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Subscribe to RSSSecond-tier Republican presidential candidates are ramping up pressure on the campaign's frontrunners to join a boycott of the Nevada caucuses in order to help New Hampshire maintain its first-in-the-nation primary.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman—joined by Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Sen. Rick Santorum—called Thursday for a boycott of the Nevada caucus unless the state resolved a primary scheduling conflict with New Hampshire.
Huntsman sought to escalate pressure on heavyweight GOP candidates—namely former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry—by pledging Friday to boycott a CNN debate planned Tuesday in Nevada, the first debate in the southwest, and a forum in a key swing state.
"If you're gonna boycott Nevada, then you boycott the debate," Huntsman told NBC's Jo Ling Kent this morning in New Hampshire, where he'll be holding a town hall Tuesday instead of attending the debate. (Ironically, Huntsman governed neighboring Utah.)
Of the candidates who threatened to skip the caucuses, Gingrich's campaign declined to boycott the debate in a statement Friday afternoon.
The boycott movement comes in response to a threat by New Hampshire officials to move the state's primary into December due to the current configuration of the primary calendar. Iowa has tentatively set its caucus for Jan. 3, and New Hampshire has argued its primary would be unfairly squeezed between the Nevada and Iowa contests. Instead of blaming New Hampshire, or Iowa, for that matter, the candidates are setting their sights on a place they are likely not going to compete. Republican observers have pointed the finger at New Hampshire and its Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who has the power to unilaterally set the state’s primary date. They argue New Hampshire could easily hold its primary on Jan. 10th.
The response by candidates has just as much, if not more, to do with their own political interests as it does with preserving the Granite State's status in the primary process.
The Nevada boycott is likely an attempt by second-tier candidates to curry favor with New Hampshire voters, where they take pride in their first-in-the-nation primary. That logic helps explain why someone like Huntsman, who has pinned all his campaign's hopes on winning that primary, and has gone so far as to relocate his campaign headquarters in the state, has sought to lead the charge in terms of a boycott of New Hampshire.
"The fundamental premise is boycotting Nevada...because they are leapfrogging the schedule," Huntsman said in Concord. "And by leapfrogging the schedule, they are compressing the primary season in ways that I think are a disservice to this country, because it is lessening the time people in New Hampshire and therefore people in this country have to learn about the candidates and learn about the issues they are talking about and articulating."
Romney has worked diligently to build up support in the Silver State, one of the smaller contests in the nominating process, but one that Romney believes is key to maintain momentum before a South Carolina primary he’s unlikely to win.
"We stand with New Hampshire all the way. Whatever date they choose for their primary we will abide by and support," Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom said Friday morning on MSNBC's Daily Rundown. "I think a boycott is counterproductive, because I think the people of Nevada and elsewhere deserve to hear and see the candidates."
Perry has also made a play for Nevada's caucus, attracting an early endorsement from Gov. Brian Sandoval. Campaign manager Rob Johnson told NBC's Carrie Dann Thursday Perry supports New Hampshire's role in the nominating process, but ultimately punted to the Republican National Committee on resolving the conflict.
"Gov. Perry respects and supports the long tradition of New Hampshire having the first primary in the nation," Johnson said. "The movement of early primaries and caucuses has pitted states against each other and will only hurt the political process. Gov. Perry will actively and vigorously campaign in every state. Ultimately, we hope the Republican National Committee will come up with rules that are enforceable and protect the traditional calendar."
(Herman Cain, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO, who led the Republican field in this week's NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, hasn't addressed the issue.)
The demand made by Huntsman, and then the other candidates who have joined the boycott, could have the effect of undercutting the importance of Nevada's caucus, if no resolution can be reached and the caucuses stay on Jan. 14. Political observers say that could be a mistake for Republicans, who have struggled, in particular, with Hispanics, a group prevalent in key general-election states like Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico.
The jockeying is reminiscent of the 2008's Democratic primary battle, when Hillary Clinton decided to make a late play in Michigan's primary, despite the state's move to jump ahead in the calendar, under the threat of having its delegates halved at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton participated in the primary, and won, but her victory didn't provide the momentum it might have had Barack Obama or John Edwards participated, or even had their names on the ballot.
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Don't you mean second 'string'? lol
The movie the 'Replacements' comes to mind...
The bunch reminds me of the not ready for prime time players!
*popcorn*?
Love the post Feisty. Does anyone recall the Democrats having issues setting dates for their primaries.
I loved that movie - don't know what was funnier the strippers posing as cheerleaders or the chain-smoking kicker!
Have a great weekend frespech! ;o)
Feisty- do you eat that popcorn when you watch that horror movie called "Change you can Believe In"?
According to the "Change you can Believe In" reviews (Polls) I don't think the general public is interested in a squeal...
What if they gave a debate and no one showed up ? Oh, yeah, the TeaThuglicans in South Carolina did that one already.
Well, what if they gave a debate and no one cared ?..... bean there, done that, multiple times. :D
Maybe New Hampshire could move their primary date to Oct 31st(Halloween) since their repub candudates are sooooo scary! Then all the other states can move their dates up so they finish on April 1st. Wouldn't that be fitting! Scary and fools!
Hmmm Mark. Seems the most recent poll has Obama ahead of every candidate. Some more than others.
My big gripe and I guess it will never change, is WHY in the HELL does New Hampshire set the tone for the whole nation. This little pea sized state seems to weed out candidates before the rest of the country with MUCH more population gets to make their choice known. Someone please explain this to me??? I think primaries should all be on the same day. None of this strategic planning to win a state, lose a state, etc. Do it all at once.
wives fan - I don't understand how a national primary is the answer. If it were to occur, no candidate would likely win enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Thus it moves on to the party convention were "the smoke filled rooms of the past" would make the decision to choose the establishment candidate. Our present system of staggered primaries and caucuses allow the voters to rate candidates on their ability to campaign directly with voters, raise funds, and participate in debates. Its not perfect by any means but the voters get to choose the candidate they want, rather than just being presented with a nominee. Unless of course, that's the way you or others would rather have it done.
Wives fan, The funny thing is that Obama is the incumbent and the Republican candidates are gaining fast! Mitt is fluctuating within 1 or 2 percentage points of Obama, and the campaign against Obama has not even started. I have no worries that Obama is on his way out the door...Oh by the way, what accomplishments do you think that Obama is going to run on? I hope you don't think that he killed Osama...but if you do I guess that shows us all something!
One of the unique things about New Hampshire is that it forces the candidates to actually meet and talk to the voters. As a former resident of that state, I sure do miss the down and dirty conversations at the voter level. Where I live now, we don't even see or hear any of them except for the negative ads and TV spots. Way different political environment. Keep your status as first in the nation, New Hampshire!
So Mark L, what makes you enjoy a "squeal"
Mark, I hope you don't think any repu. killed Osama! President Bush and his tool of destruction Mr. Channey had any hope of finding him. All they did was to convince citizens of usa that while they were the middle east lets march right into Iraq and finish what Daddy Bush failed to do! Oh, did I say the usa should fund both wars.
Lad, I would give credit to our special forces...Seal Team Six and our defense department...
The sequence of state primaries should be randomized each election.
Same Central, that is a novel and interesting idea.
Mark, you choose the polls you like to make it work for you, but the avg poll still has everyone within 10 points or more for Obama. I'm sure you are spouting the typical talking points for reps, but if you look at non-partisan studies, they all point to Obama's actions saving us from an even great disaster for the economy. Has unemployment gone down? No. You can't blame all of that on Obama when you have the reps in the house basically blocking ANY type of bills that could help us. Then you have the reps running on jobs, jobs, jobs last year, but yet have not presented ONE bill to help the job situation.
Do I think Obama "got Bin Laden"? Not totally, but he made it his focus to get him and made the decision to attack when HE had so much to lose if it didn't work. He also just made the decision to bomb the cleric and kill him, so now you are trying to say he has NOTHING to do with being tough on terrorism???
Until the European potential crisis happend last month, markets were almost back to pre tanking levels and everyone's 401K looked MUCH better. So he has nothing to do with any of that either???
Do you see the hypocrisy in your views?? Course I know all the posts in the world on here will not change your mind, but we'll see after next election. People are tired of the teabaggers and they don't like any of your candidates... notice how each new candidate rushes to the top of polls only to flame out??? Where is the idiot Bachmann these days???? Where is Newtie??? Where is the Donald????? Says a lot about your party that EVERY candidate has to hold a meeting with Trump to get his blessing... Give me a friggin' break.
Oh, wait. Forgot to mention Libya where you guys were screaming like howler monkeys, and then when it looks like the rebels won with UN help, suddenly "he led from behind".. though we had NO loss of life, the job was done.. again... give him NO credit.
Let's just get to the Romney Obama debates.
It will be great TV.
let me be clear I inherited a mess about 4 years ago and those republicans those republicans....
Obama 2012 - "I need a mulligan"
Rob in ma-3189632
Let's just get to the Romney Obama debates.
It will be great TV.
let me be clear I inherited a mess about 4 years ago and those republicans those republicans
And you're right
As ussual, Smith only offers some goofy anti-Obama comment, regardless of the topic of the thread. (with help from Rob in ma, of course....)
Where's that *yawn* guy when you need him??
Rob in ma-3189632
My post cut cut off.
And you're right; the republicons have conned America for 3&1/2 years.
The debate will be hilarious. Mitt will be robotic as will be controled by remote.
switch
Rob,
"It will be great TV"
Absolutely, watching Mittens doing his thing, flip flop, will make for a great TV. Hope the camera man can keep up with him.
Rob -
"Great TV?"
I'm not so sure. I hate watching the guys dismember sides of beef in the slaughterhouse, which is what President Obama will do to Mitt.
"under 8%, saved or created, lazer-like focus, shovel ready"
hey, stupid, its the economy stupid
folks who know, know abo
TEA
I really appreciate all you libs cutting up Romney. Keep up the good work.
The last thing we want in the debate is the inability to mention Obamacare.
Keep pushing till Romney is out of the picture, and we have a candidate with distinct differences. Appreciate your fine work.
ABO 2012
the libs are just upset that all the money they put into huntsman has turned up squat. thats ok, watch as they pretend not to like mitt, while pushing for him to win the primary behind the scenes.
sill libs, they have no idea what it is like to NEVER be taken for granted.
TEA
and you can forget about my first 4 years, I need 4 more to put the nail in the U.S coffin. All of my mediocre, entitled followers need their $1,500 per month. As for me, I'll keep EARNING MY $1,500 PER WEEK!!!!!
My question is will President Obama change his speech patterns and dialect depending on which part of the country the debate is in like he did in his 'quit crying' speech?
Rob in ma, The way you make it out to be things were just great in the good old USA before the President took office. Keep whipping that horse its about dead.
Smitty- They will NEVER get it (or, at least, they will never ADMIT that they get it) that an economy as large as ours, that was in such bad shape as ours, CANNOT be fixed in 2.5 years by ANYONE.
My bet today: Even IF Romney or one of the other 'choices' out there win in '12, the economy and unemployment will STILL be bad news up to the end of THEIR full 4-year term.
Any takers?
DRIVE you are part of an ever shrinking minority. How's the great one polling these days on his handling of the economy.
Yes obama walked into a recession but yes he also made it significantly worse.
Rob-- You are one of the few Republicans who will admit that Obama came into office during a horrible recession. There may be hope for you.
Keep reading the posts from the left, they are factual, hopeful and enlightening. You definitely will learn something.
Ignore the posts from the right though. They are idiotic, misleading, negative and let's not forget moronic.
I think I know which side you're comfortable with though.
Rob you are a legend in your own mind and such a waste. You had it half right he walked into a recession but did not make it worse no matter how you twist it in your mind. All the records show that once Obama took office we stopped loosing jobs and started adding or maintaining. Now were they enough to bring us out of recession no, but it has not gotten worse due to his efforts. The republicans have made it clear right from the start they were not going to work with this president and thus not for the american people or our country.
And how do you back your claim the drive is part of a shrinking minority fox tell you that maybe rush. thats original thinking for ya.
Vocal minority perhaps. It appears the Silent majority are joining the minority (See #Occupywallstreet). @Rob in MA - Question for you.
If McCain would have won would he have gleefully took "responsibility" for everything that went down under Bush? Or would he have "distanced" himself from Bush/Cheney?
Who would Ron Paul and his supporters wish to IMPEACH more based on atrocities committed? Bush or Obama?
Mmmm hmm yea thats what i thought. Significantly worse what single smoking gun statistic do you base that HORSE@!$%# assumption on? New (and old circa 2009) studies CONFIRM that the Stimulus that TORIES love to say didnt work, DID WORK to.... wait for it...
Make the Economy LESS WORSE.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/110xx/doc11044/02-23-ARRA.pdf
JAS1 you ooze nothing but nastiness more effective than Ipecac syrup if the opportunity presented itself i would deposit JAS1 induced puke in my shoes then throw them at you! GTFO of here.
the vocal minority moochers who have nothing better to do than make asses of themselves for nothing?
I doubt ALL those "kids" who are protesting (and now being by joined by the "old guard") are all "mooching" off the government. Whats so bad about couch surfing with friends until you can land a gig? You honestly think all those "kids" are on food stamps and Section 8 housing GET REAL
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44880648/ns/us_news-life/t/old-guard-back-trenches-occupy-protests
Adidas my lib friend with the passage of the new epa stripping bill the returds in the house passed in the house today we're gonna need our breaths,dont waste it on a talking head on this thread. Facts mean nothing to these guys.
Obama/Biden 2012 against any one of the Republican corporate butt-kissers!
tom, yreka
isint there a hackeysack game or public defecation contest in NYC your late for?
Which butt kissing repbulican gave 500 million in tax payer money to the solyndra corp. ?
really, ever hear of Imelt? Zer0bama is in his pocket fool! The new gallup poll has your fake, elitist, wannabe dictator trailing the gop badly.
I dont care what +3 or minus 3 means polling 1500 americans doesn NOT accurately represent 320+ MILLION people GTFO
IMMELT HEDGES HIS BETS WAKE UP
http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0111/Immelts_GOP_donations.html
JDM,
Post those poll numbers please.
JoAnnaSmith1
Obama 2012 - "I need a mulligan"
LadySniff,
You need a brain that function properly. Be careful when you drink; since you pull a lot of crap; it may go in the wrong orifice.
Bev there is one thing to be said for JAS1 she is consistant, not sure she even has a brain unless a wire recorder is considered a brain.
Who?
WOW!!! This is stupid. And there is a SIMPLE solution. You will have your primaries based on when you were admitted into the union. If by chance there are multiples admitted on the same date then it will be done alphabetically. Problem solved. NEXT!!!
DEWD!! Don't tell these Baggers they are part of a Union !!! That's...gasp...socialism!!!
Im so confused now. Union, United, Country, Constitution, Bill of Rights, Freedom, Religious doctrine (many) Christian, not Christian, Brainwashed, Black, not black enough. Oh cr@# where am I, what country is this.
Huntsman, Bachmann and Gingrich are non players, so boycotting Nevada will do nothing for their cause.
po po, its still very early.
Imagine how Nevada feels about being left out by these people, talk about dissing someone. Wow.
Nevada? isint that the place in the desert, with legalized prostitution, and harry reid for a senator?
rotfl
Yes and a lot of US Citizens as well. You know Americans. Not to be confused with Texas an extension of Mexico.
yes but "harry the rat" was bribed to mention banning prostitution..he also wanted a 30% electric rate increase for solar power on his land, with a japanese company
Boycott Nevada? Will never happen. Legalized prostitution and gambling . . . the mainstay of the Republican party. Other than legislating women's vaginas, that is the only fun they'll have all year!
You notice the republicans have not band prostitution, just the right to health care, strange don't you think.
Boycott Nevada and we will remember to vote for Obama instead. Republican candidates need to wise up. The whole field of candidates are a bunch of losers anyway. Can we get someone else? Anyone?
So, Gingrich is going to boycott the debate. Smart move. He'll probably get more attention and press coverage by not showing up that he would by participating.
Besides, being an obstructionist and negative are strong character traits in the current make up of the GOP.
Guess that leaves Nevada in the Democratic Column!!!!!
Why would any prosperity achieving, self respecting, responsible person vote for the entitlement party. Oh right, they wouldn't.
Sorry but its the extremely PROSPEROUS or should I say the offspring of the extremely PROSPEROUS aka trust fund babies (generalized statement that actually only applies to a few) that feel ENTITLED to wallow in their wealth, get multiple DUIs, and perform cunnilingus on high priced LV prostitutes contracting HSV due to various stimulants caused performance issues. RECKLESSNESS, FRAUD, ABUSE.
So poor people abuse govt assistance programs OK fine. Largely they only hurt themselves. Many extremely PROSPEROUS people however abuse their power, influence, etc and hurt millions.
Why would any prosperity achieving, self respecting, responsible person vote for the party of obstruction that hates americans and jobs. Oh right, Fox told them to.
JamesDouglasMorrison I have to answer your dribble. I'm a self respecting, responsible, I vote, and pay taxes. I'm self employed. I've paid into my Social Security all my working life. How dare you make it sound like I'm trying to screw my country & get something for nothing. You have no clue what your talking about.
Help, the only thing that makes our state relevant is being threatened! Reminds me of children arguing over who gets shotgun.
I wonder if they would still cancel the debate, if it was FOX news instead of CNN news hosting it?
You cons cling to the lie that Obama made the recession worse, we were losing almost 800,000 jobs per month when he took office and his actions reversed that trend until we started to break even. That's was an improvement . You con's only complain is that he didn't wave a magic wand and override 3 years of republican obstruction of every attempt to improve our economy.
Personally, I agree with boycotting the debate. I am sure there is something on HGTV or ESPN to watch. Of course, watching them debate is the best sleep aid I know of.
lmaooooooooooooooooooo phinephancy i swear i grab a drink and turn on the debates and listen them try to explain how doing the same thing is gonna be diff sends me right off to a beautiful dream when the messiah reagan was around, you know the one who never raised taxes( he actually 3 times) the one who Obama wisely coined in his speech that said y should a teacher making 20,000(in those days, i might be off) pay a higher tax rate than somebody making millions,its time we all pitched in,it was then that i jumped up and realised everything ive been hearing from the republicans was a lie andf what reagan said was reality.. Talk abt a 3 yr coma, whew!!
This is a perfect example of REPUBLICANS representing a CANCER.... If you don't do what they want it starts to EAT ITSELF... How in the world did we let these parasites RUIN our country like this..... Jesus.... VOTE THEM OUT!
Do you really believe that the Republican Party can change and direct the course of the Country for the better when they can't even avoid conflict in their own primary schedule.
If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? If a republican candidate boycotts a debate will anyone notice?
lmaooooooooooooooooooo phinephancy i swear i grab a drink and turn on the debates and listen them try to explain how doing the same thing is gonna be diff sends me right off to a beautiful dream when the messiah reagan was around, you know the one who never raised taxes( he actually 3 times) the one who Obama wisely coined in his speech that said y should a teacher making 20,000(in those days, i might be off) pay a higher tax rate than somebody making millions,its time we all pitched in,it was then that i jumped up and realised everything ive been hearing from the republicans was a lie andf what reagan said was reality.. Talk abt a 3 yr coma, whew!!
we in nevada don't want any candidates whose loyalty belongs to someone besides "we the people" all you corporate puppets ..stay the f... out
Right on
Do you really think... a party with no electable candidates; one that is split into factions; one that demands you be a "born again Christian; and one where the state delgations try to undermine the others...can lead this country?
What a pathetically pitiful lot... The GOP's convention theme song should be "Send in The Clowns."
ACTUALLY the poles do show Obama ahead WHEN there is a choice of all the candidates
of which what is it 6 or seven are republicans
BUT when the poles pick Obama head to head with each of the republican candidates
HE LOSES
the CLOSET HE GETS IS Michele Bachmann with Michele by 4 points
BUT
poles really don't mean much , ITS ALL in the questions , and the audience responding to the pole ,
NAME CALL AND SLAM THE REPUBLICANS
here are some facts for you LOOK IT UP
THE LAST time republicans controlled congress was in 1994 ,17 years ago
THE LAST TIME CONGRESS passed a budget on time ,there primary duty was 1994 , 17 years ago
THE LAST TIME WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET ,( with a surplus ) was 1994, 17 years ago
SEVENTEEN YEARS Democrats have been in control and we went from a balanced budget with a surplus , to 16 trillion dollars in debt , borrowing 40 cents out of every dollar we spend
FACTS ARE FACTS
I know facts don't matter
Apparently so, because you can't even get your own facts straight. And we're not talking minor details--where talking about the fundamental facts that serve as the foundation of your argument.
In 1994 Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress, and lost control of both in the 1994 election. Republicans then had both the House and the Senate until the 2000 election which produced a statistical tie in the Senate (50 seats a piece). But Jeffords switch parties in mid 2001 and Dems had the Senate until the 2002 election. Then Republicans had control for another four years. So, from 1995 to early 2007, Republicans have had the House for the entire time, and the Senate for most of the time.
And as for deficit reduction? The first time the government had posted a surplus in several generations was in 1998. This lasted until 2002 or so (contributed by the post 9/11 recession, and the massive, tax cuts). Since 2002, a Republican Congress and a Republican president have only grown the deficit. They let efforts to cut the budget expire (such as PAYGO), and contributed to the growing deficit through spending for their constituents (some would label that pork).
BTW: None of the above two paragraphs are opinion. They are fact.
So if you're going to be talking about how the facts matter, at least get your fundamental facts straight.