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Shooting for Number 2
Author: BobR    Date: 09/30/2011 12:31:04

With the Republican campaign season really heating up, and still no strong candidate in the race, there is a strange energy around the whole thing. The rank-and-file voters are disillusioned, wondering "is this the best we have?", while the party leaders plaster on fake smiles and continue to thrust possibilities at us, hoping one will catch fire with the electorate. So far - nada...

All of the candidates in the race thus far have emerged as the Great White Hope of the race, shooting up through the miasma, only to disappoint and fall back to earth. The race is populated by a junkyard of broken toys, all hoping to be pulled from the pile, polished, and played with again.

Perry is still trying to strong-arm his way in. He is attacking the other erstwhile front-runner Romney, painting him as an Obama enabler:
"As Republican voters decide who is best suited to lead this country in a new direction by stopping the spending spree and scrapping Obamacare, I am confident they will choose a nominee who has governed on conservative principles, not one whose health care policies paved the way for Obamacare," Perry says, according to prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press.

Despite a lot of bluster, his lack of intelligence and outright belligerance is turning off the voters. Party leaders in Iowa - a crucible state for campaigns - say support for him is weakening:
A poll of likely Republican caucus-goers released Thursday by the American Research Group has the Texas governor in third place with 14 percent, trailing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at 21 percent, and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) at 15 percent. Perry saw little increase among Tea Party supporters: Fifteen percent backed him, with 19 percent supporting Bachmann. The poll was conducted Sept. 22-27, encompassing the period after Perry’s last debate performance.

Another article describes the party reluctantly supporting Romney:
"I'll probably wind up with Romney because, more than anything, what I want to do is to defeat Obama," says Doyle Thomas, a 70-year-old retired attorney from rural Cross City, Fla.

Not that he'll be happy about having to vote for the former Massachusetts governor.
"You can't tell me that Romney is a conservative and was able to be elected in Massachusetts," Thomas adds, shaking his head. "If he were a conservative, there's no way he could have won."

Interviews with more than two dozen Republicans who met here recently to hear the candidates speak at a conservative forum underscored the challenge Romney has faced since he entered the race as the GOP front-runner this spring: People just aren't excited about his candidacy.

And six months later, they're still not.

Wow - that's a passionate endorsement (not). You can almost picture the voters trudging to the polls on election day with a small grey cloud over their heads following them the whole way. Gingrich and Cain have both excited a small segment of the party, but neither one have the support to win. Perhaps if they could be combined somehow... (yes, the picture at the link is creepy).

It's gotten to the point where the party is begging people to run. NJ Gov. Chris Christy is one of those. Because of all the prodding, he has had to come out and state categorically that he is NOT going to run for president. He has not, however, said anything about vice-president:
More than a year out from Election Day, all sorts of Republicans are making a point of keeping themselves in the national spotlight, stoking speculation that they're positioning themselves as potential running mates for the eventual GOP presidential nominee.

It's too early to know who's really interested and who's just savoring a little extra attention. But it's clear there is no shortage of ambitious Republicans.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has a new book out. Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also are writing books. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell raised eyebrows by speaking in politically important New Hampshire, Rubio and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie by popping up at the Reagan Presidential Library in California.

And a number of Republicans are stepping forward to endorse one GOP presidential candidate or another: former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who dropped out of the presidential race in August, has been campaigning for Mitt Romney. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval came out for Texas Gov. Rick Perry. So did Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

That's the real ticket, isn't it? As the VP candidate, you don't undergo quite the same scrutiny, and don't have to bother with primary campaigning. If your running mate wins, you are automatically set up as the candidate for your party in 8 years.On top of that, if the candidate doesn't win, then you are the assumed candidate in 4 years. It's a no-lose situation. How hard did Sarah Palin have to work to get that position? Despite all the revelations about her, she was still assumed to be the first choice for this season's campaign.

The window for another Cinderella Story candidate coming in at the last minute is quickly closing. Will someone else come in and energize the party, or will the voters slouch through a listless campaign with a less-than-likeable candidate? Stay tuned!
 

54 comments (Latest Comment: 10/01/2011 16:08:57 by livingonli)
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Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:14:47
I'm really enjoying this conversation -- Chris and John are talking about Wall Street

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:15:14
Good morning!

Comment by BobR on 09/30/2011 13:17:52
Blog is up.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:27:01
AMEN To Chris!!!

Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 13:28:13
Morning, comrades!

Bob...I don't think the problem is the messenger. It's the message. If they weren't selling shit on a stick as policy, any one of them could pick it up and run with it. Remember, all they need is a pretty face.

But maybe this is finally that election I've been fantasizing about this past decade; maybe the scales have finally fallen from the electorate's eyes and they realize just what the GOP truly stands for now....and they ain't buying it.


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:32:44
Excellent points Bob.

It's a no lose situation, but it's also pretty lazy, imo. And sort of pathetic -- but I'll take it!

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:34:27
HEY!

Did Chris leave Facebook?


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 13:51:31
Is this thing on? :tap:

Comment by livingonli on 09/30/2011 14:05:46
Good morning everyone. I'll actually be up early the next few days between a mix of Rangers games in Europe and a college football game on Saturday I have to be at work early the next few days. It's interesting actually having to get up early again when it's something even to get up at 11 AM.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 14:07:41
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!

All the Republican candidates can take solace in the fact that they'll all be Number 2 in my book..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5515878014_b10c61ec6c.jpg


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:12:57
Yeah, Chris is gone from FB.

That bums me out a bit, but I understand.

Comment by BobR on 09/30/2011 14:13:02
Quote by Raine:
HEY!

Did Chris leave Facebook?

He shows as not a friend for me as well..

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:23:15
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
HEY!

Did Chris leave Facebook?

He shows as not a friend for me as well..
HE left FB for the Google+

Seriously bummed about this. I think I'll just have to go on Vacation.



Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:23:44
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning everyone. I'll actually be up early the next few days between a mix of Rangers games in Europe and a college football game on Saturday I have to be at work early the next few days. It's interesting actually having to get up early again when it's something even to get up at 11 AM.
Welcome to the Morning!


Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 14:28:06
Quote by Raine:
HE left FB for the Google+



w00t!!! < runs to Plus, adds Chris to Circles >





Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 14:29:08
I don't understand teh Google Plus.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:32:37
Quote by Scoopster:
I don't understand teh Google Plus.

I'm kinda pissed that I have to try to set up a whole new network. I have a lot of good things on FB. Many pictures etc....



Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 14:37:13
Listening to the Mercurial Elf on TRMS just now...

Didn't somebody around here just write about prohibition and how it parallels the war on drugs?

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:40:20
This was a really good interview REALLY worth the 8 minutes.


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:41:46
Quote by TriSec:
Listening to the Mercurial Elf on TRMS just now...

Didn't somebody around here just write about prohibition and how it parallels the war on drugs?
indeed.

IT kinda funny that a lot of people are asking about where the Wall Street protest sare going now as well.

Sometimes I think we are pretty good at putting the pulse on things here at the blog.


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:44:34
/wrt to that video I posted: on thing that Chris mentioned on the show is that he would get press releases from teh Tea Party. Chris said he got nothing about the Wall Street movement. Not a single press release.

Occupy Wall street is upset that they didn't get press, but -- as I said on monday-- the Media didn't know what to report. They were not even told of the protests.

How can you expect press if the Press doesn't know about you? Maybe, in the end, it is indicative of what social media is doing to change the way we get news.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 09/30/2011 14:50:13
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope all is well. I hope that BobR and Raine have a great and well-deserved vacation.

I think that we will see some more organization in the Occupy Wall Street movement. In the recent protests in Israel against the economic and social inequities, leaders emerged from among the protesters -- in fact, they elected leaders. So, it may just be a matter of time.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 14:56:38
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope all is well. I hope that BobR and Raine have a great and well-deserved vacation.

I think that we will see some more organization in the Occupy Wall Street movement. In the recent protests in Israel against the economic and social inequities, leaders emerged from among the protesters -- in fact, they elected leaders. So, it may just be a matter of time.
That is good to see, Will.

I see the NYCTU and a few others are joining. And I am VERY happy for this. Specifically this from the Atlantic:
The scrappy operation could gain thousands of bodies as unions join the protests on October 5. A slew of organized labor organizations has gotten involved in the planning, reports Crain's New York Business's Daniel Massey. "The United Federation of Teachers, 32BJ SEIU, 1199 SEIU, Workers United and Transport Workers Union Local 100 are all expected to participate. The Working Families Party is helping to organize the protest and MoveOn.org is expected to mobilize its extensive online regional networks to drum up support for the effort."

Not only do the Occupy Wall Streeters get bodies, but the movement gains the organizational skills and money of these groups. A group of at least nine unions repurposed a previously scheduled protest for the Occupy Wall Street movement. The New York Transit Workers Union, which voted unanimously to support the protests, put out a Tweet to its six hundred followers endorsing the march, Franzen noted. And the event has a Facebook page with 148 attending guests.
This is what I was questioning -- and I am SO happy to see these concerns met.

Comment by livingonli on 09/30/2011 14:57:48


Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 14:59:49
Wheeee... just got busy here we got a massive co-op ad buy!

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:00:25
Quote by livingonli:
Figures the one day I am up early, the blog is sleepy. (Forget this, for some reason this wasn't saying that new postings were made)
What am I, Chop meat?

:P


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:01:12
To be really honest, it is one of the things I have been questioning.

Comment by livingonli on 09/30/2011 15:04:38
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Figures the one day I am up early, the blog is sleepy. (Forget this, for some reason this wasn't saying that new postings were made)
What am I, Chop meat?

:P

Of course not!
Where are you going for vacation?

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:09:41
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Figures the one day I am up early, the blog is sleepy. (Forget this, for some reason this wasn't saying that new postings were made)
What am I, Chop meat?

:P

Of course not!
Where are you going for vacation?
We're leaving this afternoon. I'm puttering back and forth getting things together.


Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:10:08
Quote by Scoopster:
Wheeee... just got busy here we got a massive co-op ad buy!
That's wonderful news!!!


Comment by livingonli on 09/30/2011 15:10:58
I saw what was left of Chris's facebook page. He's pruned it down and is only keeping it to maintain the Stephanie Miller show page and pretty much indicates all his personal interaction will be on Twitter and Google +. I was flirting with finally going there after the last facebook changes myself, but I do have my facebook friends who I like reading their posts and I've heard some it's more confusing than facebook.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:11:12
You know, I have a serious question, What is the Wall Street movement going to do once it starts getting wicked cold?



Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:12:55
Quote by livingonli:
I saw what was left of Chris's facebook page. He's pruned it down and is only keeping it to maintain the Stephanie Miller show page and pretty much indicates all his personal interaction will be on Twitter and Google +. I was flirting with finally going there after the last facebook changes myself, but I do have my facebook friends who I like reading their posts and I've heard some it's more confusing than facebook.
So far, it is for me as well.

I think I am gonna stay with the FB for a while. They changed to compete with Google+ -- I think it will be a matter of time when the G+ starts playing around with things as well.




Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:20:01
RIP Sylvia Robinson.



And there is this:
Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner that put out "Rapper's Delight," rap's first mainstream success, died Thursday. She was 76. Publicist Greg Walker says she had congestive heart failure.

Along with her late husband Joe, Robinson was the owner of Sugar Hill Records. In 1979, it released the song that would become widely known as rap's first hit, "Rapper's Delight," by the Sugar Hill Gang.


Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 15:22:24
Hmm, and now Tito has "left" the Red Sox....it's unclear at the moment whether he decided to leave, the Sox didn't exercise his option year, or if he was fired outright.

He'll always have that 2004 ring.



Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 15:29:08
Looks like "President" Bush's signature legislation isn't working out so well.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 15:43:20
Quote by TriSec:
Looks like "President" Bush's signature legislation isn't working out so well.
We kinda knew that years ago. I saw the President's speech, but I am happy to see this emphasized:
Since President Barack Obama announced last month that he would sign an executive order allowing states to request waivers from mandatory participation in the program, at least 27 have signaled that they will ask to opt out, and most others are reviewing their options.

Obama said states could seek waivers as long as they adopt higher standards than those mandated under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as No Child Left Behind is formally titled. The Education Department said most states had already done that, presumably making them eligible for waivers.
You'll recall, in the speech he gave, he specifically said that he was waiting for congress to act on NCLB, but they did not. (cause you know -- they have been so effective...)

So -- he signed this executive order. It's very interesting -- it actually says to rise up. Be better. We can free you from the basics of NCLB -- but only if you raise the standards, and for me it means -- take a better route to educate children.

I think he is still asking for accountability, but in a far different way than NCLB ever did.



Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 16:00:40
That's been the big argument around this Commonwealth....we can certainly comply with the NCLB education requirements, but they're lower than what we currently expect.

I think that's contributed to the problems we're having in town....Waltham has taught to the state standards, not the Federal ones, and as a result we're not doing so well on the standardized tests.



Comment by wickedpam on 09/30/2011 17:24:27
Quote by Scoopster:
I don't understand teh Google Plus.



Me neither - how to I even find anyone over there?

Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 17:57:10
Here's a rarity for ya...I'm headed out to Camp Sayre this evening with a boatload of Webelos, to meet up with a Woodbadger from Weymouth and his den.

I'm in charge of all the food, for about 25 people.

Don't know why, but I'm feeling a bit jittery and unsure over this one. I haven't run a trip this big since...1996? (which ended in disaster).

I'll be channeling ol' Harry Guilford (my kitchen mentor) this weekend for sure.


Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 17:58:45
"Get Motivated" business seminar expected to draw at least 12k, clog city streets & RI highways during both rush hours

Meh.. gridlock during my commute is the LAST thing that could possibly get me motivated. And given the lineup of speakers, I'd rather protest the event.

Comment by Raine on 09/30/2011 18:00:14
Ok Everyone! Well see ya later! <3

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/30/2011 18:00:23
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Scoopster:
I don't understand teh Google Plus.



Me neither - how to I even find anyone over there?



Once you start adding people or people add you, The Google Plus will give you list of people to add much like the Facebook does or did.

Comment by BobR on 09/30/2011 18:02:46
Adios - have a good week. We'll try to check in every once in a while. B:

Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 18:04:29
See ya kiddos!

Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 18:13:31
Quote by Scoopster:
"Get Motivated" business seminar expected to draw at least 12k, clog city streets & RI highways during both rush hours

Meh.. gridlock during my commute is the LAST thing that could possibly get me motivated. And given the lineup of speakers, I'd rather protest the event.


Mmm, isn't that like a block from the Providence train station? Hello?



Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 18:50:14
The voices in my head seem to be winning this afternoon. I really need to get to camp and set something on fire.



Comment by Scoopster on 09/30/2011 18:51:37
Jeez could the Sox management statement about Tito be any more cryptic?

Not to mention they made the entire sports media world look like asses.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/30/2011 19:14:36
Quote by TriSec:
The voices in my head seem to be winning this afternoon. I really need to get to camp and set something on fire.




To quote Tonto from "The Tonto, Tarzan and Frankenstein Show" Fire GOOD.

Comment by TriSec on 09/30/2011 19:29:50
I can't believe I'm posting this....I'm off to camp in a few minutes. Everybody had better be good.

I locked the moderator's lounge; don't even think about trying to get in there. Mrs. Jones next door will be keeping an eye on the blog - NO PARTIES! (we'll know.) And for cryin' out loud, Don't break any of the good china!!



Comment by wickedpam on 10/01/2011 01:22:58
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Scoopster:
I don't understand teh Google Plus.



Me neither - how to I even find anyone over there?



Once you start adding people or people add you, The Google Plus will give you list of people to add much like the Facebook does or did.



not really showing up for me so far. I think I'm still missing the point of G+ how is it better then FB?

Comment by wickedpam on 10/01/2011 01:24:05
Quote by TriSec:
I can't believe I'm posting this....I'm off to camp in a few minutes. Everybody had better be good.

I locked the moderator's lounge; don't even think about trying to get in there. Mrs. Jones next door will be keeping an eye on the blog - NO PARTIES! (we'll know.) And for cryin' out loud, Don't break any of the good china!!



we have good china?

Comment by Raine on 10/01/2011 03:23:00
Mondo! Stop trying to pop the lock on the Liquor cabinet!

Comment by livingonli on 10/01/2011 16:08:57
Who was supposed to post the blog today?