Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;845962]On the contrary, I do think that was the ultimate deciding factor. Of course family is always a consideration as it should be. With the exception of Senator John Thune, they all criss-crossed the country and openly flirted with the possibility of running for president. Chris Christie just gave a big speech at the Reagan library two weeks ago and strung the media along for months before saying no. Bottom line, it just wasn't there. Same with Palin, same with Huckabee. Mitch Daniels said his family was the ultimate factor, but he didn't seem to have the fire either.

The point I'm making is, I've heard them all give substantive TV interviews about what they would do to change the direction of the country; that Obama could be beaten and he's a one term president. [B]But when opportunity came knocking, they didn't have the guts to put skin in the game and back it up.[/B] [/quote]

And once again, not having the guts, or not believing you can win isn't the same as "I don't want to run for president."

12th, you may not be up for a cage-match against Gary Coleman's dead corpse. But it won't be because you don't think you can win.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Beemnseven;845964]And once again, not having the guts, or not believing you can win isn't the same as "I don't want to run for president."

12th, you may not be up for a cage-match against Gary Coleman's dead corpse. But it won't be because you don't think you can win.[/quote]

But why Gary Coleman? lol

That said, I don't think you cross the country, hold focus groups, dozens of TV interviews if you don't want to be president. It's one thing to add your voice to the debate, it's another to be the center of the conversation.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Beemnseven;845921]Warren Buffet pays the capital gains tax, while his secretary pays federal income taxes. They are two completely different things.

Now, if you are saying that the capital gains tax rate should be the same rate as the top level income tax rate, fine. But if you think your 401k didn't take enough of a hit over the last few years, don't worry. Jacking the capital gains rate up will clean out whatever you have left.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather not have Congress find a way to make it [I]less profitable[/I] to invest.[/quote]

Everyone missed the story. The cheap ass makes buckets of money. Sorry dumpsters of money and he pays his personal secretary only $60000 per year. What a tight a$$ and no wonder he feels guilty.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

In June 2006, he announced a plan to give away his fortune to charity, with 83% of it going to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[104] He pledged about the equivalent of 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (worth approximately US$30.7 billion as of June 23, 2006),[105] making it the largest charitable donation in history, and Buffett one of the leaders of philanthrocapitalism.[106] The foundation will receive 5% of the total donation on an annualised basis each July, beginning in 2006. (Significantly, however, the pledge is conditional upon the foundation's giving away each year, beginning in 2009, an amount that is at least equal to the value of the entire previous year's gift from Buffett, in addition to 5% of the foundation's net assets.) Buffett also will join the board of directors of the Gates Foundation, although he does not plan to be actively involved in the foundation's investments.[107][108]
probably can call him lots of things. but cheap ass isnt one of them

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=dmek25;846074]In June 2006, he announced a plan to give away his fortune to charity, with 83% of it going to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[104] He pledged about the equivalent of 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (worth approximately US$30.7 billion as of June 23, 2006),[105] making it the largest charitable donation in history, and Buffett one of the leaders of philanthrocapitalism.[106] The foundation will receive 5% of the total donation on an annualised basis each July, beginning in 2006. (Significantly, however, the pledge is conditional upon the foundation's giving away each year, beginning in 2009, an amount that is at least equal to the value of the entire previous year's gift from Buffett, in addition to 5% of the foundation's net assets.) Buffett also will join the board of directors of the Gates Foundation, although he does not plan to be actively involved in the foundation's investments.[107][108]
probably can call him lots of things. but cheap ass isnt one of them[/quote]

He is just doing that for the tax write off.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=firstdown;846111]He is just doing that for the tax write off.[/quote]

:doh:

yeah of course he is

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;845961]Herman Cain's quite the flavor of the week (read as: month).

What's up with that?[/quote]

Cain's rise has been quite the surprise.

Here's a poll released just today: [B]NBC/WSJ numbers: Cain 27, Romney 23, Perry 16. Last month, it was Perry 38, Romney 23 and Cain 5. Herman Cain has jumped 22 points in six weeks![/B]

I think there are two things going on: The Tea Party's disapproval of Mitt Romney, as a candidate, and Rick Perry's horrible debate performances has brought Herman Cain into favor with conservatives. Once his economic plan is vetted more, you'll probably see his numbers come back down to earth. None of these candidates can stand toe to toe with Obama on national security or foreign policy experience.

The short of it is, Herman Cain is on probation for another month or two until Republican voters come to their senses and realize that Mitt Romney has the best shot at beating Barack Obama.

Cain's got Hank Williams Jr's vote! Not sure his 9 9 9 plan will fly though.

White House is preparing as if it will be Romney though

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;846430]None of these candidates can stand toe to toe with Obama on national security or foreign policy experience.[/quote]None have the foreign policy [I]experience[/I], but they've got the same amount Obama had in 2008. It will be a tough sell to the American people that Obama will be stronger on National Security or foreign policy than a Republican candidate.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;846446]White House is preparing as if it will be Romney though[/quote]Smart move, with the Christie endorsement I'd be surprised if he isn't the nominee.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846466]None have the foreign policy [I]experience[/I], but they've got the same amount Obama had in 2008. [B]It will be a tough sell to the American people that Obama will be stronger on National Security or foreign policy than a Republican candidate[/B].[/quote]

On the National Security front, I find it comical how all of W's war powers stuff got blasted by this administration on it's way into office, and now they're pulling out all the same stops as the previous administration.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846466]None have the foreign policy [I]experience[/I], but they've got the same amount Obama had in 2008. It will be a tough sell to the American people that Obama will be stronger on National Security or foreign policy than a Republican candidate.[/quote]

As a senator, Obama was on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Homeland Security. He and Senator Lugar travelled to the former Soviet states to inspect the destruction of WMDs and they did craft a piece of legislation to keep nukes out of the hands of terrorists. That was before he become president.

In terms of what he's accomplished since becoming president, the list is long and as of right now most Americans, I think 61%, approve of his handling national security. Very far from a tough sell.

Huntsman of course has foreign policy experience, but alas I think his campaign is an extremely uphill battle

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;846474]As a senator, Obama was on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Homeland Security. He and Senator Lugar travelled to the former Soviet states to inspect the destruction of WMDs and they did craft a piece of legislation to keep nukes out of the hands of terrorists. That was before he become president. [/quote]And Sarah Palin could see "Russia" from her house and that counted as foreign policy experience too. :)

This was simply an expansion of the Nunn-Lugar Act of 1991 and has been an ongoing initiative. (Are there any Ds left like Nunn, BTW?)

[quote]In terms of what he's accomplished since becoming president, the list is long and as of right now most Americans, I think [B]61%, approve of his handling national security.[/B] Very far from a tough sell.[/quote]I'm from Missouri on that one, you'll have to show me. With his approval ratings in the mid-40s, I find it pretty hard to believe he's got a 61% approval on National Security. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I've got to see the poll.

That being said, in the general election (folks voting normally have 30 sec soundbite knowledge of the issues, at best) it is extremely difficult for a D to win the "strong on defense" issue.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

Here you go young fella. National Security is one of the things no one cares about it until something happens. You know, like a bombing or a potential threat. The WH has been keeping score and will make sure that Repubs will not own this issue.

Obama doubled down in Afghanistan and keeping his promise to bring the rest of the Iraq troops home by year's end. I'll believe it when it happens. Romney could make some desperate and wildly inaccurate statement about President Obama being weak on defense, but it won't stick. Not even a little.

[url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-30/obama-analysis/50619058/1]Killings boost Obama's national security credentials – USATODAY.com[/url]

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-2012-is-like-basketball-and-i-dont-miss-clutch-shots/]Obama: 2012 Is Like Basketball, and I Don’t Miss Clutch Shots - ABC News[/url]

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;846484]Here you go young fella. National Security is one of the things no one cares about it until something happens. You know, like a bombing or a potential threat. The WH has been keeping score and will make sure that Repubs will not own this issue. [/quote]Folks like us that follow things understand what's going on and to Obama's credit he's done some good things on National Security.....some not so good too. At the end of the day the Rs will point to defense cuts, Obama simply reaping the benefits (the al-Qaeda kills) of what the Bush Admin started, and mention that he had no foreign policy experience when he came in. I don't see NS being an issue that helps Obama.

In Nov. 2012, "It's the economy stupid", and 39% approval numbers a year out from re-election ain't good.

[quote]
[URL="http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-30/obama-analysis/50619058/1"]Killings boost Obama's national security credentials – USATODAY.com[/URL][/quote]That poll was done right after Bin Laden was killed....c'mon man.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;846485][URL="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-2012-is-like-basketball-and-i-dont-miss-clutch-shots/"]Obama: 2012 Is Like Basketball, and I Don’t Miss Clutch Shots - ABC News[/URL][/quote]He better hope the economy doesn't continue to give him this:

[url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-26/sports/30035117_1_pickup-basketball-game-president-obama-stitches]President Obama Injured In Pick-Up Basketball Game - Business Insider[/url]

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846506]He better hope the economy doesn't continue to give him this:

[url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-26/sports/30035117_1_pickup-basketball-game-president-obama-stitches]President Obama Injured In Pick-Up Basketball Game - Business Insider[/url][/quote]

LOL...that's funny. A buddy works at the WH and I've been dying to ask him who popped Obama in the lip, but we usually stay away from politics.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846502]Folks like us that follow things understand what's going on and to Obama's credit he's done some good things on National Security.....some not so good too. At the end of the day the Rs will point to defense cuts, Obama simply reaping the benefits (the al-Qaeda kills) of what the Bush Admin started, and mention that he had no foreign policy experience when he came in. I don't see NS being an issue that helps Obama.

In Nov. 2012, "It's the economy stupid", and 39% approval numbers a year out from re-election ain't good.

That poll was done right after Bin Laden was killed....c'mon man.[/quote]

Yeah that's a tough sell for Rs, that Obama's reaping the benefits of Bush when he's doubled Bush's success in 3 years and put a hole in Bin Laden's head. In terms of defense cuts, Robert Gates proposed $78 Billion in cuts and he's Bush's appointee. Besides most Americans understand that our defense budget is unsustainable and has been a drag on our economy. The majority of Americans want to end these costly wars like yesterday.

Mitt Romney proposing an increase in defense spending at a time when the middle class has been squeezed like never before, income disparity is the highest it's been in 30 years, and we lack investment in education and energy, I think that's a debate Obama is happy to have Romney.

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8244278/Robert-Gates-proposes-78-billion-US-defence-cuts.html]Robert Gates proposes $78 billion US defence cuts - Telegraph[/url]

[url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-13/obama-said-to-seek-pentagon-cuts-that-go-beyond-defense-chief-gates-s-plan.html]Obama Said to Seek $400 Billion Defense Cut Through Fiscal 2023 - Bloomberg[/url]

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

Few things:

1. If you turn 999 upside down what do you get? You get the devil and we all know the devil is in the details.

2. Herman Cain proposed a federal sales tax and thus taking away or marginalizing the power of a state to manage its own sales tax policy and the conservatives cheer?

3. Per his request as reflected in his performance I'm going to officially eliminate Perry from contention.

4. Romney looks like he is going to get his wish...it's a shame he will get get creamed by Obama.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

So wait, you and SligginSammy have a bet, right? $100? LOL...I can't wait to see who pays up.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846502]Folks like us that follow things understand what's going on and to Obama's credit he's done some good things on National Security.....some not so good too. At the end of the day the Rs will point to defense cuts, [B]Obama simply reaping the benefits (the al-Qaeda kills) of what the Bush Admin started[/B], and mention that he had no foreign policy experience when he came in. I don't see NS being an issue that helps Obama.

In Nov. 2012, "It's the economy stupid", and 39% approval numbers a year out from re-election ain't good.

That poll was done right after Bin Laden was killed....c'mon man.[/quote]

Looks like Obama still reaping that benifits of a poor economy, which was what the Bush Admin started. Interesting read, inflation numbers and consumer price indexes from 2004 to 2008

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=saden1;846568]Few things:

1. If you turn 999 upside down what do you get? You get the devil and we all know the devil is in the details.[/quote]The more I hear from her the less likely I think she'll ever be successful on the national stage.

[quote]2. Herman Cain proposed a federal sales tax and thus taking away or marginalizing the power of a state to manage its own sales tax policy and the conservatives cheer?[/quote]Herman Cain's 999 plan is a step towards implementing the FairTax plan. Under FairTax the states still have the opportunity to impose an income tax, however that's unlikely and states will simply adjust their sales tax rate to be revenue neutral.

[quote]3. Per his request as reflected in his performance I'm going to officially eliminate Perry from contention.[/quote]agree

[quote]4. Romney looks like he is going to get his wish...[/quote]Game on!

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;846574]Looks like Obama still reaping that benifits of a poor economy, which was what the Bush Admin started. Interesting read, inflation numbers and consumer price indexes from 2004 to 2008[/quote]Keep in mind, I'm stating how I think the Rs will attack Obama on National Security, not that I think it's the best way to go. Precisely because of some counter-arguments that are opened up, specifically like the one you just mentioned.

If it's me running the R campaign, I give credit to Obama for success against Al Qaeda and mention that he's taken plays from the conservative playbook in the War on Terror....and I make it a point to call it that, I point to defense cuts, and point to his limited foreign policy experience in 2008. Then I quickly move on to the poor economy, tax & spend, etc.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846578]Keep in mind, I'm stating how I think the Rs will attack Obama on National Security, not that I think it's the best way to go. Precisely because of some counter-arguments that are opened up, specifically like the one you just mentioned.

If it's me running the R campaign, I give credit to Obama for success against Al Qaeda and mention that he's taken plays from the conservative playbook in the War on Terror....and I make it a point to call it that, I point to defense cuts, and point to his limited foreign policy experience in 2008. Then I quickly move on to the poor economy, tax & spend, etc.[/quote]

True....sidenote with GOP candidates, Im glad Cain is coming back and showing good numbers, not cause i agree with what he is saying, but since the beginning hes been the only one offering tangeble solutions to issues. I thought the R would lean towards more style than substance with with Bachman and Perry. I think that really says people are listening and expecting real solutions this time. So this should wake up the Rs as well as Obama. Its a good sign.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;846587]True....sidenote with GOP candidates, Im glad Cain is coming back and showing good numbers, not cause i agree with what he is saying, but since the beginning hes been the only one offering tangeble solutions to issues. I thought the R would lean towards more style than substance with with Bachman and Perry. I think that really says people are listening and expecting real solutions this time. So this should wake up the Rs as well as Obama. Its a good sign.[/quote]I've always like Cain, he's great on radio. I didn't think he would be showing so strong, but I'd certainly say your assessment is dead on. I know I've been disappointed in both Bachmann/Perry.

As you look through the field of GOP challengers, where does their support go when they drop.....Romney or Cain. Some will go to Romney because of the Christie endorsement, but you've got to think Perry's folks will go in a large percentage to Cain, Bachmann & Gingrich to Cain, Ron Paul tough to say. If that holds up, Cain should be the nominee.

This is turning out to be a very intresting GOP campaign.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;846591]I've always like Cain, he's great on radio. I didn't think he would be showing so strong, but I'd certainly say your assessment is dead on. I know I've been disappointed in both Bachmann/Perry.

As you look through the field of GOP challengers, where does their support go when they drop.....Romney or Cain. Some will go to Romney because of the Christie endorsement, but you've got to think Perry's folks will go in a large percentage to Cain, Bachmann & Gingrich to Cain, Ron Paul tough to say. If that holds up, Cain should be the nominee.

This is turning out to be a very intresting GOP campaign.[/quote]

I think if Cain slides, and he could given the fluid nature of the field, his support would go back to Perry. Romney's ceiling seems to be in the 22% range since day one. Romney will get his breakthrough once he's nominated. Even that isn't looking like a slam dunk, though I expect it to happen.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

I like Obama's foreign policy more than Mitt's, but its the lesser of 2 evils for me as i think they are both pretty bad. I think the problem Obama has is that he has really upset a part of his base by entering into new wars. He has also given off the perception that he is siding with Palestinians’ which hurts his Jewish support.

Also Romney, in particular, will attack Obama on the popular opinion that Obama is and has been publically apologizing for what he views as America's past sins. A lot of Obama's apology tour was exaggerated and in some cases in line with past Presidents, but some of it was very questionable.

[URL="http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/587698/201110111829/Apologies-Not-Accepted.htm"]Apologies Not Accepted - Investors.com[/URL]

Like past presidential elections I think America blindly votes for one person or political party over another, although I think the 2008 elections were of particular ignorance. Democrats, Independents and even many Republicans didn’t want a neo-con or anything that reminded them of Bush. After 12 years of Bush and 8 years of Clinton the thought of Hilary seemed better suited for a empire and not a republic. A young, very well educated and incredible articulate speaker that seemed to truly want to transform the way things are done in Washington, paired with the insider Biden who could administer those changes seemed appealing to everyone, policy issues aside. That combined with someone who wanted to end 7 long years of what seemed like a misguided war was a big part of the reason Obama, the brand, became extremely desirable.

A lot of the things that made his brand so popular a few years ago are completely gone. Its not just that people feel like Obama didn’t live up to his hype and they were somewhat short changed, it’s that a lot of people feel that Obama sold out and they were cheated. Obama has no hope whatsoever in energizing those people like he did in 2008, however, many people are energized to vote against anyone who isn’t named Obama. More votes in 2008 may have been cast in ignorance then any prior election, but the amount of people blindly voting for anything but Obama in 2012 may be just as bad.

I don’t think Obama or saden1 has a chance.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

ML, our troops will be home by year's end (knock on wood). So what new wars has Obama started?

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=mlmpetert;846596]I like Obama's foreign policy more than Mitt's, but its the lesser of 2 evils for me as i think they are both pretty bad. I think the problem Obama has is that hes really upset a part of his base by entering into new wars. He also has made the public perception that he is siding with Palestinians’ has also hurt a lot of his Jewish support.

I will also add something i think Romney, in particular, will attack Obama on is the popular opinion that Obama is and has been publically apologizing for what he views as America's past sins. A lot of Obama's apology tour was exaggerated and in some cases in line with past Presidents, but some of it was very questionable.

[url=http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/587698/201110111829/Apologies-Not-Accepted.htm]Apologies Not Accepted - Investors.com[/url]

Like all presidential elections I think America blindly voted for one person or political party over another, although I think the 2008 elections were of particular ignorance. Democrats, Independents and even many Republicans didn’t want a neo-con or anything that reminded them of Bush. After 12 years of Bush and 8 years of Clinton the thought of Hilary seemed better suited for a empire and not a republic. A young, very well educated and incredible articulate speaker that seemed to truly want to transform the way things are done in Washington, paired with the insider Biden who could administer those changes seemed appealing to everyone, policy issues aside. That combined with someone who wanted to end 7 long years of what seemed like a misguided war was a big part of the reason Obama, the brand, became extremely desirable.

A lot of the things that made his brand so popular a few years ago are completely gone. Its not just that people feel like Obama didn’t live up to his hype and they were somewhat short changed, it’s that a lot of people feel that Obama sold out and they were cheated. Obama has no hope whatsoever in energizing those people like he did in 2008, however, many people are energized to vote against anyone who isn’t named Obama. More votes in 2008 may have been cast in ignorance then any prior election, but the amount of people blindly voting for anything but Obama may be just as bad.

I don’t think Obama or saden1 has a chance.[/quote]

You raise some fair points. But your statement about Obama's brand being gone is largely media driven and way off the mark. Are Obama supporters as enthusiastic as they were in '08, I don't think so. However the grassroots remains solid. Even in the best of economic times, no policy (foreign or domestic) is without flaws and has the luxury of hindsight. Every president could have done things better or differently. For me, Obama has been largely as advertised. He said change would be difficult, he's been pragmatic, and not overly partisan. For people that would like to see more conservative policies coming out of the White House, well, vote your guy into office. It's really that simple.

Also worth noting that Obama just raised $70 million dollars last quarter and 257,000 of those people were first time donors. That's a quarter of a million new supporters into the fold. Pretty incredible for someone who's brand is suffering. In my opinion those numbers are a good indicator of where he stands with his base of supporters. If Mitt Romney and the GOP are counting on voters abandoning Obama next year, they will most definitely be disappointed.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

Honestly I'm not happy with any of the Republican candidates. I just went looking the other day at each candidate and after a short while gave up thinking our options are either Obama or trash. I'd have taken almost any of the candidates who have declined to run over the candidates who are on the table right now.

Which is why today I went looking and found this......

[url=http://drafttrump2012.com/]Petition to Draft Donald Trump for President 2012[/url]

and signed the Petition to the right. He did say if there were no decent options he would step up and run.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=saden1;846568]Few things:

1. If you turn 999 upside down what do you get? You get the devil and we all know the devil is in the details.

2. Herman Cain proposed a federal sales tax and thus taking away or marginalizing the power of a state to manage its own sales tax policy and the conservatives cheer?

3. Per his request as reflected in his performance I'm going to officially eliminate Perry from contention.

4. Romney looks like he is going to get his wish...it's a shame he will get get creamed by Obama.[/quote]

I just don't like Romney who is second runner up right now to Cain. Of the two I'd take Cain but I'm not impressed with him either.

Again which is why I'd take Trump. I know some will think I'm a fool but I like a lot of his ideas which were similar to my own and thinking hopefully a business man can fix our failed situation over bringing in yet another failed politition.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

You want a businessman...but you don't want Mitt?

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=saden1;846568]Few things:

1. If you turn 999 upside down what do you get? You get the devil and we all know the devil is in the details.

2. Herman Cain proposed a federal sales tax and thus taking away or marginalizing the power of a state to manage its own sales tax policy and the conservatives cheer?

3. Per his request as reflected in his performance I'm going to officially eliminate Perry from contention.

4. Romney looks like he is going to get his wish...it's a shame he will get get creamed by Obama.[/quote]

I don't think the Cain sales tax has any affect on the states taxes. Why would it?

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=12thMan;846594]I think if Cain slides, and he could given the fluid nature of the field, his support would go back to Perry. Romney's ceiling seems to be in the 22% range since day one. Romney will get his breakthrough once he's nominated. [B]Even that isn't looking like a slam dunk, though I expect it to happen[/B].[/quote]I tend to agree with you there, GOP establishment is hard to break. Too much $$$ and entrenched influence.

I was initially pretty bored with the whole primary, but with some of the recent twists & turns and Cain's surge, it's caught my interest. Chico brought up a great point about people wanting solutions over style. It'll be very interesting how it plays out.

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

It will be fun to watch as Cain gains momentum how is the left going to bash him without being the raciest they call everyone who disagrees with Obama?

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;846612]You want a businessman...but you don't want Mitt?[/quote]

Personally no. It's my understanding he has endorsed Obama's health care plan. I don't like the plan, so ... I don't like him.

I know I won't find the "perfect" candidate but the health care topic is a biggie for me. I'll pass on Romney.

I do like the fact Cain has the Tea Party behind him but again he just doesn't stand out as Presidential material. I also don't like the whole 999 theory he has.

and lastly lets be honest, the Republican party will throw whoever they think has the best chance of winning against Obama. Common sense I know but the problem is they are letting all the best candidates walk away and simply giving the public crap. So now they are throwing the crap against the wall to see who sticks and then throw all their endorsements into crap, package it up with nice paper and throw a bow on it, leaving the voters to either pick crap vs. crap.

I feel sorry for the Republican party. I'm an Independant and vote for whom I think will be the best candidate, but Republicans must be scratching their heads like me wondering why they are letting better candidates simply opt out.

Bob McDonnell-Virginia
Jeb Bush-Florida
Donald Trump

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

I see. Well I just thought it was interesting that you seemed to be touting Trump for his business experience but not considering Romney a businessman

Re: Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread
 

[quote=SBXVII;846621]I do like the fact Cain has the Tea Party behind him but again he just doesn't stand out as Presidential material. I also don't like the whole 999 theory he has. [/quote]Cain's 9-9-9 plan is just the first phase in moving to the FairTax system. If you haven't read about it, it's worth looking into. It will jump start the economy and reduce the IRS to a small fraction of what it is today. It removes the complexities of the tax code and closes virtually all tax loopholes.

[quote]I feel sorry for the Republican party. I'm an Independant and vote for whom I think will be the best candidate, but Republicans must be scratching their heads like me wondering why they are letting better candidates simply opt out. [/quote]I'd be comfortable with Romney or Herman Cain, both would do a good job as POTUS. I think Gingrich would do well as POTUS, but he could never win a general election.