The Great Presidential Campaign Thread

[_Jason Bourne]

Well, to be honest, on the Republican side, I'm rooting for Thompson.

I don't think he's goingto win Iowa and NH, but if he stick in there close, he has a shot.

in my opinion, he's the only "real" conservative in the race.

That's my general opinion. If Thompson stays in the Top 3 in Iowa (or creeps even higher) and something makes Huckabee slide down in the polls Thompson may be able to sneak into a South Carolina win.

I do think that that "Huckaboom", as I've heard it called, has peaked, and he is coming down in the polls.

See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... ng_history

Huckabee, Guiliani, and McCain are in a statistical dead heat, with McCain slightly ahead.

Looks like they are all in a dead heat.

Rudy 15%
Huckabee 16%
Fred 12%
Mitt 16%
McCain17%

My top picks are Mitt, McCain
then Rudy. And it is a toss up between Mitt and McCain for me

[_beastie]

Republican or democratic, what I really want is a president who knows the value of surrounding him or herself with the most intelligent people who dissent from the president's opinion, versus a president who thinks God has told him the "Right" answer to there's no need to question and probe.

Unless Romney has been lying, which is possible (he seems to be a VERY political animal, saying whatever people want to hear), I would say that he's less prone to follow God's inspiration and ignore smart folks who happen to disagree with what God just whispered in his ear than Huckabee. But I'm banking on Romney being a somewhat liberal Mormon as some of his comments make him seem.

Ron Paul doesn't have a chance in h**l. Neither does Thompson who doesn't appear to have the fire in his belly. I doubt McCain can really recover from stabbing the religious right in the back in the past. So if it's between Romney and Huckabee, which I think it is, I'd pull for Romney.

IF, that is, I were planning on voting republican, and no way in h**l is that gonna happen.

[_the road to hana]

Polls look pretty close at the moment, on both sides. Anyone here from Iowa?

[_Coggins7]

Yikes!

The first primary for the Republicans is tomorrow in Iowa...and the one of the two front runners in Iowa is your pal and mine "Flippin" Mitt Romney. I figured I would start this thread as a place to post campaign updates concerning the primaries and caucuses and for all the politicophiles to post their reactions to how things pan out and so forth.

My opinions on Romney: he's hung his whole campaign on Iowa and New Hampshire. If he wins both he has a shot. If not, he's probably screwed. Personally I think Huckabee will win Iowa (sadly since he's one of the Jesusfreaks)...and that things will have to go from there. If Romney wins Iowa he might steamroll on to New Hampshire. If he loses, his shot in NH will take a big hit in favor of McCain. Well theres my view of the first few primaries for the Republicans. Tomorrow should be interesting.

Huckabee is RHINO in Times New Roman, bold face caps. The Republican base is not going to support him in anywhere near the numbers he needs to win. He's also taken pot shots at Romney's religion--bad form and poor judgment on his part. He looks like a Bible thumping fundie populist when he does that. He's actually quite liberal, if you look at his voting record.

Romney's done well defecting his flip flops, saying in essence that his views have grown and evolved over the years. Its plausible of course, but Romney is...well, a politician. One thing is for certain: Romney could not have survived in Mass. as a conservative without bending with the wind in some areas. No way.

Paul is so utterly out of touch with reality on some central and very substantive issues, such as the global war on Islamofascism and national security generally, that his unelectability is simple a reflection of the Libertaria Party's inability or unwillingness to field intellectually sustainable candidates. Libertarian's have some very good ideas regarding economic policy and limited government, but the Party keeps fielding its lunatic fringe. Libertarianism has never developed a philosophically or politically serious critique of pressing social issues (especially the so-called "victimless crimes kind) and its knee jerk response to any social issue "legalize it", won't cut the philosophical mustard.

I think that entire party is what, several hundred thousand at best?

Actually, as far as supporting people with snowball's chances, I can't really talk. I'm probably going with Alan Keys again, until the end, at which time we'll see what the Rupubs can dish up.

[_huckelberry]

Ron Paul? how completely Mormon.

I have asked a few times why that is, why this particular set of political views express the essence of Mormon belief. It doesn't bring much discussion however. Its as if I asked, why air?

I mean there are exceptions,,. but the exceptions are strange, like martians trying to pass as human.

[_cacheman]

Go Richardson!!

cacheman

[_Mercury]

We all know that Paul is going to win.

He's a civil libertarian, constitutionalist who is running under the Republican name.

How could you go wrong?

Yeah, when you think about it, Ron Paul really is the one who is closest to what the Founding Fathers had in mind.

Exactly

[_The Nehor]

Ron Paul? how completely Mormon.

I have asked a few times why that is, why this particular set of political views express the essence of Mormon belief. It doesn't bring much discussion however. Its as if I asked, why air?

I mean there are exceptions,,. but the exceptions are strange, like martians trying to pass as human.

Maybe it's just where I live but the LDS on the whole here would probably not back Ron Paul even if he had a chance.

[_Trevor]

Actually, as far as supporting people with snowball's chances, I can't really talk. I'm probably going with Alan Keys again, until the end, at which time we'll see what the Rupubs can dish up.

Have to say, I didn't see that coming. A pleasant surprise.

[_Trevor]

Maybe it's just where I live but the LDS on the whole here would probably not back Ron Paul even if he had a chance.

Many Mormons I know like Paul.