US Elections 2012 Part I: The Primaries/Caucus

[David Watts]

Yeah he is something of a joke
just goes to show you how fractured the republican party is

[Kyuu]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Well our useless governor decided to throw his hat into the ring
i wonder how long he will last
http://kut.org/2011/08/gov-perry-dec...for-president/

From what I've heard... he's essentially another version of George W Bush... only worse.

Either way, from Romney's blurting of "corporations are people" comment, Perry is likely to take the Republican lead.

[james0246]

Originally Posted by Kyuu

From what I've heard... he's essentially another version of George W Bush... only worse.

Either way, from Romney's blurting of "corporations are people" comment, Perry is likely to take the Republican lead.

The Ames Straw-Poll will probably place Bachmann at the top of the list (expect the results in a few hours). Not that she will actually be in the lead per se, but the straw poll acts as a kind of artificial boost to whoever gets the most votes (it is in no way actually reflective of the average voter, but it is good for fundraising).

Honestly, this weekend is bigger for non-frontrunners (like Pawlenty, Santorum, or even Cain), since this could give them a sufficient bump to last till the next debate/straw poll.

That being said, I do fear Perry's involvement in this race. He is, in many ways, Bush's "spiritual" successor (albeit with a much greater federal resume, but little to no real charisma), and the last thing this country needs is another Bush...

[cors8]

I wonder how long he can keep up the spin about the Texas "miracle".

[David Watts]

Well that is his only claim to fame so hes going to milk it for all its worth

[Kyuu]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Well that is his only claim to fame so hes going to milk it for all its worth

Palin 4 years ago initially appeared to be... a "fresh face"... until she started talking. In this case, there'll be a good 1.5 years to scrutinize Perry's policies. For now, his acts as Texas governor is the place to start.

[David Watts]

Well the thing is he is just really fake
He will just do and say anything in order to win support

[GDB]

So... he's a politician?

[Archon_Wing]

Originally Posted by synaesthetic

You nailed it. If a third party starts getting momentum, the GOP or Dems will eat it. Look at what happened to the Tea Party. They were mostly idealistic libertarians. Now they're the dumping ground for super-right fascist Republicans. The older I get, the more I believe this system cannot be fixed without a lot of lead and high explosives, and a mountain of corpses.

While I personally entertain that thought, often including overly exotic ways of death, but I hope it won't come to that. Since as you know, usually when you have one asshole in charge, another is just jumping to replace them, and so forth.

But you know, ideas are probably the deadliest thing. Like when tv was new for example; people saw footage of the authorities hosing down protestors they could no longer deny the racial climate of the country with the ugliness revealed for all to see. Then person by person, they saw that the emperor has no clothes. And that's how change happened.

Some people still haven't yet, but it's getting harder and harder to dig your hand in the sand these days. And that's probably why China cares so much about censoring the internet...ideas are that deadly.

But don't mind me. I usually just perform actions to serve my own interests the best. But for those people that can do something and have the will, it's something to think about. And telling them is the first step.

Edit: Sometimes people just need to know you have a right. I remember last time at jury duty, everyone was so shy and timid when asked if they could be impartial and obviously they had no intention of being there and probably couldn't be impartial anyways, effectively getting bullied away from what they really think just from the folks asking them one more time "are you sure.. blah blah" So I decide to just be flat out honest, state exactly what I thought about corporations and the law, and assert myself no matter how many times they'd ask. And guess what? Everyone starts following suit.

So I get out of jury duty, let people they know they have certain rights, and poison an entire pool about the evils of corporations. I'd say that was one of the better days of my life. I know most people don't care, but as long as at least one person gets the message...

[Kyuu]

Tea Party as the Libertarians? I perceive them more as the more extremist group of Republicans.

[David Watts]

Yeah pretty much
if you want a good reason not to like perry just read up on cameron todd willingham

[james0246]

The Ames Straw Poll results are in, and Bachmann is the winner. With 17,000 total votes, Bachmann received 4,823 votes. Surprisingly, Ron Paul was an extremely close second with 4,671 votes (more than quadruple what he received in 2007). Pawlenty managed to score 3rd place with 2,293 votes (which should greatly help his campaign fundraising). Santorum gained 1,657 votes, and Cain drew 1,456 votes. Romney and Gingrich, both of which attempted no strong campaign at the event, drew 567 and 385 respectively. I haven't seen word on what Huntsman or Perry (or Parry ) has received yet.

This was really Bachmann's to lose, so it is no surprise that she gained the most votes (she, along with Pawlenty, supposedly campaigned the hardest and put the most money into her tent). What is surprising is Paul's amazing support. This just goes to show how divided the Republican Party is (I'm not saying that to be derisive or to attack, it is a simple observation of the extremes found in the voting).

And, once again, these results mean nothing . This is a simple straw poll and not really indicative of anything. And while this will certainly help Paul, Bachmann and Pawlenty (some), it will not really hurt frontrunner Romney in the least.

[GDB]

I really hope Parry got 4th place. That'd be hilarious.

[DonQuigleone]

Originally Posted by synaesthetic

I kind of laughed it off at first because, well, you have no money, nobody cares about your little party. Look at the Pirate Party, formed by broke people on the Internet. Nobody cares. Nobody gives a shit. No politician takes them seriously here.

Problem is, that the Pirate party doesn't really have a platform you can get behind (and a silly name...). A succesful political movement needs to be something that resonates with people, and it needs a sense of ideals. There are a lot of jaded people waiting for something different to come along and get behind. A lot of them went to Obama in 2008. Obviously a lot of them are probably thinking of changing their mind.

I think there's a gap for a new, perhaps Democratic Socialist type party. I don't think it would have the universal support nessecary for the presidency, but it could certainly grow in Congress.

[flying ^]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

Problem is, that the Pirate party doesn't really have a platform you can get behind (and a silly name...). A succesful political movement needs to be something that resonates with people, and it needs a sense of ideals.....

and you need a grade A consultant like this to put the finishing touch...

[David Watts]

3rd party's for the most part tend to be pretty big failures
the only thing they have been successful about is spiting a party's vote

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by David Watts

3rd party's for the most part tend to be pretty big failures
the only thing they have been successful about is spiting a party's vote

If you don't care for either of the major parties, why should you care that you split their vote?

As I said before, elections are not a contest for the voters. There is no "reward" for voting in the winning side if you don't actually support their cause. You vote for who you want to win, not who you think can win.

[GundamFan0083]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

I think there's a gap for a new, perhaps Democratic Socialist type party. I don't think it would have the universal support nessecary for the presidency, but it could certainly grow in Congress.

OH HELL NO!!!!

There's that European mindset again.

You think the Koch Bros. T-Party is too popular now, just imagine what it would be like if a Democrat-Scocialist party was formed.

Ha, Rush Limbaugh's ratings would be astronomical.
Americans would flock to the right so fast it would make Hitler stand up in his grave!

We have enough quacks, crackpots, and loons in our political system, don't encourage any more.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

If you don't care for either of the major parties, why should you care that you split their vote?

As I said before, elections are not a contest for the voters. There is no "reward" for voting in the winning side if you don't actually support their cause. You vote for who you want to win, not who you think can win.

Strongly disagree.

if who you vote for can't win then you should vote for who you agree with more and who can win.

otherwise you end up with Bush jr.

[Ithekro]

Considering that some people considers part of the Democratic Party to actually be the Democratic-Socialist Party, no one would notice. (most of the far right think that already, so nothing changes).