For those of you who think Perry can't win

[rufus dog]

Look back at the 2008 election results.

On the night of the election I was ecstatic, the next morning it hit me. After the worst President in our lifetime about 1.5 million American voters jumped off the Republican bandwagon. Slightly over 1% of the voting public. The landslide was based upon new voters.

So after an Administration lied us into a major war, deregulated us to the point of economic meltdown, just over 1% abandoned the party.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is something I had not considered.

We need to do that again, to ensure Perry doesn't take it.

And he is dangerous...

Recommended.

[rufus dog]

10. Living in CA I have days when I think, what the hell, let it happen

With the thought that the whole thing blows up and a least some of us can move on and make a better life for our children. To hell with Arizona, (my birth state) Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, the Dakotas, the entire South, Wyoming, Idaho, Indiana, let them fend for themselves while we on the Coasts move on. Then my non-"Christian" mentality takes over and I realize that I have met great people from all of these states. And ignorance of the overall population of these states does not exempt good people of these states from the efforts all of those who sacrificed to make this Country great.

For clarification, be calling myself a non-"Christian" is in no way of slam on Christians, some of the best people I have met are liberal Christians.

[OHdem10]

2. And some of those who jumped off, have now returned to GOP

[rufus dog]

5. Without a doubt

My point is about 59 million people will vote for this asshole. They are ignorant, but if 8 years of Bush didn't shake their faith, or motivate them to stay at home, then we shouldn't expect anything lower than that number in '12.

[blogslut]

3. Is that one percent of the total voting public

or one percent of people who actually voted? That's kind of an important detail.

[rufus dog]

8. Percent of the people who actually voted

2008
69,456,897 to 59,934,814. 129,391,711 Total

2004
62,040,610 to 59,028,439. 121,069,049 Total

Rebublican drop

62,040,610 - 59,934,814 = 2,105,796

As percent of 2004 vote 1.7%

As percent of 2008 vote 1.6%

Yes I overstated by 1/2 percent, still the numbers are friggen scary.

[MADem]

4. I think the Scary Republican is Huntsman.

He smiles real nice, sounds sane, calls himself "center - right" and rides a motorcycle. Looks normal, too.

Yes, he's Mormon, but he's not desperado Mittsy, with his "Love me!! LOVE ME!!! Corporations are PEEE-PULL, my FRIEND," schtick.

That guy is smooth. Not needy. Measured in his responses. Watching his words carefully, playing to his audience. A bit of a Tabula Rasa, as well. I can see people saying "Oh, he doesn't MEAN that," or "He's just saying that to get elected," or "I interpreted that to mean (insert something completely opposite to his actual intent)."

When all the First Tier Clowns beat each other to death and oppo the hell outta each other, he may be the last fool standing who can cobble together enough delegates to grab the thing.

Plus, he spells his name "Jon"--which means he's "youthful."

He makes me nervous.

[Firebrand Gary]

6. It freaks me out hearing you say this, clearly you are seeing what I am seeing.

[MADem]

17. Yep, he's got that "Manly yes, but oy like him too!" Irish Spring freshness all over himself!

People who go for the superficial will like him. People who want him to represent their POV will like him. People who like motorcycles will like him. People who like Mormons will like him. People who hate Mormons will say "Well, he's not a creepy Mormon" and they'll deal with his religion that way. People who think only white men who look Ken-Doll-ish should be President will like him. People who think Romney has foot-in-mouth will like him. Stupid women who like his looks will like him.

He comes across with a particular, essential POV (the whole center-right thing) but beyond that, he's a blank slate upon which one can write their hopes and dreams....and they can "believe." And he's not stupid--he knows how to say a lot of nice sounding buzzwords, yet still not say much of anything. Way smoother than Porgie was in that regard.

I look at him and I hear my wallet groaning. I thought I'd be able to go easy this election on the whole campaign contribution/check writing thing with an incumbent in the WH, but maybe not.

I hope one of the Batshit Crazies gets the nom, that's easy to beat. But Huntsman? He could be trouble with the right team behind him.

I suppose we can always pray for a deal-crushing scandal!!!

[rufus dog]

9. I think you are being logical

And that is a huge mistake when analyzing republicans.

Huntsman is somewhat logical, therefore has no chance of winning the primary. These new bred of Repubs are illogical, ignorant, and will take the County down.

[Kennah]

11. One could say they are the in-bred

[MADem]

16. Warren G. Harding wasn't supposed to get the nomination, either.

The frontrunners clawed each other to death, and he was the sweetheart of the second stringers--even with an illegitimate baby and a girlfriend in the wings. His biggest assets were he was both corrupt and malleable.

If none of the frontrunning leaders have enough clout to bring it home, they might cut a deal with Huntsman, or the state delegates could be teased away by a behind-the-scenes kingmaker. You never know. A power broker, who sees a fresh face named JON, a Tabula Rasa upon which anything can be written, could twist arms and make things happen. These sorts of things do happen at conventions where there's a lot of ... kerfluffle.

The Old Guard of the GOP don't appeal to the young kids and middle aged paunchy types who think they are still young; but a guy who rides a motorbike? He's got sizzle.

I will remain wary.

[HuckleB]

7. We also need to remember that few thought Bush could win at this point in time in 1999.

... Well, OK. He didn't actually win, but he was close enough for it to be able to be faked, or whatever.

Nonetheless...

[Skink]

12. 2012 and all the bugs have been worked out.

Electronic manipulation should be our biggest worry.

[steve2470]

13. I definitely think he can win

I think it's important to remember that the vast majority of the electorate is not as well informed as we are.
DU (and sites similar to it) are an oasis in RW propagandized media.

[CelticThunder]

14. If he wins - it will be because Obama has wasted so many opportunities to show leadership.

[Kurmudgeon]

15. After 2000, I realized any right wing chowderhead can win.

All it takes is a tight race and enough vote fraud in the right places.