>>And no, I'm not even going to CPAC

WTF dude, where's the commitment?

I like listening to Dennis Miller... Pawlenty is intriguing to me too, but I don't know enough either and I do think that we need to have a fundementally aggressive candidate(s) that seize the moment and see this for the sea-change that 2010-2012 cycles are.

This is the time to rise up and say to the leftards... ENOUGH.  They've been chipping at the USA since the late 50's and finally they've achieved their penacle.. and it's time to start unraveling the mess the progressive movement has wrought... 

So count me in on the Angry candidate and not the time for a "nice guy".....

I can't stand Pawlenty.  McCain's mini-me.  Plus he had no stones to take on the obvious voter fraud in the Minnesota Senate race.  Wuss. 

Just what we don't need.  Blech. 

I know one thing about Pawlenty that will make me not interested.

He hired a bunch of the McCain Traitors. I am not living through that BS again.

I like small deficits as much as the next not insane person, but I'd like a candidate (not that I know who is or isn't) able to articulate the big picture. It isn't about deficits, although that is becoming a huge problem on it's own, but about the growth of government. State power expanding and the role of the citizen, in their own lives, contracting. Government intervention changing the population from citizen to serf. American values being self-sufficiency, not government help, which entraps.

Anyway, I'm more concerned with the effect of government on liberty and the character of the nation than the looming collapse of our economy, or at least I was until Obama slapped another zero or two on the end of our deficit. So it'd be nice to see a candidate be able to advocate that in a persuasive, non-off-putting way and back it up with a record.

Again, I don't know who that is, and in the end I'll vote for the not-Obama in any case and don't really have any insight on electability or the mood of the country by and large that the rest of you don't have.

From what I've heard of him I like him a lot better than Huck (oh no, please no) and the GOP could run a dead possum and I'd vote for it over what we have now -- that said, he's a bit "meh".  Whoever the GOP runs has got to be able to stand up to the Clintonistas and the Chicago Mob and the lamestream media and put them all in their place -- and look good and inspiring and all that to the masses while doing so...and scare the beejezus out of our enemies as well...and have the balls, grace, and cunning to cut some programs so we can claw our way out of the black hole of debt we are presently accumulating at a terrific pace...while putting on a caring face for the masses so they aren't afraid of the inevitable suck which will have to happen.  That's a pretty tall order, but that's what it's going to take to win (and win well -- because whoever takes the canidacy in '12 has not only the fate of the nation riding on their shoulders, but the fate of their political party -- the masses may swallow hard and give the owe a small pass this term, but whoever wins '12 wins a load of shit and a public that will really not cut them any slack).

Who would Machiavelli choose for the GOP?

The other thing I don't like about Pawlentyis that the RNC is pushing him. 

At one of our Republican Women's Federated dinners last fall, Sharon Day (RNC national secretary) mentioned Pawlenty - twice - as a leader of the GOP.  That was met with stone-cold silence from our members.

At her Q&A following dinner, I challenged her on this assertion.  Mentioned a few real conservatives like Jim DeMint, and got a hearty round of applause & cheers.

After dinner, Day came up to me, grabbed my arm, and said she didn't mean to push Pawlenty - that there are "many other good conservative leaders." 

I asked, "Well, why didn't you mention them?  And why did you mention Pawlenty - twice?"

"His name just came to mind" was her crappy response.

BS.  The mask slipped. 

Again, the GOP leadership is trying to choose our candidate. 

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:01 PM (jlvw3)

I forgot their names, it was some of them invovled in the leaks and Palin bashing and that's why I care. If you will remember it started well before the election was over with clothesgate and whatever else.

I would suggest they are hired assasins, not hired guns.

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:02 PM (jlvw3)

Sadly, you are right about that. I remember hearing women back in '92 saying Clinton was good looking and they'd be voting for him because of that. Jeez fucking Looeeez. Made me question whether suffrage was really a good thing....../  (just kidding)

Bottom line is there is a certain element in our population that is so fatuous and shallow that things like that matter. And as close as most recent elections have been, that element carries inordinate weight in determining who gets elected.

Posted by: tao at February 17, 2010 07:06 PM (YvxXd)

I got news for you bud...charisma wins elections, Reagan used charisma, so did Dubya, Clinton, and JFK. The only reason guys like HW or Carter won was because the other candidate came off even more unlikable.

Posted by: Cubachi at February 17, 2010 07:06 PM (SXzw

i'm afraid only Lizx would prob attract indepedents unless Palin starts coming back like she was there for awhile

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:12 PM (jlvw3)

actually i'm not a Palin guy, I love her, think she'll be a great President, but unless she fixes her image she's un-electable

i'm still looking man, so try and convince me, i'm open-minded

Posted by: tao at February 17, 2010 07:13 PM (YvxXd)

I was refering to that cowboy image he created to get the south back in the red column (and ultimately helped win that close election) in 2000 and that kickass, take no crap from terrorists image that won the incredibly partisan 2004 election

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:15 PM (jlvw3)

oh I will agree w/ you that if he works on his charisma he can give Romney trouble and he'll def. get more moderate support then Palin

you also have to bear in mind Pawlenty (and all these other guys) have won big important offices before. So, they have SOME charisma.

Ace, Pawlenty won in the same state that gave us Jesse the Body as Governor and Al Franken as US Senator.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at February 17, 2010 07:16 PM (OkT2m)

Really?  I'm not from Minnesota, but I've lived here for most of the past 20 years, and I haven't noticed that.

(Now you're making me paranoid.  What ARE they saying about me behind my back???)

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:09 PM (jlvw3)

Ahem.  Shouldn't you recuse yourself? 

And the passive voice - yeah, it's Wikipedia, seemed slanted to turn conservatives off.  But still.

Anybody like Haley Barbour?  I do.  Yes, he does have a lobbying problem.  Like everyone else.

Oh Lord......

My biggest fear is coming true......

Conservatives getting fooled again by a wolf in sheeps clothing. I don't really know anything about him either, but I'll tell you one thing...I know Minnesotans. And if there was any chance he was a real conservative, there isn't a Snowballs chance in Hell he would be a Politician in Minnesota.

He has a lot spainin to do about the GW thing......and he has alot of work to do to get my vote, but I'm open right now, if he is the real deal then I don't have any beef, but I'm quite skeptical.

I laughed during the Miller clip remembering Cesar Tovar playing all 9 positions in a ball game. I forgot about that. I remember Madonna bragging about playing all the positions.

 The next prez should be a Doug Christie type with cast iron cajones. Payin the Chicoms back AQAP is an absolute or watch your country circle the drain.

@135

Doesn't the creation of a Single Payer System in Mass. by Romney scare you?

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 07:27 PM (D6KR0)

the state was 0.5% away from giving Reagan all 50 states in 1984 and Mondale was from MN

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 07:27 PM (D6KR0)

the state was 0.5% away from giving Reagan all 50 states in 1984 and Mondale was from MN

Posted by: YRM at February 17, 2010 07:30 PM (rbtaB)

That was over 25 years ago. Reagan carried California in 1980 and 1984, but I don't think he could today.

@144

When was the last time you spent some time in Minnesota? Especially Minn/StPaul. It's straight up MoonBat Territory, and that's puttin it mildly. I think Winter Ice, Gopher Hockey and 10,000 Lakes must screw one's Equalibrium up or something.

Posted by: Y-not at February 17, 2010 07:22 PM (X69zM)

He put Mississippi back together after Katrina.  More damage than in Louisiana.  A LOT less federal money than Louisiana.  RNC Chair during the Gingrich revolution.  With a Democrat legislature, cut the deficit in half without raising taxes, passed stricted tort reform in the country, balanced budget in 06. 

Yeah, that's Wikipedia too.

Isn't Perry an insurrectionist?

Pawlenty who?

Sorry Ace, Mama Bear will crush T-Paw. 

We need a warrior President, not a technocrat - T-Paw can run the Dept of Commerce or Run the Office of the Comptroller.  Romney can do Treasury.  HHS, EPA, Dept of Ed, and NPR to start....

Supporting Global Warming is a BIG disqualifier - real brains saw that fake a mile away-  T-paw pandered.  Not what we need. 

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:37 PM (jlvw3)

That's funny, I was thinking he looked like Bill Clinton.  Flushed and fleshy and round.

I can see it now...Pawlenty working with Al Franken to craft bi partison climate legislation. The heavens will sing!

Are governors and senators our only options? 

Are governors and senators our only options? 

Posted by: motionview at February 17, 2010 07:41 PM (FnQYo)

No.

How about we get Gen David Patreaus to run for the GOP nod as a common-sense government conservative and the ultimate outsider?

Get Romney to run as VP to focus on the economy and job creation.

Platform?

 - Energy Independence - drill here, drill now, cash in on our natural assets to reduce state and federal debts

- Control the southern border & inact rational immigration policy

- Simply the tax code, eliminate the gordian knot of subsidies & tax breaks. Make it simple & fair

- Acelerate depreciation schedules on assets to encourage business capital investment, modernization and job creation

- Aggresive program of nuclear power construction and "smart grid" investment

etc.....    

Are governors and senators our only options? 

Posted by: motionview at February 17, 2010 07:41 PM (FnQYo

Hell no. Communist Agitators......er....I mean Community Organizers have broken that mold.

/

@163

Are insisting that I advocate The John Birch Society?

Are you insisting that I require a Purity Test for the Executive?

What are you insisting?

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 06:59 PM (jlvw3)

That's not the kind of person I want taking over this shambles of an economy and mockery of the Constitution.  I want a statesman, not a politician.

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 07:32 PM (D6KR0)

well you can kind of say almost Gore and Kerry, Dubya put up a heck of a fight in the state against them

BS!

He is from the United Socialist State of Minnesota.

I realize that Al Frankenstein fraudlently beat him. But he was complicit in the socialist remodeling of his state. He was there when it was happening and he said dick!!

Business is moving to my home state of SD to escape the USSofM. What does that tell you?

Thune is the real deal. He kicked Daschles a$$ to remove him from the senate leaders spot.

Stop drinking the CPAC kool aid Ace. Pawlenty is the romney, mccain, of the midwest.

#121-Fluffy, is this the package of Dick of which you speak?

http://tinyurl.com/nly7xn

This picture cracks me up every time.

Are insisting that I advocate The John Birch Society?

Are you insisting that I require a Purity Test for the Executive?

What are you insisting?

Posted by: Jimi at February 17, 2010 07:44 PM (fqxV7)

Not really insisting anything.  I might be insinuating that you require a purity test.  But only because you start talking about sheep and wolves whenever a politician's name is mentioned.  Tell me, who is your preferred candidate(s)?  And no, you cannot name me.  I am dead.

136 I'm with you as far as the next GOP canidate had 1)better win; 2)had better be a charismatic leader with cast iron cajones and a great love for the Constitution...and be committed to saving the Republic in spite of itself (and that does mean paying back the Chicoms and putting a boot on the throat of the demunists here).  Otherwise, bye bye America.

Perhaps the GOP needs to fire up the laboratory and make up the perfect canidate in a test tube...but seriously, who would Machiavelli choose?

I haven't seen anybody on the GOP side that can do it, not yet at least.

Oops, sorry...it was not Pawlenty that Frankenstein beat. My BAD!!

Norm Coleman. But dammit, he is not the real deal.

@208

You don't want to explain your intentions with that comment?

Posted by: RushBabe at February 17, 2010 07:45 PM (LKkE

It's like I told Jimi.  I'm dead.  The worms are playing pinochle on my snout.  Who else would you prefer?

I'm sorry, but candidates have to have some kind of sex appeal.

Yes, that's very shallow, but Pawlenty reminds me of Frank Perdue, the chicken guy.

He's also a moderate and a bit of a RINO.

No fire, no guts. You don't send a sheep to deal with wolves.

Or a chicken.

You don't want to explain your intentions with that comment?

It's just an old AoS meme, Jimi. But you know what's funny? You kinda do insist upon yourself.

Posted by: di butler, lover of blasty things at February 17, 2010 07:54 PM (S3xX1)

when people ask me about the female vote I simply have to remind them of one thing: they were the reason Clinton won in 1996...2 years later Clinton is impeached for lying under oath...about cheating on his wife

Posted by: s'moron at February 17, 2010 07:55 PM (p1s9n)

Ahem.

I realize that Al Frankenstein fraudlently beat him.

Franken beat Norm Coleman, not Pawlenty.

But he was complicit in the socialist remodeling of his state. He was there when it was happening and he said dick!!

Minnesota was socialist long before Pawlenty was even born.  There was no "remodeling" during the Pawlenty years.

Business is moving to my home state of SD to escape the USSofM. What does that tell you?

That also started long before Pawlenty, and the current trend reflects as much the good work that Mike Rounds is doing in SD as the horrendous tax environment created by many years of Minnesota socialism and union rule.  While Pawlenty should have done more to try to reverse this, he's no socialist.

 Thune is the real deal. He kicked Daschles a$$ to remove him from the senate leaders spot.

I won't deny that, but why is it either/or?

Stop drinking the CPAC kool aid Ace. Pawlenty is the romney, mccain, of the midwest.

Posted by: Andrew at February 17, 2010 07:48 PM (L1lOv)

In some ways he is, sure.  After all, he supported McCain in the primaries (caucuses). 

I'm not sure why you're required to shit all over every candidate who isn't your single top choice.  I think we'll have a pretty good field, when it's all said and done, and I'd even crawl naked over glass to pull the lever for Huck (shudder), if the alternative is Obama.

I realize that Al Frankenstein fraudlently beat him.

Franken beat Norm Coleman, not Pawlenty.

But he was complicit in the socialist remodeling of his state. He was there when it was happening and he said dick!!

Minnesota was socialist long before Pawlenty was even born.  There was no "remodeling" during the Pawlenty years.

Business is moving to my home state of SD to escape the USSofM. What does that tell you?

That also started long before Pawlenty, and the current trend reflects as much the good work that Mike Rounds is doing in SD as the horrendous tax environment created by many years of Minnesota socialism and union rule.  While Pawlenty should have done more to try to reverse this, he's no socialist.

 Thune is the real deal. He kicked Daschles a$$ to remove him from the senate leaders spot.

I won't deny that, but why is it either/or?

Stop drinking the CPAC kool aid Ace. Pawlenty is the romney, mccain, of the midwest.

Posted by: Andrew at February 17, 2010 07:48 PM (L1lOv)

In some ways he is, sure.  After all, he supported McCain in the primaries (caucuses). 

Ace, the notion that you can find someone with no baggage will never happen. The MSM produces baggage out of thin air anyway. They will build people up with a false sense of security and then will lower the boom when the time is right. They did this to McCain. Alot of these GOP men do not realize how lucky they have it right now since the MSM has not turned their guns on them yet.

Everyone has baggage, both real and made up. My god, Obama was having coffee with a terrorist, and getting spiritually mentored by a guy who screamed GOD DAMN AMERICA among other things. He overcame that obviously, so any baggage any GOP man or WOMAN would have to overcome can certainly be done. Have a little faith  God Bless.

@211

Well none of the possiblities has given me confidence! I am still holding out till the last minute to attempt to determine who I think would be the best leader for the country.

I like Romney as the Executive, but he makes me nervous right now, I'm not confident that he is the real deal.

248  Oh, please, don't tease.  I'm happily married...and I still have a crush on that man.

But yeah, if he could assemble a good cabinet and some really good advisors (he's a bit green to politics afterall) -- he would be my dream canidate.  Somebody like West...maybe a bit more politically cunning.

If Pawlenty spent more than 5 minutes considering the GREAT HOAX, then fuck him.

Being NICE is not what we need. Libtards are vicious.  Libtards will SAY and DO ANYTHING for power. 

Romney or Palin are still the top 2 thus far for me.

There's no way I'm "sitting it out" if someone I dont like gets the party nod. I have been voting for shitty, hold-your-nose candidates since 1984. Not stopping now. There's no such thing as a perfect politician. Politics always has been, and always will be voting for the lesser of two, (yes, two), evils.

O/T-not that anyone cares, but I lust so hard for Dennis Miller..........

...or someone who actually is an African American. 

So we can get that history thing out of the way for good.

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 07:37 PM (jlvw3)

He looks very distinguished.

The real important thing for Ace is it is not Palin. 

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 08:00 PM (D6KR0)

As we shit all over every candidate who isn't our single top choice, we should keep this in mind.  I could go with just about every name that anybody is realistically suggesting, except the Huckster.  He's creepy.

But we're in a pretty damn good position, thanks to the opposition.  Remember that Bambi is 44/52 for reelection.  So bash away, by all means, it's our own oppo research, but be optimistic.

Posted by: Pelvis at February 17, 2010 08:08 PM (LlaBi)

which means he's electable, unlike her

Keyes/Sowell 2012

Let's re-write History!

@231

But you know what's funny? You kinda do insist upon yourself.

Yeah....Hillarious

If Pawlenty spent more than 5 minutes considering the GREAT HOAX, then fuck him.

Romney or Palin are still the top 2 thus far for me.

Posted by: gus at February 17, 2010 08:04 PM (Vqruj) 

Uhhh... gus? http://tinyurl.com/yzjlhst

OK, let's get this out in the oppen.

Why is Palin considered "unelectable" other than the MSM and the edumacated intelligentsia hates her?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 17, 2010 08:04 PM (UOM4

Step away from the battery-powered device.  Of course, any ticket with the 'Stache on it has my vote.  Bolton/Belly Button Lint in '12!  But wouldn't Bolton be a good fit at SecSt?  And he wouldn't have to run for office.  I can tell you, having never met the man and knowing just a very little about him, he wouldn't enjoy the campaigning BS.  His impatience might be off-putting.

Jane,

Don't you know who I AM, bitch? *smack*

YRM,

Yes, I have been voting for shitty candidates since 84. Of course I didnt mean Reagan!!11!! I worked in local politics for a while. Also for the RNC. I meant it as a blanket statement encapsulating local/state politics, too.

Huckster is a creepy little rat imho...but he isn't as creepy a little rat as what's living on Penn ave. right now -- so yeah, I'd hate you all and curse the GOP for the rest of my life if you gave us Huck as a choice, but I'd vote for him nonetheless (grudingly and cursingly, mind you).

*and then I'd really be done with the GOP

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2010 08:10 PM (mHQ7T)

Tattoo, apologize to me right now or I'll send you back to Munchkinland.

Posted by: Jim in San Diego at February 17, 2010 08:13 PM (F09Uo)

1. Polls

2. Polls

3. Polls

her favorables are worse then Obama, she polls the worst against him amaong possible GOP candidates

Posted by: di butler, lover of blasty things at February 17, 2010 08:16 PM (S3xX1)

ok I'm cleared up now

I'm not going to go so far as to say Pawlenty is my choice, but I am definitely going to give him a look too.  I have some family up there, and their big knock is that he a little squishy environmentally.  Also remember making some comments on whether stylistically he'll play well in a national election.  Overall positive comments though, in Minnesota he has experience fighting battles legislatively that is for certain. 

I'll try to run down the things that intrigue me, with the disclaimer I am focused on 2010 and I have not done enough homework to be an expert on the guy...

1. Minnesota is not a conservative state or easy state to be a Republican governor.  It isn't Massachusetts, but it is more Mass than Alaska.  It's quirky politically, and you are going to have to know how to fight battles intelligently and engage in ideas seriously to hold the line.  He is going to walk away from that experience with some smudges on his record, but I think he came out of it much cleaner than Romney did in a liberal state, and even Huckabee in a centrist one.  Not so with Palin, but then Palin would likely have more smudges on her record if she were gov in Minn, and Pawlenty would have fewer if he were in Alaska. 

2. Not going to rally behind Romney or Huckabee.  Might get behind Palin, but I am not a Palin or nothing guy at all.  Republicans tend to have this mindset that it is so-and-so's "turn".  We tend to like people that lost gallantly previously.  This need not be.  If somebody campaigns well, and has a solid record I can get behind them no matter how much or little publicity they get from talking heads. 

3. I don't give a crap about Pawlenty's charisma, or lack of, and by the time Teleprompter Jesus is through with us nobody else will either.  People always want what the last President didn't have anyway.  Don't try to focus on what was needed to win the last election because it won't matter as much the next one.  Besides that, from what I've seen of Pawlenty he can handle himself fine.  He's not going to have crowds of 50,000 screaming and fainting and talking about how he will put gas in their tank, but he can argue and debate points fine from what I can tell.  Obama could (past tense) win people's hearts but can't change peoples minds on anything.  Pawlenty isn't going to be flashy, but he can argue points effectively enough to get people thinking about issues a better way.  That's the more important sell, the more difficult sell, and the longer lasting one.   

4.  I like the way Pawlenty plays on a electoral map.  If he campaigns well, he becomes a royal pain in the ass for the Dems.  He puts Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin in play for sure and I would say he would play pretty well in other key midwest and mountain west states.  This is a big advantage that will work in his favor if he campaigns well and makes up ground between now and the primary.  He has a lot of work to do, but if he can light the spark he's got a real good chance of it catching fire just because he can compete in the states that Obama will most need.

Why is Palin considered "unelectable" other than the MSM and the edumacated intelligentsia hates her?

Posted by: Jim in San Diego at February 17, 2010 08:13 PM (F09Uo)

I'm very fond of her, but her numbers are bad.  Even amongst Republicans, a majority doesn't think she's qualified.  That's why I think she's unelectable.  MSM, whatever, the reason why doesn't matter.  Doesn't even matter if it's true or not.  It's there.  I'm rooting for her to turn it around, but as of this second, she's unelectable.  _{Now, where's that unconscious hot chick?  I keed, I keed.}

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2010 08:21 PM (mHQ7T)

um, look at the polls, most REPUBLICANS don't want her to run, moderate reps vote in the primaries too, they hate her

About Palin "polling badly"....

Her numbers are better than Obama's were at this point in time.

Once she does that, she is automatically a serious candidate.

We've received notification that you need to 'Check Yourself' - Sir.

Is everything OK?

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 08:22 PM (jlvw3)

you made the case better then I could

Posted by: garrett at February 17, 2010 08:31 PM (FwxQB)

No kings.

Iowahawk 2011...why wait?

Well, I've got problems with pawlenty.   He was for the stimulus & had no problems with taking the money.  His words:

"WeÂ’re going to get more money for programs in our state than we wouldÂ’ve spent on the programs even in good times."

"In MinnesotaÂ’s case, weÂ’re going to take the money, because weÂ’re a major subsidizer of the federal government. For every dollar we send in, we only get 72 cents back, so weÂ’re going to accept the money, because weÂ’re paying the bill.

"Again, I support a stimulus bill, I just think this one should have done better. So IÂ’m not arguing the general premise of can we benefit from a stimulus bill and should we have had a stimulus bill. I say to those questions, yes, I just am disappointed in this one."
...In addition to what I said about states like Minnesota paying the bill, what is the rule that you canÂ’t participate in federal legislation if youÂ’re concerned about it?"

I know some may even agree with his statements, but Minnesota isn't the only freakin' state paying that gargantuan bill.  He just seemed a little too eager to take that money.   Plus, I don't want anyone that, even for one second, contemplates spending taxpayer money on the AGW crap.

It's my money, damn it, and I'm sick & tired of politicians taking it for every damn, bullshit excuse they can come up with.

Thank you all you Godless haters, that also want to destroy America, for seriously answering my Palin question.

_{I kid!}

Thune.

Fun to ;

Type

Say

Print

Elect!

Ace, at the FDA ?

  With all that pudding to inspect?????

Nothanks.

...maybe something at HUD. 

What do you consider evidence that is qualifying? She is more fluent on energy issues than any president we have ever hard. Her accomplishments in Alaska in 2.5 years are incredible. Deal resulting in what will be the largest construction project in North America, real spending cuts. Saying she wants to keep taxes low on everyone is general and broad yes, but true and does not require a PHD in economics or a lecture at the Milken conference on finance to legitimize it as the right path to take which she advocates. As far as Foreign affairs go, she understands the relationship between our debt and our power abroad to influence countries which is on the decline as our debt rises. She advocates immediate sanctions with whomever we can bring on board outside the UN when it comes to Iran. She has written this and spoken this. On trade she understands the trade deficit and the driving forces behind it. Imported oil and currency manipulation as references in her Hong Kong speech.To me, this is evidence that she understands the issues in a manner consistent with the presidency. I could list many more. Add on top of it that she has no problem taking on the republican party if they go the duke cunningham route, and I think you have a pretty good candidate who will only get better as she campaigns and debates.

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 08:37 PM (jlvw3)

Ace,

Palin believes in climate change as well, she even put together a committee to study it long before any other governor did because she could see pysical changes in her state.

She didn't believe the al gore theory of AGW. Turned out she was right. That happens alot with her.

No kings.

Samwise Son of Hamfast?

I like Thune in that he's gorgeous in a Hank Fonda/Gary Cooper kind of way and image counts for a lot. I would not root for him until I know more about him

I like Mike Pence, he seems sincere and he was speaking at the Tea Parties last summer. He also gets out there and calls out the Administration.

Jim DeMint I love and I hope he goes for it, he also seems to be the real deal and because of him Errol Southers is not the head of the TSA.

Somebody Not Comfortable in Front of a Camera 2012

_{[unless it is Ben Stein]}

Seriously, has anyone done the longhand on how many more Presidential Addresses, Speaches, Town Halls, Workshops, Interviews, Exposes, etc. we have in store before the next President?

Any Agoraphobe 2012

Every GOP Presidential nominee wannabe in 2012 MUST repeat MUST come clean about the overspending and tone-deafness exhibited by the GOP Congress over the last decade. Any one that doesnt should be labelled a Pander Bear and declared a NON-credible candidate.

The fact is, if the GOP had done its job from Day 1 and KEPT doing it, Barack Obama would today be a pleasantly liberal and harmless Senate back-bencher in a third consecutive GOP Presidential admin.

Instead, the GOP Congress went Animal Farm on us and now we have an unqualified, incompetent bungler who ranks as the first demonstrably Anti-American President in history.

Come clean or else is my message to the GOP.

I'd vote for DeMint in a heartbeat, but as for anyone else that appears to be considering a run, I am not even remotely enthused about anyone...well, I do think Sarah, with the right people around her, could do the job.  

I just don't want another McCain.   I want someone with true conservative principles...with true being the operative word here.   I just haven't seen it so far with most of the potential candidates.

367, that is just not correct. The budget she came into office with was cut by almost 10% when compared to her latest budget. The cut in spending was well over 1 billion dollars. The deal for the pipeline is done, so for you to say it will never happen, well we have to wait and see but as of now its on its way and closer than its ever been in the past 30 years.

http://tinyurl.com/ocjo2r

Read about the budget there if you like.

Governor Murkowski's last budget 2007 $11,697,400,000

Governor Palin's latest budget 2010 $10,570,000,000

from wiki

Since he became governor, property taxes increased by $3 billion and fees doubled. State and local tax rates increased for 90 percent of state residents, but tax rates decreased for those earning more than $130,000. During his first year as governor, Pawlenty balanced a deficit of $4.3 billion without raising taxes, primarily by reducing the rate of funding increases for state services, including funding for transportation, social services, and welfare. During his second term, Pawlenty erased a $2.7 billion deficit by cutting spending, shifting payments and using one-time money and the state department of Management and Budget estimates that the two-year budget beginning July 2011 is $4.4 billion short

and he won his 06 race by 27k votes, not to mention his agw stance and the ethanol garbage.

soft spoken and way to smiley for me. NEXT!

Who was the club owner in Last Days of Disco? He had my favorite line:

"He's in advertising. Advertising people are nice. I don't want that element in here."

lastone before dinner...

Not Another Fucking Senator! EVER

Put me some knowledge as to why this would be the wrong approach, ye of the LimpBanhammer.

Samwise Son of Hamfast?

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 08:47 PM (D6KR0)

That's closer. It wasn't the elites who took it across the goal line.

Posted by: Dang Straights at February 17, 2010 08:49 PM (FHmgB)

I don't want a messiah. I want someone who picks good people, delegates and kicks ass if they screw up.

Sarah Palin.  She may lack the resume we pol wonks think is necessary.  She may lack the substance that thrills the Krauthammer leg.

Also, Weak Arms.

Posted by: Noah at February 17, 2010 08:47 PM (mhD2v)

Rs can go all in for evolution for all I care. Pro-choice will cause me to stay home.

2012 will be the "anti leg thrills" year.

We've had enough of that.

The common touch will be the one to depose the boy king.

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 08:40 PM (jlvw3)"

I didn't mention Palin but, since you did.  Honestly I was totally disturbed when she campaigned for McCain.  She would have every right, based on his behavior to go tell him to take a walk.  The fact that she didn't that she "played well with others" makes me re think my thoughts that she wants the presidency.  Also, Ron Paul's son's endorsement was a little sketchy too.  Which is why I think she doesn't want the presidency, she just wants the power to voice her opinions and maybe change things.  Right now she has BO on edge so that is good.  I think Cheney is out there speaking to forward his daughter.  Otherwise I think he would be quieter.

fuck it. draw a name from a hat. everybody has at least one good idea in them.

 except obama, apparently.

Face it. Anyone who wants to be president of a bankrupt nation is crazy by definition.

We'll need to draft someone.

See my takedown of that, above, if you actually care.
Wikipedia, a legitimate source of political information?
Please.
Posted by: notropis

i use wiki for the references, then check the footnotes...i dont work for msnbc.

whats wrong with minnesotans voting themselves higher taxes? actually that just proves my point. these people can't be trusted. 

i use wiki for the references, then check the footnotes

Posted by: evil libertarian at February 17, 2010 09:32 PM (W6gtk)

Then you already knew that what you highlighted was false. 

Great.

from wiki

Since he became governor, property taxes increased by $3 billion and fees doubled. State and local tax rates increased for 90 percent of state residents, but tax rates decreased for those earning more than $130,000. During his first year as governor, Pawlenty balanced a deficit of $4.3 billion without raising taxes, primarily by reducing the rate of funding increases for state services, including funding for transportation, social services, and welfare. During his second term, Pawlenty erased a $2.7 billion deficit by cutting spending, shifting payments and using one-time money and the state department of Management and Budget estimates that the two-year budget beginning July 2011 is $4.4 billion short

and he won his 06 race by 27k votes, not to mention his agw stance and the ethanol garbage.

soft spoken and way to smiley for me. NEXT!

Posted by: evil libertarian at February 17, 2010 09:01 PM (W6gtk)

Now, now  - since when has a guy's actual record stood in the way of his pandering?

Posted by: polynikes at February 17, 2010 09:41 PM (gjfMz)

How about 3 years earlier (she resigned in '09 and the primaries will be in '12)? 

Does that make it easier to vote for her?

(I didn't think so; I'm just being a smartass.)

Then you already knew that what you highlighted was false. 

both articles fail to mention that minn voted itself higher sales taxes..either way connecticut did the same thing shifting payments, one time bond sales and "spending cuts" (which were no increase cuts) to cover the deficit this year.

we are looking at over a $1 billion deficit for 2010-11...does anybody have jodi rell on the presidential list?

In 2008 the dems had veto-proof majorities in both houses of the MN legislature, yet Pawlenty completely spanked their asses on the budget.  How?  By exploiting a legal technicality to run out the clock before they realized what was happening. "He wouldn't dare use the nuclear option and make unilateral rescissions, would he?"  Yep.  "He wouldn't dare cut medical aid to the poor would he?" Yep! When it comes to budget cuts Pawlenty would cut aid to puppies if he felt it was needed.  He's the polar opposite of compassionate-conservative Bush on budgets.

Posted by: notropis at February 17, 2010 07:15 PM (D6KR0)

Seems simple.

All we need is a super sexy, super smart, policy wonk, outsider. Not a problem.

That is MSM bullshit from the Minneapolis 'Red Star' Tribune.  In his article on Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (August 4), John J. Miller cited a 2006 article from the Star Tribune in which Pawlenty said, "The era of small government is over." The Star Tribune later clarified that Pawlenty was not expressing his personal view, but that of New York Times columnist David Brooks.

See http://tinyurl.com/yzx4r9a

I guess I'm really confused, because I don't see where anyone considering a run at the WH has espoused specific policies that they would enact.   I hear all of them give the same generalities (is that a word?).  

 Can anyone tell me who has given us specific information about what they will do?

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 10:09 PM (jlvw3)

She'll get hot on that, or not. Only time will tell.

One positive is that she has a nationwide army of very motivated foot soldiers already. Everyone knows her name.

palin will run and beat obama- take that to the bank.

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 17, 2010 10:12 PM (l1KFP)

That would have sounded better as "conquered by conservative values."

Yeah, yeah, you're right, AGW was bogus.  I hope Pawlenty will quickly and publicly recognize that believing the solenmn judgment of world-respected global climatologists was a mistake.  Gosh, respectable international scientists are liars, whoda thunk it?

I don't know if Sarah will run or not.   Hell, I don't recall anyone actually declaring their candidacy, yet.   Who's to say that Sarah's not studying, and preparing herself?   If I were her, I sure wouldn't go on any of the Sunday morning shows until I was damn ready to have them crucify me, because that's exactly what they're going to try to do.   She has time.   She's smart & she's tough.

You all know that no matter what she does & says, she's not going to get the same treatment as Romney, Huck, Pawlenty, or anyone else.    Damn, we've got time before we have to start eating our own.   I just want to find someone that's freakin' honest about thier positions & doesn't change them to suit where the wind is blowing.

And what on earth could be her possible reason from not doing the one thng necessary to be president?

exactly if i was in her position i would be hitting the books 20 hours a day. i don't need to hear "the great thing about america is" 500 times a week. put up or shut up. leave the little tag lines to joe the plumber. come out with an economic recovery plan or a heath care proposal. one facebook post damn near killed obamacare, any coherent common sense approach will be well received and have the ability to change minds rather quickly.

Posted by: ace at February 17, 2010 10:20 PM (jlvw3)

Was Obama really strong on policy? Is he now? His whole campaign was, "America sucks, I'm gonna change it in some vague unnamed ways that you people are gonna love. Also I'm not Bush."

Your problem with Palin is valid, but not specifically for the reason above. It's more a principle thing. Like, people that are like you think someone needs to be strong on policy to get elected. I really believe in 2012, "I'm not Obama" is going to get pretty much anyone to the finish line. If I misread your meaning above, I'm sorry.

We could just slap some implants onto Coulter, get her to eat a few cheeseburgers, and she'd be ready to campaign.

Posted by: Rodent Freikorps at February 17, 2010 10:39 PM (dQdrY)

All you need to know to join us is how to tell reporters that stuff that happens is "unexpected."

Was Obama really strong on policy? Is he now? His was, "America sucks, I'm gonna change it in some vague unnamed ways that you people are gonna love. Also I'm not Bush."

Posted by: The Mega Independent

i'm pretty sure thats not going to fly this time around...... although you are probably right that "not obama" is a huge positive. 

Palin is my default candidate unless a better one comes along.

I value good over smart. Smart enough to know one's limits and to pick good people is about perfect in my view.

Lots of super duper smart people got millions dead and wasted trillions of dollars this last century.

Ace,

Jason Lewis would sometimes sub for Rush (1yr, 2ys ago) out of his studio in Minnesota. He was not at all a fan of Palenty's. I recall thinking that Mr. Lewis was pretty sharp

"The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the deficit for January totaled $42.63 billion. That left the total of red ink so far this budget year at $430.69 billion, 8.8 percent higher than last year when the deficit soared to an unprecedented level of $1.42 trillion."

All the next president has to do is fix this kind of insanity. If that is even possible.

If Palin was running I'd pick her, but if not I'd pick T-Paw.  He's solid on cutting taxes and spending, good on TV interviews, and knows how to handle hostile (read: Dem) media.

 got news for you bud...charisma wins elections, Reagan used charisma, so did Dubya, Clinton, and JFK. The only reason guys like HW or Carter won was because the other candidate came off even more unlikable.

That's part of it...but I believe that when we run a REAL Conservative, we win.  When we run "My Friends" McCain and other RINOs, we lose.  So who is the next REAL Conservative?  I'd vote for Sarah in a heartbeat, or either Cheney, even Teh Fred.  But we need to run a REAL conservative next time around.

Posted by: Kerry at February 17, 2010 10:59 PM (Z0EF7)

Fixed

I can't stand Pawlenty.  McCain's mini-me.  Plus he had no stones to take on the obvious voter fraud in the Minnesota Senate race.  Wuss. 

 Just what we don't need.  Blech. 

As a MN resident and someone who's met T-Paw a few times I can tell you he's one of the nicest genuine people I know. He also has taken on the socialist DFL many times and won. He'll smile at them as he cuts their throat. Don't underestimate him. Has he pissed me off from time to time? Yes. Name a pol who hasn't. He's more fiscally conservative than anything which after the mess president wonderful has left us with will be more important than anything. I'd be very comfortable with him as POTUS.

As a bonus. His wife is Hot!