1 Willard doesn't want to admit that he's "flip-flopped", even in the sense that Ace mentioned it yesterday.

2 ready for the press? lol

3 That interview was awful. 

On top of everything else that I already dislike about him, he really comes off as a not particularly nice guy. 

4 Mitt Romney - not ready for prime time.

5 y-not yep, d-bag comes to mind.......

6 He ain't ready, he's a 'nuther.

7

Its Fox News we're talking about. FOX! You can argue to stay away from the liberal media (though I think its a bad idea), but the Fox guys are on our team for heavens sake. He cannot even handle this? This guy is such a pathetic coward.

8 We are so boned. 

9 He's looking to avoid saying something stupid that can challenge his 'inevitability.'

Once he's the nominee, he figures Anyone But Obama types have nowhere else to go.

10 So, Romney performed great in the debates and can't handle a pretty much friendly interview with FoxNews without getting irritable and testy.  Perry botched the debates, but handles unfriendly one on one interviews and reporter pools pretty well and had a decent sense of humor about it.  Just sayin'.....

11 It's not fair. Uncalled for. You had your chance. Follow the rules. Wah!

12 Mittens is  trapped in the chasm between whatever his real beliefs are and what policies he has articulated in his political life. That's why he finds these things difficult. He's not really answering questions from a position of conviction, but from political calculation. He thinks he's good at hiding this. He's not.

13 Mitt's in a snit.

14 @7
And not just Fox, but Brett Baier -- really the nicest and most professional of the interviewers on the whole damned network.  The guy is about as aggressive and nasty as Morel Orel.  I mean, honestly, Baier reminds me of Robin, without the "butch" mask. 

15 Yea, but at least he's not a woman. Not technically anyway.

16

Mitt really lost me when he point blank refused to do Center Seat. The "consession" to do an interview with Baier just cemented the perception that he is avoiding a venue where real, pointed questions would be asked.

Not saying that Baier didn't ask real questions, he did. And I loved it when he asked the questions submitted by the other Center Seat participants and identified each question by the name of the interogator. I thought Mitt was going to snap off a tooth and swallow it, he was clenching his jaw so hard.

17

Things that rhyme with Mitt.....

Git

Twit

Shit

Quit

18

@ 9 Once he's the nominee, he figures Anyone But Obama types have nowhere else to go.

Yeah - but that's true regardless of who the nominee is.

19 I think what people don't appreciate is that Mitt Romney is sort of like a Kennedy, minus the carousing.  But he's really from a very entitled background and it shows. 

20 Ninth look @ Rick Perry?

21 _{Sorry, I'm all f'ckd up on cold meds.}

22 #9...he would be wrong. I'll be writing in Ewok on my ballot. Also, his avoidance strategerie would make more sense and seem less of a duck and cover if her were putting stuff out through alternative ways, like FB. There will be blood.

23 The crease in Romney's pants are not as impressive as Obama's. There I must vote for Obama.

24

Mitt is not a LEADER.

Remember Mitt's strong statements during the debt ceiling/shut down crisis?

Remember Mitt's bold statements regarding the Iranian student protests?  Obama was more forceful.

 

Mitt does not lead, he is a follower.  FMNQ.

25 Did he at some point suddenly call "Anderson! Anderson! Anderson!" during the Interview?

26 Far worse than Mitt's actual answers in that interview was his demeanor and body language. Compare to Newt or Perry in either a one on one interview or on their Center Seat appearances.

27 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQÂ…

28 @20
Well, I sure hope so.

Look, given the slate of candidates we have and the absolute necessity to unseat Obama, whomever we nominate is going to need all of our help in shining them up and making them look as appealing as possible in the general.  Personally, I'd rather do it for a guy who has the record and core principles I want - but who makes unforced errors in debates and gets tongue-tied on occasion - than for a prick like Romney. 

The thing about Perry is that his most significant error - the 'you don't have a heart' comment - is a sign that he is a compassionate person.  Now maybe he directed his compassion at the wrong population (illegals), but at least the guy has some human feelings.  I think Perry learned his lesson and won't repeat that mistake. 

Mitt really is a cold s.o.b. 

29 Hmm.  I'm starting to feel we are piling on Cornbrero, and I don't even like the guy.


Effin' Primaries!  How do they work?!?

30 maybe he's constipated.......

31

He's not really answering questions from a position of conviction, but from political calculation. He thinks he's good at hiding this. He's not.

The sad part is that Romney has not been seriously grilled by the press yet; as a result, there's no way to know how he will react if/when he finally does get the media anal exam. If this is how he reacts to challenging questions from a relatively fair anchor, what's he going to do when he faces a hostile reporter?

32 Because all the debates have only required a 30 second sound bite, talking point. In fact, the only bad parts of Mitt's debates have been when the answer couldn't be shoehorned into one of his prepared answers ("for gosh sakes, I'm running for President").

Get him out there where he has to do more, has to think and all of a sudden what we all know comes bubbling to the top: Mitt is not a conservative and does not have conservative instincts.

But he has hired the top men from the McCain campaign; the campaign that was dead in the water before NH until it re-tooled and hired people like Patrick Haynes (Ankle Biting Pundits) on what to say and how to always, always, always say that right-sounding conservative sound-bite (even if you don't believe it). And that is how McCain won, by sounding conservative enough.

That's the second lesson Romney learned from his loss to McCain. The first being keep a couple of spoilers around to split the vote so you can win.

Oh, and Newt has doubled down on his "right-wing social engineering" smear.

33 Who gives a fuck about Romney.

34 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQÂ…

Posted by: BK at December 01, 2011 09:58 AM (R2Yh0)

Every day a good deed!

35 I don't know, the Republicans have always done terrifically well with the 'electable' candidates; Dole, McCain....

Surely it would be suicidal to give up that overwhelming advantage now.

36 "He's going to have to face the media at some point, right? So what's his excuse?" {raises hand} Oooo! Ooo! I know this one! Answer: It is because he is a pussy. Do I win a prize?

37

Romney, on the other hand, is definitely running. He's going to have to face the media at some point, right? So what's his excuse?

It's his turn.

Also, Bret Baier is impudent and uppity.

Also, Obama is a nice man and he will make a fine president in his second term.

 

38 At this point, Perry or Gingrich.  No no no to Romney.  Though I'd even take Ron Paul over Romney.

39 30 Hmm.  I'm starting to feel we are piling on Cornbrero, and I don't even like the guy.

Really?  I don't think so.  There has been pretty limited coverage of Mitt, frankly, because the guy avoids things like the Iowa forums and spends most of his time fundraising on the East Coast from what I can see.  I wonder if there is even footage of most of the places Romney goes.  I never see it. 

I can really only think of the 'my first name is Mitt' column and this one as being coverage of a blunder. 

40 Surprise..Surprise....Jobless claims "UNEXPECTEDLY" rose above 400K again...............Who would have guessed based on Obama's policies casuing the Dow to go wild yesterday?

41 Gerald Ford: Because the constitution says it's his turn.

42 Willard has been avoiding those awful Sunday shows?  Uptwinkles!  Best thing I've heard about the guy so far.

43 Regarding Palin giving the bird to the national media, the relationship there was already contentious.  Romney has been their chosen one.  They, the media, have been pushing him as the viable candidate.  He's been on the receiving end of never ending media fluff. 

Palin's decision to tell them to piss off was natural.  Romney telling them to piss off is contrived.

44 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQÂ…

Bash? What about my post do you think is unfair?

45

@ 41 Who would have guessed based on Obama's policies casuing the Dow to go wild yesterday?

At this point, I think we all need to understand that the Dow and other trading venues have little relevance to the state of the actual, real-life, Main Street economy.  Stock exchanges are now largely just places where high-powered brokers who don't actually contribute to the concrete "real" economy just shuffle paper back and forth and pretend that money is made or lost.

46 Hmm.  I'm starting to feel we are piling on Cornbrero, and I don't even like the guy.

To be fair, we do that to everyone here.  You can tell we really don't like you when we pretend you don't exist.

47

At this point, Perry or Gingrich.  No no no to Romney.  Though I'd even take Ron Paul over Romney.

I've arrived at the point where I'm asking myself not which is the best candidate but which ones sucks the least.

Gingrich = Revenge of the Sith

Romney = The Phantom Menace

Perry = Blade Runner (screw you Ace, this was a good movie even though it was a box office bust)

Paul = Plan 9 From Outer Space

48 To be fair, we do that to everyone here.  You can tell we really don't like you when we pretend you don't exist.

Posted by: DarkLord© needs more caffiene at December 01, 2011 10:07 AM (GBXon)

*runsawaycrying*

49

Romney seems a bit thin-skinned.

One of many, many things he has in common with Obama.

50 Posted by: Buddy Roemer

Who?

51 I'll bet Mitt was a hall monitor in school.

52 The voters have the right to know that Mitt Romney's mother is a fat whore who is so black she leaves fingerprints on charcoal.

53 It's not that Mitt is a 'pussy' exactly.  I'll risk being accused of bigotry and share something...

There's an aspect of LDS culture that I've learned about during my 16 month crash course here in Utah Valley that leads to really passive aggressive behavior.  They are not supposed to make waves, so to see like they are not doing so they use more underhanded techniques.  We've been told this by lots of folks and seen it in action many times both at work and in personal things.  You are supposed to fit in and work within the group. 

It's not all bad, of course, and I think in part originates from their pioneer roots (which is really important to the LDS), but at the end of the day the "beehive" is not just a symbol they put on their churches.  It's part of their culture. 

54 I will wear the Cornbrero if Mitt gets the nom but still, WTH Perry?  How the only conservatively successful governor running be polling in the mid single digits?

55

Gingrich = Revenge of the Sith

Romney = The Phantom Menace

Perry = Blade Runner (screw you Ace, this was a good movie even though it was a box office bust)

Paul = Plan 9 From Outer Space

Bachmann = Barbarella

56 Bash? What about my post do you think is unfair?

I don't think it was directed at you.
If you look carefully, one of the commenters said less than complimentary things.
I'd threaten to ban him/her.

57 Obama sucks so bad I would vote for Romney or Gingrich with a smile.

58 Damn, we done w/ DOOM already? *Sniff

59 Like I said in the ace thread and the news thread, he is NOT that good at debate or confrontation. He has skated because the press and the other candidates allowed him to skate.

Perry is the only one who has every challenged him and he nearly lost it then. He can NOT defend is record in MA so he doesn't want to talk about it.

60 Hey, CC's in with the first shift commentors, stickin' it to the man, brah!  We're a better class of internet sprites than those late-night slackers.

61 60

This doesn't get any more related to DOOM.
This is harbinger of DOOM.

62 How the only conservatively successful governor running be polling in the mid single digits?

Because too many people allow the MFM to name their candidate.

63 If he wants to run as a competent statist he should switch parties IMO. The only way I vote for him is if wins the primaries and I have to go with ABO --but if that happens I'll be wanting the Tea Party to write off the GOP and go 3rd party come Jan 2013. We have some good young conservatives that can be ready by 2016.

64

but at the end of the day the "beehive" is not just a symbol they put on their churches. It's part of their culture.

They put beehives on their churches??

I find that to probably be the most disturbing thing I've ever heard about mormons.

65 This interview was really upsetting to me.  Romney looked defensive and panicky.  His eyes almost had that "Runaway bride crazy" look.

I faulted Brett for giving Romney a "special" interview as opposed to the panel center seat that the rest of the candidates did.  However,  I am glad this was done,  because I can see that even with pre-set conditions,  with no contentious panelists,  and at a time and place of his choosing,  Romney came across very poorly.

I had thought I would be able to muster support if Romey ended up the eventual nominee (I support Perry) but this really has me worried.  He won't be able to handle the media onslaught coming his way.

66 That flip flopping clusterfuck of a misreble rino can't be attacked enough. He would have a better chance of winning as a donkyrat.

67 Well... adding to #44... it' contrived if he's trying to be Mr. Tough Guy to the media.  It genuinely shows hes a weak candidate if not.

68 Mitt's reaction reminds me of Barack Obama, who has never had a really difficult interview since he arrived at the Senate.

69 @They put beehives on their churches??

Yes. 

Let me preface this by saying our move to Utah is probably the smoothest one we've ever done in terms of getting to know people.  (I'd still put Houston above Utah as my favorite place to live, but Utah definitely beats the midwest, northeast, and California in my book).  The people have many fine qualities and we've already made close friends here (who are LDS). 

But it is so hard for me when my friends ask 'why don't Evangelicals/name-your-denomination think we're Christians' to keep my mouth shut, because on a superficial level the answer is so damned easy.  Put a cross on your church and take off the beehives. 

70 Hey h8ers, dont hate me just because I want Democrats to be winners too!

71 Willard has been avoiding those awful Sunday shows?  Uptwinkles!  Best thing I've heard about the guy so far.

I also avoid the Sunday shows. Journalists ask rote questions. Politicians provide canned answers. They are worthless.

72 I run myself but I don't know if starting every response to the MFM with "Fuck you libtard" would go over well.

73

I don't care about whether or not they have a cross, I just find them choosing to coopt a beehive as a symbol to be very very disturbing.

There's nothing about the lives of bees I wouldn't call flat out atrocious evil applied to people.

74 O'Reilly had Baier on last night and asked him about this interview.

Baier said that not only was Mitt unhappy during the interview, but afterwards, he told Baier how bad he thought the interview was and that he felt Baier was too "aggressive".

For whatever reason, Mittens really, really hated that interview.

75

@ 71 But it is so hard for me when my friends ask 'why don't Evangelicals/name-your-denomination think we're Christians' to keep my mouth shut, because on a superficial level the answer is so damned easy.  Put a cross on your church and take off the beehives. 

Well, the things that people like Perry's pastor and others have said about Mormonism (Lucifer and Jesus are brothers, blacks come from the "less honourable" 1/3 of the angels, etc.) are actually true.  Not that they should matter when choosing a Presidential candidate, but they are true all the same.

76

 

I can't believe Rommney's demeanor, especially when he crossed his legs and re-arranged his coat jacket so prissily, in an attempt to cover his legs.  That gesture communicated  so much, like he is drag queen or something.  Unbelievable, I've seen lots of effiminate men, but that move spoke  volumes, not communicating manliness at all.

 

77 @75
I have the same reaction. 

78

74 I run myself but I don't know if starting every response to the MFM with "Fuck you libtard" would go over well.

I'd vote for you, dagny.

Dagny for President!

79

I was laughing last week when Chris Wallace asked that asswipe PinDicky Durbin if "Obama were wrong" about staying out of the super committee negotiations.

Yeah, PinDickyDurbin is going to say anything other than "NO! Of course not! Obama is 'da Maaaannnnn!" Please. The Sunday shows are bull shit.

80 >>Well, the things that people like Perry's pastor and others have said about Mormonism

Just a correction.  If you are referring to the Southern Baptist minister who introduced Perry, he is not Perry's pastor.  Perry has for most of his adult life attended the same Methodist Church that George W. attended.  I don't think Perry is a Southern Baptist. 

81 The beehive as a state emblem is used in conjunction with the word "industry". It is meant to symbolize the pioneers' self reliance and cooperation in settling the area.

I don't recall seeing it on churches, though.

82 You know what the hell is Mitt's - "fun" book? That's what I really want to know.

83 Bees fly from flower to flower. .....Maybe that behive thing refers back to the polygamy thing?

84 Gawd.... Maybe Mitt is reading Snooki's book.

85
I'm about this close  ----><---- to believing I'll be forced to embrace the suck of a 2nd Obama term come next Nov.  The cavalry that's supposed to save us has shown up in a clown car wearing floppy shoes and red noses. 

86

Well, damn...

The main appeal of Romney is that his years-long, I'll -take-any-stance-to-be-president approach provides a safe, if unsatisfying, fallback. That's why I am enjoying Newt's emergence so much - I know that Romney will there with his money and caution when Gingrich inevitably says something to blowup his bid.

Guess I have to rethink that.

87 I don't get why it's supposedly this guy's turn. Can anyone explain this to me? Did he kiss the right asses?

88

80 I might be able to get a small following.

89 @83
It is, mpur.  It is part of their religious culture as well.  Remember, in Utah you really can't tease out Church and State that clearly. 

Go to the LDS web site and see the historic places or the name of their girls' group or look at the churches. 

90 Mitt did the near-impossible in that interview.  He made me think more kindly of John McCain.  Who's the next Not Mitt candidate we should be looking at?

91

@ 82 Just a correction.  If you are referring to the Southern Baptist minister who introduced Perry, he is not Perry's pastor.  Perry has for most of his adult life attended the same Methodist Church that George W. attended.  I don't think Perry is a Southern Baptist. 

Yeah, that's the guy, my bad.

Perry's not a Southern Baptist?  That's it, I'm not voting for him then, no way, no how.

/ do I need the tag?

92 Dont kid yourself. Its the phonebook, I assure you.

93 re-arranged his coat jacket so prissily, in an attempt to cover his legs. That gesture communicated so much, like he is drag queen or something. I noticed that too.. wierd. I didn't really dislike him for anything but being too liberal, but he's starting to get on my nerves. Just like the "Anderson, Anderson.." thing. If he can't handle Brett Baier, how's he gonna handle being called a racist every minute for the rest of his life after getting the nomination.

94

I thought Methodists were just Baptists who had learned to read?

 

 (as told to me by a Baptist turned Methodist).

95

@ 89 I don't get why it's supposedly this guy's turn.

Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee both had prior engagements.

96 >>Who's the next Not Mitt candidate we should be looking at?

Personally, I don't think we should consider the next one, but re-evaluate the folks we've already considered (Bachmann, Perry, Gingrich) and start taking out our turd-polishing kits. 

The other possibility is to give a harder look at Huntsman.  He actually probably has a better shot at appealing to "Indies," has the most extensive foreign policy experience (short of probably Gingrich), and he is a little to the right of Romney on domestic policy. 

97 98 Huntsman. OMG

98 I don't get why it's supposedly this guy's turn. Can anyone explain this to me? Did he kiss the right asses? Posted by: Cajun Carrot at December 01, 2011 10:29 AM (zHl9z) And I don't get why everyone seems to think it is "his time" or that, and I really love this one, that the "elites" are for him? Romney was,is, and will always be stuck, Stuck I say, at 25%. 75% of Republicans hate him and always will. No matter who goes up and who goes down, he stays at 25%. Stuck in the mud. I think a few to many people are a tad paranoid about Romney.

99 His eyes almost had that "Runaway bride crazy" look. Man what the hell was that? They were all twitchy or something....

100 Next debate .. Rick Perry should just shiv a couple of mofos (candidates and mods) in the next debate. That'll clear this shit up really quick.

101 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

102

@ 96 (as told to me by a Baptist turned Methodist).

Who in turn stole the line from A River Runs Through It.

Ironic, really, since the Baptists were some of the more studious and scholarly clergymen in the early Republic, and are a large part of the reason why we even have religious liberty, as opposed to mere toleration by a state church, through their correspondence with and influence on people like Jefferson and Madison.

103 Unlike Baptists....Methodists don't preach against drinking and dancing, and then go out and drink & dance.

104

Public Service Announcement: Mitt sux.

/that is all. Please return to your regularly scheduled bickering.

105 Posted by: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus at December 01, 2011 10:31 AM

I really dug around on Perry and couldn't find any signs of him being anti-Mormon.  That was kind of important to me if I was going to actively lobby for him here in Utah.

I don't care what his theological differences are with the LDS Church as long as he keeps that out of how he governs and treats people.

I actually know someone who is really well-connected with the LDS Church here who is a Perry supporter.   

106 Thanks for noting that Gov. Palin wasn't a candidate , she is also under contract to a particular network while she's not being a candidate.  I thought the press loved Gov. Romney?  I thought he was their guy to reign in these crazy Republicans.  Why avoid them?   It's confusing when your base is the Independents during the Republican primary.

107 99 98 Huntsman. OMG

I know, I know!  But on paper, he's better than Mitt.

108 Naturally, yesterday Hugh Hewitt was drooling that Mittens did well on that interview, and that his testiness actually helps him. Delusion cocktail.

109 No, we've just moved on to the New Doom. Also known as Romney.

110 What really seemed to set Mitt of was Bret Baier's reference to The Union Leader's endorsement of Gingrich. Read somewhere that Mitt has been courting the editor for years. Funny thing is-*if* Mitt comes in second in New Hampshire-that could be huge. And, like it or not- it might be Huntsman that makes that a very real possibility. Romney has absolutely no competition for the liberal republican vote except for Huntman -who happens to be polling at 11% in some NH polls.

111 Romney has run a brilliant campaign so far, which could possibly be called a "Not, Not-Romney" strategy.  It sorta depends on him hiding in plain sight, and so far it appears to be working.  I still think he's the most likely nominee, and may clinch it if/when the wheels come off Team Newt's cart. 

112 I saw Salamander on Hannity last night. Admittedly, he was pretty good I thought. Almost didn't want to slap shit outta him.........almost.

113 You can tell when Mitt is knocked a bit off his game. His pitch gets just a fraction higher, and he tends to giggle nervously or even do a mock laugh. When he's got that shit-eating grin on his face you know he's telling at best a half-truth (so, pretty much every time he speaks).

114 109 99 98 Huntsman. OMG

I know, I know!  But on paper, he's better than Mitt.

Posted by: Y-not at December 01, 2011 10:38 AM (5H6zj)

Forget about "on paper". Hell, I'm better than Mitt.

115

“The other possibility is to give a harder look at Huntsman.”

Posted by: Y-not at December 01, 2011 10:33 AM (5H6zj)

 

Only if the Draft McCain movement fails.

116 109 I know, I know!  But on paper, he's better than Mitt.

So are my budgie's droppings, but I'm not voting for them.

Am I?

117 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQÂ…

Yeah well, it doesn't help his case that Mitt Sux.

118

Perhaps if Bret Baier danced about and wiggled his thorax, Mitt would have Bee-haved better. 

So the GOP is ready to nominate a Catholic (hard to believe, er, Bee-lieve, but Newton's a Catholic).  Not bloody likely.

119 i'm watching the interview right now.....ugh......he's a fool

120 But is Perry a Wesleyan, or a Calvinist?

121 The interview was disasterous because the perception of Mitt was that "OK he's a stiff but he's unflappable and solid so he's got that going for him in the general". Yeah- wrong. I'd rather go down in flames with Newt than slowly bleed to death on my knees with the Republican John Kerry.

122 So are my budgie's droppings, but I'm not voting for them.

Am I?

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at December 01, 2011 10:41 AM (Qxdfp)

Wait a second. Have they been consistently pro-life? What do they think about illegal immigration?

123 But is Perry a Wesleyan, or a Calvinist?

Most Methodists in Texas are Wesleyan.  So that's a pretty safe bet.
Of course, I didn't realize that Calvinists were Methodists.

124

Beats me.  I was surprised in 2008 when Romney got thrown by an innocent question by Glen Johnson of the Boston Globe about how many lobbyists he had working on his campaign.  That video went viral and really hurt him.  He really doesn't seem to be very good at thinking on his feet and parrying questions he doesn't have a pat answer for.  I assumed he would have gotten better at this before running again, but apparently he hasn't. 

I can only imagine how he might self-destruct in a September 2012 interview with a Charlie Gibson or Brain Williams,and he will have to do all of those.

125 Perry's not a holy-roller is he? That would be hard to explain.

126

#112 "Funny thing is-*if* Mitt comes in second in New Hampshire-that could be huge."

Fatal.  He can't lose both Iowa and NH and survive.   

 

127 I don't know the ins and outs of the Protestant sects, but what I've read is that Perry is a member of Tarrytown United Methodist Church.  But he also has been attending Lake Hills Church in Austin. 

128 It is, mpur.  It is part of their religious culture as well.  Remember, in Utah you really can't tease out Church and State that clearly. 

Go to the LDS web site and see the historic places or the name of their girls' group or look at the churches.

Oh, I believe you. I just never noticed it on my visits there. Although admittedly, I never prowled around the temples much.

Made the obligatory trip to THE temple in SLC at Christmas time. Regardless of your faith or your feelings about Mormonism, it is a sight worth seeing.

I like the whole seagull lore. You familiar with that story?

129 Perry's not a holy-roller is he? That would be hard to explain.

My grandmother ended up as a Holy Roller in a West Texas Tongue-speaking church.  For a stolid Lutheran like me, her church was a trip to attend.

130 I understood that Perry had started attending a more non-denominational church.

131 Paul Rahe, a very wise scholar at Hillsdale, said on the latest Ricochet podcast that neither Romney nor Gingrich are really conservatives, and both have no objections to large government enterprises. Neither will address the problem of our swollen administrative state. A very sobering podcast. The Rahe part is not very long and at the front of the podcast, so check it out. Also listen to Peter Robinson's interview with Rahe on the Uncommon Knowledge podcast. Also very liable to induce heavy drinking.

132 For a stolid Lutheran like me, her church was a trip to attend.

I can imagine.  The Christ-aerobics churches have always kind of baffled me.

133 89 I don't get why it's supposedly this guy's turn. Can anyone explain this to me? Did he kiss the right asses?

Posted by: Cajun Carrot at December 01, 2011 10:29 AM (zHl9z)

He really should have been the nominee in 2008, but Mike Huckabee screwed him (I still believe Huck was paid by McCain's backers) and we ended up with John McCain.  Though some would say it was McCain's turn in 2008 since he was the runner-up to Bush in 2000.  Whoever comes in second usually wins the nomination the next time. 

134 >>Made the obligatory trip to THE temple in SLC at Christmas time.
>>Regardless of your faith or your feelings about Mormonism, it is a sight
>>worth seeing.

Yeah, it's lovely.  We had a chance to go see the Christmas concert last year.  Really nice.  And we attended one of the General Conference sessions last fall. 

>>I like the whole seagull lore. You familiar with that story?

No.  I did have my first visit from missionaries two days ago, however! 

135 I understood that Perry had started attending a more non-denominational church.

I think that the church he attends in Austin is fairly "non-denominational."  Which sort of makes sense for a government official.  He is a Methodist, however, and maintains his membership (as amorphous a term as that is) with an actual Methodist church.

136

Mitt did the near-impossible in that interview. He made me think more kindly of John McCain. Who's the next Not Mitt candidate we should be looking at?

Either Perry or Bachmann will get a second chance like Cain did next.

Unless everyone flocks to Gary Johnson, which I'd be fine with... Santorum...

137 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQ

Tell you what, when Mitt stops doing things to bash, we'll stop bashing him.

Seriously, though, be moderately prepared to answer obvious questions is not that high a hurdle.  I didn't think it was one Mitt would have problems clearing.  It's interesting that Mitt has problems with interviews and Perry has problems with debates. 

I do agree that it might be time for an okay what do we like about the candidates post.   

 

138 Whoever comes in second usually wins the nomination the next time. 


Wouldn't that make Huckabee up next?

139 Another day, another Mitt-bash at AoSQÂ…

Posted by: BK at December 01, 2011 09:58 AM (R2Yh0)

you know how Perry sucks in debates? well it's looking like Mitt sucks in interviews, thus just as big a story as when you Romneybots were dancing on Perry's grave

140 neither Romney nor Gingrich are really conservatives, and both have no objections to large government enterprises. I'm not sure if they are big government conservatives, but they are both technocrats, and that's really the same thing. They both believe that there's some sort of solution to every problem, and that there's not some kind of government action that can't make everything better. I think Gingrich is much more instinctually conservative than Romney, and a lot of his technocratic jargon is just him thinking out loud. Faced with a conservative Congress, I'd trust Newt a lot more to go along with it than Mitt. But I think Rahe is fundamentally onto something.

141 Wouldn't that make Huckabee up next?

Posted by: mpurinTexas, Evil Conservanatrix, supports Rick Perry at December 01, 2011 10:53 AM (bvfSj)

Huck would be running away w/ this nomination right now (throws up a little in mouth) had he wanted to run, he just didn't want it

142

#112 "Funny thing is-*if* Mitt comes in second in New Hampshire-that could be huge."

Would that make it still his turn in 2016?

143 bk hasn't been here for the previous sarah bashings perry bashings cain bashings newt bashings paul bashings or he/she was here but didn't mind because romney was their guy......

144 oh and bachman bashings

145

oh and bachman bashings

Don't forget the shameless shilling for the crossbow industry, Big Xbow.

Not an ounce of integrity on this blog.

146

Mrs Meanie was raised a Mormon, but I successfully brought her over to the One True Church using Vatican Mind Tricks.  I suppose it wouldn't be too late to convert Willard as well.   

Even before I exorcised her demons of the false prophets, she wasn't particularly fond of that culture; I've noticed how the observations here match up with how she describes growing up in the rural Northwest.  She has a deep-seated dislike for Willary based upon this and she predicted his vanilla demeanor would turn to rocky road under the right circumstances. 

147 No.  I did have my first visit from missionaries two days ago, however! 

Posted by: Y-not at December 01, 2011 10:51 AM (5H6zj)

Mormons hold the seagull in high esteem. Apparently, the settlers had a plague of crickets eating their crops. So they prayed and wailed and wailed and prayed and lo, and behold, a huge flock of seagulls showed up and ate the crickets.

There's a Seagull Monument in Temple Square in SLC.

And now that the missionaries have found you, they will dog you the rest of your life!

My husband was raised in the Mormon church and grew up in SLC. He moved to Austin 11 years ago. It took about 14 months for the missionaries to find him after he moved.

148 Our probable fate is we only dump Obastard if enough voters next November say to themselves "I am so fed up with this clown that I'll even vote for an incompetent Republican." If we win it won't be on account of the sterling personality and policy of the 'Pubbie, it will be because just enough people can't take Dick Soetero any longer.

149 Don't forget the shameless shilling for the crossbow industry, Big Xbow. Ace takes graft from Big Movie Essay too.

150

And now that the missionaries have found you, they will dog you the rest of your life!

1) Buy a large loud dog.

2) Offer them a cup of coffee or a beer.

3) Never wear pants. Ever.

If all else fails, (4) start seducing young female missionaries until they take your address off the list.

151

I do agree that it might be time for an okay what do we like about the candidates post.  

i'll bite, by Real Clear's Poll Of Polls:

Gingrich - 24%
The Good: GREAT Debater, Will Chase Obama All Over Country, Fiesty
The Bad: He Cant Keep His Dick In His Pants

Romney - 21%
The Good: Most Electable, Good Debater, Knows How To Win Indys
The Bad: Kerry 2.0 & Bad At Interviews

Cain - 16%
The Good: Not A Politician
The Bad: Not A Politician, Bimbo Erruptions, & Would Lose To Obama

Perry - 8%
The Good: GREAT At TV Interviews, Likeable, Good In Person, Best Record
The Bad: HORRIBLE Debater, Little Gaffe Prone

Paul - 8%
The Good: Right On Fiscal Policies
The Bad: HORRIBLE At Foreign Policy, Would Lose To Obama

Bachmann - 5%
The Good: Solid Small Govt Politician, Likeable
The Bad: Gaffe-Prone, Goofy, Romney's Political Whore, & Would Lose To Obama

Santorum - 2%
The Good: ???
The Bad: Comes Off As A Dick, Wants Big Govt Controlling Behavior, Lost His Home State In 06 Worse Then McCain Did In 08

Huntsman - 2%
The Good: Media Likes Him? Obama Claims To Fear Him?
The Bad: Smarmy Dick Who Gets Off On Bashing The Base

152 Why yes, I would love to hear more about how the angel Moroni came to Joe Smith in a dream, sit down and take your sweater off!

153

Posted by: RINO Sith Lord Mallamutt, Future Emporer of the RINO Galaxy at December 01, 2011 11:00 AM (OWjjx)

idk man those poll numbers for him before he dropped out looked pretty well

154

The Good: GREAT Debater, Will Chase Obama All Over Country, Fiesty

Newt is not a great debater, he is The Masterdebator.

155

Newt is not a great debater, he is The Masterdebator.

Posted by: Entropy at December 01, 2011 11:05 AM (UmXRO)

you owe me a new keyboard sir

156 If all else fails, (4) start seducing young female missionaries until they take your address off the list.

I will accept your Book of Mormon, but first ....

157 I didn't think that the interview went so poorly for Romney.  I thought it was actually good to see that he's human.  Cain accomplishes showing his humanity by cracking jokes, although lately he's just downright angry at the bs that he's being put through.  But romney, romney has seemed like a robot only wanting the job, not caring how he gets it.  The baier interview was refreshing.  That being said, he ruined it all by getting angry with baier.

In reading your post I got this picture of romney and obama standing before the press in a joint press conference saying:  "we've decided not to have any debates.  You can read our books, go to our websites and submit any question you want to our press teams and, if we deem it a good question, we just might answer it.  No questions, thank you all for coming and have a nice day".

I then contrasted that with the rerun of hannity's hour long interview with gingrich who said he would follow obama around the country and be no more than 4 hours behind him to rebut everything he just said and I thought to myself:  "mud wrestling, this would be a fun campaign".

158 Entropy- Na I probably agree with Bob in Ohio Fatal. He can't lose both Iowa and NH and survive. Posted by: Bob from Ohio at December 01, 2011 10:47 AM ******* Fatal.

159 Wants Big Govt Controlling Behavior Not to derail this already derailed thread, but this is such a stupid, and oft-repeated meme that I hardly know where to begin. I pretty much am in 100% agreement with Santorum on the issues, but never in a thousand years would I categorize myself as wanting government to control behavior. Just the opposite. It's government interference in every aspect of our lives that is actually undermining the economy and our social behavior. Because government is seen as a crutch by so many, important familial and other social institutions have lost their importance. Social conservatism isn't about getting the government more involved in our lives, it's about less.

160

I then contrasted that with the rerun of hannity's hour long interview with gingrich who said he would follow obama around the country and be no more than 4 hours behind him to rebut everything he just said and I thought to myself:  "mud wrestling, this would be a fun campaign".

I watched that interview and Newt sold me more on him and his chances against Obama, his idea to follow and take on Obama would be well welcomed by me after the wimpy McCain campaign of 08

161 Santorum is going to be the last man standing and it's going to be funny to watch.  Can he beat obama?  Not sure but it certainly would be a fascinating race.

162

Posted by: RINO Dark Lord Mallamutt, Screw just one country, I want the World...bitches at December 01, 2011 11:09 AM (OWjjx)

motherfucker, I just realized I talked to the cat piss! shit, I forgot to look at the Hash, oh well I made my point i'll move on from the cat lady

and btw THIS co-bloggers is why your constant ranting at me on here and at the facebook group to "not feed the troll" can't work, it changes it's indetity constantly and tricks others.

163

after those 3 words, everything else is irrelevant. That, right there, sums it up.

Posted by: RINO Sith Dark Lord Mallamutt at December 01, 2011 11:11 AM (OWjjx)

+1

yepppp!

164 Social conservatism isn't about getting the government more involved in our lives, it's about less.

Posted by: Paul Zummo at December 01, 2011 11:09 AM (IGkEP)

the irony in that sentence is priceless

165

It happens. Last night on the Paul thread buzzion had to point out that I put my foot in the kitty litter box as well.

Posted by: RINO Sith Dark Lord Mallamutt at December 01, 2011 11:13 AM (OWjjx)

well all we can do is try and avoid it, but i've come to the realization the pest is here to stay. the co-bloggers will continue to find reasons to let it fester.

166 the irony in that sentence is priceless Why? Because you don't understand what social conservatism is, and instead mindlessly ape talking points handed down by socially progressive hipsters?

167 Social conservatism isn't about getting the government more involved in our lives, it's about less.

Posted by: Paul Zummo at December 01, 2011 11:09 AM (IGkEP)

the irony in that sentence is priceless

I more or less agree about "Governent".  But, that doesn't mean that SC is libertine, or even libertarian but is, I think, rather about reempowering the traditional Little Platoons that governed social behavior; Church, Family, and Community.

168 Why? Because you don't understand what social conservatism is, and instead mindlessly ape talking points handed down by socially progressive hipsters?

Posted by: Paul Zummo at December 01, 2011 11:15 AM (IGkEP)

I dont base my beliefs on socially progressive hipsters, I base them on facts, numbers, figures, and History.

Now that I got that off my chest how on earth is demanding others to not act a ceratin way or get something they want that doesn't effect others in any way getting less Govt out of one's lives? To claim that forcing a gay couple not to marry is getting less Govt out of one's lives is a joke.

169 I dont base my beliefs on socially progressive hipsters, I base them on facts, numbers, figures, and History. What facts? What history? You have nothing to support your weasily argument so you rely on tired tropes to get you through the day. To claim that forcing a gay couple not to marry is getting less Govt out of one's lives is a joke. Are you a moron? Oh wait, this is Ace of Spades, so nevermind. Seriously though, this argument is the strangest libertarian argument I've ever heard. The people who want government interference in this case are the gay marriage folks. Social conservatives (well, 98% of us) aren't going around with pitch forks looking to throw gay couples in jail. What we refuse to do is have a state sanctioning of their relationship as marriage. It's the gay marriage folks who want government to step in and grant recognition. This isn't about rights, it's about forcing society to bless you for something that you can do without government sanction.

170

Mendez, the gay marraige debate began with Government deciding what the social view should be, and then engineering it and implementing it top-down.

If the majority wants gay marriage give them gay marriage. But like most social conservatism issues, they are on the defensive, merely looking to protect the status quo from more left-wing social engineering and experimentation.

It shouldn't probably be involved with marriage at all, either way. How the hell does banning sexual-preference discrimination get the government out of the picture?

171 I more or less agree about "Governent". But, that doesn't mean that SC is libertine, or even libertarian but is, I think, rather about reempowering the traditional Little Platoons that governed social behavior; Church, Family, and Community. Yeah, this is a much more eloquent way of saying what I meant. Social conservatism is more about the wider culture, and is less focused on government intervention. In fact, I think the fact that the negative reaction to social conservatism being based on a perceived desire on the part of social cons to interfere in other people's personal lives is precisely due to the fact that we look at everything through a governmental prism. Hell, this whole internal warfare over the presidential nomination process shows how much liberalism has damaged this country. The presidency shouldn't matter this much to begin with, and yet we're focusing ungodly amounts of time and energy on this debate. That's a problem in and of itself.

172

Are you a moron? Oh wait, this is Ace of Spades, so nevermind.

yep i'm a moron, I comment on here after all

What we refuse to do is have a state sanctioning of their relationship as marriage. It's the gay marriage folks who want government to step in and grant recognition.

I dont see how it would hurt to have the state recongnize a married couple just because they're of the same sex?

and for the record I dont believe a Church should be forced to recongnize it as well or that folks who host Bed & Breakfasts should be forced to invite a gay couple in their private property because they have a right to not be comfortable w/ having one.

The social conservativesa attitudes towards gays have more to do w/ a depper thing. their faith. gay activities/sexuality is seen as a sin (and btw as a Christian I agree it's a sin). they are driven by that to oppose drug legalization, gay marriages, and prostitution legalization. forget the facts, figures that show it would help drive these things down by legalizing it, they don't like the idea that it can exist in the 1st place.

yes, yes, the evntual "that's not what it's about!" arguments will come but it is what drives it on a deep level. yes even some atheists are social conservatives and uncomfortable w/ these immoral things being seen as legal. You guys can keep fighting it, but this is a Gnerational thing and more freedom is coming as far as social policies are concerned. as for fiscal policy, THAT is where my generation lacks in getting it right.

173

I dont believe ... folks who host Bed & Breakfasts should be forced to invite a gay couple in their private property because they have a right to not be comfortable w/ having one.

Probably not under current jurisprudence, they may have to.

174

they are driven by that to oppose drug legalization, gay marriages, and prostitution legalization. forget the facts, figures that show it would help drive these things down by legalizing it, they don't like the idea that it can exist in the 1st place.

True, there is plenty of that too.

but this is a Gnerational thing and more freedom is coming as far as social policies are concerned.

I think you are right.

Pot will be legal in most of the country, in 20 years tops I think. As well it should.

175

I continue to be amazed at the new hysteria over Mitt Romney's electability that I'm seeing at AOSHQ and Hotair. For YEARS you guys have been slamming every single candidate to Romney's right as unelectable--Palin's unelectable because she's "stupid," Bachmann's unelectable because she's a "kook" and inexperienced, Cain's unelectable because he's a pizza guy, Perry's unelectable because he had a brain freeze, etc. etc.--thus implicitly endorsing Romney. Well, you got your wish. You got Romney. So shut up and line up behind him already!

176 you guys

We are many guys, of many opinions, tiny broadbrusher that lives in my flatscreen.

177

@ 170 the irony in that sentence is priceless

Yeah, but only to the ill-informed.

178

@ 176 Seriously though, this argument is the strangest libertarian argument I've ever heard. The people who want government interference in this case are the gay marriage folks. Social conservatives (well, 98% of us) aren't going around with pitch forks looking to throw gay couples in jail. What we refuse to do is have a state sanctioning of their relationship as marriage. It's the gay marriage folks who want government to step in and grant recognition. This isn't about rights, it's about forcing society to bless you for something that you can do without government sanction.

The irony of it all is that gays already have the *exact same marital "rights"* as straights.

 

179 haven't seen. but. It's another case where, gee, it's a shame that our side has pols who are bad at this whereas the other side seems to only have pols who are perfect... oh wait, that's cause DNC pols only get "how does it feel to be this awesome, and should I cup your balls as I fellate you" questions. See Clinton blowing up when interviewed by ... um Wallace ? ... on Fox. Not so smooth then, eh?

180 To claim that forcing a gay couple not to marry is getting less Govt out of one's lives is a joke. --------------------------------- We are forcing gays NOT to marry now? Your word choice indicates you are not a serious person and frankly, you have an integrity deficit.

181 When you're renowned for serving warm cornbreros, pipin' hot from the oven, having to answer pesky questions is A Chore Too Far.

182 Maybe we should bring Chris Farley back from the dead so he can do exclusive interviewing of Mitt. I can see it now. Chris: Do you, uh, do you remember, uh, when you, uh, enacted Romneycare? Mitt: Yes, Chris, I do. Chris: That was awesome.

183 45 Bash? What about my post do you think is unfair? I posted after reading 24-25 neg comments in the first 27. About YOUR post I would just say Jonah Goldberg thinks it was Romney's staff that kept him off Center Seat & he didn't know about it. Seems odd but who knows? 139 I do agree that it might be time for an okay what do we like about the candidates post. We better find SOMEONE to like ENOUGH. 145 bk hasn't been here for the previous Â…bashingsÂ… or he/she was here but didn't mind because romney was their guy...... HE was here. Palin was my "guy" but oh well. Now it's all about who can win. That keeps me liking Romney and crossing my fingers about Newt. The rest I don't see as viable. YMMV.

184 Hey you know who does well in one on one interviews? Rick Perry. Just sayin'.

185 DM = MFM So D = MF

186 Romney is soft. It really is that simple.

187 The right strategy is to call the media to the carpet when they go off on ridiculous tangents. But also to answer reasonable questions appropriately when asked. I didn't like it when Sarah skipped the shows. Yeah they were being mean to her. And she should have called them out for that, made an example of the first one or two that tried it. Backing away from them is wrong. Holding them up to reasonable standards, and then flogging them when they don't meet these standards? Yeah, completely reasonable approach. Don't know why Mitt collapsed. Worried about this. Newt and Mitt seem to be the only candidates we have that can win. It would be really nice if we actually had two whom could win.

188 "Mitt RomneyÂ’s campaign is planning itÂ’s attack on Newt, ..."

from Associate Clinical Professor, Cornell Law School

189 For a while, Romney's strategy worked: he seemed the presumed candidate who didn't need to work or campaign to gain attention. All those other guys had to fight to get noticed, Romney was on top. But once other candidates started pushing him, he should have started up and didn't. And I think that's largely because his campaign was based on inevitability, being the next guy in line for the GOP elites, and being known.

190 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

191 This is an excellent post. It is very informative. Thank you so much. I'll be a regular viewer.

192
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