Tag: Santorum (page 2)

First, they will give you the following, if you aren't a US citizen, go home, you are in the wrong place. Fill in the little circle that says you are a United States citizen. Fill in the little circle on the side where it says-- Republican Party Presidential Primary Ballot-- after you sign your name, fill in your name, date of birth, and address.

As Michiganders go to the polls on Tuesday, they are subject to a constant barrage of negative robocalls against Santorum, negative ads on television, and a constant mocking on facebook and other sites of Santorum's "Take one for the team" quote.

I wonder if Team Romney thinks they'll have gained enough respect for people to vote for him IF he receives the nomination.

It went of course, as well as I could have imagined, given a mere 30 hours of notice to pull it all together.  30 hours that resulted in a little over 700 folks showing up in support and wishing to hear the conservative Republican alternative in the presidential race.  A little over 700 folks who merely had to show up.

I have to tell you, this story was already made before the event began.  The news releases mentioning the Santorum Visit and the Romney visit later in the day really dotting the 'i' on what has been perceived as an elite planned campaign and by team Romney.  The context showing pretty clear in articles such as this:

"Both candidates planned appearances in advance of Michigan's Tuesday presidential primary election.

Doors for the Santorum event open at 2:30 p.m. No reservations are required, and the event is free.

Doors for the Romney event open at 5 p.m. at the downtown Traverse City hotel. To reserve a spot at the Romney event call (248) 270-8354 or email teammi@mittromney.com."

Starting today, all hands are on deck for either Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum in Michigan.  Its been a long time where the Republican presidential primary contest has mattered so much to one or the other candidate. Newt and Paul have no chance according to initial polling, but the statistical deadlock makes every effort toward influencing our voters that much more important. A loss here for Mitt means he will have to have to reassess his presumed plan in life, and perhaps add a "plan-B".  A win for Rick solidifies the growth of support experienced after the "beauty contests" a couple weeks ago.

Mitt and Rick are hitting the state hard. To be sure,  surrogates are moving about as well. Including the hectic activity by Super-pacs in the near constant advertising around our local and cable news shows. Romney will be in Traverse City on Sunday, is touring the state and Santorum has already started appearing at southern Michigan spots, and there is a Susan B Anthony list Bus tour out stumping for him.

One would expect Romney to be faring better in Michigan, his home state.  

Especially considering all of the top name advocacy; Snyder, Schuette, Kahn (the guy who sold out to forced unionism), Richardville (the guy who has Kahn's back)Congressman Dan Benishek, 1st District, Congressman Bill Huizenga, 2nd District, Congressman Dave Camp, 4th District, Congressman Fred Upton, 6th District, Congressman Tim Walberg, 7th District, Congressman Mike Rogers, 8th District, Congressman Thad McCotter, 11th District, etc etc. etc.

If Romney loses in Michigan, the super Tuesday event could be scary for the blueblood Rs.  It may mean there are folks are vulnerable to primary activity if running for their next terms.  It means Republican voters are not going to fall in line so easily and might be willing to look at challengers from outside the establishment prescribed choices.

Its a good sign.

But here we are, 9 days from Michigan's Presidential Primary, which the GOP in Michigan moved up and lost half of it's delegates as a result, and now Mitt has to actually compete.  

Mitt lost Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, South Carolina, and Minnesota, and may lose Maine.  He has so far won New Hampshire and Florida.

So as I read what is happening downstate and about how wonderful Mitt is, I noticed how the press says Romney has not defended the auto bailout, and that it will hurt him.   Michigan Republicans defend the auto-bailout because Michigan is the auto industry and it's too big to fail, etc.

But the auto rescue is an awkward issue in a state in which both Republicans and Democrats wholeheartedly supported it.

Even if he wins Michigan, Mr Romney will still be dogged by the auto rescue in the general election. Mr Patterson, a supporter, says: "That's something that Mitt is going to have to address."

Once considered a long shot, Rick Santorum has taken a 33 to 27% lead over Mitt Romney the presumed front runner in his home state.  From USA today:

An American Research Group poll shows Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, leading Romney 33% to 27% among likely GOP voters. Santorum's lead over Romney is 15 percentage points in a Michigan survey by Public Policy Polling.

The Michigan primary is Feb. 28

As expected, the collapse of Newt's surge will coincide well with the realization by many that Romneycare IS Obamacare.  Romney for his part never breaking loose from the 25-30% base of centrists who would prefer the candidate with the right amount of money, over candidates with the right ideas.