Who Is Your Pick for President, and Why?
At this point, if you had to vote for someone for President, who would you vote for?
First vote in this poll, which has some of the major contenders. Don’t think of it as a commitment; just a question of who you like best right now.
Then leave a comment telling us more. Who would you vote for, who would you give money to, who would you like to see run — whatever. Name names and give specific reasons. Even if it’s a libertarian, or a Democrat, or a Green Party person, or whatever. Someone not in the poll? Fine. I don’t care. Tell us.
One rule for comments in this thread, though — and I warn you: it will be tough to follow.
Only positive comments are allowed in this thread. That means — for this thread only — no comments criticizing another person’s choice, or saying who you don’t want as President, or explaining why someone can’t win.
This is not about censorship. It’s an exercise designed to make you think in a way you might not be used to thinking. We’re looking for positive reasons to vote for somebody, not criticisms, so you have to turn off the part of your brain that says “so and so can’t win” or “candidate x is an idiot.” Just tell us why your guy or gal is good.
Also, I’m just not interested in your opinion that it’s too early to know. I know that’s how some of you feel, and that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with having that opinion. What is wrong is telling me that opinion in this thread — because I just asked you not to. Tell us all about your desire to wait to form a judgment — just do it in another thread. Not this one. OK?
The only negative comments allowed in the thread will be from me, heaping abuse on people who can’t follow simple directions. I don’t plan to be nice to such people — but I think well enough of you that I don’t think I will have to insult too many people. Hopefully none.
So: who do you like and why?
UPDATE: The votes for Rick Perry appear to have been manipulated. After getting only a handful of votes for the first few days, all of a sudden he is in a commanding (if totally phony) “lead.”
And a spate of pro-Perry comments sprang up out of nowhere, from never-before-heard-from commenters who aren’t answering my polite questions about how they got here — and whom I suspect we will never hear from again.
Noted.
Ted Cruz, not for any policy reason in particular, but because he is completely fearless. He is willing to fight in a way I don’t think we’ve seen a GOP candidate fight since Reagan, and with the relentless bias coming from every direction now, I think that’s more important than ever.
Pagliaccio (3856cf) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:13 amI really like John Bolton, both for his ideas and his presentation. But there are too many people in the race at this point for him to stand out. I’d love to see him participate in the debates.
For V.P. I’m pushing Ernst, both because I like her and because she helps counter the whole woman thing. For instance, she’d be able to attack Hillary like Carly does without getting the whole war on women attack.
gahrie (12cc0f) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:22 amI am torn. I voted for Walker because I want someone who gets things done and has dealt with a legislature, the press, the courts and run a government. He also seems more adept at gaining support outside of his base.
That said, Cruz has the fire in the belly that I don’t really see in Walker. There is a lot of stuff that needs to be done, and Cruz is quite clear on getting it done. Time will tell if he proves able as well as willing.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:46 amI’m on the Walker bandwagon. He was tough enough to win election in a blue state, he managed to impose some pretty solid reforms that challenged his opposition party’s major special interest group, he fought off a recall campaign in which the big money came after him pretty aggressively, and then he won reelection this past fall. I don’t get the feeling he is going to go soft the first time some billionaire lefty runs a TV ad accusing him of being anti-environment or not worshiping at the altar of today’s most-favored grievance group. I expect him to run a conservative campaign focused on his accomplishments in Wisconsin and promising to challenge the Washington DC special interests the same way that he took on the Madison special interests.
JVW (a1146f) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:03 amDamn politicians, every one of them. Curse the lot of ’em. Sorry, broke the rule there. Only to highlight, however, my preferred choice, which appears not on your list;
Carly Fiorina.
Conservative, accomplished, an eloquent and experienced leader.
Glenn (c64e5d) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:07 amScott Walker has already demonstrated executive ability, the ability to excite voters, the ability to get things done, and specifically the ability to get the right things done. Others don’t measure up, and one o r two are truly pathetic.
Perry is also an interesting candidate.
One might be a good POTUS but may not have a snowball’s chance…
Walker might be able to pry some money out of my retired hands. Perry might. Snowball also has a chance, maybe.
Actually, Romney might be better than many in terms of winning the position if he could manage to sell a bit of a gentle but firm father image.
}^_^}
JDow (770dee) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:28 amTed Cruz – for now. Attended the NC John Locke Foundation luncheon on Monday. First time seeing him in person. Was impressed with his remarks, the way he covered the years of the Obama Admin. and then what his vision for America was. I like his courage and knowledge of the constitution. Also impressed with his overall command of the room. Had a question and answer session afterwards which gave the audience a chance to ask specific questions. Looking “presidential” doesn’t hurt him either! Very patient with all those who wanted pictures taken with him. The Foundation will be inviting all candidates (even Hillary!) to participate in these luncheons. I will go to the ones with Walker, Rubio and possibly Rand Paul. And Carly, if she gets in the race.
Betty R (ebecc3) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:52 amWalker, all the way.
He’s a fairly reserved, private, bloodless sort of guy who seems the perfect City Manager type – someone who will simply buckle down and fix and restructure and chop through the tools of government so that they are serving only the proper goals of the government and not a million other agendas.
And I think we desperately NEED just such a technical-minded manager in the spot right now.
Beyond the initial election, we don’t need a great orator to sway the People. Most don’t care or won’t understand or will be too busy to need swaying anyway, plus there are far fewer instances where we need a dramatic sheparding of the national purpose than there were twenty years ago.
We need someone like Walker, who will understand the technical issues and needs, who knows how to marshall resources to build what we need, and who can keep several steps ahead of the machinizations of those who, once a Republican president starts working, will live only to disrupt.
It’d be like having McGuyver as president!
bobby b (cb44ec) — 4/15/2015 @ 2:23 ammy favored choices are not on the list. both are pipe dreams but I think at this
point given my druthers i’d pick Rick Santorum over Sara Palin. Partly this is due
to my thinking and belief that S.P can do more outside of office than in it.
Rick Santorum for a couple of reasons. One, he speaks out in favor for and seems to believe in the need for a moral compass based not on reason and humanity but that the basis of morality is not something that changes with the whim of popularity. Second, his “big ideas” speeches can be summed up (crudely) of using simple plans and ideas. I’ve had enough of the complicated solutions to problems that serve to make bad twisted problems even more twisted.
seeRpea (d1cf05) — 4/15/2015 @ 2:59 amScott Walker. There is no substitute for experience. If any of the Senators want to be president they can get some executive experience first. People have underestimated his him his entire life.
Paul baker (20e6ec) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:01 amWalker – all said above …. plus he is NOT part of the Washington gang of 535.
Joe Pehoushek (ceee33) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:03 amTed Cruz – he has the grit America was built on. He has no fear of traitorous republicans, democrats or libs. His team seems focused and well prepared for battle. Can’t wait for the debates, as no one will lay a glove on Ted. Cruz/Bolton 2016
mg (31009b) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:11 amI chose Governor Walker for one simple reason: he not only says most of the right things, but he’s actually gotten some of them done in Wisconsin.
The Dana who currently supports Scott Walker (f6a568) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:16 amI had no choice but to pick Mr. Governor Scott Walker cause of he’s established a trend line of good governing and the trend is your friend
happyfeet (831175) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:25 amTed Cruz, President.
Johnny Mustard (2182b6) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:26 amTom Cotton, VP.
John Bolton, Secretary of State.
Carly – Chief of Staff; Palin – Press Secretary.
Toss up between Patterico and Popehat for Attorney General. Actually that’s a cheap pander; we’ll go with Popehat. Just kidding!
Walker for reasons already posted above.
Their position on amnesty and borders will be one of the strongest points that will sway my vote. Whoever I vote for and donate to will have to be for secure border and reversing Obama’s amnesty policies. Otherwise, I don’t think we will have a country to govern.
Easy Target (d7a02c) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:39 amWalker has already sailed upwind in the face of Democratic/press opposition. He also serves as a good a tar baby to the Left’s lunatic fringe: his comparative sanity/likability thereby stands out all the more.
Golden Eagle (4e9369) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:56 amWalker has already sailed upwind in the face of Democratic/press opposition. He also serves as a good tar baby to the Left’s lunatic fringe: his comparative sanity/likability thereby stands out all the more.
Golden Eagle (4e9369) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:02 amI’d lean toward a governor. Conservative/libertarian credentials are very important and I want someone who will stop the exponential expansion of the federal government, cut back on spending, and reduce the federal reach into daily activities (both on personal liberties and economic interference).
I’m just not sure any of the choices meet all of my criteria. I like Ted Cruz and his positions; I like Rand Paul (some of the times) and I like Scott Walker, but none meet all the criteria I laid out.
Ultimately, we need someone who can govern, can lead, and can inspire real change (sorry Obama) in the way the Federal government does business and spends money… Who is that?
Ryan (b16f18) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:47 amI chose Jindal as I think he has even more experience than Walker, including Congress and more experience as governor. His decisions have been solid. His weakness is his speaking which has left him a long shot. My second choice is Walker. Neither Cruz not Paul are my choices due to lack of experience and, in Paul’s case some troubling foreign policy statements.
Mike K (90dfdc) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:52 amI voted for Walker as well, for many of the reasons that are already stated. While the left and the media (but I repeat myself) portray him as the devil incarnate, his appearance and demeanor shows such insults to be a lie. He connects with voters, too, both by speaking to his results and the small touches that show he really has some idea what life is like for the middle class (e.g., using Kohls cash). Things like Kohls cash may seem petty and small, but it works. Do you think Hillary is aware that such a thing even exists? There are some other very solid Republican candidates, but electability is key. If you can’t get into office, it doesn’t matter how well you would have governed.
Also, working with the legislature is a necessary skill for a President. I don’t want a conservative dictator who abuses the power of the presidency like Obama has done. While the squishes in the Republican Congressional leadership may be detestable, going around them to “fix” government only legitimizes the abuses of Obama. Walker has managed to work with a legislature to get things done. Madison may not be the Hill, but it’s at least something.
As for Cruz, wouldn’t it be entertaining if a President Walker appointed him to the Supreme Court? After all, Scalia and Thomas aren’t spring chickens anymore, and while I would love to see Cruz replace a liberal, I also want to make sure that the solid conservatives on the Court are replaced with other solid conservatives.
Virginia SoCon (8eb3c5) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:01 amOne of Walker’s strengths is that he has been completely vetted by the lefty press on several occasions in Wisconsin. That means a lot given the mendacity of the press. His experience as an executive and his willingness to take on democrat sacred cows is refreshing.
Beasts of England (6e0cf5) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:29 amI voted for dreamy Ted but I’d take the front runner.
DNF (208255) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:29 amI voted Walker, but I could easily vote for Cruz or Perry without a qualm. Jindal’s not bad, and while Rand Paul has his faults he drives the media nearly as nuts as Cruz does.
Rubio is pretty squishy; I’d have to hold my nose, to be honest. And there’s no way I’d vote for Christie or Bush; might as well vote Democrat.
Toastrider (4c0340) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:33 amI chose Marco Rubio because I can’t wait to for the mainstream media to accuse liberals who oppose him of being motivated solely by their hatred of Hispanics. ; )
peter (1d4db1) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:33 amWalker/Cruz. Walker since he prevailed in 4 elections in 3 years in a blue state. Said what he was going to do and did it, no backing down. Cruz for outspoken stand and he does what he said he would do.
Don’t see anybody else I would donate to. And I have donated to these two. Great measurement “would you give money/buy a used car” from this man.
Yehoodi (85f23d) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:35 amWalker. Simply because he seems to be the one the Liberal Intellectual Radical Progressives are most rabid about. Anyone who can provoke that much hatred from the chattering classes should be entertaining, if nothing else.
C. S. P. Schofield (a196fd) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:48 amSenator Cruz (in my limited viewing of his speeches and review of his positions) has positions on the issues most similar to my own and has a very engaging manner of speaking.
Phil Laîcheaux (cc62ab) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:52 amGov. Scott Walker. What they said.
Tru (0a6bf4) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:03 amThe only place I’ve seen all the candidates present themselves on somewhat equal terms was the recent NRA convention. Each had the opportunity to speak for about 20 minutes. Their speeches are available for viewing on You Tube. Based on that, and a less complete comparison from CPAC, I’d choose Scott Walker or Ted Cruz. With a year to go, it is too soon to narrow down to just one pick.
Harry Phillips (117ab9) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:16 amTed Cruz, easily the smartest guy in the room and one of the fiercest. I love Walker’s executive experience and handling of Liberals, but I fear he doesn’t have the same fight in him that Cruz brings to the table–I hope I’m wrong about that, because I’d love to see the nomination come down to between these two men with the loser accepting the VP gig.
Sean (69ccc8) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:21 amWalker, because he has proven executive experience and doesn’t just yak, but knows how to get it done.
But I could vote for all but Bush, Perry and Christie without holding my nose.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:31 amand I think Fiorina would make a helluva VP.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:31 amWalker has executive experience, but more importantly he won’t fold his tent and roll over in the face of idiot liars like Candy Crowley. Again and again the GOP establishment has manipulated the nomination process (including primary elections) to produce milk-toast candidates who shrink from the task of confronting Democrat lies and smears head on. Conservatives must shove the old establishment dragons aside and force the nomination of a champion who’ll enter the lists and fight to save what’s left of our nation.
If we don’t win this time we may never get another chance.
ropelight (578b7d) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:34 amCruz, seems the most honest.
tonyd (b394df) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:47 amwouldn’t it be entertaining if a President Walker appointed him to the Supreme Court?
Exactly. That would be the best place for Cruz, I think. If he got restless on the Court, he could still do a Charles Evans Hughes.
Mike K (90dfdc) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:54 amTed Cruz. Brains, courage, convictions, and the most profound respect for the Constitution.
Plus, a Cruz victory would make McConnell’s and Graham’s heads explode.
Matador (35621d) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:00 amI support Ted Cruz with my money and my vote because he keeps his promises, even when it’s unpopular or politically difficult to do. He is also smart, a good debater, and (best of all) he understands and believes in the Constitution and the principles upon which it is based.
If Cruz doesn’t win, I would vote for Rubio because he supports and can articulate the American Dream, or for Walker because he seems like a competent executive. And I think it’s terrific that there are so many impressive people considering a Presidential run this time around.
DRJ (e80d46) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:00 amI like the entire line up. If we look at the 1927 NY Yankees each of us might have a favorite player, “Babe” Ruth, Lou Gehrig, but what made that season great was the line up. “Murderer’s Row” brought slugger after slugger on deck against the opposition. I don’t have any candidate that I agree 100% with; everyone of them has minor or major areas of disagreement with my preferred positions. When faced with tough choices we must decide. What to watch for the next 4 years? “The Great Escape” or “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” or endless reruns of “Golden Girls?” Any one of these candidates is preferable to HiLIARy or Crazy Joe.
mkstach (aa2f8a) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:03 amTed Cruz. I think it’s time for some real intelligence in the Oval Office (from either party). I also think we need a President that hails from a Southern Border state–And Cruz seems to understand the unique problems here. And as mentioned above he can re-school us on the Constitution. Walker would be a great VP
bald01 (9cd062) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:06 amHaving read Ann Althouse’s blog for several years, Scott Walker is like an old friend. We’re in serious need of a President who “gets” America. It’s not an accident that we’re the only remaining superpower. Government has increasingly strangled the free market. We should be in an era of unprecedented prosperity and growth. Unless you understand that, you don’t “get” America. Reagan “got” America. It’s unfortunate that Sarah Palin was so demonized. I think she “gets” America. The field for the GOP is looking pretty strong.
Joe Miller (64cdc0) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:08 amI would like to see Scott Walker as president simply because he is conservative and has successfully battled liberals as governor in an historically liberal state.
Stan (770d4d) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:25 amSo why can’t the two front runners have a coffee together, flip a coin, whatever and agree to P and VP?
Because if they have a long campaign against each other the lefties and the MSM will use every mistake, disagreement or adverse comment made by them or their allies against us forever.
Fred Z (5db617) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:28 amScott Walker has already demonstrated that he is both a capable administrator and a capable politician. I greatly applaud his actions in dealing with public employee unions.
Bar Sinister (b48c12) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:31 amCruz. Although I figure he’s still a politician, he’s maintained a coherent stance
on a lot of things that I can agree with. He’s also stood up to the establishment
(altho can’t tell how real that push back is cause he still voted their way a few
times).
Also the press hates him. Walker’s bright and tough but he’s playing catch up so
he looks wobbly.
Paul is actually looking good also but I’m waiting for more on him.
All the others aren’t worth pressing a key over.
jakee308 (49ccc6) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:32 amWalker. Experience, guts, completely vetted, successful in doing the job he was elected to
Angelo (4beae0) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:39 amSame thing 46. Angelo said. I like Cruz, but Walker has the experience. I’d have no problem with a Walker/Cruz ticket or a Cruz/Walker ticket.
aka.john (c3152c) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:40 amI chose Jindal as I think he has even more experience than Walker, including Congress and more experience as governor.
So you’re the other one who voted for Jindal too (or just about that small of a number). I picked him almost for the hell of it, to be different for the sake of being different—heck, after all, this is merely an informal, non-determining poll. However, Jindal strikes me as having a down-to-earth immediacy, although I easily see him as remaining too esoteric or obscure to most Republicans, most of the electorate.
Mark (6c31df) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:51 amit’s tied right now between Mr. Governor Scott Walker and Mr. Señator Ted Cruz so clearly Mr. Governor Walker is the best one
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:55 amSo far, I like what Ted Cruz is saying and the way he is saying it. His tone and positive thinking shows me that he is a thoughtful person. We do not know what problems the next President will face, so we need to select a person of integrity.
Roman (0bfd6d) — 4/15/2015 @ 7:56 amI support Cruz because he understands the concepts that have made America exceptional, and he is able to articulate them and apply them to real problems. He is also an accomplished lawyer which is helpful. He is comfortable with himself, and he has the courage to stand for his principles.
One question on the poll: I followed the “NEXT” links and added a comment, but I declined to login to Facebook. Does my vote still count?
bobathome (ef0d3a) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:09 amScott Walker has actual executive experience and has managed to get (re)elected three (3) times in a blue state, all while pursuing policies (public union defunding) that drive the Left nuts. Also just turned Wisconsin into a right-to-work state.
bfwebster (fb2827) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:10 amFrom my home state, the Great State of Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker.
Why? Here’s my list, in order of importance
He has experience (most important)
– Milwaukee County Executive. Cleaned up the Pension fiasco created by Democrats
– Wisconsin Governor. Cleaned up the fiscal mess left by Democrats. Is a driving force behind Conservative issues (tax cuts, Concealed Carry, cutting waste)
He is electable
– In leftyville Milwaukee County, he won County Executive three times
He doesn’t have skeletons
– After years of partisan hack John Doe witch hunts, they’ve found nothing on him, because he didn’t commit any wrongdoing.
He’s not banging the drum on social causes. While he is Conservative, his agenda is fiscal.
He forces the partisan hack lefties to show their true colors. Seeing thousands of crybaby teachers and public union thugs stomp around the capitol for a month helped create public support for Act 10 better than anything he could have done.
He’s likeable (not big for me, but LIVs have a need to like their government overlords). In every single interview, he is soft spoken and not confrontational. When speaking before crowds, he can energize without being inflammatory.
He can raise money
kj (f7e63b) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:38 amTed Cruz first, Walker just a hair after.
We need a fighter, and we need a skilled lawyer to use lawyer cheese against the enemy.
luagha (e5bf64) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:51 amWe need someone who knows how to legally negotiate firing a government employee.
We need someone who knows how to use sue and settle tactics to reverse (long list here).
I’m a Walker guy.
I followed (thanks Ann Althouse) the big union fight in Wisconsin several years ago followed by the recall and liked the way Walker handled it and himself. The only thing I was unhappy with was why the cops and firefighters kept mandatory unions while others got to pick whether to go union or not.
He’s been investigated by the state Dems (and I assume the national party ops as well) and came through that, so there shouldn’t be any gotchas this election.
(Maybe number 1?), He’s got that EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE. He knows what it’s like to run a governmental body and be the one on whose desk the buck stops.
John Pomeroy (0711fe) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:56 amLooking at the breakdown, I’d say that the overwhelming consensus is for “someone who is either new to D.C. or outside of it, who has no qualms or fear about engaging the opposition.” Given the likely opposition in the fall of 2016, lack of reluctance to fight without asking or giving quarter is wise.
M. Scott Eiland (8d3966) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:56 amWalker seems the best bet–both for accomplishments and for his ability to make the opposition beclown themselves.
M. Scott Eiland (8d3966) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:58 amTed Cruz. It will be fun to see the mainstream media tie themselves in knots.
aunursa (92ec49) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:59 amWalker. Executive experience. Election experience against an unchained liberal machine.
Loren (1e34f2) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:06 amI voted Walker, but could just as easily voted Cruz. I hate to sound conceited, but the fact that I like either or both so much probably means they are unelectable.
Man I would love to see McConman’s head explode if a Walker/Cruz ticket was elected!
Bill (4894c5) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:17 amI voted Walker. He has experience and has been through the fire. I have to say, that Christie’s bold plan to address entitlements did catch my interest. Also a guy with experience who’s been through the fire. That’s all I can say and stay positive.
Mark Reardon (11e5e8) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:31 amI’ve given Walker the nod just slightly ahead of Cruz because Of Walker’s proven toughness in surviving the recall and much more nastiness than anyone should be subjected to while in office.
felipe (b5e0f4) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:37 amComment Note: Interesting that no one has mentioned former Gov Perry.
seeRpea (d1cf05) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:51 amThis commenter mentioned Perry==> Toastrider (4c0340) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:33 am
felipe (b5e0f4) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:10 amAnother Perry mention by Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:31 am
felipe (b5e0f4) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:12 amScott Walker–he’s done what he said he would do in Wisconsin; stood up to the Democrats and Unions trying to recall him and ruin his life; and he had some great responses to idiotic things that Obama has said recently.
rochf (f3fbb0) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:15 amWalker for all of the above reasons but mostly I am done with single term senators thinking they can get it done. Governors have the experience.
Gazzer (8d02a8) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:20 amScott Walker – Experienced governor, well-spoken, kind of leader that the current occupant will NEVER be. Ted Cruz as VP. Love him but need a Governor at this point. Ronald Reagan was a Governor and I believe it made all the difference. 2 cents –
DBSmith (9e30ee) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:34 amWalker. I could be persuaded for the others if Walker falters, but I don’t expect he will. I think the crucible he’s been through is what separates him from the others.
Mr. D (f76d05) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:36 amRand Paul, for now. I like his libertarian leanings. A little sad to see the poll results showing Christie getting no support. He seems like a mensch who will generally try to do the right thing, which for me makes up for the views I disagree with.
Bob L. (780f7f) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:40 amChristie’s getting upwards of triple the support he gave Mitt Romney
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:45 amThis is interesting. But I won’t bite. For me, all assumed or just announced Republican Presidential candidates are always like new boyfriends (or girlfriends) even if you’ve known them for awhile in a different capacity. You’ve got to date them for a while in this role and observe how they conduct themselves in a variety of situations– and note if they are able to interact well with other people who are meaningful to you while steering clear of temptation –in order to decide that they’re “the one”.
elissa (ec0953) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:49 amelissa you are non-compliant (paragraph 7)
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:53 amPerhaps, happyfeet, but I don’t do well with arm twisting or threats! Ima just take my time using the “measure twice cut once” model. 🙂
elissa (ec0953) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:58 amWalker. Seems more interesting in governing than ruling, and hasn’t offended me very much recently. Early days, though.
htom (4ca1fa) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:59 amElissa, once had a guy say to me I cut it twice and it’s still too short!
Gazzer (8d02a8) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:13 amheh, gazzer
elissa (ec0953) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:14 amDebbie Poodleman Schultz 3 Pinnochio’d for her poodlesliming of Rubio.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:26 amWalker. He has proven himself remarkably effective in governing his state in the face of white-hot opposition from democrats, unions and the press, and has proven that he does not shy away from a fight in pushing important policies through. That’s the first qualification we need in out next President. I’d like to see Paul or Rubio as his veep to broaden the ticket’s appeal, and because I’m essentially in agreement with most of Paul’s domestic policies, and would vote for anyone on your list.
DAS (995188) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:31 amI have given money to Walker. I may give money to Paul. I might give money to Cruz. We’ve had enough Hope and Change, lets have an experienced President.
tweell (3d09de) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:31 am“… The rare bipartisan bill, which passed 92-8, marks one of the biggest achievements yet from the newly GOP-controlled Congress. It will now head to President Obama, who has promised to sign the bill. Obama praised the doc fix bill and said he “will be proud to sign it into law.” “It’s a milestone for physicians, and for the seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health care needs,” he said in a statement. “It’s another reminder of a new Republican Congress that’s back to work,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.
A couple of more victories like this and we’re in real trouble.
Congress got away with adding to the debt by exempting the bill from the “pay-go” law which requires offsetting cuts when new spending is added. Some Republicans tried to add that provision back in, which would have basically killed the deal but enough Republicans do what they do best, vote with Democrats to spend more, and the amendment failed. It only got 42 votes in fact. How’s that GOP majority working out for ya?
I had a good two week run of not beating up on the GOP but it’s over. Strangely enough, that run coincided with Congress being out of session on Easter/Passover recess. Huh. But now they are back. It was fun while it lasted.
Oh, in case you’re wondering Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul voted for the amendment that would have forced the bill to be fully paid for. Paul for some reason broke with the others and voted with the majority to pass the bill even though it adds to the deficit and debt.”
Drew M. – AoS
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:33 amhere’s an awesome video almost custom-made for Scott Walker’s official campaign launch
he just needs to add about how he approves this message
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/15/2015 @ 11:51 amScott Walker because he is has demonstrated both an ability to get things done and to win elections.
Clavius (4a0f51) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:03 pmRand Paul because of the number of the number of liberal relatives it would piss off.
Gerald A 11/2006 (2c96c6) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:06 pmlmao, but i had to leave at the lip licking part, happyfeet.
mg (31009b) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:27 pmRubio/Martinez – we need a dynamic retail politician.
JD (3b5483) — 4/15/2015 @ 12:39 pmCruz. He has the courage of his convictions, which, it seems, is a disappointingly rare trait among pols. I’d probably be happy with any Republican with the backbone to tell those Iowans to go shove their ethanol subsidy.
ThOR (a52560) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:14 pmTed Cruz. If you want a smaller federal government, you have to vote for someone who believes in smaller government. There aren’t too many politicians out there who do. Carly Fiorina for VP.
Zoltan (af8e5f) — 4/15/2015 @ 1:48 pmI’ve liked Walker since the first time the elitists complained he never got his college degree. That said, Rubio or Cruz would do just fine. Any of those guys will drive the left crazy. And the left does and says such precious things when driven crazy!
Hoagie (58a3ec) — 4/15/2015 @ 2:12 pmIt’s remarkable how close the Cruz/Walker race remains in this poll of Patterico readers. When I voted late last night it was something like 6-5 for Walker. When I checked earlier this morning it was something like 83-81, now it is 264-259. I wonder if this is a sign that the GOP primary season is going to be long and drawn-out.
JVW (a1146f) — 4/15/2015 @ 2:14 pmI like Scott Walker. He has walked the walk far more than any of the other potential candidates. He has weathered the most vicious of Democrat assaults and has not been bowed or defeated by them. I think he will learn quickly on the stump and end up being a first rate candidate. Might not be quite as much fun to watch him debate Hillary as it would be to watch Ted Cruz but he will be more than up to the task. And, most of all, he will make an excellent president.
John Casteel (2e9f34) — 4/15/2015 @ 2:59 pmI see Chris Christie reads Patterico. Nobody else would have voted for him.
billypaintbrush (c91a0a) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:48 pmI like Walker and believe that he and Cruz make a really solid ticket
Cruz. Like what he says and that he seems to mean what he says. All the right enemies from the left to the squish right.
Walker. 2nd choice. Also the right enemies. More executive experience but not sure of him on immigration.
CAL (01f3eb) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:52 pmI’m interested in a fiscally responsible Republican more than I am one who is gung ho about the social issues. Scott Walker fits that bill nicely.
(Ronald Reagan talked a good game on the social values but never actually expended any political capital on them, concentrating on the economy instead. I rather liked that. 🙂 )
Bill Roper (9942b5) — 4/15/2015 @ 3:56 pmPerry. Don’t need another inexperienced Senator learning on the job. I prefer governors. Walker is a close second. Christie…NO
FLBuckeye (70b330) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:13 pmTed Cruz because he has demonstrated a honest, core-driven adherence to conservative principles. He has shown a reluctant willingness to compromise when he has to, but a strength of character to both know when he can win and when it is more important to lose a fight than his ideological soul.
As long as he is in the race he has my support, but I have little hope than he will survive deep into the primary season. Too bad.
NeoCon_1 (324e03) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:33 pmOk, Cruz for prez, but his campaign will flair out. Then either Walker or Rubio. But now is the fun part. Fiorina as VP (blunts some of Hill’s gender BS), form prez candidate Cruz to SCOTUS (Texas will get another GOP Senator to replace him), and Bolton as Sec’y of State. Maybe Petraeus as Sec’y of Defense. Need an AG candidate…
NeoCon_1 (324e03) — 4/15/2015 @ 4:50 pmRand Paul. His politics have a libertarian core that I think will sway many of the “low-information” voters (and they outnumber us immensely). (“Low-information” is not necessarily stupid -although maybe a little lazy.) I think a message of freedom will reach deeper and wider than many of the surface issues that most people don’t care or know much about anyway.
RkTao (95dfc2) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:02 pmMost people just want to be left alone. If they can see the threat to their liberty, they will likely vote in a way to fight that threat.
More myth than fact.
Gerald A (9d7d51) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:02 pmI went with Cruz. He is nothing as he is portrayed in the media. Smart and articulate and not afraid to stand on principle. Of course, Walker, Paul and Jindal are pretty good, too. So I won’t be disappointed.
Ag80 (eb6ffa) — 4/15/2015 @ 5:46 pmI picked Cruz, simply because on a gut level, having watched him for some time, I know he’s sincere and capable. We have a good slate this time, and AG80’s three best are also mine.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:08 pmI cannot see, as some suggest, either Cruz or Walker as VP. Both would be wasted. Further, the only was a VP follows a 2-term President is for them to be at the moderate wing of their party, as the electorate starts thinking change. Neither of them qualifies. Added to that is the issue of adding to the ticket, preferably without subtracting.
Better choices:
Cruz/Rubio, to hammer down the Hispanic thing.
Walker/Bolton or Walker/Rice, balancing domestic experience with foreign policy experience (something Obama laughingly tried with Biden).
And either Rubio or Rice might be moderate enough to win that third term. Bolton not so much.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:18 pmScott Walker. Executive experience. Demonstrated ability to defeat Democrats in a bluish State, while adhering to conservative values. My only reservation is his lack of private sector experience. Plus, he seems to have a near mystical ability to make Democrats crazy.
ameryx (44641a) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:25 pmRand, since his views on most things are close to mine.
kishnevi (9c4b9c) — 4/15/2015 @ 6:37 pmWalker and Cruz are currently one vote apart. Between the two, I would go with Walker. Executive experience and also putting social issues on the back burner. Gay marriage and abortion are less important than guillotining the DC political class. Which I prefer to do metaphorically, before it becomes a practical necessity.
Along that line, I do not think Walker’s downsizing of the public unions is as admirable as many here think. Attacking the folks who support your opponents is easy and self interested. True grit would involve attacking the entrenched interests who support your side (or more precisely the ones who finance the GOP establishment).
I see Rubio has attracted a number of votes. I think he is too squishy, too inexperienced, and too much of a career politician. Rand was an eye doctor. Rubio was…Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
I do think the GOP needs a woman on the ticket to counteract the Hillary, and as I have come to realize lately, I do not really like her, but I would vote for the Semi Divine Sarah against Hillary.
The ones I did not mention are the ones I do not think of as worthy of being POTUS for one reason or another.
Ronald Reagan talked a good game on the social values but never actually expended any political capital on them, concentrating on the economy instead. I rather liked that.
If so, perhaps even he didn’t realize just how crucial those values are, particularly to anyone who has figured out that the ethos of “it’s the economy, stupid!” is overly materialistic, and merely a cheap patch to fixing what is really undermining major chunks of this nation.
^ Merely one more reason why if the Republican Party and its leading figureheads are the ones focused on so-called traditional values, then that is another reminder of just how corroded and spiritually bankrupt the Democrat Party/liberalism is in contrast.
Mark (6c31df) — 4/15/2015 @ 8:48 pmI voted Walker; Perry would be my second choice (both have executive experience, Walker has more experience in a hostile area).
ibidem (a9e511) — 4/15/2015 @ 9:07 pmI’d like to see Cruz stay on in the Senate, since it’s not certain that a replacement would be have the same views or be able and willing to stand up for them.
Cruz would be our Thatcher. We have got to fundamentally re-boot, as the UK did with her leadership.
However, a Walker presidency, with SCOTUS Justice Cruz in 2017 would be just fine by me.
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 4/15/2015 @ 10:34 pmChris Christie. Sigh, he’s my last choice for President amongst the conservatives in terms of what he stands for, but I believe he is the most electable. Despite the fact that he’s quite a heavy-set fellow, I believe his looks, personality, vocal tenor, ability to handle a crowd and be dismissive of his critics, win arguments and utilize issues in a common sense way to appeal to Democrats is second to none. He will appeal to those that want a President to sound tough. He will get through to those that are persuaded who to vote for during debates. I believe he does appeal to women over all other conservative candidates. Sadly, he has done enough to disappoint conservatives, and that will be the very thing that will make him appeal to Democrats and it will be enough to win the election if he secures the nomination. My hope is that for all of his shortcomings, he will rise to the occasion and actually govern the White House in a very conservative fashion. I’d love to be wrong and another candidate like Walker or Cruz could win, but I just don’t see it happening because they just don’t have “it” — where Christie does.
School Marmm (e30dcc) — 4/16/2015 @ 2:19 amGov. Perry.
Executive experience,economic policies,military experience.
No more junior senators or political dynasties.
workingclass artist (0cf358) — 4/16/2015 @ 3:24 amTed Cruz because he understands the Constitution despite an Ivy League education.
Steve Malynn (de269f) — 4/16/2015 @ 4:28 amPerry has the executive experience, military experience and his economic policies are proven (look at Texas). No more junior senators or political dynasties, we must have someone that has proven themselves as a leader. I want someone who has been a governor and who can get our military back. Perry can do this.
Stephanie Busby (8ea03b) — 4/16/2015 @ 4:53 amthat’s so cool how you remembered three (3) Notable Qualities what Mr. Governor Perry brings to the race
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/16/2015 @ 6:13 amI love Ted Cruz – but voted for Scott Walker, who I also really admire and like. I think Scott Walker has proven he has the chops to stand up to the bullies. I think he can learn the foreign policy component quickly and will stand up to the bullies in the world just like he stood up to the unions. Ted Cruz is eloquent, but I am not sure he won’t be quickly demonized ala Dick Cheney. Anyway – I just hope we can pull this off. If Hillary wins, I truly think we are done for…
Janetoo (74b46c) — 4/16/2015 @ 6:40 amWalker has had a lot of experience being grilled by political opponents, not just in-state Dems but lots of attention from outside as well.
The right people think he is the devil incarnate.
He seems to be a social conservative who knows how to respond to questions in a way that is true to his beliefs without setting himself up for attack.
If Hillary wants to base her campaign on “just one of us championing the middle class”, Walker has her all beat in that category.
I think most of the people put off by his not having a degree are likely ones that would not vote for him anyway. I could be wrong, but I think more people will vote for him because he is not an Ivy school elite than not vote for him because he doesn’t have his degree. If people want to elect someone who gets stuff done rather than talking nice he is the one.
All that said, I am not sure about his immigration policy, and I think a number of other candidates would be good for various reasons as well.
The Dems (and their media handmaidens) will try to set up who they think is a weak candidate by demonizing everyone else, then demonizing the candidate during the general election. We all know that, “It’s what they do”. Who will stand best against that and why I do not know.
MD in Philly (not in Philly at the moment) (deca84) — 4/16/2015 @ 6:48 amScripture says that God raises up and brings low and is for the humble and against the arrogant,
but if the nation gets what it deserves,
the quality of the candidate may mean little.
Just as a person may not immediately know when they have receives a fatal blow, so too a nation. There was a time not long ago that neither Obama nor Hillary would have been taken seriously, for all of the right reasons. That they have been and are taken seriously says something very troubling about our country,
but I’m not saying anything that ya’ll don’t already know.
I’ve looked for the editorial from decades ago that said what the US needs is another John Wesley (yes, it saw it in the Philly Inquirer and I remember it as being originally in the NYT) but can’t find it.
MD in Philly (not in Philly at the moment) (deca84) — 4/16/2015 @ 6:54 amdoctor my good man
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:01 amwhat this country needs is a
good old enema
Cruz, as much as I admire Walker’stance, the office holder will need a comprehensive stand on all the issues to right this shipwrecked nation,
narciso (ee1f88) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:02 amkishnevi,
This thread is not the place for your criticisms of Walker or Rubio. See the directions in the post.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:44 amJanetoo,
Thanks for your comment, but remember, we’re trying to keep the thread entirely positive. No comments about how so and so can’t win, etc., please.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:46 amRubio.
No other reason than that he’s Hispanic and plausible. Identity politics is all that matters, unfortunately.
Greedo (39f29c) — 4/16/2015 @ 9:23 amI voted for Walker because of his executive experience and shutting down public employee unions. I’d like to keep Cruz in the senate where I think he can do a lot of good.
Tanny O'Haley (c674c7) — 4/16/2015 @ 9:31 am116. I believe Taft was appointed to Supremes after Presidency. Cruz has legs.
Apart from an open mic the Senate is a pointless abomination. Nuke Mecca and raze DC.
DNF (208255) — 4/16/2015 @ 9:42 amWalker.
I don’t really feel like I know enough about everyone yet, but Walker is my favorite now because:
1. He is a governor which is an executive branch position.
2. He was willing to champion policies that would not be automatically popular. This is conditioned on the policies being reasonable (in my mind).
3. He stuck to his guns and prevailed, even as the opposition was very nasty (he has backbone).
It is possible that my opinion could change as more exposure to all the candidates occurs.
Ken in Camarillo (c5b86d) — 4/16/2015 @ 1:13 pmRubio.
He’s a minority, which mitigates Hillary’s gender play. He’s good-looking and a talented speaker. He’s not too far right, so it will be harder for the media to portray him as a “right-wing extremist”. He can deliver Florida.
Plus, he has the hottest wife! (She’s from Colombia, I believe, which will also help with the Hispanic vote.)
If I could vote for someone off the chart, it would be Fiorina.
norcal (098ea9) — 4/16/2015 @ 3:46 pm121. Charles Evans Hughes resigned from the Court to run against Wilson in 1916, then was appointed Chief Justice by Hoover in 1930.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:37 pmI could talk about Fiorina or Santorum or Huckabee, none of whom made Pat’s list. But the rules.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 4/16/2015 @ 7:58 pmI wholeheartedly support Gov. Rick Perry because he’s been my governor for 14 years, and before that, he was Lt. Gov., Agriculture Commissioner, and a state congressman. He’s very conservative and has used conservative policies which have served the state very well. He stood bravely against Planned Parenthood and the Democrats, who filled the state Capitol building on the night of the vote. He’s got the longest most successful resume and list of accomplishments, with more executive experience than any of the other candidates. He’s proven how he would govern and as a conservative, I don’t have to wonder. He won’t need on-the-job training. He has handled many major disasters: space shuttle explosion, ammonia plant explosion, Hurricane Ike, the country’s largest evacuation in history from Hurricane Rita, the huge influx of refugees from Louisiana before and after Hurricane Katrina, the nation’s first Ebola case, wildfires, tornado outbreaks, prolonged severe drought, two economic downturns, an oil bust, the Ft. Hood shootings and most famously, the surge of illegals across the border. He has a great relationship with Israel have been recognized by them with an award. He’s received an award from the pro-life organizations in Texas. He persuaded a college in Texas to offer a $10,000 degree and urged others to do the same. He fought efforts to enact a state income tax, kept taxes low, kept the cost of living low, created 1/3 of all the jobs created in the nation, supported school choice, making Texas the easiest state in which to home educate. He has traveled the nation and the world, persuading companies to bring the businesses to Texas. He’s been asked to come and speak to nations, leaders and worldwide organizations on the subject of building a good economy and creating private sector jobs. He’s championed 1st, 2nd, 4th and 10th Amendment rights, as well as fought for states’ rights. He authored a book on that subject, “Fed Up”, which also explains the need to keep the Federal government contained to those powers granted it in the Constitution. He is a Christian. He flew U. S. Air Force trainer jets and C-130 planes overseas. He’s a graduate of Texas A & M. He won 11 elections in Texas, never defeated. He has a wonderful wife, who once headed the March of Dimes and was a nurse. He’s been savagely attacked by Democrats who call him every name in the book and spread lies about him. The falsehoods and half-truths are all over the internet, quite unfairly, but he never flinches. He always does what’s best for Texans, no matter how much the Democrats attack him. His 2012 troubles were the direct result of major back surgery and getting in the race before he was well enough. Pain medicines and tiredness caused his poor performance, something which had never happened before nor since. He’ a really great man who can and would lead this nation back to security and prosperity.
Rhonda Nelson (e516d1) — 4/16/2015 @ 10:53 pmhttp://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/04/16/welch-as-of-today-im-a-ted-cruz-guy/
mg (31009b) — 4/17/2015 @ 12:02 amHeck, i had no idea smart people love Ted.
I voted for Governor Rick Perry too…and I send every month my contribution to Rick PAC. I’m a TEXAN too as Ms Nelson above, those are the reasons for my choice but I’ll add. Yes, Governor Perry is a true blue friend of Israel. He not only won those awards but ISRAEL called upon Governor to stop the Freeom Flotilla from harassing them and Perry came through. Heard anymore of them since several years ago? Mexico too has been dealt with firmly but fairly. Governor didn’t just put the Tx Natl Guard on the border last year…that was a surge because there was all those kids coming in. Perry knows exactly what states deal with and what is needed on that troublesome border. He knows the sea ports problems too. Texas has a fair share of what every state deals with and in 30 years of SERVING (not politicking only) we the people, Perry has first hand experience. But he also pays close attention to our vets, our troops and our Sp Ops. Perry’s closet friends are Seal Marcus Luttrell, USMC Capt Dan Moran and was Chris Kyle. The nation would never see Perry on a golf course…but as POTUS the World would see a man shooting ammo at targets going for a hole in one. Perry is the best Consoler in Cheif…that’s why Bastrop and West wanted Governor…they didn’t have to call…he was on his way! But when Governor gives a hug and his word we KNOW everything will be ok. When West explosion happened FL Tx Ms Anita’s daddy just died. He was a country doctor Governor really admired…but West happened and Governor was there, up day and night directing resources and consoling those devastated. When we had those state funerals and obama showed up so did Westboro. Texans knew how to keep Westboro nuts out. And we did our part…Governor was the one we wanted to hear…obama could have stayed in DC for all we care. Perry has gone face to face and head to head with obama, DC, liberals In our state and any country or United Nations thinking they could walk all over Texas. He’s dealt with Democrats scooting out of legislature to Ok. Perry has dealt with liberals crawling all over the Capitol…we getittle damage and coverage because Perry knows how to nip that trouble in the bud. That’s why liberals want to take him out. They know in this state Perry is the o e who turned us RED…they talk about turning us purple…Perry says “bring it on.” The liberals fail. Going nationally…liberals know…Perry IS their nightmare!
Nancy Oliver (fddf25) — 4/17/2015 @ 1:14 pmmore Perry graphs would be better i think
happyfeet (a037ad) — 4/17/2015 @ 1:19 pmRick Perry, who else has the ability to return America to it’s roots. He has been a CEO of the worlds 13 largest economy, Texas. Air Force Captain so he understands our military and the importance of a great military. Per Crowdpac he is the closest to Ronald Reagan: For Reagan, Crowdpac issued a score of 7C, placing him a little to the right of the Republican middle.
By this measurement, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry nestles the nearest to the Gipper, ideologically, with a score of 6.9C. (Congrats!)
Anyone else running just does not have the background nor the ability to turn this country around. And those who think there are others who have that ability are delusional.
Pamela Barrasso (d95c02) — 4/17/2015 @ 3:40 pmAttack of the Perrybots?
kishnevi (adea75) — 4/17/2015 @ 4:07 pmI am too lazy to do a google search on the current status of Gov. Perry’s case. Anyone care to help a brother out? I know, I am a sad excuse for a Texan.
felipe (56556d) — 4/17/2015 @ 4:37 pmRhonda, Nancy, and Pamela: welcome to the blog. I like Rick Perry myself and endorsed him last time around. He would be far better than Hillary Clinton — and Texas is stealing a lot of business from places like California through his business-friendly lack of taxes and regulation.
Would you folks be kind enough to tell me what brought you to the blog? How did you find it?
Patterico (461aac) — 4/17/2015 @ 5:42 pmre #132: they are taking their time with the case. Perry’s team files an appeal in January to get the case dismissed based on free-speech rights.
seeRpea (d1cf05) — 4/17/2015 @ 6:20 pmAnother reason I like Ted Cruz is because the smart conservative lawyers I know are Cruz supporters. I know non-lawyers won’t be impressed by that, but the reason it’s important is that I think lawyers are more likely to know who the good lawyers are and how to evaluate other lawyers. There are many different kinds of lawyers — good, bad, indifferent, smart, stupid, etc. — but Cruz is special.
DRJ (e80d46) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:14 pmI sure hope Rhonda, Nancy, and/or Pamela return. If they are not robots, that is. I’d love to talk to them more.
Did anyone else (besides the person who alerted me to it) note the curious way that Rick Perry’s vote totals in this poll jumped today, from negligible to a commanding lead? All of a sudden? Almost as if there was something out of the ordinary going on?
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:19 pmUPDATE: The votes for Rick Perry appear to have been manipulated. After getting only a handful of votes for the first few days, all of a sudden he is in a commanding (if totally phony) “lead.”
And a spate of pro-Perry comments sprang up out of nowhere, from never-before-heard-from commenters who aren’t answering my polite questions about how they got here — and whom I suspect we will never hear from again.
Noted.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:21 pmAnother reason I like Ted Cruz is I never heard of his people leading a phony effort to distort the results of an online poll. Good for him!
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:23 pmSo Perryites have taken on the mantle of Ron Paul poll spammers, huh?
JVW (a1146f) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:54 pmI like Rick Perry myself and endorsed him last time around. He would be far better than Hillary Clinton —
I too generally like Rick Perry (though he isn’t my first choice) but the actions of his supporters with respect to this poll don’t reflect well upon him.
JVW (a1146f) — 4/17/2015 @ 11:59 pmYeah. But agree with it or not, Ron Paul did have a transformative message. I can see people getting ridiculously excited about it. Rick Perry . . . would be a great President, I think. But I have a hard time seeing him inspiring the same kind of devotion.
Someone cares enough about him to spam though. Whatever that means.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:06 amSo Perry entering the race hurts which candidate the most? A fellow governor like Bush or Walker? A fellow Texan like Cruz? It’s an interesting idea to ponder.
JVW (a1146f) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:10 amI think I first saw the Patterico poll on Twitter. Then I posted it on the two Perry groups I am a member of on Facebook. A lot of those folks posted it on their timelines and in other groups they belong to. I guess we Perry supporters can vote for our candidate as much as the Cruzbots or Paulbots or Walkerbots, can’t we? I supported Perry in 2012. I’m a Texan and I know what it’s like to live under conservative policies and with Perry as governor for fourteen years. With all my heart I want the same freedom and prosperity for the whole country. Scott Walker has not experienced more controversy or opposition than Perry. Walker has only been governor for four years. Yes, he was courageous fighting the unions. Perry has been in office fourteen years and has fought many battles and opposition. The most recent was the battle over the abortion bill where the infamous Wendy Davis filibustered. The Texas Capitol building was just as packed with pro-abortion, progressives, liberals, Democrats, spewing hateful things, and Perry and the legislature stood up to them, just as Walker did the unions. Perry has more experience than all the others.
Rhonda Nelson (e516d1) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:30 amThanks for coming back to explain, Rhonda.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:31 amI’d like to make two more comments. One is my observation that Cruz and Rubio had hundreds of votes when I came to vote, yet no one made statements about Cruzbots taking over the site. Nor was that said about Walker or Rubio. Why say it when Perry supports vote?
Secondly, one commenter said he didn’t believe Gov. Perry could inspire such a following. What he meant was that Gov. Perry hasn’t inspired him. I thought he might be interested in seeing Gov. Perry’s speech at the Ronald Reagan Library at the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Reagan’s famous speech, “A Time For Choosing”. It’s very inspiring and the audience received it and Gov. Perry very well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s03QD9uHSHg&feature=youtu.be
Rhonda Nelson (e516d1) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:53 amMy Choice is Rick Perry!!
I could list about a hundred reasons, however I’ll only list 5..
#1. Proven Experience
#2. Has Shown Ability Get Things Done
#3. Knows How To Translate Conservative Ideals in Effective Policy
#4. Stands Firm For The Constitution
#5. Has Military Experience
Jacob Moreno (dd1e55) — 4/18/2015 @ 1:07 amI’d like to make two more comments. One is my observation that Cruz and Rubio had hundreds of votes when I came to vote, yet no one made statements about Cruzbots taking over the site. Nor was that said about Walker or Rubio. Why say it when Perry supports vote?
I’ll take a stab at answering that, Rhonda. The poll I believe was really intended for regular readers of the site. So what we saw for the first couple of days was the natural division of Patterico’s Pontifications readers between Walker and Cruz. it wasn’t as if a bunch of Walkerbots or Cruzbots suddenly rushed to the site (to our knowledge); the results as they stood earlier today probably largely reflected the views of the readership of this blog.
But then when you guys all came over here and started voting, you naturally skewed it towards your candidate. It’s not that you necessarily broke any rules, but it just seems to us that the results no longer represent the views of the regular readership, it represents the ability of supporters of Gov. Perry to rally the troops and have them come in and vote in the poll. If all of Perry’s supporters are this well organized, I have no doubt you will do really well in caucus states.
JVW (a1146f) — 4/18/2015 @ 1:13 amToo bad Perry came across as a drunk boob, last go round.
mg (31009b) — 4/18/2015 @ 2:06 amGood man, but people won’t forget his bad act.
Rhonda,
I’m glad you and your fellow Perry supporters commented. It might interest you to know that several people who regularly comment here, including me, are Texans and our host Patterico is a native Texan. We talk about Texas issues quite a bit here, so think about coming back in the future.
Perry is a good man. He was a popular choice at this blog during the 2012 Presidential election for the reasons you and others list.
DRJ (e80d46) — 4/18/2015 @ 7:35 amI was under the impression that Perry greatly undermined himself in the way he debated other Republican candidates in the televised broadcasts back in 2012. But I can’t think of almost any Republican who I wouldn’t immediately favor and prefer over any Democrat in 2016.
Mark (6c31df) — 4/18/2015 @ 7:47 amJVW 142,
That is interesting. I like having a lot of candidates but having so many fragments their supporters and donors, and Texas is especially impacted by that. Several of the candidates are Texans or have strong ties to Texas — including Bush, Cruz, Paul (through his father), and Perry. My feeling is that Perry’s supporters and donors in Texas would generally turn to Bush if Perry weren’t in the race.
DRJ (e80d46) — 4/18/2015 @ 7:56 amRhonda,
As I’ll explain below, I’m fine with what happened.
I was suspicious initially for a couple of reasons. First, the vote count had slowly evolved over time to reach a particular place that seemed to reflect the views of the readership. All of a sudden, in one day, Perry’s vote total had exploded, and by just enough people for him to pull into the lead. I thought that was interesting, and asked a friendly question of three people who had come around the same time to support Perry, but after several hours there was no response and I formed the tentative opinion that the commenters were never coming back. For all I knew this was some kind of robot program.
Then you came back and explained what happened. Now that I understand what happened, I’m fine with it — and again, I’m glad you returned to comment. I had no rule that restricted the polling to regular readers. The post was open to the Internet as a whole. And I think it’s an interesting and somewhat impressive phenomenon that you and your friends were able to mobilize a response like that.
As DRJ says above, I grew up in Texas and a number of the readers here are from Texas. I love Texas and I like Rick Perry a lot. You make good points about his experience. I would be thrilled to see him in the Oval Office.
Anyway: it makes all the difference in the world to me that you came back to tell us what happened. And I hope you keep reading the blog, and encouraging your friends to do so.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:10 pmAs a reminder: this is the thread where I specifically asked people to comment on positive attributes only.
Patterico (9c670f) — 4/18/2015 @ 12:12 pmi voted for RICK Perry too. I will admit I voted a couple of times. I saw this poll come up on my FB feed and on Twitter. I see RICK Perry as a leader and experienced -what he did as the Governor of Texas proves that! He seems popular.
Sharon (e9806d) — 4/20/2015 @ 12:20 amMy vote goes to Rick Perry. He is a proven leader, “Defender of Jerusalem” and is well versed in foreign affairs, which is needed now more than ever. Rick Perry has the experience and knowledge to get our country back on the right track. Texas is Israel’s fourth largest American trading partner thanks to his sponsorship and founding of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce. Rick Perry also served in the military. All these things are very important and places him far and above all others.
Also, I do remember the incident where he was joking around and the media turned it around, saying he was drunk but, he was goofing around which is another great thing about him, he has a great sense humor.
The answer to your question, is that I saw the link in a TEA Party group and shared it in other groups. Rick Perry supporters started popping up out of everywhere, lol, isn’t that great!
Sarah Threet (a6fa18) — 4/20/2015 @ 12:37 amWe need Captain Richard James Perry to lead our great country. It is imperative to pick the most qualified now more than ever and not the time to be picking inexperienced leadership. Haven’t we had enough of picking a person for saying all the things we want to hear without them having the experience to back up what they say? Rick Perry can back up what he says! He is a proven leader and has done an outstanding job for the great state of Texas.
Sarah Threet (a6fa18) — 4/20/2015 @ 12:46 am