E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
James Novogrod / NBC News
an election worker outside City Hall in St. Petersburg, Fla. Early voting opened in 62 counties Saturday, including here in Pinellas County.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- While voters in South Carolina turned out for the state's hotly contested GOP primary Saturday, delivering Newt Gingrich his first win in a presidential primary, another contest was quietly taking shape hundreds of miles to the south.
Early voting opened statewide in Florida, drawing Republican voters to polling stations 10 days before the state's Jan. 31 presidential primary.
Here in Pinellas County, at St. Petersburg City Hall, voters arrived in a slow trickle through the afternoon.
Retired salesman Paul Ibanez cast a vote for the former House speaker.
Ibanez said Gingrich's performance at the South Carolina debates convinced him to abandon his support for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
"He's very knowledgeable on all the issues. Very good on history, very good on presentation," Ibanez said about Gingrich.
Other counties, including Miami-Dade, a hotbed of Florida's Latino community, reportedly saw higher activity.
The day marked only the latest step in a steady rollout of this state's primary.
According to the Florida GOP, more than 185,000 Republicans have already cast their votes via absentee ballot. And around 12,000 more Republicans have participated in early voting in the five counties where polling opened last week. (Those counties are not subject to a new law shortening the number of early voting days across the state. There are 67 counties total in Florida.)
Given those numbers, party officials are speculating that 2012 could mark a record year for participation in the country's first closed primary. About 1.9 million Republicans voted in the contest in 2008. There are about 4.1 million registered Republican voters statewide.
"Registered Republicans in Florida are eager to be a part of this process," said Brian Hughes, the spokesman for the state GOP.
The perception of enthusiasm about the race here seemed to draw at least one campaign near the process Saturday. Former St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker – who is the Romney campaign's senior urban policy adviser – cast an early vote for his candidate after addressing about a dozen supporters outside City Hall.
"Not just the South Carolinians are voting today -- the Floridians are voting today," Baker said to applause.
Press releases went out Friday for at least three such events involving Romney surrogates across the state.
Observers close to the race say Romney's campaign, which established a headquarters in Tampa over the summer, is encouraging its base to vote early in a state where, so far, it maintains a lead in polls.
In the wake of Gingrich's win in South Carolina, competition over that lead will likely only heat up.
"They’re trying to help encourage the news that early voting is open, and obviously they’re trying to show momentum," Hughes said of Romney's campaign.
Leave a Comment:
As the hubby and I came back from the Farmer's Market today, I saw a fairly long line at the early voting station here in NE Florida. If this is the example, the GOP will have a large turn out for their primary.
Phine I hope you registered as a fake republican so you can vote for Newtie and his blowfish...
Sorry, I am a NPA. But, I did think about setting up a lawn chair and having a picnic as I watched the most staid group of voters (you can tell they have no humor in them) stand in line. I might even read the President's book in front of them.
Side note. President Clinton will be speaking here on March 19th. Hoping to get tickets to it.
Now phinephancy - we shouldn't taunt those who can't help what they are. :)
If Gingrich wins presidency. How do we refer to Callista? First slut? First concubine? First whore? Oh, that's right, now she's playing the role of wife.
She's certainly no "lady"!
Anyone who would trade Obama for Gangrene needs their head examined.
Mark VanGelder-1693883
She's certainly no "lady"!
Agreed; Look another robot; Ughhhh.
http://www.google.com/imgres?start=278&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=623&bih=269&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsuo&tbnid=soVGCZK1MSZWHM:&imgrefurl=http://callistagingrichpeckedoutmyey
The hard part would be deciding who to vote for in the GOP field.
I think I'd just take a pass if the choices were Romney, Gingrich, Santorum and Paul.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 BRAINS AND BALLOTS
Are they still using the paper ballot way to vote in Florida? If they are we will hear the results by July.
they have to the bluehairs cannot operate the computer ones.
by the way why is everyone so upset over having to show ID in order to vote, this will ensure no voter fraud.
Buck Naked Sr.: must've been a very long time since you cracked open a social studies textbook and learned about the long and sad history of voter supression in this country, particularly aimed at minority voters. Might do you some good to read up (for a modern day version...follow the on going court case of former republican Governor Ehrlich's campaign chief...who has now been convicted of a phone bank scheme aimed at black voters to convince them the election was effectively over and they needn't go to the polls). The chief argument against additional forms of ID required? There's no evidence of any wide spread voter fraud in any state of the union (despite al the wild stories)...and that a very sizable chunk, particularly of the poor and the elderly, do not have a photo i.d.
John from Jacksonville Fl : I have a republican acquaintance who had his head examined recently. Turned out He really didn't have a head. Top of his neck simply knobed out and haired over. He continues to hate Obamacare. Stays mad as hell about his high medicare co-payment He had to pay the noggin specialist. Go figure?
And not one word WHY Obummer should be stay as the seat warmer!
Lets see, has Obummer told who ghost wrote his books?
Has Obummer revealed why he gave a specially created government job to his Anti American Pastor Wright with a huge salary?
Has Obummer revealed why he refuses to release his high school, college and law transcripts?
Has Obummer revealed who paid for his college and law school expenses?
Has Obummer revealed who paid him during his summer and college, law school breaks?
Has Obummer explained why he gave $500,000,000 to a Finish Car Group to manufacture competing electric cars in Finland?
Has Obummer explained why his federal budget has over $3 Billion dollars in appropriations for unions?
Has Obummer enumerated the 30 instances of failed loans and grants for $3.9 Billion Dollars for renewable energy companies that failed?
Has Obummer explained why he ordered a kill mission for bin Laden instead of a capture mission?
Has Obummer explained why bin Laden's body was disposed of before the DNA examination was finished?
Has Obummer explained why his wife told a press group that his mother "DEFINITELY NOT MARRIED AT THE TIME OF OBUMMER'S BIRTH"?
Has Obummer explained his wife's racist remark that she was not proud of the United States before Obama was elected?
Has Obummer eplained why, although he sat in the front pew, he not criticized his Pastor Wright's comment that Americans were responsible for 9/11.
Why did Obummer sit through the many Jew Baiting sermons of Pastor Wright and never criticized him?
Why did Obummer, while the U.S. needs every job, signed new tariff reduction treaties with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand?
Why did Obummer suggest that congress apply racial quotas again?
Why has the black male unemployment rate risen from 10% in December 2008 to 19.1% in Decemeber 2011.
Has Obummer explained why he is dragging out the Afghan war?
Has Obummer explained why he has refused to cancel the special laws favoring unions?
The silence is defining.
While the republican party has a legitimate primary campaign showing all the positive and negative aspects of all their candidates. The democrats/socialists/liberals whine they only have Obummer to shove in the 2012 presidential campaign.
Beverly in Chicago You are so insipid and doltish that you spend your time making up ridiculous comments? I wish there were more democrats like you. There is probably one of your kindred souls warming the white house chair.
kaybeetoys why waste your time, just flush the toilet and brains and ballots will go down the crapper.
kaybeetoys: "OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 BRAINS AND BALLOTS"
Ummmmmm, as far as "Brains" go, how smart is a DemBAT who i considering voting for failure (Obama) , not once, but twice?
As far as "Ballots" go, please don't remind us of ACORN and the New Black Panthers at the polls with billy clubs.
Go GOP for jobs, jobs jobs ........and NO MORE SOBS.
I just voted for Romney...you see I am a capatalist and I understand him he is the last chance this country has against the idiot in chief.
Always good to see a libertarian who thinks for himself and understands politics. We only have to keep Obummer under restraints for another year. He has done that himself for the last three, hopefully, he won't need our help for his last year.
Forrester you don't have to brag you have a Republican acquaintance, but you should spend more time with him and learn.
According to the Florida GOP, more than 185,000 Republicans have already cast their votes via absentee ballot.
I suspect the GOP is dusting off their backlog of Gingrich material from over the years and are going to go full steam ahead. They need to stop him now. This wasn't in the GOP cards what happened tonite.
Time to regroup, again. My money is on Mitt only because he's been working Florida for a long long time. Florida isn't SC, so he is going to have an immigration problem down there. He's got a very cruel outlook when it comes to people. So doesn't Newt, but he has a softer stance when it comes to The DREAM Act.
It will be an interesting primary.
Pat,
Romney will be popular in wealthier parts of the state. But we have a "Tea Party" governor (the one with the most unfavorable rating in the country), and in my part of the state, between the evangelicals and tea party, Romney is NOT a favorite. Ironically, the most yard signs I have seen to date is for Paul. (And, ha ha, Perry)
phinephancy, it's my understanding that Floridians are quite sorry they elected Rick Scott as governor. So I suspect there will be a double dose of thinking before voting this time around in the Sunshine State.
They are that Pat,
I do hope they are thinking this time around, it's clear they were voting with their emotions and not their brains in SC.
I think Dr Paul did REAL well in SC, in the last debate he stated a position he has long held, knowing that the audience and voters would not like it and put it out there anyway. It cost him a strong third place.
I'll take that kind of integrity over glitz, sabre-rattling and pandering any day. I just hope more Americans saw it for what it really was, Personal Integrity.
Well Phin if 48% is the lowest in the country I would like to know who's the highest? That's according to a poll done on Jan 3-7, 2012. Pat, looking up facts is a lot different from one's understanding, just saying.
You make it clear that you're a NPA, but you seem to be a hard core Liberal, which is ok, but you seem to ride the Liberal train.
See Phin I was on the fence between Scott and Alex. What made me decide to vote for Scott was that Alex got caught in a lie during a debate right before the election.
According to the voters of Florida Mitt is at 34% while Newt is at 19%. As a true NPA, both party's are messed up.
Surprized you didn't condone sw philly comment, you know that's a form of voters fraud in Florida right? I'm sure you know that.
Paul,
It was VERY late and I was in silly mode. I also assumed sw philly was to. Yes, I do lean heavily liberal, but I still adhere it's the person not the party to vote for. I am going to stick with that formula. I voted for Alex. My hubby works in a hospital, so I was well aware of Rick's background and no way was I voting for him!
As for the harcore liberal, about the only thing I am hardcore over is the love for my family. I can brought around, by reason, to all points of view. The GOP hasn't given me a reasonable argument I can buy into.
South Carolina Population is 4,625,364, Florida is 18,801,310, Georgia has 9,687,653. I figured almost 1,000,000 voted repiblican in SC that leaves 3,625 ,000 and after the republicans steal and cheat the Democrates out of about 600,000 we still should have a good victory margin. Even if florida has an 8,000,000 turnout and cheat with hanging chads 800,000 that should still leave another 10,000,000 to pull off a Democratic victory. Who knows with all this Dishonestisy and money in the GOP. The gop/Nazi party must be stopped. Us American Democrates have got to get out to vote. WAKE UP AMERICA!
Paul-Florida - "See Phin I was on the fence between Scott and Alex. What made me decide to vote for Scott was that Alex got caught in a lie during a debate right before the election."
Just out of curiosity, why is being caught in a lie during a debate worse than being fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for medicare fraud?
newt is speaking directly to the people, while Mitt is speaking to Washington; Romney may have killed himself off, when asked "would you have signed the Defense Authorization law, that allows imprisonment of American citizens in secret and without a trial" he said yes, WE MUST HAVE TRUST IN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS; he just committed Harri_kari on stage.
Heartlight3,
He was the CEO of that company and paid a 1.7Billion fine. Here's the problem I see, he was never indicted. Now if you want to say he was some what involved, that's your opinion and that's your right. I guess that can be related to the fraud that goes on this country starting with the highest position of Government. I too have an opinion and it's just that, an opinion. If Scott was convicted, then it would had been different.
What I found comical is all the "Bible Thumpers" of South Carolina who would rather vote for an Adulterer who divorced his wife to marry his mistress; than a "Mormon" who has been married to the same woman for what ... 25 years? I may be "Old School"; but a man who keeps a mistress for years and divorces his wife to marry his Mistress is and Adulterer, plain and simple! If Newt Gingrich doesn't respect his own marriage vows, how can he be trusted to respect what the duties and ethics of the "Oval Office"? Newt Gingrich played South Carolina like a Violin and they bought it hook, line and sinker. What does that say about Newt Gingrich's character? So South Carolina, Question? Because of your action, if Newt Gingrich wins the GOP Nomination and by some miracle the Presidency; will you call his wife "The First Lady" or "The First Mistress"? Big Mistake South Carolina, Big Mistake!
Plus, Newt Gingrich and Santorum made such a big deal about Romney not releasing his 2011 Tax Return? (Santorum still hasn't released his tax return either) Hello! Taxes aren't even due until April 15th and Romney didn't even have his return completed yet! Why is that so hard to understand, people! However, Romney has tax preparers working around the clock to get the Tax Return released by Tuesday, 01/22/12, along with multiple years. Exactly how many tax years should Romney release to appease everyone out there? Gingrich only released one year and Obama only releases the current year; plus, Obama has sealed all his records prior to 2007. Why isn't that the bigger story here? What is in the school records, tax returns, prior passports and travel records that Obama doesn't want the general public to see?
Alternately, what was very interesting was Newt Gingrich's 2011 Tax Return that was released. The Tax Return shows Gingrich is considered one of the "Wealthiest Men in America"; I guess a lifetime in Politics paid off for Newt Gingrich. However, what was truly reprehensible was Newt Gingrich attacking Mitt Romney for working hard and becoming financially successful; when Newt's political wealth outstrips Romney's! What does that say about the underhanded lengths Newt Gingrich will go to?
Now it's coming to light that Gingrich's camp are concerned regarding the political "dirt" Nancy Pelosi has on him and whether she will turn that info over to Obama for campaign use.. In one word... Yes! Nancy Pelosi is Obama's right hand, anything she knows that damaging to Gingrich's campaign, you can bet Obama knows and is just waiting for the opportune time to fire it off!
Let's hope Florida Voters show more common sense than South Carolina did; and aren't as easily gild!
phinephancy-4252115 What possible reason have you for voting for Obummer? He majored in Philosophy at Columbia. You know what studying philosophy prepares you for in life? As a low paying teacher in some college.
Obummer has amply demonstrated he is a failed politician. As a state senator in Illinois not one of his 130 sponsored amendments were passed. As a freshman federal senator, he had to follow the party policy and had no political impact. As a lawyer, he was a researcher in a small law firm and worked part time assisting on 30 civil rights cases.
He has no military experience. He never studied finances, economics, political science or any courses that would prepare him for the position of office.
He had two years with an all democratic office and couldn't get along with them! He can't be bipartisan and get along with a split congress.
Reagan got along 8 years with an all democratic congress and saved the U.S. from the horrendous 4 years of Carter. Reagan brought down unemployment, reduced inflation and the mortgage rates. You don't remember Carter's 10% inflation, 9.4% unemployment, 23% home loan mortgages. You don't remember Reagan putting 20,000,000 Americans back to work?
Obummer never had experience running a government of any kind. Reagan was governor of California or did you forget. Obummer never had one employee he controlled.
terryknight You got your states mixed up about stealing and cheating on vote counting. You forgot about Joe Kennedy spending millions to get his son Jack made president by having Daley holding back the Chicago vote count and Johnson having the Texas vote frauds? Remember how Kennedy won in Texas with democratic vote victories more than the number of registered voters?
S.C. went Republican in 2008 and South Carolinians are not going to forget Obummer trying to get Boeing's plant canceled.
Biden made a fool of himself in Delaware promising 1000 jobs making cars from that Finnish Car group that promised to establish itself in Delaware and then taking the money back to Finland.
Face it Democrats fooled around too long with Obummer and too many are mad as hell at his frauds.
Ronzwyf How many are in jailor on probation. I'll take a bible thumper over a liar and narcissist like Obummer any day.
Why would you think of voting for a man who sat calmly through Anti American sermons by his Pastor Wright and Racist Jew Baiting sermons and then finance and help the church build a 1.2 million dollar mansion for Pastor Wright and then make up a government job that your taxes pay for Pastor Wright and not reveal what this Pastor Wright does or what is his salary.
HIGH NEPOTISM AND YOU WANT THIS MAN REELECTED?
He never studied economics, finance, sociology, or political science. He was a failure as a state senator not getting one of his 130 initiatives passed in the Illinois state senate and as a freshman federal senator only voting the party line.
He has prolonged the Afghan war, has no foreign successes, only extended cutting tariffs on imports of South Korea, Australian and New Zealand products, losing more jobs.
He had a kill order on bin Laden instead of a capture order and he ordered the body deposed of before the DNA examination was finished.
He has no military experience and is trying to reintroduce racial quotas.
He hasn't been able to get along with a bipartisan congress and he fought two years with an all democratic congress.
He is an incompetent.
"Well Phin if 48% is the lowest in the country I would like to know who's the highest? That's according to a poll done on Jan 3-7, 2012. Pat, looking up facts is a lot different from one's understanding, just saying."
Actually, no. Scott's approval rating is 38% with 50% disapproving, one of the lowest. See here: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/florida/release-detail?ReleaseID=1688
"He majored in Philosophy at Columbia. You know what studying philosophy prepares you for in life? As a low paying teacher in some college."
False. He majored in political science. See here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/columbia.asp
"Obummer has amply demonstrated he is a failed politician. As a state senator in Illinois not one of his 130 sponsored amendments were passed. As a freshman federal senator, he had to follow the party policy and had no political impact."
Again, false. See here: http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/01/14/obamas_strong_record_of_accomp.php">http://web.archive.org/web/20090318122256/http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/01/14/obamas_strong_record_of_accomp.php
"As a lawyer, he was a researcher in a small law firm and worked part time assisting on 30 civil rights cases."
A bit more than a researcher according to those who worked with him. See here: http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/06/nation/na-obamalegal6
"He has no military experience."
Nor do Gingrich, Romney, or any of the other Republican contenders. It's obviously not a qualification for being president.
"He never studied finances, economics, political science or any courses that would prepare him for the position of office."
Already demonstrated as false above. I would suggest you actually do some research and be prepared to support your statements with some proof in the future.
Phine, I wonder of the early voters who didn't vote Gingrich how many have buyers remorse now?
Flashback 2007: Newt Gingrich at a Koch Brother's 'Starter Home'
http://crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/flashback-2007-newt-gingrich-differenc
Bev,
My part of the state is real "Tea Party" country. They (from what I could tell about 2 months ago) were mostly Perry people (although we do have quite a few Libertarians). I am betting today's line was full of either Paul or Gingrich supporters.
phine,
From my short time in Florida, it came across to me as a real "walk softly and carry a big stick" kinda state. Real libertarian country. Of course I was only there for about six months and stayed in the northern part of the state up around St Pete, Beautiful State! My wife's grandparents were snowbirds, had a little summer cottage down near the world as they called it. after Grandpa passed and G'mother couldn't travel anymore, the turned it over to an aunt, she sold it shortly afterwards, passing of an era in our family...
Bev, I see that you call yourself an idiot for Fox. Don't take all the credit, there must be some upbringing and DNA missequence that caused that in you.
Oh, good grief. I just realized that there will be a GOP debate just up the road in Jacksonville. I could always try and go and be a rabble rouser, but, alas, the J'ville PD has no humor and Mr. phinephancy would not appreciate having to bail me out! LOL
(But, maybe someone will be able to find out the secret of Callista's hair while they are in town)
If you pay attention to the faces of the people there they are alot of the same faces...And even in the sc debate one of the people who asked a question was from a western state..I am pretty sure most of those people are trucked in..With the exception being the college students when it is held at a higher learning institution..So you probably wouldn't be able to get in anyway..You will be safe LOL...But I would be scared to go anyway,they would put me on some kinda subversive list..
The only Florida city I have been to is Jacksonville. I felt I was so deep into conservative territory, I didn't spend any time exploring the area. I'm sure it is a great place, but sometimes it is better to stay in your hotel if you don't have a guide. Nothing scarier than a good old conservative lynching.
Red,
Whenever the tea party has a rally in town (St. Augustine, just 30 miles south of J'ville), I drive thru town with the windows down yellng "Obama 2012" Their faces turn such a pretty shade of red. (Of course I then drive away quickly)
Side note: They usually have their rally's in the plaza downtown - which used to be the old slave market.
Last week, a reporter on a national program (forget which one) stated he personally knew of people in South Carolina who were told to take their Obama signs because it was decreasing property values. I can only imagine it is hard to be a supporter of Obama in that region of the country
Keep there faces red Phine, keep their faces red. You must be a hoot.
On a side note Phine, I am watching the series "Borgia". I swear Newt is using the series as his playbook for life. The number of women that pope bedded, not to mention the number of children he had, the number of double crossing deals he made, and the size of his EGO. From outside articles I have read, this was considered one of the most scandalous Popes in the Church's history. It has Newt written all over it.
phinephancy - Clarisa's hair is brought to you from the Stepford Collection.
It's a dead squirrel bleached, they got it at the same place the DON got his.
"I could always try and go and be a rabble rouser, but, alas, the J'ville PD has no humor and Mr. phinephancy would not appreciate having to bail me out!-Of course I then drive away quickly" What's the matter phinephancy, You can spout off within the anonymity of the internet, but are afraid to stand up in public for your opinion?
I heard its slicked back with santorum
Leroy (his real first name) Gingrich (aka Newt) brings Callista possum grease from Ga. to paste it down. Leroy even lies about his first name, just like Willard (aka Mitt).
There was a blurb of an article posted over @ DailyKos written by Eric Erikson of Red State and he said the GOP establishment is afraid that if Newt is the nominee, then they could very well lose it all - no chance of regaining the Senate and a flip in the House leadership. That's how unpopular Newt is across the country.
Come on GOP - it's time to dust off Newt's greatest hits.
Can you say brokered convention?
OH GOD NOOOOOOOOO, Is Boner gonna BLAT again if he loses the gavel?
If this becomes a brokered Republican/TP Inc. convention, don't be surprised if none of the current crop of
clownscandidates are on the ticket, or, at best, the first place winner is the VP choice.If they go to a brokered convention, we will have another '68 convention republican style. Would be a huge political mistake. The republican electorate wouldn't put up with it.
The Grinch is in this to destroy, that is his one sole purpose to extract revenge. It's a good thing he has exposed Mitts weaknesses.
I don't see the Grinch lasting through the whole cycle, he's got too many weaknesses himself and the party didn't do themselves any favors with pushing Santorum to a win in Iowa.
They have fractured the base, and may have destroyed their chance to take the white house in November.
Go Gingrich!
He's the gift that keeps on giving Ames! ☺
I had dinner with some conservative friends last night, they are scared sh!tless about their choices! lol
I wonder why?
With all the polarizing influences out there, the only way to get unscared is to investigate your candidates yourself...
How are you this fine morning Feisty?
I am doing fine Egilman, thank you for asking!
How are YOU doing?
We're all pulling for Leroy to win Florida and go on to the nomination, all though Willard would be a lot more fun to watch lose his temper and stumble all over himself.
Dumb vs Dumber ..Another sad choice no change no hope , just a couple of dopes .
And then my state, Nevada, is next.
The wife and I have both changed our party affiliations to Republican, so we will both be attending the caucus. The nation's eyes will be on Nevada.
Let's see if Newt Gingrich can maintain his momentum.
Listen I live in Las Vegas and to claim your from Nevada is nothing to crow about. I noticed you didn't say from which party you changed from. I can only imagine that as a FOX news watcher you've been compromised into believing in fairies and angels from my point of view the GOP is a dead party and will soon be nothing more than a heap on the pile of historical idiots.
OBAMA 2012/ DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS 2012
yeah they said that about the Democrats back in '68 also, how did that work out?
God bless Mitt Romney!
Note to Florida voters: You can write in names I believe, so just pick up that pen and write the following:
Obama, lesser of all evils from the republican'ts choices. Which are:
One guy who took home a dead baby so he could introduce it to his other kids
One guy who has cheated on so many wives and claims the high moral gournd, its really nothing but a joke and who's head is bigger than any ego on the planet.
One guy who actually believes the garden of Eden was in Missouri and believes that when you die you're sent to another planet to live out your afterlife.
These are supposed to be intelligent people? Who are they kidding?
I cannot believe there is even a question of who to support, America the end is near with these idiots and those that support them, go figure.
OBAMA 2012/ DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS 2012
Seating positions in the goper clown car on the way to Floriduh.
Newt driving, WOW, look at that woman, I wonder if Calypso will let me date her
Mitt in front right seat, Writting addresses of factories he can take over and close them for profit
Rick in left rear seat. Hey, a hospital, I wonder if the morgue has kids I can take home for my kids to play with
Ron in right rear seat, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, someone give him another GERITOL bottle and wake him up
It's Pauls turn to win in FloriDUH so he will be driving to Nevada, if he can stay awake that long. They might have to stop in Texas for a week so he can rest up.
Remember, South Carolina is where the so-called Christians strongly supported Tammie Fay and Jim Baker: remembeer the PTL Club notorious for adultry, idolatry, and worship of greed. Pharisees all, and no problem with hypocrisy. Ripping off the unsuspecting is known as 'free enterprise' and is a 'classic' American value!
Gingrich will do well in the south...that's where he's from, and people from that area have rather short electoral memories. It's the rest of the country that the GOP needs to "convince". Obama was able to win the election because he made inroads into Republican territory not seen since the Clinton years. Any GOP nominee, whoever winds up the nominee, will have to convince the swing states of the Rust Belt that they have the solution, and from what I'm seeing, that will be a very tough sell. Obama has the added luxury of not having to dirty his hands...he can sit back and watch the Republicans fight it out like scorpions in a jar, and then use that ammo on the GOP candidate. Primaries are the ultimate battle of the peewees, and the biggest peewee wins. The GOP can only hope it isn't a pyrrhic one.
Wm. Sanders -
Pyrrhic? As in an ancient Greek dance? Havn't seen that word used outside Victorian literature.
If the meaning is the dance, then a more perfect word could not be found to describe this Greek tragedy.
Damn liberals usiing "words"
Not too hard to understand, or learn.
Now that the election is over in SC, we will have the GOP parade moving early morning into Florida. Be sure to be in a good viewing area. Add to the jubilation holding palm fronds waving in unison with shouts of "Hosanna!" when you see the lead elephant with the inflatable head leading the other three elephants in descending winning order … tail in trunk, tail in trunk, tail in trunk. The lead elephant never had so much adoration.
"Lead on, Great Elephant! Lead on! Don't forget when you get to the intersection, turn right! Turn right! The other way leads to the Elephants' Graveyard! "Lead on, oh Mighty One!"
I’m as
Conservative as they come but I have to admit that things do not look good for
the Republican Party right now. Electing Newtpolean
will be a disaster for 2012.
First of all Obama has billions to attack with and Newtpolean has lots of baggage
.Newtpolean will be destroyed before they ever have 1 debate.
2nd Newtpolean’s
84 ethics violation are going to made public. Why won’t he release them now?
What is he hiding? Nancy Pelosi said they have thousands of pages on
Newtpolean,. She isn’t kidding.
3rd, Soon Newtpolean’s arrogant, pompous and grandiose personality is going to start turning off voters. It may work in the redneck South but it will drive Moderates and Conservatives away elsewhere.
4th If Newtpolean
wins the Republican nomination Ron Paul will run as a third party candidate
sealing the deal for Obama.
5th Newtpolean
may preach a good sermon but he doesn’t practice what he preaches.
6th
Who wants to look at Newtpolean
and the third lady for four years.
Newtpolean
is leading the Republicans to Waterloo
unless we wise up and get rid of Newtpolean
now.
Cowboy-
I don’t know what could be said to console you, but everyday during this Presidential race a new “development” seems to find a way to throw a wrench into the process. Perhaps an optimistic view at this stage of the game, but what other option can be hoped for?
I am as liberal as they come, yet it continues to astound me, as it does so many across America, that with all the Republican members in the House and the Senate, not one highly credentialed, honorable candidate could, or would come forward to represent the Party. I am dense when it comes to Primary election rules, but after this current group of candidates has run its course, perhaps a Republican “dark horse” may ride into town to save the day.
From what you have written, it would seem that Conservative and Moderate Republicans will have to wrestle with their political leanings when having to finally cast their votes. When a Presidential candidate presents a position that one can honestly believe in, the matter is a foregone conclusion. These current candidates? No one likes being forced into having to choose second-best from a third-rate pool of contenders. I do not envy Republicans having to make that choice.
Good luck!
Just break out the chads and let the Supreme Court say who won tomorrow.
Can you imagine, President Chickenhawk and First Whore Callista?
Third
Good Morning to you! Good Morning to you! We're all in our places with bright, shining white, older and financially secure faces...I don't think Republicans really understand Big Picture America. Barack Obama does, and that's why he will win this year.
I don't understand why Callista has sex with someone who looks like Gollum's obese brother.
Oregonian girl===It's the money, being a slut/whore has paid off pretty good for Callista. Newt is probably her best client. If Newt was to win the Presidency, what the heck would Callista's title be, First Slut, First Whore or would we let her slide with the title First Tramp?
It sounds to me like Romney will be trying to get people to vote in Floida before they have a chance to find out the truth and to stack the deck.
Hang on Florida. Wait untill you hear the rest of the story.
Jenasus Trinity Parks
I am going to vote in the early Florida primaries. I need help. Who is the candidate whose track record most closely resembles that of the US Constitution, as the Constitution itself requires?
RON PAUL!!! 2012
"Nutty Newt" winning in SC is not a shock at all. He has no respect for the Civil Rights Act Of 1964, the Voter Rights Act Of 1965, and the US Constitution. "Nutty Newt" is a Confederate States Of American Politician, and he is very proud of it. "Nutty Newt" has no understanding of Child Labor Laws, and he is very "Two-Faced" on the issue of education. His attitude on the educational issues has changed drastically in a very bad way. "Nutty Newt" has social and cultural views that are better represented back to 1861, and his economic vision of a "Southern Plantation Economy" is as "Scary" as Perry. "Nutty Newt" used language of ethnic intolerance on the Birthday of Dr. King. Now that was just so UnAmerican, UnPatriotic, and very TREASONOUS of "Nutty Newt" to do. "Nutty Newt" is NOT Presidential at all America. As for "Romulian Romney?" He is a very economically greedy and unfair individual. The "Romulian" will NOT release his past taxes yet, and he NEVER will America! The question is WHY?? What is the Romulian trying to still hide?? WHO did his taxes since the 1980's?? How many Off Shore Accounts has he hidden his unearned money in?? How many tax "Corporate Loopholes" has the "Romulian" jumped in and out of?? He already admitted that he may have only paid 15%. America the "Romulian" may NOT have paid a single cent. The Accountants at Bain Capital have made sure that the "Romulian" will pay NO real taxes at all. How many American Jobs has the "Romulian" outsourced to other nations?? Why has the "Romulian" NOT developed a jobs plan yet?? Think America! His job plan is the same is not a jobs plan at all. The "Romulian" is going to use the same economic tactics he used at Bain Capital, and turn it into American Economic Poiicy on an even larger scale. How will the Middle Class do under a "Bain Capital Economy?? How will the elderly do economically do under a "Romulian Run" Bain Style Economy?? How will the disabled do under a "Bain Designed" Economy??
Its either that or he gave more to the Moron Church than he paid in taxes
That very well maybe the case. That he paid more to the Moron Church than he paid in taxes. How much more did the "Romulain" pay?? How was his tax forms completed? Who completed his taxes since the 1980's?? The longer the "Romulain" hides his past taxes. The more he will become "Behaviorally Disturbed," and his emotional outbursts will be his true economic character. That is fact! "Romulian Romney" is NOT a job creator! He is instead a job destroyer, that is trained to make huge profits at all costs. Building huge unearned assets, and then dividing the money up between his cronies at Bain Capital. The "Economic Carcus" is the American Worker. The "Bain Vultures" are standing on top of the "Carcus" picking profits, and assets off of it's dead hide.
Well. all I can say to any of these fine Americans who spoke their minds this morning is God Bless America and the incredible Constitution that allows us the freedom to speak our minds even though we may boldly disagree with one another. I think there were some pretty low tacky blows dealt out that were unnecessary and hurtful but that's just me... Personally, I am an Independent who wanted Obama to succeed with all my heart, but after 3 years, I now feel I was wrong... I really didn't want to believe any of the right wing media saying that he wanted to transform us into a socialist welfare nation with centralized government and total lack of respect for "we the people's" right to govern ourselves. I have lived under his reign now for 3 years and while I think he is a sincere man I now believe he is sincerely wrong...and I no longer support him. I am voting for Newt. And what I love about America is just that... we all have a say....We all have this incredible chance to act! But its those who don't just blog on these boards or in hallways at work that make a difference, its those who go out and actually take action and vote. So I am excited to see who on this board will actually go out and on that fateful day in November and VOTE... may the American public win! I may not like who wins but I will be satisfied that it was the will of the people, and that I can live with.
CindyB -
While I do think you're wrong in the choice of Newt Gingrich -- I believe Obama should and will win -- I do admire your honesty and the way you present your post. You are not bashing and trashing like most of the others on here. Thanks for saying what you said, and the way you said it.
Bye for now, and please rethink your position on Obama.
This is a SC house divided between the 2 parties. Since our state has an open primary, we both voted in it yesterday, the Dem voted for the next best option after Obama. Now we are sitting back and making jokes about the "horse race" and delighting in updating each other on who is "leading by a nose", who is "rounding the turn well", etc. It's going to be an interesting race and now that we both put our 2 cents in, we can enjoy it . . . until the general race starts, that is! Have fun FL and the rest of the country!
I am a complete liberal, yellow-dog Democrat. I have watched every minute of the Republican debates, followed the primaries to date, GLEEFULLY! My hope is that each of the remaining four candidates alternate wins in the forthcoming primaries and caucuses. A brokered Convention will fracture the Republican electorate far better than any advertisement, expose, or speech could do.
A BIG plus that helps everyone in America is the harsh light that is being shown on the effects of the Citizens United decision by the Right wing Judges of SCOTUS. The Super Pacs are in full swing, not realizing they are offending the most arch supporters of this really stupid decision.
Wonder if we could convince Hillary to run in 2016 after Obama"s eight years are up?
I visit many news media sites and comment on stories everyday. I have to say that there is a HUGE amount of anti-GOP sentiment out there. Americans arent very happy with what the GOP has been doing and it's beginning to take a toll. Primary voters are usually the most active and ideological members of the party. I don't think that they represent America as a whole or even the GOP as a whole. I wonder if the GOP is overestimating their acceptance by the American people! With both Cantor and Boehner both in a bit of trouble in their own districts ( both are under 40% approval), Id say this election is going to be very interesting to watch! It could be a blowout for the Dems-- sorta like a new tea party where this time they throw the Teabaggers into the harbour!
Having lived in SC all my life, I am still shocked at Gingrich's ability to sucker the GOP into a primary win. As an Independent with a doctorate, I did not believe SC could embarrass itself any worse than it did by continuing to vote for Strom Thurmond well after the man was brain dead. But then, we are at the bottom of the list on literacy! As soon as my poor ailing mother dies, I am OUT of this state.
have you been asleep?
The demographics have changed a great deal.
There are a lot of northerners who retired to S.C. who live there now and that trend continues.
....but please don't let us stop you from leaving there. lol
S from SC: Newt is the only national politician with a 62% negative rating nationwide...he can't possibly win a national election. On the other hand, the race baiting and hate are such great red meat to the Republican base...one can understand why the Massachusetts hair model is leaving them cold...even if they are smart enough to know the obvious...Newt can't win in any state where the electorate is actually educated.
AP,
you may have to eat those words about Newt.
After all, he rose from the dead twice, after the pundits from both parties said he was "toast".
The American people have spoken in S.C and now Fla. ( he's ahead in polls) and they dont buy all the liberal media bullsh#$ anymore.
Best of all, we love the way Newt "brings it" to the liberal media! They are getting exactly what they deserve.
Hey, Brian Williams .....you are NEXT !.... and as Obama says...."We can't wait , lol !!!!!!!!"