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Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney supporters attend a campaign rally at Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages, Florida, Jan. 30, 2012.
Mitt Romney could reassert his status as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination with a win Tuesday night in Florida, where the former Massachusetts governor has waged a pitched battle against Newt Gingrich.
A number of polls indicate that Romney appears headed toward a victory over Gingrich in the Sunshine State. Most polls have Romney leading the former House speaker by a double-digit margin, signifying a remarkable change in momentum since Gingrich decisively won the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21.
NBC/Marist poll: Romney up 15 points over Gingrich in Fla.
But the campaign isn't yet on the verge of a quick or neat conclusion. Gingrich remains defiant in his bid to fight Romney, while the other remaining contenders -- Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum -- show no signs of ending their White House bids.
Nonetheless, the former governor has sought to rebuild his advantage in the race by essentially bludgeoning Gingrich, marking a departure in strategy for the Romney organization, which had been almost exclusively focused on targeting President Barack Obama and running a campaign with the tone of a presumptive nominee.
Of late, the Romney campaign is seeking to remind Republican voters of the heavy baggage Gingrich accumulated as speaker during the 1990s, a message easily pushed with a sizable war chest and the backing of Restore Our Future, a super PAC spending on the former Massachusetts governor's behalf.
New York One's Errol Louis, Politico's Maggie Haberman, and Republican strategist Mike DuHaime take a look at how politics might play out in the Florida primary.
Together, this spending from the Romney campaign and the super PAC has heavily outpaced the Gingrich campaign and a pro-Gingrich super PAC. The difference in these campaign expenditures is especially pronounced in a state like Florida -- a large, diverse state with several large media markets, where TV advertising makes a difference.
To that end, the bruising 10 days in the campaign appears to have worked; the NBC News-Marist poll conducted over the weekend found Romney at 42 percent in Florida, followed by Gingrich at 27 percent. This contrasts with polls released immediately following the South Carolina primary, which reflected a close race in the Sunshine State.
Ahead in new polls Romney aims for Newt knockout
A strong win in Florida would, if nothing else, make Romney the titular leader in the race for the nomination. The state's 50 delegates -- the most allotted by any contest so far in January -- are awarded entirely to the winner of the primary.
Romney has appeared confident on the campaign trail as of late, tweaking Gingrich gleefully, and even going so far as to sing lines from "America the Beautiful" on Monday.
"I know the speaker is not real happy," Romney said Monday in Dunedin. "He's not feeling really excited these days. I know, it's sad. He's been flailing around a bit, trying to go after me for one thing or another. You just watch and shake your head."
But victory would also give Romney a kind of imprimatur coming out of the gauntlet of early January primaries going into a relatively dead period for the campaign over the next month.
The New York Times' Jeff Zeleny and Politico's Jonathan Martin breakdown the Florida primary by county and look at past election results to see how this year's primary might play out.
Nevada and Maine host caucuses on Saturday; Romney won in the former (which has a sizable Mormon population) in 2008. Colorado and Minnesota each hold caucuses on Feb. 7, too. Because caucuses typically favor candidates with money and organization, Romney and Ron Paul, who's focused intently on those contests, are expected to perform best.
Those are the only nominating contests until late February, when Arizona and Michigan host its primaries. The Wolverine State is expected to strongly favor Romney -- it's where he was raised and his father served as governor.
The structure of the calendar means that Romney could work to secure a stranglehold on the race for the nomination or, if nothing else, dismiss competitors like Gingrich with the kind of relentless advertising that took its toll on the former speaker in the last week.
The prospect of defeat has done little, however, to deter Gingrich, who vowed this past weekend to take his campaign "all the way to the convention."
Gingrich: Race will go to 'June or July'
I’m not going to lose big here,” Gingrich told reporters Tuesday in Orlando, predicting his campaign would last "probably six months -- probably June or July -- unless Mitt Romney drops out earlier.”
Gingrich has rallied anti-establishment-minded conservatives to his candidacy, collecting endorsements from Herman Cain and former Sen. Fred Thompson, and even qualified support from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Gingrich has complained vocally in Florida about the type of attacks he's faced over the airwaves, similar to the frustration he spoke of in Iowa, when, during the a similar boomlet for his campaign, negative ads and attacks from Republican competitors deflated his support.
The attacks have prompted Gingrich to respond in kind, labeling Romney as a "Massachusetts liberal" and accusing him of supporting policies anathema to Republican voters.
"Why would anybody in the establishment think that a Massachusetts moderate, which is a liberal by Republican standards -- pro-abortion, pro gun control, pro tax increase, pro gay rights -- why would they think that he's going to be able to debate Barack Obama," Gingrich said Monday in Jacksonville.
But the former speaker's effort to rally conservatives behind his candidacy could continue to be complicated by persistance from Paul and Santorum. Paul is poised to pick off some delegates in several caucuses, and Santorum has already started campaigning in Minnesota, and will spend all of the Florida primary day in Colorado.
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As challengers to Romney, at least Paul and Santorum are decent men of character.
"Family Abandoning" Gingrich is an abomination and deserves no one's respect let alone vote!
I see the same campaign as Obama vs. Clinton. A lot of unfriendly words back and forth, with the heavy weight party people choosing sides.
In the end, one candidate will step forward to and start the one on one debates. When that happens, most of the words tossed around today will not be worth much in the main campaign. Same as in previous campaigns. I know there are many here at First Read who dwell on candidate war statements, but the day to day presidential campaign will be the (1) economy, and (2) the Presidents record, good or bad.
Newt Gingrich Robocall: " Mitt Romney Caused the Holocaust!!"
NewtISaPIG
It is hard to disagree with either your #1.1 or #1.3. Newt is demonstrably an unworthy candidate for any elected office. He is just FLATUS, and why would anyone of any political stripe want FLATUS for POTUS.
NewtIsaPig: I wouldn't vote for either Gingrich or Romney. But regarding your comment about the Holocaust, all I can say is: Finally!! Something that isn't Bush's fault!!
Oh Well...
Let's see how he does in the general election. He does not represent most of us....He is the poster boy for Wall Street corporations.
He wants to privatize everything, and make everything a "business" .....You think you are paying too much for services, and that your paycheck is shrinking....Ask any of the people in the Red States how they are doing with Tea Party Governors...Education is going down the toilet to pay for the recession.
The "job creators"are getting away with that.....Nice to have accounts in the Cayman Islands and in Switzerland, isn't it, while at the same time they want to make you pay for school transportation or eliminate it altogether...and much more...
Obama/Biden 2012
Through the process of elimination, Santorum is the one left on the Republicans that seems to be reasonable to try. I once saw an evaluation on these candidates.
Romney has the highest ceiling in of appeal with 75% of the voters could vote for him. The way he is handling Gingrich is dropping value - and can't see that, but I do. Rasmussen shows something like a 6 point drop against Obama in the last 2 weeks.
Next Highest Ceiling is Santorum ate 65% of the voters could vote for him. That may get higher as more find out more about him.
Then, comes Ron Paul at 56% of the voters could vote for him.
Finally Gingrich at 55% of the voters could vote for him.
I think a lot of conservatives like Santorum, but are uncertain that he is the one. Even Gingrich respects him.
Today maybe a turning point. Michele Maulkin endorsed Santorum today. So far a few smaller parties endorsed Romney and Gingrich, but they have been silent. If this action is not too late, look and see what happens the next couple of weeks.
If things don't look better, then watch out for a surprise entry. Palin was interviewed again in the last couple of days and re-affirmed that there is still time for another candidate to jump in.
Who are those who might jump in that could pull this off?
Trump? - set to be an independent. He will jump in if he see's the Republican pick as bad or an outright loser.
Christie? - seems set in Jersey - endorse Romney
Jindal - don't think he does not have national recognition
Guiliani? - maybe.
Jeb Bush? - stayed out of endorsing in Florida.
Rubio - maybe.
Palin - given two one time endorsements to Newt - to extend the process. Call it what it is - it is less than a full endorsement. I think if Newt continues to implode and Santorum gets more traction, she stays out and fully endorses Santorum.
If Santorum doesn't gain traction enough - she just might jump in. If she jumps in, Trump will not run. Because she is forceful and conservative, Newt may eventually though angry get behind her.
I think that if she endorses Santorum, Trump just might stay out, and once again Newt might just step back and support Santorum. Santorums not an elitist and is not going to stick a finger in anyone's eye, like Romney and Gingrich will do. If you ask me, that makes Santorum even more presidential that either Newt or Mitt.
The two real choices we have are Obama and Romney. The former is a guy who has everything handed to him versus the latter who worked hard for everything. That leaves Romney as our next president.
The survey says: Old white people vote for Romney.
CNR are you sure about that? Prescott Bush, Jr's grandfather, had his banks assets seized during WWII for brokering steel purchases for Hitler.
You know what get me? People are so quick to judge others downfall and forget they have their own skeletons in their closet. Let's take a look in your closet and see if you can still talk or judge another. We all deserve forgiveness and FORGETFULNESS people do change! smh
Would someone please ask Sarah Palin to go back to Alaska and close the door behind her. Get her off of the TV and off the radio. She does not represent the vast majority of Republicans and could not win the nomination if she got in the race. This is why she did not try in the first place.
Gingrich has no business in this race either. As I have stated before. I can vote for any of the candidates except Newt. If he does somehow manage to win, I either will not vote, or do a write in vote for anyone else (excepting Obama). I will amend this statement to Sarah Palin as well. I could never vote for her and wish that McCain had never brought her out of the obscurity of the state that she calls home.
Go home Sarah and be quiet.
dp526...sarah palin has freedom of speech just as you..asswipe
Mitt keeps his money in Cayman and up to recently in Swiss Banks and now he tries to sing to us that he is a patriot. Couldn't he find a bank here between the shining seas.
I don't care if Mitt is the front runner. I can't and want vote for a man that thinks he will be GOD of his own world-planet one day. That's just crazy. The people of Fl. will be making a big mistake. Look up what Mormons believe. It's just plan crazy only people who aren't in their right frame of mind believe something like that. He's like Ron Paul he's a freaking nut. Mitt Romney is nothing more than Obama's twin.
She can have all the free speech she wants, just as long as its in Alaska. I for one am sick of hearing her.
News Flash: Romney set to win New Hampshire! ......... lost to Santorum.
News Flash: Romney set to crush the field in Ohio! ...... lost badly to Gingrich.
News Flash: Romney spends $20M on negative adds in Florida and projected to take control of the race with a big win ...... isn't there anybody but Romney left? Anybody? ..... with the money the banking industry is spending to make sure their candidate gets the nomination, you should be very afraid! The fact that Romney is the best of the field and his only serious competition is Newt speaks volumns about the Republicans. Pathetic and dangerous!
Ron Paul 2012!! get out and vote FL! Hes the only one of the candidates who will actually fix this country and just not go about business as usual in washington!
What I find hard to understand is why so many seniors are pushing for Romney....do they not understand that if (and it's a BIG if) he wins the presidential election, he's going to cut Medicare and Social Security (try to privatize it) and the lives they are so used to living now will be a thing of the past? I guess some people just don't read or research these things....they just vote Republican because they've always done it...never mind that the candidate is really NOT running in their best interests!! They will be terribly surprised if he wins and they lose everything they have, and with so many seniors in Florida...that'll be alot!!!
Florida is one of two key states that Obama has already lost therefore he has already lost the presidency. Romney's momentum and hopes end here, in Florida, like premature ejaculate on the ground, glistening and bold but fast fading into the dirt, whereas Newt's will go the full distance to Ovalulation.
And who doesn't want to be the titular leader?
First, until the act of (possible) voter fraud in SC is cleared up (it was in favor of Gingrich) he should NOT be allowed to run. American citizens are sick of corruption in our government. Going on like has been done in the past is just letting corruption, actually encouraging it, to be continued within the three branches of our government.
We have an illegal president taking our Rights away that OUR US Constitution guarantees NO ONE within the three branches of our government would ever do. (Obama is illegally the POTUS because he did not meet all 3 requirements to run: “... natural born citizen” in Article II of the Constitution, require a Presidential candidate to have two parents that were U.S. citizens at the time the candidate was born".
His appointed justice Elena Kagen is saying that instead of using our Constitution (which she took two Oaths to support as is required of Justices) as the basis for OUR law here in America she wants international law applicable here. That makes her a domestic enemy of the USA, plus no longer meeting the requirements of the position she is occupying and she needs to step down or be arrested.
Obama needs to be arrested.
"Obama essentially said yesterday that the judicial branch has no power over him. He ordered his attorneys to stay away from the hearing. He didn’t petition a higher court in a legitimate attempt to stay the hearing. Instead he showed complete contempt for the entire judicial branch and for the rule of law. Rather than respecting the legal process Obama went around the courts and tried to put political pressure directly on the Georgia Secretary of State. When that failed, he simply ignored the judicial branch completely.
The rule of law, and our three-branch system of government, now hang in the balance. If the Georgia court issues a ruling on the merits and an order finding Obama in contempt of court, and if that contempt order actually results in real punishment of some kind, then we will still have a Constitutional Republic." Van Irion, Lead Counsel
This America, the land of the Free; and we no longer want corrupt individuals within the three branches of OUR nation. Nor will we accept the amendments, laws, bills that are against the US Constitution and our way of life here in the US as legal. Those who continue to enforce them can be considered enemies of the USA since they are assisting the domestic enemies within the three branches of OUR federal government in destroying America, Land of the Free.
We do NOT want a Monarchy or a Dictator type government here. WE chose long ago to have a Federal Republic under the US Constitution; and we have NOT changed our minds.
It is way past time for arrests and prosecutions of the Oath Breakers and Domestic Enemies within the three branches of our government. Read the 10th Amendment! This is OUR Country, OUR government, and we are sick of this.
Who does possesses all other powers not specifically listed to our federal government? The states and the People do: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the People"- Tenth Amendment
OUR Constitution was created to define the way our government will operate and to Protect our Rights from those who serve in our government who would take them away. In fact, the Bill of Rights sets limits on the federal government, making clear it has no power to infringe on rights we already naturally possess, or limit traditionally held privileges, such as trial by jury.
The framers wanted to make sure everyone understood that the Constitution only grants our federal government prescribed, specific, enumerated powers; our federal government may not exercise any powers not granted by the US Constitution.
I think evangelicals could go for Santorum, he's a devout Catholic, furiously anti-choice and anti-LGBT--the only issues they care about.
JaneEco,
I wish their wasn't a party that wasn't heavily influenced by corporations and the wealthy. Unfortunately, they are both bought and paid for by very wealth individuals.
Rod_Father: Did you really think I was talking about Prescott Bush?? But if you want to use that logic, then I'm sure that somewhere in your family history, there are a few skeletons that you have to take responsibility for as well. See how that works?
While George Bush made many mistakes, trying to tie the actions of his grandfather to him is a bit of a stretch to say the least.
john-537378
You managed to get on first but then didn't get the article read in time to put the post up...
Bummer dude but at least you were first this time...
Obama got all the wall street money in 2008 and will get a lot of it this year as well. Then of course there is George Soros and Warren Buffet and a lot of one percenters who are part of the Holywood crowd that will pour money into Obama's campaign. Wall Street doesn't care about republicans or democrats, only winners and losers, Wall Street will support whomever they think is going to win, they wan't to buy influence no matter which political party wins, it isn't about politics for Wall Street it is about power. Obama got their money in 2008 because it looked like he was going to win. If Romney gets it this year it will be because they believe Romney can beat Obama, they don't want to back the loser, it doesn't do them any good. Goldman Sachs was Obama's largest contributor in 2008, guess how much bail out money Goldman Sachs got from Geitner (Obama's Treasury secretary) in 2009. about $10 billion. So it was a good investment by Goldman in backing Obama.
We should be demanding that our politicians shrink the federal government and shrink it's influnce and capability to prop up private institutions like Goldman. As long as the federal government has a lot of power then there are going to be a lot of corporations and one percenters trying to purchase it by buying congressmen, senators and presidents. It is the only way we will remain free.
Knine: First I want to thank you for pointing me to artical 2 of the US constitution. First time I ever read it. I noticed one thing. You didn't read it . Natural Born Citizen, a person born on US soil. Didn't mention anything about parents as long as the person was born on US soil. Your a Teapublican right.
Knini AKA Donald Trump. You got to be joking, right? Holy cow.
Any of the four are better than the tard we have now.
Having trouble spelling today?
You mean none of the four GOP tards we have now are worthy of carrying O's jock strap. . let alone actually being a president.... yes i'd have to agree
You must have loved the days of Bush the lying Tard...
Tard Marjorie? Lets see: we missed going into a Depression, our automobile industry is back, made sure the Gulf spill was cleaned up, got Bin Laden, Awalaki and top Al-Qaeda thugs, and bailed out the swine the on Wall Street. You have Obama mistaken for the tard that started the Iraq War. Oh yeah, Obama withdrew the troops from Iraq. Marjorie, you must be a Republican because you take pride in your ignorance
Very intelligent comment....thanks for playing our game....and showing your ass
Marjorie Johansen: The lard we have is all white oil which is bad for every ones health, it would be good to stay with the corn oil which is always clear. LOL.
Hawk - corn and corn oil is pretty rough on digestion.
Jake - you know what she meant.
NewtISaPIG
Correction: three tards and one fat turd left in the primary.
Ron Paul 2012!! get out and vote FL! Hes the only one of the candidates who will actually fix this country and just not go about business as usual in washington!
Timrek-1975699 , "Tard Marjorie? Lets see: we missed going into a Depression, our automobile industry is back, made sure the Gulf spill was cleaned up, got Bin Laden, Awalaki and top Al-Qaeda thugs, and bailed out the swine the on Wall Street. You have Obama mistaken for the tard that started the Iraq War. Oh yeah, Obama withdrew the troops from Iraq. Marjorie, you must be a Republican because you take pride in your ignorance"
You are mistaken, we are in a depression, but it is given a more acceptable "name", kind of like calling a missile a "Defense weapon with first strike capabilities". Or Patriot Act when it is ANYTHING EXCEPT patriotic or even legal here. Or NDAA a "responsible action" instead of an "ACT of WAR" by domestic enemies against the USA, actually from inside the USA (that is why they are "domestic enemies").
Not sure why you are saying "our automobile industry is back", few are buying.
The Gulf Spill was NOT cleaned up, not as yet. Go there see for yourself, ask the people who live there and deal with it's destruction of their livelihood, etc.
"got Bin Laden" - he was unarmed and murdered at this illegal presidents orders (didn't meet the requirement, two American citizens for parents at the time of his birth - Georgia court) when he could easily have been brought in to get information about the Twin Towers, but that shut that line of answers up.
Obama withdrew the troops from Iraq - Bush (who also needs to be arrested) had Special Ops in 60 foreign nations. Obama has Special Ops in OVER 140 foreign nations .. so what was your point there since Obama has extended military actions?
maybe you ought to actually research instead of spout non facts.
Obama is an Oathbreaker - impeachable and can/better be prosecuted (They are BOUND by their Oath to support the Constitution, and should they abrogate their Oath by their acts or inaction, are subject to charges of impeachment ...). Domestic enemy of the USA (Domestic enemies pursue legislation, programs against the powers of the US Constitution. They work on destroying and weakening the Rights of the People guaranteed by the Constitution. Plus they create laws, amendments, etc that goes against the restraint on the three branches of our government by the Constitution).
Recognize the description of the Patriot Act extension, Warrantless searches, NDAA, etc in that description? Also can and better be prosecuted for; along with the list of crimes for everything he did to become POTUS here, and since then HE HAD BETTER BE PROSECTED, but that IS much better then what he has done to others here and abroad (remember he gave himself assignation powers?).
You are foolish if you do NOT recognize OUR laws here in America and are willing to destroy our Nation, our Freedom for him. You might not even know that our US Constitution was created to define the way our government will operate, and to Protect our Rights from those who serve in our government who would take them away.
You might not even know that The Constitution only grants our federal government certain, specified, "put into writing" powers. Or even that the Bill of Rights sets limits on the federal government, making it clear it has NO power to infringe on Rights we already naturally possess, or to limit traditionally held privileges, such as trial by jury.
But you SHOULD KNOW that The states and the People possesses all other powers not specifically given to our federal government to carry out.
Tenth Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"
LMAO so now the Georgia court out weighs the US Constitution that you pointed out, you teapubs will reach for anything. So where can I check your info. OH SH!T your funny as hell
You don't even need to look at who wrote the drivel.
Incredibly long rant
BOLD ALL CAPS to point out his 'important shocking' facts
Loony POV
Lame attempt, Knine
I'm still waiting for an answer. Do we know what Mitt Romney stands for yet?
Let's hope it's not Hope and Change. Been there done that!
Romney does stand for change.
His stances change every 15 seconds.
Hoping it's not Hope and Change is Hope and Change.
Come on, Romeny stands for money and everything supporting it. That's #1 with him. And I think that's a clear contrast with Obama.
Let's get rid of the clown baggage with Gingrich - God knows we don't need to be debating clown issues come November!!!
Ummmm which one doesnt have money? I know its hard to separate who you are from who you want to be. So your homelife has to be a mess.
He stands for being vague and ambiguity.
I do---keeping the Bush tax cuts in place and reducing the corporate tax rates. This will create millions and millions of jobs for the plebians. In two months if not extended middle class tax rates will go back up.Corporations are sitting on 4 trillion dollars now so it is only a matter of time before the entrepeneurs unleash the powers of capitalism.
I do...he stands for personal gain....the same for Newt.....both 'front' runners = lame...VOTE RON PAUL!
Right Marjorie: Mitt Romney stands for no hope, no change. Feel better now?
Good luck with that....and exactly who is going to buy all those products we're going to unleash?
Both Mitt and Newt are opportunists.
Ron Paul 2012!! get out and vote FL! Hes the only one of the candidates who will actually fix this country and just not go about business as usual in washington!
Charles: I have a sneaking suspicion, and this is just my opinion, that most of these big corporations are basically just "sitting" on their money waiting (and hoping) that a Republican candidate will be elected president so they can continue to run the government. They are doing this because it makes President Obama look bad due to the economy and the job market.....but I bet if a Republican is elected as President (and there's a FAT chance of that happening), they will start hiring like rabbits procreating!!! And, once they start hiring, and once people have jobs, the economy will clear up magically. Too bad they won't do it now but the Republicans and their corporate masters would rather sit on their butts rather than do anything that will make President Obama look good!! It's pretty sad considering that it's the middle class that is being hurt the most by their selfish actions! It's just too bad that most people don't see what is going on right under their noses!!
E: can you name one single piece of legislation Ron Paul has been able to get through? One single piece in his entire career? Right....and he's going to "fix" anything?
That's exactly why we need Paul. The less he does the better. I'd elect a rock a could.
AP-1414066
E: can you name one single piece of legislation Ron Paul has been able to get through? One single piece in his entire career? Right....and he's going to "fix" anything?
Lets see AP, He stopped that everyone who has to have Obamacare be microchipped. No, it was not a rumor, it was actually in the first one, but a lot of us who actually read it (Iam sure you were NOT one who did) got upset, Ron Paul stepped up and insisted it be taken out. By the way, it is STILL a REQUIREMENT in RealID, but I am sure that like the NDAA Obama will promise not to "use it".
But then, like the NDAA he says all the things everyone wants to hear (got to love his speechwriter), like "veto" etc; making it sound like he was against it being used on American citizens on US Soil. But he LIED. Obama, and his administration, were the ones fighting to get the right to indefinitely detain American citizens on US Soil (That means arrest us forever if he feels like it, that we did NOT have to do anything wrong, that we get no representation either), very UNConstitutional of him.
When Ron Paul and the 6 others are having to spend their time trying to make sure the domestic enemies within the three branches of our government do not HARM American citizens, or tag (microchip) us like what was done in concentration camps to identify and find us easier, etc.
He has voted for the US Constitution all of his political career. But you obviously know nothing about him, except the lies, and "humor" used to discredit his actions.
Bet you did not know that Obama was found to NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS to run for POTUS. Or that he is ignoring the judicial branch because he feels he is the ruler here in America. Google Georgia vs Obama. Google Obama does not meet "term “natural born citizen” in Article II of the Constitution, require a Presidential candidate to have two parents that were U.S. citizens at the time the candidate was born".
Did you know that Obama's Social Security card is a fraud? That Michelle Obama ha two Social Security cards?
Check out the courts, OUR US courts.
Start to actually be aware instead of falling for anything put out. Is Obama following the US Constitution? No, that should have been your first RED FLAG in 2009. Now we have had 3 years of it.
Checkout Artical 2 of the Constitution, go ahead read it, 1 parent has to be american if your born out fo the country, just have to be born on US soil, doesn't even mention how many parents, just have to be born on US soil. So who did he have to pay off to be the POTUS. You Guys LMAO, reach for anything, You pointed to the Constitution that should have been enough. Where did you buy your hater glasses from. Oh If you are born out of the country with one american parent you are a citizen but can't be President. I was not born in the US, my dad was a GI. My brothers were born here, they can be President but I can't. Since when did a state have more weight than the Feds. Where was that written. funny as hell
Romney vs Obama will be interesting.
Those debates I'll actually watch, and maybe even care about.
No...it wouldn't...Paul vs Obama would be interesting because Paul would lay down logic and Obama would choke
You just used Paul and logic in the same sentence...now THAT's funny.
Ron Paul does the opposite of most politicians. Instead of making zero points in a drawn out answer, Paul makes 37 points.
Still, both leave you scratching your head.
Romney will stuggle, but get his licks in.
Newt has the ability to decimate Obama . . . . but . . . . he just doesn't know when to quit and can be drawn into a trap by Obama. The Florida debate says so.
Are Romney supporters called '' Rommunists " or ' Romulans "? Since as Newt has stated his wife is his biggets supporter, they should be called " Callistanistas ".
It'd be even more interesting, albeit annoying, if they went American Idol on us with their spontaneous vocal solos.
DB Akron,
Newt does not have the ability to decimate Obama. If Newt becomes the candidate, he will be tarred and feathered by the Left based on his record alone. Furthermore, his rhetoric is thin and dishonest. His nomination would be an embarassment to the GOP and an insult to the American people.
Obama has done some very good things in office. The GOP would be mistaken to ignore his accomplishments. While he has not been perfect, the GOP and its candidate will have to prove to the American people they can do better or they will not win. Newt is not capable of making that case before the people. His accomplishments in office got him booted out of the speakership.
Other than that, I have no opinion on the matter.
Marjorie, Wow what a thoughtful and well thought out post, any of those four put together, couldn't come close to be a effective President! Must really suck, to see what bottom of the barrel candidates the GOP, has to offer, not a viable one in the bunch. But it is fun to watch them tear each other apart. LMAO
Come on! Be honest. If Romney offered you hope and change you would get a tingle up your leg, like your buddy Chris.
My buddy Chris? Christy?
We got the bottom of the barrel in 2008. We have suffered ever since.
Marjorie: not much hope or change from Romney, jsut same old trickle down stuff from the late em eat cake party of yours....(that must be what you mean by a 'tingle down the leg...)
We now all know that Romney can spend baby spend. I hate that the WH can be bought but it is true.
You do realize Obama raised $68M in the last quarter of 2011 which exceeded Romney's fundraising by about $12M over the same period?
Buying exists regardless of affiliation. Something we should all be concerned about not just because it is perceived that an opposing candidate has access to funds.
Obama is a millionaire, and he has close to one billion pledged for his campaign. I thought all you libs hated people with money. Hip-hip--o-crite!
Dasvet: I thought you right wing nuts worshipped money and follow anyone who makes it, any way they make it? At least most of Obama's comes from writing a book...(you do understand campaign contributions are separate not "salary" even for your guy??) and Obama pays the full freight of taxes on it...unlike your offshore accounts guy who thinks taxes are for little people....HIPOCRITE.
The point you missed so badly is the bs from the libs, acting as if only conservatives have millions. Nothing was said about whether the very fact of money is good or bad. It is about saying one thing and acting otherwise.
From the Washington Post:
Obama outpaces GOP rivals — and his own 2008 results — in small donations
AP - So writing a book is a better way to earn money than by running a company that saved failing businesses? Romney has off shore accounts because he's smart. Smart people try to maximize their earnings. Nothing he did was illegal in that regard, and I would much rather have a guy who is intelligent and talented at making and spending money than a guy who made his money talking about the evils of making money in a worthless book and then raised deficits to levels that Bush would have taken another 8 years to reach.
Really, Davidhd?
Geez, why is the right SOOO bad at basic math?????
Here's a pretty picture that'll do the math for you, David:
Obama's and Bush's effects on the deficit in one graph
I don't want to sound like I'm backing up spending under Bush, but that graph is pointless because it both includes projections (which is laughable) and doesn't include extended tax cuts passed under Obama.
Plus, the projections are based of an Obama 2009 budget which was defunct before it left his office.
Das - it's not 1 Billion in pledges - it is a goal of $1 Billion. Whatever is left is going to be a great retirement plan. If you don't understand what I mean, look into federal campaign finance laws.
If the failure retires, I would donate my next SS check to that.
Ron Paul 2012!! get out and vote FL! Hes the only one of the candidates who will actually fix this country and just not go about business as usual in washington!
You getting your talking points from Sarah Palin? That may not be the best idea.
But I understand what you mean. I was so pissed off when Romney talked about spending billions of dollars on a moon colony.
Any one but the big 0
Make that anyone but the big "A" O.
E-8989685 - do you think if you paste that same sentence on every page about ten times, Ron Paul will suddenly become relevant? Crazy old grandpa is just wasting his money and time, and ours.
In the firing squad that is the Republican presidential primary contest, Willard has the biggest gun.
not according to his wife
"To save all the trouble, he put it in double, and instead of coming he went." And Romney's all about went, yesterday's opinions may not match today's.
If Paul & Santorum would drop out, Gingrich would probably be winning easily, which Democrats would love. Too bad they will probably stay in just long enough to keep that from happening.
If Willard gets the nomination, a Tea Partier might wage a third-party campaign.
They'd be stupid to do that, though.
They'd have to know that any votes their 3rd candidate would receive would be at the expense of Romney. Sort of defeats their "Beat Obama" rhetoric.
On the other hand, I never did say logic was one of their strong suits.
God, how I wish the Tea Party would just break away and become a 3rd Party. However, they're scared $hitle$$ that they would become irrelevant immediately if they did so. Better to cause havoc within the GOP!!!
The Donald already has hinted he might wage a third-party campaign.
Luckily with his financial skills his campaign would soon be filing for bankruptcy protection with his toupee being held hostage as his largest asset
How is it too bad that nominees stay in....what would be great is if newt and Romney both dropped out...
LA voter, that is not a toupee. No one would actually put out money for that hair. Think about it.
Like everyone else, Newt only gets ONE VOTE, his problem is he always gives it to his dick. And I suspect that the Donald has the same proxy (or is it poxy?) challenge.
Jason
Gingrich would think so, but not exactly. Upwards of half of the Paul support will stay home. Some pretty conservative people that I though would support Santorum jumped to Romney including Gov Perry, and Ann Coulter. Rick's support is some who have moved away from Newt and probably may not return, they how toxic Gingrich is and are unlikely to go Gingrich en mass.
On the Flip side - No conservative has a problem with Santorum other than he is unknown or not so flambouyant. The thinking is that if Santorum closes on Gingrich, he would end up getting just about all of Gingich's people who are very conservative. That is why Palin is holding back, Trump is positioning for a run.
End the Fed!
Ron Paul 2012!
Yes, because we all really want to live in 1898.
We just don't know it, right alan?
1898 was a pretty good year, not as good as 1805 though.
Heaven help us all! This man will buy himself the presidency - mark my words!
Diane if Mr Romney wins EVERY liberal/Progressive will be screaming that exact statement. After the prozac wears off that is! As I said before...... as long as the word in front of Ms Pelosi and Mr Reid is minority I dont care if Mr Obama gets re-elected.
A candidate can buy nearly unlimited amounts of negative advertising, but Willard is waging his primary campaign against marginal candidates.The president is not a marginal candidate.
Being the incumbent gives the president a strong advantage, going against a Republican nominee who has been badly bruised in the nomination process. Also, any Republican challenger underestimates the president's fundraising, campaigning and debating prowess at his peril.
As if any recent presidency wasn't bought! You don't believe that Obama won on experience or leadership ability do you?
The McCain campaign actually spent far more money than did the Obama campaign.
So much for the office of president being "bought."
Realist: poor misguided one. Obama's about to be re-elected on those very qualities. Course you can still argue that small donors will donate to the richest candidate in history as well, but I think Romney will be just fine without them.
Oh really! McCain spent more than Obama in the 2008 Presidential campaign? According to the FEC; President Obama spent $760,370,195, whereas, Senator McCain spent a paltrey $358,008,447. Maybe you should check your facts [sic] before you allow the diarrhea to flow from your electronic pulpit. Math is not my favorite subject, but it looks like the reverse is true by about a factor of two.
I agree with you Jolly. Let the half wit community organizer from Chiago work that angle. he's worked every other angle the three of them could come up with...
Why? George Soros is telling his international buddy's not to worry, because Romney is so close to Obama.
That says volumes about Romney, now, doesn't it?
libs and dems love to spend it, only probably is they don't like earning it.
Obama’s fundraising apparatus also was unique in that it attracted more than 3 million donors, the vast majority of whom never gave him more than a total of $250.
You are incorrect, go recheck who actually give to Obama. Go on, you can do it. But don't cry when you see that his administration is filled with his "bundler" donators. He got the money the same way as the rest of them did. But it sure sounded better saying he was "supported by the people". But Obama says a lot of things that are not true. But you do not want to know this, do you? Check out the Georgia's court ruling on Obama, if he meets the requirements to run for POTUS.
They had better arrest him. Rumors are already coming out saying (from his money'ed backers, that if he was arrested (Michelle also) it would cause "confusion". BS, ARREST him and her NOW!
But like the "Patriot Act extension, and the NDAA , all lies.
You do remember when Obama and his administration attempted to portray itself as an oppositional force against the NDAA bill, threatening to veto it if it passed. Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich., left), co-author of the bill, says that the Obama administration in fact fought hard to have removed from the bill's (two bills in one) language that would have PROTECTED American citizens from some of the bill’s provisions, such as indefinite detention without trial. Obama wanted the POWER to arrest any American citizen on US soil he felt like.
Ok Knine,
I know you are for Paul. That's great if he is the person you would vote for. But when you post, please include all the facts.
1) No where is it stated a final ruling has been determined in the Georgia case. However, similar cases that have been brought before the SCOTUS have been quickly dismissed. As will this one if it gets that far.
2) You cannot arrest a serving President. Otherwise, every sitting president would be spending their time in court instead of carrying out their duties of office for every lame brain idiot that hated him. (As much as you seem to want to) Congress may try impeachment if they want. Hard to do. This court findings will only affect a ruling whether President Obama can be included on the ballot for Georgia as a presidental candidate. Side bet would be any rulings against the president will be quickly overturned in higher courts.
3) The Patriot Act is not just the fault of this President, but most of Congressinal members in the House of Representatives and members of the Senate. Prior administrations passed this law and it still continues today being added to and amended. First introduced under H.R. 418 by John Sensenbrenner (R) and later passed attached to the urgent request from President Bush for more money for the war in Iraqi. Your outrage is too narrow to just be blaming one when many are responsible over many years. Mostly Republicans at first, then both parties today.
4) NDAA was sponored not only by the Democrat you cited but also by Senator McCain (Orginal author). The Democrats tried to replace the provision you claim but were denied by the majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives to amend. They were able to have included that it does not exempt the rights of U.S. citizens from due process of law. ( While I agree that both bills should be repealed and have contacted my Representatives requesting they do so, I doubt they ever will until a large majority of Americans demand such action. I was able, along with others, to get one of my Congressmen to vote against it.)
It is oblivious your hatred for this President is immense. So much so you even call for the arrest of his wife. You sir, IMO really should seek some professional help for yourselve to control the anger. I for one will ignore any of your post's in the future. I wanted to just include all the facts, not just some of them.
Thank you so much Indepndent, but I was having such a good laugh
It actually has already been purchased - at least the nomination. When people find out more about the Mormon religion (multiple levels of heaven - Top Tier - you get your own planet. I kid you not.) they will realize that anyone in this cult does not have the critical thinking skills to be allowed to roam freely among us, much less lead.
What a country and a time we live in.
Who would have ever believed this: A man named Mitt and another man named Newt are spending millions in a desperate fight just to get a chance to try to fight for a job that's held by a man named Barack.
Even if we lived to be 100,000 I bet we would never see anything like that again.
And Jim's point is...?
President Newt? Really???
President Mitt? Nah.
President Obama, double nah
To Late
Is over 17 million bucks enough to buy Florida?
Watch how the Florida election turns out!
The Koch Brothers, Sheldon Adelson and Goldman Sachs don't just support the Republican party because they think it's good for average Americans - they expect a return on their investments.
Are we all really going to vote for that?
Real American - you have the relationship all backwards. It's no different than T. Boone Pickens. He saw the opportunity to make millions on wind farms, so he supported Obama.
Goldman Sacks money went to Obama in 2008. The money went there because they thought that Obama would be better for economic turn around. Now that that hasn't worked out so well, they are putting their money elsewhere.
The Koch Brothers and Adelson simply have been life long Republicans. They believe in capitalism and support people who promote it.
Times are tough and hopefully we don't come out of the Nov election making it worse, by being conned and swayed with all of the propaganda. The deficit, government spending, "bigger government" and "liberal" efforts really haven't caused our problems (that is obvious when viewed rationally and objectively) ... but if too many people believe that propaganda, then we are very apt to be returned to "more of the same", Bush-Cheney style, and the philosophies that did cause the problems; i.e., a permissive, co-responsible government catering to "the few" (1%) while giving the majority (99%) only apathy, the costs and an abundance of subterfuge to con and manipulate. Our problems are the result of exploitation by the advantaged few, permitted and encouraged by politicians acting as "puppets" for "the few" who literally "pull their strings" and strongly support them.
While the deficit, uncontrolled spending and being too liberal are valid concerns, to be deceived that they are the current major problems is to be fooled into focusing in the wrong direction and to then allow "more of the same" that is at the real root of the problems: i.e., permissive government, excessive deregulation, no oversight, lax enforcement, privileged exploitation, putting political ambitions above all else, no bipartisan cooperation, faulting and blocking all efforts, politicians coerced and intimidated to force unity and to squelch individual consciences, “puppet” candidates ready to perform, SuperPacs and others using humungous funds to con and manipulate the public and the constant plain and simple lying to achieve selfish interests. Hopefully the voters can reject the deception, along with “the money’s" sponsored candidates.
Every once in a while, someone writes something, in proper English, that actually makes some sense. This is one of those times.
Giles....
Bush/Cheney were also big governement - just not quite as big as obama.
But, be careful who you hate. (from irs.gov website - look it up)
The top 1% pays 39% of all income tax.
The top 5% pays 59% of all income tax.
The top 50% pays 97% of all income tax.
The real problem is the top 5% just barely make enough to pay ALL the taxes to cover the deficit if they were taxed at 90%. Basically your free ride is over. Get used to it.
no stress - the left will never buy it. The other major failure of the left thinking is understanding the difference between wealth and money. Most of these rich people don't keep money in a bank, they reinvest in ventures they believe will brink income. That usually means commercial paper - which is not money, it is a value of what you could get. It's not real.
I would also point out that there are lots of middle class in the top 50%, the progressive liberal agenda is targeted at the bottom 50%, why because that is the growing demographic. I for one am tired of paying for the bottom 50%. Time to make them pay something since they use half of every thing we have for free. They go out and buy new cars with their income tax returns, and I can't afford to fix my house. They lie and get on government benefits and keep having kids even though they are uneducated and unskilled. Don't tell me its all retired people. Every one I know that has retired, planned for their retirement and still pay taxes on incomes earned through investments. I do know plenty of people that mooch of the system. "welfare babies"
Remove the 0 in 2112
I thought people from Fl were smart but apparently not, if they would sell their vote to this idiot.
The people of Florida aren't selling their votes. The candidates are buying them.
LADY JAG: Don't forget that alabama and georgia are right above florida which does not lieve much room to be smart.
Mitt Romney is the most qualified and has the highest integrity of anyone in this campaign. No matter how much the Grinch tries to smear him, and no matter how much the looney Palin and other extremists try to smear him, it is clear that Romney has the experience and background to help turn the country's fortunes around. But only if the majority of voters wake up and stop the bigotry against a good man who has proven to be successful and is running NOT for his ego-- but to apply his talents at a time when this country needs his skills and wisdom. Hey all of you so-called "Christian" Evangelicals: STOP THE SMEAR campaign against the best qualified candidate. Bigotry will get us nowhere.
$25 for a hanging chad - $50 for a dimpled one.
Mitts gives me the $hitz.
Learn to suck it up. Only nine more months of this nonsense...
Willard still has a problem with the teabaggers. They just don't like him.
Not just the baggers. 57% of Repug exit polled said they wished someone else would jump in. Maybe Queen Lipstick, maybe Hair Boy Trump. It really doesn't matter.
Four more years, wingnuts. Get used to it now.
Newt will not go quietly and he shouldn't. This is for the position of leader of the free world ladies and gentlemen why wouldn't he fight for it. Now he will not win but at least lets make Mitt earn it and not just coast to victory. And anybody think that means somebody is scared of Mitt is going to do to the President believe there are no worries. Mitt will get beat 40-60% in the general election. Why??!!! As I've been saying for the last week and 1/2 is look at his 59 point plan and tell me what's in it that's going to help the poor before he gives himself an even bigger tax break hahahahaha!!! A takes just a little bit of common sense to see why this man wants to be President.
What has Obama done to help the poor? Seriously. He's increased food stamp use by double what it took all other presidents combined to do, but other than that, what? He certainly hasn't created a good environment for job creation. Romney has a much better track record than Obama, and I don't think taking care of the poor is as simple as handing out food stamps. Romney will actually create an environment where business leaders will feel comfortable investing and doing business again, and that will help the poor and rich.
Davidhd: Why in heck do you say that Romney has a better track record in creating jobs....haven't you been reading the news lately? He's fired more people than he's hired! If that's "job creation," then I'm a pink monkey!! Actually, if you also take a good look at Romney's taxes from 2010 & 2011, you can easily see how much he profited by the current administration....he made more in 2011 and paid less than he did in 2010. Hmmmm.
As for creating an environment where business leaders will "feel comfortable investing" is ridiculous!! Bain Corporation doesn't believe in that premise! And, as long as business owners hang on to their money and not hire people because they want to continue to make President Obama "look" bad for the economy, they are the ones that are causing the problems.....not the president himself!!
hahahahahahahahaha!
Mitt is such a joke!!!!
Obama/Biden 2012 "We Got It Straight In 2008!!"
Wow. That was full of insight. Nice job. Please go leave a trail of your ignorance elsewhere.
Is it any wonder why Speaker Boehner wants the Keystone XL pipeline so badly?
He owns stock in Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, ExxonMobile, Occidental Petroleum and Apache Corp. (oil and gas exploration)
No conflict of interest here , '' right '' ??? WAIT TILL THE REAL ASPIRATIONS OF ROMNEY HITS THE AIR WAVES , '' LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ''.
How do you become the front runner when you have only won two out four state primaries and the are 46 more state primaries to follow? Am I missing something here?
Vote Romney Florida. No one else has the slightest prayer against the Obama Machine.
if you pay attention to the polls....there is the intelligent man named RON PAUL...if the media would cover every canidate equally people would know his name better...do some research!
he isn't dead last in the polls because people DON'T know the insane Ron Paul...your problem is that people DO know him.
Did anyone notice the uniformity of appearance of the Willard supporters in the photo accompanying the article?
Have you noticed the absence of Hussein supporters everywhere. Especially the mass exodus of his Cabinet and staff.
As soon as someone says Hussein or talks about Kenya, they instantly lose all credibility.
Donald will never get into the race, he likes power, but hed have to give up something he likes even more, and thats money. Not to mention the microscope he would be placed under and then we will all c just how smart, savy and rich mr Trump really is rather than just listening to him brag about it.. To that i say god speed rug top!
As a third-party candidate, with no real chance of being elected, The Donald's ego would get stroked in a major way, and he'd not be subject to the kind of scrutiny given the major-party candidates.
Isn't The Donald involved in another bankruptcy as we speak??? And this is who YOU would want running our country?
Since Governor Perdue of NC has decided not to run for re-election, Fox has been the only network reporting it. That is big news in a state in which Obama won by 0.3%.
Wait until you get a load of the dufus who wants to replace her...Pat McCrory is a frat boy rich kid who has dabbled in politics and decided to throw out all morals and ideas and become a republican candidate for governor...and he may win
Then the republican majoirty can finish us off with their plans to crater education spending and give more tax cuts to 'spur' the economy...we still dont have the jobs they promised us in 2010 but most of the residents here are too dense to understand anyway...they are southerners
Yeah, Rick, I'm still waiting for all the jobs that the Republicans promised us in 2010!!! What happened to that promise, I wonder. They are awfully big on making promises they don't keep and then they have the nerve to knock President Obama for not keeping promises. He's kept more promises and they've broken more!!
It doesn't matter what MR is "poised" to do. Much more importantly he represents the true meaning of zero-integrity. Quite simply, zero-integrity defines the entire Republican Party.