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Brian Snyder / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a town hall meeting campaign stop Friday in Portland, Maine.
PORTLAND, Maine -- In an effort to reverse a three-state losing streak, the Romney campaign announced Friday afternoon that its candidate would put off his first trip home in 2012, and instead visit two caucus sites here in Maine, where the winner of the state's non-binding caucus will be announced Saturday night.
Mitt Romney will speak at a caucus in the state's largest city, Portland, and in Sanford, where Ron Paul is also expected to appear less than an hour before the former Massachusetts governor. As in other caucus states, candidates or their surrogates are allowed to speak briefly to attendees before voting begins. These will be the first caucuses this cycle where Romney will speak on his own behalf, after dispatching campaign staffers, supporters, and four of his five sons to speak for him at caucuses in Iowa.
Romney's campaign has downplayed other contests, like Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri, that do not award delegates directly, but Maine may appear too tempting of a target to ignore. In 2008, Romney more than doubled John McCain's vote total in winning the state, and Romney's strong performance in neighboring New Hampshire and years as governor down the road in Massachusetts all mean he is a known commodity here, without having to spend much time or money campaigning.
"The lakes of Northern New England are very special to me," Romney told the crowd at a town hall event Friday night, reminding them that he owns a home on Lake Winnepesaukee, just a 90 minute drive away.
Romney's biggest opponent in the Pine Tree State will likely be Ron Paul, whose libertarian views play well here, and whose campaign has focused its energy on winning delegates in caucus states. Paul's strongest performance in the campaign thus far was next door in New Hampshire, where he finished a distant second behind Romney.
Complicating predictions of victory for any candidate in Maine -- the state's weeks-long caucus process, in which different municipalities gather on different days to cast their ballots. The process began on Jan. 29, and in some places will continue until March, though the local Republican party will announce a winner Saturday.
Another factor? Turnout. In 2008, fewer than 5,500 Mainers cast votes in the state's caucuses. Turnout this year is expected to be equally low, with a Romney campaign adviser estimating 6,000 people may caucus in total. To put that in perspective, at least 300 people attended Romney's town hall here Friday night.
If they all caucus Saturday, they would make up 5 percent of the total vote.
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Romney needs to find a win someplace. Even if it is non binding and no delegates awarded to anyone this week.
But at least he does not have to spend any of his millions on this beauty contest.
Meanwhile, Paul has figured out how to elect delegates to the district and state conventions in caucus states to bring some real delegates to the convention in Tampa.
I see operation Destroy Santorum has begun. Romney's PAC has a Rick spendaholic ad up across the banner on Drudge. Guess they aren't waiting for Romney to do it on his own in Michigan.
As for Maine, who knows? Voting up there started in January, and won't end until March - yes, I have no idea how they are announcing results tomorrow. But that's what I just read.
Here is what is at stake
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/world/europe/greeks-start-48-hour-strike-after-austerity-measures.html?_r=1
THIS is where we are heading, under a president who thinks trillion plus deficts every year are nothing to get worked up over.
Everyone- democrat, republican, independent- needs to get real here. We need a new president. Gingrich ain't it. Santorum ain't it. Paul ain't it.
Given that Daniels declined to run because he would not allow his wife to be made mock of in the press, the only person with a prayer of saving us from Greece's situation is Romney.
Get with it,people. Another four years of the Obama administration will mark the end of this nation.
Ron Paul would begin to immediately stop spending and reverse decades of losses. He has 12 terms in congress to show his voting record is solid. He would save $1 trillion in his first year budget.
The more I learn about how delegates are allocated in a caucus, the more uncomfortable I feel. A lot of room for chicanery.
Conservative Enthusiasm Problem
Minnesota turnout 47,000, 4 years ago 63,000 (down 25%)
Colorado turnout 65,000, 4 years ago 70,000 (down 7%)
New Hampshire turnout 241,000 4 years ago 245,000 (down 1.5%)
Florida turnout 1.6 million 4 years ago 1.9 million (down 15.8%)
Nevada turnout 33,000 4 years ago 44,000 (down 25.7%)
South Carolina turnout 602,000 4 years ago 452,000 (up 33.2%) *
TOTAL 2012 = 2.59 million, 2008 = 2.77 million (down 6.5%)
* The only state that had a voter turnout increase is the one that Gingrich won. If you leave Georgia out of the mix then turnout is down over 14%.
<< Is it Romney or the entire field? >> Public Policy Polling 02/08/2012 - Our last national survey found that 58% of Democrats were 'very excited' about voting this fall, compared to 54% of Republicans. Six months ago the figures were 48% of Democrats 'very excited' and Republicans at the same 54%. Generally you would expect voters to get more excited as the election gets nearer. That trend is occurring on the Democratic side, but not for the GOP.
25% of conservatives are not at all excited to vote this fall, compared to only 16% of liberals.
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/02/republican-enthusiasm-issue-is-real.html
bo and joe in 2012
"What do you call a phony that has just given birth-Santorum"
Hollowhead-Santorum said electing Romney would be a "Hollow Victory"
Rick is so boring you can't laugh the pain away !!!
Santorum is all about the Tea-Retards and the 1% that supports him.
A Vote for Santorum is a Vote for destroying our Country.
Take a minute and see how the billionaire Koch Brothers via Fox are actively working to destroy social security. See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFymBUsoNWY
I guess the 1% won't be happy until they have it all.
"A Vote for the Teapugs is a Vote for the 1%"
I suggest you check out Ron Paul's voting record. First he voted to create the deficit with the rest of the republicans when they voted to give tax cuts and then more tax cuts to the richest during war time.
Then he voted for the billion dollar oil companies to keep their special tax cuts. I wonder how much money that added to the deficit?
But he did vote not to increase some things, like the minimum wage. He voted against the people and for the corporations with that vote.
Can't forget the pacifist last vote to end the war in Iraq. Well, he voted with the republicans to keep the war going with no end in sight.
Yes, a man with a solid voting record all against the people. Ron Paul votes for the 1% just like the rest of the republicans.
Kind of like the republicans claims to be pro-life when actually they are pro-fetus and anti-woman. A bunch of men want to tell you whether you can take birth control or have health care and then want to call that freedom.
Interesting, freedom is now the Catholics church right to tell you what you can do with your own body.
Want to send America to the dark ages, just vote for a republican, any republican.
Who would vote for a cultist Mormon who despises the working class, government, and America in general?
I wouldn't.
But, then, I have more than a 5th grade edumacation.
Multi millionaire Mitt Romney vows to cut Social Security and Medicare.
See: www.outcomemag.com/news/politics/2012/02/10/romney-vows-social-security-medicare-cuts
Shame on you Mitt!
LMAO....... you guys are funny! Paxil is the word of the day!
Prez O is smart. He doesn't have to seriously campaign; Just let these RepublicanCrimeCartelThugClowns go public with their unacceptably criminal behavior, and Voila!!!!!
There they are!!!: All TV'd Up! Like Dracula, Frankenstein and The WolfMan; MittTaxPittance Rommel, THEGangrene and, last BUT NOT in the least, The WolfManVomitorium! YESSSSSS!!!!! First off is DRAC: aka MittTaxPittanceRommel, Who will START A WAR WITH Iran, And A very Profitable War for his RepublicanCrimeCartelCorporateMasters AT THAT!! The Count was "nice enough" to expose his taxes!! Hmmm...Let Me See Now...Drac paid 13% on $42,000,000 income EEEZZZZ MONEY: About 5million AND!!! WE American Taxpayer Victims PAID The Count's REMAINING $7,800,000 Tax Liability!!!! Thanks for SUCKING US Dry Drac!!! AND Aren't We "LittlePeople" Thrilled that The Count is nice enough to Let US have the Honor of Paying His Taxes!! He WILL ALLOW Even, the Poor, Whom HE HAS STATED He "DOES NOT CARE ABOUT" To coughUp his Tax Liability!; 'Long as they got A BloodyJob with deductions Drac can get his FANGS into their BloodMoney as small as it might be!
Then There is Frankenstein, err...THEGangrene who, with his department store mannequin "Other Half", will turn to Destructive Rage at the drop of a wrong word or moment!!! EGADZ, This SelfEntitled Creature of Pleasure will Start A War for his RepublicanCorporateMasters AnyWhere, AnyHow, AnyWay, EVEN On The Moon!, as long as there is profit and Franky gets a stipend from it!!! ANYTHING TheGangrene Touches will Putrify and Rot like what is left of OUR AmericanBodyPolitic!!! Watch Franky TRY to Come alive with "lightening" speed at the RepublicanNationalCrimeCartelConvention!!!
Now Comes The WolfMan Vomitorium... What Can be said!! Such a Goot'Lookin'Boy! Ooh Facime! What A Face!! how could he do Anything Unsavory!!! BUT When The CORPORATE SYMBOLS rise in his eyes TheVomitorium begins his hungry and Very Hairy Growling for American Taxpayer's Blood!!!!
Yes!! THERE is your victim Wolfy!! Go and Savage It WolfMan with BloodLust Fangs and All! Our American UniversalHealthCare System!! All of OUR Allys have it, EVEN the TowelHeads Have A NationalHealthCareSystem!, This Political Beast Savaged and ALSO Struck down OUR Bill for AnAmericanNationalHealthCareSystem!!! Then, when The Killing Is Over, Out Steps The 'A nica'Boy Vomitorium; Ooohh!! How CleanCut!! Yes And so are His savage sever wounds on OUR AmericanHealthCareBill!!!!Brother And Sister American Putting these guys In Power is Having Dracula Guard our BloodBanks!!! You Saw What the Count Did......
Dennis actual Republican turn out is down, but the numbers you have show it worse than it is for some reason. I think your source may be suspect. This year's number I am taking from a source that get's the final numbers - my 2008 source is the NY Times which may be only 98 or 99% correct (News service often stop on election night and never update to the certified numbers - so they can skew pretty bad at times.
Iowa - 2008 - 118,696 2012 121,601 UP 2,905 +2.45%
New Hampshire - 2008 - 238,979 2012 - 248,475 UP 9,496 +3.97%
South Carolina - 2008 - 431,196 2012 - 603,856 - UP 172,60 +40.04%
This Primary was moved up with RNC Permission.
Florida - 2008 - 1,949,498 2012 1,672,660 - DOWN 277,146 -14.22%
A lot of negatives here - This primary was Moved without RNC Permission penalizing them 50 Delegates AND in Romney won Areas were down 20% In Gingrich won areas were up +5%
Nevada - 2008 44,325 2012 - 32,963, DOWN 11,352 -25.62% Many people did not vote because where to go and how the caucus system was to work frustrated voters.
Minnesota - 2008 62,828 2012 48,795 - DOWN -14,003 22.34% - Delegates to be awarded later says all you need to know.
Colorado - 2008 - 70,229 2012 - 66,027 - DOWN -4,202 -5.98%
Missouri - 2008 - 588,844 2012 - 251,868 - DOWN -336,976 -57.23%
No Delegates were to be awarded. The State designated the primary day. RNC did not accept this. For Missouri to avid being penalized like Florida, delegates there will selected in a caucus next month.
The reason things are down go a whole lot under the surface than most armchair quarterbacks understand.
DB,
I didn’t show Iowa because they could not produce an official final number.
I did not show Missouri or Minnesota no delegates were awarded – driving down turnout.
So you listed 3 states that I left out because of anomalies as I try to make the analysis fairer while you try to show that my assessment is incorrect by including the ones I left out, especially Missouri and Minnesota.
But even you have to admit that there is an enthusiasm problem as the voter turnout and polls indicate. Republicans are losing enthusiasm while, at the same time, Dems are gaining.
Dennis,
How are you this Saturday morning I hope your weekend is going well.
I agree there is a lack of enthusiasm in the Republican primary, I for one am real enthused yet. I think a lot of it has to do with to many worthless debates, to much news coverage, and I for one wish the states that have caucuses would go straight to a primary voting system. The other thing I find that takes away enthusiasm is the election season is to damn long. I know it won't and can't happen but I would like to see the election season start no sooner than maybe six months prior to the November election date.
Let's face it all incumbents start running and campaigning for reelection as soon as sworn in, it's a never ending cycle.
That said, I believe you will see the republicans show more enthusiasm starting in July, especially in the races for the Senate and House. As I have said before it is very hard to beat an incumbent President, but not impossible, a lot can happen.
I meant to say I am NOT real enthused yet.
Hi Sarge,
I’m doing well – Thanks !!
You make some good points but what I see is more pointed at the dislike for the Republican field. And as PPP points out the history is that enthusiasm increases as the election gets closer. It has done so with the Dems but the Republicans have regressed.
If the top of the ticket does not excite the voters it does not bode well for the “down ballot” candidates. But yes, nine months is forever in politics and our President has had bad luck during his first 3 summers in office.
Romney is too liberal and Santorum is too conservative and Newt is too corrupt and paul is too nutty. The republican party is so devisive and disorganized and confused that it is going to implode on it's own platform and the 1% of the folks that just buy into what the 10 leaders of the party say will be the only thing left standing.
Sorry Mitt. Winning Maine does not mean you aren't a loser.
jmonarchy: when does Goldilocks come into your story? Oh, never, she's working a minimum wage job in Texas. I forgot.
As goes Maine, so goes Maine!!!
Charleston, SC
The way Romney is killing his brother Republicans, you could almost say:
The guy from Bain with the mark of Cain now falls on Maine.
Santorum said on fox lowlife news that rape victims should think of the babies conceived during their assault as gifts from God. Rick is Weird ?
They are only a gift from God as long as they are unborn. As soon as they are born Rick has no problem denying them food. He doesn't want that born baby to have clean air or water. He doesn't want that born baby to have health care or a decent education.
To Rick and the rest of the republicans they are a gift from God only until they are born. Then the republicans have no problem sending your grown children to die in a war for for oil while pretending to be the pro-life party.
Outlandish at best.
George Bush had the choice to not raise air and water standards - raise them to a safer level or raise them to a pristine level. Bush chose to raise them to a safer leverl.
Obama was going to raise the levels to the "pristine" levels, but it would have cost 250,000 jobs. The truth is you can have pristine water but starve about a million people. Both Bush and Obama made the correct choice.
Dennis in Ohio hit the nail on the head in his post of caucus and primary turnouts. According to the numbers thing arer not going well-nowhere have their numbers increased.
And one would think with the problems Republicans cite over and over there ought to be revolts in the street to hear them tell it onhowconstitutional this and that has been eroded.Even the threatof higher taxes hasn't exacly produced barbarians at the gate mentality although Cai nand Gringich have tried hard to amke the case of "heel in a handbasket".
Maybe instead of firing up the voters they are putting themto sleep with boring speeches-actally who do you know in your aquantences runs around witha copy of the Constitution crying "Unconstitutioanal" as if he were some hot shnot Philedephia lawyer..?
It could be that ifwe just let them sleep they'll forget there is a election....
More to the point-what do the numbers posted by Dennis in Ohio say about Mitt Romney's "severe conservative" statement? I think it says he's a minority of a minority-in every state turnout is down-and Rromney's ow nnumbersare even worse than 4 years ago-nowhere sofar has he topped what he got ina far weaker field than those running 4 years ago.. InMinnesot he evenlost a statehe'd won. So voter's aren't impressed.
And i think if you match compassionate vs Severe.,even at this late post bush date- compassoinate still wins.
In his say anything to win mode, romeny's overrached. And he loses the swing voters in November.
"Remember the Maine!" Oops, wrong time, wrong war. (BTW, thought Romney didn't put much stock in some of these caucus states)
phine,
You are correct. Romney thought he could win with the primaries. But he does need some bragging rights and soon. He has miscalculated this whole primary season.
But in the end he will be the nominee, but at what cost?
Northstar,
For the first time, I am starting to wonder if Romney will win the nomination. I don't know why, maybe it is the whole delegate count thing. Unless he does really, really well on Super Tuesday, I could see a big floor fight come the GOP convention. If that happens, all bets are off!
I keep telling you guys, Dr Paul has a good strategy....
Wouldn't it be kick azz to see someone win the republican nomination without winning a single state primary or caucus? It is possible you know.
Besides Mitts going to Maine shows just how desperate he is....
That would be something to see Egilman. I agree, Paul's got a nice plan working.
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't President Obama concentrate on caucus states in his primaries to win delegates? Hillary was supposed to be the nominee at this point of the primary season. Am I remembering this correctly?
Yes you are phine...
She was the annointed one right until the first delegate tally, that is when Obama pulled even, right about the end of February.....
You nailed it....
Whew! Worried about my memory there! You would have thought someone in the Romney campaign would have remembered that also.
Bottom line for Romney right now is he is great at the negative stuff but hasn't presented a "vision" for what he can do. He hasn't inspired the masses.
Twas the last campaign cycle, they do not remember crap from one election to the next for the most part. They are still running on the emotions of 2010, those emotions are still there but muted and looking for direction, Dr Paul is the only one to show direction that inspires anyone, the silent majority will come around once they figure out they really do not want anymore of the old tried and failed...
Chucky,
I think he's got a good plan, it might even work.
sure would serve the establishment right after what they have done to him..
Egilman, you would think they would take a look at history. The pendulum always swings back the other way after a big change election. Dr. Paul's following is strong and loyal. And, free advice to the GOP establishment, those in charge best pay attention to that fact!
"Conservative values is a rigged system for the 1%"
Ron Paul votes for the 1% just like the rest of the republicans. His smaller government plan just sells America off to the lowest bidder who just happens to be the rich. In his plan the rich get richer (as he wants more tax cuts) and the poor get nothing as he shreds the safety nets and starving and dying without health care is now called freedom.
Hate America, vote for a republican as they have signed a pledge with Norquist to destroy American. I suggest you take a kitten into the bathroom and drown it in a bathtub and see how alive it is when you are done. That is Norquist and the republican stated goal for America, to make it small enough to drag to the bathroom and drown in a bathtub. Never raising taxes on the richest is their way of making sure they reach their goal.
Clinton raised taxes and created a growing economy and low unemployment. The republicans can not allow that to happen again because it gets in the way of destroying America via the Norquist and republican plan.
Our huge deficit is no accident, the republicans in Congress voted to create this deficit.
Americans First-3238795
You might want to actually research Ron Paul instead of going by what you have been told by mainstream media.
Take NDAA and the indefinite detention of Americans. He is one of a few in Congress that is vehemently supporting the rights of all Americans in fighting against the bill. This is him supporting the rights of 100% of Americans.
Why Ron Paul is correct about the FED
Think of it in terms of a stock split.
Take a dollar bill, tear it in half, that is what happens every time the FED doubles the money supply. Except, they give fifty cents of your money to special interest, cronies, finance wars, or foreign powers.
Tear your 50 cents in half again.
And again.
Now you have 12.5 cents. That is why a green pepper in 1980 cost 12.5 cents and now it is a dollar, and it has nothing to do with how much we pay the sun to shine. The dollar is backed up by the full force of America, which as it turns out is the US citizens. Backed up through taxation. And because our government can't tax us 100% because it would destroy the economy, it is added as debt.
What is the point of earning 7-10% on investments, while at the same time the FED is devaluing your money by 15%?
Here he is fighting for 99% of Americans.
I can go on and on.
John I researched Wrong Paul on the Internet and I have told you the record I have found. I don't have television so I couldn't have heard these things on main stream media.
Don't believe me, check out his voting record for yourself, I did.
Any man who votes against increasing minimum wage is not for the people. I am not saying the minimum wage didn't increase, I am saying that Wrong Paul voted against it.
I found that Wrong Paul talks one story and then votes another. What is not to trust?
I dont trust anyone with out a television. Damn its is the best place for entertainment on Saturday morning. Phine hows the weather in Florida? Cold as .......... something here in Detroit. And its looking like the Unions realized that if they didn't re negotiate their contracts they would have terms dictated to them. Im hoping we can avoid a Financial manager or there will be riots, even if they named a black person as the FM. Im looking foward to seeing the terms of the Police and fire fighters contract. If you want to see something interesting check out the new Idea we have...... "virtual police stations" I hope they can solve their first "virtual" murder!
Americans First-3238795
The internet is mainstream media if you haven't noticed.
I actually agree about minimum wage. People should get paid what they are worth, not by a mandate from government. If companies don't want to pay a certain amount, they will have no employees and go broke. Companies that pay the best will get the best employees.
Instead of mediocracy, it should be competitive, where people are wanting to work harder to get the best jobs.
Phine and Egilman,
Obama started in an upset in Iowa, then he won SC which was a primary. Hillary won NH.
When they got to the primary states of the upper Midwest they each got a number of delegates. It was then a race for the super delegates to state their preferences. Once many of the elected officials came out and supported Obama he had the numbers to win. It was all over.
GOP has less super delegates and different state party policy about how many ballots must be taken before delegates are released from their candidates. A brokered convention is possible but highly unlikely. The National RNC sets the rules of the convention.
Meanwhile , on SuperTuesday 437 delegates will be awarded in 10 state primaries. This is 1/5 of total delegates at the convention.
Tonight, Romney has 91, Newt 32, Paul 8, and Santorum ,4 secured delegates.
Northstar, I have forgotten how the super delegates work. Could you refresh my memory? Also, do you know how the uncommited delegates work from the caucus states? Thanks! :)
At least on the republican side uncommitted delegates can go anyway they want at the convention. super delegates have a lot of power on the democrat side, not quite so much on the republican side.
Why did the people of Pennsylvania kick Santorum out ??????
PA USA, Dude, I'm no fan of Santorum either, but I think you've become just a wee bit obsessive. He's not even mentioned in the article. And no one here is talking about him. Well, except you.
I'm talking about the new front-runner, Dude. My focus is on all the candidates, Not one.
lmao....... PA ......P A X I L! Your focus is a combo of hocus pocus
Chucky, You have my written permission to talk about all the candidates, not just Romney. Relax and take a nap.
Is that jolly lost soul drinking that moonshine combo with your hocus pocus. Lets see how smart you are ? Where is lake Vostok ?
Perhaps all the millionaires' money and all the millionaires' men can't make the voters choose Romney, again.
As a moderate, independent voter, who at times leans to the conservative side more often than not, depending on who the person is that I vote for. As an independent, the baggers WAR on WOMEN has caused them a lot of votes. And Wrong Paul is included in that.
These clowns are handing Obama his second term. The way they are tearing each other down is funny, plus think of all the ads material they have given, free of charge, to Obama.
I still have a feeling that someone on the GOP side is hiding behind the curtain, and when the convention starts, that person will be brought forth, by the so called king makers. But by then, the damage to the GOP/baggers will be so bad, the GOP will lose, and they may lose more than the oval office. I realize some people will not believe this, hey that is your right to disbelieve, same as my right to state my opinion.
The people I work with, their husbands and wives all think the same thing. Plus many of my friends, neighbors, etc feel the same way. But we really won't know until Nov, will we?
Good post Affinity
Sallyann, you are right spot on! I think the exact same thing is going down.
The GOP is in the worst shape it has been in a long time. They are absolutely handing the Obama camp everything they need to destroy their candidate in the general election.
its a bit early. If you remember and if you read up you will note, Hillary and Mr Obama were at each others throats in 2007. People who live in and near big cities forget that the middle of the country and the south are quiet until the time arises. I voted for Mr Carter and Mr. Clinton, I have no issues with Mr. Obama as a husband and a father and wont lose sleep if he is elected.....as long as Ms Pelosi and Mr. Reid have minority next to their names.
Romney is only saying what people want to hear in different views. He is playing the rallys, changing his lingo which is all BS. Santorum seems to be the honest one of all. The rest should not even be in the race. I'm not a Repug, but I respect Santorum for being a straight up guy & not one that lies to crowds just to tell them what they want to hear.
Phine,
It gets a little complicated but I will try. :0)
I live in a caucus state. 43,000 Republicans attended their precinct caucuses. They elected a number of delegates to go to the district convention. At the district convention this spring, folks will elect delegates to the state convention. At the state convention delegates will be elected to the National convention. MN has about 43 delegates to GOP convention in Tampa.
Paul supporters made sure they stayed after the straw poll in the precinct to vote for Paul supporters for delegates to the district convention. I am sure when the state convention is held, Paul will have some delegates and Romney , Santorum will have a lot less than what he polled at the straw poll.
Super delgates in the Democratic party are all past presidents, governors, current Senators, Congress people, all members of the DNC. They do have votes at the national convention and they can freely vote for anyone. Ususally they vote for the candidate that got the most votes in their state primary, but they do have some power to shape the convention. I know that the Gop has less super delegates than Dems.
The point is that the party regulars do have power to influence a convention and even a prolong primary season. The best chance for a grass root movement is in the early caucus and primary states when people power is more important than money. Obama is a great example of this.
Today with the power of the superpac to provide staying power to a candidate that is not doing well is enormous. Newt got 10 million from one couple in Vegas to continue. Both super delegates and super pacs are able to make the difference beyond the individual vote of a ordinary voter.
So my take is if the GOP establishment and the money interest want Romney, even if he is flawed, he will be the nominee.
Sleep tight....
Actually, most states have delegates that are locked into the primary or caucus winner for at least one vote, then they can go their own way. SC is locked in for three votes. Super delegates are party officials and former elected officers still active in the party and start out locked in but are clear after the first vote.
Yes each district elects delegates to the state convention, the state convention to the national convention. during the caucuses the voters are supposed to stay afterwards to select the delegates. Reports coming out from the caucus and primary states is that Dr Paul has been way more successful at getting his supporters selected as delegates that the others have been. Reliable reports I might add, but no one will actually know until the votes are cast at the national convention.
That being said, every state that selects delegates has reported that there will be a large and strong Dr Paul presence at every state convention.
The only way to avoid this is for a candidate to have a majority going into the convention, and this is looking like it is less and less of a possibility at this point.
Thanks guys! Fell asleep and come back to a great explanation!!! Somehow, just awarding delegates seems a whole lot simpler! :)
Are we talking about the "streak" in the tighty whities?
OK, last night I attended the rally in Portland and here is my report:
So, they told us it started at 5:15 at Portland Yacht Services (sounds posh, right? It's actually a decrepit warehouse where they usually hold the Flower Show. ) I was there at 5:15. Ron Paul supporters were outside, entertaining us with music and a cool light show projected on the side of the building. Went inside, all the seats were taken, so I had to stand for an hour, waiting for Romney. Romney's campaign manager took the stage at one point and basically ordered us to go to the caucus and post on Facebook. This guy needs lessons in how to warm up a crowd and, well, "rally."
Eventually, Romney came on. First thing he said was " Gosh, you folks live in a pretty state. I particularly like your lakes. I own a house on a lake in NH, it sure gets cold there..." then he told a little, funny story. Man, what is the opposite of "natural politician?" Mitt Romney. First of all, Portland is on the coast, not a lake. We are a sea farin' crowd, you might say. Why not lead off with a story that relates to living in a port city? And, if you own a house in NH why are you talking as if you don't know what cold is? Didn't this guy grow up in Michigan? Isn't it even colder there? The guy talks like an alien, even in the Northeast.
Ames,
You really are a brave soul!
One would think that with all of Willard's $$$ he would at least be able to invest in a decent Atlas or GPS system!
Thanks for the report from the boots on the ground!
PS: Hope when you got home you rewarded your efforts with a glass of wine and some of the yummy kettle cooked sea salt chips! ☺
Damn, now I MUST have a bag of kettle cooked sea salt chips...and it's 30 below outside! Fiesty and her big mouth...
Sorry about that leroy! lol
Ames likes the plain sea salt, I prefer mine with some vingar added! ☺
Amy---thanks for braving the cold & crowds. Seems to me that it isn't the best way to make people relate to you to refer to your "lake house". Why didn't he say he loves coming to Maine for the great lobster. He probably isn't getting the PETA vote anyway.
Was your Tea Party governor there?
And toothpicks - I just found out 90% of the Nation's toothpicks are produced in Maine!
Who would of thunk it? lol
You really do learn somthing new everyday! ☺
Amy,
Thanks for the report of a Romney campaign stop.
You would think he would be prepared to have a lead in that prove he knows something about Maine besides that it is cold in the winter.
Feisty--we flew to Maine over the holidays to see our family there. The guy in the seat behind us was one of those people who wouldn't shut up. Spent the whole flight telling his poor seatmate about how most of the drum sticks in the world are made in Maine. I can tell you anything you want to know about drum stick manufacturing!
Amy, this is hilarious! Thank you for the first hand report.
It sounds like you should have stayed outside - well bundled up against the cold - and watched the light show.
I have been trying to process my thoughts about the rally, but my first impression of the Romney machine and Romney himself, who is kind of a machine, is that they, like the other Republicans this year, don't register and reflect back where their audience is, that is to say, where America is.
For one thing, I am a recptionist and I deal with people from all walks of life. Life is filled with everyday "politics." Romney's social skills don't rise to the level of an executive visiting from the home office, who engages me in small talk in the elevator, if only to gleen information from me about the health of the company. I don't mean being "nice." I mean, knowing how to lead people, which can include scaring the heck out of them. I kept asking myself, how did Romney get so rich? All I can think is "the miracle of compound interest." I think he got rich through manipulating his orginal investor's money, a kind of passive endeavor. He certainly doesn't have the ruthless craftiness of self-made millionaires I have known. He doesn't inspire fear and respect like my boss. He doesn't make you like him, like our gregarious CFO, at my job. Frankly, I don't see what Romney has that would help America, except to give hope to little boys of successful men, that, they too, could grow up to be President.
Amy, you really should preface your "reports" with the fact that you hate Mitt Romneyand all Republican ideals. I don't understand why you would even go. You had your mind made up to despise anything and everything he said before you you even got there.
You know, there may be a spot for you one the First Read , errr, journalistic staff.
I find it kind of sad that you think you could draw all the conclusions you did about the man his passions and his ability from one gathering.If you want to know how Romney became and remained wealthy, do a little research outside of the usual Lefty sites.
Maybe read a little on what a great job he did with the Olympics.
But on the bright side, you had those "burning coals" to walk over while you were re-reading Obama's past speeches last night to warn you up.
If you live in Maine, Portland is considered Massachusetts. People who are not from away consider them "Mass"holes. Why would you work for a company where fear is instilled in you! I've worked for CFO's in major corps for years and fear was never a issue that came to mind in any situation.
There is alot of yelling in my department.
I went to see Romney with an almost open mind. I was even afraid I might like him ( that moderate reputation he has, you know.) What I saw did not impress me, so I tried to figure out why I felt like I did. I realize I may not express myself as clearly as a professional political reporter, however, I felt compelled to share my impressions.
I really should be in a focus group, I could really help a struggling politician :)
Amy, I was not commenting on how you expressed yourself. Actually, I thought your comments were well written.
The crack about joining the FR staff was directed at the FR staff, because, see, I bellieve they too have already made up their minds about Romney and report on him with a negative bias.
If you say you went there with an open mind, OK. But honestly, your history here and admiration for the President belies that comment.
I appreciate you sharing your impressions, and going to the meeting. That is something I would not do. Those things all just seem like a "show" to me. But I would like to know what in that short amount of time eould have impressed you?
When you say you afraid you might like him, I don't get it. Why be afraid to think that someone might actually be a better person than the Media makes them out to be?
To be fair, you should spend just a little time, trying to find out some of the good things Romney has done. As I said earlier, I would start with the Olympics.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
White Collar, you have helped me figure out why my sense of Romney's personality is important to understanding my opposition to him.
Yes, I went to the Republican rally as a democrat who supports Obama. I was afraid I would like or respect Romney, because that would mean he'd be a harder opponent for Obama. ( I was scared when McCain was nominated in 2008, because I saw his strengths, and I really wanted Obama to win.)
Having seen Romney in person, now I can say for sure that he would be an ineffective President. It's not just that I disagree with his ideology, which I do, but that's a different argument.
It has to do with what I have observed in effective leaders in my world. The people who rise to the top in management, in my work places, have social skills, emotional intelligence, as its called. It's not that they are "nice" or that they are likeable, because they aren't. It's that effective leaders, even shift leaders, know how to read people, they understand themselves, they can LEAD because they have these skills. These skills make them effective in management positions. No doubt, White Collar, you have those skills in spades. If you are in management, you know what I am talking about.
>
I don't think Romney would be an effective leader because he can't flatter an audience in Maine - which is a test of emotional intelligence. He is not suited to the job. We know what an effective President has to do and emotional intelligence is key.
How can winning a caucus of less than 6,000 voters hold as much weight as a primary state were 2 million vote?
Hell any small town in America can scare up a few thousand votes for a local dog catcher.
Loooooooooooserrrrrrrrrrrrr!
One of the most difficult things about being a leader is to take the correct position. There are sooo many opinions about everything. But hey, if you are incorrect, you will get a lot of flack. But what ever you do, do not flip flop because then you will no longer be a leader.
Romney probably does have a better shot at winning Maine for two reasons. The first is he is more well known there based on the proximity of Massachusetts to Maine.
The second reason is that the two Senators from Maine Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe are two of the most moderate Republican Senators in this country. While Romney tries to convince everyone he is a hard line conservative, people who really know him know that is just not true based on his reputation. The Maine GOP base will vote either for or against Romney based on his reputation (I believe). He will either do well because the Maine GOP base knows what he is about or they will vote against him for trying to put up a facade that tries to negate his past and make him look like a very hard line conservative. I believe the former will play out for Romney
"While Romney tries to convince everyone he is a hard line conservative, people who really know him know that is just not true based on his reputation."
So, what you're saying is that everyone who knows him knows he is lying.
That sounds like the Mittwit.
The entire cast of possible Republican candidates are losers. I think what is not noticed is that Obama is good for Republicans as he is very middle of the road. He also has failed to bring the thieves on Wall Street to account. Something he'd better get around to if he wants my vote or I might as well stay home.
Pippo, while I agree with you, staying home and not voting is the worst thing you can do. There might be a reason he hasn't tried real hard to bring the thieves to account, he needs their money for reelection.
I have read reports where some smaller thieves being charged, in different areas of fiance, and in different states. Makes me think the Justice dept maybe getting a lot of info, facts, evidence, etc to go after the bigger thieves. But we just don't know, do we? But no matter what, please vote, even if you have to hold your nose while doing so.
staying home and not voting is the worst thing you can do.
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Truer words were never spoken. Just because you may be disillusioned with the President and can't bring yourself to vote republican does not mean you have to sit it out. Americanselect will choose a candidate in a little over 2 months from pool of folks from all over the political spectrum. The Green Party and the Libertarian Party will have their guys in the fray. And you may be one of the lucky ones to have Rocky Anderson on the ballot in your state. There will be lots of opportunities to show love to a third party, so DO NOT STAY HOME!
Don't stay home!
Remember, the Presidency isn't the only race on the ballot!
I respectfully disagree with the above posters.
Not voting is the most responsible thing you can do sometimes. Depending on your point of view of course.
The lesser of two evils is still evil. For me, voting is almost criminal due to the unsalvageable corrupt nature of our "democracy."
The question being asked at the polls these days is essentially:
"Which of these two candidates, carefully selected by entrenched powerful interests would best enforce your/their world-view on fellow citizens at the point of a gun? Which candidate will force more of your opinions on others?"
We're basically voting on which groups to screw over and which to reward with the resultant loot. Vote for violence against one group for the benefit of another. If it was individuals it would be illegal (rightly so) but somehow by delegating the crimes to a group it becomes kosher in the minds of a lot of folks.
Do you want the candidate to force healthcare on everyone else just because you personally places a high value on it?
Do you want the candidate to force a specific definition of marriage, which excludes same sex couples onto everyone else?
Violence against groups who ingest substances you don't approve of?
Steal from the "rich" to support the "poor"? (entitlements, welfare, etc.)
Steal from the "poor" to support the "rich"? (subsidies, import tariffs, etc.)
I'm well aware of the fact that I am in a distinctly tiny minority here but nonetheless I eventually came to the conclusion that no, it wasn't justified.
By voting I was advocating for, or at the very least condoning, institutionalized violence and arbitrary expropriation on a historically unprecedented scale.
No mas. No more.
I'd participate in the voting process again if there were candidates that were not promising to engage in widespread aggression against people--allegedly for my benefit--in exchange for my vote. However, I see few if any such candidates in politics.
We each must do what we believe is right though and I don't begrudge those that do vote.
Unfortunately we're pretty much programmed starting from birth to believe that violence, and the threat thereof, is the most or even only effective means of achieving our objectives. Competing systems and philosophies of Human Action are not explored or even mentioned in our public schools. None that I ever attended at any rate.
For this reason I can't really hold any grudge or ill-will towards those that endorse this system and participate in its functioning. They're just people "going along to get along," as the saying goes. Though sometimes much hostility is directed towards me because of my view.
No biggie, I understand. Nobody likes to have their precious world view challenged in any meaningful way. Including myself, for that matter. I had a very hard time coming to the conclusions that I eventually came to. The process took about two years before I fully accepted those conclusions. And for them to really mature into a coherent, consistent philosophy.
(the process starting after a random trip to the library and accidental discovery of an economics treatise which contained a competing system of social organization, which I hadn't even know existed--thanks pubic schooling! These events also ended up having a large influence on my eventual decision to major in economics. Quite the fateful trip to the library).
Cheers all!
(ps. Sorry for the outrageously long post lol)
After the current Maine administration (republican house of representtives and republican governor of Maine Paul La Page). Mitt Romney Ultra Conservative republican has a snow ball's chance in hell of carring Maine.
They have had enough of the "GOP"
Romney ran through about fifteen minutes of boilerplate Republican crap. Regulations are bad, we need to rape the earth for oil and gas so rich people can stay rich, Wages are down because of Obama, but government has no role in the private market, (not clear what Obama did or did not do that keeps wages down) Government is too big, yada, yada, yada.
Then he took questions. Out of 400 peope at the rally, the majority of the questions seemed to come from Democrats. One lady, who claimed to be a Republican, asked Romney about the huge student loans kids today get saddled with. His answer? We shouldn't have student loans. I guess his "solution" is, middleclass kids should not go to college. Then, tuition will go down. Huh? Other people challenged Romney about things he was saying. Romney blamed the financial crisis on Freddie Mac and Fannie. When he was challenged, he admitted, there were other causes, the banks were to blame, Congress, The President ( couldn't bring himself to say Bush.) My thought was, why not tell the truth in the beginning so you don't have to walk back later? How much more persuasive he would be, if he took responsibilty, as a Republican, for the policies a two term Republican President enacted which failed? I mean, Bush privatized services, and we lost billions to waste and fraud. Now Romney recommends privatizing services again. It isn't rational.
Amy---the answer to the student loan question is so consistent with the only view that Romney doesn't seem to flip flop on. He wants market forces to do their thing. From this view we get: let Detroit go bankrupt, let the housing foreclosures proceed so the market hits bottom and investors buy cheap houses to put renters in, and now---don't go to school if you or your parents can't pay the tuition up front. Sadly this consistency also point out how out of touch he is with the reality that four years at a top flight college would cost him four days' income but for most of the rest of us, it is difficult to live day to day and also save that much money.
NoJo's support for Romney should make everything clear to a more rational mind. She needs less Greece in her diet.
LMAO!
And much more fiber!
Now where are those damn paper towels?
Romney and the republicans aren't ration.
al!
The GOP has gone to hell in a hand basket.
They would make good dog catchers ?
Patriotic, the only one that would be a good dog catcher is frothy, he likes dogs. Mittens doesn't. Newt and Wrong Paul don't have the ability to catch anything except afternoon naps or female staffers to later marry.
1983 Mitt Romney and his family piled into the family car for a 12 hour drive from Boston to Canada with their pet dog strapped in a crate on top of their car, along the way the dog had digestive trouble which made its presence known on the back windshield. Romney pulled into a gas station and hosed the dog and car off, put his dog back on the roof and continued the trip. This is what the GOP TeaRetards family values are all about. I think the dogs name was Santorum. Well that's the end of my story. Its going to be a dogs day for Rick.
Ummmm thats the way we transport our large hunting type dogs. The only thing truthful about your name is the USA part.
Hey jolly, I have a Weimaraner and my dog goes inside my 4x4, not out. PS be careful with that Paxil-users of that drug risk suicide ? Also- do you have a problem with Vet's ?
jolly- Well that is weird, because all the people I know, that have hunting dogs, have pickup trucks, don't know any that would strap their beloved dogs, to the top of a station wagon, Where are the gun racks? LOL The only truthful thing about your made up post is, never mind it's all made up! LOL
You'll have to excuse Jolly, he has a nasty habit of... ummm... embellishing the truth!
Ain't that right Harry?
Why is it that you dont just have one country wide vote for your republican and democratic candidates and be done with it. It all seems a insanely complicated system in place right now.
ryan: because this is how the boys in the back room try to convince the voters that their shill is the one to vote for.
ryan agree system to nominate is cumbersome and in efficient as well as waaayyy expensive. If we put the money spent on " I wanna be President" and spent it on say production of medicine. Little kids would have the lukemia drugs they need to get well. Wonder is Mitt can turn that one around?? Probably not they make the stuf fin Ohio.
dadel,
I see you are a new poster here at FR.
Piece of advise,
Internet chain letters are not facts here at FR.
Hope you take advantage of many opportunites during Black History Month to learn something about history.
dadel, a bit of real info. Anything factual or opinion that makes you look anything but left leaning will be attacked with vigor! NorthStar come on down....errr up to Detroit learn some real black history.
jollyoldsoul,
Well thank you for the invitation.
Will you be my guide?
jolly- So you are saying dadel's post was true? If you hate Detroit so much leave, or do something to make it better. Your neighbors would probable, have a block party to celebrate!
Ok, I'm not done processing the Romney rally I attended, sorry :)
I met a nice, middleaged couple in the hour we spent waiting for Romney, listening to the scratchiest old recording of martial music I've heard in recent times. They were very sweet pro-Romney supporters. As near as I could figure, their most heartfelt issue is with "regulations." At least, that is what I surmised by the strength of their clapping during Romney's speech. Makes you wonder what life experiences people have that shape their political views.
One of the hecklers pointed out that lack of regulation is what led to the financial crisis. Once again, Romney had to backtrack and say, yes, regulation can be a good thing, we need smart regulations, etc. But he couldn't make a coherent argument for how Obama's regulations are a drag on the economy, or how his regulations would be any smarter.
Amy: thanks for the first hand account. So much of the TV coverage is blah,blah blah. I always wondered what really went on at these things.
Amy---I'm enjoying hearing about the rally first hand. Did you have a crowd estimate?
I don't get the regulation thing at all. President Obama has instituted fewer regulatons than Bush did and he also has a program in process to get rid of regulations we don't need. Don't they know this?
Steeler Fan, I have read it was 400 people, but many must have been Democrats, considering they were the ones who kept asking pointed questions. Two hecklers were removed by police.
Gov LePage was not in attendance, probably scared to come to Portland, since he was once quoted as saying since we don't support him, he won't help our commercial shipping industry. Can you imagine a governor saying that about his state's largest city?
I don't believe Romney has ever had a coherent thought, Amy.
Again, Amy real Mainiac's dont consider Portland Maine! It's too close to Massachusetts. The real border is closer to Bowdoin or Lewiston!
Jolly--thanks for telling Amy, who has lived in Maine for many years and has family there, too, how Maine people feel.
"We must never forget what "W" did to our Country"
Love the way the Romney people jump on the blogs first and overpower all of us with the logic that only Willard can win. It is like reading the same releases from daddy George in 68. By the way both had the same problem as far as national politics and as Ames said in the boots on the ground report. Not an ounce of charm or humor. Just the caustic cardboard personality of a "man on a mission" Romneys campaign words not mine. It is true he acts like a man on a mission , not to be deterred by facts,performance,civility,or people skills. But back to the logic in early postings by Romneites or Romyulans...It was 4 more of years of Republicans we can not afford, things are improving under Obama, got bad under Bush. You guys are either ignorant or very slow learners. But thanks for playing
poltergeist, I don't think it's so much ignorant, it's just that they are very slow learners, and very low informed. Plus all the brainwashing that was done to them over the years. They have never learned on how to really research people, different aspects of life, etc etc. The sad part is they don't realize what they are really missing in life.
Pick up a book, doesn't matter if it's fiction, or fact, autobiology of a person, whatever. You can learn something from each book. Go into every home, I'll bet there are books there for cooking, auto repair, etc.
You learn from reading and researching things. Your neighbor may have learned to be a shade tree auto repair person by reading the manuel of the vehicle, plus having someone teach that person the basic's.
The low informed people think they know it all, and it's sad, really is sad, because a person should never stop learning things, about everything they can or do have an interest in. Nothing is gained by being low informed except being a low informed person for your whole life.
Thats funny, I find that most liberals know it all. And are more than willing to tell you all about it. I get very little in the way of push back from any of the right leaning people I know. Even when I tell in I'm and registered Independent. How ever when I run into a "educated liberal" I interview a 3 to 6 people a month for engineering positions so I get a lot of face to face with both. The thing I find common with democrat is that they are more than willing to tell you how smart they are and even though I have their resume in front of me......they still have to tell me where they graduated and how smart they are. But when I put them in a room with what would be their peers they done make good impressions. Its all about working as a team, not who is the smartest.
Excellent reporting with good insight. I wish Romyulans would report honestly instead of spinning the wheels off of every vehicle they place in the talking points. I get the feeling watching Willard that he would be very hard to deal with once you get past the part where he needs your vote. It just shines through his facade.
There's a really great word to descrsibe Romney: SMARMY. Look it up. I think you'll find it fits him absolutely perfectly.
Gemininimeg - True. Also add "habitual liar" and "terrible politician." He is by no means an idiot. No one who has achieved the level of success that he has could be. However, in the political arena, he has won one election of note. He also has been running for President for the last six years and seems to learned nothing. Can anyone say that he is any more convincing as a candidate than he was in 2008? If the GOP had a genuinely credible alternative, Mitt would be out of the race already.
Romney has left a lot of nonsense on tape ( like his CPAC pandering). He also will not be able to dismiss Obama's attacks as easily as he has Gingrich's and now Santorum.
Romney is a decent (and that is about far as I would go) candidate in one particular circumstance: a rapidly deteriorating economy. Anything beyond this, and his many, many flaws become more exposed. Part of being a great politician/campaigner is being able to cope with these "weaknesses" and transcend them. Romney is not that type of candidate.
He will probably still win the nomination, and will be a serious candidate on the surface. However, I fully expect Obama to tear him apart in the general.
After G.W. Bush and the Republicans, America doesn't need a Corporate Raider as President.
Mitt Romney should take his Family and move to the Cayman Islands and or Switzerland where he keeps his money at...