Gingrich wins Florida Tea Party Straw Poll as FL polls tighten

[disneydude]

That's the spirit

Just keep your emotional side especially in check and not prone to outbursts of anger.

Why do you think the Republican powers are freaking out about a possible Gingrich nomination? They know that Gingrich would be a disaster for the party, he would lose in a landslide and probably bring a number of Congress down with him as well. They are falling over themselves to prevent Gingrich from getting the nod.....I'm hoping and praying that the people of the GOP stand up to the Republican establishment and don't allow them to push a candidate like Romney on them.

 

[Calminian]

You couldn't be more wrong. We are hoping for Gingrich or anyone other than Romney. It is the Republican "elite" that are pushing Romney.

I don't know WHO you guys are talking about.....every Democrat/Liberal out there that I know are rooting for Gingrich....he would be much easier to beat in the GE than Romney. Gingrich won't appeal to anyone other than the fringe of the GOP. He will alienate Independents and moderates and give Obama a landslide victory. While I'm certain that Obama will beat Romney as well, Romney will definitely be a stronger opponent, which is why we are praying for Newt to take him out for us.

If there were true, they wonldn't be doing it so publicly giving away their strategy. Liberals are scared to death of Gingrich.

 

[Calminian]

Why do you think the Republican powers are freaking out about a possible Gingrich nomination? They know that Gingrich would be a disaster for the party, he would lose in a landslide and probably bring a number of Congress down with him as well. They are falling over themselves to prevent Gingrich from getting the nod.....I'm hoping and praying that the people of the GOP stand up to the Republican establishment and don't allow them to push a candidate like Romney on them.

Depends on who you ask. I'm falling all over myself to prevent Romney from getting the nod.

 

[Anagram]

I'm not sure where some people are getting that the liberals want Romney over Gingrich. If it is some massive conspiracy to get Romney nominated then it is ridiculously well run, because I've never seen any Democrat break ranks saying that he'd prefer Romney over Newt. I especially love how they're wasting money attacking Romney in Florida (source) to make it seem more convincing. Of course, all Democrats know that it is much easier to defeat a moderate with ties to multiple swing states that is popular with independents, than it is to defeat a candidate who has neither independent support, nor the support of his own party's establishment, and is disliked by 50-60% of the population. Nice try Dems, but I saw through it.

But seriously, Romney is a much better candidate to run if you want to win. If you'd rather vote for ideology over party, that's fine and I completely respect that. Just don't expect to win in November.

 

[disneydude]

If there were true, they wonldn't be doing it so publicly giving away their strategy. Liberals are scared to death of Gingrich.

LOL....which Liberals are "publicly giving away their strategy"? Are you talking about boards like this?.....puh-lease.....I don't know a liberal out there who is scared of Gingrich in the slightest...the ones scared of him are the Republicans that see any shot of winning back the Presidency and retaining the house, slipping through their hands.

 

[ric27]

I'm hoping and praying that the people of the GOP stand up to the Republican establishment and don't allow them to push a candidate like Romney on them.

The establishment has been known to track chickens across continents for revenge...be careful and stay safe

 

[disneydude]

Depends on who you ask. I'm falling all over myself to prevent Romney from getting the nod.

Yes....exactly. Liberals and the right-wing are united in wanting Gingrich to get the nomination.....for different reasons. I think a lot of right-wingers know that Gingrich will get killed, but would rather lose wih a candidate that they think supports their causes...then lose with one that they see as a RINO. Liberals want Newt because it virtually ensures a second Obama term. The only ones who want Romney are the power players in the GOP that think that with Romney, they at lease have a shot, and probably would keep the house.

 

[upsideguy]

I'm not sure that the Florida primary is going to be driven by the Tea Party. There are way to many liberal retirees from the NE that have migrated to Florida and think that because they aren't socialists or communists they are Republicans. Which, back home, they would be....kind of Like Comrade Romney. That's why Florida will go to Romney. But The conservative states are all leaning towards Gingrich and when you do the math through to the end, it is to close to call. This will go all the way to the convention.

yes, unfortunately for Newt the primary landscape is not in his favor for quite some time. Arizona is his next best bet, and that one is a bit of a stretch. At this point in the primary season, its not about delegates, instead its a beauty show and momentum play..... Newt's in for a series of drubbings. Will he survive?

 

[ric27]

Yes....exactly. Liberals and the right-wing are united in wanting Gingrich to get the nomination.....for different reasons. I think a lot of right-wingers know that Gingrich will get killed, but would rather lose wih a candidate that they think supports their causes...then lose with one that they see as a RINO. Liberals want Newt because it virtually ensures a second Obama term. The only ones who want Romney are the power players in the GOP that think that with Romney, they at lease have a shot, and probably would keep the house.

Dead on the money!..disneydude

I see, you're doing your homework

 

[disneydude]

Dead on the money!..disneydude

I see, you're doing your homework

So you guys would rather lose in a landslide and possibly lose Congress rather than have a nominee that is slightly more moderate? That's kinda like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.....but hey....more power to ya.....it means another 4 years for us and possibly with a more liberal congress that might actually not be afraid to pursue the agenda that Obama was elected to implement.

 

[Anagram]

So you guys would rather lose in a landslide and possibly lose Congress rather than have a nominee that is slightly more moderate? That's kinda like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.....but hey....more power to ya.....it means another 4 years for us and possibly with a more liberal congress that might actually not be afraid to pursue the agenda that Obama was elected to implement.

That's my problem with this thinking as well. Although I am more moderate and actually prefer Romney to the other candidates, (though he is very far from my first choice among politicians), even if I wanted Gingrich I'd be concerned he could lose the House and cost the GOP the chance to take the Senate. Besides if Obama is re-elected, in 2016 all of the real Republican candidates can run. (see Huntsman, Daniels, Rubio, Portman, Christie, Ryan, and so on.)

 

[ric27]

So you guys would rather lose in a landslide and possibly lose Congress rather than have a nominee that is slightly more moderate? That's kinda like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.....but hey....more power to ya.....it means another 4 years for us and possibly with a more liberal congress that might actually not be afraid to pursue the agenda that Obama was elected to implement.

This is strictly my personal view...

The Republican party needs to run true conservatives. When they do that they win. I'd rather have candidates that will reliably turn our own base out and attract many "independents" (who are quite often conservative on many issues like immigration, fiscal policy, etc) than try and hook a block that casts racist votes with a "gimmick" candidate who does not hold conservative principles.

We've been trying that with the hispanic vote the last couple of cycles. Doesn't work too well, because they, like the black voting block, have distinct cultural identities that over the decades have included being Democrats. Why? Well, that's just what one's supposed to do if they're black or hispanic - vote Democrat...

What works is opening people's eyes and getting them to realize that they are in reality a conservative - many more Americans are than who self-identify - and getting them to realize that they've been scammed by the D's.

The way to get more minority voters on our side is through education and mythbusting - breaking through the bull****. That's a tall order when the Dems control academia and the media... But if you do it that way then they will increasingl;y gravitate towards the conservative side.

 

[joko104]

The media and Democrat wisdom isn't a truism. They went with "the more electable moderate" with McCain and got a milk toast moderate who disavowed Bush, defended Obama and endorsed the mega-bailout - who also got smashed in the election.
To conservatives, Romney is Obama-light and therefore would be attractive to no one. Its not like Romney isn't dull as dirt to listen too and his campaign, like McCain, is primarily is self-defense of his own past and terrified to actually say something interpreted as a gaff.
Republicans tend not to like cowards and highly resist being ordered how to vote by the Republican National power brokers. Democrats seem more agreeable to vote how told to vote.

 

[johnny_rebson]

.....They went with "the more electable moderate" with McCain.......

Romney is this years version of McCain.

 

[ksu_aviator]

Romney is this years version of McCain.

Read: Obama-lite, Obama 2.0, The Great White Obama, Obamney, etc.

 

[Anagram]

The media and Democrat wisdom isn't a truism. They went with "the more electable moderate" with McCain and got a milk toast moderate who disavowed Bush, defended Obama and endorsed the mega-bailout - who also got smashed in the election.
To conservatives, Romney is Obama-light and therefore would be attractive to no one. Its not like Romney isn't dull as dirt to listen too and his campaign, like McCain, is primarily is self-defense of his own past and terrified to actually say something interpreted as a gaff.
Republicans tend not to like cowards and highly resist being ordered how to vote by the Republican National power brokers. Democrats seem more agreeable to vote how told to vote.

That is not a fair comparison. Here are a couple reasons why I disagree.

1. In 2008 the GOP was running on the heels of a president who's approval rating was below 30% and against a candidate with favorability ratings in the high 60's. Now they are running against an incumbent who's approval is middling to slightly underwater.

2. Who's to say if they had nominated a conservative, they would've done any better. America was not feeling anymore kind to far right conservatives than they were toward McCain.

3. The only real Conservative who has won a presidential race since FDR is Reagan. Congratulations you proved a conservative can beat a president who's approval rating is at 30%.

4. Since we don't have a real presidential analogue for the Conservative vs moderate relationship, lets look at some recent Senate examples. We'll just ask Senators O'Donnell, Angle, Miller, and Buck how that works out. And that was in a year where conservative voting was very high compared to average. I'll give you that the GOP took back the house, but I'm not sure how much nominating Conservatives over moderates had to do with it.

I just don't see any evidence that nominating a more Conservative candidate increase that candidate's electoral chances.

 

[Josie]

I am completely baffled as to how Sarah Palin, Herman Cain and a Tea Party group can be endorsing this guy.

 

[AdamT]

Problem is you kept talking, and give yourself away.

No, I actually say what I mean and mean what I say. Just because the data points to Newt getting his ass handed to him in Florida doesn't mean that I wish it to be so.

 

[Amigo]

I am completely baffled as to how Sarah Palin, Herman Cain and a Tea Party group can be endorsing this guy.

Maybe they support him because HE'S A CONSERVATIVE!

 

[johnny_rebson]

Maybe they support him because HE'S A CONSERVATIVE!

What are these people thinking?

Conservatives are supposed to endorse fellow conservatives, not liberals like Romney.

 

[Amigo]

What are these people thinking?

Conservatives are supposed to endorse fellow conservatives, not liberals like Romney.

Josie actually is a Ron Paul supporter.

 

[hazlnut]

I am completely baffled as to how Sarah Palin, Herman Cain and a Tea Party group can be endorsing this guy.

In fairness, the failed-Governor is not 'endorsing' per say, she just wants people to cast a vote to annoy liberals... Because train wrecks like her and Newt are 'annoying'...?? LOL.

 

[00timh]

Huffington just reported the facts. But yes, we shall certainly see. Go Newt!

The Huffington post is the national enquirer of politics. If it is true and they just reported the facts on this then hell has indeed frozen over lol

 

[American]

Doubtful that Newt can pull off an upset in Florida. Even if there is a late swing in attitudes, too many people have already cast early and absentee ballots. I'd say it would be a moral victory if he could keep it under a 5% loss.

I hear that Florida really like two states politically; there's the upper pan handle and then the lower part.

 

[00timh]

I hear that Florida really like two states politically; there's the upper pan handle and then the lower part.

Yep, there is some truth to that. I would say that the gulf coast itself is a different breed then the east coast. You will find those types of political divisions with a lot of states. NYS for example, not many people realize there are some conservative areas here as well. The one national polition that was a dem that I used to vote for was Moynahan. While I disagreed with his overall stances, he was a great rep for upstate NY. Most now only pay it lip service, with occasional trips to Buffalo, Syracuse, and the even more rare trips to smaller areas. Blah blah blah and they are off. oynahan really worked for upstate, and I believe that part of the mess NYS is in today is because upstate has now been basically ignored of forgotten about. Still a lot of people north of the tappenzee and they generate, or would a lot of revenue for the state.