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Subscribe to RSSIn the past two weeks, support has fallen sharply in Iowa for Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul are running neck-and-neck in Iowa, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is surging and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich collapsing just four days before the state's Jan. 3 caucuses, according to a new NBC News-Marist poll.
Romney drew the support of 23 percent of likely caucus-goers in Iowa – identified based on interest, chance of voting and past participation – ahead of Paul, at 21 percent.
They are followed by Santorum at 15 percent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 14 percent, Gingrich at 13 percent and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann at 6 percent.
The Republican presidential hopefuls are in high gear with just days left until the Iowa caucuses. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
The poll numbers, which are similar to those published in a recent CNN/Time survey, represent a reversal of fortune for Gingrich, as well as an improvement for Santorum and (to a lesser extent) Perry. The NBC-Marist poll conducted in late November had Gingrich in the lead among likely caucus-goers at 28 percent, Romney and Paul tied at 19 percent, Perry at 10 percent, Bachmann at 7 percent and Santorum at 6 percent.
“More than half of [Gingrich’s] support has evaporated,” said Lee Miringoff, the director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, which conducted the survey.
Negative advertising hits Gingrich 'on the chin'
Miringoff adds that the millions of dollars in negative TV ads targeting Gingrich – from a pro-Romney Super PAC and the Paul campaign – have played a major role in this erosion, with 35 percent of likely caucus-goers now saying he’d be unacceptable as the GOP’s nominee. That’s a 19-point increase from last month.
"The fight I'm in with Romney is exactly the fight that Reagan was in with the establishment in '80," GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich tells NBC's Chuck Todd in a one-on-one interview.
What’s more, only 6 percent in the survey identify Gingrich as the “true conservative” in the Republican contest.
“He took it on the chin,” Miringoff says of the negative advertising campaign, which has questioned Gingrich’s conservative credentials and tied him to Washington.
Splintered Tea Party support
Although just 7 percent of likely Iowa caucus-goers believe that Romney is the true conservative in the GOP field, he has two variables working in his favor, according to the poll. One, only 21 percent of likely caucus-goers say he’s unacceptable as the Republican nominee (compared with 35 percent for Gingrich and 41 percent for Paul).
And two, the conservative vote appears to be splintering between the various candidates, and is no longer coalescing around a single Romney challenger.
The wild card in this race has been and continues to be Ron Paul, the Libertarian who has a growing following inside the Republican Party. NBC's Chuck Todd has more.
Last month, Gingrich had a large lead over Romney (and the other GOP rivals) among Tea Party supporters.
But in this new poll, Tea Party supporters – who make up about half of all likely caucus-goers – are divided.
Santorum gets 20 percent from them, Romney and Paul 17 percent, Gingrich 16 percent, Perry 15 percent and Bachmann 10 percent.
“This is the Romney dream scenario,” Miringoff says. “When you look at the Tea Party and conservatives, they are all splintered.”
Obama’s approval rating ticks up in Iowa
The poll also shows an improvement in President Barack Obama’s approval rating in Iowa.
Forty-five percent of registered voters in the state approve of him, while 43 percent disapprove.
Last month, those numbers were upside down, with 43 approving and 46 disapproving.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum vaults past Newt Gingrich and into third place in the GOP presidential race in Iowa, according to a new poll. Santorum talks to TODAY's Savannah Guthrie about the surge, his conservative values and why he can beat Barack Obama in the general election.
The Iowa NBC-Marist survey was conducted Dec. 27-28 of 2,905 registered voters (margin of error of plus-minus 1.8 percentage points) and of 433 likely GOP caucus-goers (plus-minus 4.7 percentage points).
Also, unlike the recent CNN-Time poll, the likely voter model in the NBC-Marist survey included independents and a few Democrats, and it measured some respondents by cell phone.
Follow Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) on Twitter.
More from First Read:
- Paul's surge might help Romney in Iowa
- Bachmann campaign loses 2nd key staffer in Ron Paul flap
- Huntsman says Paul is 'unelectable'
- Pro-Gingrich Super PAC: Romney is '2nd most dangerous man in America'
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No way in hell will Romney ever be president,even if he gets the GOP nomination,so it's either Paul as and Independant or Obama again. I'm a Democrat for Paul,he's the only honest one in the race.
To all of you who say that Ron Paul is racist because he is involved with the John Birch Society- do you even know anything about them? Probably not. You just believe what you are fed by the media. Funny how conservatives are the ones screaming "don't believe the media" EXCEPT when it comes to Dr. Paul. Did you know that when Dr. Paul was practicing in Texas, NO OTHER DOCTORS in the area would deliver black children? Dr. Paul took ALL patients, even those who could not afford to pay him. Yep, sure sounds racist to me! He has never said that he was against the civil rights movement. He, like the John Birch Society, believe that these kinds of decisions should be left up to the states. Just like abortion and gay marriage. 100% of the population will NEVER agree on these issues. So why not let each state decide what they want to allow? 20 or 25 states that outlaw abortion are better than none. Dr. Paul has the most conservative voting record in Congress, has never flip-flopped on any issue, and was the only one who predicted the financial crisis and housing collapse years before it happened. Please don't believe what the media tells you, take a little time and educate yourself.
Ron Paul Ron Paul the People in Iowa must be Brain Dead come on not a one would I vote for!
Ron Paul 2012. Restore Liberty.
These Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Left Wing, Democrat Kooks who post on these threads, think that the American people will just do what THEY WISH we all would do and that's simply "ignore" B. Hussein Obama's THREE YEARS OF FAILURE AS POTUS, INCREASE OF AMERICAN JOBLESSNESS AND SPENDING MORE U.S. TAXPAYER MONEY AND DRIVING UP THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT AND U.S. NATIONAL DEBT, MORE THAN ALMOST ALL THE OTHER U.S. PRESIDENTS BEFORE HIM...COMBINED!!!
Now if the U.S. Economy were going great and if the U.S. Unemployment Rate was like 5%, if the U.S. Housing Market was turned around and home values were no longer upside down with their mortgages and home foreclosures were way down and if American workers' salaries were way up and health care and health insurance costs were way down, we all know these Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Left Wing, Democrat Kooks would be singing Obama's praises and telling about all his positive accomplishments as POTUS and how B. Hussein Obama saved the American people from former President Bush's horrible "inherited" economy. THEY WOULDN'T BE GIVING FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH THE CREDIT FOR OBAMA'S NOW THREE YEARS IN OFFICE IF THE ABOVE POSITIVE THINGS WERE HAPPENING WITH REGARDS TO THE U.S. ECONOMY, WOULD THEY?
So if they wouldn't be giving former President Bush credit if the CURRENT U.S. Economy were going great with all the above things I mentioned, why wouldn't they be giving B. Hussein Obama the credit for making the U.S. Economy WORSE THAN EVER, with his failed policies and presidency IN THREE YEARS...hhmm??!!
They foolishly and ignorantly think that THEY ARE in the majority thinking of the American Electorate and that the American Voters next Nov. 6th, 2012 will simply "ignore" B. Hussein Obama's entire FOUR YEAR TERM AS POTUS and just "blame Bush" to re-elect him. Ha!!!
I knew there was a lot of recreational drug use amongst the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Left Wing, Democrat Kooks, I just didn't know it was so widespread!!! Anyway, all the more wailing they'll be doing when on Election Night 2012, B. Hussein Obama will be on Int'l TV giving his Concession Speech to the new REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT-ELECT. I can't wait and it can't come soon enough.
I'm so tired of this Inexperienced and Unqualified, Socialist/Marxist "Community Organizer" being in the White House and not having a d**ned clue as to what the h*ll he's doing and taking all of his multi-week family vacations b/c he likes to be President, but doesn't like the governing part. What an abject failure the B. Hussein Obama presidency has been. He needs to and will be sent back to Chicago come Election Night 2012.
long post but right on the money
Spot on!!!! in 2012 anybody BUT Obrainless
Every time Ron Paul says one thing that makes sense he has to say ten crazy things. You do know that pasteurization of milk is a communist plot. Bachman will make sure you don't have to use energy efficient light bulbs and she says she is against (her words) "corny capitalism." Romney will do to the US government what he did at Bain Capital, cut employees, cut services to people, and kill jobs. Gingrich has his head somewhere dark and he is a chronic liar and maker of money for Newt. Perry....forgot what his problem is. Santorum couldn't even win votes in Pa. Huntsman is the only reasonable Republican and he can't get any support. What does that tell you?
If B. Hussein Obama couldn't handle the job of being POTUS, then he should've never run for it in the first place. I mean this is the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, "Community Organizer" who promised that he would cut the U.S. Federal Deficit IN HALF by the end of his first term (He's doubled it in less than THREE YEARS) as POTUS.
He promised that his Obamacare, socialized medicine scheme, would decrease the cost of health care and health insurance once passed and since its passage, the cost of health care and health insurance has gone nothing, but UP.
B. Hussein Obama also promised he would close down GITMO, which he never did and won't ever do.
He also promised that if the U.S. Economy didn't turn around in three years, from him taking office as POTUS, then his presidency would likely be a "one term deal." (See YouTube) Not only has the U.S. Economy NOT TURNED AROUND, but it's gotten exponentially worse since this no-good, inexperienced, unqualified, Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, "Community Organizer" took office.
Now what IS REALISTIC, is instead of making excuses and apologies for "poor ole Barack," why not hold him ACCOUNTABLE for his THREE YEARS OF ABJECT FAILURE AS POTUS??!! If you Left wing, Nut Job Kooks were so wise and knowledgeable in the "truths of life" why would you let this Left wing skunk hold the most powerful office in the world, much less the United States of America, a minute longer than you had, as an American voter, with his FAILED performance on the U.S. Economy as POTUS, so far by voting for him?
Neither the Republican party, nor Fox News, nor Rush Limbaugh, nor Sean Hannity, nor Ann Coulter, nor etc. made those promises of JOBS, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS AND HEALTHCARE COSTS BEING REDUCED FOR ALL, B. Hussein Obama made ALL those promises back in 2008.
And when B. Hussein Obama made those promises, he never promised the American people, "blame Bush" strategies, he never promised the American people excuses for the U.S. Economy and Joblessness not improving under his non-leadership, he never promised the American people that he would simply demonize and dehumanize his political opponents and/or allow his political cronies to do so, like Jimmy Hoffa Jr., without speaking out against that. He promised the American people Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and at least an improvement in the U.S. Economy, Housing Market and declining property values, that we'd already see AFTER THREE YEARS in the White House. The reason we don't see any improvement in the U.S. Economy is simple, his policies don't work!!
Admit it already. B. Hussein Obama is one of the worst U.S. Presidents in the history of this nation and certainly in most of our lifetimes. This guy makes Jimmy Carter looks like a good, sound, fiscal conservative, for goodness sakes. STOP MAKING EXCUSES, HOLD B. HUSSEIN OBAMA RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN PRESIDENCY. IF THE U.S. ECONOMY WAS GOING REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW, AND JOB CREATION WAS WAY UP, WOULD YOU BE GIVING FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH THE CREDIT FOR IT? OR WOULD YOU BE GIVING B. HUSSEIN OBAMA THE CREDIT FOR IT?
SO IF YOU WOULD GIVE OBAMA THE CREDIT IF THE U.S. ECONOMY WERE GOING GREAT RIGHT NOW AFTER HIS THREE YEARS AS POTUS, THEN YOU SHOULD ALSO GIVE HIM THE BLAME FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY REMAINING AWFUL RIGHT NOW AND EVEN BECOMING EXPONENTIALLY WORSE UNDER HIS NON-LEADERSHIP..PERIOD...END OF STORY.
I got some news for you Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat Kooks, NOBODY OWES YOU JACK S**T, INCLUDING A JOB!!! It's people like you that put people like our Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, "Community Organizer" President in office in 2008.
Stop complaining and being so envious of people who are smarter, work harder and are far more economically successful than you and start working just as hard or harder to make the wealth that they have, if you're so "angry" about them having wealth.
And since when does being wealthy in America automatically equal being a crook, as you Left Wing Kooks say? And when does being poor automatically equal being honest & loveable as you say? You all's talking points are coming straight out of the Communist Manifesto pals and the sad part about that is, a lot of no-good, lazy, jealous, and envious Americans like you, just want to simply re-distribute wealth that you've never earned, nor ever deserved. All just to get back at "rich whitey." People who believe as you do are called THE DEMOCRAT PARTY (& their robot minions).
If you're tired of being poor and worthless, GO OUT AND START BUSTING YOUR BUTT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. DON'T EXPECT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR WORSE THE U.S. TAXPAYERS, TO DO IT FOR YOU, YOU MARXIST, SOCIALIST, COMMUNIST SCHLEPS!!!
now there's some great stuff in that post.
Sounds like you need anger management
Still cutting and pasting are you Johny B?? I have a son in law currently in Afghanistan for the second time after serving two deployments in Iraq. He has a name for people like you -- guys who think being as obnoxious as possible and spouting the same worn out lies all the time makes you such great Americans -- he calls people like Tin Horn Patriots.
My hat's off to you, Charlie...and your son. Thank you.
Exactly what in Johnny's post is a lie.....give specifics of how it is untrue what he has posted.....if you can!!
I would like to know if any of the Left wing, Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat Kooks who post and/or read on this blog, please give us (by posting your) HONEST ASSESSMENT of B. Hussein Obama's, the great "Community-Organizer-in-Chief" job performance on the U.S. Economy since becoming POTUS in January 2009?
Simple as that, can you give an honest grading of B. Hussein Obama's job performance on the U.S. Economy?
Can any of you scared, cowardly Socialist Democrats do just that?
I can in one word. FAILURE, F - GRADE and imo, I don't believe an F - Graded POTUS deserves re-election to another four year term in the White House. With your grade, does B. Hussein Obama deserve re-election? Yes or No?
Grade B. Hard to fix all of the damage done by Cheney and Bush in 3 years. It would probably take a decade or more.
lmao...little Johnny came late to the party today. He doesn't like what the world is saying, I guess.
How many of these baseless 8 or 10 paragraph diatribes, have you copy/pasted, this morning? lol Are you following the fauze snooze plan: Give an opinion many many times....and people believe that it's fact?
DG....again with the blame game.....if everything was great right now would you be giving Bush the credit for it???? I doubt it.....can't seem to figure out what Obama has done that makes all of you people praise him so much. It's like a cult....I believe you may have all been brainwashed....intelligent people can actually see what a horrible job he has done!!
I am glad that people are seeing what the extreme right-Tea Party-Libertarians are all about. Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, Ohio to name a few showed us that the platform of this group of conservatives without consciences includes additional tax benefits for the wealthy and large corporations while enacting laws (assisted by ALEC) to limit the rights and services of the 99ers in their states. It is the media which is elevating Ron Paul, who is a narrow minded self-interest individual. Even his own party sees him as out of the realm of reality. President Obama is far from perfect, no individual is, but he represents the 99ers and those that use the word socialist to define him do not know what socialism is. To me what is going on in the GOP/Tea party states is so extreme and exclusive, it probably borders on racism since many of the laws affect minorities and poor to a greater extent.
I am a 99er, and POSTERS who support that line of CRAP make me want to %$#@#@$$#$ on them. Guess what you idiots.......almost 50% of the 99ers pay NO TAXES,and suck up everything free they can lay their grimy hands on. All u have to do is promise something free and these creeps would show up at ANY door with their hands out and their votes to give. So get off the crap about the 99ers......Not appealing anymore!!
Guess what you idiots.......almost 50% of the 99ers pay NO TAXES,
BS. Do you have ANYTHING -- even the slightest shred of real evidence to back up that stupid statement?? Tell me -- how does any adult pay NO taxes? How do you avoid sales taxes, gasoline taxes, utility taxes, license taxes -- please tell me -- how do you do that???
My fellow Conservative Republicans, WE CANNOT ALLOW the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrats change the subject from B. Hussein Obama's entire THREE YEARS OF FAILURE AS POTUS, nor let our great country forget on Nov. 6th, 2012. We also CANNOT ALLOW the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrats to make the 2012 General Elections to be about the GOP Nominee, instead of B. Hussein Obama's Presidential Term of FAILURE while in office.
We have to continue to remind the American Electorate of the current state of the U.S. Economy and joblessness and remind the voters that Obama has been in office THREE YEARS and soon to be FOUR YEARS and nothing has improved during this term in the White House. We have to tell the American electorate any way that we can, that B. Hussein Obama hates this country and does not want it to rebound economically, succeed, nor be a leader in the world for freedom, democracy, capitalism, free markets and the private sector being stronger than the federal government where the people have all the power, instead of the feds whom are there to serve us.
We have to NOT ALLOW the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrats to "change the subject" or try to distract the American electorate from focusing ON OBAMA's MISERABLE RECORD OF FAILURE WITH REGARDS TO THE U.S. ECONOMY AND JOBLESSNESS. We must force them to do what they already know themselves they cannot do and that's to DEFEND B. HUSSEIN OBAMA'S MISERABLE RECORD AS POTUS.
We also must not allow them to just "blame Bush" and then quickly change the subject to attack the GOP Nominee, the GOP party, Conservatism, Christianity, American Traditionalism, Our Philosophy on the "Truths of Life" and ANY prior administration's record. MAKE THEM DEFEND OBAMA'S RECORD AND B. HUSSEIN OBAMA'S RECORD ALONE.
They've even graded B. Hussein Obama themselves on this very thread when I asked them and the best grade they could give him was a "C" (a horrible grade from his own robot followers and one they knew they couldn't give any higher to, as they would look like the foolish, lying, robot followers that they are) and yet still posted their ridiculous beliefs that a "C" Graded POTUS is worth re-electing, even in a horrible U.S. Economy and skyrocketing U.S. Unemployment rate. Thus making those posters "rambling defenses" of B. Hussein Obama look foolish and biased as they truly are. Make these Left Wing, Leftist, Liberal, Socialist Marxist, Democrat Kooks defend this CLOWN & "Community Organizer" President and they'll be stumbling over their foolish a**es trying to defend what they know to be a FAILURE of an inexperienced and unqualified POTUS.
Well Johny B, this is the way it is. You and all your fellow teatards, birthers, flat earthers, religious fanatics, mindless dittoheads, evolution deniers, Fox noise cultist and all around 15th century Republicans buddies better get used to President Obama because he's not leaving office until January 2017. And if your Republicans field a similar collection of worthless candidates such as Slick Rick Perry, Pizza Man Cain, Flip-flop Romney, insane whacko Bachmann, and washed up has been, never was Newt the con-man for 2016 like you have for 2012, a Democrat will win that time around too.
Charlie....someone that has to use such name calling to feel that he has gotten his point across is usually someone that doesn't really have any points to post....name calling is all that their mind can think up!!
name calling is all that their mind can think up!!
Talk to your buddy Johny B about name calling. I don't suppose using words like "Marxist" or socialist or as some Fox commentator describing Obama as a "skinny crack dealer for the ghetto" is name calling in your mind. The fact is the right wing people like you rely on name calling. That's your stock and trade. Yet when it's thrown back at ya you act like some poor helpless victim. You clowns love to dish it out but you can't take it. Just another example of the unending hypocrisy from the right.
Romney and WHO???
Rupaul
Yeah, Obama has kept his promises to fix the American Economy & improve joblessness (NOT!!) and to run a much more transparent and honest (Chicago-style, pay-for-play, actually) method of governing. So, let's not forget, in order to pass Obamacare, after B. Hussein Obama promised that those healthcare bill debates would be televised live on C-SPAN (HA!! WHAT A LIE THAT WAS!!), he implemented shady, backroom deals like the Cornhusker Kickback with Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat Senator Ben Nelson, the Louisiana Purchase with Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat Senator Mary Landrieu and the Florida Gator-aid Deal with Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat Senator Bill Nelson (which at the time, B. Hussein Obama was pressured, by the American people, to back out of). In addition to that, here's some other slimy, shady happenings that occurred with the passage of Obamacare...Chicago-style, pay-for-play politics at its finest!!
Scott Matheson, brother of Congressman Jim Matheson (D, Utah), was suddenly nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Obediently, Congressman Matheson went from a "no" vote on Obamacare to "Undecided."
A new hospital in Connecticut for morally-challenged Senator Chris Dodd
Roughly ten billion U.S. Taxpayer dollars in community health centers to buy off Vermont's Bernie Sanders
A threat to take away Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman's committee chairmanship unless he fell into line with regards to Obamacare
The above are just a few of the slimy tactics, bribes, kickbacks and payoffs, that B. Hussein Obama pulled on the unwitting American people who have never polled as a majority FOR Obamacare, but have to have it completely repealed!! NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SUPER-MAJORITY, DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED U.S. CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT EXEMPTED THEMSELVES AND ONLY A FEW LIBERAL AFL/CIO LEFTIST, LIBERAL, SOCIALIST, MARXIST, DEMOCRAT LABOR UNIONS FROM HAVING TO PARTICIPATE IN OBAMACARE AT ALL, WHILE THE REST OF US, U.S. CITIZENS ARE FEDERAL GOV'T MANDATED TO!!!
I always knew that Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrats love to accuse others of what they themselves are 100X more guilty of, but the nerve & audacity of a lot of you Left Wing, Socialist, Marxist Kooks to accuse the GOP of being nefarious, unethical, corporatists would be so LAUGHABLE, if it wasn't such a downright, bold-faced lie!!!
B. Hussein Obama and his Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat party, and left wing kooky robot followers who post on these PMS-NBC Threads are the most unethical, most nefarious, most notoriously foul and corrupt LIARS in U.S. Political History!!! However, your lies and distortions WON'T WORK on Nov. 6th, 2012. I promise you that!!!
All these Obama attackers saying his leadership is not helping should just look at the latest employment figures, that number along with other economic indicators! At last, evidence that we're starting to see the positive change we prayed for when we elected him to the Presidency! For the Nation's sake, I'm hoping we don't do something stupid that would put us back on the same path George W. Bush had us on in '08!
what world do u live in???
RBTatt...are you REALLY watching the figures that lame stream media is feeding you??? Do you ACTUALLY believe what you see? I promise you this: those figures/polls/statistics/and numbers will all start slowly getting better...and better...and BETTER as we get closer to election day. Funny how that works.
There are a lot more Ron Paul supporters than people want to believe. I have seen a lot of Ron Paul signs up here in Virginia. I think most of the people on this thread are in for a big surprise. Ron Paul is a reasonable candidate. He stands for something and sticks to it. He doesn't say what he thinks will get him elected. He states his position and then backs it up. You'd better be ready to accept that he will be a force, not only in the caucuses but, in the November elections as well. Ron Paul!
There are a lot more Ron Paul supporters than people want to believe
Not true. Ron Paul is gathering up the same people who went for Pat Buchanan. They're the black helicopter people, the conspiracy theorist, the ones who think the government plants micro chips in the heads of new born babies so they can be followed everywhere when they're adults, the new world order set and the "only a few of us know what going on" crowd. These people talk to each other and think they represent a huge percentage of the population while in reality they don't. Libertarian candidates have been on the ballot in just about every state for the last 6 presidential elections and they have never received more than 3% of the vote.
Not so true Charlie. There are a large number of people in this country who want a smaller, less costly government. There are a large number of people in this country that are sick and tired of "Group Rights" because the Constitution says nothing about Group Rights, it only guarantees INDIVIDUAL rights for each and every individual.
There are also many people in this country that see that all of our rights guaranteed in the constitution are being eroded by legislation motivated by scare tactics in order to trick us into surrendering our rights for the sake of security. There are many people in this country who are sick and tired of industries writing the laws that will regulate them, allowing the fox to guard the hen house, so to speak.
A very large number of people are sick and tired of the inability of Congress to get anything done because of Party Politics and this number is composed of people from both parties as well as independents. I am an independent myself and believe that the only way to break the deadlock in Congress is to elect a majority breaking body of 20 to 30 Independent Congress members. This would force compromise and debate and make pointless congressional votes along party lines since neither party would have a majority to pass anything. Both parties would have to gain the support of the Independents in order to pass any legislation. By the same token when the Independents introduce legislation that is common sense or something that the people want whichever or both parties would have to explain why they are against it. For issues like term limits, real campaign finance reform, or the Stock Act for example there is no good reason to be against these things except to keep the status-quo and continue feathering your own nest.
It really doesn't matter who the President is, Congress hold the real power, the President just takes the heat or credit. I can't say that I'm a RP supporter, but I like a lot of his ideas. In particular he is the only one promoting giving power back to the states, where the Constitution say it belongs, and allowing the states to regulate things at their level in accordance with the wishes of their people. He is also the only one talking about actually making the Federal Government smaller and thereby less costly. He is also the only candidate promoting a non intervention policy in regards to foreign relations.
Do I agree with ALL of Ron Paul's ideas ? No, but then again I don't agree with ALL of any of their ideas. It would be fair to say that most have at least SOME good ideas and all have some bad ideas. I do like the idea that Ron Paul wants to get back to the Constitution and stop the Federal government from dictating law to the states. There are so many unfunded mandates the fed has forced on the states that have helped to put the states in the financial mess they're in.
I plan to do my research and vote for the most favorable Independent candidate for every office available. Where that is not an option I will have to vote for the most favorable, or least unfavorable candidate from one of the parties although I prefer people with no party affiliation because they aren't controlled by their party's agenda or their party's boss. I prefer people who are affiliated only with the people that elect them.
When it comes to Congress a vote for either party is a vote for more of the same. I intend to do my part to try and break the stranglehold both parties have on Congress and this country. I hope you do the same.
There are a large number of people in this country who want a smaller, less costly government.
LOL!!! Sure they do. But don't cut their Social Security or their Medicare. It's not big government most people don't like -- it's PAYING for big government. Again -- Libertarian candidates have been on the ballot in just about every state for the last 6 presidential elections and they have never received more than 3% of the vote. That's a fact!!
Social Security and Medicare are paid for by employee and employer contributions and neither one would be in the shape they're in if Congress hadn't robbed them in the late 60s or early 70s. There were BILLIONS in surplus in these funds until Congress stole from it. They are not entitlements any more than the health insurance you and I pay for at work is an entitlement.
There are plenty of ways to cut the size and cost of government. We actually still have the REA. Rural Electrification Administration which was created in the 30s to get electricity to the rural areas. The name has been changed and now it's purpose is to get internet to the rural areas. There is so much duplicity in our government that eliminating offices & agencies that do the exact same thing should be a priority, they should be consolidated and reduced. Every Federal agency should have to justify it's reason for existence each year at budget time and all federal agencies should be required to go to zero based budgeting which would eliminate getting X% more than last year. They would have to start with zero and budget for what they need. The feds spend like crazy at the end of the year because if they don't use up all their money they won't get more next year. It's ridiculous !, and we, the taxpayers are stuck paying for this stupidity.
Even by cutting all federal budgets by 5% every year in ten years we'd cut the government in half. Most of the 5% reductions could be met by attrition from employees either quitting, retiring, or dying and not replacing them. A 5% reduction would require every agency to find $5 in savings for every $100 it is budgeted. You could save that much on shopping for office supplies alone. There should also be a provision in the process for procuring supplies and services from contractors that the average wholesale price of an item or service be the cutoff for bidding. If no one bids below the average wholesale price discard all bids and resubmit. This would eliminate the $400 hammers and $600 toilet seats from happening.
"He stands for something"? Yes, but if what he stands for is an agenda similar to George W. Bush's, an agenda that will only end up aiding the rich while ignoring the need for getting business and government working together and start hiring American workers, it makes no difference.
His belief that "market forces" if left alone will solve the problem would be good if the Middle Class was part of the equation, but Big Business investors have an economic model that effectively bypasses the Middle Class. By investing in 3rd World sweat shops who pay slave wages to make products that are then brought back here and sold in stores like Neiman Marcus at 20 times the cost of their manufacture, they get wealthy but that wealth [drawing on a dubious theory of Milton Friedmann's] is not passing through the hands of the Middle Class, i.e., it is "not" trickling down!
The fate of the Republican Party hangs on the responses of about 50 retired Iowans who in some cases probably answered falsely just to mess with the establishment. Pretty funny and pretty sad at the same time. None of these asshats can beat Obama anyway, so it's all just a big waste of time. By the time the levers are actually pulled, the economy will have been rebounding for awhile, the wars will be over, healthcare will have proved NOT to be the end of the world by then, and the Republicans will have no compelling leader or message to prevent Obama's second term. And their leadership knows it. They're just running retreads this year waiting for Obama's second term to expire.
I have a child on the way and feel bad for our children if our country keeps going down the same path we are now. We cannot sustain war after war, expanding government and overspending.
Maybe Ron Paul actually does have a chance. Some of his views are a little bit off the wall but I also agree with most of what he has to say. Good luck finding a candidate you agree with everything they stand for. To me Ron Paul seems like the candidate who is most honest and with the most integrity, values I wish more politicians possessed. I know he will be getting my vote. Thanks for listening.
Maybe we could get Ali G to interview these clowns AGAIN!
They show can show their true selves!
LOL!
Omsnbc at their best reporting on topic's that promote bickering between ourselves (repub/ conserve's TP'ers) in order to keep us from discussing the failure of their messiah!!!
Vote soros, van jones and obama OUT in 2012!!!!!!
i hope so.
if not... more debt, more welfare recipients, more US failures
Gary! You guys don't NEED help promoting your bickering!
Just read these posts!
GOP clowns!
The press is going to villify any candidate that poses a threat to Obama, which is every candidate.
wait, so are you saying that any negative comment against any repub...is a conspiracy?
Do you SEE the GOP candidates? Or in your mind, are they all saints because their repubs?
Which GOP candidate COULD pose a threat?
Haven't seen them yet!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012!
Americans are taking their eyes OFF the ball...again. Turn off your lying TV and PLEASE simply ask yourself these questions: Do we want more bank bailouts? Do we want more endless bloody wars? Do we think it's ok that the government enter our homes and detain us forever because they "heard" we may be terrorists? Do we want to continue sending Trillions of our dollars funding far away countries and their wars, lies, embassies and bridges, while our broke country crumbles in front of us? Can we REALLY afford more Million $ Presidential vacations? sending more money to countries that hate us? and sending more of our troops into harms way without threat to this country? Do we want more of the Patriot Act, crony capitalism, support of big banks, undeclared wars, and more stealing from our own FED? If you want more of the same...big government and less personal freedoms, then you've got 6 choices to choose from. Forget about Ron Paul, he is the ONLY ONE who voted AGAINST these things for the past 30 years. You may not agree with him on every single issue, but he is the Establishments worst nightmare. He can't be bought. He may sound wacky to the typical American because he makes sense. Wake up sheeple. It's our only chance to get our spending under control, our defense and economy strong, and the government out of our homes!! You don't like his foreign policy? Ask yourselves why is it that the TROOPS support Ron Paul. Our politicians don't hesitate to send our troops into horrible endless wars, while they and their kids enjoy their lives here at home. RESEARCH RON PAUL.
Newt the Hoots 15 minutes are up. I knew he was done when he ran to the Golden Tower when he was summoned by Trump. I think Trump needed his ego stroked and his boots licked. And this jerk wanted to be president?
Why in the world would any Conservative pay attention to a GOP poll conducted by very biased Liberal media like MSNBC or CNN????
@tgunn and why in the world would any so-called conservative spend time spewing lies, garbage and hate on a liberal website? Why not go to Fake News Channel (We Distort And We Decide) where you can be part of the great attempt to destroy America?
You right wingers REALLLLLLLY need a new talking point. For decades (ever since Karl Rove came up with this idea to attack the media as a distraction - you should read about it in his book) it's NEVER worked. You used this non-stop during the last Presidential election and your boy FlipFlop McCain got trounced by a Black man!
RON PAUL RACIST
or NOT?
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=b-aPeJYB4io
I just love it when posters throw around the term Socialist. They have no idea what they are talking about. Let's see, we will do away with all socialist programs (those things owned by the govt for the people) we will start with Social Security, sorry grandma, then Medicare, sorry again grandpa, then the interstate highway system, the water and sewer systems, national parks, national dams, shall I go on. You folks need to take a few courses in world government. Wouldn't it be fun if private corporations owned the interstate system, or the national parks (only the rich need apply). Get a clue. Obama is no more a socialist than you guys are educated.