Don't know who I should support for the Republican nod

[Kevin]

Like hinted at in my thread title, I find myself currently conflicted like many pubbies between two candidates for the nomination, Romney and Perry. The others such as Bachmann are too crazy and far-right to win, Palin is a damaged goods attention whore, and Ron Paul is some just crazy old guy running on a cause.


Let’s compare the two candidates,

Romney-Moderate Republican who would be especially competitive in places like New Hampshire, Michigan, Colorado, and Nevada. Has strong economic credentials being a former CEO at Bain Capital and several other major corporations, as well as from being governor of Massachusetts. Brings strong fundraising and organizational capabilities to the table (Never underestimate Mormon fundraising power). Has a grasp of economic, financial, and other public policy issues Strong speaking skills and some charisma instills a lot of confidence. Doesn’t come across as a stereotypical Republican i.e. Not from the South, was governor of a solidly deep Red (Atlas color) state, doesn’t spew nonsense hyperbole about socialism, global warming, or evolution etc.

However, Romney has some negatives mainly due to the fact that he has been long criticized for changing positions over the years on a variety of issues, most notably abortion, gay marriage, and health care, therefore coming across as somewhat of a shape-shifter at times. Which leads to another one of my concerns is that Romney comes across as someone who is too slick both in rhetoric and appearance. Additionally, he only spent 1 rocky term as Governor of Massachusetts while basically running for the Presidency much of the time in the latter half of it. Also, he sometimes comes across as another infamous and recent Massachusetts Presidential candidate i.e. John Kerry, due to the fact Romney comes across as arrogant and off the mark at times. Plus due to his background in the business and finance world, I'm afraid he'll be painted as "sharing some of the blame" for the crisis, especially since he worked in these lines of work during a time period where the origins of the current crisis originated.

Perry- Currently governor for 12 years and counting of the US’s 2nd largest and fasting growing state both in terms of its population and economy. As the economy of the state and under Perry’s tenure as governor has evolved from one whose mainstays were mainly oil and agriculture, to an even bigger power house combining very strong growth in research, a booming medical industry,  the state becoming a center for international trade & commence, manufacturing, financial and insurance companies and white collar knowledge based business as a whole. Also, he has military experience due to the fact he served in the Air Force as an officer piloting planes before retiring at the rank of Captain. He has a good personal story in the sense that he rose from a poor working class background to go to college and accomplish even bigger things. Perry in terms of his demeanor, personality, and the way he carries himself often reminds me of former president Clinton in a positive way .Not to mention that under the surface of his political connections, he has been described as having a poor and often hostile relationship with former pres. Bush Jr., providing some distance from that legacy despite the similarities between the two. Inoffensive and perhaps even appealing to Hispanic voters also.

But like Romney Perry has some very obvious flaws,  He has very mixed record as Governor of Texas to begin with and has been called “polarizing “in some circles. Additionally, he has had a habit of making some extreme and off color remarks such as “Texas should secede from the Union” and the “Fed is committing treason”. He is maybe perhaps too socially conservative given his closeness to the Christian Right. Also he still comes across as Bush like due this and other similarities, like the fact that Perry was Bush’s Lt. Governor at one time when Bush Jr. was Governor of Texas in the 1990’s

But there you have it. So any opinions on the two candidates as like I’ve mentioned before I’m pretty divided over who to support.

[King]

I'm sure you'll end up supporting whoever the REpublicans nominate for PResident.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I haven't made my decision yet either but it's becoming obvious that it's being made for me by events.

Pat Toomey worked in industries far closer to the financial mess (derivitives and investment banking) and was still able to win PA against a superb blue collar candidate in Joe Sestak, albeit narrowly. Romney's primary business experience was in Venture Capital and Business consulting. There is probably a closer relationship between Romney and the tech bubble then Romney and the housing mess/financial collapse. Now the big problem for Romney is that there are numerous horror stories of mass layoffs at companies he restructured that will be used against him. It's why being a "Turnaround artist" is a double edged sword politically speaking. Of course as he said in the debate, in business you don't always succeed, and then you have to restructure and make new plans or go out of business completely which would mean even more layoffs.

I also do like that Romney is a non-stereotypical Republican as you said. I think it will help the GOP maintain and strengthen the gains made in NH, PA, Upstate NY and other areas more so then Perry. Ironically, 30 years ago, Romney would be a stereotypical Republican. A testament to how things have changed.

Also you should check the thread "Perry and the Hispanic vote". Perry hasn't been doing well amongst Hispanics in Texas despite opposing AZ law and the like.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

how is Romney not a stereotypical Republican?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

how is Romney not a stereotypical Republican?

He is not southern. It's like I said, 15 to 20 years ago and certainly 30 years ago, he most definately would be such.

[courts]

Ron Paul is some just crazy old guy running on a cause.

Yeah, crazy Ron Paul going on about the unsustainability of all our wars. Clearly a crackpot. Hey, did you hear about how Iran is determined to nuke Israel?!

[TheGlobalizer]

Sort of like choosing between moldy bread and a hamburger with bird sh** on it.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Sort of like choosing between moldy bread and a hamburger with bird sh** on it.

A undercooked hamburger, for that matter.

[DrScholl]

Do eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Like hinted at in my thread title, I find myself currently conflicted like many pubbies between two candidates for the nomination, Romney and Perry. The others such as Bachmann are too crazy and far-right to win, Palin is a damaged goods attention whore, and Ron Paul is some just crazy old guy running on a cause.


Let’s compare the two candidates,

Romney-Moderate Republican who would be especially competitive in places like New Hampshire, Michigan, Colorado, and Nevada. Has strong economic credentials being a former CEO at Bain Capital and several other major corporations, as well as from being governor of Massachusetts. Brings strong fundraising and organizational capabilities to the table (Never underestimate Mormon fundraising power). Has a grasp of economic, financial, and other public policy issues Strong speaking skills and some charisma instills a lot of confidence. Doesn’t come across as a stereotypical Republican i.e. Not from the South, was governor of a solidly deep Red (Atlas color) state, doesn’t spew nonsense hyperbole about socialism, global warming, or evolution etc.

However, Romney has some negatives mainly due to the fact that he has been long criticized for changing positions over the years on a variety of issues, most notably abortion, gay marriage, and health care, therefore coming across as somewhat of a shape-shifter at times. Which leads to another one of my concerns is that Romney comes across as someone who is too slick both in rhetoric and appearance. Additionally, he only spent 1 rocky term as Governor of Massachusetts while basically running for the Presidency much of the time in the latter half of it. Also, he sometimes comes across as another infamous and recent Massachusetts Presidential candidate i.e. John Kerry, due to the fact Romney comes across as arrogant and off the mark at times. Plus due to his background in the business and finance world, I'm afraid he'll be painted as "sharing some of the blame" for the crisis, especially since he worked in these lines of work during a time period where the origins of the current crisis originated.

Perry- Currently governor for 12 years and counting of the US’s 2nd largest and fasting growing state both in terms of its population and economy. As the economy of the state and under Perry’s tenure as governor has evolved from one whose mainstays were mainly oil and agriculture, to an even bigger power house combining very strong growth in research, a booming medical industry,  the state becoming a center for international trade & commence, manufacturing, financial and insurance companies and white collar knowledge based business as a whole. Also, he has military experience due to the fact he served in the Air Force as an officer piloting planes before retiring at the rank of Captain. He has a good personal story in the sense that he rose from a poor working class background to go to college and accomplish even bigger things. Perry in terms of his demeanor, personality, and the way he carries himself often reminds me of former president Clinton in a positive way .Not to mention that under the surface of his political connections, he has been described as having a poor and often hostile relationship with former pres. Bush Jr., providing some distance from that legacy despite the similarities between the two. Inoffensive and perhaps even appealing to Hispanic voters also.

But like Romney Perry has some very obvious flaws,  He has very mixed record as Governor of Texas to begin with and has been called “polarizing “in some circles. Additionally, he has had a habit of making some extreme and off color remarks such as “Texas should secede from the Union” and the “Fed is committing treason”. He is maybe perhaps too socially conservative given his closeness to the Christian Right. Also he still comes across as Bush like due this and other similarities, like the fact that Perry was Bush’s Lt. Governor at one time when Bush Jr. was Governor of Texas in the 1990’s

But there you have it. So any opinions on the two candidates as like I’ve mentioned before I’m pretty divided over who to support.

when in doubt, go with Texas

[Politico]

Romney = The Right Results

Perry = Bush on Steroids

Pretty easy choice if you want to see Obama lose...

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Romney = The Right Results
Perry = Bush on Steroids
Pretty easy choice if you want to see Obama lose...

the political landscape is littered with losing presidential candidates from MA: Dukakis, Kerry...but Texas has produced a line of national winners: LBJ, B41, B43

[Politico]

Romney = The Right Results
Perry = Bush on Steroids
Pretty easy choice if you want to see Obama lose...

the political landscape is littered with losing presidential candidates from MA: Dukakis, Kerry...but Texas has produced a line of national winners: LBJ, B41, B43

Sounds like a list of failed presidents from Texas. It is about getting a good president, not just somebody who can win. Fortunately, Romney can win and would be a good president (And you have to keep in mind that he was born and raised in Michigan, not Massachusetts). In fact, anybody who thinks Perry has a better shot nationally than Romney is off their rocker.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Mitt Romney scares the living hell out of me. I'd choose Perry over Mittens any day.