Comments on: As of today, who’s your conservative candidate choice?

By: expat

expat — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:05:15 +0000

I think Romney is better able to set priorities and keep our attention focussed on them. I remember his position on the auto bailouts. He was for having the companies declare bankruptcy to get to the bottom of the mess and then evaluating the best way forward. This seems to be what he did for the SLC Olympics too. I am not impressed by Newt’s moon mining and brain science ideas, not because I think they are dumb but because I think they are too far in the future and will be used by people to continue to avoid the current reality.
I am tempted by the idea of Newt creaming Obama in the debates, but in the end I want someone who will focus on fixing the economy. We simply have to face the financial facts before we start adding and demolishing programs. And when we do the latter we should try to do it in a way that doesn’t add to the overall economic uncertainty.
I also have concerns about how Newt would work with his cabinet. Would he constantly be bringing up new big ideas that throw a monkey wrench in the agreed upon plan of action?

By: SADIE

SADIE — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:52:18 +0000

“I just feel that Iowa is a media creation.”

And so was Obama. The LEFT wrote, directed and produced their version of American Idol. Not satisfied with a hour on television, they turned it into the longest episode in history. Doesn’t matter if you change the channel or turn the page, he’s always there lurking, snickering on “WATCH ME -TV.”

I am not enamored with any specific candidate, but I can’t bear another season of tripe.

By: Alix

Alix — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:59:08 +0000

I am for Romney. If the nominee is Newt, the election will be about him and not about Obama. We want a referendum on Obama. Besides, my 14 year-old daughter thinks Romney is “way cute!”

By: Gringo

Gringo — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:01:07 +0000

My favorite candidate is NObama: a Republican who is not named Obama.

By: Mike Devx

Mike Devx — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:37:09 +0000

I would vote for Newt Gingrich if he were the GOP nominee. He has the vision and the fortitude to *perhaps* make a difference at the national level. I am not convinced that he will make a difference; but he has a chance to.

Due to the growth of national government size, power and scope, the American house is burning down. We are in an emergency. Nothing else matters to me; all else is minor. It takes a long time to burn down the American house, but we are well past the halfway point and no one is slowing it down.

Washington is in love with its own power. And Washington IS the problem. I need a President who clearly knows, when he wakes up every morning in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that he is living within the heart of the Beast. Every fiber of his being must resist the Beast, and must desire to see it reduced in power. He or she doesn’t have to *act* that grim about it, every second of every day, but I want to believe that that is within his or her core. I want to know that anytime anyone around him discusses an increase in the power of Washington, internally his reaction is instinctive, reactive, and immediately 100% hostile. It should be that way with a parent when someone threatens your child; it should be that way with my President when someone threatens the foundations of American Freedom.

Newt has a shot. Fortitude, determination, and grit. He’s not ideal. At times he decides to be the worst sort of Statist. But the others don’t appear credibly devoted to attacking Washington power. None of them have the record of anti-Statism that I require; and words are cheap. They would still need to earn my vote should one of them be the nominee.

By: powerlifter

powerlifter — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:19:58 +0000

I am for Newt because he has a record of actually fighting for the causes I support (balanced budgets, less entitlements, and efficient government). He is not afraid to attack President Obama, the Democrats, or the media.

I am very annoyed by the increasingly vicious attacks on Newt by fellow Republicans. More and more, the establishment Republicans and pundits are a mirror image of the Democrats: they sneer at the voters and seem to be promoting a country run by elite technocrats and their lackeys who will let rubes like myself know what is best for them. They have decided Romney best reflects this point of view. In my opionion, Ann Coulter, George Will, many of the folks at National Review, prominent Republican members of Congress, etc. are torching decades of good will with their supercilious and condescending anti-Newt diatribes. They did not stand up when the other side tore Sarah Palin apart. They think the same thing will happen to Newt and they know they do not have the guts, stamina, or core values to withstand the assault.

I think Obama is a complete disaster so I will vote for pretty much anybody who runs against him. However, after this election I think it may be time to start investigating the formation of third parties.

By: Bookworm

Bookworm — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:56:57 +0000

"I just feel that Iowa is a media creation."

That, Oldflyer, is an excellent point.

By: Oldflyer

Oldflyer — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:57:36 +0000

I just feel that Iowa is a media creation. They fell in love with the funky idea of the Caucus, and the idea of “retail politics” as they define it. I guess I could actually research it, but I believe that I am correct that the winner in Iowa falls flat fairly frequently. Hence, the idea of the “comeback” kid.

Of course I feel pretty much the same about New Hampshire.

These states so jealously guard their positions at the front end of the primary season because that is the only possible reason for claiming that they matter.

My father was an Iowa native, so I am not prejudiced. Of course, he had the good sense to move to Florida–a state that matters–when he was about 5 years old.

By: SADIE

SADIE — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:27:35 +0000

On/off topic you decide…

The Iowa caucus could see Ron Paul place 2nd. Who really knows, it’s all a guesstimate until; but I was thinking, how much does Iowa reflect conservatives in the rest of the country. Why Iowa and what about the domino effect after NH and S. Carolina? Here in Pa. our primaries are April 24th. I think it (dis)colors the rest of the process. Who’s going to vote for their candidate when, if say … one of the others has a firm grip on a lot of delegates by then. I don’t want to cut off my nose to spite my face nor do I want to hold it, again.

Dear Abby’s of Bookworm Room

Always a bridesmaid and never a bride stigma. What’s a gal to do?

By: Oldflyer

Oldflyer — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:25:56 +0000

The choice is not clear.
Like many, I love what Newt says. I love his ideas, and his understanding of history and the founding principles. Like many, I wait apprehensively to see whether he will go “over the top” or “off the deep end”.

I love Romney’s proven competence and character. I also believe that his demeanor is Presidential. I know that his conservative credentials are not the strongest; but I also know that we cannot have everything.

As to the philosophical underpinning for my choice of President, I have posted several times over the recent past that I now categorize politicians in two slots; i.e., Constitutionalist or Statist. That is the essence for me. Social conservatism is a bonus; but, I don’t think that a President must share all of my beliefs to govern wisely and well. I believe that we will be ok as long as we have a President who respects and adheres to the original intent of the Constitution as it relates to the structure, responsibilities, and limits on power of government. If a President accepts the precepts of the constitution, with careful adjustments, that are derived through the established process, to accommodate an evolving country; and appoints justices and judges who will defends those views, I will be satisfied. I believe that either Newt or Romney will meet the Constitutionalist standard.

At the end of the day, despite my fascination with Newt, I would probably choose Romney on the basis of competence and governing ability.