Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Thoughts About Florida

There are a lot of things that one might point to in trying to explain Mitt Romney's loss in Florida yesterday, including, perhaps, the fact that he really seemed to find his voice on economic issues a little too late to continue surging in Florida, some savvy campaigning by John McCain (including some pretty low-ball (and somewhat hypocritical) tactics by McCain's camp this past week), the late-coming Crist and Martinez endorsements, as well as lingering doubts among some about Romney's authenticity. The big disappointment for a lot of Romney supporters seems to be that this loss comes at a time when Romney truly appeared to be coming into his own on the sorts of economic issues that really define who he is. Romney now faces a pretty tough map on Super Tuesday. There are a slew of winner-take-all states that seem safely in McCain's corner now. At this point, what approach to next week's primaries gives Romney the best chance? He's a sure bet in a few states (e.g., Utah and Idaho), but where else should he choose to lay his chips?

One side-note about Florida. It appears as though Romney's hard line on immigration has really hampered his support among Republican Hispanics, with both candidates who are on record for a pathway to citizenship besting him by large margins yesterday:
The Hispanic numbers were even more striking for McCain: 51 percent of Hispanics backed him, with 15 percent supporting Mitt Romney, who came in a close second statewide, and 25 percent for Rudy Giuliani.
Would it have made a difference had Romney not taken such a hard line? Would any potential support he may have gained been canceled out (or more) by other conservative voters who might have supported another candidate as a result? What other competitive candidate could have benefited? Assuming Romney still finds a way to win the candidacy, does this lack of Hispanic support hurt him in a general election?

8 Comments:

Blogger Charles Ratliff said...

Just FYI...

The smartest thing Mitt could do,

to rejuvenate outside interest in the campaign,

to bring in lost women conservatives who want to see a women in the White House,

and generate amazing free press in the mainstream media,

would be one simple thing...

and that thing would be to announce Gov. Sarah Palin as his VP!

For more info see http://palinforvp.blogspot.com

ROMNEY - PALIN 2008!

4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mitt Romney: Look at my Record

Romney's Abortion Fairy Tale

Romney Can't Decide

www.trueromney.com

5:21 PM  
Blogger gumball said...

The one latin-republican I know is more anti-illegal-immigration than I am. And I'm white.

1:38 AM  
Blogger Charles Ratliff said...

Dear Mitt,

I know you've probably thought this all over a million times, but I feel compelled to write you. I've been all over the the campaign, the Romney Blogs, and the internet as a whole, and like you I am very proud of the course we've taken thus far. I do have some simple thoughts I have gleaned, and feel would be of great help in giving the average voter an opportunity to differentiate between you and John McCain. It seems these points have not been given much attention or appropriately emphasized.

1) AGE: It is a sensitive issue I suppose, but a real issue that should be addressed! McCain will be 73 if he were to move in the Oval Office. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed as it is, so what would it be like in 2011, 2012 when he's 76 and 77 yrs of age respectively? Is it fair to the American people to have a 77 year old John McCain on point in 2012? Not a pretty thought!

2) PARTY VIABILITY: This leaves the Republican party in a true lame duck position throughout the next presidential cycle, nothing will be accomplished in Washington if McCain were to win, as the Dem's know he could not possibly go a second term! And here we go again...

3) CONSERVATIVE LOYALTY: McCain was on the edge of leaving the Rep Party in 2001! He had extensive talks with Daschle, Kennedy, Edwards, etc. regarding the framework, of committee memberships etc., and the specifics of the deal. His people approached Kerry to be his VP running mate for heaven's sake!

4) REAL CHANGE: McCain is an lifetime career politician, thats not the way the founding fathers intended this deal to go. He has his hands in too many pockets at this point to be the agent of real change. It, as they said, leads to unholy alliances! (You, and Regan are an example of how it should be!)

5) VP: I know this is your decision, and you certainly know better than I, but I am suggesting you let it out that you are strongly considering Gov. Sarah Palin as your VP. This will go a long way to bring back lost conservative women (And women in general who are on the fence) who earnestly want to see a women in the White House. Not to mention the avalanche of free media it will generate!!!

I suggest to you, it is late in the game, the gloves are off, and the people of America need to know the truth about John McCain, the person they think they're voting for! It is now you're responsibility to get the information out there. The average voter needs and wants this information. I know, speaking for myself of course, we all want you to make a spirited, hard fought campaign while remaining the gentleman you are... I feel however you must go after these points with a vengeance, hammer away at them, and make them points of the campaign! These things can rejuvenate the outside interest in your run for the White House, while cooling McCain's jets just a little!

It is I'm afraid as simple as this. If you (God forbid) didn't get the nomination Mitt, we are all in for a horror show of US politics the likes of which has never been seen before! It will indeed be a long, cold 4-8 years of higher taxes, huge entitlement spending, free running illegal immigration, and the list just goes on and on, because, you and I both know, John McCain can not win the general election!

Please seriously consider the above. Thank you for your valuable time, and consideration.


Best Wishes From A Big Time Supporter!

Charles R.
Solvang, CA.

1:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I only have a few questions that people need to look into and if candidates or their followers can answer them or address them that would be great.

What are the candidates views on Bilderberg?
What are the candidates views on the New World Order?
Does the candidate have any plans on reinvestigating 9/11 or the explosions heard at ground level?

If any could answer these questions truthfully then I would feel comfortable voting for them.

I just saw the movie by Alex Jones called ENDGAME and it has completely changed my views on this election. You can view it on youtube. I urge anyone who votes to at least view a few sections of it before you vote.

9:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Law student seeks summer employment - check out http://2LforHire.blogspot.com

11:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brokered Convention = a discussion about what it means to be a Republican.

1) Republican Brokered Conventions result in wins!

Abraham Lincoln – 3rd Ballot - Won Presidency
Rutherford Hayes – 7th Ballot - Won Presidency
James Garfield - 36th Ballot - Won Presidency
Warning Harding – 10th Ballot – Won Presidency
Dwight D. Eisenhower – “2nd Ballot” – Won Presidency

2) A Brokered Convention gives conservatives a voice. A Brokered Convention gives Mitt Romney a voice. A Brokered Convention keeps media attention on the Republican party for the next 6 months for free! If we just roll over and go to sleep the media will almost solely focus on the Democratic contest.

3) McCain has to win 467 more delegates (44% of remaining delegates) to secure the nomination. Huckabee needs 639 delegates (57% of remaining delegates) to force a Brokered Convention.

4) On Super Tuesday McCain got 42% of the vote in Blue States and only 26% in Red States. Over 60% of McCain’s delegates have come from Blue States. Do we really want our candidate picked by States that we have very little chance of winning in the Fall?

5) 71% of the remaining delegates are from Red States. If we unite we can force this to a Brokered Convention.

6) During the 10 days leading up to Super Tuesday, Mitt asked Huckabee to drop out and for conservatives to unite behind him. The Golden Rule asks for “you to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” For the sake of conservatives please support a Brokered Convention and encourage your supporters to back Huckabee. All of the Moderate and Liberal Republicans that have dropped out have endorsed McCain. Please gather the courage to rally your supporters to the conservative cause to push this to a Brokered Convention.

7) Conservatives Unite! There is still time! Win the Red States and we go to the convention for a discussion about what it means to be a Republican.

Hope this brings encouragement and hope. It is not over!

Spread the word. Feel free to repost this as a Blog Topic at will.

2:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The grassroots are rebelling!!!

Visit http://nowaymccain.com for more information!

At the site individuals can download PDF files of:

1) A resolution for individuals to sign and mail in to the leadership of the National Republican Party, the leadership of their state Republican Party, and all of the elected Republican officials who represent whatever area they live in. Elected officials will be extremely hesitant to 'toe the party line' and endorse McCain if they think that there will be any backlash against them personally.

2) A resolution for local Republican Party organizations to pass.

Thank you very much!

~Heather

11:40 AM  

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