-
It's that time of year again - our ISP is asking for money. If you have some spare change, please click the Donate link... Thanks!
- About Us
- Search
- Need Help?
- Donate
- Login/Register
Latest Entries
Actions Menu
Blog Roll
- 4F Facebook Page
- Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick
- Stephanie Miller Show
- The Tim Corrimal Show
- The Rachel Maddow Show
- Angry Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
- Thom Hartmann Program
- Turnips! Fans of Turn Up the Night Facebook Page
- Snopes.com
- Factcheck.org
- Official White House Page, if you must.
- The Brad Blog / Green News Report
- The Poorly Written Political Blog (Joe Santorsa)
The Lessons of Florida
Author: BobR
Date: 02/01/2012 13:44:07
As soon as the last polls in western Florida closed yesterday at 8:00, Mitt Romney was declared the winner of the Florida primary. Last week I had made a prediction about the outcome - I couldn't have been more wrong. I was certain Gingrich would win, with Romney second, Paul third, and Santorum fourth.
Perhaps I didn't consider the typical FL Republican primary voter. Knowing that a lot of FL is like Georgia (except jet skis instead of 4 wheelers - and a LOT more retired people), I figured the redneck vote would go to Newt, and his white hair (and severe social conservatism) would appeal to the older crowd. I also have seen Paul consistently get 10-20% of the vote and assumed the Paul-bots would show up to annoint their leader.
It seems, though, that Santorum siphoned off enough of the social conservative vote to bump him up and pull Gingrich down. I am sure that is partly due to Gingrich being completely unlikeable, and - "quite frankly" - a complete douchebag. He had the gall to wait until nearly 9:30 before giving his concession speech. It's normally considered polite for the losers to go first, and the winner last, but Romney apparently got tired of waiting (or maybe he was just giddy) and went first.
I also may have assumed that every state in the union had an equal distribution of Paul-bots, but that does not appear to be the case. I also think Paul's message of small government rings tone deaf on retirees living on Social Security and Medicare.
The commentators made a couple of good points last night that bode well for President Obama. First is that the vast amount negative campaigning from Romney seemed to help Romney intitially close the gap, then rise past Gingrich in the polls to victory. This success story presumes that negative campaigning will be the modus operandi for both camps moving forward.
The other point is that the scorched earth campaigning will hurt the eventual nominee in the long run. Gingrich (and the super PACs supporting him) will pull out all the stops between now and Super Tuesday. Romney will be blasting Gingrich with both barrels.
By the time the Republican convention gets here and the REAL presidential campaign begins, the survivor will be a bloody stump dragging a ton of baggage. It will be very difficult for the losers to support him without the entire lot of them looking like hypocrites. The general public will have seen the ads and already have a sour taste in their mouths.
Would things have turned out differently if one of the candidates went positive? We'll never know, but I certainly hope so. It should be a shoo-in for President Obama in November, but the hate is strong in the right-wing, and they will bring the negativity against him as well. I certainly hope the President doesn't respond in kind when that days comes. I'd like to see a positive outlook and campaign prevail.
Perhaps I didn't consider the typical FL Republican primary voter. Knowing that a lot of FL is like Georgia (except jet skis instead of 4 wheelers - and a LOT more retired people), I figured the redneck vote would go to Newt, and his white hair (and severe social conservatism) would appeal to the older crowd. I also have seen Paul consistently get 10-20% of the vote and assumed the Paul-bots would show up to annoint their leader.
It seems, though, that Santorum siphoned off enough of the social conservative vote to bump him up and pull Gingrich down. I am sure that is partly due to Gingrich being completely unlikeable, and - "quite frankly" - a complete douchebag. He had the gall to wait until nearly 9:30 before giving his concession speech. It's normally considered polite for the losers to go first, and the winner last, but Romney apparently got tired of waiting (or maybe he was just giddy) and went first.
I also may have assumed that every state in the union had an equal distribution of Paul-bots, but that does not appear to be the case. I also think Paul's message of small government rings tone deaf on retirees living on Social Security and Medicare.
The commentators made a couple of good points last night that bode well for President Obama. First is that the vast amount negative campaigning from Romney seemed to help Romney intitially close the gap, then rise past Gingrich in the polls to victory. This success story presumes that negative campaigning will be the modus operandi for both camps moving forward.
The other point is that the scorched earth campaigning will hurt the eventual nominee in the long run. Gingrich (and the super PACs supporting him) will pull out all the stops between now and Super Tuesday. Romney will be blasting Gingrich with both barrels.
By the time the Republican convention gets here and the REAL presidential campaign begins, the survivor will be a bloody stump dragging a ton of baggage. It will be very difficult for the losers to support him without the entire lot of them looking like hypocrites. The general public will have seen the ads and already have a sour taste in their mouths.
Would things have turned out differently if one of the candidates went positive? We'll never know, but I certainly hope so. It should be a shoo-in for President Obama in November, but the hate is strong in the right-wing, and they will bring the negativity against him as well. I certainly hope the President doesn't respond in kind when that days comes. I'd like to see a positive outlook and campaign prevail.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 13:57:24
Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 13:57:24
This is a nugget o' information I heard about the slime off yesterdee here in the Sunshine State. Mitt had 13,000 anti-Newt ads vs 200 pro-Newt ads.
BTW, Bobber we've got plenty of ATVs here. Jet-skis are province of an entierly different set: douche-bags with frosted tips.
BTW, Bobber we've got plenty of ATVs here. Jet-skis are province of an entierly different set: douche-bags with frosted tips.
Comment by 
BobR on 02/01/2012 14:00:57
well sure - there are plenty in GA that have jet-skis as well (those that live in close proximity to a large lake). I suppose the other difference I've noticed from living in GA and making numerous trips to FL, is that the rednecks in GA have red hair, and the red necks in FL are blonde.
Again - generally speaking...
BobR on 02/01/2012 14:00:57
Quote by Mondobubba:
This is a nugget o' information I heard about the slime off yesterdee here in the Sunshine State. Mitt had 13,000 anti-Newt ads vs 200 pro-Newt ads.
BTW, Bobber we've got plenty of ATVs here. Jet-skis are province of an entierly different set: douche-bags with frosted tips.
well sure - there are plenty in GA that have jet-skis as well (those that live in close proximity to a large lake). I suppose the other difference I've noticed from living in GA and making numerous trips to FL, is that the rednecks in GA have red hair, and the red necks in FL are blonde.
Again - generally speaking...
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 14:04:41
Wait for my epic, groundbreaking anthropological study, Life Among the Rednecks. I will cover the the various subclasses of rednecks, their mating habits, their living conditions, the coming of age rituals, their body adornments.
Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 14:04:41
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
This is a nugget o' information I heard about the slime off yesterdee here in the Sunshine State. Mitt had 13,000 anti-Newt ads vs 200 pro-Newt ads.
BTW, Bobber we've got plenty of ATVs here. Jet-skis are province of an entierly different set: douche-bags with frosted tips.
well sure - there are plenty in GA that have jet-skis as well (those that live in close proximity to a large lake). I suppose the other difference I've noticed from living in GA and making numerous trips to FL, is that the rednecks in GA have red hair, and the red necks in FL are blonde.
Again - generally speaking...
Wait for my epic, groundbreaking anthropological study, Life Among the Rednecks. I will cover the the various subclasses of rednecks, their mating habits, their living conditions, the coming of age rituals, their body adornments.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:06:09
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:06:09
Morning 
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:07:53
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:07:53
omg - TMZ is reporting that Don Cornelius is dead
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 14:09:56
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
Mondobubba on 02/01/2012 14:09:56
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
Comment by 
TriSec on 02/01/2012 14:10:31
TriSec on 02/01/2012 14:10:31
Hey folks...I'm home; where are we streaming Momma from these days?
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 14:11:19
This is the one I use: KTLK
BobR on 02/01/2012 14:11:19
Quote by TriSec:
Hey folks...I'm home; where are we streaming Momma from these days?
This is the one I use: KTLK
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:12:42
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:12:42
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:13:06
ditto
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:13:06
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Hey folks...I'm home; where are we streaming Momma from these days?
This is the one I use: KTLK
ditto
Comment by TriSec on 02/01/2012 14:15:54
TriSec on 02/01/2012 14:15:54
I was reading the Palm Beach Post this morning...they were crowing about how smooth the election results went (with what, 4 candidates on one ballot for one party?) and noted that the machines are now connected to a central clearinghouse via modem to speed counting. The language seemed to suggest that they use optical scanners in ol' Palm Beach County, but didn't specify.
What I did find interesting though, was the turnout....they only cited a figure of about 33% of registered Republicans that bothered to vote. Of course Mitt won (Palm Beach County is the bastion of monied northeast elites), but I think the turnout is rather telling.
Any thoughts from the Florida wing?
(And unrelated...there's very few jet-skis or ATVs around here in Greater Boston. Maybe the water is too cold, but we have an enormous amount of kayaks, canoes, and bicycles on the trails.)
What I did find interesting though, was the turnout....they only cited a figure of about 33% of registered Republicans that bothered to vote. Of course Mitt won (Palm Beach County is the bastion of monied northeast elites), but I think the turnout is rather telling.
Any thoughts from the Florida wing?
(And unrelated...there's very few jet-skis or ATVs around here in Greater Boston. Maybe the water is too cold, but we have an enormous amount of kayaks, canoes, and bicycles on the trails.)
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 14:16:42
BobR on 02/01/2012 14:16:42
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 14:17:41
elitists.
BobR on 02/01/2012 14:17:41
Quote by TriSec:
(And unrelated...there's very few jet-skis or ATVs around here in Greater Boston. Maybe the water is too cold, but we have an enormous amount of kayaks, canoes, and bicycles on the trails.)
elitists.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:51:45
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 14:51:45
Mittmentum, its no Joementum
Comment by 
Raine on 02/01/2012 15:02:45
good morning!
Raine on 02/01/2012 15:02:45
good morning!
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 15:07:22
BobR on 02/01/2012 15:07:22
More bad lip reading - Santorum edition:
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 15:07:46
Here you go: Sunlight Foundation's guide to Super PACs
Raine on 02/01/2012 15:07:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
Here you go: Sunlight Foundation's guide to Super PACs
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:10:03
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:10:03
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
Here you go: Sunlight Foundation's guide to Super PACs
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 15:10:23
that is the closest I can find-- Iam pretty sure Sunlight is still crunching the numbers from last year.
Raine on 02/01/2012 15:10:23
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
Here you go: Sunlight Foundation's guide to Super PACs
that is the closest I can find-- Iam pretty sure Sunlight is still crunching the numbers from last year.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:16:01
looks like you can see where the money went in detail but not where the money came from as of now
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:16:01
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Heard this was a disclosure of super pac funding for the last 3 months of 2011, I can find articles about it but does anyone know were we can see the bare bones numbers?
I bet if you got to NPR.org and check under "shows" and then Morning Edition you'll find them. They were discussing those numbers this morning
They have an article - I'm looking for more of a spread sheet
Here you go: Sunlight Foundation's guide to Super PACs
that is the closest I can find-- Iam pretty sure Sunlight is still crunching the numbers from last year.
looks like you can see where the money went in detail but not where the money came from as of now
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 15:24:34
BobR on 02/01/2012 15:24:34
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 15:25:33
Raine on 02/01/2012 15:25:33
Actually that spreadsheet has link for each of the pacs where info is available.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:28:54
*happy dance* they were awesome XD
Three thoughts on Glee (yes I'm aiming for the ditch)
1. Ben makes me laugh every time I hear it
2. I should have learned to play the cello
3. always have a robed choir in the wings when having a singing show down with your arch rival
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:28:54
Quote by BobR:
For the Gleeks (you know who you are), these are the two cello guys from last night's show: 2Cellos
*happy dance* they were awesome XD
Three thoughts on Glee (yes I'm aiming for the ditch)
1. Ben makes me laugh every time I hear it
2. I should have learned to play the cello
3. always have a robed choir in the wings when having a singing show down with your arch rival
Comment by wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:30:03
I was looking at one of those, pretting interesting to see how it breaks down from commercials to paper clips
wickedpam on 02/01/2012 15:30:03
Quote by Raine:
Actually that spreadsheet has link for each of the pacs where info is available.
I was looking at one of those, pretting interesting to see how it breaks down from commercials to paper clips
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 02/01/2012 15:40:22
Will in Chicago on 02/01/2012 15:40:22
Good morning, bloggers. Excellent entry, BobR. I think that the GOP is tearing intself apart in the primaries. Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich all have interests in keeping up the campaign. They may be doing so for ideology, book sales, speaking fees, and getting gigs in conservative media.
In some good news, I am home helping out with my grand niece Emily Rose. She is back from the hospital and resting.
In some good news, I am home helping out with my grand niece Emily Rose. She is back from the hospital and resting.
Comment by BobR on 02/01/2012 15:46:35
Thanks... and good news about your niece!
BobR on 02/01/2012 15:46:35
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers. Excellent entry, BobR. I think that the GOP is tearing intself apart in the primaries. Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich all have interests in keeping up the campaign. They may be doing so for ideology, book sales, speaking fees, and getting gigs in conservative media.
In some good news, I am home helping out with my grand niece Emily Rose. She is back from the hospital and resting.
Thanks... and good news about your niece!
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 16:05:17
Raine on 02/01/2012 16:05:17
The more I think about it -- the more I believe that no one should bother with Susan Komen anymore in any way shape or form.
I wasn;t aware that KAREN HANDEL was hired by them last last year. Bobber, you will recall -- it is former Georgia Secretary of state Handel.
I wasn;t aware that KAREN HANDEL was hired by them last last year. Bobber, you will recall -- it is former Georgia Secretary of state Handel.
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 16:05:32
Raine on 02/01/2012 16:05:32
Why teach a pig to sing in lipstick?
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:12:19
The more I read about SGK, the more I see they've morphed into a fucking anti-equality, anti-privacy, anti-woman hate group.
Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:12:19
Quote by Raine:
The more I think about it -- the more I believe that no one should bother with Susan Komen anymore in any way shape or form.
I wasn;t aware that KAREN HANDEL was hired by them last last year. Bobber, you will recall -- it is former Georgia Secretary of state Handel.
The more I read about SGK, the more I see they've morphed into a fucking anti-equality, anti-privacy, anti-woman hate group.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:12:42
Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:12:42
Oh yeah.. morning all..
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 16:21:04
that is why I don;t even like seeing all this *I will not donate until...* stuff.
I say good riddence and donate to Avon Walk for breast cancer -- and even MORE important: Donate to Planned parenthood.
I have been researching and I see nothing objectionable to the Avon Walk or the Avon Foundation for women.
Raine on 02/01/2012 16:21:04
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
The more I think about it -- the more I believe that no one should bother with Susan Komen anymore in any way shape or form.
I wasn;t aware that KAREN HANDEL was hired by them last last year. Bobber, you will recall -- it is former Georgia Secretary of state Handel.
The more I read about SGK, the more I see they've morphed into a fucking anti-equality, anti-privacy, anti-woman hate group.
I say good riddence and donate to Avon Walk for breast cancer -- and even MORE important: Donate to Planned parenthood.
I have been researching and I see nothing objectionable to the Avon Walk or the Avon Foundation for women.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:29:08
Scoopster on 02/01/2012 16:29:08
SGK's bullshit goes well beyond hiring Handel and pulling its funding from PP.. They have a well-documented history of using money from donations to fund their silly trademark lawsuits against other charities that use "___ the cure" in their names or titles of their events or fundraising drives. I've been avoiding them for a couple years now.
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 16:33:50
This I am aware of but was willing to let that somewhat slide because -- well it breast cancer.
HAving thought more about this -- at this point -- I don't care if they reverse thier decision.
I can't tell you haw disgusted I am.
Raine on 02/01/2012 16:33:50
Quote by Scoopster:
SGK's bullshit goes well beyond hiring Handel and pulling its funding from PP.. They have a well-documented history of using money from donations to fund their silly trademark lawsuits against other charities that use "___ the cure" in their names or titles of their events or fundraising drives. I've been avoiding them for a couple years now.
HAving thought more about this -- at this point -- I don't care if they reverse thier decision.
I can't tell you haw disgusted I am.
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/01/2012 17:16:47
livingonli on 02/01/2012 17:16:47
Good day everyone. I caught the tail end of MSNBC's coverage last night when I got home and they noted that while Romney won big in the South Florida and Tampa-St. Pete media markets, it was Gingrich who won (although by much smaller margins) in the Northern and other redneck sections of the state where there was no love for Romney.
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 17:24:26
Raine on 02/01/2012 17:24:26
This is part of that attack. The woman who was hired as VP of Komen is Karen Handel. Former Secretary of state from the State of Georgia. She has wanted to see Planned parenthood dismantled for years.
Komen created an arbitrary rule that said no funds go to any organization under investigation AFTER inquiry launched by Rep. Cliff Stearns, (R-Fla)launched an inquiry seeking to determine whether public money was improperly spent on abortions. Wapo reported this yesterday: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ap-exclusive-amid-abortion-debate-komen-cancer-charity-halting-grants-to-planned-parenthood/2012/01/31/gIQA5LbffQ_story.html
It's all the same thing. It's part of an attempt to dismantle planned parenthood.
Komen created an arbitrary rule that said no funds go to any organization under investigation AFTER inquiry launched by Rep. Cliff Stearns, (R-Fla)launched an inquiry seeking to determine whether public money was improperly spent on abortions. Wapo reported this yesterday: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ap-exclusive-amid-abortion-debate-komen-cancer-charity-halting-grants-to-planned-parenthood/2012/01/31/gIQA5LbffQ_story.html
It's all the same thing. It's part of an attempt to dismantle planned parenthood.
Comment by TriSec on 02/01/2012 17:42:52
TriSec on 02/01/2012 17:42:52
I've been working at this since 10:30 this morning...I finally found a table under all the junk in my kitchen.
(Aside: funny what you ignore when your priorities are roof, food, electricity and not much else.)
(Aside: funny what you ignore when your priorities are roof, food, electricity and not much else.)
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 18:49:13
Raine on 02/01/2012 18:49:13
I really hope Randi covers this Susan G Komen story today.
I'm a little disappointed that no one else is.
I'm a little disappointed that no one else is.
Comment by Raine on 02/01/2012 18:49:40
Raine on 02/01/2012 18:49:40
to clarify: no one else on Prog Radio
Comment by Scoopster on 02/02/2012 00:39:07
Scoopster on 02/02/2012 00:39:07
Comment by Raine on 02/02/2012 04:52:33
I should add this to my blog for tomorrow.
Raine on 02/02/2012 04:52:33
I should add this to my blog for tomorrow.