Saturday, February 2, 2008

A Vote For Romney Is A Vote For McCain

Thanks to The Thomas Report for posting this: A HUGE LIE: VOTE FOR HUCKABEE, A VOTE FOR MCCAIN??

Contrary to Romney apologists’ reports that “A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain,” this blog points to a FOX News Opinion Dynamics Poll (below) that suggests quite the opposite.

I pulled these numbers from the actual report. Note that with all three in the race, Republicans polled chose McCain by 48%, with Romney and Huckabee in a statistical tie at 20% and 19%, while if Huckabee is removed from the question, McCain’s polling among Republicans soars to 62% while Romney’s rises only to 29%. McCain rises 14 points while Romney rises only 9. And in fact in Rasmussen polling, Huckabee leads Romney in GA, AL, and MO and is competitive with him in all of the southern states that both need. So plainly, a vote for Romney is a vote for McCain.

This in essence suggests that Romney is wasting more money with his latest multi-million dollar buy. He spent millions in Iowa to trash Huckabee and lost to Huckabee. He spent millions in New Hampshire, less than an hour from MA, where he was governor) to trash McCain and lost to McCain. He won in Michigan where he was born and his father was governor, playing the socialist “conservative” by pledging over 15 billion dollars for research to the auto industry: Promise made in Michigan could backfire on Romney . (by the way, that promise was YOUR money, not his) Then, after putting millions into South Carolina and foreseeing failure, he pulled out (finally finishing 4th) to go directly to spending in Florida, where McCain beat him 36% to 31%.

What’s that they say about doing the same thing over and over and looking for different results? Anyway, Huckabee supporters can actually thank Romney for shoveling out more millions to savage McCain. What a swell guy! Basically, Romney seems to be a good man with a nice family, and has been a successful business man. He obviously can do as he wishes with his millions of dollars. But based on the record, I wouldn’t invest a hundred bucks in such a sorry candidacy. Poor guy! At least, he should get a plaque for the effort! But, Huckabee has gotten a lot more return on a lot fewer dollars. If you agree with Romney that McCain was wrong on McCain-Feingold and stem cell research, vote Mike Huckabee.

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll
1 February 08

#6. If the 2008 Republican presidential primary were held today, for whom would
you vote if the candidates were: (RANDOMIZE)
-- Rep --
30-31
Jan 08
John McCain 48%
Mitt Romney 20%
Mike Huckabee 19%
Ron Paul 5%
(Other) -
(Don’t know) 5%
(Would not vote in GOP primary) 2%

#7. If John McCain and Mitt Romney were the only choices in the
Republican primary, how would you vote? 30-31 Jan 08
McCain Romney (Don’t know) (Would not vote)
Republicans 62% 29% 6% 3%
Independents 60% 21% 11% 8%

11 comments:

Stephen R. Maloney said...

Larry, it's time to give up -- and perhaps join Ms. Coulter in the Hillary camp. A friend and political ally wrote this today, and it's something your readers should see (especially Treva):

Hugh Hewitt has posted a blog thought here -- http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog -- in which he argues:

The Romney campaign's February 5th math is simple: move all the voters from the Huckabee pile onto theirs and claim a majority of conservatives.

Won't happen. Huck's supporters support him (largely) for one reason: he's an evangelical Christian. These folks are not going to jump to a Mormon candidate...Sorry, his religion is an issue with many.

The other thing that was a revelation was the news from Lousiana where the block of pro-life so-cons going to the state convention to select delegates are committed to McCain. Every one of them. This tells me that Romney stands no chance of simply getting "all" of Huck's supporters.

And wasn't it not too long ago that Hewitt and company were saying that Huck wasn't a conservative at all? So, how can his supporters coming over to Romney make up a "conservative majority."

This kind of blindness based on an emotional investment in Romney is what passes for political analysis from Hugh Hewitt these days. He should never have gotten in bed with Romney to the extent that he has. He's painted himself into a corner, and now that Romney is proving NOT to be the great conservative savior (give GOP voters credit for seeing through Romney), Hewitt sees no way out.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if Hewitt has an arrangement with Romney, has a bet with someone, or is just looking for book sales ("Mormon in the White House") But, he's been indefatiguable and very loose with the truth. He brings in guest (frequently, Mark Steyn) to praise Romney and knock his competitors. To those of us in those other camps, it';s pretty transparent. There must be more involved than just proving his predictive powers.

Plainly, some evangelicals who won't support a Mormon. A few that I know hail from Western states and knew ruthless Mormons. But, only in the last few days, I've spoken with a couple of evangelical ministetrs who revile McCain and prefer Romney. One already switched from Huckabee to vote for Romney in Florida. The other will vote for Romney if he's still in and Huckabee's out.

Many non-Western Mormons that I've known are just good people. Mormonism offers a tight and supportive social structure and they've frankly beaten the pants off most evangelicals in the marketing department. In any case, Huckabee didn't even get half of the evangelical vote in Iowa, while Romney got over 90% of the Mormon vote in Nevada, I think. Evangelicals aren't that unified within their own CHURCHES!

I, on the other hand, will vote for McCain over Romney if Huckabee's out. And, it isn't because he's a Mormon (though he isn't the rank & file, he's a bishop) It's because he's a jackass and a terrible candidate. I understand all of the disagreements with McCain and think he has no philosophical clarity. But, he's generally a good man and a good American.

Anonymous said...

At Bain Capital, Mr. Romney used offshore corporations (and continues to) in order to avoid U.S. taxation, and he fee-milked acquired businesses before firing workers and taking them into bankruptcy, to amass his great $250,000,000 wealth.

So, when you compare how Mr. Huckabee's visionary FairTax advocacy compares to Romney's interest in the current tax system, it's pretty easy to see who will lead us out of tax slavery - the $265 billion annual tax code compliance costs representing 5 billion wasted hours, annually.

Tony Silva said...

Larry,

It seems if taking Huckabee out of the race causes McCain's numbers to soar, that a vote for Huckabee in more than the ways the NeoLibs want us to believe actually is a vote for McCain.

The problem NeoLibs -- and Romney's handlers -- fail to grasp is that most Huckabee supporters do not stand behind him because he's a "Christian", they stand behind him because he is a conservative.

McCain is an establishment compromise candidate. Since he is not friendly to the job exporters in the FisCon camp, he's automatically a liberal or even the Antichrist in their books.

The Mormon Issue

As an ex-Mormon, I have to say all the anti-Mormon sentiment on the Web as a result of this campaign reminds me of why it was so hard to get me to surrender to Christ's love and mercy. I felt under a constant weight of condemnation.

I for one do not have a problem with Romney being a Mormon -- at least not on theological grounds. However, having been in that faith, I can say they are extremely high control, and if you're faithful, you will heed the commandments of the church leadership. In this candidate's case, I believe his pro-abortion and pro-illegal immigration stances may reflect the Church's teachings and the current mood of Salt Lake on those issues. LDS policy is that abortion should be permitted in the case of rape, incest and the health of the mother.

Richard said...

McCain is an absolute abysmal imbosol!! He’s a RHINO republican and tried to shove amnesty down our throat 2 times with "HIS OWN BILL". HE IS FOR TAXING USA companies only to solve a so called GLOBAL warming problem. Well what about the rest of the WORLD? You people drink the kol-aid of the press and are completely UNINFORMED.

ROMNEY is this COUNTRYS BEST HOPE.

You want to know something else, STUPIDY BREADS ITSELF. You will believe anything someone tells you if you are uninformed and that is what the liberal media is counting on.

DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!

John McCain should be renamed as JUAN McCain. Have you noticed who his heading up his HISPANIC outreach group for this race. If not, Google "McCain and Dr. Juan Hernandez.

I WILL NOT, SHALL NOT AND CAN NOT VOTE FOR JUAN McCain, I would rather the Republican Party dissolve, period!

TOP TEN REASONS JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE:
1. John McCain teamed with Ted Kennedy and attempted to give amnesty to every illegal alien in America, and even wished to grant them access retroactively to Social Security benefits accrued under illegally used numbers while here against the current law.

2. John McCain (along with the regular cohort of lefties) removed your right to speak out against political candidates (including him) through advocacy ads in the 30-60 days before a primary or general election. The infamous McCain-Feingold legislation proves he couldn't find an originalist judge if the man was sharing a pair of pants with him.

3. John McCain considered leaving the GOP to become an independent caucusing with the Dems, and only balked when Jeffords beat him to it. Daschle and others swear its true.

4. John McCain proved himself to be a populist anti-capitalist when he called the pharmaceutical companies "the enemy" during the most recent South Carolina debate. George Will is even wondering why John is a Republican and hasn't switched yet.

5. John McCain has swallowed the "Man Made Global Warming" pill whole. He has teamed with Lieberman to offer legislation to create a carbon cap and trade system that the Congressional Budget Office believes will add energy costs to each family of between $560-1800 per year, with the money raked in dispersed out in R&D grants, or government pork barrel goody contracts as I interpret it.

6. John McCain voted against the "Bush" tax cuts more than once, voted for amendments to keep the death tax alive, and along with our faithful Governor Pawlenty calls huge tobacco tax increases "fees".

7. John McCain believes waterboarding for US Servicemen is normal during training for capture situations, but calls it unconscienable torture when applied to important organizational terrorist figures caught plotting to kill Americans. This American serviceman disagrees.

8. John McCain supported gun control measures with rules that would have effectively shut down gun shows and gun sales between private parties. He teamed with Andrew McKelvey's Handgun Control spinoff called Americans For Gun Safety. A real champion of the little guy our McCain. Gun Owner's Of America rating - F

9. John McCain has stated he would vote for the international anti-sovereignty Treaty of The Seas if it was "tweaked" a little. This compact would give an international body the jurisdiction to dictate naval forces movement, oceanic weapons and technology testing, and set and collect fees and divy up rights and royalties to all energy resources found and recovered at sea in current international waters. One country, one vote. How do you think Iran would vote for our rights to traverse the Straits of Hormuz?

10. Midwest Jay really can't stand the guy, and he reminds me too much of a pissed off Huck-a-jerk without the Chuck Norris sidekick. Leading a fighter squadron gives you leadership experience to lead a fighter squadron of 24 guys. Reagan made war bond films. Who cares. American hero or socialist? Probably both.

Stephen R. Maloney said...

The FOX poll suggests that many (perhaps most) Huckabee supporters are comfortable with McCain. Mike should keep that in mind after Super Tuesday, which is, as you know I believe, for him to withdraw from the race and endorse McCain. However, if he wants to hold off until the March 4 Texas and Ohio primaries, I would understand. He is pretty well positioned for a possible VP nod, athough I tend to favor several other possibilities: Sarah Palin, Lindsay Graham, Charlie Crist, and possibly even Rudy Giuliani. There is a lot of talent in the Party, and McCain should consider carefully before he makes his choice. I don't think it would be wise for him to wait until the convention, which is a long way off. Well, back to the Super Bowl (as distinguished from Super Tuesday).

steve

Anonymous said...

Ian:

You've been by here before (or was it another Ian?). But the "My Web Page" link on your blogger profile took me somewhere I didn't recognize.

Anyway, asI've said before, the big wheelers and dealers don't like The Fair Tax. Warren Buffett recently challenged corporate CEO's, offering 1 million dollars if they could demonstrate that they pay a higher tax rate than their secretaries. Every luxury that those guys enjoy is a written off "business expense." Under The Fair Tax, they are all taxed, just like everything that the average Joe buys. As I've written, if you are accustomed to privilege, "fair" doesn't sound so good. In terms of what is good for the country, Romney isn't even in the same league with Huckabee.

Tony:

A vote for Huckabee is a vote for Huckabee. That's what everyone will and should see. McCain soars with Huckabee out because people (including me) are repelled by Romney. Romney is a temple Mormon, which is harder for me to understand. But, I don't like him because: Mormon, Christian, Hindu, or atheist, he's a jerk. I'm prejusiced against those: especially as supposed "leaders."

Richard75013

John McCain is philosophically impaired, and I don't agree with a lot of things he says and does. But, he's honestly wrong. Romney is a posturer, possibly often dishonestly right. If McCain is nominated and elected, I hope there is someone around to tell him when he's about to step in crap.

Steve:

I wouldn't say I'm "comfortable" with McCain. But, I'll take an injudicious American patriot over a posturer like Romney in a heartbeat. If Juckabee's on the ballot, even if he's mathematicaly eliminated and polling .00001%, I'm voting for Huckabee. It's the right thing to do.

Anonymous said...

Ian:

You've been by here before (or was it another Ian?). But the "My Web Page" link on your blogger profile took me somewhere I didn't recognize.

Anyway, asI've said before, the big wheelers and dealers don't like The Fair Tax. Warren Buffett recently challenged corporate CEO's, offering 1 million dollars if they could demonstrate that they pay a higher tax rate than their secretaries. Every luxury that those guys enjoy is a written off "business expense." Under The Fair Tax, they are all taxed, just like everything that the average Joe buys. As I've written, if you are accustomed to privilege, "fair" doesn't sound so good. In terms of what is good for the country, Romney isn't even in the same league with Huckabee.

Tony:

A vote for Huckabee is a vote for Huckabee. That's what everyone will and should see. McCain soars with Huckabee out because people (including me) are repelled by Romney. Romney is a temple Mormon, which is harder for me to understand. But, I don't like him because: Mormon, Christian, Hindu, or atheist, he's a jerk. I'm prejusiced against those: especially as supposed "leaders."

Richard75013

John McCain is philosophically impaired, and I don't agree with a lot of things he says and does. But, he's honestly wrong. Romney is a posturer, possibly often dishonestly right. If McCain is nominated and elected, I hope there is someone around to tell him when he's about to step in crap.

Steve:

I wouldn't say I'm "comfortable" with McCain. But, I'll take an injudicious American patriot over a posturer like Romney in a heartbeat. If Juckabee's on the ballot, even if he's mathematicaly eliminated and polling .00001%, I'm voting for Huckabee. It's the right thing to do.

Stephen R. Maloney said...

There are persistent rumors that Mike Huckabee will suspend his campaign right after the Potomac Primary. Mike's biggest problem has been that he cannot go beyond his relatively tiny evangelical base. He hasn't come anywhere near winning a primary in the country's largest states, such as California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois. Sure, he can continue running (and mostly losing), perhaps picking up a few more delegates, but he needs to heed the message of Mitt Romney, and act for the good of the country by ceasing his campaign.

steve maloney

Anonymous said...

Gov. Huckabee's advocacy of the FairTax continues to be the single most important policy position in this election (even though many still have not caught on to it). Research findings explain why:

The FairTax rate of 23 percent on a total taxable consumption base of $11.244 trillion will generate $2.586 trillion dollars – $358 billion more than the taxes it replaces [BHKPT].

The FairTax has the broadest base and the lowest rate of any single-rate tax reform plan [THBP].

Real wages are 10.3 percent, 9.5 percent, and 9.2 percent higher in years 1, 10, and 25, respectively than would otherwise be the case [THBNP].

The economy as measured by GDP is 2.4 percent higher in the first year and 11.3 percent higher by the 10th year than it would otherwise be [ALM].

Consumption benefits [ALM]:

• Disposable personal income is higher than if the current tax system remains in place: 1.7 percent in year 1, 8.7 percent in year 5, and 11.8 percent in year 10.

• Consumption increases by 2.4 percent more in the first year, which grows to 11.7 percent more by the tenth year than it would be if the current system were to remain in place.

• The increase in consumption is fueled by the 1.7 percent increase in disposable (after-tax) personal income that accompanies the rise in incomes from capital and labor once the FairTax is enacted.

• By the 10th year, consumption increases by 11.7 percent over what it would be if the current tax system remained in place, and disposable income is up by 11.8 percent.

Over time, the FairTax benefits all income groups. Of 42 household types (classified by income, marital status, age), all have lower average remaining lifetime tax rates under the FairTax than they would experience under the current tax system [KR].

Implementing the FairTax at a 23 percent rate gives the poorest members of the generation born in 1990 a 13.5 percent improvement in economic well-being; their middle class and rich contemporaries experience a 5 percent and 2 percent improvement, respectively [JK].

Based on standard measures of tax burden, the FairTax is more progressive than the individual income tax, payroll tax, and the corporate income tax [THBPN].

Charitable giving increases by $2.1 billion (about 1 percent) in the first year over what it would be if the current system remained in place, by 2.4 percent in year 10, and by 5 percent in year 20 [THPDB].

On average, states could cut their sales tax rates by more than half, or 3.2 percentage points from 5.4 to 2.2 percent, if they conformed their state sales tax bases to the FairTax base [TBJ].

The FairTax provides the equivalent of a supercharged mortgage interest deduction, reducing the true cost of buying a home by 19 percent [WM].

ALERT: Kotlikoff refutes Bruce Bartlett's shabby critiques of the FairTax.

Danny Vice said...

I have no qualm against Huckabee and voted for him over McCain, however there are serious problems coming out of this ongoing assault on McCain…. And to believe he isn’t going to be the nominee is simply putting your head in the sand.

This dual campaign (as righteous as it may sound) is depleting valuable resources we desperately need to catch up to the resources that are now available to rabidly liberal, extreme leftists who are clobbering us in voter turn out – and have a storehouse of campaign money that dwarfs ours.

Rabid liberals are out-pacing us at the polls two to one.... and Obama has millions upon millions of dollars stored up to railroad any conservative message on the air waves.

This election is going to be a landslide, if conservatives don't wake up and stop playing footsie with this issue. We have an enormous amount of work to do, to even get to a point of being competitive.

While our grass roots are end-fighting, throwing hissie fits over McCain not being conservative enough, liberals are entrenching, storing up millions, and solidifying it's extreme liberal base.

Liberals have vowed to undo every conservative accomplishment it can - and they will have the political clout to get much of it done - since conservatives want to have a pity party over McCain.

If Conservatives must be dragged to the polls with nose plugs, while liberals are turning out in droves, what do you suppose the outcome will be?

Some want to punish McCain, but instead only punish us all with 4 to 8 years of extreme liberalism that’s in control of the senate, house and now the White House.

If liberals overtake our entire government, Conservatives will be in no position to complain. It's lack of enthusiasm and threats of staying home on election day, pretty much will secure this fate.

The damage that will ensue over the next 4 to 8 years won't be the liberals fault. It will be our fault by throwing temper tantrums instead of doing everything possible to oppose an Obama election. I see no conservative principal in THAT!

Danny Vice
http://thalunatic.blogspot.com
http://weeklyvice.blogspot.com