Tight race for GOP
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/16/art.gop.use.gi.jpg caption=" Republican presidential hopefuls (L-R) former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) participate in a televised debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Three major primaries, three different winners, and the Republican party is not a single step closer to a clear front-runner.
With Nevada and South Carolina caucuses this weekend, candidates are scrambling for votes.
Mitt Romney, fresh off last night's victory, is pushing his business experience hoping to hit home with the growing number of voters concerned about the economy. It seemed to work for him in Michigan.
John McCain is trying to regain momentum after a setback there. He's already predicted a win in South Carolina.
So has Mike Huckabee though. He's hoping Christian conservatives there might give him a boost.
But Fred Thompson, who hails from nearby Tennessee, may split the evangelical vote with him.
And then there's Rudy Giuliani, still waiting until the Florida primary on January 29th to really get in the game.
Here’s my question to you: With a different candidate winning each week, how will the Republican primary finally sort itself out?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Steven writes:
The GOP will sort itself out when Giuliani puts the hammer down in Florida and on Super Tuesday. Clearly, none of these candidates are blowing the field away. The main event will come with Florida and Super Tuesday where Giuliani's support is its strongest.
Todd from Bloomington, Indiana writes:
I am not sure why the Republicans even have caucuses and primaries. For the past several cycles, the religious Right has dominated, and look where that has gotten us! I'd say let's simplify it and just call a meeting of Pat Robertson and all the other religious zealots, let the big oil companies, and no-bid military contractors sponsor it and let him tell us what God has told him he wants this election cycle.
Patrick from Georgia writes:
I think the Republican primary is headed for a brokered convention. Giuliani is dead in the water, and the other three have clear bases of support. The Republicans are divided and demoralized, and the Democrats are going to take advantage of it.
Alex from Mt. Shasta, California writes:
The GOP primary situation will be sorted out over time by Republican voters. We still have 46 states to go and you see chaos because we don't yet have a presumed winner? You media types are too impatient and want things to be all wrapped up and simple. Take a deep breath!
Mardie writes:
Jack, Good question, but I really don't believe it matters which one wins in the end. No one wants more of the same Republican mess we have now. Go John Edwards!
Steven writes:
Does the GOP want any of them? The best thing the Republican Party can hope for is Michael Bloomberg to run as an Independent.
Peter from Arkansas writes:
Don't worry, Jack. Saudi bankers & Chinese industrialists will find a guy the Mexican government will approve.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
The real question is, will they sort it out at all? This race is looking better for the Democrats with every new primary.
Jack;
The republican race will end up the same as the democratic race. Each party will choose their respective canidates, leaving the voters with little or no clear choice, as none of the person seeking the office are what this country needs.
Jack, perhaps the voting public will get so exhausted with the "front line leaders" or with "favorite sons", that they will choose from "they also rans", or from true independents. Quite honestly, I'm getting sick of "rock and roll" primaries and caucuses, and this is only the beginning.
The GOP will eventually hold a drawing to see which candidate "wins" and must therefore assume all the shame and humiliation that goes with losing to ANY democrat who happens to be running. Any candidate. For the past 2 terms, George W. Bush has made sure the cards were dealt that way, ..."See, you have to go to the elections with the candidate you thought you wish you had, but only the one that will be able to find the WMD's....and that's why I am the decider."
Mr. Cafferty,
CNN's coverage of the presidential contest is fairly thorough. So I'm puzzled that the network seems to skip the fact that Wyoming had a GOP caucus between the Iowa and New Hampshire contests. Wyoming and New Hampshire awarded the same number of GOP delegates - 12 - and yet the news media jumped from Iowa to New Hampshire. I tune into your network often and still don't see mention that Romney won the Wyoming caucuses, followed by Fred Thompson.
So, Romney has won two states and placed second in two. I'm not favoring any candidate yet but just like to get all the facts. I had to read the fine print on your Web site to find any mention of the Jan. 5 Wyoming caucus.
Please pass this news around to your colleagues so they will begin mentioning the Wyoming results in future recaps of state contests.
Thanks.
Richard
Rockville, MD
Jack, both parties will go to there conventions where there will be a slugfest.
there's honor amongst thieves, not politicians
scott bowling green, mo.
Maybe they should compete on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" If they had done that 8 years ago, I wonder what the world would look like today? If that doesn't sort it out, we should just ask Halliburton.
It will be sorted out in an atmosphere of terrorist fear created by a round of military stikes against an Iran accused of threatening our national security by sneezing in the wrong direction. The Republican candidate that agrees to carry the water for a perpetual oil war will win the support of their party power brokers and will be the nominee. I'm still betting on Rudy because he's already an insider although Mitt would serve their needs as well.
Jack, as long as the media thankfully shoves only the top-tier candidates in our face, I'm sure it will be one of three chosen for us. All is good.
Who ever is the Republican nominee will go down as the nation Needs Change from the scandalous Bush Administration!
Dear Jack:
When candidates stop focusing on the illegal immigrants and start focusing on the fact that the American people are being stolen from, in wages and jobs, by the employers who are being allowed to hire the illegals by our government, then maybe we'll get somewhere.
Hi Jack:
I hope neither "side" sorts themselves out and in a truly democratic process they wouldnt have to. How can the process of electing a president be considered democratic if I, as an educated tax-paying middle class, American who chooses (because it is a free country) to have no particular party allegiance has to wait to see "who's left" before I am able to cast a vote? The idea that any "side" picks who THEY want and then the rest of us has to go along with it is the the complete opposite of democratic. Why not just put all the names on the ballot, allow them ALL to campaign as they see fit for a couple of months and then hold a National Election? Saying that we all have the right to vote but only for whoever those before us allow us to vote for makes no sense. Feeling forced to take "sides" in order to exercise our right to be represented is exactly the reason a lot of people choose not to vote. Democrats & Republicans come in all shapes and sizes. I should be able to vote for the PERSON who speaks to me, regardless of what side of the fence they are on or how "popular", "electable" or "presidential" the are perceived to be.
Hopefully they won't get it sorted out and one will finally be chosen by the money backers and the rest will all stomp out and run as Independents with each other as VP. Sort of a mix & match ballot. This is good because then the Democrats will win and after eight long miserable years we can be a free country again.
Maybe the Republican Party will implode & finally shake itself loose from the NEO-CONS & Religious Rightists. We can only hope.
WHO CARES !!! I'am betting on a Bloomberg / Dobbs ticket
That way we don't need either !!!!!
Not to worry, the mayor of New York will decide to run and sweep the rest of the Republicans under the rug, which is where they belong anyway!!!!! Thnk the good Lord for Independents!!!!!!!
Probably by the religious right in the Republican Party praying for a new messiah. I just hope it is better than the last one they prayed for.
If it continues that way I will not be surprised if Duncan Hunter gets the nomination.
Maybe we'll end up with a brokered convention, and to randomize & cloak the process, we can use Diebold voting machines. Why not? The establishment already treats us like mushrooms - it feeds us manure and keeps us in the dark.
Who cares?
Jack,
I really don't like any of the candiates. You vote Democratic and you might get a sliver of a change and you vote Republican and you get more of the same. War and more war. McCain and Clinton are Bush in sheep's clothing. Edwards is too much against the corporations. What to do, What to do??
Jack, did you hear that??? It's Evangelicals waiting to vote at a moments notice in November.....ssshhhhh don't tell anyone that Mike is the chosen one.
It worked twice already.
I'm guessing the candidate with the best 'be afraid, be very afraid" campaign will come out on top. If I got my wish, it would be 'none of the above' for both parties.
Jack, I don't know what will sort out the Republican primary, or when it will happen, but it better happen soon, because the nominee is going to have a lot of catching up to do if they want to beat Hillary, oh, my bad, "the democrat".
DEPENDS ON TWO THINGS JACK, FIRST WHO THE MEDIA ELECTS, AND I MEAN WHEN THE MEDIA HAS EXCLUDED ALL CANDIDATES THEY DON'T LIKE THAT EVEN HAVE HIGHER NUMBERS THAN THEIR DARLINGS THEY FAVOR AND TWO, DO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST 2 ELECTIONS, RIGG THEM.
Romney is obviously the current front-runner, having won two states and placing second in two others. Who actually wins the Republican nomination, however, is a mute point. The all promise change, yet all but Ron Paul endorse the policies of the Bush presidency. More tax cuts for the rich. An open-ended commitment of our troops in Iraq. Lip-service regarding illegal immigration with no penalties to employers who hire them. No plan to cut the trade decifit or to get decent paying jobs back in America. A continued pandering to evangelical Christians. Compared to the Democratic candidates, these guys are losers.
South Carolina will be a tight race, and with recent polls showing Romney, Huckabee and Thompson in a statistical tie for second place behind McCain, somebody is going to go down there. McCain, who I support, is likely to do well in the state as he did in 2000 despite harshly negative campaigning. Huckabee and Thompson need at least a second place showing, and probably would need to win in order to stay alive into Super Tuesday, February 5th.
That's the key really, February 5th – it is going to take a ton of money for anyone to be competitive in more than a few states, and with all of those delegate votes available it could be a multi-way tie for "winner". Every campaign is probably going to go heavily into debt trying to fly their guy around the country and to air TV ads to garner attention and name recognition. We're already seeing Obama ads out here in California, and I assume that the republicans are arriving soon to our tv screens.
Post Super Tuesday, I think that we'll have Obama-Clinton, and McCain-Romney races in the two parties, with the rest of the field trailing far behind if not dropping out and hoping for that VP nod.
Jack
It all comes down to who the republicans feel is the most electable canidate. Yes the people want change however it looks like the democrats keep wanting to self destruct, leaving the door open for the grand old party.
Jack,
This definitely is a tight race for the White House! With all kinds of mudslinging and name calling , for it to be called the election of "CHANGE" , nothing has changed period . There is no mention about the Iraq War which seems to be in the back burner for most of these politicians . This serves as no justice for us and the families of our beloved troops. What will it take for the American public to shake off the slumber?
Call Christies or Sotheby, we are going to have an old fashion auction with the highest bidder winning. Forget the religious right, forget the supply-siders, forget the war mongers, forget the Ohio and Florida crowd, its all about money, a lot of money. In one corner you have Mitt “$300 million” Romney and in the other corner you will have the Mike “a couple billion” Bloomberg, winner take all. It will make the Democrat convention look like a rodeo.
Dear Jack, as a huge Huckabee fan, I believe the GOP should hold a Rock, Paper, Scissors competition at the end of this whole primary fiasco between all its presidential candidates. Mike’s manual dexterity from years of bass playing will result in him beating his competition hands down (no pun intended). Being a Rock Star definitely has its privileges.
Love,
Your friend Buster
P.S. When it comes to Blogs, size does matter!
Jack, of course, none of the Republican candidates are acceptable. Therefore, post haste and forthwith, they should enter Billy Mays into the race. He sells "Kaboom" showing that he knows a lot about nuclear weapons. He sells a strong epoxy called something or the other "Putty" so he is an expert in the nation's infrastructure. He sells various kitchen and home products so he is thereby an expert in economics and cares about the average citizen. All this shows that he is more qualified than the other twits and will make a fine president. Go Billy go!!!!!!!
It is clear the GOP - and the nation in general - is frustrated with the lack of a decent Presidential candidate. If I could, I'd vote "none of the above," which is sad since this election will largely determine this country's role in a 21st-century world. While Huckabee seems to me to the "best of the rest," it's likely the candidate with the most money, not the best ideas, will win. Our founding fathers would be appalled at the way we've turned their ingenious democracy into this farce.
It doesn't matter. Americans, including this Independent, are so angry at Republicans because of the damage they have done to this country that their eventual nominee, no matter who he is, will lose the election next November.
I think this whole election might go to the wire. People have no clear cut candidate, because no candidate is clear cut on their position. Camps of evangelicals, black camps, hispanic camps, union camps. Hell. lets just all go camping until time to actually vote. This is going to be a long year.
Charlotte of California
McCain and Huckabee have been propped up by the media, and this will start to show more and more. Romney, Giuliani, and Thompson (depending on his showing in SC) are the only viable candidates. We can only hope for a Paul 3rd party run, God help us.
I like a neck and neck horse race. You only have to win by a nose. And think about all that money they get to waste that people donated I mean come on that goes back into the economy somewhere. I would rather have the revenue of 5 candidates in a town then just one. It's good for the economy. Look at the millions spent on coffee and donuts and hotel rooms and many many other things bought when a politician comes to town. Multiply that times 5 and that's big money. Relax Jack it will all sort itself out. You need something to talk about for your 11 minutes of air time anyway.
yesterday michigan election let's review Romney 39%, McKain 30%, Hukabee 16%, Paul 6%, Thompson 4%, Giuliani 3%, Hunter 0%. great artical except you forgot to mention Ron Paul at 6% of the vote. wow is all I can say, does anyone else notice the blackput of Ron Paul in the media?
It's pretty simple Jack, only time will tell. Time will tell us if Gulianis "waiting game" strategy was hurtful or helpful, if McCains liberalism with resonate with conservative voters, if Huckabee has a stronger ground than just the evangelaical base, if Romney's money will truly pay off, and if Thompson is even relevent anymore. It will also tell us if the Ron Paul phenom turn out to be nothing more than a cool internet buzz (remember Dean?). It's too hard to tell right now.
Delegates. A Brokered Convention. Ron Paul comes out on top to save the country, and our world.
McCain, Romney, and Huckabee will trade off victories up through Super Tuesday. After Feb 5th, money and poor results will force Guiliani and Thompson out of the race. The money factor, which will have placed Romney with a slight delegate lead, will pick up momentum for Ron Paul in the later primaries in fiscally conservative states. As Iraq updates are replaced recession fears in the main stream media, support will build for Ron Paul to pick up the nomination at the brokered Republican National Convention.
The real question to bring up is how many independents will we see running after the primaries? As far as I know, the GOP is nothing like it used to be, and the price is internal conflict. The 2008 presidential election will be the united democrats vs the confederation of the confused.
The Republicans are playing "Last Man Standing" Romney will run out of money, Huckabee will run out of prayers, McCain will run out of support, Paul and Thompson will run out of time and Newt Gingrich will come in and save the day!
I believe the Republican party will finally decide on a consensus candidate by Super Tuesday by voting for a candidate that can inspire. Republican voters are not stupid, they know they need a candidate that is not all like President Bush. Personally, I think that either Mike Huckabee or John McCain will be that candidate.
You bet. And it's Bush/Cheney and their high-ridng posse of oil desperados who have turned us into pathetic postulants. Before long Bush will be serving the Saudis margaritas at the swimming pool.
The Republicans are playing "Last Man Standing" Romney will run out of money, Huckabee will run out of prayers, MCCain will run out of support, Guliani will run out of luck, Paul and Thompson will run out of time. Then Newt Gingrich can step in and become the nominee
Hopefully they run each other out of money trying to run through a popularity contest. The republicans need to embrace a world in which human dignity is the currency and a little piece of paper with green ink on it is not so important. Resources run out human dignity will live for ever. Our economy could be run on a credit system thats based imaginary value. Its practically like that all reday.
Jack, I think that you have to look at the situation the party is in. This disarray in the party is because Bush has further wedged the gap between the moderate republicans and the far right conservatives. As a result, the party is split over the candidates who strongly support him, like Romney, and those less supportive, like McCain. It will be over this week, because no republican candidate in the last half century has gone on to win the nomination without winning the most conservative voting state in the country: South Carolina. With every candidate in the GOP losing general election match-ups to Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, McCain is the only one ahead of Clinton, and is tied with Obama and Edwards. I mean, come on. Wasn't Hillary Clinton the candidate who the republicans could beat? Or Obama, the guy with the least experience and the most liberal?
Hopefully when people get together and go the land of oz so that the wizard will give them all brains so that they can realize that Ron Paul is right man for the job, and everyone else is a different remix of the same crappy song.
Jack,
The Democratic party never cases to amaze me !.
First we have John Carey partnering up with Barrck Obama and turning his back on his former running mate, John Edwards like he was the edge of a cliff;
And as if that isn't a sorry enough display of "poor camaraderie", the democrats, who usually forge their linchpin out of equality and civil rights, are turning their campaign into a racist issue!
Someone show the Republicans the White House Door, please!
Thank you,
Gabe Renzo
Dearborn Hts. Mi 48127
That is why they have conventions, but it does really not make much difference who wins they are all clones of each other.
Melvin
Colorado
Yes, it will sort itself out, and it will leave us with another crooked politician to vote for. Spending millions and millions of dollars for a job that pays a million dollars tells me that the people of the United States will not be represented by anyone running for President. It is really a sad state of affairs when we have to guess what a candidates position is on an issue, and if that position will change when the next campaign funding check hits the coffers.
Jack, Who knows what will happen? The media definately gets some names out there like Obama, Clinton, Huckbee, Romney, McCain and then people go to Vote and try to recall what they really saw and liked or what there friends might have said. I myself would love to see Ron Paul or Mitt Romney and I am an independent. Thank you Lou Dobbs! For those of us that don't agree with illegal immigration or Amensty and we also don't agree with the War issue then we will need to elect a third party like Bloomberg and Dobbs. This third party would give this race a whirl for it's money.
Dana
Florida
Super Tuesday will decide the GOP race. Almost half the country will have voted. If any candidate can't win several states than its over.
I think in the end it will be Huckabee – Romney is a classic flip flopper that says what ever the particular crowd he is talking to wants to hear – McCain has too many differences withe the base.
Jack,
I feel that if mainstream media would give Ron Paul the coverage he deserves, Ron Paul would be the candidate winning the primaries. He has a true message of what this country needs, yet many Americans don't get the chance to hear it. The "grassroots" campaign is doing a good job of getting his word out to those that will listen. But there are many that we can not reach. The media has a stranglehold on his campaign. This country needs a true change, and that change can only come from Ron Paul.
Karl
Rockford, Illinois
It could come down to money. Romney and Paul have it, everyone else is broke.
Once the media starts paying attention to Ron Paul and the people start hearing his message of freedom, less spending, balanced budgets, the end of the war, protecting our borders and protecting the value of our dollar, it will be a race to the finish.
It doesn't make any difference who surfaces as the national Republican candidate for President. All are branded with a "guilt by association" label to Bush and his flunkies, who have run this country into the ground. None of them have an ice cube's chance in hades of getting elected. So, the Republican primaries are "much ado about nothing".
Who knows, but wouldn't it be exciting to go to the convention with no clear winner, Think about the back room brokering that would go on after the first vote as the candidates, even some non-candidates, jockey to get a majority. Reminds me of the conventions of my youth when they actually meant something. I can almost hear the resonate sounds of "The proud state of Alabama casts its votes for [insert name], the next president of the Unite States."
Jack
That is what happens when we have a bunch of 2nd and 3rd level candidates running. The voters are left with the choices of "not that great" and "at least he might be better than what we have now...maybe" Neither of those are attractive options.
I can only speculate about the outcome and say it will be a tight race to the end. But the only losers in this deal will be the American public since none of them is worth voting for.
Jack,
I know I am not the first to say it, but "it's the economy stupid!" Some cringe at the idea of Romney as the CEO candidate, but in times like these, the GOP will take comfort electing a guy that knows how the economy works. Mike Huckabee says people want a president that reminds them of the guy they work with, not the guy who laid them off; I think that depends on who you work with! I think the republicans will give it to the guy with talent.
Why were political pundits saying Mitt was done after Iowa and NH? He finished 2nd in both and 1st in the 'unheard of' Wyoming. Now he wins Michigan. That has to make him the man to beat.
Why don't Guiliani, Thompson, Hunter, Paul and whoever else keeps getting no votes drop out of the race? Do they still have a chance?
hopefully it wont... i for one hope the dissaray continues and they implode only to leave a spec of dust that can be swept away and never heard from again. For gods sake lets get this country into the democrats hands. After all this is a democracy, we should have democrats running the show
In the long run it is not going to matter. The Dems will take 2008, 2012 and then
Jeb will run in 2012 or 2016 depending on how well the Dems do and how Americans wallets are in 2012.
It's baked already into the cake.
GOD HELP US ALL..........................
Corporate media will pimp the corporate candidate who will stay the course to govern for the corporate elites.
When one candidate goes to California and realizes Mickey Mouse should be their Vice President. When that happens, all kids will ask mom and dad to vote for that candidate. And soon we will all leave in a magical, happy world.
When one candidate goes to California and realizes Mickey Mouse should be their Vice President. When that happens, all kids will ask mom and dad to vote for that candidate. And soon we will all live in a magical, happy world.
I still believe America will wake up and vote on the issues. This would inevitably lead to a Ron Paul victory.
I think our choices are down to flopper or the warmonger. The pastor shot himself in the foot with the rewriting the constitution statement. The movie star never actually decided to run this go round. America's mayor is coming through consistently at the bottom of the primaries with seemingly no hope of rebound and the one hope we had in Paul was never given a chance by the media an their self fulfilling prophecy that he didn't have a chance.
Just on the 100 year war commitment by the warmonger I'm probably gonna vote demo if he gets the nod.
hopefully it wont… i for one hope the dissaray continues and they implode only to leave a spec of dust that can be swept away and never heard from again. For gods sake lets get this country into the democrats hands. After all this is a democracy, we should have democrats running the show
Naturally, not ONE mention of Ron Paul here.
The Republican race will not sort itself out as long as the media keeps distorting the facts and playing favorites. Mitt Romney has more votes for President than any other candidate and has more delegates by a 2 to 1 margin than any other candidate. Sounds like the voters have spoken. Its too bad the media has not taken notice.
What do you get when you sort out mixed nuts - one nut with the most votes.
Its not, the Republicans are going to destroy each other like Barack and Hillary almost did this week. I just wish Thompson and Gulliani would drop out, THEY have no chance.
It's pretty easy to predict how the Republicans will sort it out. It will sort out the same way the Democrats' race will sort out. The clear winner will emerge from the 2/5 primaries. There will be no brokered conventions: it's over on 2/6/08.
Jack
Why don't you and Wolf flip a coin to see who is going to Lous' VP!!!
Chet
Florida
Jack-
It means CHOICE and keeping the contenders on-their-toes, means they will get away with less pandering I HOPE, we all HOPE.
Deb from Trinidad, Colorado
Jack, Good question but I really don't believe it matters which one wins in the end. No one wants more of the same Republican mess we have now. Go John Edwards!
Jack,
Every day I listen to you and Wolfe Blizter, by way both of you do a great job, of keeping this country informed on what is going on.
I think in end it will be last man standing, guess who that will be?
Go Rudi Giuliani for 08.
I think the Republican primary is headed for a brokered convention. Giuliani is dead in the water, and the other three have clear bases of support. The Republicans are divided and demoralized, and the Democrats are going to take advantage of it.
The GOP will sort itself out when Giuliani puts the hammer down in Florida and on Super Tuesday. These first few primaries are just the undercard. Clearly, none of these candidates are blowing the field away. The main event will come with Florida and Super Tuesday where Giuliani's support is its strongest. After February 5th, the race for the GOP nomination will sort itself out and Giuliani will wear the crown.
Wait long enough and the Democrats will take care of it for them.
I'm sure the most honnest, sincere canidate with a good understanding of foreign policy and economics will emerge from all the smoke and mirrors.....Oh wait Jack, he already has and his name is RON PAUL!! He has beat Thompson and Rudy twice each with practically no media coverage, a racism scandal and the constant mantra of "he can't win" being jammed down the voters throats. Maybe its what he has to say that people like? Or has the GOP stopped caring about what the canidates have to say?
Jack,
The 2 main issues in this race are the Economy and the War. Believe it or not they go hand and hand. You cannot have the government keep spending while cutting taxes and sending our boys off to war. The only ONE, that understands this is RON PAUL. He understands to get our house in order here in the USA we need to clear out of where we are in Iraq and all around the world. With us being in debt of 9 trillion dollars we cannot have one without the other. Until people understand and realize this Nothing will change regardless of any type of economic package offered up by the rest. I suggest to everyone to watch the Fed chairman tomorrow before Dr. Paul's committee and listen to the types of questions he asks. He has an economic mind like no other presidential candidiate that has ever run in the past. A true treasure and beacon on hope for this nation.
Joe
It could come down to the delegates and not be officially decided until the Convention, as it has been done in the past and would be very refeshing to see. The media has turned the primaries into a race to see who can win as quickly as possible, which is not conducive to democracy. Perhaps it will be better for each state to actually matter, which in turn will encourage more people to vote and care.
What about Ron Paul?! Please give some credit to the only honest, sane, & sincere candidate in EITHER party. Why do the big network news shows refuse to give him the credit he is due? HE is the only one who has been talking about our economic crisis from the very beginning. HE is the only one who has a clear plan to get us out of debt. RECOGNIZE HIM!!!
Does it even matter its like a yes game and finger pointing
There is to much to sort out with the entire mess in the USA. Select someone that actually says they will uphold the constitution. Ron Paul comes to mind.
In speaking to many professed "Republicans" they just don't know who to vote for. They really do not like any of them. Frankly, voters, besides those who vote all the time regardless of the candidate, these republicans offer more of the same tired remedies whicha re really no remedies. That is why you see a hope in Democrats. In my opinion the only real change is Ron Paul and he is another Ross Perot. He says it all right but he doesn't have the press nor the marketing. My answer is this it matters not who the President is CHANGE THE CONGRESS AND YOU WILL GET CHANGE. You will also send a message they will hear loud and clear. Will that ever happen. Only if those who sit homem on their hands in every state gets out to vote them out!
Here's the truth, Huckabee is an economic liberal, Romney and McCain don't know what conservative means, Thompson is a huge flip-flopper, Giuliani and Hunter are out. Ron Paul is the only TRUE conservative left and nobody knows who he is! The winner......the democrats in november! Thanks republican party!(sarcasm)
Jack,
It really does not matter how the Republicans sort out their candidate. After all the damage they have done to this country over the last 7+ years, the Republicans do not have a chance of taking office..the country is fed up!
All the Republicans can hope for at this point is to to find a pawn that will not make the party look to shameful come November.
Cheers,
Patrick
Delaware
Well, if you, the corporate media, have your way, you will tell Republicans that they can only choose from Romney, McCain, and Huckabee, and you will continue to talk about Gool-liani even though he has consistently finished last as if he has a chance. You will continue to ignore Dr. Paul even though he has been finishing ahead of Gool-liani. If you worked half as hard to inform the public as you do forming public opinion, you would work half as hard, and actually do your job for a change.
It's simple Jack. The winner will be whoever distances himself furthest from President Bush.
Sir-It seems to me that no one will have the delegates needed to win the nomination going into the convention.party leaders will then pick Fred Thompson as he is most likley to win and is a traditional republican conservative.Just one mans opinion-Bill
Dear Jack,
I am a democrat and have been for 50 year so maybe my thoughts do not count. The G.O.P's; I can't find anyone of them to be able to run the country. I think thier rein is over. This is why they are acting more liberal these days. First of all I do not think the American people really want to introduce religion into government so that really drops Huckabee, Mitt and thompson. Gulliani has really hurt allot of people with the handleing on 9/11 and to put all his eggs in one basket ; this was a terrible choice. Mac is to much for war and the america people are tired of war. i do not see them winning the white house this next election.
Lori McMaster
Whidbey island, Washington
The way it's supposed to be sorted out...at the convention!
Ray from Old Saybrook, Connecticut
The polls cannot be trusted. We have a large number of first time voters. A lot of people favor cell phones in lieu of land lines, and even more people are on the "Do not call list". That leaves only a few people from which to pull a "Random Sample". No, I'm not voting with the masses this time around. We'll just get the same nation building warmonger to destroy our economy.
Does the GOP want any of them? The best thing the Republican Party can hope for is Michael Bloomberg to run as an Independent.
As I've heard it called now, "Super Duper" Tuesday will sort it out. There aren't enough candidates in the Republican party to hand out 1 state victory to each of them. Given theres 24 states voting at the same time, it will be make or brake for the GOP candidates. And wheres all that support for Ron Paul at? I like seeing him shake up the GOP with his atypical stances on the issues, atypical for a member of the Republican party anyways...
I believe the Republican party will sort itself out by a WWF-like Battle Royal, with trash talking and intimidational tactics that will rival anything professional wrestling could come up with. It may not be the most effective way to elect a Republican candidate, but at least the we will know that the winner is able to hold his own in the midst of conflict.
The Republican bigwigs, like us, are probably scratching their heads right now wondering how the dust would settle after the chaos. Finally I think Mr. Big Money, I mean Romney, will prevail. The support McCain has been receiving from the Republican party seems short-lived if he loses a couple of consecutive states. And the truth about Huckabee is that he confuses some Republicans while others are polarizing towards him due to faith based issues. But ultimately Big Money always trumps since that may be what will ultimately inch out the Democrats in the race to the White House.
Dr. Vijay Vishwanath
Washington DC
Jack,
Some of these conservative imposter's will soon drop, leaving Ron Paul to debate real issues and offer real solutions. If it comes down to the economy Ron Paul will knock the socks off the rest. I am however leaving hope for a Dobbs/Cafferty independent ticket.
Until the Republican party and the media stops belittling Ron Paul - the only GOP candidate who really seems to understand the ramifications of, and the reasons for our economic problems - they will continue to be fragmented and in no shape to win the general election in November.
They Republican candidates should all stop invoking the name of Ronald Reagan as a smokescreen for their own platforms and instead get behind the one candidate that really is a verifiable fiscally conservative Republican who has support from Americans across all political parties.
Calling it at this time would be about as accurate as the New Hampshire polls.
Jack, you guys forgot to crop Ron Paul out of the picture. Please correct this and keep the media blackout going. Thanks!
Hey Jack,
How are you going to sit there and talk about the S.C primaries and NOT EVEN MENTION Ron Paul??!!! While talking with Wolf Blitzer you ran down the entire list of GOP candidates about what there chances are in the south EXCEPT for Ron Paul. You took more time to talk about Giulliani and Thompson both of whom just got trounced by Ron Paul in Michigan! And by trounced I really mean "spanked". Paul got as many votes as both of those talking heads COMBINED! C'mon Cafferty, you're better than that......................
Isn't it great that it just might be that a huge number of voters will be exposed to a primary that isn't just "follow the leader". Hopefully this time voters will really think about the issues before they go to to the polls. It would be fantastic if the same holds true for the Democratics on Super Tuesday!
This very well go way beyond Super Tuesday and into march and April. Heck, I hope it goes all the way to the convention, and we see an old fashion fight for the nomination. Might actually make the convention interesting for once.
No one will win. Romney will go back to counting his money, McCain will say "Not again," Thompson will go back into show business, Huckabee will go fishing and Giuliani will go back to the lecture circuit. Then we can look for a candidate that understands the 21st century and what the average person is going through.l
Jack,
The sort will likely yield for Romney and Huckabee when we look at the national scope of our demograhics and desire for changing the way politics are done in Washington DC. It appears either of these candidates might actually compete with Obama on changing the game, and likely beat Clinton on the game as it currently is.
PS I agree, give your CNN correspondent in Kenya a raise for her front line coverage today. Then get her out in the open. She's an excellent and talented reporter who displays passion for reporting the news.
Jim
Jack,
An essential part of our government is our choice of leader, and lately, that choice hasn't existed. Having so many republican candidates still contesting for power means that the same number of views are still relevant. Once we have only one republican candidate, only one republican's view will matter; his. The democrats are left without their usual strategy in the meantime: nay saying everything that the republicans do. If this “indecisiveness” in the republican party keeps up for much longer, we may just see something all too rare: a REAL presidential election.
Daniel S. Mapleton, MN
Jack
We could see who can chase an ambulance faster, or play who can turn $1000 into $100,000 on cattles futures, or better yet just have someone get on a platform and promise change time and time again w/o any details. Yeah, that's the ticket.
with the economy evolving as the main issue,romney might finally win this nomination because he carries a huge experience in the economic sector.but with evangelicals apparently still dictating the pace we might end up with huccabee.McCain is not a republican.i think he will run as an independent.as for guiliani he has a very wrong approach.thompson should immediately drop his bid and grow up.
All the primaries are a stage, and the Republican candidates are not playing the game effectively right now. I believe that John McCain is the best candidate for the nomination, but he would be wise to stop touting his experience as a politician during a race in which voters are desperately trying to elect the least experienced politician.
Jack-
I have no idea how it will sort itself out, and anyone who tells you that they know is lying to you. Romney, McCain, Huckabee, and Giuliani are all possible nominees. One of them may appear to be on top one day (Romney today, McCain two days ago, Huckabee 2 weeks ago, and Giuliani 2 months ago), the others can jump ahead at any moment. South Carolina is wide open and Giuliani can get back in it with Florida. It will sort itself out before the convention, surely, but anyone predicting the winner at this point with any level of confidence is "bloviating," to quote everyone's favorite commentator.
The fix is already in. For the "Republican" side it'll be Crazy McCain. For the "Democratic" side it will be Killer Hillary. This ensures the Neocons control. Never Ending War. Higher Debt. Last shovel of dirt on top of the Constitution. And all the while the American Pukelik thinks they live in a Democracy.
Peace.
The Republicans will end up getting a candidate that has enough money to buy shallow advertisments with empty promises, enough support from the establishment and media to convince voters that he is sincere, and a lack of self-respect so he can pander his message.
Then, the Republicans will have another candidate akin to the last savior they promised us...Mr. George W. Bush (If thats even his real name).
It does'nt make any difference. With george Bush at the helm (who ought to be tried for treason for what he has done to this country) the Republicans are going to be riding at the back of the bus.
Jack;
Can we get beyond the bellyaching about the high cost of oil with a solution that will knock the price down by $20 tomorrow morning?
Federal Reserve Chmn. Bernancke has the ability to raise the margin rates that the Investment Banks pay to buy oil at ridiculous leverage (I used to be an oil trader). Currently, Wall St.'s top Firms have subsidized their bungling of the subprime mess by frontrunning their own oil refining customers' orders by intentionally hoarding over 138 million barrels all up and down the Atlantic Seaboard (that's one week's total US Demand !!!!).
The so-called "war premium" for oil would evaporate if Chmn. Bernancke had the guts to raise margins on the front 3 delivery months of NYMEX Oil Futures to 50% Margin. I guarantee you the cockraoches would scatter, oil would be at $70/bbl. and within days, US consumers would get relief at the pump for once.
The cost ? ... You blurbing this message on the air !!! That's all !!!
John Crowley NYC (35 years experience doing this)
The Republican candidates divide their constituents neatly into: old-moderates, elitists, evangelicals, young-idealists. . . and which candidate encourages unity. None.
The only answer for back room power players may be a huge (probably sudden) scare campaign to drive delegates to some "safe" candidate who can be nominated, but will do nothing constructive in office.
It's about running with nothing to offer, or so it seems.
Jack, I've come to realize that speculation gets us nowhere. Even the "experts" in the mainstream media are at a loss. First Giuliani is the frontrunner, then Romney's the man to beat, then Thompson'll steal the race when he enters, then Huckabee's going to win on an unexpected surge of support, then McCain's the lead horse, and now Romney's apparently leading the pack again, but only until Giuliani cleans up Florida. All the while, the only guy I've ever been motivated to stand up and get excited about, Ron Paul, sits patiently waiting until the American People wake up and realize that the way the world works isn't necessarily the way they WANT it to work. Ron Paul cured my apathy, and ignorant American citizens are restoring it.
Did Ron Paul do something wrong? Why is he ignored by the media? I guess telling lies these days are the only way to get on the air.
One would think John McCain, the stalwart of the Republican party and patriot supreme, would finally get his due - the Republican nomination. It would seem the party faithful would see through the morphing of Mitt Romney. Romney changes his point of view more than the snake slides and slithers in the Garden of Eden.
Jack,
The Republican race will sort itself out once ALL the candidates (Ron Paul included) get equal time and America gets to make its choice based on views rather than TV time. Flip flopping the media's darling of the week is what's causing the flip flopping of the frontrunner.
Everyone says they want change, but when its right in front of them they reject it and turn to the status-quo. This goes for the media as well. Ron Paul is the only candidate offering real change and real solutions, why is no one listening?
The GOP is doomed. McCain is too Bush, Romney is too Kerry, Huckabee is too yesterday, and Giulliani is too late. Kharmic chaos is the inevitable result of the Iraq Administration. America no longer wants to stay the course.
Francis
Cathedral City, California, USA
Tsunami Tuesday as their calling it will do it I think, same on the Democratic side, everything up until then seems to be nothing more than good dinner theatre...
Thanks Jack
Chris
The GOP is doomed. McCain is too Bush, Romney is too Kerry, Huckabee is too yesterday, and Giulliani is too late. Kharmic chaos is the inevitable result of the Iraq Administration. America no longer wants to stay the course.
Francis
Cathedral City, California, USA
Gee why don't you ask Bill Clinton i see more of him now then i did when he was in office. Give me a break bill go back an write a new book on how you helped.
I think the states involved in the GOP primaries up to this point represent a cold-market of voters for current low-delgate candidates like Ron Paul. No offense to the fine citizens of New Hampshire, but north eastern voters seem to be very well politically grounded as far as historic individual values, as well as being optomistic of the "carbon-copy Republican" like the current GOP frontrunners. Iowa, along with a handful of other mid-western states, is similar to that same market; and Michigan was going to Mitt Romney from the start. I believe the west-coast, NW/SW, and Rocky-Mountain-states will host a much warmer market to several campaigns that haven't previously been able to take-off; possibly making this an even closer race. Nevada could play a VERY important part in starting that momentum. Only time will tell.
Horrors! One caucus and two primaries and the nominee "still" hasn't been selected!
You guys are so dumb that, even though all you care about is the horse race (gossip being so much easier on the brain than research into substantive issues), you don't realize that the longer the horse race goes on, the more you will have to gossip about.
Tell me, do you also declare the baseball, basketball & football seasons over after the first 3 games?
Jack,
It doesn't really seem to matter how it finally gets sorted out. None of the Republican candidates has any realistic shot at the White House come November running against the Democrats – save one man: Ron Paul.
With 70% of the country disapproving of the war in Iraq, there is no way a Pro-War Republican will EVER defeat Hillary or Obama. The war is too big of an issue, and is too closely tied to the economic problems our country is facing, to not be THE determining factor.
And as a lifelong Republican I find it extremely unfortunate. Ron Paul – the one man who would actually restore the core Republican principles of limited government, low taxes, sound money & a strong economy, has been ignored by the majority of the party.
If the Republican party continues to ignore Ron Paul, they do so at their own peril. If they end up nominating any candidate other than Dr. Paul – they will lose the general election. It's as simple as that.
Dear Jack.
I apologize for using this site to vent my frustration with the press, CNN inclusive for the biased news coverage on television and on line that always favors Obama at the expense of everyone. I just got through watching a news item that showed Obama and his surrogates' latest spanish radio ad. , falsely accusing Hillary Clinton of stopping the hispanic vote and calling Hillary evil and shameless. This came on the heel of Obama's pledge for truce and an end to false name calling and also a few days after his "experienced and status quo supporter, Leon boasted on the national media that their campaign is well disciplined and that each supporter receives daily briefing on a daily of the expected code of conduct as sanctioned and indicated by Obama himself. Obama and his supportersf ailed to state in their falsified ad. that the law suit regarding the mobile presincts was actually filed by the teachers union against the democratic party in Neveda not against Obama or his supporters(what a cheap shot).On hearing this advertisement on Fox and John Edward's candid characterization of such ad of politics of division, I quickly clicked to CNN, afterall Anderson360 was on. To my amazement I did not hear Anderson make even the slightest reference to this awful lie that is a potential threat to everyone who believes in unity. If Obama will stand alongside his supporters and let them twist the truth as crooked as his and his camp are beginning to appear, it will be the worst travesty this nation especially the black community will ever see. Who is the true Obama. Is he the one who criticizes experienced politicians and calls them status quo yet surrounds himself the same people as his "think tank." Is he the one who "unites all races in Iowa and New Hamshire and "divides all races in S.C.? Is he the one that lightens his skin in north east america and lives his natural dark skin in the south? Is he the one that praises President Reagan who never stepped into Black Africa once and dehumanizes President Clinton who stood side by side with the african american community time after time. What cause has Obama fought on behalf of the colored people that he now claims monopoly of ownership. Michelle Obama's comments in the recent MLK event makes one wonder if they are in this endeavor for that "dream" Mr King(God bless and rest the good man's soul)has for American as a nation where all will be judged not by the color of their skin but my the content of their character. Obama has told blacks in S.C. to ignore the content of the Clinton's character who have fought all their lives for equality(a sacred belief of Mr King), but to judge them by the color of their skin. Consequently, he has asked them to vote for him alone in S.C. despite the mountain of economic, social, etc problems that they have suffered most from. Those blacks that are so blinded with color, should ask Obama for one single thing he has done for the down trodden of this nation that has made a difference. This is a fair question because there are mountains of issues facing these communities–drugs, murder now are compounded with intense economic problems that are eroding those who rose to middle and sub middle class during President Clinton's 8 years of peace and prosperity which Obama has verbally undermined in order to score political points. Again, the media heard this and never asked him to explain. Who is the real Obama and what is his mission?. Is he and his wife only after their political achievement at the expense of all. Do they really have the passion to serve and help to better the lives of people. Do their hearts hold what they say?. Or is this politics as usual? Who is the real Obama? Is he one that bites the fingers that feeds him? Is he determined to climb to the top while division in the democratic party? By all accounts, it smells like Karl Roves style politics of division. We the viewers and the electorate are awake and alert. We can see, we can hear and most of all we can think, analyse and decide. The light of fairness, truth and neutrality must keep shining ! Hear us O' press.
God bless America and save her from all those who do not speak to the obvious and current pain of her people at this moment of her history.
Thank you Jack for allowing me use this space.
Thanks to all fair minded people for reading.
Again, from a fair minded middle aged college educated black woman who sees the human being in man before the race or color.
THE COST OF SUPPORTING RON PAUL
I would like to vent on how I was treated by Fort Henry Mall management in Kingsport, TN. I went there regularly before I started hauling the trailer.
I have a small 10 foot trailer that I am hauling a 4ft X 8ft Ron Paul sign on. I had my truck and sign parked in the parking lot at the Fort Henry Mall. I had backed my truck into a parking space but did have the trailer wheels in the grass so the mall management had my truck and trailer towed. My truck was parked as it should have been but the mall had two wreckers tow both my truck and my trailer at a cost to me of $153.80. When I saw that they had my truck and trailer towed I went to management and ask where my truck was towed to. (Oh, by the way I have a disabled veteran tag on my truck) My disability is related to agent orange so I am still fairly active but I was not dressed for the 3 mile walk to the impound lot to get my truck. At the time I talked to the manager I ask if I could park in the lot as I was in the mall about 2 hours each day. I was told that it would be alright as long as I parked in between the lines but I was hassled by the manager again because of where I was parked. I was parked in the same small lot where the ATM is on the Fort Henry Drive side. I reminded him that he said that I could park as long as I had it within the lines. He told me that I could not park there but agreed I could park within the other lots closer to the mall. So I will be there daily but may be hassled again even though I have followed his instructions.
In my discussion with the manager I ask if he thought there could have been another way he could have handled it other than have both my trailer and truck towed as the truck was parked as it should have been. I asked if maybe a note could have been left on my truck asking me to come by the office. (A first warning)
I must also say that neither my truck or trailer were obstructing traffic within the parking lot. I was parked on the perimeter of the parking lot Thanks for letting me vent.
It was all worth it to support RON PAUL