep fighting McShamnesty, Mitt.
And remember McCain’s secret slogan:
20 million illegals can’t be wrong.
profitsbeard on February 6, 2008 at 8:24 PM
I want McCain fought every step of the way.
He fought Conseratives all these years so lets fight him all the way to the Convention.
EJDolbow on February 6, 2008 at 8:26 PM
I think McCain should address CPAC in Spanish and promise to become a secure borders hawk. Then when he goes back on his promise he could claim that he was mis-translated and he actually meant to secure the border by flying trained hawks.
Igor R. on February 6, 2008 at 9:16 PM
This is ridiculous. Mitt just needs to put his campaign on auto-pilot and stop sinking money into it. The word is out and there’s no reason that he shouldn’t stay in it to spite McCain and, especially, Huckabee. This sucks and you all are giving up way too quickly. Brokered converntion means that all of these people that came out for McCain are no longer indebted to him because he couldn’t win it with the primaries. Why is it so unimaginable that Romney could pull this out?
Levinite on February 6, 2008 at 9:21 PM
I’m on board! I;ll even fight him after the convention when I vote for a dem for the first time. Newt just said that McLiar is in real trouble in Nov if he doesn’t hit a homerun at CPAC. He also said that the CONSERVATIVE movement has been the most important part of the GOP since 1964…RINOs pay attention…we’re not kidding…we’ll vote for Hillary and you’ll be responsible for years of dem presidents and congress…good luck with McLiar!
jwp1964 on February 6, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Romney has considerable good will with the electorate right now. Most people only know that he seems like a nice guy who has been blessed with good looks, intelligence, and a lovely family. If he channels Coulter at CPAC he will do grave damage to that, and will hurt his chances for future GOP national office.
I still want him to unseat John Kerry in 2010, but if he goes strong negative at CPAC, he may win raucous cheers from many there, but could really hurt his reputation.
Honestly, how can we present the GOP as a more decent party if our candidates tear each other apart? Let the dems call names and be ugly.
I got really tired of people saying that Thompson wasn’t serious about his run because he wouldn’t get super mean with McCain or Huckabee. Please Mitt, don’t listen to those voices. Don’t become the deranged person’s favorite attack dog.
funky chicken on February 6, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Do you hear yourself? You sound like the troofers blaming the US for 9/11.
You sit there spouting you’re PC bull crap at we real conservatives blaming us for McLiars unwillingness to work with the base?
You and McShamnesty truly do deserve each other.
csdeven on February 7, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I’m just going to call you csdrivel from here on out, fan you are of nicknames and all.
Vizzini on February 7, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Why should Mitt Stay in?
Cuz this is America, an he can stay in as long as he wants.
…at least its America until McCain or one of the other Dems gets the Presidency, then we shall see what kind of America it is.
I mean I my name is Wasteland Man for a reason. I WANT the apocolyps to come, but I just didnt want it to be McCain to usher it in.
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on February 7, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Anybody Who votes for McCain will get what they deserve.
Just wait and See.
Karmas a Bitch.
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on February 7, 2008 at 12:46 AM
If he behaves in the proper way I’ll believe him.
1) He has to give a tearful apology for being a jerk to us all these years and sign a pledge never to do it again.
2) He has to sign separate pledges that he will fall in line with real conservatives on taxes, immigration, global warming, etc.
I’m sure there will be a few more. and I’ll let you know when I think of them.
csdeven on February 7, 2008 at 12:53 AM
That’s real clever coming for you, someone whose handle sounds like the sound my dogs ass makes when he’s trying to get the worms out of his bowels.
csdeven on February 7, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Meh; it was an undiplomatic, ill advised but off the cuff comment on Romney’s part, but was more a veiled swipe at McCain and one he apologized for- can’t really read much into it.
It was a bit ironic though considering that Romney isn’t exactly the most electable type out there either. I can’t blame him for being frustrated after spending 3 years and $40+ million of his own bank in the race, but he seriously needs to explain what he hopes to accompish by staying in the race. He can’t win, forcing a brokered convention would only hurt him and wouldn’t result in him being the nominee, and I can’t think of any concessions he could really ask for.
Hollowpoint on February 7, 2008 at 1:18 AM
A man has got to know his limitations.
Staying in isn’t going to win Romney respect; the longer he stays in, the more it looks like vanity and petulance- not something that helps further whatever future political ambitions he might have.
I don’t like McCain any more than most other conservatives, but the voters have spoken.
Hollowpoint on February 7, 2008 at 1:25 AM
Hollowpoint-
My state hasn’t even voted yet.
So you’re wrong that “the voters have spoken“.
I guess Eli Manning should have given up last Sunday since there were less than 3 minutes left in the Super Bowl, and the everybody knew that the unbeaten Patriots were obviously the winners.
But he and Tyree thought otherwise.
Let Mitt and Mac fight like men.
Huck can go fry a squirrel.
profitsbeard on February 7, 2008 at 1:41 AM
As if Huckabee is not a RINO?
Not 1976? Thanks, I needed that
Say, are you related to McCain?
entagor on February 7, 2008 at 1:48 AM
Agreed. He can always make the point that he fought for conservatism to the end and that would be a great starting point for anybody in 2012.
McCain is about McCain so what do we expect? lets hope for the brokered convention because of Romneys tenacity.
No he would not start a third party..too much effort with not quite enough ground ssweell ..the other reason he is still in is beacuse he rejects failure…he might take an @$$ whoopin but to not go down swining is against his character.
Isn’t that EXACTLY what John McCain IS doing?
I like your thinking!
Hear!!! Hear!!!
I’d rather slit a vein, than ever vote McCain
RedLizard64 on February 7, 2008 at 1:52 AM
Willard is finished. It is impossible for him to catch Johnny Mac, Huckabee thoroughly loathes him, and his attack dog campaign has completely ended any chance of him being rewarded with VP.
Allah is on the money. By staying in the race Romney makes a Huckabee VP almost certain, as Mac is forced to rely on his votes to cross the line. In a two horse race, however, McCain gets the delegates to knock out Huck, remove any leverage Huck may have had, and choose the right-wing VP he thinks best placed to win the election. And McCain’s smart enough to know it has to be a right-wing VP if he’s to carry the strongest machine with him into the general, hence his smooth talking with Fred before he pulled out.
If the self-styled ‘real’ conservatives had a modicum of intelligence they would be searching for a VP candidate now that they could champion, who could emerge as the deal with McCain for throwing their weight behind him in the general. And it would be a good deal, because if McCain gets ill, or retires in 2012, then their man is at the top. Fred would be a fine choice: genuinely likeable, straight talking, powerful in the South, good friends with Jonny Mac, and solid on the issues that matter. But there are other intelligent choices too - Condi for instance would sink Obama/Hillary’s identity politics at a blow.
Chances that these self-destructive loons will have the brains to carry this through? Close to zero. Instead I expect to read weeks more of shrilling about voting for Hillary/Obama and all the while they will get the McCain-Huck ticket they deserve.
Pax americana on February 7, 2008 at 2:03 AM
Please go ahead. John McCain will be the nominee.
The real question is whether you want Mike Huckabee on the GOP ticket also.
Pax americana on February 7, 2008 at 2:25 AM
‘Running so that we can hand a better America to our children and grandchildren’ would qualify as a driving passion
It is almost Reaganesque
Declaring foul play during an election is not the same as a declaration of hatred
Romney shows a pattern of compulsive problem solving. He likes to take on big problems and fix them. The Mormon faith channels people in that direction. They have to meet many obligations, of service and missionary work and are even supposed to store away a year’s worth of provisions for emergencies.
Luckily he has a track record, like McCain and Huckabee. You can easily compare them, for instance, on keeping promises, or how they treat the voters. A track record is a better indicator than a list of promises.
entagor on February 7, 2008 at 2:26 AM
I want a brokered convention. Therefore I’m willing to pay money for Romney to stay in, if for nothing more than a spoiler.
I’m realistic enough to not expect anything actually good to come out of a brokered convention, because the GOP is beyond saving by a ‘white knight’. But I would like to see one last chance for sanity to prevail.
This primary system is so inherently screwed up that ‘we the common people’ should get one last chance.
And if the GOP performs as expected, at least I can forevermore tell them to “go to Hades” with a clear conscience.
LegendHasIt on February 7, 2008 at 2:26 AM
Tom Brady lost on Sunday and no one is asking him to quit football. Mitt should stay in and keep up the debate….his message is good and great.
Plus McCain is going to need the practice debating to be battle ready, as it looks like he might be headed into a slaughter in November.
sheryl on February 7, 2008 at 2:39 AM
The real question is, who cares?
In this election, DEMs will not cross over to McCain, regardless of VP choice.
Conservatives won’t care either, since McCain is the one with the veto and the pen, not the VP and McCain has already promised to preserve McCain Feingold and sign amnesty.
McCain lovers will vote McCain if he had a mongoose for VP.
If McCain changes his positions at CPAC to please conservatives, there is no reason to trust him, since he has already proven be a snake in the grass
back stabbing liar
If a liar promises he will stop lying if we elect him, shall we trust him?
entagor on February 7, 2008 at 2:45 AM
I would love to see brokered conventions on both sides. Then afterwards, maybe the mess that the primary season has become can be fixed. Somehow, my copy of the constitution omits the part about political parties and election primaries …..
gstrickler on February 7, 2008 at 3:00 AM
after a bleak day and the thought of McCain as our candidate going into the general, this offically cheered me up. It’s great.
Romney Rap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1P0WBlVAIA
sheryl on February 7, 2008 at 3:18 AM
The only chance Mitt Romney will ever have is this year. He will still be a Mormon four years from now, which kills him in the South, and he already has $50,000,000. in the game this year, and would have to start all over again money wise four years from now. He started running for the right reasons, to help the country, McCain will absolutely lose in the General anyway, so for himself, I think he should take his shot now.
kflynn on February 7, 2008 at 3:50 AM
No, we do not. That was a two man race, always had been, and Ford was an incumbent. Reagan continued to campaign until the convention because he still had a very realistic chance of getting the nomination, not because he was trying to split his own party. He tried to united the party by announcing that he would run with a moderate - Reagan was idealistic, he wasn’t an ideologue.
Priscilla on February 7, 2008 at 7:38 AM
The only way your analysis works is if you think that the liberal fossil is the right choice to begin with! HE ISN’T and that just isn’t emotion talking. John McCain’s delegates are being racked up in places like California where the GOP doesn’t have a chance to win in the general. McCain isn’t getting any real support from Southern conservatives (and I know you hate the fact that Allah) which still has influence and is going to be important if Obama becomes the Democrat nominee.
The party of Lincoln and Reagan has been hijacked by the DNC and the McCain/Guilani faction of useful idiots who think the key to success against the Democrats is to be just like them and screw over the social conservatives. By staying in, Romney doesn’t hand the GOP nomination to a man clearly unfit for office.
highhopes on February 7, 2008 at 7:57 AM
What they deserve is a Republican candidate for President.
With McCain they get a guy the other party actually considered for THEIR VP slot. McCain only represents McCain and Ted Kennedy. Screw McCain. You RINOs just don’t get it: you can’t do it without us. The loons are the ones knowingly ready to destroy the party by supporting McShamnesty. Good luck to you…I just don’t think it will work out for you “loons”.
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 8:04 AM
I’m supporting Romney until the very end. If any of you can honestly look at Juan McShame and say he is our next president (without choking), then you’re seeing something I’m not. I would never forgive myself for not sticking with Romney all the way.
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on February 7, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Very Reaganesque, in a 1976 kind of way.
Gartrip on February 7, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Oh, sweeeet.
Geronimo on February 7, 2008 at 8:43 AM
ahhh, but therein lies the rub…
Priscilla on February 7, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Absolutely not. Rain hell on their plans, Mitt.
Spanglemaker on February 7, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Why, Allah? Why? Because McCain doesn’t deserve a waltz to the convention. He has to feel our wrath at being kicked in the teeth continually. That’s WHY!
Troy Rasmussen on February 7, 2008 at 9:04 AM
One can only HOPE!
Ex-tex on February 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM
You really know how to ruin a morning don’t you? Telling me that Huckabee is looking at 2012. Let’s hope that even the GOP establishment has more sense than that.
jeanie on February 7, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Doesn’t surprise me, Mitt is not a team player. This is the time to come together, swallow your pride, support McCain and power him through over the real liberals Hillary and Obama.
But then Mitt has “his” team…and it doesn’t include the Republican party, and the bozo’s who have supported him are his stepping stones.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 10:00 AM
What the hell are you talking about? The “bozo’s” who have supported Mitt represent the conservative wing of the Republican party.
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Not necessarily. Many of them now support Mitt as the “anyone but McCain” candidate. They waited on Fred forever, flirted on to Rudy and pretty much ignored Mitt.
Now, all of a sudden, those of us who actually want to see a non-socialist candidate win are being told that Mitt Romney is the new Reagan, that 2008 is 1976 redux, that Mitt has been the conservative standard bearer all along.
Psssh. I like Mitt better than McCain, but it just ain’t happening this time around. And the country could do worse than John McCain. Two names
come to mind right away……
Priscilla on February 7, 2008 at 10:20 AM
What the heck is King Koopa?
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Mitt got the conservative vote in the primaries. That’s just a fact.
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Let me get this right. We are supposed to rally around the liberal fossil for the sake of unity? Where was that “unity” when the fossil set up the gang of 14 to torpedo the administration? Where was that “unity” when the fossil waged his very public vendetta against Rumsfeld because AZ wasn’t getting a big enough slice of the DOD budget? Where was that “unity” after McCain failed to capture the nomination in 2000?
It’s all very good to tell us to shut up and support the fossil but, unfortunately for you, some of us thinks that unity should be a two-way street. McCain has repeatedly bolted from the party to hang out with Teddy Kennedy, Russ Feingold and other low lifes. I intend to show him all the “unity” he showed me for the past eight years.
highhopes on February 7, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Not only that, but we are just supposed to accept a nominee chosen by a bunch of blue states that we have zero chance of winning in November! That is insane! Can’t we at least wait for the rest of the South to vote?
I think Romney and Huckabee should stay in until some more actual Republican states have had a chance to vote. So far, McCain is not winning many of those states. The only way McCain is going to get any kind of message is if the process continues and he sees how many actual Republicans will not vote for him.
rockmom on February 7, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I can’t think of one thing that McCain could say or do at CPAC that could cause me to believe anything he says or promises. McCain-Kennedy was the final straw last summer, and I’ve gone rabidly against him ever since. He may support the war on terror, but that means bukkus if his boarder+amnesty joke of a bill is passed. I started seeing red with the mere mention of his name. I’m supporting Romney as the anti-McCain solution, and actually believe, given his background, he could be quite good for our economic health. Not sure what I will do with my vote if McCain wins the nod.
At this point, I’m looking toward the 2012 election cycle. We are gravely lacking in serious, energetic, intelligent conservative leadership, and it is time we started planning ahead to find and support appropriate up and coming ‘newbies’ on the scenes, who can in the future provide us with what is needed to help clean up the mess of an economy that will be left after the next four years if any of the front-runners - Obama, Clinton, McCain - are elected as president. Some seriously intelligent and conservatively principled leader will be required to dig us out of the pit on the horizon, I fear.
WraithRat on February 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
That attitude, and the attitudes of many others on this thread and elsewhere is exactly why the party is turning to crap.
The “leaders” of the GOP are completely spineless, and think the only way they can win is by becoming moderate.
So while you clowns think settling for an abomination like McCain is fine because the alternative is worse, the GOP is actually becoming the alternative.
That was the RNCs only campaign talking point in 2006, “Well you don’t want Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid in charge, do you?” Guess what, they lost anyway. Just like Bush felt the need to put compassionate in front of conservative, McCain feels the need to put common-sense in front of conservative. The flags should be go up at that point. Why does conservative need a prefix, George? Why, John? Common-sense conservative? So, real conservatives don’t have common sense? Must be a nuance thing.
That’s just great. The new GOP - Hey we’re (almost) better than the alternative!
Pathetic.
reaganaut on February 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Cut off your nose to spite your face, is the old saying.
I don’t like McCain anymore then you do, and choices in life are not always between two good choices.
We never had what any of us wanted, a true conservative, so we got the high-bred.
That’s like flying a plane overseas, you get halfway there with a half of tank, so you turn around so you can make it home. Just keep going,you can make it. You (generic you) are exaggerating (fed by the news) of McCain’s liberal stance. Rush is wrong on this, and so is Ann, and others. With Mitt as the candidate, we would have lost anyway, looks what he is doing now, he should drop out and support the cause, and set himself up in 4 years…assuming he still believes he is an “born again conservative”.
Not to long ago, most of us were praising Lieberman, well where was he the other night? Next to McCain, McCain wasn’t my choice…but I will tell you one thing for sure, it wasn’t Hillary or Obama for sure either.
There isn’t one position that Hillary or Obama is better on then McCain, and there are a slew of better positions then Hillary or Obama.
So you are going to allow a candidate with worse credentials, win because McCain is not a conservative.
I don’t understand that thought process…
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Fine, you can call it pathetic, but Mitt was also pathetic. So where is your great conservative leader? Thompson, who flamed out, Huck who doesn’t know what is happening in the world outside of his church doors? Paul the isolationist, Hunter was the one, but no one wanted to support him.
So now, where is your great conservative hope? Who is he? It is turning to crap because you (generic you)can’t find a conservative leader. You keep electing state leaders, who move up the ladder to become national leaders. Basically the conservatives don’t have a farm team to draft from. And the Dems, don’t care who they choose, Hillary and Obama are as different as McCain and Mitt.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 11:23 AM
And who are you supporting at the local level to begin the move in 2012…can’t be any of the existing candidates. They are all losers.
Like I posted above, better start building the farm team now, or you will never win the pennant, let alone the series.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Mitt got most (a small plus percentage) of the conservative vote. But that was because he was the closet thing to a conservative, but still way off and un-electable.
We better start looking for an “unknown”, or grooming a Steele, or others for 2012.
Let them know if they tow the conservative line for these next few years, they will have total support.
None of this, “I am a conservative now” stuff like McCain is pulling now, and Mitt did for the past several months.
But to pull this off, we need the White House.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Supporting a loser, is not good strategy.
Not “all” conservatives supported Mitt. He was un-electable, you were told that for months, and it proved out. It was obvious a year ago, six months ago, six weeks ago, and last Tuesday confirmed it.
His money kept him in, a few Mitt lovers campaigned hard for him, but like Thompson, some have it some don’t…he don’t.
His losses last Tues, were extreme…and he is hoping now for some “revelation” against McCain, an act of a desperate man.
But the people who are now lumping Hillery, Obama, and McCain into the same group are now the bozo’s. The three are more different then Paul, Edwards, and Huck.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 11:38 AM
All this conjecturizing and possibilitating makes my head swim.
Waiting for it all to be over.
Doug on February 7, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Whoa. First of all, a US Senator who co-sponsors a bill with another US Senator from the opposing party - regardless of how bad you think the bill is - is not exactly “hanging out with lowlifes”. By indulging in such over the top flame-throwing, you invalidate your point of view..
And, when did McCain bolt? He apparently considered changing parties, and DECIDED NOT TO DO SO, despite having some ideological differences with the conservative wing of his own party.
McCain Derangement Syndrome is rampant here.
Priscilla on February 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I hope Mitt is aware of the disenfranchisement of 1000s of registered Repubs down here in S. Cal on Tuesday. Actually, there were Repubs up in N. Cal who also found out that their registration was mysteriously changed to NP or Independent. Some of them refused to vote on the Demo ballot, so they didn’t vote at all; others were given a provisional ballot which will probably not be counted. My son registered Repub in his Gov’t class last fall but he wasn’t on the books and was given a provisional ballot–that they said they would ‘look at it’.
Anyway, McPain won in California by only 4-5,000 votes and there were only 1,800 votes cast in California alone. Something smells like a pack of rodents.
Dear Bryan, please go to: http://www.760KFMB.com for the whole scoop so that the hotair gang will be informed of this outrage. Rick disenfranchised callers were mostly Romney voters.
Christine on February 7, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Edit: …”informed about this outrage. Rick’s…
Sorry, I’m in a hurry.
Christine on February 7, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Priscilla has a bad case of RINO-itis.
News flash: Mitt is dropping out. Happy now Priscilla?
The Demos have the WH for the next 8 years.
Christine on February 7, 2008 at 12:42 PM
And you think Mitt staying in would not have given the Dems the White House? Mitt got stomped on Tuesday, by someone that most don’t like.
Mitt is doing the right thing, support McCain, push on. McCain is worlds above Obama or Hillary…not our first (or second or third), but better then any of the Dems.
Time to stop splitting hairs, stop whining, the candidates many of us were backing, lost…now let’s get a Republican elected. That’s what Mitt is going to do.
McCain is not on the same team, same page, not even the same play book as Hillama.
right2bright on February 7, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Nah, I’m no RINO. I’ve said at least a half dozen times in my comments that I supported Mitt (after Fred dropped out), and I voted for Mitt in my state’s primary….
Not that I owe you, or any other troll, an explanation for why I will vote for McCain instead of staying home, but here it is - he will be, BY FAR, the best and most experienced candidate that will be running. And this election is too important to screw up.
So you can sit home and let the surrender monkeys win if that is what your high and mighty principles lead you to do, but I’m not going to abdicate my right to vote for the best AVAILABLE candidate because my first (or second or third) choice guy didn’t get nominated. But, by all means, you go right ahead.
Priscilla on February 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
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