Romney wins SRLC straw poll.

[Elphaba]

NEW ORLEANS — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Southern Republican Leadership Conference’s quadrennial straw poll by a narrow margin Saturday while Sarah Palin finished a disappointing third.

Romney won with the support of 24% of more than 1,800 Republican activists gathered here for a low-key vote that offered an early glimpse of which Republicans are willing to be seen with a toe in the 2012 waters.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who still commands a strong if narrow following, finished second in the balloting by a single vote, while Palin and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich each took 18%.

Story continues here.

Elphaba

[Just_A_Guy]

Romney seems pretty good at managing to get his name in these kinds of polls. At least in 2008, though, it didn't work out for him.

Personally, I think Romney's moment has passed. For better or for worse, I don't think anyone will be able to get the Republican nomination without having a good base of support among the tea partiers. And the tea partiers are starting to figure out that this whole individual-mandate thing was, for all practical purposes, Romney's brainchild.

[Elphaba]

Romney seems pretty good at managing to get his name in these kinds of polls. At least in 2008, though, it didn't work out for him.

Yes, he does. I recall another poll where he came out on top, though I apologize I don't remember which one it was, and I'm too lazy to look it up.

Personally, I think Romney's moment has passed. For better or for worse,

Being a Mormon, with a Republican base of Evangelicals who are viruntley anti-Mormon, I don't think he ever had a chance.

I do think, however, that his chances are better this time given so many people perceive Obama as inept with the public's money, and Romney clearly has had phenomenal success in rescuing broken companies. I always thought it would have been great if Obama had assigned Romney to be Secretary of the Treasury. IMO, it could have used what I think are Romney's strongest talents. Obviously, it would never have happened, but I think it would have been a good idea.

I do agree with you in the sense that, from what I've read in the conservative blogs, people still perceive him as disingenuous because he re-defines his platform to fit the office he's running for. I think the combination of his platform hopping around to suit whoever's vote he needs, and his being a Mormon may still kill his chances.

I don't think anyone will be able to get the Republican nomination without having a good base of support among the tea partiers. And the tea partiers are starting to figure out that this whole individual-mandate thing was, for all practical purposes, Romney's brainchild.

I don't understand your point here, and I'm sure it's because the older I get, the stupider I get. But would you mind explaining it further?

Elphaba

[Just_A_Guy]

I don't understand your point here, and I'm sure it's because the older I get, the stupider I get. But would you mind explaining it further?

Nah; I daresay my writing skills are going downhill.

I think the tea partiers are PO'd at Obamacare, in part, because it forces everyone--even those who don't think they need it--to buy health insurance.

But, as I think the President may have even pointed out--that was also a feature of Romneycare. The Dems can somewhat correctly claim that Romney gave them the idea, and given Romney's already-weak (socially) conservative credentials--I think he'll be toast in the primary.

I'll bet Huntsman is thanking his lucky stars he's off in China right now.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Just_A_Guy

[bytor2112]

I like Mitt....he is the first mainstream white guy who is articulate and bright and clean and nice looking....

[Just_A_Guy]

Cue the theme music for "Mitt, the Magic Mormon".

[Guest Goose]

Quick quesiton for the moderators here:

why is this thread permitted and not the "Harry Reid fireside canceled because of politics " , or why was that Reid one closed when it was talking about a church LDS fireside situation but this news on Romneys victory in a republican internal poll (nothing to do with the church) left open?

Just curious cause I'm new here.

[talisyn]

This is me keeping my mouth shut, because I don't want to be responsible for closing another thread ><

Carry on

[Just_A_Guy]

I'm not a mod, but I would venture to guess it's because Romney is not running for office this year.

I suspect (Pam or Heather can clarify) that, other than maintaining a general congenial environment, the no-politician-discussion policy has to do with maintaining the More Good Foundation's tax-exempt status?

[Kawazu]

Romney nips Paul in Southern GOP straw poll - CNN.com

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney defeated Texas Rep. Ron Paul by a single vote in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference's 2012 straw poll on Saturday.

Romney did not appear at the New Orleans conference, but received 439 votes -- or 24 percent -- of the 1,806 ballots cast by delegates at the conference, held in New Orleans. Paul earned 438 votes.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tied for third place with 18 percent of the vote.

It was a close contest this year...

[bytebear]

Nah; I daresay my writing skills are going downhill.

I think the tea partiers are PO'd at Obamacare, in part, because it forces everyone--even those who don't think they need it--to buy health insurance.

But, as I think the President may have even pointed out--that was also a feature of Romneycare. The Dems can somewhat correctly claim that Romney gave them the idea, and given Romney's already-weak (socially) conservative credentials--I think he'll be toast in the primary.

I'll bet Huntsman is thanking his lucky stars he's off in China right now.

The obvious rebuttal is that a program at the Federal level has far different ramifications than a state or local based program.

[Just_A_Guy]

I don't know that the tea partiers would be moved by that argument. I suspect they would counter that tyranny is tyranny, whether it's the feds or the state that are doing it.

[Just_A_Guy]

Some will no doubt say that this is how Mitt defeated Palin in the poll . . .

[NeuroTypical]

Top Ten reasons Mitt Romney should be president

10) The National Cathedral could be renamed the National Tabernacle

9) NASA could commission a satellite 'to hie to Kolob'

8) The Secret Service could be renamed the Sacred Service

7) All official government prayers could include the phrase 'that we all can get home safely'

6) Napoleon Dynamite could get someone other than Pedro elected

5) The President could not only explain things in Layman's terms, but also Lemuel's terms

4) The President could issue pardons in exchange for 100% home teaching

3) Not only could he pronounce 'Nuclear' but also 'Mahonri Moriancumer' and 'Maher Shalal Hash Baz'.

2) At his inauguration he would swear on the Bible 'as far as it is translated correctly'

1) Finally a first family large enough to fill up the White House

[Dravin]

11) He would apply Marvin J. Ashton's One for the Money pamphlet to the National Debt.

[Just_A_Guy]

And

(an oldie but goodie).

[Armor_of_Truth]

Top Ten reasons Mitt Romney should be president

10) The National Cathedral could be renamed the National Tabernacle

9) NASA could commission a satellite 'to hie to Kolob'

8) The Secret Service could be renamed the Sacred Service

7) All official government prayers could include the phrase 'that we all can get home safely'

6) Napoleon Dynamite could get someone other than Pedro elected

5) The President could not only explain things in Layman's terms, but also Lemuel's terms

4) The President could issue pardons in exchange for 100% home teaching

3) Not only could he pronounce 'Nuclear' but also 'Mahonri Moriancumer' and 'Maher Shalal Hash Baz'.

2) At his inauguration he would swear on the Bible 'as far as it is translated correctly'

1) Finally a first family large enough to fill up the White House

Separation of church and state?

PS: this is a serious question, do we like Mitt because of his viewpoints or because he is a faithful member? Just wondering.

Edited April 15, 2010 by Armor_of_Truth
adding PS

[Just_A_Guy]

Romney/Palin in 2012?

Saints preserve us.

[Moksha]

I think the question of choice between Romney and Palin is one of how much you like the quality of ditiziness.

[Elphaba]

Romney/Palin in 2012?

Saints preserve us.

I thought this was funny.

Elph

[Just_A_Guy]

I must confess, that took me a minute.