The Republicans clearly aren’t happy with their choices. It looks like they are speed-dating with each candidate-looking at one for a little while then moving on to the next one, leaving their options open. In the end the person who is the least-worst option will be the one they settle on. I’m glad I’m a Democrat.

For a number of reasons. First, the GOP is splintered and no one can really agree what the GOP platform should be. Second, any candidate who meets requirements demanded by the Evangelical/Fundamentalist faction of the GOP would never stand a chance of winning in a national election and the rest of the party knows that. Third, no one in the party likes Rudy Giuliani at all and he is the only one who can win in a national election; especially if he ran with Ron Paul as his VP because then you’d attract the Libertarians to the Republican side. Fourth, there is no other GOP candidate who can win that I haven’t already named. Whoever wins the Democratic race is going to be President, and I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not, but I’ll put a large sum of money on it.

Jack
The problem here is you have to put two or three of these guys together to make one good ” electable ” presidential canidate. At this point any of the top tier Democrats could easily beat anyone the grand old party throws at them. Maybe its time for Mike Bloomberg.

Would you want to be responsible for picking another potential Bush. They are scared another Bush type and the republican party is dead. If impeachment hadn’t been taken off the table Bush would be on trial now with the majority of americans pushing the issue.

The GOP has long been too concerned about beating Hillary, rather than choosing the right candidate. Its been one giant popularity contest up to this point, and the fluidity of the race certainly reflects it. They’ve got to get back to the basics and vote for someone who best represents Republican ideals and issues if they want a chance for the White House.

Jack

It’s taken a while, but I think people from both parties have finally come to realize that it’s the bland leading the bland.

John in Normal

The Republican field of candidates is the strangest bunch I’ve ever seen in any election. You’ve got the thrice married, the flip flopper, the creationist and everything in between. They’ve got so much baggage among them, they’ve yet to get within striking distance of discussing issues people want to hear about. If any of these individuals become president, I hope the Canadians will take me in.

I can sum it up on two works…..RON PAUL….I’ve always voted Republican and in the last election I felt very dirty doing it. After that, I thought I was done with Politics. I believed the Republicans when then say they are for small Government and low taxes, but that is not what they have been giving us. Even the Democrats in congress are for Bush. They blindly follow him without any backbone. They give the tyrant Bush whatever he wants from war, to unbelievable deficit spending. Then Ron Paul came along and finally someone you can believe in and Trust. Look at his record. He has dropped a bomb in the Republican race (a couple of money bombs) and they are now just picking up the pieces. In a weeks time, with fair and positive media attention, he is going to be the only man standing. He wants to bring our troops home & cut the federal government in half, and with the money saved eliminate the IRS and replace it with NOTHING! He wants to eliminate a couple of other useless and unconstitutional departments in the FED. Eliminate the Federal Reserve, eliminate homeland security, eliminate department of education, and any other useless bloated Federal department. He wants to secure or borders and say NO to amnesty for illegals. IF YOU WANT TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY YOU HAVE TO EARN IT. WE ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE A WELFARE NATION. Ron Paul is the only one for our country, and his time has come. To some degree we have to thank both President Bushs for screwing up the country SO much that they have left it ripe for someone like Ron Paul to come in and fix it. GO RON PAUL. THE MOVEMENT IS LARGER THAN YOU THINK. YOU ARE GOING TO WIN IN A LANDSLIDE. THE MONEY OF “WE” THE PEOPLE, and not the Special Interest, HAS SPOKEN.

When the best you can do is a conglomeration of religious fanatics, adulterers, former senators who are better actors than politicians, and assorted flakes, you don’t have a whole candidate–you’ve got the makings of a disaster.

Because no candidate is much different than the other on policies except for Ron Paul who has been virtually blacked out by major media.

Because they are all losers and fall over themselves rubber stamping president Bush. They can’t tell an honest lie and lack character. The only one worth a pile of beans is Huckabee and that’s because he’s willing to call the president a stinker.

It is a free for all because none of them stand any chance of winning. A Republican Party member stands as much chance of winning as a Communist Party member. Maybe all these guys think it would look good on their resume, but realistically speaking the Republicans won’t be able to get a dog catcher elected in 2008.

There is a whole lot of time yet and people are just kicking the tires to see how they feel. By the way kicking the tires has never given an accurate reading of the tire pressure. It just gives the kicker something to do while the air leaks out. And believe me there is a whole lot of air coming out of those candidates. By nomination time all but one will be deflated and that one will roll across the finish line while the others lay flat. There is no prize for second best in this race.

Because republicans have not been paying attention. If they were, they would realize that they have the perfect candidate.

Family values: How about a pro-life doctor that has delivered more than 4000 babies, been married to the same woman for 50 years with 5 children and 18 grandchildren.

Low Taxes: He never voted for a tax increase, votes against any unneeded use of tax payer dollars, refuses the congressional pension for himself because it is payed for with tax dollars. In fact this man is known as “The Tax payers best friend”

Integrity: He has never taken money from a lobbyist or a special interest group.

Support: He draws support from republicans, democrats, libertarians, all races and religions. He raised 6Million dollars in one day.

These are just a few of the reasons that I will vote for the first time in the next election and I will be voting for Dr. Ron Paul.

The Republicans have a great candidate. His name is Ron Paul. I find it interesting that he’s considered a ‘radical’. What the heck would you say about Bush?!? And Bush was supposed to stand for Republican ideals?! I think Ron Paul is exactly the opposite of Bush. Fiscal responsibility, individual freedom? …oh, no, let’s run away from that!!!! I would venture to say that our American Revolutionary era was a time of some of the greatest philosophies on running a society and country (this is where our Constitution came from), and we don’t want to measure our current policies against that? Why? Because we’re so afraid of the truth? That yes, our policies do anger people around the globe, and it’s impossible to police the world. The only people that benefit from policing the world are the extremely rich. Because they make money from using oil, weaponry, and making bank loans to run these operations. I mean the time for this bs is over! This country is about to go into a Depression! It’s time to take your power back people! If as a country we can’t recognize or refuse to recognize what’s going on, maybe we’re destined for poverty and less freedom. I hear people scoffing when the Constitution is brought up! Have we seriously been brainwashed to this degree?!

I don’t know that there is a finer example of The Peter Principle in play than the current White House occupant. Still, it appears to me that the Republican candidates are each making a bid to show that they, too, can ably perform at the ultimate level of incompetence.

Frankly, I don’t know why they are wasting their time. An administration which has effectively stolen two elections, faked a terrorist attack in the process getting rid of asbestos laden, money losing, outdated structures on some of the most valuable real estate in the world, invaded two countries on make believe intelligence that just happen to border the worlds largest known oil reserve, and will almost certainly attack the country which cradles the oil rich Caspian Sea before they are done will not relinquish power by the authority of an election. If need be, they will fake another terror attack to raise the spector of fear and if that is not enough they will steal this election too. Guliani is the Bush insider. Watch his support grow from nowhere.

All the republicans say the same thing. I believe they all have the same writer.

Jack,
I believe the truth is that none of the front runners have a solid, all around message. The ones who do have such a message are marginalized or ignored by the media. John Q Public, for better or worse, still gets his decision from the Drive Through Menu of their Local/National news and talk shows, instead of from reasoned, rational, individual thought.

It has become a free for all because all of the Republicans, except one, offer more of the same. There really are no big differences between them.

Giuliani=thug, warmonger, police state
Mitt Romney=nice hair, thats about it.
Mike Huckabee=theocracy, tax hikes.
John McCain=more war
Fred Thompson=cure for insomnia

All the above are OWNED by the corporations

RON PAUL = FREEDOM!

I think ron paul has a lot better chance to win than anyone, he raised more money this quarter than any other candidate AND has placed first or second in mostly all straw polls. Also he has won every debate by public opinion polls, but media doesn’t want to report on that, I wonder why.

Simply put, the candidates do not stand out from one another, excluding one candidate. His fund raising soars but his poll numbers slowly climb. If this isn’t a great opportunity for Ron Paul I don’t know what is.

Ron Paul.

Of the media sweet hearts there is none that inspires commitment or passion in the voters. The only republican I see that inspires the passion necessary to unite the republican base is Ron Paul. The way his constitutional views are consistenly mocked and dismissed by the media is a hurdle the republican party should address. He brings the only real growth that the republican party has seen in years.

Definately a free for all and better for my man Ron Paul, the only republican who is up there willing to speak the unsugarcoated truth on stage. Finally some room for a candidate with common sense and strong leadership to lead the country.

Hi Jack,
I think the republicans could use some Performance Enhancing Drugs in their campaigns, maybe it would get rid of, as you say some “yadda yadda yadda, that is going on.

Mr. Cafferty,

The number one reson that the Republican nomination has become a free-for-all is because none of the candidates except Ron Paul are truly conservative. All of the old media darlings are big government borrow and spenders. They don’t even pay lip service to the Constitution, you know, the thing that this country is built on.

Republicans have lost touch with their roots which used to include a platform of small government,low taxes,restrained foreign policy,and defending the civil liberties of American citizens . The choice shouldn’t be to hard to make ,Ron Paul stands for all these things .

People have woken up and are starting to smell the coffee. They are beginning to realize that THE GRET DECIDER has turned out to be THE GREAT DECEIVER. All Republican candidates except one are warmongering, big spending fakes.

You just know something isn’t right when a candidate that is completely out of step with the rest of the party receives the most money.

Republicans just can’t stand these candidates. Huckabee wants to turn the White House into a Church, Romney wants to force us all to have healthcare, another thinks 9-11 is his platform and the two others talk like they just woke up. Come to think of it, Ron Paul and his twenty million 4th Quarter dollars will be the only thing left standing.

Both parties have lost their ways and majority of the candidates are lying big time just to get elected. They are doing what politicians do best - LIE JUST TO GET ELECTED. I think only candidates who truly care about the people are Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden, Mike Gravel. REST OF THEM ARE ALL MONEY MAKING MACHINES AND SIMPLY WORK FOR CORPORATE INTERESTS.

Ron Paul has a shot at Republica party nomination and we just have to wait and see what happens. For the democrats, they have no chance left anymore since they media keeps talking about top 3 only and I think its going to be Edwards vs. Barack vs. Hilary.

Their rhetoric doesn’t match their actions. The Republicans are being judged by their character or, as President Bush said today in his press briefing: their principles. Republican principles are based on a limited interpretation of the Bible, and NOT the Constitution of the United States. This can be confirmed by the way all Republican candidates are bowing to Pat Robertson, Family Research Council, the Council for National Policy, etc.

NOTHING EVER TRICKLED DOWN - remember those tax cuts?

As far as family values goes: The republican agenda has been to force Americans to marry and stay married, even if there is domestic violence, because the Bible says “women must submit to men, just like Jesus submitted to the word of God.” What we have are Welfare Programs that are paying to punish woman who leave abusive men. This is being done throughout the Nation, by using the Courts and Welfare funds. I have the proof - if you want to do a story - contact me. It is big and scary, but it is the bottom line of the Republican Religious Right agenda.

Jack, other than one candidate it does not matter from which party the president comes from, because in 4 years this country will be bankrupt. One party wants warfare the other party wants welfare and they both get what they want and we the American people get screwed…again.

Have a Ron Paul xmas.

I feel the Republican party is so splintered between Huckabee, Romney, Guiliani and McCain. Call me crazy when I say this, but this bodes well for Ron Paul. Why you may ask? Think about if the far right wing is so split on candidates the moderate and libertarian right are most likely decided on Ron Paul. The GOP better pick their front runner soon or face a Ron Paul victory.

Perhaps it’s because the more conservatives find out what the ‘frontrunners’ stand for and see their record that are less than impressed. Luckily there is one guy in the race with principle, and this muddled field has left an opening for the one true conservative, Congressman Ron Paul.

The answer is easy, the “top tier” candidates appear to talk down to the American voters as though we are all uneducated. Issues like terrorism, NAFTA, abortion and foreign and domestic spending are spun until they become misleading moral positions. Not a single candidate inspires passion amongst the masses. Should the Republicans choose one of these “top tier” spin doctors, then they will surely loose the general election as only a fanatical base of special interest voters will continue support.

Uhhhh!I think maybe you should rethink that poll.?I think the one to beat,is Ron Paul…Besides,his campaign isn’t about him.It’s about US and FREEDOM!His fundraising by “The People” proves it…The first big one pulled in 4.38 million from 36,600+ people and the second pulled in well over 6 million from more than 100,000+people!The people have spoken!A LARGE MAJORITY!

Ron Paul will win the nomination as he is the only candidate exciting millions to get out and vote— the only truly honest defender of the Constitution and won’t it be wonderful to vote for freedom in 2008 !

Jack!

It’s SIMPLE! Republicans can’t make up our minds because there’s only one REAL Republican running, but he’s not tall and he’s not a governor. Of course I’m talking about Ron Paul, and his position on the war forces Republicans to admit they were wrong (although the Democrats haven’t been any better).

I voted for Bush 2000 and supported the war, but Dr. Paul has made me see the error of my ways. Unfortunately, I fear not enough registered Republicans will be able to swallow their pride on this one. I can hope though!

-Chad

1. “Religous Rightist” Republicans want “Mike Hickabee” to run for President & he running.
2. “Real” Republicans want Ron Paul to run for President & he’s running.
The question is: Can the “Real” Republicans break the choke-hold of the “Religious Rightist” Republicans.
I can tell you this much, after the fake religious Bush Administration, I don’t think I can stand another preacher in the White House.

I often wondered why Pelosi took impeachment off the table and now I think I got it. She could never get enough Republican Bushys to go along with it and get rid of Bush and Cheney, so she let the “Scandal of the Week Club” continue it’s program to embarrass real republicans, deteriorate the Republican image make us the laughing stock of the work and show us how much damage an arrogant and incompetent administration can really do. Now the GOP candidates are trying to look presentable, but clinging to the Bush Bunch isn’t really setting well with anyone with a brain. and they haven’t figured that out as yet.

With the GOP a free-for-all
(and Guiliani in free-fall)
the belle of the inauguration ball
will be none other than Ron Paul!!

You just don’t understand. This is about our freedom, the constitution, and ending this war. We just can’t trust the other candidates.

You just don’t understand. This is about our freedom, the constitution, and ending this war. We just can’t trust the other candidates.

I haven’t seen any candidate that I agree with completely. Just imagine if we could take the best ideas from each candidate and build our own nominee. The Republicans are heading towards a convention without a clear cut winner. Could me possibly be back to selecting a candidate in a smoke-filled back room???
Jesse in Tacoma

The Republican nomination is up for grabs because Republicans have lost their way. The so called “Under Dog” has created a Revolution. A Revolution that allows Americans three key words to believe in: Freedom, Liberty & Prosperity. The Revolution allows Americans to take control of their life and not worry about big government. The nomination has to go to Ron Paul. He is our only chance to regain what has been ripped from Americans for centuries.

It is a free for all simply because the American people are becoming more and more skeptical of our choices. It seems that most of our republican choices have skeletons in the closet, and we don’t know how to decipher which skeletons are less scary..

I personally hate when a candidate USES religion to further himself in politics.

Also, one reason it is a free for all is because no one could have imagined how many young people would get involved this time around, and they do not get to have their voices heard in national polls, only online, and we all know who wins every online or text vote.. So, as you are talking about hilary, obama, ghouliani, and huck, keep an eye on Ron Paul.. He will surprise you. His support already has.

Freedom. We want a choice; not what society deems as an appropriate candidate. Second, I do not feel that polls are truly reflecting the people’s voice. There’s a whole generations out there that have abolished landline phones and also use the computer more than pick up a newspaper. If you inadvertently choose to eliminate those voters, your polls will be skewed. I don’t think we will know what the Republican Party will truly reflect until the primaries. It is easy to say who you are voting for in a poll. It is another thing to take time out of your life to actually vote. We will see who makes it to the polls

The reason is people are finaly started to see the gop has lost their way. They spend more than the evil party , got us into a war that no matter what isnt going to end good. Its time WE THE PEOPLE take back our party from the neocons. The only way to do that is to support the good Dr. Ron Paul.

I often wondered why Pelosi took impeachment off the table and now I think I got it. She could never get enough Republican Bushys to go along with it and get rid of Bush and Cheney, so she let the “Scandal of the Week Club” continue it’s program to embarrass real republicans, deteriorate the Republican image make us the laughing stock of the work and show us how much damage an arrogant and incompetent administration can really do. Now the GOP candidates are trying to look presentable, but clinging to the Bush Bunch isn’t really setting well with anyone with a brain. and they haven’t figured that out as yet. They also don’t realize that in 2009, with many more Democrats in Congress and in the oval office, all this VETO power that Bush has wasted on his ego will be down the drain and the programs he refused to negotiate on for the betterment of we Americans will be quickly passed and enacted. THAT will be his legacy.

What’s happening, is that it’s becoming clear that all the Republican candidates are carbon-copy clones of each other and George Bush…except for Ron Paul whom the media refuses to cover. Nobody wants another Bush in the White House, and so long as the media insists on showing only Bush-clones as the peoples choices, then the turmoil will only increase, until we get a “worst-possible” outcome, which will leave people with a choice between a Republican Bush-clone or a Democratic Bush-clone, thus driving record LOW turnout in the 2008 general.

I don’t know; But I hope they all go down in the first round!

There are alot of variables here Jack, but the biggest is Deception.

You’ve got Rudy whose more of a democrat than a republican and ran a sanctuary city. Romney flip flops more than footwear at a beach. McCain reminds everyone of that Dept of Defense guy from any military movie that uses the Philosophy of Bombing until they like us. Fred Thompson who …zzzzzzzzzz oh I’m sorry I fell asleep. And Huckabee who is turning into more of a salesman than Romney. Pandering to the church for votes is the biggest form of breaking the 2nd Commandment I can imagine. You can’t BS a BS’er.(I SELL CARS)

The only candidate that is Honest, Respectable, Principaled and has the voting record to back it up is RON PAUL.

The question should really be Why hasn’t Ron Paul got as much publicity for his fundraisers as would Goulianni if it were him or Romney or McCain or Hitlery or Obama. Why hasn’t anyone reported on the fact that Huckabee supporters tried to throw a Money Bomb…. It was a dud or that Grassroots for Democratic candidate Barack O”NOMONEYBOMB”A got a little more than $4000 in 24 hours(they’re goal was arbitrarily $5 mill and it was started after RP’s $4 Million haul coincidence? I Think Not!

As always I thank you for your Fairness Jack as you seem like one of the few journalists who actually haven’t sold your Soul to Big $$$$

Your Fellow Patriot
Chris Deal

This will be the first time registering and voting in an American election as I just became an American Citizen this year. I’ve always thought of myself as a “Republican” at heart however with the past administrations record I was going to register Democrat. That is until I heard the message of Freedom, Liberty, small government, and free markets from one of the Republican Candidates. Ron Paul makes me proud to have become an American. None of the other GOP candidates have made me feel this way. In my opinion there is a front runner - Dr. Ron Paul.

I’m a lifelong Republican about your age. I didn’t vote in the last two elections, because I was insulted by the “choice”. The candidates’ starting positions came from name recognition. The more you find out about them, the creepier they seem. Come on Jack…they scare my kids. Ron Paul will take the nomination. The more you see of his voting record, the better he looks.

The flavors of the week are just not standing up to examination.

Rudy is an engaging chap but suffers from ‘corruption eruptions’ and, geez, his cabinet looks to be full of more of what we’ve had. Mitt is likeable but seems to be an ideological tumbleweed. Huck, is that a silk camisole under that hair shirt? And on it goes.

As for me, I’ve got my eye on the self-effacing guy who’s going to pull the sword out of the stone.

The nomination is tight because there’s no clear raison d’etre for the Republicans.

Iraq is no longer an issue because violence is down and most Americans want to get out. Terrorism has faded from view. Social conservatives have no real candidate they can find. Most candidates are globalists who are soft on illegal immigration. Right now it’s more about choosing someone who can win than someone who they agree with. However, most have no idea who really could win, though they should be looking at Ron Paul.

Dear Jack’

Why do you buy into those phony poll numbers ? Did you know that they don’t even give Ron Paul as an option ?They just say other ,!

So I guess the answer to your Question is it’s not even close , Ron Paul is way ahead!

Because, there is no intergrity in politics. Politicians will do whatever it takes to become president. They say whatever and fight tooth and nail. But the truth is that they rarely ever do what they say they are going to do. To be honest I don’t even know why I waist my time and vote. Maybe just maybe someone someday will keep there promises and do what they say they were going to do once they are in office.

Although it really looks like Ron Paul has it all sewn up, No one has done their homework or research on any of the candidates to find out what kind of shenanigans to expect. I mean nearly criminal stuff or total butthead stuff that I KNOW Huckaby has done. two words for Mike Huckaby = Fay Booseman.
I’m sure the other candidates have their idiot advisors too.

Many republicans are disenchanted with the party because of Bush. His blatant disregard for the peoples’ wishes, while continuing the spread of terror and the never-ending war, has left a very sour taste in republican mouths. They’re scared to death of nominating another liar, thereby completely destroying what little bit of credibility they have left. (Although I certainly haven’t seen the democrat house do any better since they’ve taken over. Seems they’re liars too.)

RON PAUL is the only candidate in this race, republican or democrat, who makes sense. After a close look at his record, it’s plain to see he has genuinely and diligently fought for the rights of Americans, while excluding himself from the congressional pension plan. What’s he getting for all his hard work?

I feel it’s only right that I now fight for a man of principles, Ron Paul, who honestly is fighting to save the soverignty of our nation, and doesn’t take into consideration Corporate America, who would rather outsource jobs to non-Americans or import cheap labor.

The problem is that all of these guys (except Ron Paul) are straw men that want to support a disastrous, costly, unwinnable war and fail to meaningfully discuss the real issues facing this nation.

Floating crosses, American flag lapel pins, religion, perfectly coiffed hair, “brite smile” teeth and sharp suits won’t do it. The people see this country is in trouble and they want something real. America doesn’t want to make another mistake with another George W Bush - they’re well aware of the consequences of that blunder.

It’s pretty clear that Ron Paul is the only hope for the GOP and it’s also pretty clear that the media at large is either incapable of discussing meaningful issues or is afraid to do so. As a result all we get from the media is limited polling data and mudslinging.

Just look at what has been offered to the American public as candidates. These guys are so plastic, so transparent, so fake. No one wants anyone of them near the White House. Enter RON PAUL!! Integrity, honesty, clear thinking, open plan for his Presidency. As the primaries begin, I think the bureaucrats, and the nation as a whole is going to sit up, poke their sleepy heads into the air, and realize just how large the Ron Paul Revolution REALLY IS!!

Jack,

Miss Teen SC has already provided us with a pre-recorded video answer to why the Republican race for the presidential nomination has become a free-for-all.

Because we are still going eenie…meenie…..minnee…moe. When we get a name we don’t like it so we start over. There is no best of the worst!

Republicans are tired of the status quo and it’s hard to find a Republican candidate that would make a change for the good. Especially when there is a candidate that isn’t being giving the credit deserved by the MSM as having a legitimate shot at the White House. Ron Paul’s rising popularity in spite of this is the reason the Republican race for the presidential nomination has become a free-for-all.

the last 7 years have solidified the concern in peoples minds that the GOP cant get the job done. It’s high time they stop arguing and put up a united front to show voters that Bush hasn’t taken away all their credibility.

It’s a free for all because they all tout the same song and dance. America is tired of this and that’s why Ron Paul’s message is so appealing not only to true conservatives but also disenfranchised Democrats who see their party dealing with the same problem.

Too bad the mainstream media won’t give Paul the time he deserves.

Matt - Long Beach,.Ca

Stupid question, Jack:

If the campaigns stayed consistant and predictable, you news-starved, media types would have nothing to report. Everything from one candidate’s subliminal crosses to another candidates catching of a cold. You guys lick your chops over this stuff and dish it up hour upon hour as though we need to care about every little detail of these campaigns.

The republican race is a free-for-all because CNN needs news and is tired of covering two wars that we should be finishing up before Bush leaves office.

Dan
Black Hawk, CO

Jack,

The Republican race is a free for all because all of the candidates are flawed.

Ron Paul is the best of the Bunch in my opinion, but when you run down the list you get:

1. Rudy - Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay, Authoritarian. Libertarian Republicans won’t vote for him, and neither will social conservatives.

2. Mitt - Flip Flopper who comes across like a used car salesman. Add in that the evangelicals won’t vote for him because of his religion.

3. McCain- Weak on Illegal immigration.

4. Huckabee - Weak on fiscal conservatism.

5. Paul - Running an anti-war campaign in a party that has been propagandized to be pro war.

6. Hunter - Great guy, but nobody pays any attention to him.

7. Tancredo - Dropped out.

8. Thompson - Was billed as the savior, but has pretty much flopped.

It’s a free for all because each candidate turns off voters on at least one conservative issue.

Jack,
The reason it’s such a tight race is because all the candidates are status quo carbon copies of each other, with one exception. I don’t think I even need to say his name.

The GOP race has become a free for all because NONE of the potential nominees fulfills the needs of this country. Having said that, I believe that Senator John McCain has the best credentials and the strongest principles and the most experience, and would have the best chance of defeating the Democratic nominee, whoever that might be. I believe that Mike Huckabee is a sure candidacy for disaster in the national election of 2008, and that Rudy Guiliani cannot, with his past record of social liberalism and personal problems, unite the GOP. At the same time, Fred Thompson is a total dud and Mitt Romney has a history of “flip flopping” which is a major flaw for the race. McCain has the credibility and open mindedness to promote a level of bi partisan government, as he has learned how to cross the aisle in his long Senate career. So the best thing that the GOP could do is go back to the guy who SHOULD have been their nominee in 2000.

Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul.
Say it again!

The only GOP canidate that can win in the national election is Ron Paul. He has the only real plan, which is go back to the constitution. Restore our liberties and bring our troops home.

Because no candidate is remarkable except Ron Paul.

They all have major flaws that will sink them in the long term. Republicans need to rally behind Ron Paul because he’s the only candidate that will pull substantial votes from Independents and less passionate Democrats.

But without the Republican base looking at Ron Paul, they’re facing certain defeat with the rest of these candidates.

The answer to this is real simple, as a country we have destroyed what our founding fathers established with regards to what the President should be and is. Bottom line is today, the President has to be rich, back by someone or company with an agenda and promises to work as a puppet for an elite few. The President or any member of Congress does not answer to the people, instead they answer to a few people of special interest. So the voters simply say it does not make a difference on who I vote for and why worry.

I am about through listening to the Scrub-Varsity. When will the first stringers show up? Is this truly all there is?

Jack,

Because this administration destroyed the foundation of the Republican party. Family values? Yeah, as long as they don’t get caught with their pants down (or tapping their feet). Christian beliefs? What about those of other religious beliefs. Right to life? Just don’t count all the Iraquis who have been killed in this senseless war. Less big government? Please! And that’s just for starters!

Annie
Atlanta, GA

The grass-roots efforts by a largely growing Ron Paul movement is starting to create a balance within the system. Despite being called a “longshot” candidate and being repeatedly “blacked out” by the mass media at every turn, Ron Paul’s message is being spread like a wildfire and citizens of this country are realizing how much sense it makes. I believe we will not see the same unbalanced election as we have in years past because of this exposure and an increasingly disgruntled America. It is easy to see that the other candidates, both Republican and Democrat, are same type of carbon-copy politicians that we have dealt with for several decades.

The answer is simple: Ask yourself what was the cause of the last free for all bout that you ever witnessed? It’s confusion, despondency, and the re-fumbling-cans (excuse me, republicans) trying to eat their cake and have it. Without questions the gloves and the blindfold is off. The war-mongering, swift-boating and scare tactics will not work in this election cycle!!!

because people are waking up to things and are looking for change. Ron Paul is looking great to a lot of people. seems like there are alot of misconceptions about him because of media gurus tossing around terms like kook and wacko. but as soon as one does the research on Dr. Paul they find that he is the best candidate in both democrats and republicans alike. We are seeing a real life revolution people!!
Ron Paul for president!!

http://www.ronpaul2008.com

Let’s see, between a guy who’s answer to everything is, “I was there on 9-11!”, another one who was moderate to liberal when he was Governor of Massachusetts but is now staunchly Conservative, a former preacher who only wants to be President for Christians, a never-was actor who’s apparently running just to see his name in the newspaper, and a looney-toons libertarian with a cadre of Internet nuts behind him (cf. the comments to this post), it’s amazing that it isn’t even more of a free-for-all! It’s a wonder the Republicans haven’t just closed up shop. This is the party of Dwight Eisenhower and Barry Goldwater?

But I’ve never been baptised and I’m not rich so I’m sure the Republicans couldn’t care less what I think.

The republican “front-runner” is more of a flavor-of-the-week media promotion. All of them have horrific skeletons in their closets, and they all want to follow in the same path as one of the most unpopular presidents in history. Is it any wonder that the only candidate with sustained and continual growth is the one not catering to the neocon base. The American public is tired of fear mongering, we want HOPE, and only Ron Paul can bring it back to this country.

Because all the GOP candidates have their own selfish agendas except one. Like they say, we don’t want a Mayor of the United States, We don’t need an utra-rich governor, and we don’t need an evangelist, we all have our own religiious beliefs. We need Ron Paul. His message has not wavered at all since he’s been in the running. Who else will fervently uphold and guard the Contitutiion and Bill of Rights, and be solidly faithful to the oath of office, and be scrupulously fair with All Americans regardless of party? This is not speculation. It is proven over and over in his record.

Without the interference and payoffs of special interests.

In my opinion there is only one worthwhile candidate running in the GOP and that is Ron Paul. I will vote for Ron Paul in the Primary but if he loses in that I will probably not vote for a republican in the general.

The GOP voters aren’t happy with their party’s views. When you have been a Registered republican as I have you voted for Small Government and no Wars…The basis of being a conservitave. The only candidate in the GOP that actually stands for this and actually speaks out now is Dr. Ron Paul. This should answer your question as to why it’s anybody’s race for the GOP primary.

Why “free for all”? To me it sounds more of a “tight knit race.” Apparently this is something to lefty democrats and the loopy liberals are afraid of!Of course Guliani had to biggest imapct at first, he was the one with the most initial visibility. Who didn’t know who Gulianu was? Remember that 9/11 thing?But as the race continues and people are becoming more aware of his stance on particular issues, I think they are being turned off and looking to other candidates. Thus the rise of more well qualified candidates like Romney! Smart republicans know how they feel about the issues, and NO democrat falls in line with how we feel. Romney knows want we want for this country, Huckabee knows what we want for this country, even Fred and John McCain have some sense of what we want (notice no mention of Ron Paul). The more educated we are becoming about the issues the more we look to candidates who express that.

And besides…. Couldn’t you say the same thing about the Dems? Hillary and Obama are neck and neck as well!!

The republicans are very split. On one side you have Giuliani who will bomb any country anytime. On another side you have Huckabee who pulls in all the christian conservative votes and Romney who pulls in alot of liberal leaning republicans who don’t want to vote for Giuliani. The last side you have Ron Paul, I will be voting for him because I believe he is the only true conservative left. It can be summed up rather easily, Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee all have their own small agendas that they hope the people will like while Ron Paul remembers our founding fathers and the definition of state’s rights! That, Mr. Cafferty, is why I heard of Ron Paul a few weeks ago and why his popularity is blowing up in my hometown, we want the liberty republican back!

I think it’s because the Republican Party is going through a change to fix the Bush Era’s mistakes. On top of that, the Republican Voters don’t know who best represents the conservative side, because most of them do not know what conservative is.

There are no leaders running for office. The Republicans are as bad-off as the Democrat candidates. Not a single candidate (from either party) has the courage to take a firm position, let alone the majority can agree on. The free-for-all is reminiscent of feeding time at the carp pond. Polls are the fish food and all the candidates scamper for a nibble on the surface every time a new one comes out.

Frankly , considering how early candidates started this time around maybe we can just flush all Repubs and Dems and start over with a new batch candidates.

Jack, Jack, Jack,

You know the answer! For the first time in decades, WE THE PEOPLE have had enough. There is a REVOLUTION out here. Its name is RON PAUL. Hello???

With the free-for-all in both parties, is it possible that a brokered convention could occur on one side or the other? With the shortened primary season, we need a little fun in the process. Politics is afterall the greatest sport in America, if you participate.

Simple, ….RON PAUL…… He’s the only one who can easliy beat Hillary or Obama. The establishment knows this, and they are panicing. He is picking up more speed than a train going down a mountain, while the others sit idley by watching. Any of them would kill for his voting and ethical record as well.

Thanks for the “fair” news on Ron. Mr Cafferty, your ok! You’d be surprised how many journalists and media oraganizations are loosing credibilty by their viewers by not doing the same.

There is no one reason for the chaos in the Republican party. If I had to pick one though, I’d say they have abandoned the priciples set forth by the founding fathers. Mainly the separation of church and state. This election, at least for the GOP, seems to be about who believes in a God the most. Makes you think if there is a God why doesn’t he/she appoint them personally.

Jack
I feel that the GOP race has become what it is because of range of the candidates. How should we as republicans know who to vote for when all the candidates are regurgitating the same Bush foriegn policy retoric that we’ve heard over and over. And then there Dr Ron Paul. He shows us that we do have another option.

Let’s face it, the Republican base is out of sync with the average American. These candidates are falling over each other trying to be conservative because that’s where the base is, but that’s not where America as a whole is. In the end, you can’t go too long without being in touch with the people, which is why Ron Paul has so much grassroots support. He’s in line with the people, but not with his party. If the Republicans don’t get with it and get in touch with the average middle class voter they don’t stand a chance in 08.

It’s happening within the Democratic Party, as well. The American people are disenfranchised and are tired of the lies. The only candidates that actually represent the people and their interests are “unelectable” according to the media. If the people stand up and vote from their hearts, the “top-tier” wouldn’t even register in the polls. Let’s hope, for America’s sake, this happens.

Jack,

This was better put by Ron Paul: “the Republican Party has lost its way”

If we go back to our principles and beliefs, we will find the right person.

If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten… ALL CANDIDATES FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE SAYING THE SAME OLD GARBAGE. Therefore, everything will remain the same. We need a leader that thinks differently and can pull our economy out of this mess. Ron Paul is the only one that makes sense, if all of the Democrats will stop and listen to what he is saying even they would agree. ALL REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, and DEMOCRATS…. Google Ron Paul and LISTEN to what he is saying. He is the ONLY one that is saying something different, he is the only one that is sincere, he has had the same documented position on a constitution based govt. since 1988!!!!

Ron Paul 2008

Since the Bush administration has been a real disaster , the Republican candidates go in all directions trying to get the attention of the American people.
Their discussions ressemble a theologic debate in the Renaissance with the devil omnipresent. We might be in the XXIth c. but, it does not sound like it for sure! They have no shame anymore pointing fingers and ready to burn people at stake. When are they going to close the schools and universities teaching evolution and burn their satanic writings?
Marcel in CT

They are all trying to NOT distance themselves from the Party while trying to TO distance themselves from George W Bush. However; they are so transparent in this regard that they look like the numbered jumble of ping pong balls in a Lottery Machine. Tomorrow another one will claim the highest position that is caused by a lot of Hot Air.

Chuck in PA

Jack, a wise man once said, “It’s getting ugly out there” Well the current crop of Republican saviors is about as watered down as it gets. Gulliani and Romney appear not to be able to decide on whole wheat or rye at lunch let alone their policies. McCain is just pitiful since the day he sang “Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran” and ever spoke to Kennedy on immigration. Huckabee’s an evangelist in Clinton’esque clothing and Thompson’s reading his lines from cue cards. My candidate Ron Paul needs to heat it up more or he will fade into Al Gores internet and never be seen again. Nixon looks good these days.

Because our generation is starved for the message of Liberty, and Ron Paul is the only man with the voting record to back up his claims of loving it.

The more we get to know Rudy, the more we realize just how creepy he is.

All major news networks have done nothing the past year but publicize the campaigns of Guiliani, Romney and McCain. Three candidates that have done nothing but condone the Bush Administration and have nothing on their own to run on.

Now that the American public is looking at the 2nd tier candidates they are seeing they are viable alternatives. Mainly, Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee IF he would stop wearing his religion on his sleeve and interject it into everything he says and does to pander the evangelical right.

Out of all of them only Ron Paul is worthy of being elected. I’m sicked and tired of hearing the same old sound-bites and posturing from the rest of them. Just like George Bush, they need to shut up and go home. They offer nothing new.

The best alternative is not to vote for either major party, but draft a viable third party alternative and end this mess.

Jack,

It’s because “NONE OF THE ABOVE” is not allowed on the ballot.

The Republican field is like a used car lot full of lemons. None of them is much better than any of the others, and there’s little to choose between them. The American voter wants a new car next November.

I don’t see a free for all whatsoever Jack. All I see is a bunch of fish floundering on the campaign trail. The GOP is running out of air.

Republicans are confused because they think there is a republican administration. Oops… not. The worst money-grabbing-spending, government-on-your-back administration this country has seen … maybe ever! Now, their candidates are actually talking about issues that have been so screwed up by Bush/Cheney that voters don’t know which side is up. Or should i say down, which is where “their party” has taken this country.

The reason for the lack of a clear favorite among the Republican candidates is that none of them are really electable. Giuliani, who has been the front-runner, is barely qualified and should in fact be banned from public office according to 9-11 workers despite his constant reference to his supposed triumph and leadership to NYC in 2001. Not only is his public record enough to keep him out of office but his private life is in a shambles, with his own family siding against him and being divorced. I don’t see him being able to score with the Christian vote down south…

Aloha from Maui

I don’t mind seeing a bunch of Republicans beating up on each other, or that none of them seem to have a clear lead, much less a cogent plan of significant meaning to the average human being. It’s an all too apparent that there will be no Republican in the White House as of Inauguration Day 2008.

The reason the GOP race has become a free for all is because as a whole the Republican Party has been under attack because of the current administration. The republicans have been grouped together by the democrats who are hoping to make it so they lose the faith of the people. Instead of the party working together to get the executive branch, they are fighting each other. If they want to get the executive branch they need to stop attacking each other, they need to support each other and work together for the good of the party, and the good of the country.

Jack,
His opponents say Huckabee is soft, Romney is a whiner, Thompson is surly, McCain time is past and Guiliani sneezes and runs to the hospital. Not a lot of options here.

Had Ron Paul been included as a presidential candidate in said biassed poll, HE would have come out the winner. Just goes to show, CNN’s corporate elite are as greedy, corrupt, and just plain crooked as the rest!

The GOP has always been a free for all, this is nothing new. The difference is that with this race they are not (yet) attacking each other’s children, perhaps because Rove is sitting in a corner, facing the wall.
These people eat their young, and they base their campaign on knee jerk issues about gays and terror and a free tax ride for the wealthy, while leaving the vast majority of Americans with nothing to hang their hat on. Their day is over, because not one of them, expect for Paul, even attempts to speak to the issues. When Huckabee, who does NOT believe in evolution, tried to describe the WH’s policy as a “Bunker mentality”, Romney jumped all over him as if he had confessed to being gay, or a closet Democrat. So with this gang of fools, one candidate can’t even voice a different view.
The GOP is going down in flames, and they are showing signs of panic. GOOD NEWS!

From Philadelphia:
Hello Jack,
Because nobody except Ron Paul has a grasp of our situation.
They all seem to be caught up in the Bush scare tactics that worked so well years ago. They are the only thing that scares me.

The even divide between candidates in the Republican party could be due in part to the recent technological advances in our world and how readily available information has become regarding the opinions and comments of the presidential nominees. Thanks to YouTube broadcasts of presidential debates and other non-partisan websites that compare and contrast all of the candidates on every possible campaign topic, there is now so much information available to American citizens that the fight for the presidential nomination has become defined by many more shades of gray rather than stark contrasts of black and white.

Jack: The Republican candidates for President have little or no acceptance from the Republican base. Their debates remind me of the old “Punch & Judy” show’s where they batter each other, and the result is ’slap-stck’ comedy. Not too encouraging to a nation in real turmoil at home & abroad. President Bush is a ’stone around the neck’ of his party, and there is no shining star candidate that can escape his mistakes in office. Democrats will win in ‘08 because the nation is fed up with incompetentcy, coverups, and skullduggery in Govt.

What free for all are you talking about. For the first year or so the media’s top three picks was all we heard about. In every debate, all the questions was directed to the medias top three canidates. Now that the voters all stepping forward and being heard the media is calling it a free for all. Its not a free for all, its called the peoples choice.

I think until a republican has the guts to REALLY COMMIT TO AND stands up AGAINST illegal immigration and FOR enforcing our PRESENT Constitution, no conservative is going to make a commitment to them.
There’s NO WAY a democrat will win this election with their GIVEAWAYS to ALL (including and especially NON-AMERICAN CITIZENS) and their ignorance and non-enforcement of our Constitution.

hi Jack

The reason the Republican field is in such chaos is because voters sense that the two big stars (Gulliani and Romney) aren’t real conservatives, though they were seen as winners. Now however Huckabee, a true conservative, has entered the fray and voters have realized they can now have a winner AND a true conservative. This is what’s turning the tables.

Jack, because no on candidate is who everyone wants. People are sick and tired of the same old politics, and if they vote for any one of the 2 party candidates they will get the exact same old thing. There are no quality 3rd party candidates; one reason is because the 2 main parties have locked up the debates etc. to where it’s almost impossible for them to compete anyway. This government had leveled off when Slick Willy was president, but since then it has been literally bleeding money from a major artery and has gotten nearly 2x the size it was just since Bush2. Can you imagine how many wrongs in this country could be righted if a president spent as much money on, and pressed the importance of, fixing our country? He would be the most beloved president EVER. Everyone would probably get a check in the mail from the gov’t. as well lol. For the first time ever, I am embarrassed and ashamed to be an American, and the blame is placed squarely on our present Liar In Chief.

let.’s get off this god and religion crap !! also abortion

the war!! homes in n orleans and miss, immigration export fiished goods not technology and jobs many other things????

jack, why arn’t we destroying the taliban popy fields in afagan. ask some senators please

thanks

Seems that everyone is talking about Ron Paul, but they ignore the obvious. The Republican Party is like the high school clique that sits together at the lunchroom table and decides who may and who may not sit with them… and Ron Paul is the bookish student that they want nothing to do with. It doesn’t matter what the people want, because the RNC runs the club and has deemed Paul not worthy of joining the fun.

Hi Jack,

First and foremost, I would like to say that I enthuisastically applaud your earnest desire to expose the TRUTH in our dishonest politicians.

I agree 100% with Ron Paul that the Republican Party has “LOST its WAY!!!” Mainly, it has lost because nobody in the field (of EITHER party) is speaking about a COMMON-GROUND solution to fix the millions of FAILING public schools in inner-city communities as advocated by a BI-Partisan coaliton of citizens:

cf. http://www.nycfamilies.org

Thanks and enjoy your Holiday season.

best,
Christian Savage (Bronx, NY)

The Republican race for the presidential nomination has suddenly become a free-for-all mainly because of Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia defeating the previous inside front-runner former Sen. George Allen who would be easily sailing to the 2008 Republican nomination right now if he had won his 2006 Senate race and if there was no “Macacca moment.”

George Allen would easily have been the ideological “total package” Presidential candidate that the Neoconservative Republican activist base are looking for right now and that they do not see in their current field of 2008 Presidential candidates.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/5213

Analysis and Documentation: George Allen is already the GOP 2008 “front-runner!”

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on March 25, 2006 - 7:06pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/5562

NEWS & ANALYSIS: George Allen launches Senate bid / How to defeat Allen in 2006!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 16, 2006 - 11:58pm.

That’s easy Jack, all of the candidates appeal as much as a glass half empty.

Gary in Ca.

It’s because we have no one who really stands out from the crowd. Neither do the the dems for that matter. We’re doomed to another mediocre (or worse) president at this point. Personally, I’m a social liberal (don’t give a damn what other people do as long as it doesn’t infringe my rights) and a fiscal conservative (whatever crazy thing you want to do, do it with YOUR money). There just ain’t none of them around!!!! Personally, I’ve stuck with McCain since the beginning. He’s had a lot of experience and comes across to me as a very thoughtful, ethical person. I’m scared of the born-again fundamentalists, I can see the books burning now. And I’m scared to see health care become government run, look how bad they’ve screwed everything else up. But maybe if we started over with a whole new bunch of people?????

Out of all the candidates the best candidate is John McCain. He has experiance, he understands the way the country works, and out of all other candidates he has a american value that most have forgotten and that is COMPROMISING. Instead if every decision having to be all or nothing, he actually leaves room for the both sides to have a say, and to actually makes laws that will help the country as a whole. Instead of making only half of the country happy.

- Kelly, NJ
Age: 17

I think it’s pretty tight because people at first knew just Giuliani. Now that the issues are coming out and seeing that other candidates could have better stances, the popularity is no longer enough to sustain Giuliani’s campaign. Ron Paul is on the rise, and I think it’s a good thing. I’m not the most politicaly knowledgeable person, but I think the fact that Ron Paul has stuck with his ideas from before this election propaganda started makes him my #1 candidate. I’m tired of hearing about other candidates changing their ideas over the last couple of years just to meet public opinion.

I think this is just showing how weak the messages of so called “front runners” really are, it’s just that people starting to pay attention and making a real choice.

I heard one of the Fox pundits say that a fair election is when all candidates have equal exposure time in the media, I believe he was criticizing Venezuela and Chavez.

If that’s true, I fear for the legitimacy of this wild horse race to the white house, as you can barely notice any of the candidates who don’t tout the Neo-Conservative or Neo-Liberal agenda.

Because the republicans know deep down that if they run Guiliani, Romney, Thompson or Huckabee they will lose big, because these men are offering pretty much the same as what is in there now. And America can’t wait to get rid of the worst president ever, George Bush. The only candidate who can win against the democrats is Ron Paul because this is a candidate who offers a completely new direction not the same old same old. He would even attract a lot of democrats and independents like myself and my fiance who switched so we could vote for him. I surf the web a lot, that is how I found Dr. Paul. Many democrats and independents out there love Ron Paul, so my belief that he is the only republican that can win.

Jack,
This race is wide open. However, if you lay out every candidates stances on issues, voting record, and policies you will find one clear choice. The ONLY honest, and trustworthy candidate is Ron Paul.

On a personal note, I feel ashamed of every American media network. I can’t understand how you guys have a conscience knowing that Ron Paul has the stances, support, and clean honest past that would do our country proud. He is the only one that can defeat a democrat, and the only way we can avoid another depression. I hope the media can open their eyes in the next few weeks and know they did the right thing, instead of saying what is told to be said and worrying about your jobs.

Jack,
How can you call it “free” for all? It cost me my luch anytime I listen to any of them except Ron Paul

Jack, you might want to ask why it’s a Free-For-All at all, considering Ron Paul has doubled the fundraising of the entire Republican field in this quarter, with 10 days left and another bomb ready to go off on NYE. In the beginning, ability to raise funds was how Romney got his credibility. In a fair world, you don’t change the rules in the middle of the game–when you make them up as you go, you get the Free For All. Apply this scenario to congress and the Constitution and you have a perfect example of why not to change the rules in the middle of the game.

Very simple. no one knows the answers. they all know the problem but no one seems to know the answer. we keep hearing different sound pites but no real answers.

Jack,

It’s not that the Republicans are in a free for all, it’s the coverage of daily polls, polls which at this point in time mean absolutely nothing. I find it ironic that while the media says that politicians play to the polls far to often…..well it seems like the media is doing a pretty good dance to the same fiddle…..on a daily basis, making news out of itmes that aren’t news worthy. One could make the same point on all the Democratic polls.

As far as Republicans and Democrats, neither party has a good or qualified candidate in my eyes……we need a qualified candidate in the Independent category, but for years that only brings out strange birds. All that person would have to do is campaign on 3 items, border security, flat taxes, and our econcomy. All the others are campaigning on issues such as National Healthcare….lets read the history books…that’s called Socialism….you know like Russia…..and lets take a good look at National Health Care, it isn’t working in Canada and it’s about to bankrupt France. This is a land of opportunity, whether or not you choose to partake of that opportunity is a choice you make, and NO ONE is entitled to any Federal Programs and we should not believe for a minute that we are entitled to them…..because in the end, we’re the one’s who pay for them. So bring on someone that will be for the people, bring issues to the people from the presidential pulpit, and return this country to us.

Hilarious isn’t it Jack? I liken it to a bunch of idiots jumping on a sinking ship and blaming it on Democrat Airlines.

” free for all ” , they have been in “free fall” from the day they “took” power seven years ago & sold our republic for thier empire pipe dream.
Karma

Ron Paul… Finally an honest politician with integrity..

When will the freedom of the press be exercised again? If it were we all know this would be far from a free for all. There is only one honest man with simple yet effective solutions up on that stage. I am ashamed that that the major media