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BLITZER'S BLOG: Who’s dropping out after Iowa?
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
Dubuque, Iowa (CNN) – So how many tickets will there be out of the Iowa caucuses?
I know the three front-runners – Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul – are all set for New Hampshire.
Jon Huntsman has basically ignored Iowa and is focusing all his attention on New Hampshire. So he will certainly be there.
What about the other three main candidates – Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum?
Santorum has spent most of his time in Iowa. He’s the first candidate to have visited all 99 counties. He needs to show something for all that work.
Bachmann was born in Iowa and represents a congressional district in neighboring Minnesota. She won the Iowa Straw Poll back in August. She, too, needs to show something positive next Tuesday.
Perry has spent a ton of money in this state. If you watch TV here in Iowa – as I have – you see his positive and negative ads. He needs to surprise voters next week.
I am sure each of them would be very disappointed at a fourth-, fifth- or sixth-place finish. If that happens, will they throw in the towel and call it a race, or will they continue toward the other early states?
Based on all the current polls, none of these three candidates is likely to impress in New Hampshire, where Romney is very strong.
They certainly could look beyond New Hampshire to South Carolina and Florida, but that would take strong organizations and lots of money.
Right now, only Perry seems to have the money.
Their organizations are lacking as well. Like Gingrich, these second-tier candidates failed to get on the ballot in Virginia for the GOP primary.
Bottom line: We probably should be ready for a dropout speech - or two - or maybe even three - next week. And that would certainly shake things up.
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WATCH "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" today from 4-6 p.m. ET for Wolf Blitzer's interview with former Speaker Newt Gingrich in Iowa. Tune in tomorrow 4-6 p.m. ET for Wolf's interview with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
RELATED POST: Candidates flood the zone as caucuses close in
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Iowa • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
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Take a bow,big applause,pull the curtains and lights out for candidate Bachmann ! Thank-you for all you shared that was right and good for America. Bachmann danced off the stage instead. Glad to know we have a intelligent fighter like her in Washington.Doubt her team runs for Ron Paul and Bachmann tore Ron Paul up on foreign policy and national security and seriously made her point loud and clearly to raise question and awareness concerning Ron Paul. Reinforce your national security and foreign policy and affairs Ron Paul's team and he's coming across weak to protect the USA.
Bachmann just announced her exit ! Good job Bachmann ! Perry took off for Texas and was supposed to be in SC today.Thanks to them all for their great ideas for America and their fight for all that's good and right.Take a bow, pull the curtains,lights out and big applause.
Bye bye Michelle B.
I hate to break it to the paid northeastern contributors whatever their motives, but Rick Santorum will not be the nominee. I just hope he has enough gas money to make it back to his failed senate bid in which he was creamed.
The seemingly robot voters who seem to pull a different lever depending on what day it is need to consider the source of this poll and motives showing a surge touting Rick Santorum. Does anyone reading this really think those on this network now touting Santorum the last few days, will be voting for him?
Old trick, controlled anarchy. I hate to say it but little sound bites have an affect. If it is repeated that someone is having a surge, a robot will respond. The liberals want to knock those like the current successful Texas Gov out now so he will not continue into the south and in the long run have a better chance of beating obama.
Does anyone really think Santorum can beat obama? Why do you think the left is touting him...
Bingo. There is your motive for this networks current praise.
Question is, are you going to fall for it...
Even if you do not care for a GOP candidate if you are reasonable you have to know that is what is transpiring.
This has been the gong show portion of the campaign. The obvious fools will be leaving in the next month or so, but wait until March, when most delegates to the Republican convention are still to be chosen and Republicans are left to listen to Romney for the next 5 months until their convention. There will be lots of dissatisfaction and someone will come forward (Jeb Bush?) and say thank you for playing our game of distracting the voters and will declare himself a unifying candidate late enough in the process so that the press won't vet him, as the current candidates have been, but rather will fawn all over the "new" candidate. The real hope is that a very negative, short campaign from late August to Nov. will be enough of a distraction to get elected without having to reveal the extremism of this new candidate.
Neither Iowa nor New Hampshire should determine these politician's fate. Not getting by in these states is why we can not get better candidates. Republicans not wanting Democrats to succeed & Democrats not wanting Republicans to succeed is why we can not get a lot of things done in the country.
Santorum needs to just go away. In a really bad field, he's the biggest joke.
People fear Ron Paul because they fear actual change.
The Republican Party is out of the contest nationally after Iowa! They have cut each others throat on the national stage making an Obama 2nd term inevitable. Try again in 2016
It seems to me that many said the same about Democrats four years ago. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
It's awfully nice of Iowa and NH to decide who the rest of the US gets to vote for. Please choose wisely, the rest of us have to live with your decisions.
That is what Americans Elect is trying to change!
Well, certainly Newt Gingrich will be gone. He's dropping like a rock in the latest Iowa polls. How sweet it is.
Huntsman is the only legitimate candidate from this group. Conservative, but a realist. Not beholden to the far-right. Not a denier of science or reason. A proven track record of leadership. He can lead the GOP and be attractive to independents.
Exactly. He's got common sense and is not too off-putting to Democrats. However, this is the election of the fringe-nutjob. Therefore, and it's a shame to say so, he's probably going no where. I kind of like the guy as he's full of common sense and I'm on "the other side", whatever that means.
I watched Wolf Blitzer's extensive interview with Mitt Romney tonight. It is remarkable to me how he misses to ask a viable candidate very relevant questions, specifically "how would you have acted differently from the president in each specific instance?" I am not a republican or democrat. I want a President who can work effectively w/ Congress. Maybe that is a pipe dream at this point, who knows. When Romney says that President Obama has been wrong on many things, why doesn't WOlf ask him how he would have done things differently? How would he have worked with obstructionist democrats in Congress? What would he have done with GM and government involvement? What does he think of the results of the President's actions in this regard? What about the banks? Would he have bailed them out? They have all repaid the money lent to them by the government? His response? Does he think we would have gone into a depression w/o such government intervention, why or why not? Have him explain how and what he would have done t differently the previous four years in each of these specific issues. He should do this with each candidate in the future. Perhaps we can then see how the candidates can really function
Excellent comments John – and is exactly what has never, and will never happen with Blitzer or any of the other talking heads...... the name of the game is softball and to keep the game in play... ratings, ad dollars, and keep the sponsors happy... that's what its all about... What this Country needs is a real debate where real people like you and me and folks from all sides ask these people (including Obama) questions they can't run from... no side slips, changing the subject, answering another question or just repeating talking points....
John,
Of all the comments to media reports, you have hit the nail on the head. I myself have wondered at why the media does not probe deeper and let these ambiguous answers remain. Don't they have a responsibility to act on behalf of us – their audience – help us get more specific answers? They don't have to call them out or make the candidate (read: any politician) look bad, but should use their skills to help us find answers. Unfortunately, we place a higher value on TRPs than our basic civic responsibilities. While such interviews make for good TRPs by way of sensationalizing the anti-incumbent rhetoric, it does nothing to help us make an informed decision. The media too, does not own up on the responsibility to bring us 'real' answers.
Excellent, John (and Jim and Subash)! That would be exactly the correct approach to have a meaningful interview!
Well, Wolf, what about it??? You cannot do it, you will not do it or you are not allowed to do it? At least you should give us an answer to that! Depending on you answer, we would know if you just fill time on air or if you think there is a responsibility of the media to inform the public. (Of cause, he could say, or think, that he works for a commercial network and if we want relevant info and class to go to PBS…)
Which is the reason he's ignored by the illiteratti of the party of no.
You have covered most of the candidates in this primary but one that has received almost no press is Huntsman. Please do viewers a great service and interview Huntsman and let us get to know something about him, not just those who rise to the top and drop like a rock.
I watch you weekdays at 4 pm est pretty regularly. Great time to do this interview. Thanks.
Draft Jon Huntsman on Americans Elect!
Which one running supports the Justice In America For Sterilization Victims Foundation ? Do they have a support the apology with a donation hot line set up yet ?
Regardless of the Iowa outcome, my hope is that Buddy Roemer will be invited to participate in one or both of the NH debates (Jan 7 and 8). The Boston Globe wrote an editorial on that very topic yesterday (12/27). Roemer's been campaigning hard in the state and has a passionate following. He wasn't included in the original polls, however, so he couldn't meet the thresholds for debates. He has awesome credentials and a great message for Republicans so check him out on his website. Roemer's presence in the NH debates would surely shake things up because he's not a carbon copy of anyone in the race. Roemer is the candidate a lot of Republicans are looking for. It will be several months before a nominee is determined. Buddy Roemer (past Congressman, past Governor, current banker with Harvard degrees in economics and finance) deserves to be heard on issues such as jobs, fair trade, economic inequality, and foreign policy. ABC News, NBC News, WMUR, the Union Leader, and Facebook are sponsoring the next two debates. Tell them to include Buddy Roemer in the mix this time.
The Iowa Caucus will be close, ( with the exception of Santorum who will finish far back ). Perry is making a late rush, but has plenty of time to beat the rest of the field and will win in Iowa. So Santorum will drop out after Iowa. The rest of the field will wait till the South Carolina Primary to drop out. After South Carolina, Michelle Bachman, and John Huntsman will drop out. Another possible drop out after South Carolina is Newt Gingrich. It just isn't in the Cards for Newt at this stage of his life. Perry will hang around till the end, untill he can cash in his Religeous right chips. Paul is headed for an Independent candidacy, which is one of the reasons the nomination of Romney has been doomed from the beginning.
your right and that is why Paul needs to be the nominee or else 4 more years of obama
It doesn't matter who's in, who's out. The system is corrupt and broken. It needs to be changed for the sake of democracy itself. SInce it now is mostly a money game (shamefully) and States' like Iowa and New Hampshire are no longer just bell-weather States because of the 24/7 cable and national media hysteria I'd suggest we return sanity to at least the American public we establish a five tier primary process. In February the ten smallest States by population (U.S. Census) would hold the first set of primaries. Due to population and usually smaller media markets candidates could get their ideas out, March, the next ten larger States would hold their primaries. Costs would start to go up, candidates with ideas and backing would move up. April, the third tier would move into contention, and May and June would bring the last two set. Because the larger States still hold the bulk of delegates they do not lose power because the Smaller States preceded them unless a clear candidate was sweeping the race anyways. As population shifts around the county some States would move in or out of certain tiers every decade.
@ Charles
That's a very intriguing and well thought out idea. It may need some tweaks, but we really do need a change from the current Iowa-NH-SC start. The rapid rise and fall of various candidates in the past 4 months would essentially have been "invisible" in years past because it would have been stretched out over the entire per-nomination cycle and resolved at the convention. Unlike earlier conventions, where the nominations were rarely certain until the delegates met, recent conventions have been meaningless.
I think the "doomsayers" (i.e., those who think the Republicans are destroying each other, which they also believe will assure an Obama re-election) are a bit premature. Another view is that a rough and tumble primary helps get all the "bad news" out about the eventual Repulican nominee, which takes the wind out of many (if not most) of any negative ads run by the Democrats.
The real obstacles to the Republicans are: (1) will Paul or the Tea Partiers either sit out the election or run a third party candidate? (2) will unemployment continue to drop? (3). Will some international event occur that makes Obama look more Presidential to the independents shortly before the elections? As usual, this election will be decided by the independent voters, not the Parties, and these 3 variables will sway the independents one way or another.
Corporate puppets, religious zealots and free lance imbeciles no longer have a place in American national politics. The media still loves them for their entertainment value, but history has shown that once in office they start wars, run up the national debt and divide the nation over who should pay for their mistakes. The rich love them, of course, because they tend to be elitists and money grubbers, even the ones who claim they are doing God's work, and so pass legislation that maintains the American caste system. It's time for a change. That change will not come from any of these candidates. They are all throwbacks to the nineteenth century and earlier. None of them understand science enough to discuss scientific issues intelligently, and they all carry with them biases about how society should be structured that go back to before the civil war or even before 1776. They don't understand the modern world and don't want any part of it. Send them back to their home states where they can peddle this kind of nonsense and find a receptive audience, but don't try to sell it in New York or Chicago or Boston or any city that has a university worth attending. On some future day perhaps the Republican party will find a candidate worth voting for. But I'm not holding my breath.
All of these candidates are a joke. Ron Paul is the only candidate who actually has a chance, but the Republicans definitely will not nominate him. We all know Obama will win : He's accomplished so much during his term, he has the veterans, gays and minorities on his side. I think that's more than enough to win. However I'am praying that the House and Senate are of a Democratic majority.
Your statement makes no sense. You said that Paul is the only candidate with a chance and then say but the Republicans won't nominate him. By your own admission, then exactly how does he have a chance? I like a lot of what Paul says but I do not like his foreign policy ideas or some of his economic ideas and I think the world would be total chaos with a Paul presidency. I have been a Romney supporter since 1994 and continue to be.
Ron Paul is definitely dropping after winning Iowa. The only chance for him to stay in the race is to finish second or third.
I think you will see Santorum, Bachmann, and Perry go first. Paul will drop next and then it will be down to Gingrich and Romney. Huntsman will probably be on the short list for VP.
Ron Paul is too old. Good grief, didn't any of you learn from Reagan?
As an Independent that voted for Obama last time, I think you are going to see the bulk of the Independents vote for Romney. The country is in trouble and we need to stop spending money, allow businesses to workout government interference and have a leader more experienced in real world economics, just how I see it and what I will do. Both parties are terrible, just right now the Democrats are worse.
Perry has the money alright, and it's called tax payer's money. Folks Perry is killing us here in Texas. Our educational system is shot, because of all the Teachers fired, Our disabled are suffering because of the cuts to funds for the disabled, Our Elderely are suffering, because of the many closures of Nursing homes, and this is just the tip of the iceberg with this yahoo. The facts are Perry is backed by big oil, and pharaceutical companies, and has made millions off the backs of Texas Tax Payers. It's costin us over a million dollars just to guard him on his campaign trail. 10,000 a month in rent, because he refuses to live in the Governors Mansion. The only reason Perry won the last election? He refused to debate White. I've never voted for him, and I never will. Take it from this lifelong Texan. Perry is an embarassment to many who live here!
How screwed up is our system that after one State votes we are already trying to count the dead. I mean really, Iowa as the voice of our National? Oh please!
CNN is out after Iowa for not acknowledging that Ron Paul is a serious candidate.
Santorum will go after Iowa. Huntsman exits after New Hampshire. Bachmann should also leave after Iowa, but will desperately try to stay. Paul will see it to the bitter end unless he seeks the Libertarian ticket – much to Gary Johnson’s despair. Key unanswered questions are when Perry departs and where his support will go?
Quite a few people are saying they hope every republican drops out... Yet they don't seem to realize or care that something like that defeats the purpose of democracy. We all have a cconstitutional right to a candidate with different beliefs than the incumbant, even if they probably don't stand a chance or you don't agree with them. I'm a registered independant and as much as these republican candidates worry me, I would be much more worried with none at all... Besides, if that were the case it would just give Trump a chance to run unopposded and noone wants that 🙂
If Ron Paul makes it, then I plan to vote for him. If any other republican makes it, I will vote for Obama. Ron Paul is the only one that can beat Obama. Why? Because he is the only one that can take about 20% of the democrats votes away from Obama. None of the others can pull even close to that amount. Marijuana smokers will vote Ron Paul, even the Democrats. Read some blogs, go to Norml.org and see who is advertising there-yep-Ron Paul. He's not a dumb box of rocks like many of the candidates. Ron can get a 20% pull from democrats on the marijuana issue alone. Don't under estimate the numbers of Marijuana smokers. 70% of democrats thing marijuana should be legalized. 1 out of 3 of those would vote Ron Paul just because of his stance on the matter. Do the math. It's simple really. Ron Paul is the only one that can beat Obama, and the Republicans are to stupid t see it, so Obama will win again, probably against Romney. Romney couldn't even beat John McCain last time round, so what's his chance of doing what John couldn't. There's your simple math-he will lose to Obama-Period. Ron Paul or Obama-your choice.
Do you have any idea about the history of Ron Paul, he is a hate mongering guy, use to be a "john Bircher' If you are not 'white' and a 'man' this guy isn't the right guy to be in any public office. Read something about this guys history, its disgusting.
Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum. they will be done.
Rick Perry will stay in as long as the money is going into his pockets.
Jon Huntsman will keep going and will speak at the convention.
Santorum out after Iowa. Bachmann out after NH. Perry hangs in for one or two more primaries before folding. Huntsman throws in the towel about the same time as Perry (a shame, btw). Paul hangs on for awhile before petering out. It comes down to Newt and Mitt with Mitt slowly pulling away.
Can't wait to after Iowa when Mitt has to explain the Mormon cult to those Christian folk. He's gonna have to fess up about his fairy tale faith.
The GOP candidates are all extremist Christians hate mongering, irrational, misinformed individuals that are an embarrassment to the Republican party and to the American people. What a sham, got to wonder where all the money is coming from to put this group up there and for what reason.
I don't think we'll see any drop outs after Iowa...maybe not even NH. There is no clear front runner, and add into the mix that there is a good chunk of crazy in this field...I think we just may have several candidates pull a Huckabee this primary season.
Wolf, we should have at least four dropping out after Iowa. After all as you wrote the only ones who made the Va.
ballot are Romney and Paul the rest didn't get the paperwork right and the best part of that is that is Gingrich's home
state. This group of GOP baffons are not anything but a speedbump for Pres. Obama for 2012.
Obama by at least 10 points!
I'm hoping they all stay in as long as possible, offending each other's supporters. Then, when it comes down to the GOP choice, I hope the runner up will run as a 3rd party candidate, splitting the vote. I may not be thrilled with Obama, but the other choices (while most aren't as disgusting as Bush II) are disasters waiting to happen.
Not one member of the GOP establishment, including all of the GOP candidates other than Ron Paul, spoke out against the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows the President to murder, torture or imprison FOR LIFE any citizen of the United States the President declares a "terrorist". This is TREASON, as defined by the Constitution, as those members of Congress who voted for the National Defense Authorization Act declared war on citizens of the United States and those GOP candidates who have remained silent are giving "aid and comfort to the enemy."
Several of these candidates will drop out when they think they have achieved their objectives, which in most cases appears to me to be their own show on Fox News.
The fear about Barry's re election problems when faced with a real leader like Romney, is palpable. Make it a Romney-Christie ticket, and it's adios chairman O
Pawlenty should rejoin the race. There's an empty seat on the Republican's political rollercoaster.
Butt I think Santorum will be the first to plotz. It stinks, but he will never live down the Google stain.
We have to admit it–we're fielding a pretty weak group of candidates. There are plenty of Republican leaders who are superior to any of these people and who could give Obama a good run. I don't think any of this current group will beat Obama. I'm hopping for a latecomer.
I think anyone can beat Obama including hillary
Agreed. The GOP field is very weal AND looney.
Right now it seems like a long shot but I would like to see Huntsman. Huntsman is the only candidate to ignore partisan politics and proudly serve the USA. Those other GOP clowns are too busy pandering to the religious right and could care less about the country.
Well Bucky, there is always the Donald Trump/Sarah Palin ticket.
Latecomer? The Iowa Caucuses are less than a week away, and the deadline has past in most states to apply to be included on the ballot for those states such as Virginia. This is it brother, better start accepting it and start learning about the existing candidates and stop following the "weak group" rhetoric. Who knows, one of them might surprise you and you may find one you like.
@Bucky, I think you're partially right but wrong in the sense that in my opinion there is 1 candidate that can beat Obama. That man is John Huntsman...He's very well qualified and has the interests of the country first and foremost above his own agenda. He's willing to play both sides of the isle to get things done and moving forward. Sadly for the GOP and Id like to emphasize the old in Grand OLD Party, theyre too stuck in their ultra conservative state of mind to see that they have a viable candidate within their party. They would rather lose the presidential election and stick to their Obama blocking ways then get a Republican in there who would do the right thing for America and not just for his party.
they may be weak but a thousand times better than our current president
With Obama's track record my Grandmother can beat Obama
I think a new problem for Obama is how many DEM have "Retired" can't wait for Harry Reid's announcement
Huntsman is the only adult in the room. I doubt he will get far, but if he does, he has my vote.
It would be just great if all of a sudden they all dropped out.
I agree, it would be good if they all dropped out, what a bunch of wing nuts.
Most of all this verbage is focused on domestic issues.., clearly a matter of intense interest and well worthy of the time. However, the fortunes of the US (employment, manufacturing, finance, technological innovation, import, export, etc) are now and will continue to be strongly associated with the fortunes of the EU, China, Brasil, Russia, Thialand, Japan and so on. Those who suggest otherwise haven't been awake since 1952. Which of these candidates can you see being taken seriously by Christine LeGuarde (sp?), Sarkozy, Angela Merkle, Putin, Medvedev, Harper, Cameron, etc. Some of these candidates don't know who these people are, but these people know who the candidates are. Even the Arabs are watching closely.., in pure amazement.
Wolf, I can only hope you are right. Let's hope for 3 drop out speeches. I have had enough of all of these candidates dancing around. Time to get down to business.
Romney will probably hold on, but he is not viewed as Republican enough as he has helped people that don't have $500,000 .interest free Tiffany Accounts. He sways toward the left and doesn't try to pray away the gay. None of them will win anyway, so I hope Obama gets a Congress that actually works together. The American People have seen who needs to be voted OUT, now to see how many complainers get off their duffs and actually VOTE.... 2012
Unless there is an open convention no one can run in the states.
GOP is stuck with this lot
Gingrich's 84 ethics violations caused him to resign as speaker of the house, including felony bribery and the cover up of the Mark Foley Scandal to hold on to the republican majority in the house. Not to mention his involvement in the Fanny Freddy mess.
Conservative voters will overlook ANY flaws if a candidate uses the right catch phrases and mirrors the voters' attitudes.
too much ego all around wont see a drop out until super tuesday in march
Romney will be the final one standing. Not that it matters.
It wouldn't matter... because Romney is hardly different from Obama, who is in turn hardly different from George W. Bush. Ron Paul is notably different than all of them. His nomination would give us the only presidential contest that would provide a meaningful choice.
Oh God ! Let's hope not. I'd rather see a Trump-Rush ticket .... LOL
Bookenz: You're probably right about Romney being the last one standing. You're probably mistaken about that not being something that matters.
I'd like to see Gingrich debate Ron Paul.
Paul will NEVER agree to that. He would be instantly seen as insane.
The only reason the northern talkers are touting Rick Santorum and talking about his "imaginary" surge is to keep Gov Rick Perry who really is rising, in check. With Gingrich falling, right or wrong, the hope is the votes will go to Santorum to knock Perry out before the thing goes south where Perry will be strongest which scares both the left and the right. So if Perry is knocked out, the thought is, Santorum isn't going any where any way so... two birds.
I expect Fox to tout Santorum, he appeared on For The Record as much as Gov Pawlenty did, remember him?
Funny how all this praise is coming now that Gingrich is falling, they need to build up Santorum to keep the Bush thorn Gov Perry from rising.
As far as Iraq, anytime the blame can be pushed off of obama and back to the last administration, an interviewer will take the opportunity, but obama is now in full control, he pulled the troops out, this is now his call......
I have to agree with you. Obama ownes it now.
Obama only "owns it" for as long as Ron Paul is not the nominee. Paul would make it clear to people that they voted for "change" with Obama, and instead they got GWB on steroids. None of the other GOP candidates would call Obama out for being a warmonger and an enemy of civil liberties. With any of the others... yes, Obama would "own it".
Fox is hell-bent on nominating Romney. They bad-mouth all others. They are soooo blatant about it.
Perry, is just another Bush... after spending a decade living / tollerating the Bush family, I'm not about to elect a Bubby clone into office.
Where does Perry's $$ come from?
Ron Paul's come from active and retired military donations.
I thought George Washington gave it to him.
Perrys money comes from charles and david koch. halliburton, exon mobile, bp america and a few more oil companys.
on mobile.
We hear ya!
Just saw you interview with Newt well his staying above the fray and not going negative was short lived you gave him a lot of free air time to go negative on Paul and Romney and he did, but he will tell you he didn't and only stated facts. What a way with words for a politician. I believe that if Newt wants to have the debates like he had with Cain and Huntsman Obama wont waste his time to the love fest we saw with Huntsman what a joke.
Ron Paul is killing them out there. Ron Paul will restore America. The other guys will try and blow up iran starting ww3. the choice is yours.
that's why I pick Obama
Obama supports the very same foreign policy that GWB did. He supports the very same ongoing attack on civil liberties. Supporting Obama is no different from supporting Romney or Gingrich in this regard. To believe otherwise is to believe that our foreign policy choices have no consequences whatsoever.
Obama,
I'm voting Obama.
Obama
Ron Paul wants to end Social Security. Yeah, that will play real well in the general election.
Ron Paul hasn't a chance because of the Ron Paul newsletters from 20 years ago. I know he claims he didn't read everything, but he should have. If I had my own newsletter I'd even care where the commas were.
Anybody who votes for Ron Paul is definitely delusional.
Ron Paul is a flip flopper, he was a libertarian, but now he is a republican... Ron Paul the flip flopper should drop out.
I watched gingrich today on your show and if he gets the nomination its an other four years of Obama and team.
It's amazing how he can lie with a smile, typical washington insider. the only thing he had to admit was the sound bite with Nancy Pelosi thats because it was on video tape. Also its amazing that the 300,000.00 dollars was not a fine but they were not suppose to talk about it . If it was nothing why not open it up for all to see ! liar liar ! I pray he fails.
If the "rich" are given tax breaks because they create jobs, as Republicans insist, why not create a tax structure which will reward those who invest in companies who hire & retain new, or additional employees? If GE creates 100 or 500 new US jobs in 2012, for instance, then provide a tax allowance to those who buy GE stock. Same incentive for a new, start-up business.
That's the problem. The 'rich' have been given all kinds of breaks and incentives to "trickle down" their govt welfare. Started back during the Reagan years with supply side economics – and it never worked.
Don't give the rich anything, start taking. If the 'rich' will not "trickle down" their wealth to start creating jobs and hiring people, start taxing the he11 out of them. The 'rich' have a responsibility to our country to participate in the economy for the benefit of all. They have the means to get people back to work, instead they hoard it for themselves.
Isn't that the Newt proposal ?
Wolf, once again, you prove to be the classiest, most knowledgeable journalist working on any news channel.
Newt looked lovable in the Situation Room, just not believable.
The Newt GIngrich thinks that if Iran gets a nuclear bomb they would attack a US city. If he thinks we'd believe that; he must think we're pretty stupid.
He's pandering to CNN and would be better representing the people that could vote him.
They should all drop out.
Perry should drop out now and save his money!
That would be right, if it WAS his money.
Gerald Celente is right!! Ron Paul (P) and Ralph Nader (VP) for the 2012 presidential tikcet The only change we saw with obama is three wars insead of two I am sure that mccain/palin would have us in a land war with Russia and China by now (because we are so exceptional!!) but I find myself believing obama about as much as I believed nixon would I buy a used car from either of them? (ans: NO!)
Santorum will probably be the first to drop out, followed by Bachmann. Romney will be the next president, for better or worse.
Romney is just another Obama, who was just another GWB. If it's going to be one of those guys, it doesn't really matter which one.
I believe Mitt Romney will be the front runner, not the president of the United States!
New Hampshire always was and always will be "the race to watch".
Since these candidates are not polling that high, I would think it depends on how much of their support they are able to throw to any one candidate. If those people get spread out to the other candidates, then maybe the impact is not that great. But if they can deliver the majority of their supporters to another candidate, that could be significant.
|Well it sounds as though you)re saying Santorum is running scared around the country, then he must be one who)le drop out. She definitly won)t.
Of all the current crop of candidates, Romney is the only one remotely qualified to be POTUS. The Repugnican't Party needs an ALT-CTL_DEL in the worst way.
Such wisdom, Wolf! However, you didn't phrase it in the form of a question, so we'll have to penalyze you.
Wolf, Why are you not calling out Newt for sitting there saying that he won't say anything negitive about anyone in public. Is he not in public , when he is on your show and saying things that have never been proven by anyone , unlike the charges that have been levied against him. This is the most self rightious person that has ever graced your show. He does not appear to except the blame for anything in his past . Call him out please.
Amen!
Wolf-
I am neither a Republican nor Democrat, I have always voted for who I thought was the best candidate. There is one thing I am sure of: Although Ron Paul may have some sound agruments on fiscal spending there is a name for countries who elect leaders which have is views world issues. They are called extinct.
You are right. He is a good man but VERY VERY unrealistic. If he had his way we would all be still living in the "old west" and be setteling disputes via dueling. Or...we would all be working for a major corporation and be like the stepford wifes. No thank you!
Wow. That's a huge, unsubstantiated leap, to say the least.
True...his ideals are far to one side and some would say outdated. However, we have swung WAY too far the other way, as far as trade agreements, policing the planet, and government power of its citizens. I think if he were the candidate, electing him could help bring it all back into balance.
exactly !!
It's too bad they won't all drop out. It seems to me that the GOP presidential campaign is simply an expensive waste of time.
They don't mind wasting other people's money on these ego runs. Fact is the lot of them are 1000000% unelectable garbage.
The Republican Party is now becoming the DONNER PARTY!! Bon appetit!
Wish I'd said that!
Wolf ask what does newt have to say about Romney today comparing him to a Lucy comedy skit?
Perry and Bachman should have dropped out by now. Why are they still wasting other peoples' money?
EGO, pure and simple.
I have been a regular viewer of "The Situation Room" for years. I've long been aggravated by Mr. Blitzer's relentless promotion and hype. However, he crossed the line this afternoon at about 4:30 pm. He expressly stated that the next segment would be a live interview with Newt Gingrich. After the break, he announced that the interview would take place in a few minutes and turned to another story. I turned off the show and will not turn back to it. Only a fool would seek to obtain news from a liar.
huh?
In what way did he lie?
Rich Santorum ,and Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry should but he so brain dead he Isn't smart enough to get out. All three of these should drop out but maybe two won't be smart enough.
You're the best, Wolf. Keep on bloggin'.
I suspect they will drop out in the following order:
Santorum
Bachman
Perry
Mittens
Newt
Huntsman
Trump
and I think we will be seeing a lot more of Huntsman, as a VP.
Santorum and Backman have no chance to win. Perry, Gingrich and Hutsman have no chance to win the nominee. We need to pick between Ron Paul and Mitt Rommey then I will vote Ron Paul.
If Ron Paul is not elected I will make sure my vote goes for Obama.
Ashley, I agree – Other than Dr. Paul, I fundamentally disagree with other republican candidates on foreign policy and will therefore never vote for them. I will vote for Obama before I vote for another empire seeking president.
I have the same opinion. I would have to carefully consider my vote if it were between Obama and RP. Right now, our government is growing in power beyond belief. Just look at the defense bill that negates our constitutional rights. RP was the only candidate that spoke out against it. Gingrich actually thinks it doesn't go far enough. Sure, if you take away our privacy, liberty and freedom, I'm sure we can all be 99% safe against the 'scary terrorists'. But then...what's the point of being an American?
Huntsman does not have any crazy foreign policy lined up. He is the only LOGICAL one. He's a family man. Huntsman/Romney could beat Obama.
Oh, Wolf, you have too much confidence in these individuals demonstrating Common Sense. Especially when three of the candidates (Bachmann, Santorum and Perry) all believe they have a mandate from God to run. I have a feeling that some of these folks will still be around until after the Florida primary even though by then we should be down to just two or three viable candidates.
as the lyrics to the old song mentioned, "what will be, will be",but rest assured, it will NOT be Ron Paul.
Thank God !!
Old what's his name, uh, uh, Perry, that's it Perry. Right?
Wolf, I would love to see a movement for Colin Powell to run for President, even though he's said that he's not interested. I think it would shake up the current candidates and possibly force them to start acting Presidential in tone and message.
I hope we hear 7 drop out speeches.
Bachmann is done....... They keep talking about her win in the Straw Poll. She paid the entery fee for 6000 people to attend the thing and only scored about 4300 votes. This in her home state and she's going to get hammered..........I hope she moves back there in March.
Ron Paul lost to Rep Bachman by less than 1/2% and he did not pay for the straw pollers nor country music festival.
Paul does not pay for his supporters ???? Who do you think you are kidding. hahahahahaha
Seven drop-out speeches would be just right!!!
Whether anyone likes it or not, it's probably going to be a face-off between Romney and Paul.
If Ron Paul's health is good,our country needs him the same as Arizona needs Sheriff Joe.If we ship all the illegals back to their country,look at the money that will be saved as they get everything free.Us citizens do not,we have to work and pay taxes so $12 million dollars can be wasted on a vacation to Hawaii.It is a felony to be here illegally so lets start enforcing the law.Also lets get out of the wars and save many lives and more money.Jim Thomas Phx.Az.
I can assure you Wolf will be increasing his attacks on Ron, he will never support anyone who does not think that Americans should continue to die for Israel in wars in the middle east.
America does not need Ron Paul. He has been in Washington for several decades now and has accomplished very little during that time. Ron Paul is the right wing version of Ralph Nader.
Who knows who will drop out?! Another question is "Who SHOULD drop out after Iowa?