Tonight only, live from New Hampshire, it's the New Hampshire Republican primary and monster truck rally! Join us. . . join us. . . join us.
In case you haven't heard, the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire has already voted. Romney and Huntsman are tied with 2 votes each. The rest can pound sand apparently. Oh wait, there appear to be more results still to come!
While we wait for the rest of the results (network coverage starts around 7:00 PM EST), let's play a game... no, not like Saw, but a constructive game: tell us some policies you'd like to see made into law if you were President!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
T-Rav's Sockpuppet Votatorium Presents: Primarily New Hampshire
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208 comments:
1 – 200 of 208 Newer› Newest»And don't think I'm not depressed that none of those pictures aren't tainted.
Strike down Roe v. Wade! Oh, sorry...wrong thread.
Well, what I'd like to see enacted includes a flat tax, something along the lines of CommentaramaCare to replace ObamaCare, an end to No Child Left Behind, and an energy policy that involves more than, you know, persecuting everything related to oil production. As in, authorizing extension of the Keystone pipeline, exploitation of our shale oil deposits, clean coal technology, etc. With proper supplementation by wind, solar, and so on as applicable. Beyond that....you know what? I'm putting that Roe v. Wade thing back in. I don't care.
Also, who's Brain supposed to represent in that picture? I feel like I'm missing something really obvious.
Who else would be a maniacal self-described genius who always has his plans explode in his face? Newt.
I was going to use a gorilla who is flipping the bird, but I decided to be polite.
I would like to see two amendments to the Constitution:
1 - A Mandatory balanced budget.
2 - A "Do as I say AND as I Do" amendment requiring all law, statutes, memoranda, and regulations and the like to retroactively apply to all elected, appointed and hired Federal employees with all the same penalties applied as would also be applied to private citizens.
Oh, and just in case Vermin Supreme does not make it out of the NH primary tonight, an amendment that requires ponies for all who want them, paid for by "the government".
Hate to be a copycat, but ACTUAL energy independence would be nice, and a flat tax would be fantastic. Also, speaking of taxes, our local radio guy and a caller were talking about ending corporate taxes altogether...they don't pay anyway, just pass the cost along to the consumer, and they might just be enticed to bring money/business back to this country. Not a bad idea.
Okay, I am going with T-rav and Tam - add a flat tax too.
Oh, sure! Let's just steal all my ideas, why don't we?! :-)
Of course it's Newt! How could I be so dumb?
I personally am rooting for a Vermin Supreme upset of Obama tonight.
Oh, my bad, I thought he was running on the Republican side this time. Well then, I will definitely pull for him! :)
I WANT MY PONY!!
By the way, nice policies everyone.
I'd like to see a flat tax and a pro-drilling energy policy combined with a shift to natural gas.
And in the "what would be really cool" category, I'd like to see privatization of public schools, CommentaramaCare, a total review and revision of all regulations, a narrowing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and probably more that I can't think of at the moment.
I will always believe that Roe v Wade needs to be overturned. Bad law, worse science, and a complete misunderstanding of the role of the federal government in relation to the state governments. Ditto for Griswold v Connecticut, for slightly different reasons. I support conservatives who support the Tenth Amendment.
I'm in partial agreement on the flat income tax, though I think it will only work in concert with a national sales tax.
Based on those criteria, and those criteria only, I'm hard pressed to tout any of the current candidates. And only one of those two criteria is likely to be a major issue in this campaign when the Republican nominee is finally determined.
Tam, Ending the corporate tax makes a ton of sense, but liberals just won't let it happen because "that helps the rich!" Actually, it helps consumers. The rich pay the tax when they take the money out of the corporation either way.
It's amazing how often it's more important to liberals to punish those they don't like than help those they claim to support.
While I'm thinking of it, we probably need to have a thread for the Super Tuesday event as well. And maybe one or two things before that. Those primaries will probably be more important than the one tonight. Not that I'm saying this one isn't important, mind you. But let's face it--a Romney victory in New Hampshire is so certain that if he somehow loses, I will lose trust in everything I have ever learned, including the alphabet and Newton's Third Law of Motion. So long story short, let's keep these threads in mind for later primaries.
T-Rav, Yeah, we'll do more Votatoriums for the primaries.
Don't lose faith in Newt's Third Law... that's his best one. Isn't that the one that says "if the horse-drawn carriage rockeths, don't knocketh?"
Wait... that's not it. His Third law is:
"Don't talk about Physics Club."
Andrew - I thought it was "When all else fails, cry"...
No Andrew, that's his Fourth Law. His Fifth Law, by the way, is "Never drink downstream from the herd."
so, where IS New Hampshire anyway? Just west of Nottingham, right? ;)
Start carving on the Executive branch regulations, reorganize the DOJ, reestablish the State Dept's purpose (ya know, supporting the US!?!), rescind any dumb Executive Orders, replace them with good Executive Orders, then start submitting the legislation y'all mentioned - after pushing for revocation of the dumb ones y'all are replacing...
Policies I'd like to see enacted:
Virtually anything that reduces Union influence in Washington would be nice.
I'm not sure what CommentaramaCare is defined as, but I think I can accept it on blind faith if the Dems can do that for ObamaCare.
I'd like to go beyond a flat tax to an all-out elimination of income taxes in favor of some other method. I don't think I have to be picky since it won't happen while I'm alive. I just hope that the next republic that rises will prohibit them when they draft their constitution.
End the EPA, the DoE, the DoC, the DoEd, the IRS, the NEA, and a whole host of other agencies.
Oi! I'm spent.
I think all of Newt's laws are simply under consideration until it may be useful for them to be altered - I mean - updated...
I don't know where New Hampshire is. I only know that if it were further west, it would be a county.
tryanmax, CommentaramaCare was my take on how health care reform should be handled. It's a good series with many surprises:
CommentaramaCare
New Hampshire is to the right of Vermont. . . but not by much. :(
Bev, I think that law's been updated to "When all else fails, sue..."
T-Rav, Now that is a wise law!
reporting live from Franconia Notch. I would make it illegal for unions to give money to PAC's or candidates. All they would be permitted to do is solicit voluntary contributions.
2) Like Bev, a balanced budget, with a flat tax.
3) Declare socialism "unconstitutional." (half jokin' on that one folks :)
rla, New Hampshire is a vague place between Vermont and Maine that thinks it's a state. Like Iowa, only with less corn.
It looks like the last polling place will close withing the hour according to CNN.
Keep this in mind as the primary results come in: Rick Perry is currently polling behind Buddy Roemer in New Hampshire. If you have to ask who that is, give yourself a cookie. You just identified the punchline.
That's sad. Perry has less support than a man who couldn't get into the debates and who no one knows?
The Huntsman people have suggested they might quit if they don't do well. Sadly, he'll probably get second or third.
The numbers are unofficial, but it looks like Romney is running away with it.
T-Rav, CNN seems to have a different delegate count than we do. Did we miss something? Maybe a Wyoming or Nevada?
Early results (as in, like 1% of precincts):
Romney 38%
Paul 23%
Huntsman 16%
Gingrich 11%
Santorum 9%
Bachmann 0%
Perry 0%
Fail.
CNN seems to be making the point (somewhat convincingly) that turnout is low and there isn't much excitement.
Can someone please recognize this and jump into the dang race!
Andrew, I can't find where they have their count. I kept seeing 2,286 as the total number.
Hey, Perry hit 1%! Woo hoo!
T-Rav, I don't know, but they seem to think Romney has 18 delegates already and Santorum has 8.
I wonder if they snuck some caucus in while we weren't looking?
Andrew, I don't know where they're getting that, but they're badly deluded. Santorum may have 8 after tonight (7 from Iowa and 1 from New Hampshire), but Romney shouldn't have more than 12. I think someone's wishcasting.
Incidentally, all the votes so far have been coming from the city of Manchester, so this should not necessarily be taken as proof of anything statewide.
Cain has 8 votes - I LOVE that!!!!
T-Rav, CBS and NYT have different delegate counts. Hmm.
rlaWTX, I like that too. He only needs 100 votes to catch Rick Perry! LOL!
he now has 14 - only 5 fewer than Bachmann!
If anyone else is looking at the CNN site, do you notice that in the profile pictures, only Huntsman comes off looking good? Not that I'm implying anything about CNN or anyone....
David Gergen just showed his stupidity. Follow this logic:
1. The conventional wisdom is that Obama is losing independents.
2. But the independents tonight are splitting between Romney and Paul.
3. That means Romney has a problem and it means Obama can get the independents.
Huh????
T-Rav, I've been watching them on television and they are pushing Huntsman. Laughably, they just aren't sure if he's a conservative or moderate.
I am a little shocked by Ron Paul's performance in a liberal northeastern state. How did that happen?
Out: Seeing whether Huntsman or Paul will take second place behind Romney. In: Seeing whether Perry or Roemer will take last place.
The talking heads are saying overall turnout is way down. Carville just described it as "slightly disappointing."
But CNN's website says "record turnout expected."
I wonder which one is true?
T-Rav, Also in: Newt v. Santorum for 4th.
CNN projects Mitt Romney is the winner! SHOCKING!
Now let's see how he does.
Ed, you seem surprised.
CBS says Romney won.
NBC's David Gregory: "The thing you find about New Hampshire is, it can be full of surprises."
I mostly agree with that, but I would replace "surprises" with a different word. It does also begin with s, though.
CNN is saying that Republicans are picking Romney in big numbers, but independents are picking Paul.
T-Rav, yes. I don't think of the Northeast as voting for anything to the right of Carter.
Well that was quick. I just turned on the TV and Romney has won.
Say goodnight, Gracie.
tryanmax, We knew that was going to happen. The bigger question is how much he wins by tonight.
but Paul hits the liberal buttons too, so he doesn't totally count as right of Carter - more ... straddling Carter.
Ed and T-Rav, I think the same. The northeast just isn't conservative.
They've a;readu called it here with only 10% reported -
Romney - 35%
Paul - 21%
Huntsman - 14%
Santorum (didn't say, except 4th)
rlaWTX, The image of Ron Paul straddling Carter just made my brain explode. Ahhhhh!
Bev, Who are you watching/reading?
LOLOLOL!! sorry - but it was the perfect metaphor.
Thank you, rla, for that comment about Paul straddling Carter. On a totally unrelated note, I need to go to the store and buy a drill, some sponges, and a jug of bleach. Don't ask why.
Also, keep in mind this is an open primary, so non-Republicans can cross over and cast ballots. Which many of them no doubt are doing.
sorry
Given the crossover voting, and independent voting, I'd say the attack ads had little effect and the liberals posing as independents failed to beat Romney by voting for Paul. My guess: If Romney can get a strong second or third place in South Carolina (or even a win), it's all over.
Lawhawk, CNN said Romney got 49% of the vote of Republicans. That's huge if that's true nationwide.
And it sounds like Huntsman may be planning on quitting. That should help Romney too.
NY1 - It's our local all newstation.
rlaWTX, It's ok... just don't do it again! LOL!
Actually, now they're saying Huntsman is happy with a 3rd place finish.
I had to liven things up around here - Sockpuppet Votatorium is not as fun as Sockpuppet Theater...
just sayin'
Andrew, that may or may not be true, but he's going to have to be happy with it, because he ain't turning these numbers around.
On your earlier comment, I agree. Memo to Ryan/Jindal/Rubio/whoever: GET INTO THE @#$%ING RACE!!!!!!
Huntsman just said he's continuing.
rlaWTX, This is a little harder because there's no steady stream of information to discuss.
T-Rav, Yeah, that's how I'm feeling too. Why won't any of these people get in the dang race?
I understand...
and I second T-Rav's symbolized motion!
rla, I'm insulted by that cheap shot of yours. I would give you the full force of my outrage, but it seems I've drilled into the wrong place and am now uncontrollably drooling all over the keyboard. So I'm going to clean it up, hopefully start remembering what my name is, and then get back to you.
Andrew: I also think the liberal independents and the Democrats posing as independents split their vote between Paul and Huntsman. Had they organized better, Romney might have been in trouble. 49% is a very strong number, particularly since I think Republicans will be energized in the general election despite the talk about lack of enthusiasm. After the primaries are over, it's X vs. Obama, and that will produce a lot of energy that's currently lacking.
T-Rav, Admittedly, we are a little short on sockpuppets tonight!
Romney is speaking now.
For the record, his sons look like goobers.
Couldn't get on til 8:00 and it sounds like the exit polls had it.
Andrew, keep in mind though that Bachmann said the same thing a week ago tonight, and then promptly "suspended" her campaign the next day.
Also, I see on Twitter that in exit polls, 51% of those who voted for Huntsman expressed satisfaction with Obama's job performance. Which reminds me, I need to create a facepalm emoticon.
Andrew, what would you have us do? Union rules say we have to be notified in advance by T-Rav or one of his representatives, and with triplicate request forms! Also, we're still trying to find out what a "Votatorium" is. Now maybe we can come up with something on the fly, but you shouldn't expect too much.
Romney's speech is going to play very well. He's positive. And he's sticking to Obama's failures. But he's also talking about uniting Republicans instead of dividing them with resentments. Very smart.
Romney is actually giving a heck of a good speech.
Yeah, yeah Romney, big news. What about Vermin Supreme? Any word about him?
that bidding war comment was good...
This is actually a great speech.
I just didn't expect even that so soon. I literally hit the power button and the announcement was being made.
I don't have cable, so all I get are break-ins. and I can't settle on watching anything tonight, so what can I do?
Ok, that was a great speech. It was positive, inspiring and substantive. 10/10
rlaWTX, I agree, that was a nice shoot. But I think he whole statement of "if you believe in an America that...." was really solid. It honestly reminds me of Reagan's speeches where he spelled out how great the country could be.
Anybody know if T-Rav is still alive?
I think that the sockpuppets might have gotten him...
What's this we hear about members of the International Brotherhood of Sockpuppets being made to work?!
I think he may have hung himself while Romney was speaking.
Why....yes. It was the sockpuppets that got him. Of course, that must be it.
good kitties! I mean, bad sockpuppets!
Sockpuppets of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your loose threads!
Talk to the invisible hand.
Andrew, let me be very clear on this. Mitt Romney will
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
be the equal of Ronald Reagan. Ever.
I missed the speech, but I found some continuous coverage on PBS's auxiliary digital channel. It's very amateurish, whatever it is, but they are saying good things about the speech.
T-Rav, your emphatic statement is truly and deeply accurate!!
Also, that's kind of morbid. Talking about me hanging myself and everything. For shame.
(drill starts whirring)
Now this is spin at it's best (or worse) - HuffPo is reporting that "Romney couldn't break 40%"...ugh...
CBS is reporting that among other statistics 65% of the voters in NH polled wish there was a stronger candidate...
Let me clarify (the last NEVER convinced me), I'm not saying he is Reagan or as good as Reagan, he doesn't have Reagan's personality or his beliefs... but his speech reminds me of the kinds of speeches Reagan gave -- positive, great vision, etc.
put the drill down slowly... call the sweet kitties, scratch their cute little ears... think about getting a free pony... rainbows, unicorns, silver-lined clouds...
Andrew: If that's any indication of how he would campaign if nominated, he's in excellent shape. Concentrating on every Obama failure, his contempt for American exceptionalism, and his belief that government knows what's best for us while at the same time proposing to do the opposite, capped with a Reagan quote will serve him very well in the general election. Even I felt better about America's future when he was done. LOL If he can stay on this high road, and avoid wonkishness and overabundant detail, the Republican Party would look good with him as the nominee.
Bev, I saw that 65%...
as for spin, that is pretty pathetic!
Bev, I saw a similar poll today -- 58% of Republicans want more choices.
I think the 40% thing is stupid because this election has more candidates and very different circumstances.
Also, Romney got 49% of the Republicans, which is what matters once you get out of the states that let liberals vote.
Also, Romney tied Paul with the independents.
Let me clarify - Huffpo headline "5 years of campaigning and can't break 40%"
Lawhawk, I agree with that. I would like to see more passion out of him, but still, that speech would make a solid campaign against Obama. I think the key is to give people hope that you have a plan to make things better.
It will be interesting to see if the others follow the same path or if they try something different.
Paul is speaking. Should be interesting.
is the picture of Paul nibbling at Romney's heels worse than my straddling comment?
To my supporters: Congratulations on completing step one of my bold and original plan for winning the nomination! As you recall, the plan was as follows:
Step 1. Come in third in NH
Step 2. ?????
Step 3. Nominee!
Clearly, we're right on track. With this mix of moderates, Democrats and anti-Tea Party Republicans as my base, we alone can unite the GOP and lead the party to victory! Now go out there and win one for the Mandarins!
rla, no. Your straddling comment is still worse.
Paul sounds like a cross between a professor of economics and a lunatic.
rlaWTX, I don't even know how to answer that except say... yuck!
Paul is so far off the rails for what this speech should be....
Hey, Ron! Have you checked out these groovy meds the nice men in the white suits give me every week?
Um, guys? I'm right over here, not doing anything. Seriously, I'll be glad to haul him off.
Howard Johnson is right!
He's just rambling. He needs to start writing speeches rather than just winging it.
so, what do we say about the cheering masses? do they need meds too? or are they just so desperate for something that they have fallen down the rabbit hole?
Hum. In the past sixty seconds we've gone from the Soviets to Afghanistan to the middle class to bailouts. Must be a Ron Paul speech.
I will say this... he's right about some of this. BUT, this isn't the time to lecture the country on the history of the dollar.
I think we should green light the net! Hey, Net, do you work TOTUS events too?
rla, there aren't enough sedatives in the world for that crowd.
Ok, that I agree with -- his definition of liberty.
Yeah, let's base our campaign on young people. They always know what's best for the country.
You've got to admit though that he seems very likable.
even the crazy uncle has likable moments, but you don't want hm planning the family vacation!
Based on that last sockpuppet, I presume I wasn't the only one watching Blazing Saddles last night.
CNN has a focus group of Republicans tracking the speeches with these devices. So far, Romney and Paul have been done really well. Neither really ever dipped below the positive line and they mainly spent their time at or near the top.
It will be interesting to see if that keeps up.
rlaWTX, LOL!! Great way to put it!
Andrew, no I don't.
T-Rav, Actually I didn't, but something about "Howard Dean" just struck me about the "Howard Johnson is right" quote.
Ah. I see. Incidentally, that's one of those movies where AMC's "Story Notes" captions at the bottom are actually pretty useful.
Andrew! really? Some of what anybody says is true...
Its too bad that the economic message (like you got to with Santorum post today) doesn't really get out there in the other candidates. I think people hear it from Paul and ignore his troubling undercurrents.
CrisD, I'm only saying that he comes across as likable in a scatter-brained professor sort of way and a couple of the things he said were true... that's about it though.
The problem with Paul is that "there's no there" and instead there's a lot of crazy.
who will get the family stuck at WaterWonderland for vaca!
Cris, By the way, I think you're right that the thing that works for Paul is the fact he's the only one talking about the economic issues. I don't think he has a plan for them and I think a couple of his ideas are insane (not just bad but disastrous), but he is the only one talking about these things. And that is helping him.
(WaterWonderland is a closed down, weed covered water park between Midland & Odessa - it's not as funny if I have to explain)
Huntsman coming up in a moment. Get your smug detectors ready.
rlaWTX, I suspect several of the candidates could get us there... stuck at a closed waterpark.
"third place is a ticket to ride"
Huh? Sounds like loser speak.
Oh, nutty professor alright. And I have to admit I got the end of that speech and he seemed a congenial old geezer who had advice for us younguns.
Does he not get that bragging about doing the most work here... and then coming in third is not a good thing?
Andrew: He's got a ticket to ride on California's train to nowhere.
"I'd say third place is a ticket to ride, ladies and gentleman"
Jon Huntsman, Manchester, 9:30 p.m.
CrisD, That's the sense in which I thought he was likeable... not as a President.
Is he running for Congress or the Presidency?
I wish politicians would stop saying "the greatest nation on earth" because that sounds like a sales pitch.
"rlaWTX, I suspect several of the candidates could get us there... stuck at a closed waterpark."
Andrew, I agree, if by "several" you mean "all."
He iss wunning for a weturn to Beijing, thank wu velly much.
Yeah, on what planet is third place the spot you want to be right now?
I'm sorry Jon, but this all sounds like crap. It doesn't sound like he believes any of this. He just knows what he's supposed to say.
Hey, I'm 3rd!!!!
Newt coming up.
Hey, I'm 3rd!
"You people are stupid and don't deserve me."
LOL @ Earth!
(ignore Anonymous, I was having a sunspot)
Someone on Twitter. Huntsman: I am going to pretend that this all wasn't a horrible mistake, and I am asking you to play along with me.
No, guys! I said, we are no longer taking bets on whether Newt's head will explode in the middle of his speech! Too risky!
hey, Bookies - how about if he cries?
rlaWTX, If he cries, I will personally fly out there and punch him.
No dice. I've got that market so wrapped up they're not taking bets on anyone else.
fyi, Remember the 40% thing? Romney is up to 37% and CNN thinks he'll get to 39%.
Everybody STOP crying!!!!!!!
even Jesus wept...
I plan to speak for all Americans... except gays.
rlaWTX, He didn't do it to get votes.
Firehouse Rick is flatlining in CNN's tracker.
with 6 people in the field, 1 person shouldn't necessarily have a majority!!!
Our leading story: Irate Colorado lawyer arrested and held for questioning after punching a crying Newt Gingrich. Also, distraught Missouri blogger simultaneously develops seven different personality disorders. And finally, Texas church employee shunned for disgusting lewdness involving a former U.S. president. All this and more, today, Wednesday, January 11, 2012.
good point, Andrew...
I vas in Austria during ze war!
What the @#$%? What do we have to do with this?
roflol!!!
it's the Serbs!!!!
You rang?
So far he hasn't said a single thing. It's like he's reading bumperstickers.
I plan to bond families and touch bottoms on playing fields.
I do what I can. :-)
That was 100% bland. It couldn't have been blander if they tried.
Jeez, this night is just full of fail.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Wait a minute, I thought Newt taught Reagan? Not the other way around.
I don't like those words in a row "Gingrich presidency"
rlaWTX, Those words are ok when they are preceded by "here's one thing that never happened, a..."
Rick's on FOX. Hey it's a marathon but you fell down and messed up your face.
No Andrew, Reagan taught Newt, and then Newt ended Communism. I think.
So far, Romney is the only one who gets the concept of a post-primary speech. He got up and gave a solid vision of what he wants to see.
These other guys are busy talking about minutia.
OK, Andrew, I can live with that string of words.
I used to like RPerry.
hey, T-Rav, where'd you put the door to that other dimension?
I guess Perry's not speaking? Probably a smart move given what happens when he speaks. But stupid in terms of getting publicity.
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