I wish I could disagree with him, but I can’t find fault in what Mark Steyn is saying.
Is it not mind-boggling that after the conservative Tea Party revolution in the Republican Party that the two leading contenders ending up being Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich?
Related: The gents at Ricochet discuss the situation with Glenn Reynolds.
If these crazy and uncertain times call for thinking outside the box, why did Steyn ignore Ron Paul?
His polling numbers are showing a surge.
And he fits the crazy label fairly well but I trust him far more than I trust Newt.
Brokered convention!
My reaction exactly. The one to beat Obama is… Newt Gingrich? Seriously, Republicans — Newt Gingrich? That’s all you got??
Reminds me of the Empire Strikes Back quote:
OB Wan: “Mitt & Newt are our only hope.”
Yoda: “No. There is is another.”
The “other” is Ron Paul.
The dogmatic liberal slithers through life under disquise of moral pretension yet they leave a slime trail of martinet depravity.
I think I can offer an accurate prediction of how things will unfold for the GOP/RINO party if they do not field a Presidential candidate who has a reform agenda and is acceptable to the Tea Party movement – Obama will win by default.
As much as the cranky right hate to admit it, the only man standing on the GOP candidate stage now who stands a chance of: A) Pleasing the Tea Party, B) attracting the soft center vote, C) represents the systemic change in congress Americans of all stripes want. Is Ron Paul and he is being sand bagged by the RHINO GOP brass.
AFAIC the other candidates peaked when the media and party BS dropped off and reality took over when voters got to actually hear them – they offer no hope for reforming the government finance or unconstitutional congressional governance. In polling, the one thing that left and right voters converge on is that they think congress is a mess and the decisions coming from it are collusive. It won’t be changed by the litany of status quo candidates GOP has fielded – so their electoral numbers remain flat.
Folks, it’s time to stop all this fussing over the presidency, especially with such a deplorable GOP field. Let it go. The important fight is for a bigger majority in the House, and a majority in the Senate.
The Toad doesn’t believe in either the Constitution or the Supreme Court. He recently said in LA that, if the Supremes recognized a right for gays to marry, he would “override it”. (How, exactly, he did not say.) His rationale? “There’s nothing in the Constitution that says anything about the right of one man to marry another.” True enough, but he conveniently ignores that there’s not one word in the constitution – not a single word, I checked – that refers to “marriage” at all, let alone defining it.
I think, if two people, regardless of sex, want to enter into an agreement which binds them to each other regarding property, children, inheritance, etc., that’s their right. I don’t like that they want to arrogate the word “marriage” for their contract; it galls me as much as their corruption of the word “gay” (which, listening to Christmas songs, I am reminded meant “happy, light hearted, full of joy”, not men who prefer other men’s rumps), but as a “civil union”, frankly, it’s none of my business. It’s certainly not worth provoking a constitutional crisis over, and Newt’s vagueness over what other items he might consider over-ruling the Supreme Court on is disturbing. I want to get rid of neo-fascists, not install another one who leans to the right on some views.
Mitt “you don’t like these principles? I got others!” Romney is uninspiring because cum Parker’s Oakland, there is no there, there. I don’t have a clue what a Mitt presidency would be like, except for one thing: it’s business as usual for the Fed/Wall St kleptocracy. That alone should scare the pants off every living American.
Ron Paul is the only ray of hope. I’m not suggesting he’s perfect, but he’s much better than any alternative from either side.
What nick said.
Yes, it is unbelievable that there is no Tea Party candidate. Consider though, that politicians often are a response to public sentiment, rarely the other way around.
Once the electorate becoems aware that certain policy is desirable, it can take years before the leaders arise to do the implementation. (Think Preston Manning.)
The real Tea Party candidate has yet to reveal himself, and is probably still re-reading the finer points of Atlas Shrugged.
Ron Paul? Maybe. Well versed, very articulate. Can speak to all subjects, seemingly in depth. Recently I have started to slide grudgingly towards his foreign policy. wth, lets go non-interventionist for a decade. Who knows what’ll happen.
It is good that there are the debates, despite of people getting tired of them. There is no other way to get a sense of who these people are.
A sensible person can sort out the “I’m the best choice” and propaganda politics from an agenda.
Gingrich, with all of his wild life is at least humbled in every debate to account for his failings. His mind seem to be sharp though there is a sense of deception brought by Bachmann. Gingrich knows his stuff from studying history.
Perry is likable kind of character, projects a tough Texan image. Having to think about what to say, while unpopular with the “journalists” is really nothing.
Others yapping away say a lot about nothing, it is helpful, to get away with a lot of chaff since it is perhaps impressive though for listener there is no time to think about what was said.
The “journalists” will interpret with their particular ideology what was said, leaving in favourable parts and leaving out something they don’t favour.
Romney has the problem of being Ken of Mattel fame. While his business work is admirable, his politics are more toward the government and its rule. Doing good in business does not necessarily translate into good governance. You have the, what seems, impenetrable bureaucracy that is law unto itself, defying politics and wishes of the populace.
It’s a self preservation thing.
The free enterprise has no chance of a snowball in hell to get on with the business at hand if bureaucrats say no. It seems that the socialists, totalitarians and would be dictators could not get elected, so they got into the employee of government on a wholesale scale and are winning,
The politician that will break their stronghold will accomplish something, though highly unlikely that this will happen.
What is wholly despicable in so far as government running the US and Canada is, that the bureaucracy and employees of government at every level from local to the national will get raises in pay and benefits as though there is a boom going on, while the government is running on debt and deficit and borrowed time.
Can anyone that works in free enterprise think, when did they get raise when the enterprise did not make money.
If the politicians of every stripe can’t stop it, there is slight and no chance to improve the fiscal position of a government.
Surprisingly the socialist would do it without any problem at all, after all they care and the organized proles would help keep the other plebeians in check.
And that is why Obama is going to get his second term and destroy America. Civil war anyone?
I’m not sure there really was such a thing as a tea party revolution or a tea party ™ per se. The current crop of Republican presidential candidates are all looney birds prone to shooting themselves in the foot. Whoever’s left standing at the end of this train wreck will get demolished by Obama.
No follow-through on the part of the TEA party movement. The energy hasn’t been sustained, and the GOP establishment has gone back to their traditional posture of friendly contempt for their grassroots.
The GOP, if it was ever scared by the TEA party, is scared of them no longer.
Not to worry, Newt is falling, done.
This King-Maker will determine who wins the nomination AND the Nation.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/18/curl-one-president-please-with-a-side-of-rice/
I found a few things to disagree with in Steyn’s post. He describes Romney’s time as governor with the word “drift”. The US could use some of that drift, since (in case you forgot like Steyn did) Romney balanced the budget.
And he quotes Rahe in describing Romney’s campaign as awkward and inept. Romney has, to date, outlasted Bachmann, Perry, and Cain, and Gingrich is now dropping in the polls. I can see “plastic”, and “overly-cautious” definitely fits, but since when has Romney’s vote-getting attempts been awkward and inept?
Steyn, and like-minded individuals, need to wake up and realize there is no Messiah coming to save the United States. There will be no glorious four year term where everything will be restored as it once was. The deficit and the debt will not be eliminated by magic, they will be eliminated by slow and steady work.
Romney is not a magician, he’s certainly not the Messiah, but he can do the job.
I’m certainly opposed to Ron Paul; the reason – his astonishing ignorance of history, economic principles and political structures. He, like Obama, feels that the reason for the jihadist fundamentalism – is US ‘interference’ in Islamic nations, and that, if only (like Obama) the US would do nothing – then, those Islamic nations would all love the West. Heh.
I’ve explained my analysis of Islamic fundamentalism, which emerged in the 19th c, before US involvement, and is related to the conflict between tribal political structures (no growth, two-class) and the need for a growth, three class structure.
The most conservative up there, in terms of policies of ‘the least govt meddling’ if Rick Perry. The fact that he’s not a slick talker, like Obama (or Romney or Gingrich) should not remove him from governance.
I’d suggest, that if we don’t like the Exective Level of government, that, as nick above suggests, the electorate should return a majority of GOP in both houses of Congress. Add that to an already GOP majority of Governors, and you’ve greatly weakened the power of the Executive. Then, you could even have a RINO as Executive if you have that Congressional and State power.
This is a sad situation. Even with the help of the MSM, Obama should not have been able to win the last election. Fact is, the Dems didn’t win: the GOP lost. Looks like they are set to do it again. They should not count on the unthinking support of the Tea Party movement – those people have educated themselves enough to not buy the “At least I’m not Obama” line, which is all the GOP will have to offer. It is true that GOP candidates are given a much, much rougher media vetting ride than Dems, but maybe the Republicans should concern themselves less with what CNN is looking for and more at what the true conservatives in the country are looking for. BTW, it concerns me that the ability to “think on one’s feet” in debate is given such a high priority. It looks good for TV, but that is about it. When governing, it is the considered, end of the long day decision that matters, not the quick off the cuff first reaction or remark.
One week, it’s Cain. The next Gingrich. Now, it’s Romney.
At this point, I don’t care if the GOP run a Great Dane for president. I want Obama gone.
Et has it right about Ron Paul. Paul would be a disaster as far as the US recognizing and countering the threat of militant Islam.
The US needs a statesman at this time to deal with the financial mess at home and in Europe as well as the threat of Islam at home and abroad.
Kevin Jackson is right, one term for even the best intentioned president will not fix the financial mess that took decades to create. Two terms with a person focused on repairing the US will be only a start.
Islam has become as big a threat as it was in the 1500s.
Agree with “nick”.
I think the Presidency has been guaranteed to Obama again,the minute Herman Cain dropped out.
Obama is no slacker when it comes to political dirty pool. Hes made a career our of using lawyers to not even have to even run in an election. The Republicans are tearing themselves apart. Much like Hudak’s pseudo-conservatives did in Ontario .
Americans are being driven by left wing media to choices that will only secure their Nations decline.
Mean while like the Cheshire cat. Obama sits back picking through the wreckage he has caused with his corrupt media handmaidens.
Its the state run Media, with its socialist vanguard that now runs America.
Look at the new allies of the US. They have ditched any democracies, in favor of Islamist thugocracies.
Run by Sharia law with murder its engine. World dominance its true Religion.
Mean while its true friends have been vilified. Ostracized by inaction. Made impotent by Obama’s policies.America is now under an Islamic regime, by a President that said outright he would defend Islam over the West.
The American people sleep while the monster rages under the skin of what is left of a once great Republic.
I don`t like Ron Paul`s FP, but Islam is not an existential threat to America at all. It`s been blown out of proportion by the Team America types for far too long.
libertarian – are you serious? Islamism (which is not identical with everyday Islam) is an existential threat to all western democracies, because its stated agenda is to destroy such political and economic modes.
The events of 9/11 and the hundreds of ongoing Islamist attacks – in London, Madrid, Paris, Mumbai, Indonesia, Africa..etc…are evidence of that.
You may not be aware, but our world is no longer functioning as a host of separate, isolate nation-states. We live in an economically and politically globally networked world. What happens in one part, affects another part.
Note to the Ron Paul supporters: Ron Paul is a crank. Congratulations on your undoubted organizational ability, enabling you to variously flood online polls and skew results, but please don’t believe for five seconds that there are enough of you to get him elected President.
One of the signal reasons to form a government is to give that entity a monopoly on the use of violence, for the purpose of the defense of the nation. This is a superior role to that of guiding the economy. Ron Paul, with his blinkered belief that the USA can behave as it once did in the era of musketry, horse cavalry, and fighting sail, of splendid isolation, doesn’t cut it in an age of easy mobility between continents, ballistic missiles, and maritime choke points for many of the things our economy needs to function.
“Why haven’t we offered friendship to Iran, like we did the Chinese or Soviets”, I believe he recently said–well, they committed an act of war against the United States, are still conducting terror operations against United States interests, and recently committed an act of war against our closest ally–you know, the British, one of few allies we have who actually show up when the fighting starts. And silly inadequate Ron Paul wants to extend the hand of friendship to the Iranians. Show mercy, please.
I’ll love voting against the Lefties’ Descended God, and I figure that means, this year, I’ll probably loathe whoever I have to vote for, and that might even include Ron Paul, silly as he is, bizarre as his followers’ devotion is. He isn’t a vaguely sinister figure like Obama, but for God’s sake, will all you Ron Paul supporters please try to be a little less North Korean about the man.
Do that, and you’ll stand a better chance of luring some of the rest of us. I don’t see anyone happy about the choices we’ll have this time around, but not many of you seem to be aware that includes your guy.
And you know what , all i hear about is how no one is good enough or far enough right to be POTUS , when Cain was running everyone cried and slammed him yes even conservatives like you , and when someone even mentions the name palin everyone moans and wimpers stupid,uselss and so on.
Some one say’s ron paul and you hear “that guy is crazy , someone say’s gingrich and you get “yeah sure if he can keep it in his pant’s , and just wait he will flip flop on everything, perry same , romney same, bachmann crazy bible thumpin …birth control makes you retarded, so on and so forth.
You all did it with harper, and the cons here oh the are CINO, blabla bla.
Now here we are not even 7 MONTH’S into a four year term and they have gotten rid of or are in the proccess of getting rid of , the long gun , the wheat board , they have awarded navy ship building contract’s, and the f-35 program (still waiting on the yank’s to get the lead out) They HAVE shown there determination to stick to there promisies and people in here still cry and whine that they are CINO’S.
I am begining to wonder who the CINO’S are sounds like alot in here,but i digress ,the americans have made there bed plain and simple.
DO YOU GUY’S UNDERSTAND THAT?
OBAMA may be the worst in histroy but it is not like russia or the U.N. , he was not just put there ,people asked him,YES LITTERALLY ASKED HIM!!! , by voting to be their leader do you get that?
Do you all understand that? No matter who is on the stage nothing will change no matter what. It has nothing to do with the leader of a country and everything to do with the people especially in a democracy . If the people can’t muster up anything better than ron paul or gingrich or who ever Palin, bachmann , perry , romney then that is that,let it be worry about yourself now, because no matter who they put in there now they will either have to be as feerless as jesus with balls as big as coconut’s to stand up to the wall-mart families , and to the union thug’s.
It is not all unions who have ruined the country it is crony capitalism just as much , still everyone is blinded,they need a leader who will not allow himself to be a puppet on a string,they need someone who will not be swayed by any lobby group of anykind,but they (the people ) will only get what they deserve no matter what .
Most conservatives / republicans only bother to look at politics now between period’s and quarters.
So yeah this is it , it is done does anyone in here think RON PAUL,OR GINGRICH OR ANY OTHER CANDIDATE can fix in 8 years what has been piled on by almost 300 million americans for the last 40? .
Every decision they make will divide the nation now no matter who it is. America is done . finished . The america i know (born in 78) is So different from america now ,and americans don’t even get it they are still ASKING the govornment to down size the govornment!!!
People do you not see this NO ONE can stop it now so it MUST take it’s course , but yes i still beleive there are enough americans that can put it back on track but not before she falls completley off of it plain and simple.
Sorry KATE I GOTTA STEAL YOUR QUOTE!!!
“WHAT WE NEED IS A GOOD FAMINE”, one hell of a good famine one that will make the depression look like a walk in the park ,and no i am not even remotley prepared for one but who ever is? only the few.
But while america goes in for surgery that will be the most crucial time as she must not be tainted or tampered with while she is being operated on , the constitution must be upheld at all cost’s and all POTUS in the future must be forced to learn from this comming derailment.
America nailed it with it’s consttution the forfathers nailed it but what has happened is all of that success and hard work and determination freedom and liberty has been unattended and left to rot (crony capitalism, lawyers on everystret corner willing to sue anyone for anything), Not corporations but individual leaders of corporations becoming so greedy that they pack up there own factories and ship em out over seas ,while forcing middle america to suffer and shrink al because of one persons greed(crony capitalism).
It’s not enough for the walmart family to each net about 21 Billion nope they need more ,and i say let em because it is there company let me run it how they wish but the problem is they end up selling the very country that allowed them to become that succesfull down to the highest bidder and right now that is china.
It is lost on mega corporations leaders now they only worry about themselves not about there employees or america or americans if they can make themselves a few hundred milllion more then why not put americans out on the street’s (this applies to all western nations as well but i am focusing on america) .
Anyway that’s my rant to you all because you all are missing the biggest picture of all , we all say that the insite poeple are enabling and actually doing a diservice to the druggies by helping them kill themselves they need to hit rock bottom before they can start a recovery , everyone was mad at the gubmint for bailing out the auto industy because it needed to fail before it could start a recovery and rightfully so i totally agree,but now everyone is trying to stop america from failing do you see the pattern here?
America has to fail(i don’t want it to, i am worried as much as the next guy) now.
All in all if america was to pay back everysingle debt it has to everyone in this world balance it’s budjet,and pay it’s national and state debt off i bet it would be arount the 50 trillion mark , now tell me is america to big to fail?
I don’t think so!!!
Dr Paul is the front running NOT either of the 2 RINOS mittens or newt
Is this what I’ve been waiting for???
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Tea Party champion Sarah Palin, who has already ruled out a 2012 presidential run, on Monday attempted to dangle her name anew as a possible Republican candidate, although it’s probably too late.
In an interview to air on Fox Business Network’s “Follow the Money” program, the 2008 Republican nominee for vice president was asked whether she would still consider a run for the White House.
“It’s not too late for folks to jump in,” Palin said. “Who knows what will happen in the future.”
‘a once great Republic.’ Revnent Dream (above) pretty much nails it! Ron Paul? Are you serious? His lack of knowledge about foreign affairs is pityful! He makes Carter look knowledgeable! I don’t know who will win but with all the cards (including the media) down south working against the republicans, nothing will surprise me.
Ron Paul is our only hope. America is overextended and broke. Cut, Cut, and cut some more, because the USA will be gone if they don’t tackle their debt. Gone as in Rome. Buy votes with freedom, fire all government employees, begin paying down debt, slash welfare & medicare, etc.
Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan: we can scud missile their facilities from 3000 miles away.
@GELLEN,CRB,&MIKE IN CALGARY
You all just prooved my post up above!!!
I agree with you “Paul in Calgary”, in that Ron Paul is our only hope. 20 years of trillion-$ deficit budgets take their toll on a country.
Fixing the USA will be a rocky road:
Cut Cut Cut spending, fire millions of government employees, stop policing the world and thereby purchase oil at fair market value (watch gasoline rise to 6$ a gallon), outsource security only when we are paid handsomely, watch unemployment hover around 10%.
The above sucks, but it’s the only way America will survive.
Cast my vote with the Ron Paul crowd. Those who think he is a know-nothing are dead wrong. He is the only candidate who wants to return to the Constitution which was responsible for incredible wealth generated in the US. He wants a return to the principles that made the US the supreme super power.
As for foreign policy. Try this: Fuddle Duddle with us and you are glass and vapour in 24 hrs. No matter who you are! No bu11sh1t – just immediate action. No need for troops to occupy a glass bowl or to build a nation. This is the ultimate deterrent which would keep the US out of perpetual war.
If the rest of the world wants to fight amongst themselves, let them. No skin off the US nose.
Gun control? Gone.
Abortion funding? Gone.
Millions of paper-pushing government employees? Gone.
Bureaucratic policies? Gone.
Cradle-to-grave welfare? Gone.
Income tax & IRS? Gone.
Obama care? Gone.
Anchor baby citizenship? Gone.
Illegal immigrants? Deported.
Ponzi scheme unsustainable social security? Gone.
Free medicare for illegal immigrants? gone.
PBS funding? Gone.
UN Funding? Gone.
Billions to Haiti, Bangladesh, Gaza, & North Korea? Gone.
Affirmative action? Gone.
*Real* right-wing conservatives vote for Ron Paul. The rest vote for Obama-lite: Newt or Mitt.