Unfortunately I was unable to attend CPAC. I have too many mommy duties this week and not enough spare change to afford the trip anyway. From what I am hearing though, it might be a good thing I am not there.
According to this report at ABP, someone from Mitt Romney's campaign was handing out a flyer ("Has anyone seen John in a while?") taunting McCain for not attending and some were handing out flip-flops ("Mitt Flops") with Romney's picture on them.
I am also hearing that some in McCain's campaign were shopping a story about an associate of
Rudy Giuliani to some blogs and other media outlets at CPAC. The story, alleging that an associate of
Giuliani's had pedophile-priest issues, was reported last week at Newsday, but must not have gotten as much attention as some in the McCain campaign wanted. The subject of the story denies the charges.
I participated in a conference call last month with some members of McCain's senior staff. I thought the call was a really smart move for the campaign and a comment from one blogger on the call in particular really resonated with me. The blogger said "I hope we can run a clean campaign here. We're going to have to take one of these guys at the end of the day and we're all going to have to support the candidate so I hope you take the high road..."
That is where I am right now. Candidates will, and should, tout their own positives and point out the negatives in other candidates. I know that it is important in the primary process to test the candidates. There is a difference, though, between dealing with facts and issues and pushing stories full of unproven allegations about a friend of the candidate. With all the complaining McCain did in South Carolina in the 2000 primary about tactics used against him, I hoped to see a 2008 primary that did not include such nastiness. I fear that is exactly what is happening now though. As some candidates surge forward in the polls and others begin to lag behind, I fear desperation will lead some to take the low road. At the end of the day, the candidate left standing is the one that we will be depending on to hold the White House. I hope those engaging in primary politics will keep that in mind and will choose the high road.
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Comments (9)
The candidate that won't re... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GeminiChuck | March 2, 2007 7:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The candidate that won't result to mudslinging is Newt. Sure, he called Hillary "nasty" - but stating such obvious facts should be acceptable for any candidate. GO NEWT!
gc
1. Posted by GeminiChuck | March 2, 2007 7:59 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 07:59
2. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 8:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
While I believe Newt has said that he isn't running, I believe he'd make a better President than any of the current contenders. The problem is that I'm not sure that he could win in the general election. The pendulum of public preference tends to swing away from whatever party has been in power.
Having said that, there was interesting comment made at a recent 'debate' in NYC between Mario Cuomo and Newt Gingrich. Tim Russert, the moderator, asked Cuomo who he favored in the '08 Presidential election. To which Cuomo remarked, that he was disappointed with the Democrat candidates and would choose Gingrich on the Republican side. Gingrich is a Regan Conservative and there were more than a few 'Regan Democrats'...
2. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 8:30 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 08:30
3. Posted by wavemaker | March 2, 2007 9:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Cuomo's remark must have been t.v. tact.
I don't mind candidates questioning each other's conservative credentials or pointing out flip-flops -- but the "my opponent's friend is a pedophile" or "his great grandfather was a polygamist," or -- one of my favorites -- "his landscaper hired some illegals" -- they just don't add anything meaningful to the debate.
I would also include on the "fair" list, "she made a hundred grand in a commodities trade all by herself," et cetera.
3. Posted by wavemaker | March 2, 2007 9:11 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:11
4. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 9:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It wouldn't surprise me if it was simply 'tv tact'. However, given that Fmr NYC Mayor Ed Koch, a lifelong Democrat, supported Bush in '04 (for the same reason Lieberman did), it's plausible that it wasn't more than that.
I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but for anyone who might be interested there's recording of the Gingrich / Cuomo 'debate' (website appears to be having problems at the moment).
www.americansolutions.com/webcast
4. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 9:47 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:47
5. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 9:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
should read:
...it's plausible that it was more than that.
5. Posted by _Mike_ | March 2, 2007 9:47 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:47
6. Posted by GeminiChuck | March 2, 2007 9:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Wavemaker: Good point about Hillary's incredible success in the commidity markets turning 10K into 100K for a 1000% gain. Shouldnt those "excess" profits be taken per her own philosophy?
6. Posted by GeminiChuck | March 2, 2007 9:59 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:59
7. Posted by serfer62 | March 2, 2007 3:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Whatever, if MacAss is the nominee I will vote for any Kommiecrat contestent.
I will accept Guilani if nominated, but isn't there someome better. Hunter perhaps?...
7. Posted by serfer62 | March 2, 2007 3:52 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 15:52
8. Posted by Watchman | March 2, 2007 4:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hunter is the best conservative candidate (despite the James Garfield problem). And his showing in the SC straw poll has to be an eye-opener to a lot of people. I'm behind him 100%.
8. Posted by Watchman | March 2, 2007 4:26 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2007 16:26
9. Posted by slingshot | March 3, 2007 12:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
i also heard ann coulter called john edwards a faggot just before endorsing romney. now that's an endorsement he needs! do conservatives really just consider coulter some kind of very nasty comedian? this is actually a serious question.
9. Posted by slingshot | March 3, 2007 12:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2007 00:53