Mitt Romney wins big in Florida primary

Mitt Romney in full voice after Florida primary

Mitt Romney used large amounts of cash and negative advertising to come in first in the Florida primary. American democracy has fallen a bit overnight. The lofty ideals of the Founding Fathers have been overshadowed by a need for political war chests and political warfare. Or put it another way, money and mudslinging win the day.

Of course, Mitt Romney did not have much to do or say to win. Newt Gingrich shot himself in the foot. Rick Santorum and Ron Paul were more or less ignored by the pundits, although the two candidates have preferred to focus on upcoming contests. No, Romney won because he didn't have much competition in Florida. That said, he hasn't exactly sparkled. Florida's economy isn't in that great a shape. More of the same will get it out of shape even more.

The BBC is rooting for Romney. I don't know what others think of the word "only" but the BBC says Newt Gingrich only managed 32%. Only? After all he's been saying about moon colonies, fidelity and tax gathering, I'd think 32% was very good. Only, eh? If only! Mitt got only 46%. Those big bucks stuffed into his war chest couldn't persuade more than half to vote for him. Only 54% voted against him. If one only puts the votes of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul together, then Mitt Romney still has more against him than for him. His only hope is a continued split opposition.

Result -

Mitt Romney	774,492	46.24%
Newt Gingrich	533,038	31.93%
Rick Santorum	222,774	13.34%
Ron Paul	117,094	7.01%
Rick Perry	6,768	0.41%
John Huntsman	6,197	0.37%
Michele Bachmann	3,959	0.24%
Herman Cain	3,494	0.21%
Gary Johnson	1,196	0.07%

The total number of votes cast was 1,669,462. If one takes into account the votes for candidates who have withdrawn, adds them to the other non-Romney votes, then 894,970 voters did not support Mitt Romney. If only they had.

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Ten questions Floridians should ask Newt Gingrich

Newt sees the moon as a place to be - lunacy for lunar politics

Newt Gingrich is a wily old cove. He is also a bit of a lachrymose crocodile and at times a rodent in need of a scrub. James Cagney would have recognised him on occasions given some of the things he says. Anyway, seeing as Newt has more fantasies than factual policies, these are the ten best questions I think those in Florida thinking of voting for Newt should either ask him or ask themselves. Just so they are certain he's their man.

1. Is the moon made of green cheese?
2. Do you speak French?
3. Can an African-American president be a European socialist?
4. Is it OK to seek fidelity in your opponents whilst philandering yourself?
5. How big can the national debt get before you return your blind eye?
6. Does the Constitution (for which you are for) hold everything a government requires to govern?
7. Is extra-constitutional lawmaking ever justified?
8. Do you prefer big or small government?
9. Have you ever consorted with lobbyists?
10.Was working for Freddie Mac a wholely satisfying experience?

If asked in a deep and searching way these questions might reveal something of the true nature of Mr.Gingrich. None are in the "casting the first stone" category, but they are my idea of illiciting something from the waffling rhetoric and status quo talk he's been offering so far.

Anyway, it's not up to me. It's up to the good folk of Florida who happen to support the Republican Party.  I trust that they choose wisely today.

Oh, and for all Newt fans, moongazers, amateur lunatics, et al, this is for you. Mixing moonlight with Valentine's Day!

PS - It's all very innocent.

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Giuliani and Edwards abandon the race

As expected, both John Edwards and rudy Giuliani have announced they are abandoning the White House race. The mystery now is whether they will swing behind anyone quickly or hold fire for a while. Let's see.

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Giuliani and Edwards to quit race anytime soon!

Any day now both Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards are to announce they are quitting the race for the White House. Edwards has been somewhat knocked off course by the rise of Barack Obama, and Giuliani made the mistake of putting most of his eggs into the Florida basket.

Whilst the Democratic race will be down to two horses of very different qualities, the Republicans will have four to contend with. Ron Paul's not leaving the race because he's got the financial clout to stay in. That was Giuliani's achilles heel. McCain may slip up. Who knows? His grasp of the economy is woefully slim, but folks don't seem to mind. Maybe a major cock-up is on the horizon. Better before the election, than after!

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Ron Paul won all the debates, says Giuliani

The Florida Primary is over now for the Republicans. Although John McCain won with 36% of the vote, Mitt Romney is still in there with 31%. McCain is being hailed as the new frontrunner after Rudy Giuliani's risky gamble in Florida failed to ignite the voters' hearts and minds. But a frontrunner who can only manage to garner a third of the votes? It means two-thirds don't agree. I'd say that McCain is "in front", but that the other runners have various degrees of political stamina to allow them to become "frontrunners" too! After all, Huckabee has won, Romney has won, so the race is far from being a done deal. The fat lady hasn't even arrived in the theatre!

The results were:

Republicans
John McCain: 36%
Mitt Romney: 31%
Rudy Giuliani: 15%
Mike Huckabee: 14%
Ron Paul: 3%

Democrats
Hillary Clinton: 50%
Barack Obama: 33%
John Edwards: 14%

Rudy Giuliani is likely to drop out now. He gave the hint, "I don't back down from a principle fight, but there must always be a larger purpose." He may endorse McCain, but I'd hope he'd hold back until after Super Tuesday. He said that the others had fought well, but, as shown in this piece, he also said that Ron Paul won all the debates!

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The Flip-floppers in Florida!

It seems the pundits are getting what they want. A fisty-cuffs fight between McCain and Romney, with Huckabee and Giuliani vying for third place. They like to give Ron Paul the dumpster diver's approach to vote gathering. I'll bet Ron Paul does far better than these cheesy phone polls give him. I think Giuliani has also been given a rough ride by the media, but he didn't make much use of the internet, did he?

McCain and Romney are slugging it out in the insult department downtown. Romney attacked McCain for legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support for an energy bill that he said would have driven up consumer costs. "If you want that kind of a liberal Democratic course as president, then you can vote for him", Romney said. Trouble is a lot are thinking just that. One wonders if the messages are getting through OK. McCain responded to this jibe by saying that "on every one of the issues he has attacked us on, Mitt Romney was for it before he was against it". Now that's a bit rich, Johnny Boy, because on a lot of issues, you were against them before you were for them!

John McCain in an earlier thought process - "If you get involved in a major ground war in the Saudi desert, I think support will erode significantly. Nor should it be supported. We cannot even contemplate, in my view, trading American blood for Iraqi blood - New York Times Aug 19, 1990" OK, it's some time ago, and maybe he changed minds over 9/11, who knows. Now he says, "It's a tough war we're in. It's not going to be over right away. There's going to be other wars. And right now—we're gonna have a lot of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) to treat, my friends...We're gonna have a lot of combat wounds that have to do with these terrible explosive IEDs that inflict such severe wounds." With that kind of message, I'd hope Ron Paul's message of diplomacy and trade was shouted about from the rooftops as the alternative way.

If the Republicans choose McCain or Romney as the eventual nominee, then they will go down as a loser in November. But if they want someone who could forensically pull apart the rhetoric of either Mrs Clinton or Obama, and provide the American people with a real Republican agenda for change, then Ron Paul is the only candidate.

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Ron Paul says "Fortunately technology is very challenging!"

Just when those of us who support Ron Paul for President are in a period of lamentation over the way he is treated by the media, then up jump some very nice media people from a Fox affiliate in Washington State to have a talk with Dr. Paul. This is a very fair interview. It shows how Ron Paul's grasp of economic matters is way above the others. I think those who are contemplating voting for McCain, Romney, Huckabee or Giuliani tomorrow should have a good long think as to whether those guys can cut the mustard in these straightening times.

Ted Kennedy was talking of change today, in his effusive support of Barack Obama. Change is the buzz word this year because most Americans want some change in their lives. My feeling is that if Republican supporters want real change, then Ron Paul is the only one to vote for tomorrow. But before you vote, watch this little offering -

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Ron Paul floors McCain in Boca Raton debate!

Ron Paul, although given fewer questions in the least amount of time (what's new?), managed to show up the inadequacies of John McCain's grasp of economic matters. Ron Paul has consistently given serious policy arguments suggesting that the US economy is in a recession and only radical solutions will help. McCain seems to think the garden still has roses in bloom!

The man who says he will get to the Gates of Hell before Osama Bin Laden does, because he will have tracked him down ("I will do that!"), is no thoughtful thinker. A lot of his stuff is just rhetoric for the ride. Well, last night Ron Paul knocked him off his carousel horse!

Ron Paul is now in a good position to garner votes that would have gone to Fred Thompson and Dennis Kucinich, but also to squeeze the support of McCain and Rudy Giuliani. The latter is hoping his tortoise tactics will put him above the hares in the Florida race. He needs a more attractive shell if that's going to happen.

It's onwards and upwards for Ron Paul.



Ron Paul - the only true Conservative and the only candidate sticking to Republican Party values!

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Sloppy journalism from the Palm Beach Post

The Florida primary for the Republican Party will have five main contenders. Three are currently positioned as main players, whilst the other two are less favoured. This is as the press see it. However, in a piece in the Palm Beach Post about the contest, Liz Sidoti, who is described as an Associated Press Writer, gives an analysis whereby she says "Florida Can Clarify GOP Race". In this clarity she fails to mention Ron Paul. She says nothing in this respect, favourable or negative.

I would have thought that, with Fred Thompson out of the race, and Giuliani having had a lacklustre start, that Ron Paul's presence may have some impact.

One gets the impression that the American media is only happy to mention Ron Paul's name through gritted teeth or a cheesy grin!

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Mitt Romney Pulls Ads in Florida & South Carolina

What was I saying about the expections of pundits and front-runners? Just as the South Carolina contest is about to gear up to top notch, Romney's campaign decides it may not be worth it to spend more money on ads. He's concentrating on Michigan now, apparently. Doesn't quite send out the right signals, I would have thought.

According to South Florida's Sun Sentinel, Romney had been spending about $280,000 per week in South Carolina. That's a fair bit of cash donated by supporters that may not now provide the votes as hoped for. Rough old business is politics!

romney, mittsouth carolina primaryflorida primary

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