Why the GOP is undecided

I believe that the reason why no one has emerged as a viable candidate to Mitt Romney is that the candidates either did not have broad appeal on conservative issues and could not back up their claims adequately. Perry can't remember anything, Gingrich has too much baggage, Huntsman is liberal, bachmann can't get her facts straight, and Paul has a
Isolationist foreign policy. Santorum needs broader appeal.

Romney and Bain Capital

Wow this interesting. Romney is being attacked by both sides. You would expect that from the democrats but republicans do that at their own peril. Especially going into South Carolina where 60 percent of voters are evangelical Christians and most of them are likely pro business.
The fallout is that Perry lost a key endorsement who is now backing Romney. If Romney wins South Carolina most of the other candidates will probably drop out. Even if Paul stays in it will make no difference.

Romney wins NH

Former governor Mitt Romney wins New Hampshire, Paul comes in second and Huntsman comes in third. Now the Romey campaign heads to South Carolina where of he wins there he is well on his way to becoming the party's nominee.

Romney the nominee?

Mitt Romney with his narrow victory in Iowa is now in New Hampshire. Will the state of New Hampshiire deliver the state to him or make him wait a little longer.  A recent poll in New Hampshire indicated a 20 point lead for the presumed front runner.  Although some campaign officials are concerned about complacency in the first in the nation primary.  The campaign is pulling out a grass roots effort to make sure their supporters show up at the polls on Tuesday.  Meanwhile Romney did campaign in South Carolina where Romney has a slight lead over Rick Santorum.  It was reported earlier that a group of prominent conservatives were meeting in Texas because they are concerned that if Ronmey is nominated that he is not conservative enough.

Meanwhile the race for second is a dead heat between the surging Santorum, and others like Gingrich, Hunstman, Perry.  Who will challenge Romney in the precding states?  Santorum did an excellent job of pivoting from his speech in Iowa to focus on the economy and blue collar roots while still reminding conservatives of his socially conservative credentials.  I think Hunstman is out of it because he hasnt make much progress but we will find out Tuesday night if skipping Iowa was a strategic good move.  While Perry has good conservative credentials he has to prove himself knowledgable and and more credible on a debate stage.  Obama will eat him for lunch.  Gingrich is fascinating but his past baggage has clearly cost him even though he clearly has command of the issues. 

There are two key issues at play here.  Can Romney keeep the socially conservative candidatesdivided up long enough to get the nomnation?  Will the unemployment rate continue to drop?  Romneys camp is counting on the economy to be a key issue. While the rate is going down it will dependent on whether the people feel like things are getting better.  We are the worlds leader so people will not find a mediocre economy acceptable. 

GOP going down to the wire in IA

GOP hopefulls are getting ready to Tuesday night as Iowans cast the first in the nation caucus to decide who will challenge Obama for the next election.  Romney has been down this road before.  Although he hopes for a different result.  His electablity and appeal across the middle has attracted moderates in the party who may have otherwise passed him for a more culturally conservative candidate.  He also has had a track record of turning around troubled companies and organizations around.  Many other candidates such as Santorum, Bachmann, Perry and Gingrich are vying for the culturally conservative vote.  This may be a strategic advantage for Romney because these other candidate will likely split the convservate vote while attracting those who are economic conservatives who are worried about the economy.  So the question is will conservatism or economics be on the minds of Iowa republicans Tuesday night?  We"ll see.

GOP races to the Iowa finish line

As the day gets closer, presidential caniddates are racing to meet as many Iowans as possible and show that they have the street cred to be the republican nominee.  Most polls shows that most caucus goers are still undecided. Why?  The candidates fall into two basic camps right now.  Either very conservative but unelectable or electable but not conservative enough.  Charismatic or knowledgable.  The question is who will beat Obama?  I believe that Romney has the best chance for the Republican party.  I was on his steering presidential steering committee. No candidate is conservate, knowledgable or charismatic enough to clearly lead the pack.  Romney has led most of the way.  We have had a president who was very charismatic but clearly cannot get the job done. 

Does Iowa Straw poll really matter?

The field of GOP candidates are racing to the finish line as the Iowa straw poll is expected to take place at Iowa State University on Saturday.  But before that there will be debate on Friday sponsored by Fox News and the Washington Examiner.  Its been debated whether the outcome of this straw poll really does anything.  Minnesota candidates Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann have been pouding the poltiical pavement.  Mitt Romney has been noticeably absent but has been able to support a campaign financial network from his last run for president in 2008.