Iowa
By Mitch Berg
Disjointed random thoughts about Iowa:
- Let The Donnybrook Roll: I think the results last night were about the best possible outcome for the GOP as a whole. All the talk of the nomination being a predetermined conclusion is on hold, at least for now (and hopefully for quite some time); whether you’re a western libertarian-conservative, an evangelical or a pro-business, law-and-order conservative, you have a dog on the race. More importantly, all those dogs matter; the longer the social-con and libertarian dogs run even with Romney, the more he has to concede to them – us – to eke out the nomination. And at the same time, Santorum is going to have to figure out how to appeal to activists and voters in New Hampshire, Florida and Utah (not his natural constituencies) as well as South Carolina. The winner? All of us who want a conservative who’s primed to kick Obama’s ass in November.
- Come Home, Michele: You took your best shot. And it was a very good shot – the first woman to get into the GOP caucuses, likely the first of many. Maybe the first of several tries for you. But it’s over now, and I think you know it (as this is written, rumors have it your next presser will be to bow out; we’ll see). You need to come back to the Sixth District and win – I’m guessing 15 points this time – and use the mojo you’ve acquired over this campaign to move into leadership, and build that resume. And, let’s not forget, work on that message discipline; as I’ve said, when you’re “on”, there’s scarcely a politician out there who can out-motivate you from the stump. On the other hand, there are times when you shoot yourself in the foot with a belt-fed M240G machine gun. I’m not going to recount the times – the media and your various local obsessive stalkers will do that for us – but let’s call it a growth opportunity; the next time you get a communications director who knows what he or she is doing, take their counsel.
Discuss.
January 4th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Come Home, Michele
She’s my rep and in that role she’s awesome. She’s going to have to get a lot better in a lot of ways (some of which you mentioned here) if she wants to move into executive races… say! maybe a governor’s race and a successful term or two prior to a presidential run?
January 4th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
You need to come back to the Sixth District and win – I’m guessing 15 points this time
That depends on how the 6th is drawn, don’t you think? I might be wrong about this, but at least one potential map puts her home in the 4th CD.
January 4th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
That potential map was the DFL’s version, drawn using rules that the court tossed out in (I think) November.
It’s possible, but – given that the map ONLY existed to district Bachmann out of office – unlikely, if the court follows its own decision.
January 4th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Huh, turns out the top five finishers were white guys. A total coincidence, of course. Like always.
January 4th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I’ll ignore the Clown because it’s beneath any form of dignity, but I do want to acknowledge Michele’s contribution to the debate. She elevated the discourse, stayed on message and never wavered in conviction. She’s quite the amazing specimen. What is undeniable is this woman would probably be the best neighbor anyone could ever have.
January 4th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Sure, Stinkweed. If your dog ever peed on her manically tended lawn, she’d poison it.
January 4th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
And ac isn’t qualified to mow her lawn!
January 4th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Angryclown mowed her lawn once, but didn’t like the looks he got from Marcus.
January 4th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I’m glad Bachmann is out, she belongs in the House (ok that pun was so not intended but whatever). I think she may win by 20 points this time around depending on how the lines are drawn. Speaking of that Mitch, when are you going to do another expose on Draw the Line Minnesota? Or have you said all that needs to be said?
January 4th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Michelle Bachmann is from Iowa, or weren’t any of you listening? She is about as exciting as a wordpress blog. She has no accomplishments whatsoever in either business or the “government” where she has made most of her money. So go ahead, urge her on. If the 6th District wants to elect someone from Iowa, then let her present her Minnesota ID, if it’s still valid. Wonder what the campaign debt is to date…
January 4th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Hot chicks with Michele Bachman eyes:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/hot-chicks-with-michele-bachmeyes
January 5th, 2012 at 12:49 am
Bachmann’s “contribution to the debate” was to eliminate Tim Pawlenty.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:12 am
Hot chicks with Michele Bachman eyes
Because it’s less off-putting than “Hot Chicks with Tina Brown’s Face”.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:50 am
Hot chicks with Michele Bachmann’s eyes
Liberals think Michelle O is a Hot Chick? Really?
January 5th, 2012 at 7:30 am
Even so, oldjohnnie, I would guess that her accomplishments exceed yours by a factor of 50. Successfully raising 27 children, 23 of them that she did not bring into the world and turning them into productive citizens is a significant accomplishment. So, come back here when you have a point. It will make it so much more interesting to the readers!
January 5th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Well bosshoss, I guess Michelle Bachmann is a great Mom. Forgive me and 95% of Iowa Republicans for not feeling that is quite enough to make a President of the United States. The point about her “Iowa-ness” will be apparent soon enough if she seeks new or renewed office in Minnesota.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0LIU1cW5jM
January 5th, 2012 at 10:39 am
“Successfully raising 27 children, 23 of them that she did not bring into the world…”
Big deal. She’s Michelle Duggar without the commitment.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
angryclown said:
“Huh, turns out the top five finishers were white guys. A total coincidence, of course. Like always.”
Huh, turns out angryclowns political opponents are conveniently racist and sexist. A total coincidence, of course. Like always.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
No, ac, more like their birth parents didn’t have a commitment; can’t take care of your kids; pass ’em off on someone else! Classic liberat doctrine – more welfare babies!
“The point about her “Iowa-ness” will be apparent soon enough if she seeks new or renewed office in Minnesota.”
Only if the DemocRATs get their farce of a redistricting plan through the courts. Considering that George Soros’ hand picked puppet of the left wing, Mark Ritchie is from Iowa, is his Iowa-ness is OK? What about the former Iowans that have built businesses here, providing hundreds of jobs? I guess their Iowa-ness is suspect, too, huh?
January 5th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
And ac isn’t qualified to mow her lawn!
In fairness to mangy clown, there aren’t a lot of lawns in Passaic, NJ. He merely lacks the experience.