tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post2370237963082427367..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: Debate Wrap: Romney By A LengthAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-30770819787706569402012-01-18T14:55:00.855-05:002012-01-18T14:55:00.855-05:00Koshcat, I think you're right about how it wil...Koshcat, I think you're right about how it will play out, though I suspect it will go all the way to Florida before it's really over.<br /><br />I also suspect that Santorum will hang on until the end.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-57509355706733045922012-01-18T14:13:00.160-05:002012-01-18T14:13:00.160-05:00Thank you for the run down and laugh. Unfortunate...Thank you for the run down and laugh. Unfortunately, this will be over if Romney wins handedly in South Carolina, which is sad. I would have rather the debates to have started in November or December last year and continue through the primaries. At least with the multiple and early "debates" there has been some vetting of the candidates, but I would have liked to see it take at least half of the primaries before we settled on someone. Right now, only a very small number of people have really been paying attention and will have no say in this. But, the money is just going to run out especially with Bachman and probably Santorum. Gingrich might be able to hold out for a little while as might Perry, but Perry will probably leave soon primarily out of plain practicality. Only the truly ego-centric crazies will be holding on to the very end (Gingrich and Paul). -SIGH-Koshcatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-70410892470929136082012-01-18T12:31:03.735-05:002012-01-18T12:31:03.735-05:00Joel, I am getting that same feeling.
For one thi...Joel, I am getting that same feeling.<br /><br />For one thing, if he's not more conservative than people realize, then he's sure putting on a great act. Usually people who are trying to fake being conservative are good at repeating the slogans, but that's about it. He seems to go deeper in that his answers do genuinely seem to fit with conservative thinking.<br /><br />And for another, he keeps getting more conservative even at a time when he could just remain quiet and see what happens. The fact he doesn't need to get more conservative but is, along with the fact that he seems to be speaking from a genuinely conservative position rather than just repeating conservative talking points, makes me wonder if he isn't really fairly conservative?<br /><br />I agree with you about the debates. It sounds like some of the candidates are starting to realize that it's stupid to keep playing this game.<br /><br />I also think Newt had to know that most people would realize he was full of it when he suggested that Romney could control the PAC. The whole system is a mess that needs to be fixed and I like Romney's ideas -- scrap it and let the campaigns hand their own spending again and be responsible for their own messages.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-41425397184710658722012-01-18T12:24:42.857-05:002012-01-18T12:24:42.857-05:00rlaWTX, Yes, he has. And that makes him the top c...rlaWTX, Yes, he has. And that makes him the top choice in my book. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-80647024654167462462012-01-18T10:49:10.404-05:002012-01-18T10:49:10.404-05:00did I hear here that Allan West had made himself o...did I hear here that Allan West had made himself open to VP talks?rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-14658583736807087192012-01-18T07:29:17.407-05:002012-01-18T07:29:17.407-05:00Okay, I would have preferred someone like Allen We...Okay, I would have preferred someone like Allen West or any other rising star with Tea Party Credentials. The problem is none of them want anything to do with this election.<br /><br />Having said that, I am beginning to think that the real Romney is coming out in these debates. In this last debate, he put forward a credible argument for removing Campaign Finance Reform. No one is controlling the SUPER-PACS that lie. Gingrich tried to lay at Romney's feet the responsibility to control them. Gingrich must know that some of us caught that gratuitous lie.<br /><br />I also think that there are people behind the scenes who are finally getting the truth back to the Candidates. Their usual Washington area advisers aren't. <br /><br />And I am starting to get the feeling that the Candidates themselves are getting extremely tired of the debate questions designed to color conservatism and by extension Republicans as mean-spirited war-mongers who want to take away lollipops from children. <br /><br />From the last debate, Romney won. He was by far the most articulate and steady. I also am getting a sneaking suspicion that he is far more conservative than he has demonstrated. If he has a conservative congress, he will govern and lead by conservative principles.Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-87785906951814287252012-01-18T00:08:15.681-05:002012-01-18T00:08:15.681-05:00Yep. That's why you have to be the loudest an...Yep. That's why you have to be the loudest and the have the fastest knee-jerk. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-50524663983490947942012-01-17T23:58:16.344-05:002012-01-17T23:58:16.344-05:00Makes sense. Unfortunately, when everybody says th...Makes sense. Unfortunately, when everybody says the same thing, then nobody is the outlier. But I never put it past the media to shoot itself in the foot.tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-57752843584082190162012-01-17T22:22:12.369-05:002012-01-17T22:22:12.369-05:00tryanmax, That doesn't surprise me. It's ...tryanmax, That doesn't surprise me. It's possible they are just repeating tropes -- sportswriters do that all the time.<br /><br />Or they did write it ahead of time because they knew what they wanted to say and then they just filled in a couple words to try to hide the fact they pre-wrote it... don't discount that possibility.<br /><br />As for why they have turned on Romney, rather than seeing it as pro-Romney to make him seem less "establishment," consider these possibilities:<br /><br />1. They want to weaken him to allow the horse race to continue. The longer this primary drags on, the easier it is for them to keep coming up with stories. So by attacking Romney, they help to keep the others competitive, which keeps the story going.<br /><br />2. There is little "news" value in reporting: "everything went according to plan." People don't click on those kinds of articles. So it's better for them professionally to take an outrageous position because that gets readers.<br /><br />3. It is always best to be the outlier. You see this on CNBC all the time. Whenever they invite on analysts, the analysts ALWAYS say something truly incredible and exactly contrary to what everyone expects to happen (the market will rise 50% this year). The reason is simple. If they are right, then they get a reputation for being a near clairvoyant genius. Careers can be made this way. But if they are wrong, no one remembers what they said a month later. It's like a free lotto ticket. They could be doing the same thing here. If they make an outrageous statement that becomes adopted as true, then they can brag that there were first. But if they are wrong, no one remembers in a month.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-73454811264690559302012-01-17T22:11:05.677-05:002012-01-17T22:11:05.677-05:00Yeah, it's not anything new that the spinmeist...Yeah, it's not anything new that the spinmeisters want to reshape reality to fit their narratives. What gets me about this particular instance is that I can't make sense of the reversal on the Inevitable Romney storyline. I don't mean to think in terms of conspiracies--in fact I hate it--but I almost believe this is intended to soften his establishment image.<br /><br />But there are also those who will take a single "um" and turn it into the gaffe of the century and there are others who will refuse to see anything good about Romney, even if he were to multiply loaves. So maybe it's just convergence. <br /><br />But there was this article I read this morning (of course, I didn't bookmark it) that almost seemed like it was written ahead of the debate. It was critical of Romney, but it was so generic in its criticism, it could have been about any debate, or any event at all. And after reading that, everything that came after had sort of the same ring. I dunno.tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-86512449193108813052012-01-17T21:34:05.160-05:002012-01-17T21:34:05.160-05:00Indi, I agree 100%.
1. I thought Newt had a coup...Indi, I agree 100%.<br /><br />1. I thought Newt had a couple excellent take downs. He took down Paul on his stupid terrorism statements. He took down Juan Williams on his obsession with race.<br /><br />2. You are absolutely right that Romney should not have gone against the Social Security reform. That was cowardly and counterproductive.<br /><br />3. What frustrates me about Paul is that he has some good ideas and he makes some good points, BUT he discredits them by mixing them with such lunacy that average people begin to equate his good ideas with the lunacy. We should absolutely reduce our presence in the world and try to stop the wars and bring home people, BUT we should not surrender and jam our heads in the sand. We need to rein in the government and get it back within the limits of the Constitution, but that's not a panacea nor can we enforce it in such a way that everything gets shut down. <br /><br />In each case (and more) he's right in principle, but so wrong in execution that people begin associating the principle with insanity.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-53622479896273294312012-01-17T21:26:44.025-05:002012-01-17T21:26:44.025-05:00I will say that I thought Romney diod a very good ...I will say that I thought Romney diod a very good job in the debate. I don't think any ofg them however have convinced me not to write in Herman Cain as yet. <br /><br />I will say this, the only think I was disappointed with Romney about was his agreement with Santorum that now we can't afford the Chilean model.<br /><br />They keep talking about paying out SSN as if they will be able to do so. I really feel that Newt was right about this particular issue.<br /><br />That said I think Romney scored well on all the issues.<br /><br />The other kudos I will give to Newt is his take down of Paul regarding Islamic Terrorists equating to Chinese Dissidents.<br /><br />Paul is an ironic figure. If he would just state I will try to reduce our presence in the world without affecting stability I might be able to suipport him.<br /><br />Oh well......Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-57904932193659533332012-01-17T21:23:36.152-05:002012-01-17T21:23:36.152-05:00Kelly, I suspect this will all be over very quickl...Kelly, I suspect this will all be over very quickly as well. As for whom to support, that I can't tell you.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-39645348745775568902012-01-17T20:29:28.182-05:002012-01-17T20:29:28.182-05:00I thought Romney did well, but I'm still not s...I thought Romney did well, but I'm still not sure who to support. It won't matter because we vote late, but I still should figure out at least who I want to win.Kellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-70397648088385126242012-01-17T19:33:49.609-05:002012-01-17T19:33:49.609-05:00Here's an interesting tidbit. The Romney camp...Here's an interesting tidbit. The Romney campaign is thinking about not participating in future debates. That's actually not a bad idea at this point.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/article/will-frontrunner-romney-keep-debating/317361" rel="nofollow">LINK</a>AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-34167369385840729972012-01-17T19:11:32.423-05:002012-01-17T19:11:32.423-05:00T-Rav, LOL! "The Strange Case of Dr. Perry a...T-Rav, LOL! "The Strange Case of Dr. Perry and Mr. Goober." That actually sounds like an entertaining film!<br /><br />I would take any of those guys as Vice Presidents and I think it would be an epic mistake for Romney (or Newt or the rest) to pick a white dude for VP. Jindal would be good because he's got solid credentials and Indians are leaning Republican. West would be good because he just kicks rear end. Rubio is good too though I would prefer the others.<br /><br />If he picks a Santorum or Pawlenty I will start drinking.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-64993477622679074472012-01-17T19:07:29.521-05:002012-01-17T19:07:29.521-05:00Andrew, maybe Perry has one of those split persona...Andrew, maybe Perry has one of those split personality things? Like, he drank some potion in the past and became Dr. Perry and Mr. Goober....<br /><br />rla, at this point I'm just hoping we get Jindal or maybe Rubio or West on the ticket. I would personally prefer Jindal as Rubio and West don't have as much political experience just yet, but any one of them would make a great VP or cabinet pick.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-91450298303531723362012-01-17T18:59:50.791-05:002012-01-17T18:59:50.791-05:00Patti, You're welcome. Juan is an embarrassme...Patti, You're welcome. Juan is an embarrassment.<br /><br />The twin thing is the only explanation I can offer for why he suddenly did so well. Perhaps you have a better explanation?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-11931567508212778652012-01-17T18:56:23.065-05:002012-01-17T18:56:23.065-05:00Terry, That there does. If you can't convince...Terry, That there does. If you can't convince people, cry fraud and sue!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-85444736845323769392012-01-17T18:54:21.117-05:002012-01-17T18:54:21.117-05:00i didn't get to watch and appreciate the run-d...i didn't get to watch and appreciate the run-down. gave me a good lol at perry's twin brother. and juan. ugh. makes me want to trip him.Notawonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388997298014397980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-6616557619873698872012-01-17T18:54:12.738-05:002012-01-17T18:54:12.738-05:00It does, there's a lot of sore loserism going ...It does, there's a lot of sore loserism going around.ScyFyterryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12635510395140863437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-1257337063080466922012-01-17T18:32:17.646-05:002012-01-17T18:32:17.646-05:00Terry, That does seem to be the thing to do these ...Terry, That does seem to be the thing to do these days.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-37826902265785650802012-01-17T18:28:36.436-05:002012-01-17T18:28:36.436-05:00Andrew, I hadn't heard that about there being ...Andrew, I hadn't heard that about there being a controversy in the voting. But I guess everyone loves to scream voter fraud these days, don't they?ScyFyterryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12635510395140863437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-54063889851045544332012-01-17T18:11:01.063-05:002012-01-17T18:11:01.063-05:00rlaWTX, If you hear anything interesting about the...rlaWTX, If you hear anything interesting about the race, please let us know. :)<br /><br /><br />On the talking heads, I notice that all the time. The moment the debate is over, you see them go to work trying to reshape reality in ways that just don't fit. Some of it is bias (i.e. they've are pushing a candidate), but most of it is that they just aren't judging on the same criteria we are.<br /><br />Do you remember how we all enjoyed the early debates because they were actually informative? The minute those debates ended, all of the pundits declared them a disaster and whined about the lack of "fireworks." And then when the debates got nasty, they all suddenly perked up. Their game is ratings, not substance.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-59104070926355895772012-01-17T18:03:33.665-05:002012-01-17T18:03:33.665-05:00Ted Cruz seems pretty great. Haven't spent a l...Ted Cruz seems pretty great. Haven't spent a lot of time on it yet...<br /><br />Try - I noticed that what others' were commenting on didn't seem to be the same debate y'all watched and commented on last night...<br /><br />(I chose to flip between Die Hard and Armageddon then watch Alex O', I mean, Hawaii 5-0 instead...)rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.com