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Thread: Iowa Presidential Caucus

  1. #91
    Quote Originally Posted by Loki View Post
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/us...lp-him.html?hp

    Predictably, these attacks are backfiring on Gingrich and Perry. Hint: when you're running a campaign as a pure conservative, don't attack people for running a business.
    From your article
    Quote Originally Posted by Santorum
    “We need contrasts, not just a paler shade of what we have.”
    That shows what Steely, Fuzzy and I have said as the answer to your earlier question. The Tory phrasing of this under IDS etc was "Clear blue water" [double meaning with blue being the colour of the Conservative party conservativism].

  2. #92
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/us...l?ref=politics

    This is more worrying. I just hope that Gingrich is stubborn enough to stay in the race and continue splitting the loony right vote. I'd say the same about Paul, but I get the feeling that most of his supporters wouldn't vote for any of the other candidates were he to drop out.
    Hope is the denial of reality

  3. #93
    The gold bugs/libertarians could try running a 3rd party alternative, which'd really throw a spanner in everyone's gears. They'd probably be more effective than Nader, anyhows.
    In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
    The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.

  4. #94
    I'm not sure it would make much of a difference. The kind of people who'd vote for them are the kind of people that usually wouldn't vote at all, and they're centered in states (particularly Texas) where the GOP is likely to trounce Obama anyway.
    Hope is the denial of reality

  5. #95
    Shame, really. I like the gold bugs, they're so...Whimsical.
    In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
    The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.

  6. #96
    Quote Originally Posted by Nessus View Post
    Shame, really. I like the gold bugs, they're so...Whimsical.
    Casting about for a new candidate now that Bachmann's out, Nessie?
    Last night as I lay in bed, looking up at the stars, I thought, “Where the hell is my ceiling?"

  7. #97
    Quote Originally Posted by LittleFuzzy View Post
    Casting about for a new candidate now that Bachmann's out, Nessie?
    Oh, I don't like the gold bugs that way. Bachmann was a fascist, so I liked her. There's no real ur-fascists left in the field at the moment. I guess Santorum kind of, but well you google his name and tell me he's a serious candidate. No, the reason I like the gold bugs is their particular anachronisms and the damage they could do to US society if only someone let them.
    In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
    The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.

  8. #98
    Rumor is, Huntsman is dropping out tomorrow
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  9. #99
    I don't believe it matters much who the final GOP candidate is since they will be overshadowed by the nonpartisan candidate (which could turn out to be one and the same).

    American voters are tired of politics as usual. They want leaders that will put their country before their party, and American interests before special interests. Leaders who will work together to develop fresh solutions to the serious challenges facing our country. We believe a secure, online nominating process will prove that America is ready for a competitive, nonpartisan ticket.
    Will be interesting to see how this changes politics...I'm hopeful. The two parties have too much control and need to be judged by the circumstance rather than creating it.

    http://www.americanselect.org/about
    Faith is Hope (see Loki's sig for details)
    If hindsight is 20-20, why is it so often ignored?

  10. #100
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    Rumor is, Huntsman is dropping out tomorrow
    Can you tell me which of Huntsman's policies you support? Because as far as I can tell, he doesn't depart from any significant Republican policy.
    Hope is the denial of reality

  11. #101
    Loki's right, Huntsman seems to favour most of the awful grind-poor-people-into-fuel policies of the GOP, he just looks almost like a human being contrasted with the rest of the clown car crew. Don't be fooled! He's no Nixon.
    In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
    The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.

  12. #102
    I can't wait for Lewk to bash Romney for being so elitist.
    I could have had class. I could have been a contender.
    I could have been somebody. Instead of a bum
    Which is what I am

    I aim at the stars
    But sometimes I hit London

  13. #103
    Quote Originally Posted by Loki View Post
    Can you tell me which of Huntsman's policies you support?
    Publicly believing evolution and climate change.

    To put it more plainly, as Ness said, he almosted seemed like a rational human being.
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  14. #104
    He back-pedalled on the climate change thing pretty early in his campaign. Dunno about evolution. He's still def. eat-the-poor.
    In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
    The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.

  15. #105
    I remember this tweet. Did the base get to him too?
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  16. #106
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    Publicly believing evolution and climate change.

    To put it more plainly, as Ness said, he almosted seemed like a rational human being.
    What do beliefs have to do with policy? The same reason I'm not particularly afraid of a Gingrich or Perry presidency *not that I'd likely vote for either in a general election* is the same one you shouldn't be in the least favorable about Huntsman. They're all experience Republican politicians which means there really aren't going to be too many deviations from the status quo. It's the other side of what Being is griping about, of what most of us have griped about every now and then, about there being no real difference between the parties. There actually are some pretty major differences between them and within them but when it comes time for actual policy-making they don't have much more than wiggle room and most of that wiggling isn't done by the President but by the appointees under them.
    Last night as I lay in bed, looking up at the stars, I thought, “Where the hell is my ceiling?"

  17. #107
    policy was Loki's attempt to pigeon hole. sorry if I ignored the dishonesty of it immediately without going into that.

    I'm under no assumption that the parties are vastly different, which is why I like it when politicians at least base some of their beliefs in reality, sooner or later that may influence policy.
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  18. #108
    Policies are a bit more than just pigeon-holing in politics.

  19. #109
    Quote Originally Posted by LittleFuzzy View Post
    What do beliefs have to do with policy? The same reason I'm not particularly afraid of a Gingrich or Perry presidency *not that I'd likely vote for either in a general election* is the same one you shouldn't be in the least favorable about Huntsman. They're all experience Republican politicians which means there really aren't going to be too many deviations from the status quo. It's the other side of what Being is griping about, of what most of us have griped about every now and then, about there being no real difference between the parties. There actually are some pretty major differences between them and within them but when it comes time for actual policy-making they don't have much more than wiggle room and most of that wiggling isn't done by the President but by the appointees under them.
    Well, from your self-described affiliations....the bolded part would mean the importance of SCOTUS appointees.

    As for Being's "griping", I agree with his condemnation of our two-party political system that has such a stranglehold on candidates and elections. Their one common goal is continuing their own power, instead of representing The People or our Nation as United States. In that sense, there's no difference between the parties. Hooray?

  20. #110
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    Publicly believing evolution and climate change.

    To put it more plainly, as Ness said, he almosted seemed like a rational human being.
    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-on-evolution/

    Regardless, you're seriously telling me that you base your support of a candidate mainly on his views about evolution?

    Define rational. Surely Romney, the guy who changes his political positions whenever it's politically expedient, is the more rational of the two...
    Hope is the denial of reality

  21. #111
    Quote Originally Posted by Loki View Post
    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-on-evolution/

    Regardless, you're seriously telling me that you base your support of a candidate mainly on his views about evolution?

    Define rational. Surely Romney, the guy who changes his political positions whenever it's politically expedient, is the more rational of the two...
    You're going to have to be more clear in explaining why Romney's shifting stance on evolution has anything to do with Huntsman's stance on climate change, or evolution for that matter.

    You yourself claimed we shouldn't take certain policy statements made during primaries at face value. Can't argue much against that, as I also like to look a little deeper. Huntsman is a member of a party that is half jokingly known as the anti-science party. For someone to strongly come out and claim that stance is backwards and harmful, someone who shows an understanding of science...I can't help but feel that he may be the better choice for using said scientific means when deciding official policy while in office.
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  22. #112
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    You're going to have to be more clear in explaining why Romney's shifting stance on evolution has anything to do with Huntsman's stance on climate change, or evolution for that matter.

    You yourself claimed we shouldn't take certain policy statements made during primaries at face value. Can't argue much against that, as I also like to look a little deeper. Huntsman is a member of a party that is half jokingly known as the anti-science party. For someone to strongly come out and claim that stance is backwards and harmful, someone who shows an understanding of science...I can't help but feel that he may be the better choice for using said scientific means when deciding official policy while in office.
    I can't argue with that.

  23. #113
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    You're going to have to be more clear in explaining why Romney's shifting stance on evolution has anything to do with Huntsman's stance on climate change, or evolution for that matter.

    You yourself claimed we shouldn't take certain policy statements made during primaries at face value. Can't argue much against that, as I also like to look a little deeper. Huntsman is a member of a party that is half jokingly known as the anti-science party. For someone to strongly come out and claim that stance is backwards and harmful, someone who shows an understanding of science...I can't help but feel that he may be the better choice for using said scientific means when deciding official policy while in office.
    His stance on evolution hasn't really shifted. And actions (as governor) speak louder than words.

    Do you have any evidence at all that Romney was anti-science when in office?
    Hope is the denial of reality

  24. #114
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    policy was Loki's attempt to pigeon hole. sorry if I ignored the dishonesty of it immediately without going into that.
    Bite me.

    I'm under no assumption that the parties are vastly different, which is why I like it when politicians at least base some of their beliefs in reality, sooner or later that may influence policy.
    It doesn't, not at the level of the Presidency. At lower levels, in shifts in public opinion *including party rank-and-file* you can see beliefs entering into it. Expecting the President's beliefs to enter into it is an expression of that ridiculous thesis about "Great Leaders Making History," which is such simplified abstraction even in those rare cases where it has elements of truth. There's certainly nothing to indicate Huntsman, or anyone on the field, might be one of those rare individuals.
    Last night as I lay in bed, looking up at the stars, I thought, “Where the hell is my ceiling?"

  25. #115
    I have to totally agree for once with OG here.

    Yes overall there may not be total freedom to manoeuvre. But the decisions made on a regular basis are so important that a nudge here, a slight push there can add up tremendously.

    I liked Rumsfeld's description of Known Knowns, Known Unknowns and Unknown Unknowns. To some extent stated policies deal with primarily the Known Knowns, while beliefs and ways of thinking/acting go primarily towards the Unknown Unknowns. Both influence the Known Unknowns.

    If you truly think there's no difference, the whole primary process is redundant. I do not.

  26. #116
    A) Some GOP candidates prioritize key GOP constituencies differently. Someone who's relying on the business community is likely to be more responsive to that community than to the Christian evangelicals once elected.
    B) The primaries show which of the candidates are capable of beating the other party's candidate, as evidenced by their debate skills, ability to respond to criticism, fund-raising, endorsements, etc.
    C) You get a good glimpse at the candidates' personalities and determine whether those personalities are well-suited for an executive role (this is less important if the candidate already has executive experience).

    The general point about evolution is a dumb one, however. Bush was pandering to the evangelicals and even he didn't do anything about how evolution was taught (something over which the federal government has limited leverage anyway).
    Hope is the denial of reality

  27. #117
    A and perhaps C show that some bodies beliefs matter.

    If I was a yank from what I've heard I'd support Huntsman, but he has no hope so I'd vote Romney.

  28. #118
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    I have to totally agree for once with OG here.

    Yes overall there may not be total freedom to manoeuvre. But the decisions made on a regular basis are so important that a nudge here, a slight push there can add up tremendously.

    I liked Rumsfeld's description of Known Knowns, Known Unknowns and Unknown Unknowns. To some extent stated policies deal with primarily the Known Knowns, while beliefs and ways of thinking/acting go primarily towards the Unknown Unknowns. Both influence the Known Unknowns.

    If you truly think there's no difference, the whole primary process is redundant. I do not.
    It's not redundant because the GOP still needs to find which candidate is the most electable even if underneath it all, effectually, they're all Identical. I will say that I do beleive that there is small differences between them, but as I said earlier the majority of the policies they will push for are pre-set and most of what each candidates does will be the same. Candidates who I would say would be really different would be Ron Paul. If he wins it'll be different than any of the other GOP candidates winning (granted only so much he can do, just because of the structure of government), but it'd be the most different. that's why when looking at the GOP candidates, aside from Paul, it's probably best to look at their social skills, critical thinking ability, ability to give spontaneous responses, body language. This will determine how they will come off abroad, how they'll charter any unscripted territory. Be the signs of the much better president when it comes to those nudges and pushes.

  29. #119
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    If you truly think there's no difference, the whole primary process is redundant. I do not.
    There's more than just policy-making. I just don't see how anyone could think belief enters into those areas. Experience matters. That's where you can potentially see the sort of problems which I think OG sees arising from beliefs. Someone who doesn't understand how the system works in the top position can do a fair bit of damage trying to make it work how s/he thinks it ought to rather than how it does. Personality can matter. I'd totally understand someone being vehemently opposed to someone like Gingrich because they think he will take partisanship and polarization to new heights as President. And related, there's viewing the potential nominee as the head of the Party and being concerned with what s/he can do for the benefit of the party. But what they publicly profess to believe about various matters? No.
    Last night as I lay in bed, looking up at the stars, I thought, “Where the hell is my ceiling?"

  30. #120
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    A and perhaps C show that some bodies beliefs matter.

    If I was a yank from what I've heard I'd support Huntsman, but he has no hope so I'd vote Romney.
    Considering that Huntsman dropped out of the race, supporting him wouldn't be particularly smart.
    Hope is the denial of reality

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