mattpfl - Mitt Romney is going to cruise through the GOP primary almost entirely untested and unchalleng­ed by the rest of the candidates­, with potentiall­y devastatin­g consequenc­es for the Republican Party.

Then he'll get dissected by the Obama Operatives and likely by some political junkies on this blog for the whole electorate and onlookers to see that he's an empty barrel.

PEN-24, your 'empty barrel' comment reminds me of Republicans calling candidate Obama an 'empty suit.' Can't say that about Romney though - his uniform of choice is blue jeans. So that must mean he's got empty jeans - ouch!

Romney is Obama's worst nightmare. Add that to the following:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-usa-campaignturnoutl1e7ns5gz-20111228,0,2359360.story

Young people aren't nearly as dumb as they seem. Voted in 2008 and now live at home with mommy since they can't get a job. Appears that they are not fooled twice.

Bull@!$%#, Ron Paul won.

Watermoon,,, Didn't you say that about Perry & Bachmann?

You can say all you want about Romney's flip floping, but at least he is not flip flopping from one bed to another.

You can say all you want about him bankrupting companies he bought...but there are some government agencies that need to be bankrupted. And he didn't bankrupt EVERY business he bought...else he would not be rich...

You can say anything you want about his religion, but he has raised 5 sons and I haven't heard any scuttle about any of them so far.

I thought he was the only one with enough business sense to get us through in 2008 and I believe it even more today.

If Romney wins the primary, it will be interesting to see if he flips back to his more moderate platform, in an attempt to gain independent support.

He is in a tough situation. If he continues pandering to the far right extremists, he will lose moderates and independents. If he shifts towards the center, he risks losing the hardcore right wing to a write-in candidate. On top of all that, he also needs to convince the evangelicals to vote for a Mormon, which would be a feat in itself.

He will have a difficult road, but at least he is the lesser of the evils... well, almost. Huntsman would have been better, but he is too logical and intelligent for the extremists.

I will say this.. Gov Rommney's top endorsers are employess of Goldman Sachs. His second top are employees of Credit Sussie. Credit Sussie is not a US company.

If you want a banker for president, then Gov. Rommney maybe the best choice, at least thats what hte bankers are saying.

As the headline reads, Romney should top the field in Iowa. He's the best qualified of the presidential candidates (Obama included) to move the country towards a prosperous future. This is my opinion, of course. Others on this liberal-leaning board will likely disagree. What is for sure, however, is that Americans will speak next November. My money is Romney to be our next president!

Newt Getrich should be facing federal corruption investigation, this loser is a crook.

"weak candidate with a history of flip-flopp­ing and of pandering to whichever position gives him the best political opportunit­y at the time."

Other than Ron Paul, name one candidate about which the statement does not apply. Gingrich is the one to which it applies most accurately. However, this says more about the fringe politics mentality of the GOP than about the quality of candidates. The flaw in the system is that candidates play the media horse-race game to see who can take the most extreme and irrational positions in order to court fringe elements of their "base." As a result, the closer we get to actual primaries and the election, the more "real" potential voters come forward. Then the prognostications become at least marginally relevant. Beyond that, following the media in this circus is no more productive or instructive than watching "reality TV."

Romney is a walking disaster.But I find it interesting that this poll is thrown out when PPP shows Paul ahead by 4% earlier today.I also believe this poll is underestimating polls strength,given that they only polled Republicans(to my understanding).It would also be nice if the Establishment Media investigated Romney as much as they trashed Paul.

A retort to Watermoon: true it might be a low turnout, but so it was in '48, that's what allowed Truman to win. But there is a better than 50-50 chance that OWS will bud again in the spring which may excite more young people. And there is a better than 50-50 chance that CW may be wrong and that the GOP may overplay it's hand with Citizen's United advertising. In other words, there may be an unexpected backlash. It's not a great leap to remind people of the bad old days: Cheney = Rove = Romney. Romney might be smarter to take public financing, disavow Rove and all PACs, and sit on his porch to await the returns.

@Texasgramou812. Sure, Romney has business sense, if you think firing/laying off people, selling the company's assets, and sending the business overseas is business sense. And--btw--we aren't electing a corporate CEO, we're electing a government head. BIG difference! Knowing how to be a corporate bully holds no sway in dealing with other elected representatives.

Mitt Gingrich and Newt Romney are one in the same. Totally crazy. Pandering to whatever group they think will help them get elected. Most of the people in the U.S. will not vote for either one of them. The Republicans know they don't have a snowball chance in hell of winning against President Obama. They have made the American people suffer just so they could try and win the White House. If you all though the 2010 election was a butt whooping just wait and see what the Republicans will experience. I will just love watching Rand Paul for the next 4 years run his face and not get anything done because he will not have anyone to back him. Teaparty, Republicans, evangelicals the whole lot of them are going to pay and very big cost for trying to screw over the American public. For all who disagree see you back here is November is you dare sign on.

What bull@!$%# reporting and a total distortion of the facts. Romney Surging? According to MSNBC " The polls, conducted Dec. 21-24 and Dec. 26-27 by ORC, have a 4.5 percent margin of error for the Iowa results"

4.5 percent margin of error is not a surge, that is a tie with Ron Paul. But wait, here's a real poll by Public Policy Polling

Ron Paul 24%
Mitt Romney 20%
Newt Gingrich 13%
Michele Bachmann 11%
Rick Perry 10%
Rick Santorum 10%
Jon Huntsman 4%
Buddy Roemer 2%

Mitt will win the nomination because he is the only one thatcan get the independent votes, having experience to get things done and work with both sides, he will do a good job, Romnicare is not a big deal, having the republicans in control of congress and his compromise to repeal Obamacare he will do, something the majority of Americans want. Obama lack of leadership and is too ideological and partisan , unable to work in bipartisan matters, his administration is focus in divide our country. We don't need this kind of leaders.

oskar ... "unable to work in bipartisan matters" by this, if you mean "unable to talk to a wall" you're right!

AND ... if you can pin down what he really stands for (besides money) you are more aware than most!

mattpfl "Romney is a weak candidate with a history of flip-flopp­ing and of pandering to whichever position gives him the best political opportunit­y at the time."

Sounds a lot like Obama to me.

It would be a welcome 'Change' from the Amateur in Chief we have now in the White House. I guess trying to 'Spend our way out of the recession' didn't work very well.

Doubter222-

you might just want to look up Bain Capital and see what they REALLY did. Yes- they had to liquidate a few companies because they were not viable- but the VAST majority went on to huge successes! That's why Romney's in the financial position he's in today- because he knows how to grow business! He also knows how to turn around troubled assets- re: the SLC Olympics.

Stop listening to Ed and Rachel and find out the FACTS!!

@The Devil-

This poll in question was done December 21-24/26-27, so it is the MOST current info we have and it shows Romney moving past RP. Looks like RP better get his act together...

@Ursala, Mitt's been called a plastic man on Ron Paul's commercials, sort of like the Ken doll maybe, nothing in his pants either!

Considering this poll only sampled likely republican voters and RP still ended up with 22% I'm guessing he will walk away with 35% at the actual caucus follwed by the (insert Neo-Con here) 20%. In the end it will be a huge victory for Paul and then of course we can turn to NH where if Romney doesn't get 50% it should be considered a loss...afterall we should always look to who comes in second for the real winner in a Primary...right?

If the new rumors are true; being Huntsman joining Romney as his running mate, they will slaughter Obama. Huntsman is probably the best candidate from either party; however, he would make a fantastic V.P. He has more international experience then all others combined. He understands other countries economies and how the U.S. and there's impact each other. Would be solid.

brewsky- lay off the brewsky! Romney and Huntsman HATE each other! And the TEA BAGS hate BOTH of them!

Did you hear today that Obama wants to raise the cap ceiling on our national debt? In a nutshell, we are already at 16+ Trillion and Obama wants to spend more.. Exactly who does Obama think is going to pay for all this unchecked spending... Our grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Is this the future you want for your offspring..

It time to clean out Washington, starting with President Obama. I'm glad Romney is doing well.. He is a man of integrity and knows how to balance a budget.. Perhaps, Governor Romney should give a few budget lessons to President Obama!....

plain bob 2012...not affiliated to corporate america...just your average citizen...who wants the country back...

This debt ceiling debate is the SAME debate we had LAST year! The Tea Party only agreed to it, with the President having to "ask" for it TWO MORE TIMES before next year! Read all about it! This is the response they were hoping for! People that didn't pay attention to the details would/will be appalled that he (Obama) has to BEG the house of FOOLS for it again!

Let's remember the money is being used to pay for spending that has ALREADY OCURED! THE FREAKING WARS that you all LOVE SO MUCH!

Ronazwyf: might want to google how many times your boy Bush raised the debt ceiling. Apparantly, it would be very enlightening for you.

oskar-1391552
Mitt will win the nomination because he is the only one thatcan get the independent votes,

Are you kidding me?!
I havent seen much of anything proclaiming that Romney can rack up a ton of independents.
Ron Paul on the other hand, is known to be popular among independents and frustrated democrats/blue republicans. He is the only one that can unite people across the political spectrum.

One of three things is going to happen:
1. Ron Paul doesn't get the nomination and runs as a third party candidate: A NBC/Wall Street Journal poll suggests Ron Paul would win 18 percent as a third-part­y candidate running against Obama and Romney. Obama wins.
2. Ron Paul drops out: fervent and stubborn Ron Paul supporters stay home or write him in. Obama wins.
3. Ron Paul gets the GOP nomination­: Ron Paul gets the following voters: (a. 2008 Obama voters who thought they were going to get 'Change', (b. 2008 Obama voters who voted to end the wars, (c. the VAST majority of the Independen­t vote, (d. the entire GOP voting block who dislikes Obama enough to vote for Ron Paul instead. (e. Ron Paul supporters coming out to vote in DROVES. Ron Paul wins.)

That is garunteed to happen, none of the other GOP candidates can take any votes from Obama like Paul can. Paul commands at the very least 10-15% of republican voters who will vote for no one else. In reality, Paul underpolls in these likely voter gop polls because they dont count independents or democrats. Plenty of people have switched to vote just for Paul.

R estore
O ur
N ation
P rotect
A merica
U nderstand
L iberty

A vote for Mitt is a vote for Obama. Anyone would be better than that.

This poll was conducted after the ads ran on Pauls newsletters which will come back to haunt him as his answers on them were unbelievable! "I did not read them" is just plain stupid and his foreign policy statements border on insanity. Now lets look at Romney. He was defeated for the nomination last time by John McCain who was defeated prior to that By GW Bush. So in effect he is second best to GW Bush who was the worst President we ever had barring none. Mitt is a business man lover and we just went through letting businesses police themselves. Wanting to elect a person with the same persona that caused the world economic's to crash seems like the dumbest thing you can do at this time and that is Mitts aura. Going back to the same thing that got us in trouble is not the answer. Giving Obama and the Democrats a chance to fix the mess the republicans made of this country is the answer. The party of no does not need to give the farm away to the rich.

"Obama lack of leadership and is too ideological and partisan , unable to work in bipartisan matters, his administration is focus in divide our country. We don't need this kind of leaders."

Utter nonsense and proof the right does not understand the problem so they cannot find a solution.

Young people aren't nearly as dumb as they seem. Voted in 2008 and now live at home with mommy since they can't get a job. Appears that they are not fooled twice.

Very true and since a great majority of those living there as well as in homeless shelters and on the streets, have been living there since 2006 and have constantly watched all their hopes being dashed by the party of NO since then, they won't be fooled into believing the party of NO has any more compassion for them and their plights now than they did back in 2006 when their homes and jobs started disappearing.

@Chris

Hi. I'm an independent. Now then. Although your senario makes sense for the most part I think there is one problem that you may have overlooked. If Dr. Paul does get the republican nomination he would be teamed with a republican running mate in the V.P. position. Given Ron's age there does exist the possibility that he may not be able to complete his term if elected, thereby moving the V.P. into the presidency.

As much as I might be inclined to support Ron Paul, I would experience difficulty chancing that to take place unless someone such as perhaps Huntsman were the person involved. The rest of the likely contenders? NO WAY would I take that chance. By and large most republicans have chit in their own nests while attempting to appease the fringe lunatics.

Could a true third party attempt succeed? Normally, probably not. But these are NOT normal times. Just looking at the ups and downs of the various republican contenders would perhaps be an indicator of people's indecision at this time. Look at how much things have changed in only the last month or two. We have ten months in which to choose who will lead this nation for the following four years. Time enough, I believe, for a well thought out and concentrated effort. Just what... if anything... do we have to lose?

It doesn't really matter whether you call yourself a conservative or liberal. It doesn't really matter whether you call yourself a Republican or a Democrat. There are(and always have been) good patriotic Americans that place country first, idealogy second and readily dump ridiculous labels in the nearest garbage can. Correct me, if I'm wrong, but it seems that many of us cherish the labels more than our most noble cause. That may be everything that is wrong with America today. We are stockpiling the garbage as we sacrifice our true values to make room for more garbage. Our political leaders are only following our own example in order to get our votes.

It's not all our own fault, The information age has obviously overwhelmed many of us. We were once taught to think for ourselves. I believe that each of us are born with a sense of right and wrong. What went wrong that so many of us now depend on the talking heads of FOX or MNSBC to tell us how to think? Even the dullest among us can think for ourselves. It's those silly labels that we so proudly attach to ourselves and use to bash the heads of those (with different labels) AT the behest of these talking heads.

What the hell is wrong with us? We have more allegiance to the television images of Bill O'Reilly and Chris Matthews than our neighbors, friends and family? Only because of differing ideaolgical and political beliefs? How did we forget that we all share a common goal of a better and prospering America despite our differences? How did we forget that establishing a strong bond with neighbors, friends and family was the only way to acheive that common goal?

I was a slightly above average student in 5th grade when I learned of Hitler's rise to power. My neighborhood bordered a close-knit community commonly called German town. I knew them as a kind, gentle and loving people. Their children often excelled in academics at my school. They were the template that I followed to become a better student. I was astounded that such a proud, loyal and brilliant people once allowed themselves to be led by such a ruthless dictator.

How was I to know( at such a young and tender age), that the American people would allow that same door to open within my life-time?

Put your prejudice aside. Turn off the television. Pick up and open a history book, You will soon learn that history does, indeed, repeat itself. We can never change yesterday. We can (and must) work hard today to change tomorrow, lest we repeat yesterday's horrid mistakes.

ron paul is the best candidate.the problem is he cant be controlled by the rich.they will never let him be the nominee.romney will most likely be our next president.we could do worse

The big money will make sure that Romney wins the GOP nod and I sense a 3 party race coming. Romney is a penis in a pin striped suit.

AP - "Ronazwyf: might want to google how many times your boy Bush raised the debt ceiling. Apparantly, it would be very enlightening for you."

That's your best defense for our Government spending way more money than we have? Bush did it?

So PBO does exactly as Bush and yet somehow you hate Bush and love PBO.

This is the problem with our country and why most intelligent people have realized that aligning themselves with hypocrites is the real problem.

FYI- hypocrites = Dems and Repubs - They both have turned into the parties of huge Government for their own ideas.

It don't look good for the wingnuts.

I just want to see Trump run with Bachman as his running mate. Can you imagine what that would do for comedy in this country. With unemployment so high the least the republinazis can do is make us laugh since they are the ones that got us into this mess and have tried to do whatever they could do keep us in this mess.

Mitts Busseness sense is Buy It , Break it Up, Sell It OFF and screw the people. Not the guy I want in charge of the country, Though if he wants to sell Texas to China to help with the national debt I could be convinced.

Lose to Obama.

The only candidate who could beat Obama in 2012 is Ron Paul. He's the only candidate that's making Democrats switch parties because they agree with him, (not so much the republican party though!) and that would give him a huge edge in the general election.

If Romney can't excite more than ~20% of his base, what's he going to do next November?

Excellent question Ursula!

I have observed department store mannequins with more personality than Willard...

Feisty, He dosn't have to excite any more people...Obama has been able to bring the others to the light for him...plus, he doesn't need a Teleprompter on order to speak!

JG,

Ron Paul is not a Republican, he is far too liberal on social issues. I happen to agree with his stance on most social issues, but I also recognize that is the reason he will not gain full Republican support.

Mitt Romney won? This proves that Americans continue to love being lied to and don't mind getting screwed over by the gov't. Also, shows that most Americans fear any change that can only make things better than they are now.

Which lies are these?

Listening to you folks remind me of the Popular kids at the high school lunch table. They taunt and name call and make stuff up.

Put some facts up.

Yeah Bob, Romney doesn't need a teleprompter to speak. What a blitheringly stupid statement. Every politician and public speaker uses a teleprompter. Including Romney.

The only world where Obama's the sole politician to use a teleprompter is in Fox Fantasyland.

Ursula:

If Romney can't excite more than ~20% of his base, what's he going to do next November?

We all know the answer to your question. President Nixon clearly articulated the G.O.P. strategy way back when. You move as far to the right as necessary to capture the base. Once you have secured the nomination you run like hell towards the center.

Right now, most signs point to Romney. As the Republican strategy dictates, he has moved rightward, but as carefully as possible. Given his numerous well-covered flip-flops, he must be extremely careful about further adding to that reputation. In addition, he has the Mormon "taint" on him.

Absent a brokered convention, Romney takes the nomination, and Republicans grit their teeth and vote for him.

The trick is getting lazy Dems off their backsides and off to the polls. Nelson's retirement more than likely puts McConnell one step closer grabbing the Majority Leader position. That would be absolute disaster for the country.

Democrats must create a filibuster-proof Senate majority and they must re-take the House. If they do not, a fascist oligarchy, martial law, and third-world status are in the United States' not very distant future. Democrats and genuine independents had better understand that staying home on election day is outright suicide.

I'd like to like Ron Paul, but he completely disregards the value of effective regulation that has proper oversight and accountability.

China has terrible regulation, both environmental and civil. Companies are able to get away with all sorts of terrible things with little to stop them and their pollution is as bad as their corruption.

While I like that Ron Paul would finally put an and to the idiocy that is the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, he loses me when he thinks that businesses can be left to police themselves.

Dangerous mind

He don't go to Fox because he can't use teleprompter. He almost cancel an event because his teleprompter was stolen in October this year. :)

Romney may have the best chance against Obama but even that is a very small one. Obama is too smart and has really good people managing his campaign. The Republicans have committed suicide already and their convention will be a farce. Obama woins by 10-15 points and the Dems take back the House and enlarge their majority in the Senate.

Oskar:

Hay, no having grammer and smart don't stop coming here for you. You almost have not writing hear because you have bad grammer keyboard.

There is a petty portion from the far far right that might not vote for him, otherwise, it's vote for anyone but Obama.

I'd like to like Ron Paul, but he completely disregards the value of effective regulation that has proper oversight and accountability.

China has terrible regulation, both environmental and civil. Companies are able to get away with all sorts of terrible things with little to stop them and their pollution is as bad as their corruption.

While I like that Ron Paul would finally put an and to the idiocy that is the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, he loses me when he thinks that businesses can be left to police themselves.

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you know I'm a big RP supporter but I feel the same as you, I'd like to see him adjust his stance a little on regulation of large corporations, but I also look at what all of our current leaders and other candidates are for and they completely sell out to these corporations. I'm willing to let Paul go to bat for me for four years and trust his judgment over the current and past sellouts (to be clear I'm talking about both parties).

david walker - America doesn't need a 2013 congressional make up like we had in 2009-2010 with a filibuster proof senate as you suggest. Unless of course it is the party opposite of the potus.

american, we did not have a filibuster proof Senate in 2009-2010. The Dems never had more than 58 at any given time-and that included the "Blue Dog" Dems. And we couldn't count on the Independents, like Joe Lieberman, either. He may caucus with the Dems but he's a Republican-just ask McCain. ;-)

American lotsanumbers:

There was no filibuster proof Senate in 2009-2010. That lie has been debunked time and time again. The entire time line has been posted on several occasions. There is no point in putting it up again, as you will simply ignore facts.

However, if you would agree to read the facts, and admit that you are wrong after reading the facts, I will put it up again.

may be the repub's...need to practice yodeling...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Ebi34JO94&feature=related

Seriously? No...Really?!
I'd like to like Ron Paul, but he completely disregards the value of effective regulation that has proper oversight and accountability.

Yea, I believe in basic regulations. However, I know that if he gets into the Whitehouse, he cant undo everything over night.
The first and only executive order he would create is to undo all previous executive orders. He still needs Congress to pass laws or appeal them. He is the perfect man for this point in time. He would do enough to reverse our destructive course.
If everything were perfect, the government had a balanced budget and there was peace, then he probably wouldnt be needed, but we have none of that and it gets worse by the week.

For those of you who have a problem with the President using a teleprompter, think of the blathering of words we would have had if George W. Bush had beens allowed to talk without a prompter! LOL! I still get a kick out of his screw ups when he didn't have a teleprompter!

@chris 766055

post #1.29 is the closest thing to what might really happen. If Republicans want the white house, they will have to deal with Paul. If not, Obama again.

you guys talk like the POTUS can make everything happen... well he can't. It is actually Congress that has control for the most part and we have all seen how the House and Senate cannot compromise or agree on the most important issues our country faces.. This is why we need someone that will throw them and maybe even wake the lazy bums up. Ron Paul may very well be that person. Voting for him may well put the Republicans and Dems in line especially since he is more a voice of America then all the politicians put together. I know some of you are afraid he might go to far but don't forget that the house and senate also must agree in order for him to push things through so it could be a fantastic Check and Balance we are looking for.

descrs; Isn't that the truth about Dubya. It still amazes me that he was the POTUS. Unbelievable. I can't see Mitt doing anything if he to be elected as the candidate to run against President Obama. He'll get crushed. Now Paul he's been at this a long time and he knows what he's doing so far. He'll work all the voters to get what he needs, but in the end I'm not sure if he's the right guy for the job either. I'm not sure about his liberal thoughts mixing along with the conservative ones too, maybe he's the new flip flop for them. Exactly where is he standing with his thought on the state taking over some of the current affairs. I just don't know for sure about him, but we'll see. The best thing I see is voting out the repubes in the house and senate and then getting things done. For now thats the best thing going, they ruined this country right after Dubya drove it into the ground. Then another thing too, its time to vote McCain out completely, he's a prejudice racist and not any good for anyone, he a real snake and a spitting image of Dubya in office right now. Everyone needs to kneel down and pray and say thank you for not having McCain elected the last time around. Thats what surprises me about Mitt, he wasn't good enough last time, so why would he be good this time? He must of did some real good flip flopping to get peoples interest, but then again the repubes don't have anyone else.

@ sboon398 and Chris-766055

Very true, RP wouldn't be able to undo a lot of stuff overnight, and there's a lot of value that he could bring to his position, most notably that he is untouchable and pushes in the opposite direction of his shady competition that are all bought and paid-for by the lobbyists and spokes-holes for the GOP and politics in general.

I'm not registered as a Republican, so unless they host an open primary in my state, it's going to be up to you guys to vote him in as a candidate.

I'll throw my vote towards RP if he wins the GOP primary, but I have the feeling that the social conservatives and neocons can't stand him, so it's going to be slim.

But good luck to him.

And that is why you don't get paid to think!!!!!!

Ron Paul absolutely! But Santorum!? Ewww.

Ron Paul cannot possibly survive the backlash from his racist and anti-Israel newsletters. He is and always will be a fringe candidate.

JesusismyDog.........Ouch.

Ron Paul is on the left of Obama foreing policy. For Ron Paul ,Iran is a friendly country, Ron Paul want the legalization of marijuana , this is how he get young people and hippies to vote for him. Ron Paul is not a conservative he is a libertarian.

Oskar

Ron Paul is not saying it should be legalized but left up to the states to decide and decriminalized. You obviously have not listened to him one bit as you spew parroted lies you read on the internet. It is obvious you parrot only what you here by your ref to him being to the left of Obama, try thinking for yourself once you may do better.

Ron Paul is polling at 24% First place in Iowa.

Newt who?

Ah yes, Rick Santorum has been slowly moving up the ladder, and may indeed become competitive. Santorum's problem is the lack of name ID, and knowledge of his past. From what little I know about him, he might appeal to the people of Iowa.

oskar-1391552

Ron Paul is on the left of Obama foreing policy. For Ron Paul ,Iran is a friendly country, Ron Paul want the legalization of marijuana , this is how he get young people and hippies to vote for him. Ron Paul is not a conservative he is a libertarian.

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Ron Paul does not see Iran as a friendly country, but he does understand that when you sanction a man or a countries freedom the inevitable is war because you have already declared war on them. Paul, and many americans I should add, want us to leave these people alone and let them live their own lives.

Do you think Iran is more interested in blowing up israel if it has established trade with America or less inclinded to do so? Ron Paul is the one candidate that actually has a sound foregin policy.

sboon - I don't think iran cares a whole lot what America thinks. Based on recent news reports irans neighbors are very concerned about iran.

Iran threatening to close off the hormuz straight is not going to make their neighbors happy. Interesting on how prices at the pump here in iowa have gone up about $.15.gallon

I say 'screw that podunk sh!t hole Iowa". Why should some bum f..k egypt place with the population of a mexican ghost town determine how the rest of the country should live and govern.

Time to change the way our country votes and let's go with the popular vote. They can vote for their goat-handlers in Iowa but the rest of the country wants to vote in the 21st century and not depend on some 19th century backwoods, stone skipping, goat milking octagenerian who still boils his bath water on a wood burning stove to make decisions for those of us living in the real world.

Santorum may be moving up in Iowa, but the rest of the country is not impressed. Iowa should stick to what they do best - grow corn.

Their ultra- conservative- anti-everything- except- government- farm- subsidies- that- don't- exist- because- they- don't- fit- in- with- their- pretend- values- are not shared by the rest of the country.

Doesn't matter...even if Romney comes in second and takes N. Hampshire, that's enough momentum to carry him through. This isn't going to take long in this field of utter lightweights...

All of you are right. It doesn't matter if Romney wins the caucus. Romney is the same as Obama. We may get out of this mess Obama and this corrupt congress has gotten us in but Romney will flip flop after winning. What is the difference? Obama doesn't know what he is doing and doesn't care as long as he can spend. We don't have any idea how this new congress and Romney will ruin the country. Paul is the only chance we have.

So once again, the republican voter will vote for a candidate {Romney} who has zero interest in their well being.

What a surprise.

As opposed to Obama who will tell you what your well being needs. Got it.

Mitt W. Romney has also been happily and faithfully married to his wife and they are the grandparents of 10 grandchildren.

Doug, so what's you point of that remark?

Charles

I suppose you believe that the racist commentaries in the Ron Paul newsletters were a sign of "character, honor and integrity." I don't.

Charles ...

I can't figure out which side you're on, but that was a great read anyway! I love historical perspectives like that. Keep it up!

Charles Burris........thank you. Your recall to 64 is spot on....and accurate.

Unlike 99% of the rantings posted here, you post a well written, logical and factual argument for your candidate of choice. I have been undecided during this entire process. As I live in Iowa, I have become somewhat disgusted, too, with the process and the candidates. I plan on attending the caucus. Still undecided. But, with your post, I am leaning....

Thanks again.

Pat Boston MA.

So once again, the republican voter will vote for a candidate {Romney} who has zero interest in their well being.

If you haven't already, read "What's the Matter with Kansas"

very interesting read...I see similar things happening in other parts of the country. Social conservatives would be better served if they took some economics courses and realized what they were voting for half the time.

Doug and
Ron Paul has been married to the same woman all his life 54 tears so Paul wins that one hands down.

don97524

Charles

I suppose you believe that the racist commentaries in the Ron Paul newsletters were a sign of "character, honor and integrity." I don't.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why don't we ask the head of the NAACP in Texas...oh wait they already did. Go ahead and get over it Don, some jackass wrote some nasty stuff in a newsletter with his name on it and he has made it clear he disavows it.

I still like clean water!

with just a little coffee and sugar in it...

Ugh.

You do realize that ending the Fed would almost completely remove the US's ability to manage its fiat currency, right?

Does the Fed need better oversight? Oh hell yes! Does the Fed need to be dissolved...no

Unlike Ron Paul, you should read up on the advantages of fiat currencies over commodity-derived, the importance of regulating markets and the folly of allowing businesses to police themselves.

We can take this country back from those that have hijacked it to send jobs overseas and or usurp tax dollars for nothing of value in return.

To do that:

1. We need to clean out the lobbyists from Washington
2. We need to change the reporting structure and oversight of the Fed, they act far too autonomously
3. We need to re-apply the Concentration of Media and Sherman Anti-Trust Acts and break apart the likes of Comcast-MSNBC-Universal, Fox-Fox-Fox, AT&T, Verizon, BofA, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan-Chase etc. Monopolies and oligopolies slow/prevent an efficient free market, they stifle prices, innovation and efficiency.
4. We need to remove China from MFN status and remove the ability for a company to deduct any expenses associated with outsourcing. Continue outsourcing if you wish, but do it on your own dime. Also, if you're publicly traded, you must disclose how much headcount is outsourced labor next to the disclosures for revenue by global region in the SEC Statements
5. Additionally (though I could go on), all assets on the balance sheet must be reported net of encumbrances. If you're GE and have several billion offshored in tax-shelters, you must report it net of the company's effective tax-rate and disclose the deferred tax liability for having that cash off-shored (remember, most major corporations offshore cash before tax but disclose it fully on their returns in order to appear more liquid than they actually are...let's remove the incentive).
6. Etc.

In any sense, I like Ron Paul's interest in ending the War on Drugs and the invasiveness of the War on Terror. But his fiscal policy is abysmal

Seriously, yes removing the Fed at this time is not an option, but it is still a bad idea that hurts us constantly. the trouble is making it subservient to the President or Congress wouldn't work either. Power hungry politicians would become an even bigger problem than greedy bankers.

@ DB Akron

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

I agree with your contempt for the Fed considering how the Fed has given ridiculous near-zero interest loans to shady people who do them favors not to mention some of the other ridiculous abuses

However, the Fed (when it works right) is the only stopgap that keeps China/India/Vietnam from completely ruining our economy and killing every remaining industry we have. The Fed is also like the clutch and shifter that keeps our economy from stalling out or over-heating.

What I suggest is that the Fed be cracked open like a clam every year in a giant financial audit and they must justify their major activities to the taxpayer.

I feel that the Fed is able to act far too independently because it never has to back up its actions and its decision-makers can hide under a cloak and away from accountability. There's nothing like tying a name to a Fed-action and being able to directly investigate it and prosecute it if need-be for people to suddenly act more ethically.

Imagine if all the trolls on Newsvine had to disclose their name and address, how likely would they be to troll if they were no longer anonymous and suddenly accountable for their statements?

If you think about it since Ron Paul couldn't actually get rid of the fed ... he well may be the tool to get an audit of government and a crackdown on most of those issues.

Strongly agree with #6.1 - Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:47 PM EST above.

Also, read commondreams.org/view/2011/12/24-4 on the www for some shocking behind the scenes information on how we have been swindled by Wall Street and the banks. I thought I was informed. I guess not.

"while Gingrich slides"

Sounds right . . . most soft turds do (slide, I mean), and downhill at that!

He learned THAT trick from King George!

Here in Indiana it was Democratic chairman that stuffed the ballot box for Obama and Hillary.

He just resigned two weeks ago.

I can understand a misguided volunteer doing something stupid, but the party chair? We call that corruption here in Hoosierland.

The problem with liberals is that they are godless. And godless people tend to look at themselves as being godlike, and just, and right.

Here is the truth, all men have the capacity for evil. But there is no lie or unspeakable horror a godless person will commit to create their heaven on earth. It's the old ends justify the means.

So Gingrich reported he had a bad apple in his basket. Did Obama admit that of the Indiana Democratic chair? No he did not. Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, dont tell no truths, we will be found out. Shhhhhhhh.

Liberals heaven on earth. Really? Outlaw Greed? Really? Down with people that disagree with us because they are bad people? Really?

A real lack of understanding of the inherent flaws in all men. Outlaw Greed. That cracks me up.

The fact is, you concentrate all the money into the hands of the government, and like pedophiles attracted to youth goups, you'll have the greedy attracted to politics. You believe a Democratic politician is different than a Republican politician. Your a fool. Vote for me and I'll set you free. But its going to cost you.

There is too much money there now. Corzine was a Democrat, do you think he's a blessed man? Do you think the wolf will not wear sheeps clothing?

And if a measure of a man is if he had a failed marriage, then it looks like 60% of all men in the U.S. are failed. As are their wives.

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right. Here I am, stuck in the middle again.,

Although that fits the mantra, it is far too obvious. Newt didn't order the fraud a campaign worker simply did it. No matter the truth at this point, this clearly hurts Gingrich.

@ I took it differently

You're blaming a lack of ethics on a lack of religion?

Where's your proof. Unethical and psychotic people follow all sorts of systems, some religious, some not and I guarantee you that there are a ton of people we could both list that fall under religious or not. But you've already made up your mind.

And if a measure of a man is if he had a failed marriage, then it looks like 60% of all men in the U.S. are failed. As are their wives.

"A man's measure of himself is a woman, a woman's measure of herself is material...If man could have sex in a cardboard box, he wouldn't buy a house"

-Dave Chappelle

I take it differently, too.

"The problem with liberals is that they are godless."

Really? You can just say that and it becomes truth?

Try this on: You are an agent of the devil.

Did it work? Jack azz.

Umm Romney is proposing more spending. And he thinks the supercommittee was doing a good job.

As opposed to no hope, and no change. That's the only message Republicans ever present on how they will govern America. That, and it's everyone else's fault.

Romney will just sacrifice the American worker and the middle class to support his own class, the super rich. He did it in the past (what you call business acumen....gut the company lay off the workers and sell the carcasss for profit) and will do it again. He is NOT to be trusted.

Your characterization of the president is exactly the baseless right wing talking point rhetoric we can expect from the opposition. A slogan (like the tleprompter) that is not only not based in fact is obviously opposite to the truth. Kool-Aid drinkers.... ugh!

Rick-- you must not be old enough to remember Ronald Reagan, his optimism, and the "Morning in America" campaign theme. Reagan was handed an economy in crisis and foreign policy failures and turned it into one of America's greatest post-war growth cycles while ending a decades-long Cold War and the brutal oppression of the Soviet Communists without firing a shot (contrary to the liberal press portraying him as a dunce and a reckless cowboy).

As for Mitt proposing more spending, do you have a reference for that? His reputation as a venture capitalist, at the SLC Olympics, and as governor of Mass. would not seem to support that assertion. But I might have missed something.

UAW, Romney ran his business by canning people and selling off parts of the business. He can't do that with the Government, so how will his business experience help him.

If the past is any indication, Romney would file an IPO for the USA, break it up into pieces, sell them, lay off all the citizens, and pocket the proceeds.

They he would deny doing it.

@Doug - actually, the economy was just beginning to recover from the damage Nixon and his paid off pardoner, Ford did to it. Jimmy Carter took the heat for not fixing it quickly enough. Reagan did nothing but cause a second double dip recession with his tax cut, followed by the biggest tax increase in history. I'm old enough to remember the ol' wood chopping photo opportunities out at his 'ranch'. Reagan was useless, and already in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. He was a doddering old fool that people credit with the fall of the Soviet Union, when in reality, it fell because it was a lousy system that could not make doorknobs or telephones that worked. Get real.

A lesson to be learned, AND you thought you had been through HELL.

First you have to specify your God. Mormons believe that God was once a man, and that in their complicated scheme of Heavens (yes, there are several levels), if you get to the top, you get your own planet. I'm not kidding. Look up Kolob. That's their God's hometown. When you examine that cult, Sun Yung Moon seems like a rational thinker by comparision, and is more like Heaven's Gate than Christianity.
BTW, they believe Jesus was born in the good ol' USA. You can't make up good stuff like that.

Its because the Republican party has an embarrassment of riches in this group that they are running for '12. ha ha.

Probably as high as someone who touts "Jesus is my dog" LOL. Did you get the Jesus toaster for Christmas too?

floyd-335513

Get ready, the liberal media will start attacking Romney now.

No need. The righteous right is doing a good job all by themselves. It's like watching a wolf eat it's own head.

The liberal media doesn't have to do anything now, the liberal media will wait until a GoP candidate is chosen, and then the liberal media, President, and the liberal PAC committee's will utterly crush them. Until then, the liberal media is perfectly satisfied watching the GoP candidates, and Super PAC's crucify and butcher each other.

Come on, call it what it is. The Socialist Media...

If you want socialism, say so. Quit hiding behing the, 'We're the good caring people' facade.

You're not good, you're not caring, you're not god.

So put down 'My Two Mommies' and pick up a history book on the French Revolution. After all, that's what your asking for. You should see how it turned out; don'cha think?

so what is "the socialist media"...anyone who doesn't parrot your propaganda?

Floyd: um...what exactly makes them liberal...that they dare report on your boy Mitt at all??

AP

get your head out of the sand, wake up and smell the coffee, good gosh where have you been the last 20 years?

You go to church, believe in Christian values? don't believe in SOCIALISM, REALLY!!! Need to stop picking apart the Bible for your beliefs.

Bush was a man-child.

No Obama is the man child. Bush was a down to earth regular guy. You could tell by the look in his eye at press conferences when someone asked him a stupid or loaded question. It was kind of like he wanted to say "That is the stupidest f''''ing question I have ever heard. But since you asked it....." instead of just giving a circular answer to confuse. Called pouring the kool-aid.

What??

Bush was the worst disaster to hit the country since the Civil War. Read my "Top Ten Evils of Bush"

http://porterrockwell.newsvine.com/_news/2011/12/24/9683458-the-top-ten-evils-of-bush

Bush was cool? You are an IDIOT!!

If Romney can get Newt to write his responses in debates with Obama I would agree. Mitt has a tendency to stumble a bit.

Thank you Bill F., I agree!

You are being sarcastic right?

I suppose we will see a huge difference in how they opperate because they both got alot of their donations from Wall Street. Goldman Sachs in particular I believe.

More like Max Headroom. If you are younger than forty you may have to look that one up. (computer generated "person".)

Headroom's not that old...he was mid-80's dude.

dorian ...

Where do you get that crap! Romney's a retread vulture capitalist who made his money throwing other people out of jobs. Want a laugh? Go see the Broadway hit, "The Book of Mormon" and then imagine Romney in France. If he was a chicken, he would be a grease spot on the road because he wouldn't be able to decide which side to be on. His campaign is being financed by the banks and insurance companies. If he's cool, then Cornelius Vanderbilt was super cool.

I never noticed it before, but Max Headroom does look like Romney!

I will never, never, ever vote for Mitt Romney never. Go Rick Perry go!!!!!!!!!!!

Porter, envy is a pretty disgusting trait.

I bet you pity the poor also.

Guess what, they dont want your pity.

So you think the United States can survive another 4 years of this marxius fool? You do realize that Hitler was elected. What would stop Obama from declaring marital law thereby distroying the constitution? Even Obama said if he can't fix the economy (which he doesn't know how much less want to) that he shouldn't be re-elected.

No Career, boy do you sound like a scared little boy. Declare Marshal law? Get real. You righties have really been fed a line. Listen to Rush much???

@ Verno: Haven't you figured it out yet? The GoP's tactics for the past...what, 10-12 years (and probably more), are pretty simple. Scare tactics, coupled with extremely partisan and hateful vitriol (Make no mistake, the Dems have done this also...they're simply on top at the moment), while marginalizing or completely belittling everything else.

The GoP's stock is falling, because people are realizing that this is what the GoP offers. Not that I'm hugely liberal or anything, but I'd take them over the GoP any day of the week at this point. It's unfortunate though, because no sitting President should ever have such an easy road to re-election. I feel competition really pushes each candidate to their highest potential, and given the utterly pathetic crop of GoP contenders, Obama's not going to have to do much to win reelection. By the time the actual Presidential debates happen, the GoP candidates will have said more than enough to damn them in the eyes of potential swing, independent and moderate lefties. Can't win an election without independent support.

No Career ... You should be in favor of Obama then because he's the exact opposite of a career politician.

http://porterrockwell.newsvine.com/_news/2011/12/16/9505638-the-gravel-pit-theory

No career politicians: wow, man HITLER?? open a window for gosh sakes and loosen the tin foil hat. Ok, so you hate the duly elected president. In your book that means we can't be a democracy?? with friends like you, Republicans don't need any enemies. (And if you're going to throw around terms you clearly don't understand, at least learn to write them: The label you're so ridiculously confused about is "Marxist"...go look it up so you at least know what it means.)

Hey Dorian - So I guess it's better to vote for a cooool president, and then we all get to put up with the Nazi like regime.....THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT which passed on 12/2/2011...you know Bill S 1867 along with S Bill 1031......where if you have a finger missing, more than 7 days of food stored at home, guns or ammo at home (2nd ammendment) they can take you out for no reason what so ever and put you in a FEMA camp never to be seen again!!!! NOW THAT'S REALLY SOMETHING FOR AMERICANS TO LOOK FORWARD TO ISN'T IT???????????????????????

dorian?????? are you "pleasuring yourself" as you are posting? you sure are stuck on Romney.

Got it. Must be twelve then. Hope the school vacation is treating you well.

Yeah ... Now that you mention it, he sounds like about twelve. And he must have learned a new word, "cool" and wants to use it enough times to remember it.

Sounds as though the teabaggers just can't make up their minds.....their just dust in the wind!

Julie-77777, I'm glad someone finally brought up that bill on this site. THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT & PATRIOT ACT have taken the Constitution & Bill of Rights & wiped their democrat republican asses with it. Ron Paul is the last chance America has to regain its sovereignty. The National Defense Authorization act is the only piece of @!$%# bill the Democrats & Republicans could agree on. Just goes to show you they don't mind shoving that stick as deep as they can get it up the American people's ass. They can never agree on a way to fix the economy but sure as hell know how to take our rights in a bi-partisan manner.

In the words of Dave Hester on Storage Wars YEEEEEEEEEEEUP!

If he wins Iowa then all the corn cobs can live in the same cribs!!!!

Paloser leads the demoncratic party and sidles up to Obama whenever she can

Gingrich is untrustworthy, a liar, a thief and a wife cheater

Romney will rob us all blind, try to force us to buy health insurance we can't afford rather than bringing down the rising costs of hospitals, doctors and prescription costs. I don't know how that man keeps a straight face when faced with the facts of his own past. Ron Paul has a lot of good ideas, and if Perry can stop hemming and hawing and spit out what he really wants to say, he wouldn't be half bad. But Romney and Gingrich are simply put; disasters waiting to happen.

My guess is that the Republicans are going to have the first brokered convention since 1948 when Dewey was nominated behind closed doors. The actual nominee is going to be someone who isn't even running right now.

http://porterrockwell.newsvine.com/_news/2011/11/15/8820495-inevitable-romney

Dream on. Romney is going to have this wrapped up without breaking a sweat...BEFORE he loses.

Didn't even Know Obama served let alone a member of Seal Team 6. Wow what security for that not to leak out.

Dorian-seek psychiatric help quickly.

i killed 20 million people on Modern Warfare, try to beat my score bitchhh.

One of your earlier posts. I rest my case on the twelve year old comment. Boring Winter holiday huh?

talk to the hand what does it matter, cant wait for you to explain to me your interesting life. go ahead explain.

Honey, please tell your mommy she forgot to give you your meds.

Okay I was born a poor black child in the South. It wasn't until the ripe old age of 12 that I realized that I wasn't like the other black children. You see I was white. As life went on I found myself fitting the black race more than my own. I had no idea I was found by my family on the church steps one Sunday morning in the winter. As I have grown, I still see no difference in the persons that I deal with on a daily basis. Now, at the ripe old age of 56, I have the ability for some reason to spot an adolescent comment and cry for help. You my friend, fit it to a tea. Have a great life.

Dorian, you are a racist and a pimple on the ass of our democracy.

It hasn't even started yet. These are just "caucuses." For whatever THOSE are worth!

The caucuses are to prove that Iowa is good for more than growing corn, and it is an epic fail.

Witch Mitt Romney? ---- Tomorrow he will be a Catholic for the Hispanic vote, the next day a Wiccan for the Witchcraft vote & the next week a Pagan for the Druid vote

Isn't he still in a battle with Newt over who's the least like Nancy?

Bill, you are allowed to vote for whom ever you want. Why you would waste you vote is beyond me, but it is your choice. Do as you will.

The GOP is getting desperate if they endorse the Newt.

Newt has no chance. Hell he can't even vote for himself. Ron Paul who has a prominent supporter that thus far he refuses to denounce who favors the death penalty for gays ( makes me believe that he did in fact write those papers) just picked up Michelle Bachman's State Campaign CO-chair in Iowa will most probably get the nod in Iowa