Poll: Romney’s favorables now below 50% among Republicans?
posted at 6:23 pm on November 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Big caveat right off the bat: PPP is the same polling firm that predicted a Hoffman landslide in NY-23. But (a) they had Mitt’s favorables comparable with Huckabee’s earlier in the year, so it’s not like their data’s historically been screwy, and (b) this isn’t just a one-month snapshot but a trend dating back to July.
On our monthly 2012 polls, which began in April, an average of 74% of Republicans have held a favorable opinion of Palin to 66% for Huckabee and 56% for Romney.
The gap hasn’t always been that wide though. On the first three iterations of this survey, from April to June, Palin averaged a 76% favorability number to 67% for Huckabee and 63% for Romney. On the last three runs, from September to November, Palin has averaged 72% to 64% for Huckabee and just 51% for Romney.
He’s at 48 percent this month after having hit 63 percent in June, before the fade began. Even PPP doesn’t have any explanation for it. I’ll give you two possibilities. One: Huck and Palin are in the public eye these days much more than Mitt is, even if it is for the wrong reasons. Romney had better be careful that he doesn’t become an afterthought and end up being seen as a “minor candidate.” Two: With Huck and Palin natural rivals for the religious conservative vote, the perception may be building that Romney’s the RINO in the race by default. He’s always had that rep to some extent, of course, but being the odd man out among the big three only cements it. Although maybe it won’t matter: Mitt’s strategy, I assume, is to position himself as the alternative to whoever emerges from the Huckabee/Palin fracas, counting on the fact that New Hampshire will keep him alive in the early running and the “anyone but Huck/Palin” vote will put him over the top.
Speaking of the fracas, here’s video from last night’s Geraldo of Huck defending the woman of the hour. He and Palin are momentarily neck and neck among Iowa Republicans in terms of their favorables — although among Iowans generally, it’s a very different story. There’s no question, I think, whom Romney would rather face in a two-man race. Click the image to watch.
Update: Early consensus among the commenters is that Mitt’s decline, coinciding as it does with the health-care debate, is attributable mainly to RomneyCare. Probably right. No wonder he’s keeping a low profile these days.
Blowback
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Gonna be tough for Romney with a big turd around his neck.
lorien1973 on November 23, 2009 at 6:26 PM
holy cow!
moonbatkiller on November 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Romneycare.
BadgerHawk on November 23, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Politicians who impose individual health insurance mandates that bankrupt the government are not popular with the Republican base right now.
Ted Torgerson on November 23, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Three, or whatever:
Mitt’s most famous for RomneyCare, and as public, and especially Republican support for ObamaCare craters, RomneyCare becomes more and more suspect.
notropis on November 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
He could always try to Hide the Decline.
O/T:
Speaking of which they found “Hide the Decline” in actual computer code comments which refutes the attempt to claim that the phrase was taken out of context in the email.
Ace has the story
Geochelone on November 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Precisely. The social stuff is way secondary to the fiscal stuff. And Romneycare becomes more poisonous as time goes on. His pandering in the Michigan and Florida primaries doesn’t help him either.
stldave on November 23, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Mitt quit.
mike_NC9 on November 23, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Yeah.
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Perhaps someone else will emerge. If not, then Romney is the one of the 3 who can make enough headway with independents to win the general in 2012.
dedalus on November 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Mhhkkaaay….tired of the weekly/biweekly GOP polls. I wanna see Democrat polls for POTUS!
ProudPalinFan on November 23, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I have noticed this trend for the past several months but to be fair, When Rasmussen polls Romney he always shows Mitt above 70% of favorabilities with Republicans. Perhaps someone wiser than me or an expert in polling could fill me in to why there is such a wide discrepancy (20+ points) between PPP and Rasmussen with Romney but with Huckabee and Palin the two polls are pretty consistent in their findings.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
No linkey. Will fetch his site.
ProudPalinFan on November 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
It has some to do with RomneyCare, but it also has to do with Someone standing up for us Consertives
Brat4life on November 23, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Hm. Two socialized medicine advocates decline simultaneously.
Pure coincidence, I’m sure.
MadisonConservative on November 23, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Indeed, Romneycare..
In my book, his favorability rating is 0%. Call the AP and let them know.
Zippy_Slug on November 23, 2009 at 6:36 PM
In the Fox Poll (who I trust more than PPP, they have been way off in several polls), Romney is at a dismal 38% overall favorability.
Why? One word: RomneyCare
He will never be the nominee
Norwegian on November 23, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Bingo.
And because of that albatross around his neck, he’s basically forced to stay silent during this huge debate over the fundamental direction of the country, lest he draw attention to his own sins in that area.
Sorry Mitt (and Hugh), your best chance was 2008 and you couldn’t even knock of McVain or the Hucktard.
thirteen28 on November 23, 2009 at 6:36 PM
OMG, OMG, what WILL we do for a leader??? I am so tired of this scenareo! Jeez, it’s still early, we have lots of talent that may emerge, people who may make a name recognition for themselves…We can start making the hard choices after the 2010 elections…If we can’t come up with at least 5 names by then–THAT will be when we can start panicking.
Focus people–focus on 2010…
lovingmyUSA on November 23, 2009 at 6:37 PM
I don’t think it’s fair to judge PPP for predicting a Hoffman win. Polling within a single district is very unpredictable, which is why it’s hardly ever done.
And frankly, I think Romney’s approvals have to do with his lack of relevancy to the debates of the day – he had to pick between throwing himself in the healthcare debate, which would mean dredging the ghosts of Romneycare past, or staying out altogether. He’s picked the last option, and tried to make a mark by attacking Obama on the terror trials; needless to say when one thinks of candidates with strong views on foreign policy Mittens isn’t the guy who leaps to mind.
It’s probably best for him to stay on the backburner and wait until the administration passes some form of healthcare (face it, no matter how watered down it is, the administration will pass something for the sake of passing it). Then they’ll turn their full attention to creating jobs and reinvigorating the economy, which is where Romney steps in no worse for wear. Not a bad strategy at all.
Siobhan on November 23, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I don’t understand why Romney doesn’t come out and admit the failure of Romneycare…I think it would be a honest and inspiring moment–he could really get on the healthcare bandwagon and be a leading voice AGAINST it…
The public has a record of forgiving someone who admits to making a mistake.
lovingmyUSA on November 23, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Have to admit it was big of Huckabee to stick up for Sarah against Geraldo.
fourdeucer on November 23, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Romney schromney blows…………….. with the wind!
sonnyspats1 on November 23, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I hope my only choices are not Palin, Romney and Huckabee.
Mr. Joe on November 23, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Romneycare.
He gets a zero on the local poll here.
Huck is also a zero. RINOs all.
Never Again
dogsoldier on November 23, 2009 at 6:42 PM
And in the Iowa poll released today here are where the candidates stand in F among Republicans:
Huckabee: 70%
Palin 68%
Gingrich 66%
Romney 58%
COMMENT:
Even in this poll Mitt is bringing up the rear. It may be a case of the wrong candidate at the wrong time. Even a casual observer of the American political landscape knows that the GOP grassroots are fired up (tea party movement, townhall protesters, district 23)and want the GOP to be more ‘conservative’ in tone and policy. Mitt simply may not fit the bill. In 2008 he might have been ideal if McCain hadn’t run for POTUS then.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Because he’s flip-flopped too much on other stuff. Even if he does make such an admission, his primary opponents will be able to charge him with being for RomneyCare before he was against it.
thirteen28 on November 23, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Bold colors. No pastels. Question boldly.
And dammit, could we please all vote on the same damn day~screw Iowa, New Hampshire~MY VOTE SHOULD COUNT TOO!
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
terryannonline on November 23, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Makes my point, techno…..
GINGRICH 66%~do we really want these asshat yahoos choosing our next candidate?
They chose Huckprah last time.
Never again.
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssss !!!!!!!!!
darwin on November 23, 2009 at 6:46 PM
The Democrats have done a wondrous job connecting health care in Massachusetts with Obamacare. They have been able to kill two birds with one stone. They have been able to make their health care plan look less outrageous to some people and they have also turned the base against Romney who is the GOP’s best candidate for 2012. I want to see all of the top contenders for 2012 with very high favorables. We need to stick together if we’re going to have any chance to knock out the Dems in 2010 and 2012.
Also, we can’t count on the economy being in the tank in 2012 because we need to show we are more than just “not Obama”.
dnlchisholm on November 23, 2009 at 6:46 PM
You know what’s really sad? Even with Romneycare and the fact that simply can’t trust his stated policy positions, I’d still take him over Huck in a heartbeat.
As awesome as 2010 is going to be, I think 2012 is going to blow.
BadgerHawk on November 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Yes!! We have a long road ahead – let’s not start knocking off candidates so soon.
LASue on November 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I like Palin, but I also like Romney to an extent. Too bad McCain ran last year …
darwin on November 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
You can cite Romneycare as a reason but quite simply I think it may also have something to do with Palin and Huckabee using up all the oxygen in the room in the last month or two, and the most recent polls across the board tend to prove this. It’s the nature of politics-when someone goes up in the polls, invariably someone declines in the polls.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Whatever takes the media out of the decision-making process is fine with me. Otherwise, we’ll end up with Rockin’ Romney.
kingsjester on November 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Katie Couric is a whore.
http://dlisted.com/node/34957
Apologetic California on November 23, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Yep. They chose McCain and Huckprah helped him win. No. Hell. No.
Pass the popcorn, King!
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:49 PM
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Here ’tis. New blog at the other place Saturday. Check it out.
kingsjester on November 23, 2009 at 6:50 PM
a. Would Romney veto the health care bill?
b. If he said yes, would you believe him?
ElectricPhase on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Why would they want to do that?
RomneyCare is awful … any government social program like that sucks the life breath right out of people and their pockets.
Must be crazies in Mass … just like the nuts in Minnesota.
Can we lobby to forcibly remove Minnesota from the union? Massachusetts?
darwin on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
It’s not just Romneycare, although that is a big bag of sand that he has to carry around. Where has he been lately? There was a dearth of GOP leadership until Sarah stepped in with both feet. I don’t know much about Huck but at least he’s out there talking. Romney has become irrelevant, and that isn’t what the GOP base is looking for right now.
We see every day what happens when someone that doesn’t have political instincts to guide them gets challenged by an office that is to big for them. Why would conservatives vote for such an occurence from their own party?
For my money, Romney would be a better SecTreas or ChairFed than a President, at least right now.
johnny alpha on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Will do.
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Romney literally can’t go on television until the health care debate is over without it drawing attention to Romneycare. As bad as that is, I’d wager that most Americans have no idea what it is or how its affected health care prices in Massachusetts. He has to stay quiet right now, and he knows it.
BadgerHawk on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
As opposed to a one-man-one-woman race?
It doesn’t behoove any Republican who wants to win the conservative vote to bash Sarah Palin right now. She has stolen the spotlight for awhile, although she is, at this point, more of a kingmaker than a “queen”. It’s better to listen to Sarah and the Tea-Partiers and the townhall crowds, and try to capture their energy, which will win the next election.
It’s the economy, stupid, and Romney could capture that energy if he plays his cards right. Although he, unlike Palin or Huckabee, tried a state health-care plan as Governor, which isn’t too popular these days…
Steve Z on November 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Debbie Douchebag Wasserman stopped by the polling place in Pompano Beach in 2000 . I was standing in line waiting to vote for W. When I saw her I thought if she wins her election then anyone could win an election. So now she calls SP a ‘train wreck!?’ Ha Ha Ha Ha I think she was a school teacher or a lawyer you know the equivelent of a spill in isle 7!
sonnyspats1 on November 23, 2009 at 6:52 PM
BWAHAA HAAA HAAA HAAA!!! You Betcha.
portlandon on November 23, 2009 at 6:52 PM
FIFY
angryed on November 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
ALBATROSS. Romneycare.
Can you imagine the irony of Romney having to sign legislation repealing Obamacare in 2013? Ain’t gonna happen, his goose is cooked.
Firefly_76 on November 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
That, ultimately, could be a bigger issue than Romneycare.
BadgerHawk on November 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Wait, that’s not a……………
never mind
It’s an “I am a RINO” badge AND a fecal sample
Janos Hunyadi on November 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
To be fair to Mitt, he was governor of Massachusetts folks. The legislature was going to vote for an abomination of a bill. Had Mitt vetoed it, they would have overwritten the veto. He was in a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation.
angryed on November 23, 2009 at 6:55 PM
dnichisholm on November 23, 2009 at 6:46 PM
That is an interesting theory and if it were true that would mean that Sarah Palin was not the only GOP contender for 2012 in the crosshairs of the Obama war room.
But I’m not buying it. If you gave Emmanuel, Axelrod and Obama truth serum they would reveal they would be absolutely elated if the 2012 contest came down to Romney and Huckabee, especially because both candidates hate each other’s guts and whichever one got the nomination could not count on the other supporting him-thus a divided GOP going into the general election and an easy victory for the Anointed One.
The only GOP contender that scares Obama and his team s**tless is Sarah Palin and if you don’t acknowledge this to be true you have been either asleep for the past 14 months of you think Rush is mistaken or lying when he says, “You know how you can tell who the Democrats are most afraid of–the one taking all the potshots and the fire. By the way Rush has been determined to right by the Sullivan group 99.3% of the time. Would you want to bet he is wrong this one time?
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 6:55 PM
I wish Chekote was here so I could rub her face in Romney’s puddle.
portlandon on November 23, 2009 at 6:55 PM
I wish Chekote was here so I could rub her face in Romney’s puddle!
portlandon on November 23, 2009 at 6:56 PM
What do Palin, Huckabee and Romney have in common?
They currently do not occupy an executive or legislative post.
Normally this would be OK, but by 2012 the voters may want a concrete example of a Governor who fought Obama policy to the benefit of his state.
Who that would be is still anyones guess.
I think it sets up for Jindal or Barbour.
jjshaka on November 23, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Of course! Palin has better hair. ;-)
Feedie on November 23, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Is it just me or are the Stars aligning for Sarah Palin?
Holger on November 23, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Jindal is not running in 2012. He has already said so.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM
AP, you, Douthat, Frum, Brooks and the rest of the “soft con” crew better start brainstorming, because once Mitt falls off, it’s all over. Nobody on earth actually believes Suckabee is going to take out Her. That’s not happening.
There are a number of reasons why those of us who favor Her don’t want Romney to face The Done in 2012. Among them are these: RomneyCare; his white maledom; his Mormonism and the questionable racial history of that religion; his connections with Big Money and his being able to be characterized as just another Wall St-type villain.
For the more sophisticated supporters of Her, we’ve always taken these things as part of the calculus; it’s part of why we favor Her over the other choices.
Romney would make an excellent VP for Her. He’s urbane, complimentary of Her, throws a charismatic bone to the women who may feel jealous of Her and he has resonance with the coasts because of his Massachusetts and venture capital connections. He fits the profile of a person you can see as president, too.
But to take down The Done, you need another historical candidate. Romney is not that, unless you think America is waiting for its first Mormon president. No matter what is said on the surface, if you give women a chance to throw the lever for the first female president, many will do so even if they will not admit it. That matters, especially against the first African-American president.
Suckabee is a non-entity. Something Brooks said about talk show hosts becoming president. He’s a mere foil at this point, just a prop.
The sooner we fall in behind Her the faster we can begin to help Her brush up on the many things she still needs to work on. Frumian delusions and some good blue blood money aside, the only way Romney beats Obama in 2012 is if The Done truly collapses and the economy is still flatlining in three years.
The good thing about Her is that she’s already been through the war zone of the Axelrodian Astroturfers. There’s pretty much no way but up. The oppo research is out. Think about the bombshells Team Obama could dig up about Romney? There’s still a lot of fertile ground there.
People will come to realize this in time. So long, that is, as She doesn’t trip herself up. I doubt she will, in any meaningful sense. She learns fast and she is nearing a point where her re-introduction will be beyond the MSM’s ability to control. It’s become so bad that Media Matters and their brethren just don’t want anyone to talk about her any more because they know they’ve lost the narrative. All in just one week.
Remember, this woman had 80% approval ratings in Alaska. If people didn’t understand why, I think the last week has helped put things into perspective. She is a force of nature, and it’s best to work with those things rather than try to shut them out to your own party’s detriment.
Paul F. Villarreal
Conservative New Media
PhoenixUniversal on November 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Better than the MSM aligning for Mccain in 08….
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Palin/Rudy 2012!
There you go that is my prediction. She has been hanging around Rudy some and talking policy with him and she will need someone who is pro-choice (I know it sucks) but Rudy unlike other more moderates is a fighter who will fight the left. It will be an all out attack on Obama. This is if Rudy wins the election in NY.
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Holger on November 23, 2009 at 6:57 PM
“God is using Sarah Palin to wake up America.”
Billy Graham’s words according to his son Franklin today.
Yes, the stars are aligning.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Mitt blew his chance.He could not mount a campaign to beat a guy carrying his own luggage 6 months earlier. It is a waste of money for him to take on Sarah.There need to be a primary but use Tpaw and some other up and comers ( no,save Jindal and Rubio for the future).Let Tpaw get some experience and see what he’s made of. Mitch Daniels could use some face time.We need a strong qualified field that could be cabinet Sec. and let Mitt run the SEC.
tim c on November 23, 2009 at 7:01 PM
romney care plus ducking while others are fighting.
rob verdi on November 23, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Ha Ha Ha Debbie Wasserman looks like a spill in isle 7! Compared to Sarah Palins looking like a ‘train wreck’ Morgan Fairchild has it all figured out too ha ha ha .
Since Sarah Palin’s book only connects with people and lacks any tenets of her policy. Yeah Morgan I can see how connecting with people might hinder ones ablility to get into an elected office.
sonnyspats1 on November 23, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Perhaps this time the rank-and-file of the GOP is serious about not giving the nomination to the “next in line” (yeah right; if McCain could get the nomination in 2008, that trend will NEVER end).
steveegg on November 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
2008 was such a weak GOP field, even weaker than 1996.
Very low turnout too, so money and organization played a huge role.
Yet, Romney got a dismal 3rd place in number of delegates, most of which came from caucus states where he spent massive $$$ per vote.
Sorry, Romney might be a good executive, but he is an awful political candidate.
Norwegian on November 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
I’m a Romney supporter. I really miss the GOP being the party of smart business types. Candidates like Huckabee and Palin have no shot of winning anywhere outside the south and plains states…Oh well.
therightwinger on November 23, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I can’t wait till Sarah Palin becomes President so we can fill all the FEMA camps with left wing wackos.
sonnyspats1 on November 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
PhoenixUniversal on November 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
As a strong Palin supporter I feel exactly like you do. But as an ex-sales rep I know that not everybody is sold on Sarah yet. I accept it. It is what it is. It will take Sarah orchestrating a huge GOP congressional victory in the 2010 midterms and perhaps taking back a house of Congress to turn many of the skeptics around.
The Billy Graham ‘blessing’ of Sarah today is a huge deal. And Sarah’s Facebook message today was inspired. I have no doubt now that Sarah is running in 2012. If Huckabee and/or Romney want to take her on, so be it.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
The Dems actually think Debbie Wasserman is “hot,” or something. Between her creepy eyes, oddly-curled hair and off-putting voice, I hope they continue to roll her out as a Palin foil. That will work wonders for conservatives. In all honesty, when I see that woman I think “not at all appealing; shrill”, so she is only going to come off as the uncool girl at school trying to pick on the Homecoming Queen. That’s a plus for Palin and us.
PhoenixUniversal on November 23, 2009 at 7:08 PM
And Governor Reagan approved a law for abortion for the mentally ill, and his “take” on it afterward was that he made a horrible mistake, and it was totally abused by the Left, and he was sick over it, and it taught him never to seek a good-faith compromise on abortion from the Left ever again at any level, and if there was any good from the tragic failure it was a stronger resolve to hold out for a ban.
Romney touted his plan as a model for national health care as late as this August.
I don’t want a President who can’t be blamed for going along with a trend.
Chris_Balsz on November 23, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Where do you get your info ? SP ran a succesful commercial fishing business with her husband. Shes been there done that and got the tattoo.
sonnyspats1 on November 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Romney hasn’t learned a thing since he lost in 2008. He’s doing the same exact thing preparing for his run in 2012: courting the big-wig donors, making speeches in front of big-wigs, and funding and campaigning for establishment-type candidates.
He’s not doing anything to connect with Main Street and grassroot voters/activists. I don’t know if he’s afraid to do so or if he thinks he doesn’t have to, but it’s a huge mistake to ignore those who will end up casting votes.
By the time he tries to cozy up to the grassroots, they’ll all be on Huck or Palin’s side. Intensity and passion matter in the primaries, and Huck’s crowd has passion and Palin’s supporters are overflowing with passion and intensity.
yogi41 on November 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM
To be fair DWS has had breast surgery. She may have been a fairly good looking woman twenty years ago.
Having said that I don’t consider her any less radical than the Marxist in the WH.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM
So…..Romney will win in the Northeast, California, and the northwest? Really?
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 7:12 PM
So…..Romney will win in the Northeast, California, and the northwest? Really?
HornetSting on November 23, 2009 at 7:12 PM
With Romney as the nominee, the GOP will lose several deep-red southern states for the first time in 40+ years.
With Huckabee as the nominee, the GOP will lose several deep-red western states for the first time in 40+ years.
Both are sure losers.
Norwegian on November 23, 2009 at 7:14 PM
yogi41 on November 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Assuming what you say about Mitt is true ‘about not learning from losing in 2008′ do you think Mitt is so dense or oblivious to reality that he thinks he can win the 2012 GOP nomination for POTUS polling way behind Palin and Huckabee in favorables among Republican members by simply buying the votes?
He is an esteemed businessman. Certainly he is not that stupid, is he?
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:15 PM
HornetSting- I certainly think he could be more competetive than Huckabee and Palin. Let’s not forget the North East voted for Republicans like Nixon,Reagan and Bush Sr.
I don’t think giving up on certain regions of the country is a particularly good idea.
therightwinger on November 23, 2009 at 7:15 PM
The GOP just needs to worry about winning RedStates back. They don’t need to worry about the north east or west coast. Virginia and Ohio are the two states that we need to focus on. If the GOP candidate can win those back the rest will take care of itself. I believe Sarah will be the nominee but think the best thing would be an outsider like Daniels getting the nomination.
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Romneycare AND a declared respect for, and adoration of Massachusetts’ gun laws.
As a former subject of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I will NEVER cast a ballot for Mitt Romney as long as I draw breath.
Bruce in NH on November 23, 2009 at 7:17 PM
RomneyHair
RedRedRice on November 23, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Romney must be hoping that the social conservatives split between Sarah and Mike so he can sweep in and steal the election with the wall street types.
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Again sticking to the theme of the thread does anybody out there have a theory why PPP and Rasmussen come up with completely different results for Mitt Romney regarding his favorabilities with Republicans?
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:18 PM
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who think the savior of the conservative movement will be a man whose last political victory was a statewide election in Massachusetts.
Bruce in NH on November 23, 2009 at 7:18 PM
nobody is going to be excited to vote Obama in 2012. The black vote won’t show up at the same rate neither will the youth. just don’t do something stupid and the gop should win.
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:19 PM
lavell on November 23, 2009 at 7:17 PM
That has been my theory on the only way Mitt could prevail–a three way contest with Mitt coming up the middle. But if he spends millions of dollars and Huck decides not to run, then it’s money down the drain. It’s a very risky strategy where he is not in control of his own destiny.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Mitt’s problem isn’t MittCare it is the fact that he is plastic.
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:20 PM
As with so many already in this post- RomneyCare…
golfer1 on November 23, 2009 at 7:21 PM
As a strong Palin supporter I feel exactly like you do. But as an ex-sales rep I know that not everybody is sold on Sarah yet. I accept it. It is what it is. It will take Sarah orchestrating a huge GOP congressional victory in the 2010 midterms and perhaps taking back a house of Congress to turn many of the skeptics around.
The Billy Graham ‘blessing’ of Sarah today is a huge deal. And Sarah’s Facebook message today was inspired. I have no doubt now that Sarah is running in 2012. If Huckabee and/or Romney want to take her on, so be it.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Right on, TP. I agree with you — people are definitely not sold on her yet. But she’s going about things in the right way, starting with the GOP base during her book tour. Which is, of course, why the libs suddenly want to become GOP strategists and tell conservatives to fall behind anyone but her. They know the deal.
Huckabee isn’t going to be a factor. The meeting with Graham will help solidify her as the “God candidate,” and that necessarily hurts Huck.
The thing about charisma candidates — and this applies to Obama, of course — is that people naturally want to like them. So, when there is a reason to be drawn to them or at least no reason to dislike them, people will tend to have favorable impressions of them.
You can see this kind of thing happening in the past week with Palin as her favorables shoot up. People want to like her, they want their attraction to her or whatever to be validated and so all she has to do is not screw it up and have people defending her back when the American Prospect crew pulls out the AK-47′s. That’s starting to happen, and the results are rolling in.
It’s not a coincidence that The Done’s numbers went sub-50 in Gallup when she came back on the scene.
The best chance to beat Obama is with Palin. At this point, the only other viable choice is Romney. Maybe Petraeus (sp?) gets in, or another dark horse candidate. But if it comes down to Romney and Palin, that’s an easy choice in my mind. She has too many natural advantages at this moment in history. And, no RomneyCare and she’s been vetted by the AstroTurfers fully.
What does she have to do between now and then? Get the favorables up (already happening), do some crash studying/working on policy issues to tackle the core issue of qualification and then hit the trail and the circuit to show everybody what you’ve learned and show off your bona fides. Help candidates in 2010 and start tapping big donors if she can.
There’s a long way to go. But she learns and adapts quickly, and she’s a rock star unlike any, including the current resident of the White House. 4,000 people at her book signing in Fort Bragg today. With no rock bands or free beers, or Jay Z concerts.
PhoenixUniversal on November 23, 2009 at 7:22 PM
To be fair as President he would be in the same situation, would he not?
I want the veto!
IowaWoman on November 23, 2009 at 7:23 PM
OT: The Messiah will announce his Afghan plan on December 1st!!
lavell12 on November 23, 2009 at 7:23 PM
It is my theory that Pawlenty or some dark horse is being currently warming up in the bullpen if Romney falters down the road.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:24 PM
To be fair DWS has had breast surgery. She may have been a fairly good looking woman twenty years ago.
Having said that I don’t consider her any less radical than the Marxist in the WH.
technopeasant on November 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Fair enough, I honestly wasn’t remarking on her figure. Just more her manner and her face/voice, I guess. Didn’t know that, though, so thanks.
PhoenixUniversal on November 23, 2009 at 7:24 PM
So Romney will “position” himself as the moderate in 2012?
Doesn’t that just feed into the previous charges of being a flip-flopper?
I mean when he ran for governor of MA, he was a “moderate”
when he ran for president in 2008, he was a “conservative”
and when/if he runs in 2012, he will be a “moderate” again??
Norwegian on November 23, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Yup, RomneyCare. It would restore his credibility some if he were to admit the mistake and scream to the rooftops about what a mistake it was. As for me, no to Romney (whom I voted for in the prmary).
kringeesmom on November 23, 2009 at 7:25 PM
There are a multitude of reasons why Romney is sinking in the polls:
1) Romneycare – There’s no getting around it. Conservatives are not gonna go with a guy who signed into law the spitting image of Obamacare(sans public option). And the fact that he won’t at least admit he screwed up on this one ain’t helping. This is also why he’s kept a low profile since June while Palin, Huckster, and Steve Perry have been out there in full force.
2) The listening tour – I know it was months ago and it didn’t last long, but I remember seeing clips of that and feeling outraged. Here was a guy who used to be a moderate, then ran to the right in the GOP primaries, and suddenly now was running back to the middle because that’s where he thought the country was at. It confirmed to me that Romney has no core conservative principles, and I know I can’t be the only one feeling that way.
3) NY-23 – Out of all the 2012 contenders, Palin led the way on this one by backing Doug Hoffman. Steve Perry followed shortly thereafter as did Huckster. Where was Romney? He decided he wasn’t gonna endorse anyone. Was it so he didn’t piss off the GOP bigwigs? Was it because he didn’t think Hoffman could win and refused to back a losing candidate? Was it because he maybe saw eye-to-eye with Scuzzy-fever on a lot of issues? Who knows? What I do know is he came off as weak and indecisive and a poor representative of conservatism.
4) The Mormon factor – Look, I don’t give a crap what your religious views are. Provided of course you’re not a radical Muslim or a Scientologist. But there’s no getting around the fact that Romney’s religion will always put him at a disadvantage with a good chunk of the electorate, both on the left and the right.
Doughboy on November 23, 2009 at 7:26 PM
What do u base that on?
terryannonline on November 23, 2009 at 7:26 PM
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