Is it a Grand Old Party?
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MikeSEA
Posts: 1,074 Member
Now I realize I'm not that old (nor am I real history buff), and the last time there was a republican primary I probably wasn't paying that close attention, but this whole process just seems so chaotic--especially for a party that supposedly values tradition. I guess it depends on what traditions we're talking about.
So my question is this, what does this race for the republican nomination say, if anything, about possible changes within the GOP?
We liberals have our own vocal "crazies" but I haven't really gotten the same "You two, fight to the death" feeling from this side of the isle. Perhaps it's to come?
So my question is this, what does this race for the republican nomination say, if anything, about possible changes within the GOP?
We liberals have our own vocal "crazies" but I haven't really gotten the same "You two, fight to the death" feeling from this side of the isle. Perhaps it's to come?
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Well, it has been awhile. We haven't had a democrat incumbent running for re-election since Clinton scored his second term. So....1996?
So to compare this primary to (for instance) the Republican primary from 2008...well that's not really the same climate at all.0 -
There are some striking similarities to the 2008 primary up to a point, and then 2012 just gets nuts.0
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I think the Republican party is extremely fractured right now and that's glaringly apparent in this primary. They do have a significant and vocal segment that is very far right. I suspect that anyone who'd vote for Romney won't vote for Santorum and vice versa and I think that's why Obama will be re-elected. And for that, I thank them! :laugh: Seriously, though, something has to give at some point. I think we might see the Tea Party split off into an actual party. Whether they'll be viable will remain to be seen.0
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We won't really know much until later this year, but I would guess that once a candidate is chosen, people who dislike either Santorum or Romney will probably unite under the rhetoric of Anyone Except Obama. Whether or not that's good enough to sway moderate voters is another matter. Romney hasn't exactly been scoring points in that arena lately and Santorum is many things but a moderate isn't one of them.0
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Neither Romney nor Santorum (especially Santorum) can get the moderate or independent vote. They will get votes from people who would vote Republican even if Jesus himself was running as a Democrat (and let's face it, Jesus wouldn't fit in with this group of crazy radicals the GOP put out) but anyone who seriously debated between McCain and Obama is not going to vote for either Santorum nor Romney.
What they fail to realize is that a good part of the reason Obama doesn't have a higher approval is because a lot of people don't think he's done enough, not that he hasn't done a good job at all. They like what he's done, they just hoped for more.0 -
We won't really know much until later this year, but I would guess that once a candidate is chosen, people who dislike either Santorum or Romney will probably unite under the rhetoric of Anyone Except Obama. Whether or not that's good enough to sway moderate voters is another matter. Romney hasn't exactly been scoring points in that arena lately and Santorum is many things but a moderate isn't one of them.
A lot of people will do that, but I think a lot of people will stay home rather than vote for the other Republican candidate. That's what will help the Dems. I have a Republican friend who hates Santorum almost as much as Obama, she just won't vote if he gets the nomination.0 -
Neither Romney nor Santorum (especially Santorum) can get the moderate or independent vote. They will get votes from people who would vote Republican even if Jesus himself was running as a Democrat (and let's face it, Jesus wouldn't fit in with this group of crazy radicals the GOP put out) but anyone who seriously debated between McCain and Obama is not going to vote for either Santorum nor Romney.
What they fail to realize is that a good part of the reason Obama doesn't have a higher approval is because a lot of people don't think he's done enough, not that he hasn't done a good job at all. They like what he's done, they just hoped for more.
Yup.
Frankly, while I do consider myself a liberal, I would love to see a real debate on real relevant issues. That is never going to happen with the GOP the way it is now. Republicans played with fire when they went after the die-hard Christian right votes during the Bush years, and they are getting burnt now. Any candidate who says the separation of church and state makes him "want to puke" is automatically off my radar as a possible candidate I would vote for, and most of the people my age see that as just "crazy talk." The fact that Santorum is doing as well as he is just reaffirms my belief that the Republicans really are totally clueless about what most of America thinks. Add to that Mr. $2.50 per gallon gas Gingrich's moonbase with no tax revenue, and Romney's "I like Nascar... I know people who own Nascar teams!!! Your ponchos are lame", and you've got yourself a buffet of ridiculousness.0 -
Honestly, I think the GOP is basically giving the presidency to Obama. I'm fine with this, I just wish Obama would be a little less moderate. I mean, I know he has to stay slightly moderate on an election year, but dammit, when it's not an election year, he shouldn't be letting the Repugs push him around as much as they do.
That being said, we were in a huge Republican era, with the exception of Clinton and so I can also see where it would be difficult for a Bleeding Heart Liberal president to win.0 -
Neither Romney nor Santorum (especially Santorum) can get the moderate or independent vote. They will get votes from people who would vote Republican even if Jesus himself was running as a Democrat (and let's face it, Jesus wouldn't fit in with this group of crazy radicals the GOP put out)
I agree with this. I think Jesus would scare the *kitten* out of Republicans, not just because he's "Socialist" but because he's Middle Eastern.0 -
Neither Romney nor Santorum (especially Santorum) can get the moderate or independent vote. They will get votes from people who would vote Republican even if Jesus himself was running as a Democrat (and let's face it, Jesus wouldn't fit in with this group of crazy radicals the GOP put out)
I agree with this. I think Jesus would scare the *kitten* out of Republicans, not just because he's "Socialist" but because he's Middle Eastern.
AND he gave all his money to those lazy bum poor people who are really getting rich living off big government and welfare with those free grain doles and spent his time curing them of their disease too (i.e. free healthcare).0 -
I think what we see happening is simply a case of the GOP having crappy candidates this cycle. All the potentially strong/unique/exciting candidates seem to be waiting until 2016.
This actually reminds me a lot of 2004. Bush was beatable, but wasn't beaten because the Dems ran a weak field and produced a crappy candidate (Kerry). This year, Obama is beatable, but probably won't be beaten.0 -
I think what we see happening is simply a case of the GOP having crappy candidates this cycle. All the potentially strong/unique/exciting candidates seem to be waiting until 2016.
This actually reminds me a lot of 2004. Bush was beatable, but wasn't beaten because the Dems ran a weak field and produced a crappy candidate (Kerry). This year, Obama is beatable, but probably won't be beaten.
I don't know. I think Huntsman was a pretty worthy candidate. I'd love to see him in a presidential debate with Obama. I think he just wasn't frothing enough for the popularity contest. Is it that GOP had a crappy set of candidates or that the GOP constituents had a crappy attitude this cycle?0 -
Wow, how little you know of Jesus and of conservatives.Neither Romney nor Santorum (especially Santorum) can get the moderate or independent vote. They will get votes from people who would vote Republican even if Jesus himself was running as a Democrat (and let's face it, Jesus wouldn't fit in with this group of crazy radicals the GOP put out)
I agree with this. I think Jesus would scare the *kitten* out of Republicans, not just because he's "Socialist" but because he's Middle Eastern.
In regards to the topic at hand, the GOP has had support from those who are just economically conservative but socially liberal (Guliani, etc.) and the support from fiscal and social conservatives. There have been a few fiscal liberals and social conservatives who also have supported GOP candidates. But yes, the assesment is correct, there is an apparant division in the GOP and these candidates are brinigng it out. Those who are conservative across the board are tired of electing Democrat Lights, and frankly, there is a LARGE percentage of American voters who fall under this category (and for full disclosure, I am one of them). Most, I believe, would have preferred if Mitch Daniels was in the race, for example, but he decided to stay governing Indiana. Frankly, the selection isn't the best of the Republican Party. The GOP has dropped the ball (again) with this race, imo. Based on the current president and the candidates of the Republican party, I would really like to know who are the puppet masters in this game called American politics because I know it's not the guys we elect.0 -
I don't know. I think Huntsman was a pretty worthy candidate. I'd love to see him in a presidential debate with Obama. I think he just wasn't frothing enough for the popularity contest. Is it that GOP had a crappy set of candidates or that the GOP constituents had a crappy attitude this cycle?
Huntsman worked for the Obama administration. Whether he's a worthy candidate or not, he's DOA in a primary in this political environment. Could you imagine the Democrats nominating someone that worked for Bush last time around, given Bush's popularity? I couldn't.
I don't think the GOP rank & file is much different than it has been for the last 20 years. If the Tea Party were as strong as the media gave it credit for, Romney wouldn't have gotten off the ground.
I just think that the candidates that could have potentially made in interesting: Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan (not really Ryan, but he would have made it fun), they're all keeping their powder dry for 2016.0 -
Huntsman worked for the Obama administration. Whether he's a worthy candidate or not, he's DOA in a primary in this political environment. Could you imagine the Democrats nominating someone that worked for Bush last time around, given Bush's popularity? I couldn't.
I don't think the GOP rank & file is much different than it has been for the last 20 years. If the Tea Party were as strong as the media gave it credit for, Romney wouldn't have gotten off the ground.
I just think that the candidates that could have potentially made in interesting: Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan (not really Ryan, but he would have made it fun), they're all keeping their powder dry for 2016.
ITA with this entire post.0
