Who will run in 2012

[Maggie]

Could you be bewildered because you don't want to accept there are those like Lord who take Paul seriously enough to resort to those tactics? Either Paul is a credible threat or Lord has an ax to grind.

Over lunch I heard the guy filling in for Rush (Mark something or other) talking with a caller about the MSM selecting our candidates. I got in on the middle but it sounded like Mark was agreeing. Then the caller asked why Bachmann is getting more coverage than Paul considering she is polling behind him now. Mark responded by saying it is because Paul's poll numbers are temporary and doesn't warrant any mention. But if he polled at 25% for 2-3 months (nice arbitrary standard there, Mark), then he's earned coverage. The problem is that Paul's numbers have been on a steady incline for months, while Bachmann's is on the decline from the polls I've seen. Talk about pot meeting kettle.

Nope. I don’t think Lord could take Paul that seriously if he did he would directly attack Paul’s own arguments rather than resorting to a surrogate. I guess that is lazy on Lord’s part – I guess. Anyway, like I wrote, I was confused because much of the article as it relates to anti-Semitism, and Paul,was pointless and may have been unfair.

Oh well. Sorry, but Paul is not a “threat” to anything or anyone. You want to use polls, right now, as your judge – Google the latest. Yeah, Paul beats Bachmann – good on him for what it is worth.

There are two major things (basic) that bother me about Ron Paul. One: His foreign policy, which I believe to be naive, lacking in historical context, and ultimately counterproductive; Two: And this is a visceral reaction on my part – I see very little difference between Ron Paul diehards and the cult that surrounded our President circa 2008-09. Just Paul’s supporters are fewer in number in my neighborhood - good thing too (nothing against Paul). I hate cults of personality - to begin with they are just creepy.

Who was hosting Rush's show - Mark Steyn? No....based on what you wrote I kind of doubt it.

[RoyalShock]

Is Steyn the guy with the accent? It wasn't him.

I don't see that much in common between Paul and Obama supporters. Obama's was a cult of personality (or color). Paul's is more a what I would call a cult of ideas. At least one is based in relevance, even if you disagree with the ideology.

[Maggie]

Ok. But I don't think so. I can elborate but not now. Not that it matters.

[Maggie]

If you have 20 minutes or so, watch this:

Senator Rubio at The Reagan Library

This guy is good, very, very good. No matter who becomes the GOP candidate that person better be on the first flight to Florida and while there he or she better be begging this man to be his or her VP.

[SubGod22]

Perry Topples Romney as Frontrunner, But Stays on Offense

It’s official: Mitt Romney is no longer the frontrunner in the GOP presidential primary.

Major reputable poll after major reputable poll, conducted over the last ten days or so, shows Texas Gov. Rick Perry leading the former Massachusetts governor by significant margins.

The polling data suggests not only that Perry survived his early stumbles on the stump – most notably, his suggestions that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke could be guilty of “treason” if the Fed prints more money, and that Texans would accordingly treat Bernanke “pretty ugly” – but that Perry is, in fact, picking up steam.

The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of likely Republican primary voters, conducted on August 15, shows Perry leading Romney by 11 percentage points. The latest Gallup survey, querying Republicans and Republican-leaning independents between August 17 and August 21, shows Romney trailing Perry by 12 percentage points. Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, which tallied Republican primary voters between August 18 and August 21, put the gap at 13 percentage points.

[SubGod22]

Now the endorsement game starts to get interesting. Jindal has backed Perry. Pawlenty has backed Romney. I look forward to seeing how some of these endorsements play out in the future. I know there are more important things than this, but they do also bring other supporters to each candidate.

[1979Shocker]

Cain upsets Perry at Florida straw poll

Businessman Herman Cain scored a major upset Saturday, winning the Florida straw poll and creating a new set of problems for Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

The final tally: Cain carried 37% of the vote, Perry 15% and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney 14%. Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum was at 11%, Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 10% and former House speaker Newt Gingrich at 9%. Trailing far behind were former Utah governor Jon Huntsman and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, at 2%.

[SubGod22]

Always a Bridesmaid: Christie Confidants Split on 2012 Run as Reagan Library Speech Is Watched for Clues

Earlier this week, Christie himself fueled the speculation when he told an audience at New Jersey's Rider University that neither Democratic leaders nor the GOP crop is satisfying the public's desire for real leadership.

"I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, 'Here's where I want us to go to deal with this crisis,'" said Christie, who appeared with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

"The fact that nobody yet who's running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask (Daniels) if he'll reconsider and ask me if I'll reconsider," he said.

Christie's three-state, weeklong tour is being paid for by each state's GOP organization, and the fundraising will benefit the New Jersey Republican Party.

"Gov. Christie's strong and refreshing approach to solving the challenging issues facing New Jersey has earned him support from voters across New Jersey and America," said state GOP spokesman Rick Gorka.

Maybe he doesn't run. But I agree that none of the candidates at this point are really all that great. I had hope for Perry, but the longer it goes the worse it looks. Romney is Romney. Paul has foreign policy issues. Cain would need to surround himself with foreign policy experts. Not sure he'll gain enough traction though. McCotter is a long shot and can't get into any debates since nobody will put him on any of the polls. Which makes his chances next to nothing since he doesn't get the same platform to use. Bachman is good at what she does, and it's looking like that isn't for the presidency. Is there anyone else worth mentioning?

I admit, I still haven't gotten too into what's going on right now so I'm not sure exactly how everything is playing out, but there appears to be a lot missing from this group. Ryan isn't going to run. I doubt Christie changes his mind. Rubio doesn't seem to be interested at this time either.

[Maggie]

Always a Bridesmaid: Christie Confidants Split on 2012 Run as Reagan Library Speech Is Watched for Clues

Earlier this week, Christie himself fueled the speculation when he told an audience at New Jersey's Rider University that neither Democratic leaders nor the GOP crop is satisfying the public's desire for real leadership.

"I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, 'Here's where I want us to go to deal with this crisis,'" said Christie, who appeared with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

"The fact that nobody yet who's running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask (Daniels) if he'll reconsider and ask me if I'll reconsider," he said.

Christie's three-state, weeklong tour is being paid for by each state's GOP organization, and the fundraising will benefit the New Jersey Republican Party.

"Gov. Christie's strong and refreshing approach to solving the challenging issues facing New Jersey has earned him support from voters across New Jersey and America," said state GOP spokesman Rick Gorka.

Maybe he doesn't run. But I agree that none of the candidates at this point are really all that great. I had hope for Perry, but the longer it goes the worse it looks. Romney is Romney. Paul has foreign policy issues. Cain would need to surround himself with foreign policy experts. Not sure he'll gain enough traction though. McCotter is a long shot and can't get into any debates since nobody will put him on any of the polls. Which makes his chances next to nothing since he doesn't get the same platform to use. Bachman is good at what she does, and it's looking like that isn't for the presidency. Is there anyone else worth mentioning?

I admit, I still haven't gotten too into what's going on right now so I'm not sure exactly how everything is playing out, but there appears to be a lot missing from this group. Ryan isn't going to run. I doubt Christie changes his mind. Rubio doesn't seem to be interested at this time either.

Thad is out, Sub.

[SubGod22]

I missed that. I know a couple weeks ago he was complaining that few if any polls were including his name and that was the reason he was kept out of any of the debates. He would have been great in that format and at least would have made others think.

[Maggie]

I missed that. I know a couple weeks ago he was complaining that few if any polls were including his name and that was the reason he was kept out of any of the debates. He would have been great in that format and at least would have made others think.

I agree but he never could garner even 1%. You would think that the media would have found some sort of excuse to give him a chance during a debate - the entertainment value is huge (I don't mean that as a slight - I don't agree with him on everything but he is a good guy and wicked smart).

[SubGod22]

I missed that. I know a couple weeks ago he was complaining that few if any polls were including his name and that was the reason he was kept out of any of the debates. He would have been great in that format and at least would have made others think.

I agree but he never could garner even 1%. You would think that the media would have found some sort of excuse to give him a chance during a debate - the entertainment value is huge (I don't mean that as a slight - I don't agree with him on everything but he is a good guy and wicked smart).

I follow. He would have been fun.

[Maggie]

I missed that. I know a couple weeks ago he was complaining that few if any polls were including his name and that was the reason he was kept out of any of the debates. He would have been great in that format and at least would have made others think.

I agree but he never could garner even 1%. You would think that the media would have found some sort of excuse to give him a chance during a debate - the entertainment value is huge (I don't mean that as a slight - I don't agree with him on everything but he is a good guy and wicked smart).

I follow. He would have been fun.

That, and more.

[SubGod22]

That didn't last long. Sources: Christie Definitely a 'No' for 2012

Despite the intensity that has heightened in recent days as the New Jersey governor prepares to deliver a speech Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, several people close to the governor insist he has not changed his mind to forego a presidential bid.

Christie is on tour, attending seven fundraisers in three states, which has fueled speculation that he could be preparing for a 2012 bid. And some people near the governor have been trying very hard -- however futilely, it would appear -- to convince him to get in the race, especially after last week's debate GOP showed the field is still open.

Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, a Sept. 11 commission co-chairman who has reportedly known Christie since he was a teenager, fired up the chatter on Monday, when he told The National Review Online that "the odds are a lot better now than they were a couple weeks ago" that Christie could run.

"I know he's getting advice from all sides," Kean told NRO, adding that Christie will make clear soon whether he's changed his mind

Not sure many were really thinking he'd changed his mind, but part of me had hoped.

[SubGod22]

A nice read from Cato on Entitlement reform and the lack of much anything from the GOP hopefulls.

GOP Needs an Entitlement Plan