Fearing A Ronulan Takeover

Politico tells us that the Iowa Republican establishment fears irrelevance if Ron Paul wins the caucuses:

Conservatives and Republican elites in the state are divided over who to support for the GOP nomination, but they almost uniformly express concern over the prospect that Ron Paul and his army of activist supporters may capture the state’s 2012 nominating contest — an outcome many fear would do irreparable harm to the future role of the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

...

Paul poses an existential threat to the state’s cherished kick-off status, say these Republicans, because he has little chance to win the GOP nomination and would offer the best evidence yet that the caucuses reward candidates who are unrepresentative of the broader party.

“It would make the caucuses mostly irrelevant if not entirely irrelevant,” said Becky Beach, a longtime Iowa Republican who helped Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43 here. “It would have a very damaging effect because I don’t think he could be elected president and both Iowa and national Republicans wouldn’t think he represents the will of voters.”

What especially worries Iowa Republican regulars is the possibility that Paul could win here on January 3rd with the help of Democrats and independents who change their registration to support the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman but then don’t support the GOP nominee next November.

I don't think frustrated libertarians are going to flock to Barack's banner, but I can imagine them sitting out the November voting.

To be fair, up to now Iowa has not had a bad history of separating winners from losers, in both parties.

Comments

[henry]

If we get rid of Iowa, can we get rid of ethanol subsidies while we're at it?

[Democracy is so depressing.]

Obama only beat Hillary by perverting the caucuses.
=========

[narciso]

Iowa counts say in 2000, until it doesn't when McCain won the NH primary, then it was down to S. Carolina, and the graveyard of zombie memes.

[bolitha]

Well, Huckabee won the Iowa caucus, and where did that get him?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Well, Huckabee won the Iowa caucus, and where did that get him?

Fox News.

[narciso]

As did Robertson in 1988, but then Sununu in NH and Campbell in SC, stopped him cold.

[bolitha]

Cute, Charlie! You are so right. Plus a mammoth vacation house in Florida via Fox gig.

[Cecil Turner]

One thing for sure: this ain't no way to run a railroad.

[Amphipolis]

But...but...but I thought that no one could win Iowa without supporting brain-dead stupid Govenment-mandated ethanol!

(Please don't construe this as an endorsement of Paul)

[narciso]

In other news, the Journolist is all verklempt
over Politifacts, calling out the democrat's
over their 'GOP voted to kill Medicare' the sweet taste of schadenfreude

[narciso]

Yes, Leon, but as Malone said, 'what are you prepared to do'

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/12/20/panetta-iran-will-not-be-allowed-to-have-the-bomb/

[narciso]

Ah, Leslie, you're such a kidder, as funny as some of your stuff out of Vietnam;

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/20/what-the-u-s-government-knows-about-north-korea-s-new-ruler.html

[Pofarmer]

Good Lord, if it's actually Ron Paul vs Romney coming into the MO primary, that presents a real connundrum. The only thing that MIGHT make me do a Mitt Vote, is the chance, any chance, of a Paul candidacy.

[Appalled]

If the winning of Iowa causes by Ron Paul causes the end to the ethanol subsidy, I would guess Ron Paul would be pleased.

[matt]

having seen the Ronulans in full regalia at the California state Republican convention several months ago, I was struck by their brownshirt zeal.

You have fruit & nuts granola eating hippies (pot), yuppie know nothings (pot), gay & lesbian kids (pot & libertarianism), and assorted wearers of aluminum foil headgear (pot). Notice a theme?

It was actually scary and I saw how state caucuses work. people sign up once, twice, thrice and stuff the ballot boxes. It sort of takes the one person/one vote concept and turns it on its ear.

Of course Paul will use any reaction to a win as a mandate to run as a 3rd party candidate, thus assuring an Obama win and fulfillment of the Mayan predictions. The Ronulans have that Jim Jones vibe anyway.

[narciso]

Well, the way certain straw polls have gone on in the last year, suggests you are right, Matt.

[Thomas Collins]

I say go with a BCS system. Three polls of GOP faithful (with rank and file outweighing leaders), and three computers. Develop some weighting system. Top two have a Lincoln-Douglas style debate at Eureka College. Then, have one national primary. Winner becomes the POTUS candidate, loser the Vice-POTUS candidate.

[bgates]

the Iowa Republican establishment

-the what now?

Paul poses an existential threat to the state’s cherished kick-off status

See, he's not all bad.

What especially worries Iowa Republican regulars is

something so predictable as to be inevitable, which they nonetheless never bothered to prepare for. You wonder if these Iowa Republicans got in to politics after several years of trying to double their money farming by planting a second corn crop in November, only to be surprised to find out that it snows in Iowa.

[narciso]

THe mythical Republican establishment;

http://www.theiowabarnstormers.com/office/staff/index.html?staff_id=11

[Rocco]

What especially worries Iowa Republican regulars is the possibility that Paul could win here on January 3rd with the help of Democrats and independents who change their registration to support the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman but then don’t support the GOP nominee next November.

I think liberal leaning Independents in NH would also switch over and vote for the GOP candidate they think would be easiest to beat in the general.

[Frau Steingehirn]

Po, can't win for losing.

[narciso]

You know, her first mistake, was to talk to Politico, her second was to phrase it that way, even if you sincerely believe that, you don't say it that way. bgates may have been correct in his diagnosis.

[Frau Steingehirn]

Re: CA Ronulans--
matt, there's a lid for every pot.
(Für jeden Pott gibt's einen Deckel)

[Danube of Thought]

Chavez discourses on your president:

On the eve of his first official overseas trip since being diagnosed with cancer, Hugo Chávez has launched a blistering attack on Barack Obama, describing the US president as a "clown" and an "embarrassment". "Focus on governing your country, which you've turned into a disaster," the Venezuelan president told state TV on Monday. Chávez touched down in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, on Tuesday for a summit of Mercosur, South America's leading trade bloc.

[lyle]

Wow, I agree with Chavez. Must go lie down. Even the commies know he's a lightweight.

[narciso]

I'm sorry, that takes chutzpah, on his part, economic mismanagement in Caracas, is legendary.

[narciso]

That being said, it's a Jonathan Martin byline, so frankly I doubt she even talked to him, even though the sentiments are well known.

[LouP]

ABO? How about "Almost ABO (AABO)?

I've had the distinct disadvantage of "knowing" Ron Paul for almost twenty years. My brother lives in his district, and another misguided family member has been an admirer of Ron Paul since he was first elected to Congress.

What deeply disturbs me is that so many of his admirers are doing the Obama thing. To them he's a blank slate that they can project their libertarian, or whatever, aspirations onto. But there's no blank slate about Ron Paul - if you just know where to look, and his background - if you think his associations mean anything - is UGLY.

Start with his long association with the John Birch Society. Do a little digging and you will find he's a fair-haired-boy of that group, and was the keynote speaker at one or more of their conventions.

Then move on to the even darker history. Do a little research on a now defunct trash rag called "Spotlight," which morphed into "The American Free Press." Check out who they appeal to, i.e., the content, the subscribers and advertisers. Ron Paul has been their fair-haired boy for 20 years, and has written a number of articles in those rags.

(Then if you really want to get down into the gutter, check out what other publication shares the exact same offices, same address, same telephone #, etc. and you'll understand why Ron Paul so ardently defends the Islamic world.)

From my 20-year perspective of "knowing" Ron Paul, he's a kook, a charlatan, and if his past associations mean anything, a despicable character. Anyone who supports the man is either an adject ignoramus, or else one of those low-lifes that share his values as typified in "The American Free Press" and its sister publication(s).

Scary! That he's even a contender, much less a serious contender, should be a cause for worry.

[narciso]

And this one just jumped the Megalodon:

http://www.therightscoop.com/ann-coulter-i-would-prefer-ron-paul-as-president-to-newt-gingrich/

[narciso]

That's one burned bridge too far;

http://www.therightscoop.com/flashback-ron-paul-defends-hamas-says-israeli-blockade-act-of-war/

[Danube of Thought]

the Iowa Republican establishment

TM's translation of Politico's "conservatives and Republican elites."

[Extraneus]

The real election strategy?

Panetta: Iran will not be allowed nukes

(CBS News) The U.S. Secretary of Defense said Monday night that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. In an interview, Leon Panetta, said despite the efforts to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program, the Iranians have reached a point where they can assemble a bomb in a year or potentially less.

Of course, if this were really a "strategy," removing all US forces from Iraq in preparation wouldn't seem to be a very smart move.

[narciso]

I linked that back at 12:01, I don't see it very likely, it's not a one off like with UBL
or the protracted drone strikes, that would be required.

[narciso]

Nobody's home, it's like knocking on wood;

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2011/12/20/chris-christie-crushes-mika-youre-diving-deeply-obama-tank

[Sandy Daze]

Narciso - Guess I am missing your ref to "it's a Jonathan Martin byline, so frankly I doubt she even talked to him" because I was thinking the "her" was Sarah Palin and I cannot find any recent articles written by JM about SP.

Of course there are both the Follow The Money interview linked earlier and the NY Post Interview which in both cases SP sez it's not too late for more entrants in GOP nom race.

I am not too worried about the Ronulans, and notwithstanding LouP's comments above, even if RP were to get the nomination, I'd still vote ABO, there will be a controlling Congressional majority which will keep an outlier like RP in check. OMG--ABO.

Is it irrational of me to hope for a late entry by SP? Newt seems to think there will be one or more late entrants to the contest. Not that I listen to everything NG says.

ABO~OMG !
Sandy

[Jane]

Hugo Chávez has launched a blistering attack on Barack Obama,

That had to hurt. Obama loves the guy.

[narciso]

SAndy, here's a sample right before the midterms, I could include the stories after Tucson, and every time in between;

http://bigjournalism.com/retracto/2010/10/21/retraction-request-politicos-jonathan-martin-smears-palin-with-false-facts/

Martin has a record of omitting, distorting
or outright inventing much of his so called reporting, not limited to but including Palin, so I tend to discount much of his
work.

[Danube of Thought]

Rich Lowry:

"Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is in a bid to make history in Iowa. Can he become the first marginal, conspiracy-minded congressman with an embarrassing catalog of racist material published under his name to win the caucuses?

"In 2008, the surest way to get applause in the Republican primary debates was to excoriate Ron Paul. This year, the Texas libertarian stands much closer to the emotional center of gravity of the party in his condemnations of government spending, crony capitalism, the Federal Reserve, and foreign intervention. He brings 100-proof moonshine to the GOP cocktail party. It can be invigorating and fun, if you ignore the nasty adulterants."

[Extraneus]

It's the Politico article TM linked, Sandy, written by Martin, quoting "Becky Beach," assuming their really is such a person.

[narciso]

Some of my confreres are not so gentle with the little weasel;

http://conservatives4palin.com/2011/02/jonathan-martin-palin-needs-to-stop-being-mean-to-us-or-something.html

[narciso]

Becky Beach, does exist, a linked her bio, earlier, it seems a fairly tactless thing to say

[Jack is Back! (narciso Translations on Demand)]

LouP,

Desperate times make desperate people do desperate things. BTW, here is Ron Paul's Inaguaral Speech.

[Extraneus]

Well ok, Martin didn't actually invent her.

[Jane]

I must say JIB, that speech has a lot of appeal. More than Paul actually.

[Sandy Daze]

Ah! Understand now re Martin. Thnx.

~

JiB - What's not to like re the draft Inaugural Speech? I am not a scholar of EOs, but presumably if certain EOs are extremely important to the USG operation, Congress could pass such a law.

OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

OK, thanks re Martin. Now I understand.

~

JiB - What's not to like re the draft Inaugural Speech? Am no scholar of EOs, but presumably if one or more were critical to the USG proper functioning, it could be passed through congress?

OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[hit and run]

Jane:
That had to hurt. Obama loves the guy.

Obama started it.

[narciso]

'DAvid Kahane' raises some reservations re Lowry

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/286314/re-fringe-frontrunner-michael-walsh

[bgates]

Can he become the first marginal, conspiracy-minded congressman with an embarrassing catalog of racist material published under his name to win the caucuses?

No, but he could become the first marginal, conspiracy-minded congressman with an embarrassing catalog of racist material published under his name and a widely accepted birth certificate to win the caucuses.

TM's translation of Politico's "conservatives and Republican elites."

What the heck are "Republican elites"? Are they the ones who own the black helicopters you've been warning us about?

[narciso]

One is reminded of the last Lewis and Martin type collaboration

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/01/opinion/01biden.html

[Cecil Turner]

. . . and a widely accepted birth certificate . . .

Heh. Well played.

[Chubby]

I guess Chavez is reacting to this, from Breitbart via Drudge LUN

I was admitedly surprised by this:

((US President Barack Obama said Monday that Venezuela's government threatened "basic democratic values" and expressed concerns about its ties to countries like Iran and Cuba.
"We're concerned about the government's actions, which have restricted the universal rights of the Venezuelan people, threatened basic democratic values, and failed to contribute to the security in the region," Obama said in an interview with the Venezuelan daily El Universal.

"Moreover, it's unfortunate that the Venezuelan government is often more interested in revisiting the ideological battles of the past than looking forward to the future that we could build for our citizens."

Obama said that most Latin American countries "have gone from living under dictatorships to living in democracies" but that in Venezuela, "we have been deeply concerned to see action taken to restrict the freedom of the press and to erode the separation of powers that is necessary for democracy to thrive."

The comments by Obama are the latest in a war of words between Washington and Venezuela's left-wing President Hugo Chavez, who has been sharply critical of what he has called American "imperialism."

Obama said Washington "does not pretend to dictate" foreign policy to sovereign nations, but said "the Venezuelan government's ties to Iran and Cuba have not served the interests of Venezuela or the Venezuelan people."

On Iran, Obama said, "it is up to the Venezuelan people to determine what they gain from a relationship with a country that violates universal human rights and is isolated from much of the world."

He maintained that "we take Iranian activities, including in Venezuela, very seriously and we will continue to monitor them closely."

Obama said Cuba's future "must be freely determined by the Cuban people. Sadly, that has not been the case for decades, and it is not the case today."

"The people of Cuba deserve the same rights, freedoms and opportunities as anyone else," Obama added.

"The United States is going to continue supporting the basic rights of the Cuban people. At the same time, we'll continue to work with others across the region to defend the shared values that are enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter and that belong to all people." ))

[narciso]

Yes go ahead, bring both barrels while you're at it,

http://www.trevorloudon.com/2011/12/ron-paul-says-accused-traitor-is-a-patriot/

[narciso]

You would think she would know better;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/romney-not-pandering-on-pollard-or-embassy-in-israel/2011/12/20/gIQAZy7R7O_blog.html#pagebreak

[LouP]

JIB, just like I said - a lot of people are projecting. In that regard, we're replaying the election of Obama, Part II. Be careful, very careful, of the "Hope and Change" mantra, even if Ron Paul doesn't say it.

[Uncle BigBad]

Chavez is just trying to be helpful to Obama--Obama can point to Chavez's criticism when he's trying to convince people he's not a communist.

[Jane]

Chubby,

Obama lies.

[Dave B]

There is much to admire about Ron Paul. He's been a staunch Constitutionalist. He's remained true to his core beliefs but his foreign policy is almost suicidal. He's not just arguing that before we go to war we should get congressional support (with which I totally agree for anything longterm)but he jumps the shark with some of his recent revelations on Iran and even Iraq. His latest remarks on the Supreme Court when we have justices like Thomas, Scalia, Roberts, and Alito was too much for me to take.

[Doris]

I love the valuable info you supply in your posts. I like your writing style.
[url=http://acnetreatments250.blinkweb.com/]Acne home remedies[/url]

[Web design sydney]

I linked that back at 12:01, I don't see it very likely, it's not a one off like with UBL
or the protracted drone strikes, that would be required..

[Benjamin Franklin]

tea party...heh