According to this from CNN, Congressman Michele Bachmann is "suspending" her quest for the Republican presidential nomination.
As I pointed out here last night, she needs to focus on reelection to congress now that Iowa has spoken.
Congressman Bachmann has presented herself as a leading conservative and now she needs to get back in congress and continue that leadership.
More on this later.
Showing posts with label Michele Bachmann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michele Bachmann. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Thursday, October 27, 2011
What Is So Bad About The Republican Presidential Field?
I ask the question because a lot of the bloggers and the punditry are suggesting that somehow, this Republican presidential field is "weak", "ineffective" and will lose badly to the Dear Leader, President Obama.
First, I think it is fair to say that not all the candidates are top-tier. In fact, one can make the case that there is a three-division breakdown of the candidates.
What prompted me to give this any time is this post of John Tabin's in the American Spectator blog.
Mr. Tabin suggests that there should have been a conservative candidate to come in on the white horse to save the day.
I would have really liked former Alaska governor Sarah Palin to get in the race. But for good reason she chose not to.
But that aside, I will try to evaluate the field from top-tier to bottom-feeders. Yeah, there are a couple of those.
Here is the caveat.
Every one has a black mark so to speak on their record. They are not perfect. But I am not going to deal with those issues. I am going to cite best to the worst in no particular order.
Top-tier Republican candidates:
Mitt Romney:
Say what you want about the former Massachusetts governor but he remains the guy to beat. And he learned from the last presidential run. He has a better organization and looks to be taking every state seriously. One of the problems is trying to convince conservative primary voters that he is one of us. All I can suggest is to look at the overall record as governor of Massachusetts. Take RomneyCare out of the equation. It is a bad law no matter what he says to defend it. Of three previous Republican governors, Mr. Romney had the most conservative record. And considering the Democrat party controlled well over 75% of the seats of the state legislature, that has to be looked at as an accomplishment. But many are rightfully suspicious and feel he may not know how to govern with a Republican congress. But the important question is can he stand toe-to-toe with the Dear Leader, President Obama? One thing the endless debates are showing is yes. And he is beginning to show a passion that I really think he needs to win the whole thing.
Rick Perry:
OK, I am not overly convinced why Texas Gov. Perry is running for president. I mean, it seems in a way like he was pushed into the race. And until his tax proposal on Wednesday, I thought Gov. Perry was a goner and going lower in this category. But, his 20/20 flat-tax plan is a serious attempt to reform the federal income tax code. And that alone brings back his candidacy. Anyone that wants to make serious reform to this so-called "progressive" tax system needs all the support or she can get. But, Gov. Perry, you need to be more articulate about where you want to take the United States. Your passion is there, but a tightening-up on how you explain your policies is important. I think that his governance of Texas, which has created one of the few strong economies in the United States deserves a look. and that makes him in the top-tier of GOP candidates.
Herman Cain:
I would not have written this a month ago. But Mr. Cain has caught fire. To many of us, he is a real deal. Not a politician but someone that wants to help the United States recover from the economic doldrums and assert leadership sorely missing in the world. But, he too has a problem. He needs to make some serious foreign policy appointments and speeches. The now famous 9-9-9 tax reform plan, not my favorite, is again a stab at serious federal tax reform. I applaud this serious effort. The fact that Mr. Cain does not always know the answer and says so is refreshing. Again, if he can get good people around him as advisers, he should have serious staying power in the caucus/primary season.
Newt Gingrich:
Here is the guy that will surprise all, including myself. I think that he is underestimated at our own peril. Mr. Gingrich, the man who all but single-handidly won Republican control of the House of Representatives in 1994 is back. Not that he went anywhere. But in a strange turn of events, he is the senior-statesman of the field. In debates he is calming candidates down. He is the one making the most articulate points. And people watching those debates come away impressed. I am one of them. And he is constantly bringing up fresh, conservative ideas. Do not count him out.
OK, the next category is a category of one. Sorry to do this, but I am writing the truth as I see it.
Fading, And Fading Fast
Michele Bachmann:
Maybe we put way too much in her candidacy. The fact that she was running when Mrs. Palin was not. The family story. Whatever. But whatever is all I can say about a promising candidate. I believe that she has the problem Newt usually has. Discipline. And making some indefenisble comments. Won't get into that here, but suffice it to say, it puts some serious doubts for her in the long run. I hope that she gets back to running for her congressional seat and keeps being a conservative leader.
The next is a sad one because both are serious men but have no chance and should pull up the stakes now.
The Bottem-Feeders
Rick Santorum:
The former Pennsylvania Republican senator has been more or less swinging for the fences in the debates and is the social conservative favorite. But the fact of the matter is that he is reminded of a glaring and unfair fact. He lost his senate reelection bid by 20 points. And people do not like a loser. No matter how much he or she is a candidate that is more right than wrong, we want a winner. And Mr. Santorum does not look like a winner.
Jon Huntsman, Jr:
Why is he running? He is trying to run a general election campaign and ignore the conservative base. Shows a poor lack of judgement. Also, why if he wanted to run for president would he choose, as a Republican, to serve this Democrat president as ambassador to Red China? He needs to leave and leave now.
Ron Paul:
Crickets chirping. There is not much I can write except I like Sen. Rand Paul much more than the old man. Period.
Out of eight candidates, there are at least four that are very good and serious about what the United States needs to get back economically, govenrnance and it rightful standing as a leader in the international community.
I will argue that it is a strong field overall and there is not a magic candidate. Nor should there be.
That is why we are having caucus and primaries.
I will take almost any of these candidates, even the weak ones, over the current president, the Dear Leader, President Obama.
And that is what we need to keep our eye on that ball!
First, I think it is fair to say that not all the candidates are top-tier. In fact, one can make the case that there is a three-division breakdown of the candidates.
What prompted me to give this any time is this post of John Tabin's in the American Spectator blog.
Mr. Tabin suggests that there should have been a conservative candidate to come in on the white horse to save the day.
I would have really liked former Alaska governor Sarah Palin to get in the race. But for good reason she chose not to.
But that aside, I will try to evaluate the field from top-tier to bottom-feeders. Yeah, there are a couple of those.
Here is the caveat.
Every one has a black mark so to speak on their record. They are not perfect. But I am not going to deal with those issues. I am going to cite best to the worst in no particular order.
Top-tier Republican candidates:
Mitt Romney:
Say what you want about the former Massachusetts governor but he remains the guy to beat. And he learned from the last presidential run. He has a better organization and looks to be taking every state seriously. One of the problems is trying to convince conservative primary voters that he is one of us. All I can suggest is to look at the overall record as governor of Massachusetts. Take RomneyCare out of the equation. It is a bad law no matter what he says to defend it. Of three previous Republican governors, Mr. Romney had the most conservative record. And considering the Democrat party controlled well over 75% of the seats of the state legislature, that has to be looked at as an accomplishment. But many are rightfully suspicious and feel he may not know how to govern with a Republican congress. But the important question is can he stand toe-to-toe with the Dear Leader, President Obama? One thing the endless debates are showing is yes. And he is beginning to show a passion that I really think he needs to win the whole thing.
Rick Perry:
OK, I am not overly convinced why Texas Gov. Perry is running for president. I mean, it seems in a way like he was pushed into the race. And until his tax proposal on Wednesday, I thought Gov. Perry was a goner and going lower in this category. But, his 20/20 flat-tax plan is a serious attempt to reform the federal income tax code. And that alone brings back his candidacy. Anyone that wants to make serious reform to this so-called "progressive" tax system needs all the support or she can get. But, Gov. Perry, you need to be more articulate about where you want to take the United States. Your passion is there, but a tightening-up on how you explain your policies is important. I think that his governance of Texas, which has created one of the few strong economies in the United States deserves a look. and that makes him in the top-tier of GOP candidates.
Herman Cain:
I would not have written this a month ago. But Mr. Cain has caught fire. To many of us, he is a real deal. Not a politician but someone that wants to help the United States recover from the economic doldrums and assert leadership sorely missing in the world. But, he too has a problem. He needs to make some serious foreign policy appointments and speeches. The now famous 9-9-9 tax reform plan, not my favorite, is again a stab at serious federal tax reform. I applaud this serious effort. The fact that Mr. Cain does not always know the answer and says so is refreshing. Again, if he can get good people around him as advisers, he should have serious staying power in the caucus/primary season.
Newt Gingrich:
Here is the guy that will surprise all, including myself. I think that he is underestimated at our own peril. Mr. Gingrich, the man who all but single-handidly won Republican control of the House of Representatives in 1994 is back. Not that he went anywhere. But in a strange turn of events, he is the senior-statesman of the field. In debates he is calming candidates down. He is the one making the most articulate points. And people watching those debates come away impressed. I am one of them. And he is constantly bringing up fresh, conservative ideas. Do not count him out.
OK, the next category is a category of one. Sorry to do this, but I am writing the truth as I see it.
Fading, And Fading Fast
Michele Bachmann:
Maybe we put way too much in her candidacy. The fact that she was running when Mrs. Palin was not. The family story. Whatever. But whatever is all I can say about a promising candidate. I believe that she has the problem Newt usually has. Discipline. And making some indefenisble comments. Won't get into that here, but suffice it to say, it puts some serious doubts for her in the long run. I hope that she gets back to running for her congressional seat and keeps being a conservative leader.
The next is a sad one because both are serious men but have no chance and should pull up the stakes now.
The Bottem-Feeders
Rick Santorum:
The former Pennsylvania Republican senator has been more or less swinging for the fences in the debates and is the social conservative favorite. But the fact of the matter is that he is reminded of a glaring and unfair fact. He lost his senate reelection bid by 20 points. And people do not like a loser. No matter how much he or she is a candidate that is more right than wrong, we want a winner. And Mr. Santorum does not look like a winner.
Jon Huntsman, Jr:
Why is he running? He is trying to run a general election campaign and ignore the conservative base. Shows a poor lack of judgement. Also, why if he wanted to run for president would he choose, as a Republican, to serve this Democrat president as ambassador to Red China? He needs to leave and leave now.
Ron Paul:
Crickets chirping. There is not much I can write except I like Sen. Rand Paul much more than the old man. Period.
Out of eight candidates, there are at least four that are very good and serious about what the United States needs to get back economically, govenrnance and it rightful standing as a leader in the international community.
I will argue that it is a strong field overall and there is not a magic candidate. Nor should there be.
That is why we are having caucus and primaries.
I will take almost any of these candidates, even the weak ones, over the current president, the Dear Leader, President Obama.
And that is what we need to keep our eye on that ball!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Crazy Uncle Ron Paul Wins Cali GOP Straw Poll
It is not a big surprise, really, that Congressman Crazy Uncle Ron Paul won the California Republican party straw poll at its twice a year confab in Los Angeles yesterday.
Part of the reason is that Crazy Uncle Ron at least showed up and spoke to the statewide convention crowd.
And the other reason is that there is still a strong libertarian stream of the California Republican party that has some strong influence at events like this.
But the real story is the performance of the second place finisher, Texas governor Rick Perry. Gov. Perry came in at 29% to Crazy Uncle Ron's 45%. And between those two, the rest were left in the dust in single digits.
One of those, the only other major candidate to address the convention, Congressman Michele Bachmann finished a distant fourth pulling in 8%.
The real problem is that no one else besides Crazy Uncle Ron and Congressman Bachmann bothered to show up. The largest state in the nation and no serious Republican presidential candidate bothered to show up at the semi-annual convention.
Would it really have hurt any these candidates to take one day out of their schedule to fire up the troops? To breathe some life in this moribund statewide Republican party?
Of course not. But trust me, these candidates will be here soon asking for money for their campaigns. And they will do nothing to get the California Republican party fired up for the 2012 election.
As I have noted, yes the state Republican party took a beating in the last election cycle. It is not an excuse, but a reality. While the Republicans were scoring win after win all over the rest of the United States, we got our clocks cleaned by Democrat retreads. The three words why this happened? Gov. Benedict Arnold.
But, he is gone and the party has to stop naval-gazing. It needs the leadership on down to say that we are back in business and will fight for every vote statewide.
But that means presidential candidates can not keep ignoring the once Golden State except for campaign cash.
These guys and gals have to come here now. And yes, often. Because I really believe that this is a year the GOP can actually win in California. The stars are lining up in a way we have not seen in many a moon. Democrat office holders from the Dear Leader, President Obama, down to Sen. Dianne Feinstein are tanking. "Confidence" in government is at historic lows. People are looking for a change.
The next California Republican party confab has to be more than what we just saw. We have to see Gov. Perry, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, and even the also-rans here to get this state's party back from the brink. What more than a presidential election year? One that shows the Democrat incumbent on the ropes?
Crazy Uncle Ron Paul won the California Republican party straw poll in large part because he showed up. When will the other candidates show up?
Part of the reason is that Crazy Uncle Ron at least showed up and spoke to the statewide convention crowd.
And the other reason is that there is still a strong libertarian stream of the California Republican party that has some strong influence at events like this.
But the real story is the performance of the second place finisher, Texas governor Rick Perry. Gov. Perry came in at 29% to Crazy Uncle Ron's 45%. And between those two, the rest were left in the dust in single digits.
One of those, the only other major candidate to address the convention, Congressman Michele Bachmann finished a distant fourth pulling in 8%.
The real problem is that no one else besides Crazy Uncle Ron and Congressman Bachmann bothered to show up. The largest state in the nation and no serious Republican presidential candidate bothered to show up at the semi-annual convention.
Would it really have hurt any these candidates to take one day out of their schedule to fire up the troops? To breathe some life in this moribund statewide Republican party?
Of course not. But trust me, these candidates will be here soon asking for money for their campaigns. And they will do nothing to get the California Republican party fired up for the 2012 election.
As I have noted, yes the state Republican party took a beating in the last election cycle. It is not an excuse, but a reality. While the Republicans were scoring win after win all over the rest of the United States, we got our clocks cleaned by Democrat retreads. The three words why this happened? Gov. Benedict Arnold.
But, he is gone and the party has to stop naval-gazing. It needs the leadership on down to say that we are back in business and will fight for every vote statewide.
But that means presidential candidates can not keep ignoring the once Golden State except for campaign cash.
These guys and gals have to come here now. And yes, often. Because I really believe that this is a year the GOP can actually win in California. The stars are lining up in a way we have not seen in many a moon. Democrat office holders from the Dear Leader, President Obama, down to Sen. Dianne Feinstein are tanking. "Confidence" in government is at historic lows. People are looking for a change.
The next California Republican party confab has to be more than what we just saw. We have to see Gov. Perry, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, and even the also-rans here to get this state's party back from the brink. What more than a presidential election year? One that shows the Democrat incumbent on the ropes?
Crazy Uncle Ron Paul won the California Republican party straw poll in large part because he showed up. When will the other candidates show up?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Bachmann Wins The Aames Straw Poll, Rick Perry In, Oh My!
Congressman Michele Bachmann has won the Aames Straw Poll and the Texas Governor, Rick Perry, has made it official that he seeks the Republican presidential nomination.
The Bachmann victory is somewhat expected. But it is not necessarily a sign that she will win the Iowa Caucus next year or the Republican nomination. But it is a sign that will give her credibility and probably a bump in the polls.
But one thing is that some candidates just stayed away from Aames, including the front-runner, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Also not taking an active role is the former Utah governor and ambassador to Red China under the Dear Leader, President Obama, Jon Huntsman, Jr. And the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich did not make a serious effort.
Congressman Ron Paul finished second. Many expected crazy Uncle Ron to finish first. So it is not all that surprising that he finished in at least the top two.
A distant third place went to former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He really should have been one of the top two. But I do not think this should tell him to get out of the race.
The surprise was the fourth place finisher, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Considering all of his effort, and the thought that he would not do as well, this is a good sign that he too should stay in the race.
The real surprise is the latest candidate in the field, Gov. Perry. He finished with 718 write-in votes and good for sixth place.
And that leads to the worst kept political secret of the year.
That Gov. Perry made his campaign official.
Gov. Perry is a solid conservative on most of the issues. Ironically, Gov. Perry could have some trouble with the constituency he needs the most. Social conservatives.
In 2007, Gov. Perry issued an executive order that made the HPV vaccine available for young girls in Texas. Now many social conservatives did not like that there was a mandate for girls to get the vaccine. However, there is a provision that included and opt-out clause. Some on the left believe that this was some kind of political payoff to a big drug manufacturer. Look for this to get some serious scrutiny.
But, Gov. Perry has been a much more consistent conservative governor than his predecessor, the eeeeevvviiiiilllll George W. Bush. On fiscal and most social issues, Gov. Perry has been to the right of Gov. Bush.
But, Gov. Perry may be seen as a lot like Gov. Bush to many people. And that may be a lot for some to digest. Again, the Perry record is very much to the right of the Bush record.
The Republican race may be in for another potential candidate.
And that would be the former Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin.
I am looking for it to be 75-25 that she will enter the race for president and probably around Labor Day. Do not have any information other than what she has been saying lately. And that indicates she is not all that impressed with the current Republican field.
But, with a Michele Bachmann win in the Aames Straw Poll and Rick Perry entering the race, one thing is for certain.
That Republicans can not complain there is not a candidate for anyone in the party.
The Bachmann victory is somewhat expected. But it is not necessarily a sign that she will win the Iowa Caucus next year or the Republican nomination. But it is a sign that will give her credibility and probably a bump in the polls.
But one thing is that some candidates just stayed away from Aames, including the front-runner, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Also not taking an active role is the former Utah governor and ambassador to Red China under the Dear Leader, President Obama, Jon Huntsman, Jr. And the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich did not make a serious effort.
Congressman Ron Paul finished second. Many expected crazy Uncle Ron to finish first. So it is not all that surprising that he finished in at least the top two.
A distant third place went to former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He really should have been one of the top two. But I do not think this should tell him to get out of the race.
The surprise was the fourth place finisher, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Considering all of his effort, and the thought that he would not do as well, this is a good sign that he too should stay in the race.
The real surprise is the latest candidate in the field, Gov. Perry. He finished with 718 write-in votes and good for sixth place.
And that leads to the worst kept political secret of the year.
That Gov. Perry made his campaign official.
Gov. Perry is a solid conservative on most of the issues. Ironically, Gov. Perry could have some trouble with the constituency he needs the most. Social conservatives.
In 2007, Gov. Perry issued an executive order that made the HPV vaccine available for young girls in Texas. Now many social conservatives did not like that there was a mandate for girls to get the vaccine. However, there is a provision that included and opt-out clause. Some on the left believe that this was some kind of political payoff to a big drug manufacturer. Look for this to get some serious scrutiny.
But, Gov. Perry has been a much more consistent conservative governor than his predecessor, the eeeeevvviiiiilllll George W. Bush. On fiscal and most social issues, Gov. Perry has been to the right of Gov. Bush.
But, Gov. Perry may be seen as a lot like Gov. Bush to many people. And that may be a lot for some to digest. Again, the Perry record is very much to the right of the Bush record.
The Republican race may be in for another potential candidate.
And that would be the former Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin.
I am looking for it to be 75-25 that she will enter the race for president and probably around Labor Day. Do not have any information other than what she has been saying lately. And that indicates she is not all that impressed with the current Republican field.
But, with a Michele Bachmann win in the Aames Straw Poll and Rick Perry entering the race, one thing is for certain.
That Republicans can not complain there is not a candidate for anyone in the party.
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