Tag Archive for rick santorum

Por Que Mitt Romney va perder Florida

September 28, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

*** Leer la version original aqui****

El mes de septiembre no fue bien por Mitt Romney

Estabas los cosas decir de libya, que tenia gente pensando que Romney hablo muy rapido de los peligrosos que nosotros trabajan alla. Entonces estabas el record de los 47% en un parte aqui en Florida cuando el dijo que los gentes de estas nacion no va votar para el por que ellos creer que comida y casas es un justicia que ellos merecer. Y tambien hay no gana para el de el media conservador.

El estas perdedendo en Ohio, Michigan y ahor a qui en Florida. Y ahora viene los debattes el proximo semana.

Peor es que el estas perdendo aqui en Florida. Nadie ha visto Romney aqui en Orlando en mas que un mes.

Por que? En Florida, hay mas gente buscando trabaja mas que otros estado. El programma de el NASA shuttle program se ha ido. Gasolina estas caro. Como poder hace?

Obama levanto el gente que quiere a el: todo mundo esta mirando ahora. Con Obama, Michelle, Clinton, y biden visitando cada semanas los votantes por Obama estas despierto.

Ello no confiar Romney: El record de lost 47% trae de nuevo el problem de confiar que Romney tiene.

“el no sabe como nosotros viven”

Eso es que gente piensa. Eso es que gente piensa. todavia no hay un mensaje para los votantes hispanico. Si no poder decir en ingles, como le va decir lo en espanol?

El no esta usando Paul Ryan como el puede :P ero es importante que te decir que paul ryan fue en Orlando el semana pasar. Todavia Ryan es un comunicador muy inteligente. El puede hablar de el economico problemas mejor de Romney.

El es dificil para gustar: Republicanos fue con Romney por que ellos penso que el tenia el mejor oportunidad para ganar, no por que ellos gusto el mejor que los otros. El no mirar deportes, no beber cerveza, y no mirar television. si, yo creo que esto no es importante para guiar la pais pero gente quiere saber que el presidente es un persona quien puede relatar.

Hay un razon que Republicanos quiera Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, y quedo con Rick Santorum para tanto tiempo. Es por que ellos tenia el pasion para los duro tiempo que gentes tener ahora y podia hablar con pasion y cambiar los opinones de los gente y poner lo rabajar para el vision de un mejor futuro para esto pais.

Yo no soy seguro que Romney poder hacer eso.

Romney is losing in multiple swing states because he can’t inspire, articulate, or earn trust

“Wake me up when September ends” Why Mitt Romney is losing Florida

September 27, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

September hasn’t been kind to the Romney campaign.

There were the ill received remarks on Libya, that had some thinking that he pounced to soon on the poor security conditions overseas. There was the dreaded 47% tape of Romney addressing donors, at a fundraiser just down the road in southern Florida. Then there is the enthusiasm gap in the conservative media. Columnist like Peggy Noonan from the Wall Street Journal and Laura Ingram on national radio voicing concerns over the direction of the campaign.

He’s getting his tail handed to him in political battlefields like Ohio and Michigan (where he was born). In states where he was only a few points back in previous months, President Obama has opened up a significant lead heading into the debates next month.

Worst of all, Romney’s grip is slipping here in Florida. No one has seen him in Orlando in a long while.

Why is Mitt losing Florida? A state where unemployment is higher than the national average. A state that has a healthy Tea Party, in pockets throughout the state. The Sunshine State, where the space shuttle program is gone and gas prices are high.

Here is why.

The President woke up his base: Everyone is paying attention now. Weekly visits from the presidential rotation that includes POTUS, FLOTUS, Biden, and even Bill Clinton have most of the President’s 2008 supporters awake and refreshed. The celebrities are off the bench with Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, and even NBA Coach Doc Rivers getting on the stump for the Obama campaign. Wait until the robo-calls start if they haven’t already.

They don’t trust him: One of the demons Romney has been fighting since he was debating last year in the primary was the issue of trust. That 47% tape confirmed the suspicions of skeptical swing voters.

“He doesn’t know us”

Then there are the Hispanic voters that haven’t had a strong GOP message delivered to them. If the Romney campaign can’t package a strong message in English, what the heck makes them believe they can do it in Spanish?

He’s not using Ryan, and Ryan does Romney better than Romney anyways: Take a look

In all fairness Paul Ryan was in Orlando last week but, the Romney campaign hasn’t been using him the way they should. I understand they don’t want another “Palin” situation that allows the spotlight to veer away from Romney, but Ryan is a sharp guy, a midwestern communicator that can breakdown the economy in a digestible manner for everyday people. They need to use him more and they need to put him in some ads.

He’s hard to like: Yeah, I know about the “Who would you rather have a beer with?” non-sense but, Mitt Romney won the primary because voters believed he gave them the best opportunity to beat President Obama, not because he was necessarily the most popular.

Now we’ve found out that his “human” side hasn’t been hidden but, perhaps has never existed at all. It’s just not the way he’s wired.

This guy isn’t a big sports fan, doesn’t watch television, or drink beer. While, many don’t believe that’s a job requirement to lead the country (I’m one of them) it still matters to the Americans that want to know their leader can get fired up and passionate about the country. They want a President that they can not only follow but, love and if Romney can’t convince the voters that he cares about them, then they’re not going to care about him.

There was a reason Republicans begged Chris Christie and Jeb Bush to run, and why they clung on to Rick Santorum for so long. They had the ability to use their passion to inspire, and inspired supporters are the ones who will walk neighborhoods until their feet are sore, their skin is sunburned, and their bodies are dehydrated. Inspired supporters will take that energy and use it to convince the undecided, because they’ve got the emotion and they’ve got the conviction to sell the candidate’s vision.

I’m not sure Romney can do that.

Romney is losing in multiple swing states because he can’t inspire, articulate, or earn trust

RNC Review Part 1: The Rise of Ann Romney, Christie Impresses

August 29, 2012 Uncategorized 2 comments

Aside from addressing those terrible comments about stay at home moms not working from a couple of months, Mitt Romney’s wife Ann, has stayed fairly quiet on the campaign trail.

All of that changed last night.

Ann Romney energized the GOP faithful in Tampa last night, by doing exactly what she had to. Telling the story of her family that the country was waiting to hear. A story of love, overcoming challenges, and the man who wants to be President, her husband Mitt.

Romney spoke about meeting her husband of 43 years at a high school dance, and told the story of how both sides of the family came from modest beginnings. She mentioned the buzz of “story book marriages” and asked the national audience what kind of story book marriages included a basement apartment, and 5 screaming kids, what kind of story book marriages included overcoming MS and surviving cancer.

This was the real story the country was waiting to hear. The human Mitt Romney that didn’t speak of such things on the stump or in front of cameras.

After taking the crowd to a very personal part of her life, it was time build them back up. She started talking up her husband like only a loving wife could, not with numbers, or political bullet points, but with only a personal promise from the person that knows him the most.

“I promise you, no one will work harder”

By the time she ended her speech to a standing ovation, and her husband’s on the spot decision to join her on stage, the night was already a victory.

Your turn Big Guy.

How the heck was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie suppose to top that? Well, he wasn’t suppose to but, he did take the dialog of the evening to another place, and like the Romney before him, he succeeded.

In a speech that was political strategy gold, the straight talking guv, told the audience “how it was”. He illustrated the President’s divide and conquer strategy. Turning the Hispanic community against each other with the immigration debate, elders against each other with “mediscare” tactics, and finally the female vote with the war on women. The keynote speaker not only inspired but educated, exactly what he had to do.

“Real leaders don’t follow polls, real leaders CHANGE polls!”

Expect that line to be repeated over and over.

Overshadowed were great speeches by Texas’s Ted Cruz who demonstrated why he’s the big show in the lone star state, Rick Santorum who finally gave Romney the nod after a long, contentious primary, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley who, spoke and attacked with precision that I haven’t seen from her before.

Tonight we get Condoleezza Rice, Tim Pawlenty, Pam Bondi, and Veep Nominee Paul Ryan. It’s going to be a tough night to follow, last night was huge for Republicans in Tampa.

Could Ann Romney be the top speech from this convention?

Wednesday Morning Political Headlines: Paul Ryan, Pam Bondi speak tonight at the RNC

August 29, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Last night set the speech bar pretty high in Tampa.

What started out as a slower night really kicked into high gear when the marquis speakers walked behind the podium. Former candidate and Senator Rick Santorum, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz all crushed their speeches with great personal stories and energizing messages to get the crowd going and excited for the main speakers.

Those headliners, Ann Romney, and Chris Christie are both receiving high marks this morning for their speeches. More on that later today.

Today, the conversation turns a little more academic. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Former candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty take the stage. Then you’ve got Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi taking the stage in what could be a national coming out party for her. All setting up Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Congressman who will be taking his place as the Vice-Presidential candidate in what is promising to be a rocking night in Tampa.

These stories lead your Tuesday morning political headlines.

WESH 2: Double Play!

(Video) Republican National Convention Live

Orange Co. considers measure to block sick pay initiative

Orlando Sentinel: Mitt Romney gains GOP nomination, but his wife steals the night

WOFL FOX 35: Republicans nominate Mitt Romney for president

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (Video) Republican convention is in full-throated roar

WKMG Local 6: Romney officially clinches GOP nomination

CF News 13: Bondi, Rice and Ryan headliners at RNC today

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi takes the stage tonight in Tampa on the 2nd night of the RNC

In Veepstakes, Who is Best Debate Matchup for Biden? Part II

July 2, 2012 Uncategorized 2 comments

Last week, we started this discussion over the best debate match-up for Vice President Joe Biden. This is important because a strong debate performance by a number 2 guy can swing a close election like the one we’re staring at now.

We’ve ruled out those who left no wiggle room (Jeb, Condi, Daniels) and the unfavorable match-ups like Haley, Ayotte, Santorum, and Pawlenty.

Today, let’s talk about the “uncertains” these are candidates that have terrific potential but a hazy uncertainty surrounds their reputations that might make the Romney campaign think twice before asking them to take the bottom of the ticket.

These guys could hit a grandslam or strike out in 3 pitches. Let’s take a look.

The Uncertains:

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez:

This series gave me the opportunity to watch these candidates debate in the minor leagues. There is a lot of tape on Martinez and watching her debate in a smaller market led me to this conclusion.

She reminds me a lot of Alex Sink.

Her words are strong but her poise is suspect. She’s got skills but the sword shakes in her hand.

Could she be coached? Of course. But, it’s uncertain how she’ll debate on national tv with Biden across the stage from her and Wolf Blizter or Brian Williams lobbing questions her way. She’s a longshot choice as is but there are too many question marks when it comes to a one on one Vice-Presidential Debate.

When you listen to Martinez, you think Sink

Ohio Senator Rob Portman:

It’s easy to like Portman but does he have the fire?

He’s got the qualifications, he’s got a high political IQ, he’s got the Washington credentials that would allow him to “step into the job” of President. It’s no wonder why he’s a frontrunner for the nomination.

But he’s boring, he’s boring for weeks that feel like years and you’ve got to wonder if he can bring the excitement. Even if he corners Biden with policy on national TV, can he put the exclamation point on his argument that would make the audience notice? Or would his mild-mannered persona allow everyone to nod at what he’s saying and then get drowned out in the fiery Biden feedback.

No one can say and that’s why he’s an uncertain pick.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio:

What?! What is our Senator from Florida doing on this list!?

He’s got the skills. He’s got the charisma.

Here’s why.

In 2010 we watched Marco Rubio beat up on Charlie Crist a few times but that’s really his whole body of work on the big debate stage. The former Florida Governor had little political equity at the time, his call to go Indy to avoid a primary beatdown compromised all of his views and accomplishments in office. I’ll never forget this debate quote from Rubio.

“You didn’t go Independent because of your beliefs you went independent because you took a poll”

and he was right. Plus, Rubio isn’t perfect on the national stage. He does make the occasional mistake

I’m confident the Junior Senator from Florida would do well, but not confident enough to put him above my next group. The favorables, which you’ll see later this week.

Political Stocks Who’s up Who’s Down in O-Town: Walking Time Edition

May 21, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

If you’re running for office and your campaign hasn’t been walking then, I hope you’ve got a lot of money laying around because normal campaigns that are watching the balance on those bank accounts should be sending out volunteers to GOTV.

It’s this happy time of the year in which we center this edition of political stocks

Who’s Up:

Paul Ryan: The Wisconsin Congressman and Chairman of the budget committee was showcasing his money smarts and media poise on two networks at the same time Sunday morning. They ran both taped interviews simultaneously and for 15 solid minutes voters got to see Ryan knockdown every question asked and easily dispatch of the anti-Romney rhetoric Economist and former Obama cabinet member Austan Goolsbee used.

If he is still being considered for Vice President, there was no better audition than yesterday morning

Bill Nelson: When Dave Weldon entered the race Friday afternoon it meant two things. George Lemieux’s standing as the alternative to frontrunner Connie Mack IV was in danger and Mack IV was going to have to answer the same questions from two opponents with the former Brevard Congressman now in the race. Mack IV is still the favorite but he’s going to have to spend more money fighting off another challenger.

This works in Bill Nelson’s favor. Already the frontrunner in general election polls, Mack IV’s lighter warchest will benefit him in November.

Chris Christie and Cory Booker*: This video has gotten a lot of positive press and it’s helped both the Newark Mayor and New Jersey Governor.

It’s earned Booker nationwide publicity and it’s reinforced Christie’s intentions that he wants the VP nod.

*Booker is taking a beating over his criticism of Obama’s Bain attack strategy but, he’s right.

Holding Steady:

Dan Webster and Val Demings: Both candidates very quiet in recent week. No serious primary challenges will ensure both campaigns save their energy to roll into their eventual collision.

Who’s Down:

Political Operatives: The two biggest stories over the last week have been the re-emergence of the President’s relationship with Reverend Jerimiah Wright and Mitt Romney’s history with Bain Capital. Both attacks fell flat when used in the past so it has many asking, Why are there organizations trying to roll this failed material out again?

George Lemieux: More Florida Senate GOP primary fallout from Weldon’s late entry. The former Senator has thrown every kind of attack possible at Connie Mack IV and he can’t even Mack’s lead. Now, Weldon in the race, Lemieux could watch his support dwindle even further.

Romney’s fallen foes: Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul all reportedly have significant campaign debt and all have become after thoughts in the political landscape.

Ryan’s poise in the media and economical smarts should keep him in the VP conversation

Tuesday Knocks Newt Out. Gingrich to Suspend Campaign

April 25, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Newt Gingrich’s campaign is finally down for good.

After a run that saw his candidacy come back from the dead twice, the former speaker of the house will suspend his campaign next Tuesday, after losing all five primaries to GOP frontrunner and eventual nominee Mitt Romney last night.

First was his campaign meltdown that saw the majority of his staff resign. Citing Gingrich as difficult to work with and facing a substantial deficit in the polls, a mass exodus occurred that had many believing that was the end of his young campaign.

That was last summer

Second was his lack of traction with the voters. Other frontrunners came and went and many were asking why he was still in the race.

That was last fall.

Gingrich would revive his efforts during the televised debates where he gained ground in the polls not by attacking his opponents, but the moderators and mainstream media. One memorable moment was when he slammed CNN’s John King over questions about his marital past.

That would lead to Gingrich’s rise to the polls. He became Mitt Romney’s biggest competitor and won the South Carolina Primary. And along with his anger directed at the media, he touted a positive past with Reagan and working with Bill Clinton during his time as speaker.

Then came Florida and it all came to a grinding halt.

Gingrich wanted a Moon Base in 8 years. His act of aggression during the debates got old and he was slammed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, for his immigration attacks on Mitt Romney. He lost by double digits and it was mostly down hill from there.

His only other victory would come in his home state of Georgia. He would lose the other Southern Evangelicals to Rick Santorum and the path to victory became hazier.

He laid off a third of this staff and started using language that set the foundation for today’s an exit. Delaware was his last hope and was lost last night, along with the other four states. He was mathematically eliminated long before that.

There’s hardly any reason to worry about Newt.

Despite massive campaign debt, Gingrich will likely go back on the speaking circuit and write another book. His price per appearance will likely go up and he’ll be out of the woods in no time.

If there is one aspect of this announcement that Newt Supporters can find solace in, it’s that he fought as long as he could and demonstrated that biting back at the media from time to time can be effective energizing a conservative base.

Gingrich's campaign came back from the dead twice and he was a frontrunner at one point

Romney/Portman Ticket would be Safe and It would Lose.

April 15, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Now that Rick Santorum has bowed out and Mitt Romney looks like the inevitable nominee we’ve seen the opening salvo of attack ads and between the GOP ambassador and the President.

Romney’s wife Ann is in the fight and we’re not even halfway through April.

All attacks on stay-at-home moms aside. We can get serious about speculation over who is going to be Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential Pick.

It’s no secret. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is the top choice for a lot of pundits (including mine). He can deliver Florida, he’s a dynamic bi-lingual speaker, the Tea Party likes him.

He’s everything Romney is not and can do everything Mitt can’t.

Condoleezza Rice is also a fascinating possibility. Her Secretary of State/NSA savvy could give Romney the edge in the Foreign Policy discussion. She’s also a terrific speaker, that can handle the heat of the media spotlight.

She too is everything Romney is not.

Rubio or Rice would be great picks but much like he’s done during this primary, the inevitable nominee is going to play it safe.

The junior Senator from Ohio Rob Portman is currently the frontrunner according to speculation in the media.

If the name sounds familiar it should. Portman was on the debt super-committee last fall. He’s a moderate that’s well spoken and has a reputation as a policy wonk.

Think Paul Ryan after 3 Ambien.

Portman has plenty of upside. He might be able to deliver Ohio, the other major battleground in this election. He’s not as mistake prone as Romney and could lure some independents with his sensible delivery of the campaign’s platform.

He’s safe. He’s Romney back when he was Governor of Massachusetts. If the economy suffered a slew of setbacks between now and November he might convince some to think twice at the polls. He’s also not a lot of things.

The logic being used by the Romney campaign is that Portman is been vetted more thoroughly than Rubio. He doesn’t have that connection to W. that might hinder Rice as a VP candidate. They won by double digits in Florida so, they’re convinced Florida is leaning towards a change.

I’ll tell you why they’re wrong and why Portman would be the first decision in a losing GOP ticket.

Portman will deliver zero support from Hispanic and African-American voters. Zero. He was anti-DREAM act and unlike Rubio hasn’t publicly been searching for alternatives. The Tea Party is already unhappy in Ohio kicking Governor John Kasich and Speaker John Boehner’s policies to the curb. You think they’re going to get excited about the guy being labled the “Godfather of Obamacare”?. As for charisma and the ability to galvanize the campaign that would be the first to replace a Democratic incumbent in 30 years?

Portman doesn’t have it.

Romney doesn’t want a bold pick. Memories of Tina Fey and Katie Couric have brought the specter of the Sarah Palin pick back to life. “A Game Change Pick? Forget that noise!”.

Expect a snoozer pick guys. And expect it to be the first decision this campaign makes that slowly moves the chains in the President’s favor.

Maybe we should have nominated Ann Romney.

Portman for VP depends on the Obama campaign to make too many mistakes

Romney/Portman Ticket would be Safe and It would Lose.

April 13, 2012 Uncategorized 8 comments

Now that Rick Santorum has bowed out and Mitt Romney looks like the inevitable nominee we’ve seen the opening salvo of attack ads and between the GOP ambassador and the President.

Romney’s wife Ann is in the fight and we’re not even halfway through April.

All attacks on stay-at-home moms aside. We can get serious about speculation over who is going to be Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential Pick.

It’s no secret. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is the top choice for a lot of pundits (including mine). He can deliver Florida, he’s a dynamic bi-lingual speaker, the Tea Party likes him.

He’s everything Romney is not and can do everything Mitt can’t.

Condoleezza Rice is also a fascinating possibility. Her Secretary of State/NSA savvy could give Romney the edge in the Foreign Policy discussion. She’s also a terrific speaker, that can handle the heat of the media spotlight.

She too is everything Romney is not.

Rubio or Rice would be great picks but much like he’s done during this primary, the inevitable nominee is going to play it safe.

The junior Senator from Ohio Rob Portman is currently the frontrunner according to speculation in the media.

If the name sounds familiar it should. Portman was on the debt super-committee last fall. He’s a moderate that’s well spoken and has a reputation as a policy wonk.

Think Paul Ryan after 3 Ambien.

Portman has plenty of upside. He might be able to deliver Ohio, the other major battleground in this election. He’s not as mistake prone as Romney and could lure some independents with his sensible delivery of the campaign’s platform.

He’s safe. He’s Romney back when he was Governor of Massachusetts. If the economy suffered a slew of setbacks between now and November he might convince some to think twice at the polls. He’s also not a lot of things.

The logic being used by the Romney campaign is that Portman is been vetted more thoroughly than Rubio. He doesn’t have that connection to W. that might hinder Rice as a VP candidate. They won by double digits in Florida so, they’re convinced Florida is leaning towards a change.

I’ll tell you why they’re wrong and why Portman would be the first decision in a losing GOP ticket.

Portman will deliver zero support from Hispanic and African-American voters. Zero. He was anti-DREAM act and unlike Rubio hasn’t publicly been searching for alternatives. The Tea Party is already unhappy in Ohio kicking Governor John Kasich and Speaker John Boehner’s policies to the curb. You think they’re going to get excited about the guy being labled the “Godfather of Obamacare”?. As for charisma and the ability to galvanize the campaign that would be the first to replace a Democratic incumbent in 30 years?

Portman doesn’t have it.

Romney doesn’t want a bold pick. Memories of Tina Fey and Katie Couric have brought the specter of the Sarah Palin pick back to life. “A Game Change Pick? Forget that noise!”.

Expect a snoozer pick guys. And expect it to be the first decision this campaign makes that slowly moves the chains in the President’s favor.

Maybe we should have nominated Ann Romney.

Portman for VP depends on the Obama campaign to make too many mistakes

Santorum can Leave Race with No Regrets

April 11, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for President today, all but sealing the nomination for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

Dealing with the recent hospitalization of his young daughter, a double digit deficit in his home state of Pennsylvania and a dwindling war chest, it was finally time for the former Senator to stand aside.

He can walk away with his head held high. Let me explain.

Santorum greatly exceeded expectations. There isn’t an honest analyst (including myself) that was taking this guy seriously six months ago.

6 months ago this guy was out in Siberia (the far left podiums) during debates.

He was on the stump in front of dozens, not hundreds of voters.

At Presidency V here in Orlando, he had to crash an after party at the Tilted Kilt on I-Drive because, he didn’t have enough supporters for his own event.

He was polling like a dairy product at %2 last Halloween.

He stuck around.

You can call it a lack of enthusiasm in the field, poor vetting by party leadership, bad campaign management but, the others fair-weather frontrunners fell.

The Cain Train was derailed by allegations of infidelity. Bachmann bailed after a last place finish in Iowa. Rick Perry? Please! And Gingrich could not sustain his campaign through criticizing the media alone.

Santorum stayed the course and barnstormed through every county in Iowa. He couldn’t afford to drive the campaign bus the whole time so traveled by SUV. He shook as many hands as possible and went hunting with the natives.

He would win Iowa…eventually.

He became the real “Romney alternative”. There was plenty of passion for his social conservative views but, it scared away the moderates and he couldn’t win in those mid-western states that might have stopped Romney’s momentum.

That momentum started right here in Florida, where Romney also won by double digits.

He couldn’t risk losing his home state. It not only would have been a major loss in the delegate count column but, if you can’t win your state in your party’s primary, how are you going to take it in the General? It would have been an embarrassing defeat that would add insult to the injuries his campaign has suffered.

Santorum made the right call today. He’ll get the normal “atta boy” pats on the shoulder and a great speaking time slot at the convention but that won’t matter.

He earned the admiration of many who didn’t even know he existed when his campaign started. And when you were suppose to be a non-factor, that’s something to be proud of.

Santorum exceeded everyone's expectations during his run for the nomination.

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