Comments on The 7-10: Palmer on Politics: The Presidential Finals

I can't believe nobody has called out Romney on hi...

2008-01-31T11:26:00.000-05:00

I can't believe nobody has called out Romney on his inconsistent "change" message either, Anthony. Who does he thinks should have been changed the last eight years or so? George W. Bush? Dick Cheney?

If Tom DeLay was still there, would Romney be sucking up to him too?

Thomas,

A Romney nomination would probably ...

2008-01-31T10:54:00.000-05:00

Thomas,

A Romney nomination would probably set the GOP up for a landslide loss in November because he has some of the same problems that Clinton does. Romney has a charisma deficit and a negative reputation as a panderer. Clinton panders too and has obvious problems connecting with voters. But if she had to face Romney, it's a wash.

I'll probably write a detailed post about Romney soon. I've written a lot about McCain, Obama, and Clinton, but not much about him. So in the essense of fairness...

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Itamazesus,

Have you seen Romney's "change begins with us" signs? They look like rip offs of Obama's "change we can believe in" signs. Even the font looks similar. He may talk about how "Washington is broken," but he seems to neglect who is controlling Washington and who has ruled Washington for most of the past 7 years. I'm just waiting for someone to call him out on this.

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Chevy,

Glad you learned a new word.

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Schenck,

I think Saddam Hussein has a better chance of being elected than Mike Gravel. I didn't even know people were still referring to him as a candidate even though he technically hasn't folded up his tent.

Regarding McCain, I think he's the most acceptable Republican to non-Republicans. Democrats obviously want to win in November, but if McCain won, there wouldn't be as much contempt for him among Dems. He could beat Clinton, but would struggle more against Obama, especially since they represent such totally different things. Here's where Obama's vigor could actually make McCain's age an issue. And Obama is a much better speaker than McCain.

Seems like Clinton is the biggest hurdle standing between Obama and the presidency. Perhaps her hardball tactics have served Obama well because they've toughened him up a bit. But the Democratic base is really frayed right now. So I wouldn't be surprised if Obama chose a female governor or senator as his running mate, such as Gov. Napolitano of Arizona, although I really think he'd need a statesman on the ticket to balance out his relative inexperience.

The general consensus seems to be that Romney is the weakest of the 4 main candidates remaining. Obama would probably beat him by at least 10 points.

First off, Gravel's still in it! Hah.

Anywa...

2008-01-31T09:57:00.000-05:00

First off, Gravel's still in it! Hah.

Anyways, I predict Obama v McCain. Old v new. I really don't think Clinton will pull it off at this point, and I think Obama will garner a couple extra crucial endorsements Friday and Saturday (Richardson? Edwards?) that will help him cover the enormous ground on Tuesday. I think Edwards supporters will split 1/4 for Clinton (those who are uncomfortable with a non-white president) to 3/4 for Obama (anyone but Clinton voters, change voters). Anyone who was for Edwards and is switching to Clinton based on policy is simply uneducated or a closet bigot. I don't see how a voter could go from the guy fighting for the little man, the blue collar workers, and the unions to supporting exactly the opposite... the status quo... Clinton. It would be nice if Gore came out and endorsed Obama, because then the race would be over. Gore is like the new Jesus to liberals, but he seems to be above politics at this point, so I'm guessing he won't endorse til we have a nominee.

Oh McCain, you old bastard. McCain's the only Repub who's got a chance to beat a Dem come November. Anyone But Clinton-ers will punish her by staying home or by voting for McCain. Obama will split the independent vote with him, although Obama has a better chance of winning, you know, cuz of the whole war thing (as long as he chooses an experienced VP). Obama could draw a handful of moderate Repubs for the same reason. I think true conservatives (like my dad) are disappointed with McCain. They call him a liberal "on everything but the war," but that doesn't mean that every single registered Republican won't come out and vote for McCain if Clinton is the nominee. I think if Romney wins (he won't, 30% chance is a little generous) he could lose to Hillary a little or lose to Obama a lot. He's just too damn awkward; he has zero charisma. He reminds me of when Gore was robotic (before he was Jesus).

I'll give Obama a 60% chance of taking the nomination, versus McCain's 75% chance. I like Obama's new line of attack comparing Clinton's and McCain's voting record. Interesting how days before SC, the Clinton campaign said Bill would continue to take a large role in the race, then one day after Hillary got ran over, they backpedaled and said he would be taking a smaller role. I think now is the time for the Obama campaign to finally contest the experience claim, as Hillary really is not more experienced than him (though this could backfire on the "change" platform). Tonight should be a GREAT debate, by the way. I feel like Obama will make pertinent policy attacks, while Clinton will pretend to be above the fray (opposite from last week). Then he'll get her angry, and she'll go off on a tangent and soil herself. ...What? Super Bowl?

winnowed? We're not using a thesaurus here now are...

2008-01-31T09:39:00.000-05:00

winnowed? We're not using a thesaurus here now are we?

I agree with Thomas, and would add that Romney spe...

2008-01-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

I agree with Thomas, and would add that Romney spent huge on TV in NH, Iowa, SC and Fla, with this result. Thus, the $$ edge is minimized through McCain's free national media and a long history in the spotlight.

When you stop and think about it, Fla has lots of conservative
Republicans, as does SC. If Romney can't bag these states with all his dough, just think about NY, NJ, Ill, and Ohio, where more moderate Reps vote.

And whereas we look at Romney as the conservative in this race, his Mass. history is quite the contrary on gays and abortion, thus leaving everyone wondering "Just what will this guy say to get elected?"

The latest is "Washington is broken and needs changing." If he wanted credibility he could add "and George Bush has been a disaster."

I just am not feeling Romney, Anthony. And I don'...

2008-01-30T11:10:00.000-05:00

I just am not feeling Romney, Anthony. And I don't think prejudice will have much to do with Romney's ultimate loss. His personality type doesn't fit the GOP mold. He isn't charismatic like Reagan or Bush. He could never mix it up among the common folk.

The flip-flopping also hurt a lot. The most recent presidential election pitted Bush versus Kerry. The two greatest charges against Kerry were he was from Massachusetts and that he flip-flopped. Romney evoked this memory too much.

Romney had no compelling narrative. Reagan had the narrative of being the voice of the conservative movement for 16 years, leading his flock in the lonely wilderness from the time of "The Speech" in 1964 until he won in 1980. George W. Bush has the compelling story of overcoming alcoholism and making himself right with his family and God. Even that apostate John McCain had the heartbreaking story of not abandoning his fellow prisoners; he elected to stay in hell for 5 1/2 years. (I couldn't have lasted 5 1/2 hours.) What was Romney's story? He had a family that got along with each other? Heck, I have that.