Patterico's Pontifications

1/2/2012

How the media got Iowa wrong

Filed under: 2012 Election — Karl @ 7:49 am



[Posted by Karl]

Ben Smith, from his new perch at BuzzFeed Politics, offers a nice media audit as the Iowa caucuses loom:

This was the year politics changed forever, we thought. The old habits of handshakes and diners had been replaced by new ones: virtual candidates who entered voters’ living rooms through their paid gigs on Fox News. Celebrities, freaks, and inspirational speakers — like Donald Trump and Herman Cain — who dominated opinion polls through the sheer volume of their media presences.

***

The candidates themselves, most of all, believed and fed our hype, and without the thoughtful hedges toward the end of those articles. People like Newt Gingrich and Cain ran what would more traditionally be thought of as godawful, miserable, terrible campaigns. We wrote that they were trying a new method. They were encouraged to keep trying.

But we misunderstood what was really happening. The candidates weren’t inventing a new paradigm. They were just doing it wrong.

And in last night’s Des Moines Register poll — a crucial final measure that typically accelerates whatever trend it finds — the three men in the lead were the three [who] have spent the most time in Iowa over the last six years: Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum.

Although I made my share of errors in 2011, this wasn’t one of them.  The track record of these new types of candidacies or phantom candidacies has not been good.  Indeed, in the case of Rick Perry, we didn’t yet know how much his campaign was ignoring the basics, to his detriment.  While Santorum’s campaign was largely ignored by the establishment media, it turns out he’s been doing traditional retail:

Poll numbers capture the attention of the public. But among political staff members here a single metric is prized above all else: the number of people recruited to deliver the candidate’s impassioned final arguments to voters on caucus night.

The wide gap between the figures for Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Santorum say much about their organizations in Iowa, which has more than 1,700 precincts.

As of midweek, Mr. Santorum, who traipsed to even the most rural of Iowa’s 99 counties over many months, had secured speakers in 1,000 of the precincts. Mr. Gingrich, who opened an office here only a few weeks ago, had nailed down about only 200.

Though that number had doubled by the end of the next day, Mr. Gingrich’s own aides acknowledged that the shortage of speakers could be a problem. “Iowans have a deep belief in organization,” said April Linder, a staff member, “and when you don’t have a speaker, it shows a lack of organization.”

Perry reportedly has 1,500 precinct leaders now; although he’s stuck in the second tier, he’s currently the second choice of many voters (although I wonder whether Santorum’s momentum will affect that in the final two days).   If Perry exceeds expectations, organization will be a big part of it.  The value of traditional campaigning turns out to be less mythical than some thought.

Update: Cindy Cooper informs me via Twitter of this Jennifer Rubin report from Dec. 22, quoting an Iowa state official to the effect that Newt had only a few hundred precinct captains.  Although Rubin’s agenda is transparent, the official’s count suggests the more recent NYT story did not show much progress on Newt’s part.

–Karl

77 Responses to “How the media got Iowa wrong”

  1. Ding!

    Karl (5a613f)

  2. It’s a given they will get the story wrong, Karl,
    the results of which will not be known for two weeks

    narciso (87e966)

  3. narciso,

    There’s always an element of that. My point here is not to gloat, but to note that if I can be skeptical about the viability of supposedly new types of campaigning that look crappy, so could the people who cover campaigns for a living.

    Karl (5a613f)

  4. Sorry about that, but Ben Smith, is legendarily wrong so often, it almost doesn’t bear repeating, it’s sometimes unclear if it’s malice or ignorance,
    so I’d say 50/50 on that score. It’s like when Tom Ricks missed the Anbar Awakening along with Woodward,Packer, Corn, et al, then deigned to fill us in,

    narciso (87e966)

  5. I give Smith credit, not only for admitting his own mistake here, but tagging others who made the mistake.

    An additional thought: the establishment media was especially prone to this mistake because they would like to believe that the power of the media is growing.

    Karl (5a613f)

  6. narciso,

    As for the press getting Anbar wrong… I wrote about that, too,

    Karl (5a613f)

  7. The media has told us for years that the power was in electronic media, which would displace “old fashioned” retail politics (and in highly populated urban areas, it does); but IA is IA, and caucus goers want to meet, if not the candidate, at least a recognized representative of same, on a one-on-one basis.

    New Hampshire is similar, but different in that you’re trying to get people to vote on Primary Day, not attend a “campaign rally” in the neighbor’s home.

    AD-RtR/OS! (304b67)

  8. Ben Smith ran the Cain wrecking crew at Politico,before he went over to Buzzfeed, how many unsourced stories in the course of a week, 90 or so, they made sure to ‘nuke him from orbit, just to make sure,

    narciso (87e966)

  9. Without going into the viral stew that is Politico, this shows he is less than a neutral observer, to this matter;

    http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Smith%2C+Ben%3B+Gingrich&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35

    narciso (87e966)

  10. Politico doesn’t go after the first fatass because To do so is only what unpatriotic right-wingers do.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  11. Mitt Romney is not into polygamy and I do not like him.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  12. Whoopi Goldberg is a good actress but has the personality of a hunk of brie.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  13. Brie can be tasty, Whoopi rarely is.

    AD-RtR/OS! (af70c8)

  14. Karl – have you noticed (or noted) any bloggers who have “transparent agendas”, other than the two you’ve repeatedly noted (Rubin and Tobin)?

    and Happy New Year!

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  15. Happy New year to you too!

    And a nice big Vanderhei to you………………………I love the SNL parody of Al not so Sharpton.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  16. John Hinderaker – with the help of Club For Growth, Cato and Evangelicals for Mitt – make a good case on why Romney’s record as Governor of Massachusetts should be considered pretty darn conservative.

    http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/01/more-on-romneys-record.php

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  17. Brie gives Whoopi “the wind”, AD.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  18. Well, that would be an intellectual improvement upon her normal discourse.

    AD-RtR/OS! (af70c8)

  19. Col.,

    have you noticed (or noted) any bloggers who have “transparent agendas”, other than the two you’ve repeatedly noted…

    Indeed I have, exploring it in some detail. I’ve also noted Ace and Erickson are pro-Perry.

    In this instance, I noted it because I think you can separate out Rubin’s actual reportage — here, the quote from the state official — from her bias. Although every blog has its regulars, I wouldn’t want a new visitor to dismiss Rubin in this instance and think I wasn’t aware of her background.

    Karl (5a613f)

  20. It’s interesting how honorable folks don’t mind admitting their support for conservatives like Perry, and dishonorable folks will pretend to be objective while trying to foist a progressive who actually thinks the ind. mandate is conservative.

    Strangely, some even think there’s cause to hint that Karl has been unfair for noting Rubin’s tilted behavior.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  21. I mean, Rubin has been ridiculous about it.

    Comparing that to Red State bloggers or whatever… it’s about as stupid as someone defending Katie Couric because Rush Limbaugh prefers conservatives.

    Why do Romney fans sound just like the left? Maybe because they are the left?

    Dustin (cb3719)

  22. Thanks for your response, Karl. I just got back in town and hadn’t read the entire Paul post or thread.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  23. Where was this guy a few months ago?

    Seriously, Rick Perry has often been capable of awesome, but I think it’s clearly too late. What a damn shame.

    He gets so much fury from liberals because he is an actual conservative. He didn’t just flip flop his way into pretending to be conservative like liberal Mitt Romney who thinks socialism is conservative.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  24. BTW… did you see Gabe’s post over at Ace? It appears Perry/Gingrich supporters may have their dreams for Virginia crushed:

    http://ace.mu.nu/archives/325246.php

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  25. The question you ask is valid, Karl, the notion that Ben Smith would ever come to the right answer
    as he shaped the course of the debate, is slightly
    less than zero,

    narciso (87e966)

  26. Well, that would be an intellectual improvement upon her normal discourse.

    Comment by AD-RtR/OS!

    Can’t argue with that assessment.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  27. Ben Smith’s track record might be 50/50, but he’s right on this one.

    Icy (7722a0)

  28. And yeah, the individual mandate is socialism. Controlling economic choices to provide freebies to folks, from each according to their ability, to each according to his need. Romney said that’s ‘conservative’. I guess some other ‘conservatives’ agreed at some point.

    But what I don’t get is that Romney professed he was a die hard oppressive. So why did he support something as conservative as the ind mandate? It’s like he’s a shameless liar or something.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  29. “oppressive”

    That was supposed to say “progressive”.

    Freudian slip. And kinda proud of it.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  30. “Where was this guy a few months ago?”

    Dustin – Maybe they switched his meds again.

    Comparing that to Red State bloggers or whatever

    Do you mean like Moe Lane floating unsupported conspiracy theories that Romney rigged the Virginia ballot access and that the rules were changed midstream to disadvantage Perry and Gingrich? That was good unbiased stuff.

    Happy New Year. It’s good to see you starting off right where you ended, not missing a beat.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  31. Carney always considered himself the MiniRove, but it’s doubtful that anybody still in the campaign, before the end of the first turn, would actually say what was in Politico,

    narciso (87e966)

  32. Disintegration of personality is a difficult thing to witness, daley. He has truly come undone.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  33. “So why did he support something as conservative as the ind mandate?”

    Dustin – Exactly how many times do you need it explained to you?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  34. Mitt Romney: still a socialist.

    One of the most liberal judicial appointment records in the country (and the MA leg had no say over this). That’s not just of Republicans. He’s to the left of most democrats.

    A liberal by record. His supporters have no argument FOR Romney. They have arguments trashing everyone else, because that’s how 2008 resulted in a RINO. Just be the last man standing. Those who rejected Rudy or Fred or whoever, because they weren’t good enough… wound up with something a lot worse.

    That’s why I can settle for Newt, who has a much better record and has accomplished so much more than Romney.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  35. “Controlling economic choices to provide freebies to folks, from each according to their ability, to each according to his need.”

    Dustin – Do you mean the choice is buy insurance or not? If you can afford it and choose not to, you pay a fine.

    If you can’t afford to, you get Medicaid or some state subsidized plan, not much different than now, right?

    People who pay taxes are already paying for uncompensated (freebies in your terminology) care. Which part is your beef over? The choice of yes or no?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  36. Dustin – Who is paying for Texas’ broke dick county hospital system? Isn’t that sort of the same as socialism?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  37. One of the most liberal judicial appointment records in the country (and the MA leg had no say over this).

    Watch the goalposts dance!

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  38. Pro Abortion Rights and Strong Gun Control Mitt Romney thinks the individual mandate is conservative, but he also claimed he was a progressive. Why did Romney support a conservative policy if he’s progressive? Could it be that he isn’t very honest about his true ideology, leading to bizarre flip flops?

    None of that matters because TX and MA are obviously on the exact same path and run basically the same, and all the other GOP candidates are gay and corrupt and their supporters are gay liars. So Romney is the last man standing… and the establishment can continue enjoying the pig-trough of a many trillion dollar government, pandering to voters with Romneycare and the like.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  39. “As governor, Romney pushed for important changes to Massachusetts expansive welfare system. Although federal welfare reform passed in 1995, Massachusetts was woefully behind, relying on a waiver to bypass many of the legislation’s important requirements. Romney fought for legislation that would bring Massachusetts’ welfare system up to date with federal standards by increasing the number of hours each week recipients must work and establishing a five-year limit for receiving benefits. Much to his credit and to the dismay of many Massachusetts liberals, Romney successfully forced Medicaid recipients to make co-payments for some services and successfully pushed for legislative action forcing new state workers to contribute 25% of their health insurance costs, up from 15%. Governor Romney also deserves praise for proposing to revolutionize the Massachusetts state pension system by moving it from a defined benefit system to a defined contribution system.”

    – Club For Growth

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  40. “If you think Bay State Democrats aren’t any different from their Arkansas or Alabama or Tennessee counterparts, try defending traditional marriage or vetoing stem-cell funding up in Boston, as Governor Romney did, and see what they do. But Governor Romney did — in addition to helping turn the economy around, opposing driver’s licenses and in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants, and defending Catholic Charities’ right to restrict adoptions to man-woman couples.”

    – Evangelicals for Mitt

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  41. Mitt Romney: progressive.

    37 years of support for the “Right” to murder the unborn, flip flopped as soon as it was politically expedient.

    $100 gun tax, per gun.

    One of the worst state debt ratios in the country, and a socialist takeover of economic choices (romneycare) that is costing the state and the country money neither have to provide pander payoffs ‘according to their need’ to welfare moms and illegal immigrants.

    And he calls that conservative.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  42. “Mitt Romney has been a standout conservative governor of a very liberal state. He believes in the traditional family, and he has fought for it — just ask Massachusetts’ pro-family leaders. He’s admitted he was wrong on abortion, and is now solidly pro-life — as his record in Massachusetts testifies. He also opposes embryonic stem cell research’s speculative and open-ended carelessness with human life. He’s shown courage under fire in several challenging situations, and has lived out his values (both publicly and privately) during a time when other Republicans, sadly, have not.

    In addition, we challenge our readers — friendly or hostile — to name one national political leader on either side of the aisle with a better record of business and economic leadership than Mitt Romney. We do not know what the economy will be like in 2012, but if it’s anything like it is today, who would you want at the helm? The former community organizer we have today? Or the founder of Bain Capital, the man who rescued the Salt Lake City Olympics, and the Governor who brought a state back from the brink of bankruptcy?

    In other words, he’s not just a man evangelicals can support — he’s the best choice for people of faith. It’s not even close.”

    – Evangelicals for Mitt

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  43. “The Cato Institute – another commendably purist organization – publishes biannual ratings of America’s governors. These ratings tend to be low, as very few meet Cato’s exacting standards. Still, they are useful for purposes of comparison. In 2006, near the end of Romney’s term, Cato gave him a score of 55 on its fiscal policy report card. Not great? Well, Romney tied Tim Pawlenty in Cato’s ranking system, and scored better than such stalwarts as Haley Barbour, Jeb Bush, John Hoeven and Mitch Daniels.”

    – John Hinderaker

    http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa581/reportcard_table.html

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  44. Comment by Dustin — 1/2/2012 @ 10:47 am

    His supporters have no argument FOR Romney. They have arguments trashing everyone else,

    They do have arguments, or Romney has arguments. They are just not good or true arguments.

    Argument number 1: Romney is a former businessman who therefore understands how the economy works and how to make it better.

    This is what set me off on my never sent tirade in 2007. It ranks on a level with Bill Clinton’s 1992 “economic plan” – although maybe that was worse since that was a total lie. It is sheer nonsense.

    If there was any truth to it, Romney would have some unique insights into proposals or unique ideas and he doesn’t or he doesn’t tell anyone if he does.

    I will tell you who or what does have some insights: economist Paul Kasriel who works for a bank and investment company in Chicago:

    http://www.safehaven.com/author/142/paul-kasriel

    See especially: http://www.safehaven.com/article/22450/if-some-dare-call-it-treason-was-milton-friedman-a-traitor

    (That particular article was evidently prompted by something Rick Perry said)

    Kasriel doesn’t really think Obama was right with his stimulus either:

    http://www.safehaven.com/article/17932/why-hasnt-the-stimulus-been-more-stimulative

    The secret to everything is bank credit growth (which also, actually, should be sound loans, even though the net amount owed should always be growing)

    Argument number 2: Romney is more electable. This is not actually a independent positive reason. It is not clear what the reason is that he is supposed to be more electable. I suppose it’s mostly based on current polling with Obama where he does better than other Republicans. But he was only doing about 2 points worse than Gingrich in November.

    One possible argument here is that Romney is more moderate more near the center. It is certainly true that some others have problems on the issues that Romney does not have. But Romney has actually pushed himself in that direction.

    It just simply can’t be said that Romney is more electable. Too many factors can effect that. I can see right now a very big problem for Romney (supposing you wanted him)

    He has the special added disadvantage of insincerity. Besides that, Romney will acquire all the negatives of Republicans in Congress if he doesn’t either distinguish himself from them or know how to defend what’s going on..

    Another reason Romney does better in polls vs Obama than other Republicans is simply that he’s less of an unknown quantity.

    Another reason, maybe the chief reason, why polls might show he’s more electable, might is that the other candidates get attacked. And maybe then the argument is made there’s nothing new that remains to come out about Romney. Not true. No, there can be plenty of attacks that weren’t made. Plenty of stuff never surfaced or gained traction about Clinton in 1992. Although plenty of other stuff did – a scandal a week Jerry Brown called it.

    More important, Romney can easily become his own undoing. If you don’t really like Romney this is no argument for him.

    Argument Number 3: Romney is not a career politician. Newt Gingrich rebutted this idea, causing Romney to say, idiotically, that losing the election to Ted Kennedy was the best thing that ever happened to him. He’s trotted this out again against Santorum.

    Come to think of it, this is a actually more a negative argument against other candidates – the one candidate it didn’t apply to was Herman Cain – than actually a positive argument for Romney.

    And anyway having been Governor of Massachusetts for 4 years and running for office for five years so far, he’s not exactly a non-politician.

    Sammy Finkelman (b17872)

  45. All eyes are on Iowa for the next 48-hours, but “Mitt Romney is still making impressive inroads in New Hampshire, according to today’s Suffolk University/7News poll. Romney’s support is growing in the state, but the spike in voter intensity is probably the best news for him out of this poll:

    The poll shows Romney leading with 43 percent of the vote – up 2 points from a day earlier, followed by Ron Paul (17 percent), Jon Huntsman (9 percent), and Newt Gingrich (8 percent), while another 7 percent was split among GOP hopefuls Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry. Fifteen percent remain undecided. …

    Romney voters appear unlikely to change their minds about their choice as primary day approaches. Seventy-three percent of Romney voters now say they are unlikely to change their minds about their choice, compared to 64 percent of Huntsman voters and 60 percent of Paul voters.”

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/02/demise-not-romney-new-hampshire/

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  46. Newt predicts loss in Iowa… says he feels “Romneyboated”.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  47. Well done, Sammy.

    It’s tiring going over it again, but it needs to be done. Someone has to say “no” when the establishment demands the GOP become progressive by nominating a progressive.

    The time for a conservative president is not later down the road.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  48. Finkelman, aren’t you one of those that thinks Romney “rigged” Virginia?

    Icy (7722a0)

  49. Romney went viciously negative and slap-fighty on the other Rs he didn’t feel were as entitled to the presidency as he is.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  50. Sammy had no idea just how deep the conspiracy ran, Icy. But he’s on the case.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  51. a romneybot who accuses others of being conspiracy theorists………………how amusing.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  52. Yes, Happyfeet, this is true. I saw what kind of primary campaign Romney had in mind when he went ballistic when Perry noted the fact that social security is a ponzi scheme, helpfully pandering by suggesting other Rs would abolish the program.

    Of course, that does REAL damage because the dems can more easily make the same suggestion Romney did, scaring the bajesus out of the low info voters Romney panders to.

    That’s the party loyalty Romney can expect in return from a lot of good folks. None. That’s a shame, as we need to get rid of Obama. History shows we’re more likely to do so with a conservative than a ‘I will say anything you want me to say’.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  53. quoting Ben Smith st BuzzFeed Politics,

    the three men in the lead were the three [who] have spent the most time in Iowa over the last six years: Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum.

    Karl:

    A lthough I made my share of errors in 2011, this wasn’t one of them.,

    It’s just a coincidence tat the three men in the lead were the three [who] have spent the most time in Iowa – and you have to twist the statistics to say that.

    Rick Santorum only wound up near the lead in the last week. If there hadn’t been the attack ads against Newt Gingrich that would not have happened. He was getting no traction whatsover.
    Did he meet a lot of people suddenly this week?

    What’s happening now is not because he met a lot of people. It may have something to do with some evangelists getting behind him. A week or so ago one of them asked Michele Bachmann to drop out in favor of Rick Santorum. She said: I’ve never polled less than Santorum.

    If it were true that spending time in Iowa were the key to victory, then Chris Dodd should have won the Iowa caucuses in 2088 in a landslide.

    And Romney – to say he was of the three who spent the most time in Iowa you have to include the 2007/8 campaign.

    Now this is what the Des Moines Register candidate tracker says (for 2011. I guess this includes January 1 and maybe January 2)

    http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/data/iowa-caucus/candidate-tracker/

    Total days [at least one candidate] spent [time] in Iowa to date: 354 A day must include one event. An event involves a physical appearance on behalf of the campaign.

    Total events to date: 894

    Rick Santorum
    104 days 308 events

    Michele Bachmann
    82 days 233 events

    Newt Gingrich
    63 days 128 events

    Ron Paul
    46 days 303 events.

    Rick Perry
    35 days 81 events

    Mitt Romney
    18 days 35 events

    Gary Johnson
    4 days 4 events.

    Jon Huntsman
    2 days 2 events

    Sammy Finkelman (b17872)

  54. It’s just a coincidence tat the three men in the lead were the three [who] have spent the most time in Iowa – and you have to twist the statistics to say that

    I don’t think it’s really twisting stats to note that those running in 2008 have an advantage. That’s basically GOP 101. Next guy in line. It didn’t hurt Reagan, Bush 41, or Mccain.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  55. Wall Street Romney is of very low character Mr. Dustin. You can tell by how he always acts like different rules apply to him.

    Whatever else happens if Wall Street Romney is the Team R nominee, America is guaranteed a sucky president for the next four years.

    And the timing is all messed up for that, America’s failure being as imminent as it is, and Wall Street Romney so so clueless, and Obama so so apathetic when he’s not actively raping America’s future.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  56. Can you imagine how Romney would have treated Newt if Newt had signed Romneycare into law?

    Or if Santorum had been caught repeatedly and knowingly having illegal alien lawn care?

    Or if Perry had flip flopped on abortion in a disgraceful spectacle?

    Yes, I think Happyfeet is right.

    Dustin (cb3719)

  57. Well, the Col. has convinced me.
    When CA votes, I’ll cast my ballot for….

    RON PAUL!

    AD-RtR/OS! (5d8395)

  58. RON PAUL!

    Dustin (cb3719)

  59. one less vote for common sense in California.

    Knock yerself out, AD!

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  60. Sammy,

    You’re right that Smith’s use of “days spent” is an inaccurate metric. But he seems to be right in terms of overall organizational effort, which is why I mentioned the precinct captains/speakers and such. Romney’s org is nowhere near what it was in ’08 and still better than most. Paul’s is better than ’08 also.

    Also, to say things would be different if Newt hadn’t been attacked isn’t saying much. Get in the top tier and you get attacked. I suppose you could say Santorum is NotRomney of the moment, but if Santorum hadn’t laid a foundation in IA, some other NotRomney might have benefited instead.

    Karl (5a613f)

  61. Attack of the NotRomneys!

    from American International Pictures

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  62. Knock myself out?
    No, I want a deadlocked convention so that a proper choice can be made by the delegates.
    The last thing I want is McCain v-2.0!

    AD-RtR/OS! (5d8395)

  63. We’ll know soon enough whether the media got Iowa wrong or not. Certainly never seems to be a dull moment there as this thing winds down. And as always seems to be the case in Iowa, there are likely to be other storylines developing that may prove to be more important than who finishes on top … http://bit.ly/qVdDUt

    ombdz (2a81ef)

  64. Knock myself out?
    No, I want a deadlocked convention so that a proper choice can be made by the delegates.
    The last thing I want is McCain v-2.0!

    Comment by AD-RtR/OS!

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I guess we’ll have to differ on approach we take, AD. I’ll vote for the candidate I support when the California primary rolls around. If my favored candidate isn’t the nominee, I’ll vote for whoever that turns out to be, with no reservations.

    No games, no backhanded plays, no skullduggery. Fair and even playing field. I’m no Democrat.

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  65. AD will find himself in some mighty fine company, when he casts that primary vote for Ron Paul!

    http://ace.mu.nu/archives/325259.php

    Colonel Haiku (5b04f4)

  66. Beats me what will happen but note frontrunners polling over their heads, lead by H.W. at 14% is more an applecart tosser than underperforming where 5% is tops.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  67. No way I’ll vote for anyone more addled than Hai C. Embalm Nor Laup today.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  68. I really don’t care if ya all put me on a train bound for Zieg Hai’s hermetically sealed garage,

    A Republican liar does not trump a Dhimmi(sic).

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  69. 75. Doh, *Sieg

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  70. Correction: I said “But he [Romney] was only doing about 2 points worse than Gingrich in November.”

    I meant he as doing only about 2 points better or Gingrich was doing only about 2 points worse.

    Somewhere else I mentioned that this was not 2% more negatives but rather the differences between the size of the negatives.

    Sammy Finkelman (b17872)


Powered by WordPress.

Page loaded in: 0.1278 secs.