Report: Marco Rubio’s top aide pushed to move Florida primary up to benefit Romney; Update: Rubio camp denies
posted at 10:11 pm on October 13, 2011 by Allahpundit
R.S. McCain reports, you decide. Here’s a good test of Rubio’s grassroots cred: Can you employ a man who’s trying to tilt the electoral pinball machine towards Romney’s nomination and still retain pride of place as a “tea-party icon”?
GOP sources in Washington and Florida say that Rubio’s senatorial chief of staff, Cesar Conda, has been a major force in persuading Florida Republicans to move their primary to January.
“Cesar used to be with Romney’s campaign,” one informed source explained to me in an interview today, adding: “Conda used his contacts to push the primary to the 31st because they want Romney in.”…
Some have speculated that, by delivering Florida for Romney, Conda would not only help Romney lock up the 2012 presidential nomination, but also secure the 2012 vice-presidential pick for Rubio…
Reports that Rubio — or at least Rubio’s top aides – are working behind the scenes for Romney, who is seen as representing the RINO (“Republican In Name Only”) moderate wing of the party, will be a bitter disappointment for conservatives who supported Rubio’s insurgent campaign last year. Many Tea Party activists who backed Rubio against Crist in the 2010 primary are now supporting Cain, the conservative Atlanta businessman who has surged to the front of the the Republican presidential pack in the past three weeks.
Read Politico’s backgrounder from 10 days ago about the many, many staff links between the Romney and Rubio campaigns for context. If Conda’s pushing hard to give Romney a leg up, the obvious conclusion is that he’s doing so either with Rubio’s blessing or with no objection. So bright a prospect is Rubio himself — the Stephen Strasburg of the GOP, if you will — that he’s literally the only icon in the conservative firmament I can think of who might be able to get away with shilling for Romney. Christie can get away with it because most grassroots righties already suspect he’s a RINO, but Rubio is an almost mortal lock to be the nominee down the road, so he’s sacrosanct. Or is he?
Before you answer that question, two videos for you to watch. The first, a flashback, comes from Reason, the second comes from RCP. Click the second image to watch.
Update: A source close to Rubio e-mailed us to note that Florida’s primary date is chosen by committee. He emphatically denies that either Cesar Conda or Rubio himself influenced the process.
Blowback
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I’ve never understood why anyone would promote Rubio as a potential POTUS or VP. Just because Oboobi and friends bent the eligibility rules doesn’t mean it’s OK for us to do so. I remember when Ahnuld won in 03, people talking about amending the constitution so he could run in 08. Sorry, Rubio (prior to this report) and Jindal may be great conservatives, but they cannot ever have the White House.
If this report is true, then Rubio has been a very effective CINO and on my craplist – I give him till this weekend to change my mind.
AH_C on October 13, 2011 at 11:02 PM
I don’t care if the “establishment” backs Romney. People here about don’t understand how “the establishment” works. They just want to win. It’s the TEA Party’s fault they didn’t give the establishment someone they can win with. TEA Party groups should have been smarter and actually have been open to a Pawlenty or Daniels candidacy. It’s not Romney or “the establishment” fault the the TEA Partiers have been stupid about finding a candidate.
That being said, I do care if they cheat though. And Florida moving all the way up to January 31st(when they could a have picked sometime in mid-Feb without affecting the race much) was ridiculous.
ninjapirate on October 13, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Another look at Newt?
antisocial on October 13, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Rubio, please tell us this is BS. I like you, but know this… I give no quarter to RINO’s.
Alabama Infidel on October 13, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Jesus Christ. ENOUGH with the hyperbole and endless purity tests.
Maybe some Republicans are just facing reality – Romney stands the best chance of winning the nomination and, ultimately, defeating Obama. There’s no harm in making the safe bet. Especially since a lot of Republicans are playing the LONG game, and ACCURATELY realize that if you want broad conservative / Republican policies enacted, you need the White House to do it.
Vyce on October 13, 2011 at 10:47 PM
bluemarlin on October 13, 2011 at 11:06 PM
It could be Rubio, but then Cesar Conda would be motivated on his own behalf to get hit boss moved up a rung. And he is a known Romney supporter. So until something else shows up, I’m not interested in tales of guilt by association.
pedestrian on October 13, 2011 at 11:08 PM
If Romney is actively working to ruin the planned primary process(and from the looks of FL-NV-NH he is), then he deserves all the hate he is getting.
ninjapirate on October 13, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Exactly. He’s trying to take the voters’ voice away. It’s un-American.
Aslans Girl on October 13, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Perry/Gingrich is my dream team. Flip it even.
I think they just need to team up and stop the Romney express.
Dreaming I know but heck a girl can dream right?
gophergirl on October 13, 2011 at 11:09 PM
This.
Hate to break it to some of you, but politicians play politics.
entropent on October 13, 2011 at 11:11 PM
To be it’s the moving up of the primaries that is pissing me off. I mean NH could vote in December for goodness sakes.
I know dirty politics gets played but I prefer they do it where I can’t see it. Reduces the slime factor.
gophergirl on October 13, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Perry’s money and Newt’ brain = :-)
Punchenko on October 13, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Better yet, Perry’s money + Perry’s cowboy boots + Newt’s brain = :-)
Punchenko on October 13, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Who’s left in the running, then, who isn’t establishment, and isn’t a dips**t?
MadisonConservative on October 13, 2011 at 10:37 PM
When you come up with an answer please let me know.
heshtesh on October 13, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Well, they are buddies. That probably doesn’t mean much in the world of politics, but who knows?
juliesa on October 13, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Any, ANY Republican that supports Romney is dead to me.
besser tot als rot on October 13, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I had a similar thought when Andy McCarthy joined the Romney campaign in ’08, but then McCarthy wote this in June of this year:
Romney’s Religion Problem
Sharia is not about private faith, but public institutions.
Connie on October 13, 2011 at 11:14 PM
EXACTLY!
The two of them would be one hell of a team.
gophergirl on October 13, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Not sure this RINO C**cle Jerk is complete unless we include Rush Limbaugh saying, on tape, that Romney was the real “Conservative” in 2008 (two years after RomneyCare passed)…. http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/05/rush-limbaugh-endorses-mitt-romney/
Think it’s important to keep perspective while the daggers are flying. Right, Allah? Why bury the lead after all?
AYNBLAND on October 13, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I know, Right. Because who cares about principles and ideals, or how we will be governed? All that matters is that the candidate with an R after his name wins. We should get Hillary to run for us and really boost our chances of nirvana.
/
besser tot als rot on October 13, 2011 at 11:16 PM
I hope Cain cleans Romney’s clock in Florida, and NH too.
kringeesmom on October 13, 2011 at 11:16 PM
You do realize that different policy positions matter more or less at the national levels at different times, right?
besser tot als rot on October 13, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Which is why my dad, a councilman for over 30 years, said, “Don’t ever call me a politician.”
Connie on October 13, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Is Romney any different from Bloomberg?
Connie on October 13, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Sadly he was.
John McCain made a career out of backstabbing conservatives.
sharrukin on October 13, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Rubio is a conservative in the mold of Huckabee. If you want to raise taxes to pay for this, that is fine. If you want to cut spending to pay for it, that is fine as well. If you want to do something entirely different to pay for it, that is just dandy. He is fine with either the progressive path or the conservative path, and something in between is ok too. He will state his preference is for the conservative path, but then will not put much skin in the game to make that be the outcome. I never liked Rubio, everyone says he is so awesome, all I ever saw was a forked tongue snake oil salesman.
astonerii on October 13, 2011 at 11:28 PM
I didn’t know it was possible for you to go from a silly nuisance to vile.
You just crossed that line.
I don’t really care if you lie about Herman Cain, if you display the classic myopia of a primary candidate die-hard. When you start bringing in the health of a candidate’s spouse, that’s the end of it. Perry’s supporters are slime, just like the man himself. And yes, I know you switched over to Gingrich when the Texas Paper Tiger flamed out with the kind of gaffes you only wish Cain was making, but as far as I’m concerned that makes it worse. Gingrich isn’t a man known for valuing his wife either.
BKennedy on October 13, 2011 at 11:30 PM
I don’t want to become cynical, but this whole mess smells like a skunk. What the heck is going on? When Romney suggested that we vote for him or Cain, I was puzzled. Now, what is next??
mobydutch on October 13, 2011 at 11:32 PM
Totally.
balkanmom on October 13, 2011 at 11:33 PM
This nomination process is making the Republican party look feckless.
GaltBlvnAtty on October 13, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Dishonest / ignorant cretin, YOU do realize that different policy positions are UNREACHABLE if damned RINOs hold power?
rayra on October 13, 2011 at 11:42 PM
It IS feckless. The GOP leadership is corrupted with liberal-progressive BS. Rudderless and venal, nothing but grasping.
rayra on October 13, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Me neither. Too many anonymous quotes but, even then, all signs point to Conda doing this for Romney.
youngTXcon on October 13, 2011 at 11:46 PM
#1 – Rubio is not natural born so tough donuts on any future vp or presidential ambitions.
#2 – Rubio is a punk.
#3 – Mitt is a donkey.
I could concur on your sentiment, common.
greeneyedconservative on October 13, 2011 at 11:47 PM
I told you long ago….Rubio is a BUSH Republican. Not a Reagan Republican.
Rubio is a younger version of the “get along with our Democrat friends” Jeb Bush.
His speech on the Senate floor where he described Conservatism as just another political philosophy of governing, and no better than any other cured me. And DUH……this has been in the cards forever….Romney/Rubio.
Thanks Palin for bailing on a 2012 race and leaving us to have to deal with Romney. Of course I forget that MCCAIN was okay with Palin…..and she said several times that she was okay with Romney as the nominee so I guess she was no diff than Romney or Rubio….all three just the same old “politician”.
UGH to all of the politicians that lead us on. And then laugh about us at their cocktail parties.
PappyD61 on October 13, 2011 at 11:51 PM
I think we both know who is acting silly here, and it isn’t me. I cross lines all the time, BTW. I like crossing lines and asking questions — you should do it sometime, you might just learn something.
Take your comical self-righteous indignation and take it to Tucker Carlson, Kennedy.
It was the Daily Caller that mentioned her health condition and cited it as a possible reason why she is not on the campaign trail. It is legitimate to question Cain’s motives considering the presidency — for both the POTUS and FLOTUS — is a very demanding job that can take its toll. Is he really in this to win, or is health — his health and Gloria’s — a reason for him to throw it to Romney or opt for the quieter VP slot.
I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, Kennedy. I hope that your baseless accusations, mad finger pointing,and foaming-at-the-mouth fanaticism is just a symptom of the highly charged primary season and not an actual disorder that torments you day in and day out. I would hate to think that you are such a petty and clearly unhinged person year-round.
Punchenko on October 13, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Me, too!
balkanmom on October 13, 2011 at 11:55 PM
All of this is utterly disgusting. Major abuse of power to move the primaries up to favor one candidate over another. Sickening.
balkanmom on October 14, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Let’s see ….
A story from a McCain that is a known progressive and a bit of a liar when it comes to making any statement regarding the tea party – this babe even pretended that the Tea Party is racist!
Of course, backing up this liar is another fraud in Politico. They are stooges that make up lie after lie to confuse and distort the truth about Republicans in general and the Tea Party in particular.
So now I got this hotair story that somehow poses that a fellow that has repeatedly stated he will not be ANYONE’S VP NO MATTER WHAT at least 12 times on national TV is a liar and really wants some particular candidate and to be the VP.
Looks like it is all BS and lies!
Freddy on October 14, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Really? Are you kidding me? When he was getting beaten roundly in polls by Crist, it was the so called “right wingers” who helped pull him out. It was the Team Partier’s nationwide who pulled for him. Come on. We shall see when he is up for reelection. You will see him begging the conservatives again. Independents helping his candidacy. B.S.
antisocial on October 14, 2011 at 12:04 AM
maybe. I will wait and see if he comes out with a statement on this. Moreover let us see who he endorses this season.
antisocial on October 14, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Oh Fredo.
ronsfi on October 14, 2011 at 12:06 AM
There are no eligibility conflicts with Jindal or Rubio. Both are US born citizens and by definition meet the requirements.
spinach.chin on October 14, 2011 at 12:10 AM
Actually, it’s making the GOP look like a totalitarian regime.
Connie on October 14, 2011 at 12:14 AM
There are a few out there who contend if your parents are not U.S. Citizens when you are born, you are not a natural born citizen even if born in the United States. That is true if your parents are say…ambassadors to some foreign state, but not true if they are residents of the United States.
Mr. Joe on October 14, 2011 at 12:15 AM
What bothers me is Rubio saying he does not want the Veep slot but (possibly) working behind the scenes to get it with Romney. I suspect any nominee would love having Marco as his wing man. So why push up the Florida primary?
Mr. Joe on October 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Has Rubio always been a member of the Politburo or is this a new development?
Punchenko on October 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM
That, too.
GaltBlvnAtty on October 14, 2011 at 12:19 AM
If you provide the vital boost to a candidates campaign that hands him the nomination you are more likely to get consideration for the VP slot and help win Florida. What can Christie bring to the table in comparison to Rubio?
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 12:19 AM
A bitter pill? Not so fast.
Romney is a financial genius, and a tremendous administrator.
Romney will put Washington’s financial house in order.
Romney will repeal Obama Care.
Romney will restore economic freedom.
That is enough to keep any president busy for the next four years.
I defy anyone to show how Romney would govern differently from the most conservative candidates.
I am much more conservative than Romney. He has said and done things I wish he had not said or done. It is what it is. Romney is hands down the most qualified man for the job.
Once he has been in office for four years all they Romney detractors will be singing a different tune.
The Rock on October 14, 2011 at 12:31 AM
He has always been a stooge of the Bush family but unearthing Charlie Crist was more important.
promachus on October 14, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Marco Rubio’s top aide pushed to move Florida primary up to benefit
RomneyCainDollayo on October 14, 2011 at 12:38 AM
For what it is worth I sent an email. Folks in Florida, especially those who contributed, should also let him know what they think.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 12:38 AM
Rubio has always been guaranteed consideration by Romney/Cain/Perry, and everyone knows it. One gift for which he is highly regarded is his political savvy, which is another reason why such a desperate move for personal gain makes no sense. It is out of character. Not only that, but (returning to my first point) why take the risk?
youngTXcon on October 14, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Because Cain might have more to offer depending on where this goes.
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 12:46 AM
Cain might have more to offer Romney? Why? If you’re a strategist, what does he bring to the ticket as opposed to Rubio?
youngTXcon on October 14, 2011 at 12:55 AM
His supporters.
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 12:58 AM
Either of them bring conservative support. Besides, Romney treats his rivals like they have a chance of being VP only to toss them aside once they are no longer needed. He did it again with Bachmann during this last debate. Rubio, on the other hand, has nothing to prove to Romney.
youngTXcon on October 14, 2011 at 1:10 AM
Not if he continues to appease sharia activists.
Connie on October 14, 2011 at 1:10 AM
He does if he wants to be president and the VP slot would make that a lot more likely.
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 1:18 AM
If cheating to move up all of these primaries are the qualifications you are looking for than he is most definitely the man for the job.
Romney is a central planner who has changed his mind on every single issue, yet claims to stand on his principles. He’s Arnold with a better accent.
kringeesmom on October 14, 2011 at 1:23 AM
Just how STUPID is it to find a nefarious conspiracy in Florida doing the exact same thing they did in 2008?
The Rubio aide accused may or may not have the motives being ascribed to him. The article never says Rubio had any knowledge of the effort, or exactly what was entailed in it.
“Freddy” above seems to think R.S. McCain is the Senator. That’s a whole new class of stupid, especially since the website linked is “The Other McCain” . . .
But, hey – why let facts mess up a good circular firing squad?
Adjoran on October 14, 2011 at 1:24 AM
He’s long been mentioned as a possible VP- including by Romney- and has done everything right, politically speaking. (If we’re taking a cynical approach as to why he’s been such an outspoken conservative.) Conda securing Florida on Rubio’s behalf only jeopardizes the support of conservative activists, not to mention Rubio’s career in the Senate. It’s not worth the risk. I find it much more likely that Conda used his position to deliver Florida to Romney- if there’s anything to this, that is.
youngTXcon on October 14, 2011 at 1:41 AM
Marco Rubio is NOT eligible to be president or vice president of the United States. Read the “natural born citizen” section of the “Law of Nations” (1758) by Emmerich DeVattel which is where our Founders got the term “natural born citizen” that they used in the Constitution (1789). To my knowledge that term can NOT be found anywhere prior to it’s use in the Constitution except for it’s use in the “Law of Nations.” And there IS the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Minor vs Happersett (1874) that supports the DeVattel definition used in “Law of Nations.” So, Rubio is NOT eligible. Jindal is NOT eligible. And yes, that fella currently occupying the oval office in D.C. is NOT eligible either. His father was a British Subject at the time of Obama’s birth. NO need for a “birth certificate” debate on his eligibility, the birth certificate is a non-issue. Do your homework people. Obama was allowed to skate through and you see what its done. We can NOT allow anyone else to violate the law just because we happen to agree with their policies and viewpoints.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Citizenship status is determined by the Constitution and has test cases on record. “Natural Born” determination, both parents were U.S citizens at the time of the candidate’s birth and the person in question was born on U.S. soil (which includes embassies and military bases)- (14th Amendment, U.S. vs. Wong Ken Ark, Minor vs. Happersett, Perkins vs. Elg,). “Native born” citizen is one born on U.S. soil (14th Amendment and Wong case). “Citizen by statute” is a person born to at least one U.S. citizen parent, born on U.S. soil and/or “naturalized” (14th Amendment, Wong and Perkins). Based on the above being correct, neither Soetoro or Rubio are eligible to run or be elected President of the United States. Only a “natural born” citizen is said to meet the qualifications in addition to being at least 35-years-old. The only way Congress can change existing law and be in Constitutional compliance is by amending the Constitution by the required and established means already set forth.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 1:44 AM
SCOTUS precedent of Minor v. Happersett (which has NEVER been overruled) defines natural born Citizen: “The Constitution does not in words say who shall be natural-born citizens. Resort must be had elsewhere to ascertain that. At common law, with the nomenclature of which the framers of the Constitution were familiar, it was never doubted that all children born in a country of parents who were its citizens became themselves, upon their birth, citizens also. These were natives or natural-born citizens, as distinguished from aliens or foreigners.”
Pretty straightforward, unless one has a problem with the meaning of “is”. Nikki Haley, if born of non citizens, is certainly not natural born. Bobby Jindal, born of Indian non US Citizens in the US is certainly not natural born. Marco Rubio, who’s parents were in the US for 12 years before they naturalized in 1975, 4 years after Marco’s birth, is certainly NOT natural born. Now if they were REAL patriots, they could set the issue on it’s head very simply, w/o even mentioning Obama by name. They could simply say that they cannot serve, since the are not natural born, by virtue of their parent’s non Citizenship at the time they were born. But that’s what they would do if they were REAL patriots, so apparently they are not.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 1:45 AM
Romneycare. Consider yourself defied.
The burden of proof isn’t on conservative detractors, it’s on Romney supporters to explain how this gelatinous loser who couldn’t even make eye contact with John McCain and Mike Huckabee in a debate will somehow match nerve and wits with Obama’s billion-dollar crew of character assassins. He couldn’t identify a leftist if he stepped on one.
rrpjr on October 14, 2011 at 1:52 AM
If that is true, I am sure Rubio will distance himself from his “advisor” and issue a statement that he had nothing to do with this.
promachus on October 14, 2011 at 1:57 AM
How the he** is Romney taking people’s voters voice away?
I don’t get it. People will vote. They’re just changing the date of when people vote.
Remember…primary dates were never initially set in stone. Now the times when primary voting is held is more about tradition and less about the actual election itself.
Conservative Samizdat on October 14, 2011 at 2:02 AM
I’m with you, Inky.
greeneyedconservative on October 14, 2011 at 2:10 AM
Obama is gonna win so easily it is gonna be sad. Everyone is gonna be too stubborn to vote for someone who doesn’t live up to all their conservative principles.
So the question is, how conservative are you people really? You are about to allow a Marxist to continue to run the country. So basically you all are part of the destruction of this country.
The Notorious G.O.P on October 14, 2011 at 2:10 AM
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 1:45 AM
I’m with you, Inky.
greeneyedconservative on October 14, 2011 at 2:10 AM
Go away birthers!
annoyinglittletwerp on October 14, 2011 at 2:14 AM
Your argument boils down to ‘just let us keep spending the money‘. The GOP promises to only spend 1.2 trillion more than we have while those bad Democrats will spend 1.4 trillion more than we have so you can how much badder the Democrats are, right?
And being unimpressed with that logic calls the skeptics conservatism into question?
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 2:23 AM
Your argument boils down to ‘just let us keep spending the money‘. The GOP promises to only spend 1.2 trillion more than we have while those bad Democrats will spend 1.4 trillion more than we have so you can how much badder the Democrats are, right?
And being unimpressed with that logic calls the skeptics conservatism into question?
sharrukin on October 14, 2011 at 2:23 AM
I knew there was a reason i kept identifying myself as very conservative on Patrick’s monthley polls.
heshtesh on October 14, 2011 at 2:34 AM
monthley=monthly
heshtesh on October 14, 2011 at 2:35 AM
You go away racist and denier.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 4:39 AM
What I really should’ve said was that it is taking away the voters’ chance at an informed vote. By shortening the period this much, a lot of time is taken away — time to get to know the candidates better. We’re junkies, but the average voter doesn’t have any clue as to how soon they are supposed to start paying attention this cycle because they’ve probably not even heard that the first vote might be 12/6/11! “Tradition” means that they don’t think they have to pay attention until January, now it’s all on its ear. They’re going to eventually find out and have mere days to decide who to vote for? They’ll be uniformed. Mitt might really succeed because of name recognition and $$$$$$$$$ to buy ads, etc. People might just say, “Oh, I know his name, I’ll go for him.” Ugh.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on October 14, 2011 at 4:40 AM
Three main leftist swear words – racist, denier and birther. And they use them over and over and over again. Not a creative bunch at all.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 4:41 AM
What? Does our Constitution bother you that much? Call us birthers if that gives you a little faux superior dance thrill, but personally, I prefer Constitutionalists.
greeneyedconservative on October 14, 2011 at 5:16 AM
The primary system is broken, but it’s not likely to be fixed by individual states jockeying for first position. Iowa and New Hampshire should only mean squat to Iowans and New Hampshirers (?…whatever). Every state should have a choice and not end up like so many of us in 2008; stuck with a stinking pile of loser McCain…or Romney.
Extrafishy on October 14, 2011 at 5:35 AM
even if we were to assume you are correct about the original definition, it doesn’t matter because of a little thing called precedent. regardless of whether this concept offends IBBB’s “we should take the high road!” sensibilities, it’s how the sausage is made in politics. If you cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
ReformedAndDangerous on October 14, 2011 at 5:52 AM
Do I really need to tell you?
Notorious GOP on October 14, 2011 at 6:00 AM
That’s just stupid. Then why bother having a Constitution at all? And it’s not politics, it’s the law of the land. Unless you agree with GWB that “it’s just a g*ddamn piece of paper,” that is.
greeneyedconservative on October 14, 2011 at 6:13 AM
Even if this is all true, by the time Rubio is ready for prime time as a Presidential candidate, no one is going to care about moving a Florida primary up way back in 2012.
frode on October 14, 2011 at 6:18 AM
Rubio now off “my list”. Creep.
If their candidate is so great, how come he can’t win by playing by the rules?
I do like Cain’s VP names he mentioned: Paul Ryan and Jim DeMint.
I’m mostly leaning towards Newt though. We need someone that can clean the cesspool as quickly as possible = Newt knows his way around.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT !!!! FOCUS …
stenwin77 on October 14, 2011 at 6:49 AM
It’s up to the individual how much of Slobama’s (Romney’s) BS one believes, but the thought of his potential SCOTUS picks gives me the shivers. I sense Cain will appoint strict constructionists…at least I’m cautiously optimistic. Newt is brilliant and needs to be listened to. I’m just not for him as President for my own reasons.
SKYFOX on October 14, 2011 at 7:16 AM
It won’t make much difference. If Mittens pulls a fast one to get the nomination, he will be able to count on about three votes; his own, his wife’s and maybe Marco Rubio’s.
If Romney steals the nomination, the GOP is cooked.
Mr. Grump on October 14, 2011 at 7:18 AM
Time for the Braveheart Betrayal scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMQAnhIzGbA
Barrack on October 14, 2011 at 7:18 AM
None of you need to blame Palin for this Dog’s Breakfast of a Republican Primary.
She got kneecapped by the Romneybot/Bushtard GOP that has spent the last two decades driving the Reagan Coalition straight into the ground, and was condemned because she dared to want to rebuild it.
Fortunately for her, while the Republican Party seems intent on nominating Greg Marmalarde, and losing, to Barack Obama, she’ll be working downballot to elect conservatives to Congress and the Senate.
Not that the Republican Party cares about conservatism. There hasn’t been a conservative running the show up there since Reagan left town.
victor82 on October 14, 2011 at 7:38 AM
(rolleyes)
Cuomo won in a landslide with over 60% of the vote. My decision to vote for a third-party candidate to try and get the Libertarian Party up to 50,000 to secure ballot access and recognized party status didn’t come close to having an effect. I want my vote to matter, thank you.
I honestly can’t wait for the caterwauling and lamentations around here when Romney wins the nomination. I agree with what was said earlier, the tea party has gotten extremely lame since it was hijacked by social conservatives. I find myself drifting farther and farther from caring about the Tea Party because as a group, it refuses to introduce even the slightest shred of pragmatism. For years I have been saying that the GOP has been dominated by pragmatism and needed more idealism. Pragmatism without idealism is lame. But idealism without pragmatism is blind.
And for the record, good on Cuomo for believing in equal rights.
Red Cloud on October 14, 2011 at 7:40 AM
These excalating primaries are all designed to benefit Mitt Romney. The establishment GOP is telling conservatives, right libertarians, tea-partiers that your input really isn’t requested.
They must want a 3rd party challenge.
SAMinVA on October 14, 2011 at 8:02 AM
Big drop in personal morality from GWB to Newt. If I was a Democrat Newt would be my guy (since Democrats have no moral compass and believe morality has no place in politics). And a Newt-Rubio ticket would crush O’Bozo and The Clown … it’s awfully tempting.
Jaibones on October 14, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Wow a hack job.
Can someone point out where this was specifically done to “help Romney win???”
I can see 20 other benefits to the Rep party and Florida politics for a meaningful state to jump in early – yet – I see zero correlation between this and the direct result… to get Romney to win.
What I do hear and see is the Establishment freaking out over this nonsense. This is an assault on the Tea Party – by putting out these “undisclosed sources” (which btw – is the supposed “smoking gun”) it hits Rubio by proxy through lessoning the Tea Party support of someone. If you cant get an enemy on your side – get them to hate other enemies more.
Trust me – knocking down the Tea Party – a group the establishment Reps have zero control and influence over – is priority #1.
And the folks here are licking it up.
Odie1941 on October 14, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Republican voters aren’t intelligent enough to know what’s good for them so we’ll rig the system so we make the choice. Eat your Peas Establishment Republicans
If Cain or Newt can do well in Iowa I will personally drive to SC and knock on doors
ldbgcoleman on October 14, 2011 at 9:05 AM
The double standard here is breathtaking- Romney is in it to win. Isn’t that what wenwant- someone whomwill do whatever it takes to win. Dole was a gentleman- how’d that work out
drballard on October 14, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Oh, yay. Here come the birthers with their nonsensical and sometimes downright dishonest readings of the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions!! Just what will win us election 2012!!
AngusMc on October 14, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Why? Both are about as captivating as a 5 lb. bag of fertilizer. Pawlenty drank the global warming Kool Aid and shoved a version of cap and trade down the throat of his state. It wasn’t forced on him; he led the charge.
Mitch Daniels is on record also as being a believer in the hoax known as global warming. Plus, he also supports a European-style VAT. He publicly expressed his admiration for his state’s fleebaggers, Democrats who fled to Illinois. Plus, he also told conservatives they need to go sit in the back of the bus in the 2012 election. Typical of Cocktail Party Republicans, of which both Pawlenty and Daniels are.
Especially Daniels. Tells me to shut up and go sit in the back of the bus but then wants my vote? Screw him.
pdigaudio on October 14, 2011 at 9:14 AM
greeneyedconservative on October 14, 2011 at 5:16 AM
I’m actually a JINDAL person. Jindal-like Rubio-is
the son of LEGAL immigrants. That they weren’t citizens @ the time of his birth is irrelevant. They were here LEGALLY.
Bobby Jindal WILL be president someday-regardless of your birther wet dreams.
annoyinglittletwerp on October 14, 2011 at 9:15 AM
You go away racist and denier.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on October 14, 2011 at 4:39 AM
So because I think that Jindal will-and SHOULD-be president someday I’m a racist?
Not ^&*(%$# likely.
annoyinglittletwerp on October 14, 2011 at 9:20 AM
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