8 lessons from the Republican presidential race so far
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Full CBS News GOP primary election results
Republicans Don't Love Their Choices
Contest after contest has shown that voters are not satisfied with the field of Republican candidates. Nearly a third of Iowan Republican caucus-goers said they had reservations about their vote choice. In New Hampshire, 31 percent of Republican primary voters reported they were unsatisfied with the Republican candidates. In the Florida Republican primary, nearly 4-in-10 voters indicated that they would like to see someone else run for the Republican nomination.
Voters Struggle to Make Up Their Minds
As a result of this dissatisfaction with the field, voters are waiting until the last minute to determine for whom to award their ballot. In Iowa, nearly half of caucus-goers decided in the last few days. Of those voters, two in 10 made their decision on Election Day. In New Hampshire, 46 percent of Republican primary voters decided in the last few days, of which 21 percent made up their mind on the last day. In South Carolina, roughly half of Republican primary voters settled on a choice in the last few days before the election, while in the Florida, a quarter of Republican voters were late deciders.
Iowa entrance poll
New Hampshire exit poll
South Carolina exit poll
Florida exit poll
Debates Matter
Debates are proving to play a vital role in voters' choices. In the South Carolina Republican primary, 65 percent of voters indicated the debates - those in which Gingrich successfully deflected questions about his extramarital affairs and attacked Romney about his tax returns - were an important factor in their decision. Of those voters citing the importance of the debates in their decision, 50 percent cast ballots for Gingrich, compared to 22 percent for Romney. In the debates prior to Florida, Romney looked far more impressive, criticizing Gingrich's spending proposals and countering his accusations. Florida Republican primary voters clearly took notice. Among the 69 percent of voters who indicated that the debates were an important factor in their decision, Romney was preferred to Gingrich 42 percent to 34 percent.
The Economy Is The Top Issue
Despite discussion in the debates and along the campaign trail about topics ranging from illegal immigration to lunar colonization, voters continually prioritized the economy in their vote choices. In every contest to date, a plurality of voters has indicated that the economy is the most important issue in the campaign. In the last three states, more than 6-out-of-10 voters cited the economy as the issue that mattered most in deciding their vote. Even with recent improvements in economic conditions, voters continue to struggle across the country. In New Hampshire, 68 percent of Republican primary voters said they were very worried about the economy. In the South Carolina Republican primary, 88 percent of voters said that their financial situation was holding steady or falling behind. In Florida, 49 percent of Republican primary voters reported coming from communities where foreclosures have been a major problem.
An Ideological Divide Has Emerged Among Voters
Sharp differences have emerged between very conservative and more moderate voters about which candidate should represent the Republican Party in the November election. In the Iowa Republican caucuses, strongly conservative voters preferred Santorum to Romney 35 percent to 14 percent, whereas moderate or liberal voters preferred Romney to Santorum 35 percent to 8 percent. In the South Carolina Republican primary, strongly conservative voters preferred Gingrich to Romney 48 percent to 19 percent, whereas moderate or liberal voters preferred Romney to Gingrich 34 percent to 31 percent. And, in the Florida Republican primary, strongly conservative voters preferred Gingrich to Romney 41 percent to 30, whereas moderate or liberal voters preferred Romney to Gingrich 59 percent to 20 percent.
Romney's Got A Money Problem
In discussing economic issues, Romney has often seemed insensitive to the struggles of low-income voters, highlighted by comments such as "I'm not concerned about the very poor" and "I like being able to fire people." Not surprisingly, Romney has done poorly among voters from households earning less than $50,000 annually. In Iowa, Romney only secured 16 percent support from low-income voters, while in South Carolina he could not top 25 percent. In New Hampshire, Romney did 17 percentage points worse among voters from households earning less than $50,000 than voters from households earning more than $100,000, while in Florida he did eight points worse.
Gingrich and Santorum Are Diminishing Each Other's Chances
Gingrich and Santorum have attracted the same types of voters in the first four contests. Both appeal to evangelicals, Tea Party supporters, and rural residents. As a result, they have each made it far more difficult for the other to succeed. In the Iowa Republican caucuses, Santorum would have been able to defeat Romney easily, if Gingrich had not won 14 percent of the vote. In the Florida Republican primary, Gingrich would have performed far better if Santorum had not secured 13 percent of the vote.
Beating Obama Is What Matters Most
Despite the inability of voters in the Republican nomination process to coalesce around a single candidate, there is growing agreement about what matters most to them: the ability to defeat President Obama in the November election. With each successive contest more and more voters are indicating that beating Mr. Obama is the most important candidate trait in their decision - more important than experience, moral character, or conservative credential. In Iowa, 31 percent of caucus attendees cited beating Mr. Obama as the most important candidate quality. In New Hampshire, the number inched up to 35 percent. The South Carolina and Florida primaries both found that 45 percent of voters prioritized defeating Mr. Obama.
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The vast majority of US debt is owed to the Chinese communists, which of course they see as a major threat rather than a brilliant strategy.
Never mind that they don't have any way to collect if we chose not to pay. Never mind that this is the number reason they don't dare wage war on US. These are just facts of reality and conservatives have no use for truth since it lowers their chances of gaininng power.
When the ChiComs conquered China they nationalized all American property and the debt owed to US from WWII. This amounted to 100's of millions of dollars at that time. When you adjust their debt to US for inflation and add over 60 years of interest they actually owe US more than we owe them. If the our Chinese debt causes problems we can always say we are nationalizing our debt to them just as they nationalized their debt to US. Thanks to a brilliant strategy we now have a workable way to collect what they robbed from US just when we need it most. Vote Democrat and don't worry be happy! Great job Obama!!
2) uh,... um,... saying anything else would be redundant.
1) The Moon is a candidate for statehood.
2) Non-stop public travel to Mars is just around the corner.
3) Corporations are people, my friend.
4) The poor have some magical safety net...via Mitt's magical underwear.
5) The GOP has an openly gay candidate they refuse to acknowledged (shock).
6) Rick Perry is actually dumber than George W. (like I though that was possible...).
7) Marcus Bachmann was not able to cure himself.
8) The GOP is so dysfunctional that it can't field a serious/qualified candidate for the highest office on the land.
More to be learned as we travel down this road, I'm sure....
1. We have failed to teach critical thinking in school
2. Candidates blame our government for losing jobs to nations which start businesses
3. All candidates are rich
4. Super PAC means control of outcomes by money
5. Nobody fully qualified wants to be POTUS
6. A national primary day would be an improvement
7. Fringe candidates with cash continue
8. Non of the above is changing fast enough
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1) Cain is a liar, groper, and an idiot
2) Bachmann is a delusional nut case full of hate
3) Huntsman is too practical to be in the GOP
4) Perry is a complete idiot
5) Santorum is a bible-thumping, bigoted moron
6) Gingrich is an egotistical, extremist, blowhard who will take his Quixotic effort all the way to the convention
7) Paul should run as a Libertarian
8) Romney AKA: Willard the Waffler, Myth Zombie, Roboman, The Manikin Man etc. is a spoiled rich prick who has no compassion for ordinary people, and will say and do ANYTHING to seize power.
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And the fact that they couldn't come up with a more lofty goal than "beating the other guy", will be exactly what defeats them.
Repeal of the horrible health care law
Reduce the size and scope of the federal government to a level the American people can afford.
Reduce taxes on businesses, to help increase creation of jobs and bring back manufacturing.
Approve the Canadian oil pipeline, to reduce our dependence on middle-eastern oil and to create a minimum of 20,000 jobs.
Bring federal spending in line with federal revenues to put a stop to the massive deficit federal spending.
Push Congress to to it's job to create a nation budget (we have not had one since 2009).
Hold the EPA accountable to someone other than just the President of the United States.
Give more control and power back to the state and local governments (those closer to the problems understand best how to deal with them).
These are just a few. These points are all music to my ears.
Mexico doesn't have any health care laws, none.
The size and scope of the federal government of the United States of Mexico is ALREADY at a level the Mexican people can aford.
Business taxes are really low in Mexico!
Mexico has more oil pipelines than Carter's got little liver pills.
Mexico hasn't even GOT any deficit spending.
Mexico passes a new budget every year without fail.
Mexico doesn't even HAVE an EPA!!!
The Mexican feds leave their states alone to do pretty much as they please as long as the taxes keep flowing to Mexico City!
Wow! All these wonderful policies are practiced right next door and best of all they have little to no restrictions on who can move there, to live and work!!!!
Imagine it, a very nearly free market just across the national line where you and your brethern can go practice free market capitalism for the first time in your lives! I think you should all head south right now and start makeing your millions!!! I bet that music in your ears sounds like moriachie doesn't it? GO, go now! That way everybody will be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!