The Emerging Field of GOP Presidential Candidates
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-05-19/emerging-field-gop-presidential-candidates
Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump are out. Newt Gingrich is off to a rough start. The field of potential GOP candidates for the 2012 presidential race.
Guests
Neil King, Jr.
national reporter, The Wall Street Journal.
Doug Heye
Republican strategist; former communications director of the Republican National Committee.
Stuart Rothenberg
editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report.
Brendan Steinhauser
director of federal and state campaigns for FreedomWorks.
Linda Chavez
chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity.
Comments
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I hope that the GOP consider Gingrich, Ron Paul, Palin, and Bachman too far removed from the center of the party for any serious contention at the presidency, but what about any of them being a VP candidate? With the havoc the Tea Party has caused, this could be an option to appease the Tea Party and bring them back into the GOP fold.
The GOP is a mess. Trouble is it reflects the status of the voter which cannot make up it's mind if it want big all intrusive nanny state government or freedom. Obama is just piling on our problems, nothing new here just the same old solution in a different package. Until the voters understand the collision course where on with dept and big government spending nothing will change. Seems were going to have to hit the wall for real change!
I read political blogs and they seem to say that with Trump and Huckabee dropping out, Gingrich going in, it opens up an area for someone who is considered open to a wide variety of voters' concerns like Mitch Daniels.
I watch TV and they seem to like to talk about Michelle Bachmann, a clown who isn't very well versed in policy, the Constitution or government, for that matter, but lots of fun to cover for political journos who love that she whips up the crowd and gets them inspired.
I don't like Mitch Daniels, personally. The fact that he still endorses huge tax cuts for the rich and is bowing to the lunatic fringe of the GOP base with his ban of funds for Planned Parenthood and cutting off civil service unions at the knee caps, but who is more serious about national politics? Television is crazy for going after the laughers and making them serious candidates and validating the GOP "crazy" base rather than solving the problems we have in our government.
Political journalists are a big problem and it seems political blogs, as slighted as they have been by main-stream mediaites are much more serious about these policy problems.
Coverage this early is a waste of time and a way to avoid more important issues.
Today is National Hiring Day. This show could help promote hiring across the country and support thousands.
National Hiring Day #3 is May 19, 2011. This is a day that corporations are encouraged to hire new employees. Corporations are called on to put patriotism first and help their country in hard times. Those corporations that cannot hire, are asked to stop firing for that month. The day was suggested by the 18 year old Dallas art and media zine Musea.
As long as the GOP continues to promote a failed tax policy giving tax breaks to the rich, supporting cutting federal and state monies to an effective non-profit, Planned Parenthood, to appease their anti-abortion crowd, and support deregulation and turning a blind eye to corporate & financial misdeeds, I can not vote for them. The GOP mantra of 'no new taxes' and 'cutting taxes as a means of promoting jobs' has led to the greatest income inequality since 1929. They have supported tax incentives to send USA jobs abroad while fighting job creating alternative energy businesses.
President Obama appealed to the majority of Americans because he gave us hope. But, unfortunately, he has not attacked the failed tax policies of the GOP which falsely proclaims that lowering taxes for the wealthy will trickle down to the rest of us. My question to the GOP is 'where are the jobs promised by your tax policy of cutting taxes for the top 1% of Americans and corporations?'. Another question is 'why are you fighting the creation of jobs in new energy technologies by giving tax breaks to the oil, gas, and coal energy companies'? 'Why do you think that America was better off before the creation of the most successful poverty elimination program, Social Security, and you condemn another successful health care program improving the health of seniors, Medicare', and you cut funding to an organization that has reduced the number of unwanted pregnancies through contraceptive services and provides affordable health care to poor, uninsured, and underinsured women, Planned Parenthood? Don't tell me that you are pro-life when you condemn and trying to destroy these programs.
Michelle Bachman...are you serious...the same woman who said in 2009 that because there has been no study to show Carbon Dioxide was poisonous...therefore it isn't. She is really dumb...and the fact that you are counting her as a credible candidate is VERY scary and VERY sad.
Rick Perry for President - I don't think so. He has been Govenor of Texas for what seems like an eternity, there is a $31 M budget deficit - which is greater than California's budget deficit, education/medicare/medicaid and other programs are being cut, teachers/schools are losing jobs/funding, and he wants to take women back to the dark ages - this man is not and should never be considered a presidential candidate.
Linda just said, and I paraphrase, "every voter thinks the number one issue is the deficit". Linda does not speak for me. I believe the "number one" issue is jobs.
What your discussion ignores is that this is the part of the presidential selection process where ideas can be proposed that will challenge the current dog eared, failed dogmas of all the political elites.
For example Ron Paul will gain much, much more attention than last time, especially among the independents that determined that last election.
Although Ron Paul being nominated is a long shot, much of what he has to say will resonate with the key (deciding) segments of the electorate and the candidates of both parties will be well advised to pay attention.
At the moment both parties have records of failure in just about every area of domestic and foreign policy.
So let's hope that those with new, good ideas have the ability to express them coherently (not in dream language)
Hispanics women constitute a large number of Planned Parenthood clients. These clients are primarily women & they count the PP staff as their primary medical care provider. 97% of Planned Parenthood services include prenatal and postnatal care, contraceptive counseling & services, routine medical care, cancer prevention and detection, sexually transmitted disease detection and treatment, and other routine medical care. The GOP has been cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood because they tout PP as an 'abortion provider'. Women are rising up against these cuts and this will hurt the GOP with women voters.
I think Barack Obama has proven himself an excellent moderate Republican candidate with his compromises and hesitancy to take action. If the Democrats were capable of differentiating themselves from the other pro-business party some progressive should emerge. And this progressive would be someone who would have been considered "middle of the road" in 1988. The Oligarchy manufactures our public opinion and feeds it to us when they need it. We have no functioning government other than corporate policy, and our elections are procedural only. Vote early and often, you will still not be heard.
ecarter:
Get real. It all these government programs that has hurt our country. It has not just been the cost but what it has done to moral fabric of this country. We used to be a country that individual, non profits, and churches would help our fellow man. Funny you mention 1929, because it was not the government that took to fed and cloth people, but individuals.
We have more people on assitance than ever before. One million more under Obama and a federal deficit that our children will have to find some way to pay for. We put more money into these programs and the failing schools, illegimacy,etc continue. In 1963 70% of black children were born to married parents and now it is the opposite. The Libs favors spending more and more money on government schools while the majority of them send their kids to private school. Examples are Obama's kids and in the past Jesse Jacksons and" No Peace no Juctice" Maxine Water's children
As for drilling, these oil company need those tax breaks. Drilling is not a perfect science. It cost lots of money to drill and if you hit dry hole, it is a loss of assets. By the way drilling is labor intensive that pay good wages and help many of Gulf States recover revenue for their state's coffers. Green jobs are a farce in making a living vs being a rough neck.
Oil company pay dividends which 70% of American workers benefit in their 401k & IRA. Disclosure: Own 150 share of Chevron.
It was the Dem's that destroyed SS when they started to borrow off the trust in 1966 for the Vietman war and Johnson's Great Society which was marketed as the "Mother of All Programs" to eliminate poverty. What happened?
This year alone we are a facing a 45 Billion dollar defecit in SS and what is making thing even worse is that we are printing money which is resulting in more inflation and dollar less secure.
This is all presently happening under the Messiah his excellancy Barrack Obama.
My 85 year old hard core Catholic, card carrying union member, life long Democrat mother loves Mitt Romney. She thinks that his health care plan in Massachussets demonstrates his truely compassionate conservatism. She believes he walks his Christian talk. She also thinks he such a devoted family man. She actually said she would consider voting for him.
Is there any way for Mitt Romney to flip the script and call out many so called Christian Republicans on their rigid stance against health care access for all? Such Christian hypocrites
President Obama gives his speech on the middle east in less than an hour. You could have done this Republican field show any time. Why not focus on this upcoming speech. What he should and should not say?
Odd that you folks are avoiding middle east issues during this critical week
Hopefully Obama does not keep repeating this “one size does not fit all” explanation about why the US protects innocents in Libya and not in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Palestinians.
When his administration or congress members repeat this its as if they are fitting people and nations for shoes. Supposed to be about protecting human life. (choke)
How he explains why the peace that he spoke about in his Cairo speech came in the form of drones and doves is just a bit contradictory.
This morning Martin Indyk’s statement about the I/P situation and Obamas speech was full of holes once again “they have to get back to negotiations” No Israel needs to stop building and expanding illegal settlements in the West Bank and illegal housing in E Jerusalem.
These people couldn't be serious...Chris Christie's poll numbers in his own state are in the toilet. Jeb Bush...uhm NOT...even if he was Mitch Daniel's VP choice, if he makes the mistake of running. Mitch Daniels...who oversaw the Bush Economic Plan that nearly took us over the cliff...who thought the Iraq war would only cost $60B. Good luck with that!
Frosty wrote: @ 10:38am
"Linda just said, and I paraphrase, "every voter thinks the number one issue is the deficit". Linda does not speak for me. I believe the "number one" issue is jobs."
If we donot stop the deficit from increasing, small businesses (85% of employment) will have a hard time borrowing money to expand their operations and increase hiring.
Three cheers to the caller who mentioned Mitch Daniels signing a law that cuts off funding to Planned Parenthood. And boo to your guests who poo-pooed it. This man plans to run on this "accomplishment."
I have relatives in the southern tier of Indiana. My sister works for a company that is a vendor to Toyota. She works 5/8s, with modest salary and no health care. She and her 20 year old daughter rely on Planned Parenthood for their annual gynecological exams. We have breast cancer in my family, now we are not sure what my sister can do to stay on top of this threat.
Combined with his yes-man behavior with the economy under Bush, I think this man is ill-suited to high public office.
Thank you for allowing comment.
Hey DianeFan 1
Chris Christie's poll numbers.
http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2011/03/07/quinnipiac-poll-gov-chri...
Are you sure that Chris Christie's poll numbers are in the toilet. Cause I found that his numbers in N J are high but the problem is recognition. Rudy comes in second.
Everybody's looking at the GOP like that's the only party. I guess for Democrats the only candidate is Obama, but how many Democrats are going to vote for him, that's what I want to know.
I listened to the show on NHPR today. If anything can be said for Republicans, we have a way of often turning things upside down. McCain beat Romney back in 2008 for the Republican nomination because Romney was seen as a "big spender". That label will not go away and his poll numbers show it. Admittedly I am not a "Tea Party" member because I believe their hard core stance on social issues will not stand up to scrutiny and is perceived to be more "big brother" telling us how to live our lives.
Diane Rehm does try to approach a topic from all angles, but her guests showed that their own agendas got in the way of their objectivity. I'll just make a prediction right now. I think Ron Paul is going to do a lot better than anyone is expecting. And I disagree with those who claim he can't beat Barack Obama. I think he's the most likely person TO beat Barack Obama, and he has my support.
(Cont)
"What happened?"
The Great Society has come and gone and has nothing to do with the current DEFECITs.
"This year alone we are a facing a 45 Billion dollar defecit in SS and what is making thing even worse is that we are printing money which is resulting in more inflation and dollar less secure."
THERE IS NO DEFECIT IN SS BUT A HUGE SURPLUS, STUPID!!!
We are not printing money, but borrowing it from the Thieves who stole it from the rest of us.
You may be a loyal lackey for the Bushes, but if you had any balls at all, you would be ashamed to keep parroting that BS. This is gettin boring.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
PS, I don't appreciate your smart--ss Messiah crap.
"meangreen wrote:
ecarter:
Get real. It all these government programs that has hurt our country. It has not just been the cost but what it has done to moral fabric of this country. We used to be a country that individual, non profits, and churches would help our fellow man. Funny you mention 1929, because it was not the government that took to fed and cloth people, but individuals."
Ever heard of WPA, PWA, Relief, FHA, you dumb SOB?
The WPA built Public Buildings, Parks all sorts of Infrastructure for Chicken Feed, much of which is still in use after 80 Years!!
And what are you doing to help our fellow man, Mr individual AH??
"The Libs favors spending more and more money on government schools while the majority of them send their kids to private school."
Lying piece of Dog Crap!!!
"It was the Dem's that destroyed SS when they started to borrow off the trust in 1966 for the Vietman war and Johnson's Great Society which was marketed as the "Mother of All Programs" to eliminate poverty. What happened?"
You are the second Creep to say that this week, so I'll tell you the same thing I told him.
'You are a Liar AND a fool. Johnson raised Taxes to pay for the War.
Nixon raised Premiums to,"secure Social Security well into the
21th Century", then spent the money on escalating the War.'
(Cont)
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
"kathleen wrote:
My 85 year old hard core Catholic, card carrying union member, life long Democrat mother loves Mitt Romney. She thinks that his health care plan in Massachussets demonstrates his truely compassionate conservatism. She believes he walks his Christian talk. She also thinks he such a devoted family man. She actually said she would consider voting for him."
Does she understand that Romney is scrambling to disengage from the Massachusetts Program and is strongly denouncing the National Plan?
Does she also understand that we are not considered real Christians by many of that Persuasion?
Not to mention Unions.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
As a registered (liberal) Democrat, I'll give you my views on the current crop of GOP candidates.
I don't take any of them seriously, with the exception of Mitt Romney. He is the one Republican among the current group who is presidential material. The others are significant mainly for their entertainment value.
I was saddened when Donald Trump bowed out of the race; he was oodles of fun, with his goofy hairdo and his macho bluster. But we do have Newt Gingrich, with his baggage and his third wife (with the 500 megawatt eyes). Newt is always good for a dumb comment or two...or three.
And then we have Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann. Each night when I say my prayers, right after I ask the goddess for a new Prius, I ask her if we can't have one or both of these delightful ladies enter the race. That would ratchet up the fun quotient tremendously.
There was a very small middle class prior to the 1950s and a large number of American elderly lived in poverty prior to the enactment of Social Security. Health outcomes improve significantly for Americans 65 plus because of improved access to health care providers for the previously unemployed. In the 1950s through the mid-1970s, the upper income people paid significantly higher taxes; 69% to 79% for upper income taxpayers. During this same time period, the number of middle class Americans significantly increased & we completed the largest infrastructure project in our young country's history.
Since we have lowered the tax rates for the top taxpayers, there has been a lost of actual income for the middle class and the largest income inequality since the Great Depression. Our tax policy has come from an attitude of greed and 'me first' mentality. 400 of the wealthiest Americans wealth is equal to the wealth of the bottom 50% of American taxpayers. We have seen a loss of American job due to tax incentives to outsource jobs without an equal incentive to create jobs in the US.
You may disagree with government programs such as Social Security but you can't change the facts about SS reducing the amount of poverty among the poor. it is not entitlements that has caused our federal deficit but a reduction in revenues while waging two wars and continuing tax policies to give to the rich with the false belief that they will invest in new companies or increase their companies payrolls. It is also false to believe that the private health insurance companies are going to work on lowering their costs or to provide more services to their clients.
Diane's voice quivered more than usual when she asked Neil King, Jr and Stuart Rothenberg about Mitch Daniels' weaknesses. This was after Brendan Steinhauser told her that Daniels can beat POTUS Obama in 2012. Diane doing another superb job of concealing her political ideology. Sure.
Why does Rehm bother to have on Stuart Rothenberg other than she likes to hear this guy ridicule conservatives? As a prognosticator/pundit (and he denies being either), this guy lost all credibility with his boast that:
"the chance of Republicans winning control of either chamber in the 2010 midterm elections is zero. Not “close to zero.” Not “slight” or “small.” Zero."
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/80998/stuart-rothenberg-loses-it
mchaun wrote:
"meangreen wrote:
ecarter:
Get real. It all these government programs that has hurt our country. It has not just been the cost but what it has done to moral fabric of this country. We used to be a country that individual, non profits, and churches would help our fellow man. Funny you mention 1929, because it was not the government that took to fed and cloth people, but individuals."
Ever heard of WPA, PWA, Relief, FHA, you dumb SOB?
The WPA built Public Buildings, Parks all sorts of Infrastructure for Chicken Feed, much of which is still in use after 80 Years!!
And what are you doing to help our fellow man, Mr individual AH??
"The Libs favors spending more and more money on government schools while the majority of them send their kids to private school."
Lying piece of Dog Crap!!!
"It was the Dem's that destroyed SS when they started to borrow off the trust in 1966 for the Vietman war and Johnson's Great Society which was marketed as the "Mother of All Programs" to eliminate poverty. What happened?"
You are the second Creep to say that this week, so I'll tell you the same thing I told him.
'You are a Liar AND a fool. Johnson raised Taxes to pay for the War.
Nixon raised Premiums to,"secure Social Security well into the
21th Century", then spent the money on escalating the War.'
LOVE IT
The 1950 did see an increased in income due to industry expanding thanks to the end of WWII that saw industry now produce cars and consumer goods instead of bombs and tanks. Thanks to Ike a Republican president, America's highways expanded in the 50's. Unfortunely the gas tax we pay to supposely keep up our roads and bridges are now diverted to the General Fund and used for other things other than roads.
I do not believe that higher income people ever paid 69% to 70% income tax. I know of one post that stated 50% Federal Tax in 1950.
Where's the correlation between lower tax rates for the wealthy and the loss of living standards for the middle class? But then you are advocating more government expansion of service which of course is going to cost.
In our present time, many health providers are not taking Medicare and Medicaid patients due to lower payment for services and the slow time to receive reinbursements. Many doctors are having to pay for costs out of their own pockets . But then these are people that are considered rich. They make more than $250,000 a year.
The bottom 50% of the population does not pay federal income tax and many get a check back(Earned Income). Those 400 of the wealthiest individual probably pay 38% of all the bills. Many of these rich people are contributors to the arts and other charitable aspects.
Revenues are not the problem but it is spending that is growing our deficit by 4 Billion in interest alone.
opps double post.
Interesting discussion but a caller made a good point that seemed to be dismissed by the panel. There seems to be a belief that the election in 2010 was a sign that the voters are embracing Tea Party extremism. This seems ludicrous, the voters were angry about the economy and unemployment and apparently they expected miracles from Obama after only 2 years. They sent a message, that's all. Since the election Republicans have proposed close to 1000 anti-choice bills across the nation, 1000! They're attempting to destroy Medicare and public unions. They're completely out of touch with the center and they're doing nothing to create jobs, there are no solutions that will fit into their bizarre ideology so they can't offer anything but trickle down tax cuts, which sounds absurd in this environment of massive debt of their own creation.
I think the 2010 election and the GOP's embrace of the Tea Party movement ruined their chances of getting back the White House, they may have a chance at taking the Senate but they'll be living with Obama and his veto pen for another 4 years. Republicans are masters at playing victim when in the minority but when they have the chance to govern, they scare the heck out of people.