SRL Archive - Discussions & Debates

So the caucus is tonight who do you guys think will win it?
I hope ron paul does.

I hope Romney wins it. That would streamline the primary process.

The only thing I have against a Ron Paul victory is that Iowa allows people to change their registration for one day at the caucus to masquerade as Republicans just to try to manipulate the outcome. People that probably won't support any other Repub nominee but Paul, or might even vote for Obama over Ron Paul in the general election.

Ron Paul is way ahead among these sort of fake voters. It's an abuse of the nomination process. That would mean a Ron Paul victory would just muddy the entire process. It would make the result more about the process than the candidates, which is a shame for everyone in Iowa. If the Iowa caucuses were more strict, I wouldn't mind a Ron Paul victory there at all.

If Santorum wins, that would be a major boost for him. But like Mike Hucksterbee in 2008, I don't think he has lasting appeal and isn't likely to get the nomination in the end. That would be the most disruptive outcome of all, I think.

I don't think any other candidate has a chance of finishing near the top, and will become increasingly irrelevant. Hopefully more than one of them drop out after tonight.

From: tarajunky
I hope Romney wins it. That would streamline the primary process.

The only thing I have against a Ron Paul victory is that Iowa allows people to change their registration for one day at the caucus to masquerade as Republicans just to try to manipulate the outcome. People that probably won't support any other Repub nominee but Paul, or might even vote for Obama over Ron Paul in the general election.

Ron Paul is way ahead among these sort of fake voters. It's an abuse of the nomination process. That would mean a Ron Paul victory would just muddy the entire process. It would make the result more about the process than the candidates, which is a shame for everyone in Iowa. If the Iowa caucuses were more strict, I wouldn't mind a Ron Paul victory there at all.

If Santorum wins, that would be a major boost for him. But like Mike Hucksterbee in 2008, I don't think he has lasting appeal and isn't likely to get the nomination in the end. That would be the most disruptive outcome of all, I think.

I don't think any other candidate has a chance of finishing near the top, and will become increasingly irrelevant. Hopefully more than one of them drop out after tonight.

I think any democrats who go to caucus for ron paul would be planning on voting for him as well, as he is obamas greatest threat in the general election, so it would be dumb for democrats to masquerade as republicans to do so. Outside of the reddit hivemind, I don't know anyone who is planning on doing that though (I live in Iowa, will be caucusing tonight).
Santorum is a low-life thug imo who stands no chance. I just don't like too many things about Romney for me to support him. I like Huntsman, I know he's obviously not going to win it, but I think he would be the best person to in fact win it. He's not an extremest or a religious idealouge. And he doesn't have the baggage that Ginngrich has.

From: [Nathan]
I think any democrats who go to caucus for ron paul would be planning on voting for him as well, as he is obamas greatest threat in the general election, so it would be dumb for democrats to masquerade as republicans to do so. Outside of the reddit hivemind, I don't know anyone who is planning on doing that though (I live in Iowa, will be caucusing tonight).
Santorum is a low-life thug imo who stands no chance. I just don't like too many things about Romney for me to support him. I like Huntsman, I know he's obviously not going to win it, but I think he would be the best person to in fact win it. He's not an extremest or a religious idealouge. And he doesn't have the baggage that Ginngrich has.

Isn't one of the candidate the man who married his high school teacher? I think it was gingrich. And the he divorced her and married his mistress.

From: Jhangir
Isn't one of the candidate the man who married his high school teacher? I think it was gingrich. And the he divorced her and married his mistress.

This is his 3rd marriage iirc. One of the women he divorced was terminally ill iirc.

Ron Paul 2012.

From: noidea
This is his 3rd marriage iirc. One of the women he divorced was terminally ill iirc.

Ron Paul 2012.

What a boss

I don't like that Ron Paul hasn't ruled out a 3rd party run if he doesn't win the Repub nomination.

He has strong principles, but he doesn't apply good judgment to them. He may think the system is broken and needs an outside voice, but running as a 3rd party candidate and handing Obama re-election isn't the way to help the country.

It would be like Ross Perot all over again. Obama would win with 40% of the vote from all the moochers and the country would go down the drain once and for all.

From: tarajunky
I don't like that Ron Paul hasn't ruled out a 3rd party run if he doesn't win the Repub nomination.

He has strong principles, but he doesn't apply good judgment to them. He may think the system is broken and needs an outside voice, but running as a 3rd party candidate and handing Obama re-election isn't the way to help the country.

It would be like Ross Perot all over again. Obama would win with 40% of the vote from all the moochers and the country would go down the drain once and for all.

That does not mean he is going to run. It'll depend on what you've said.
24% Ron Paul, 23% Romney.

From: tarajunky
I don't like that Ron Paul hasn't ruled out a 3rd party run if he doesn't win the Repub nomination.

He has strong principles, but he doesn't apply good judgment to them. He may think the system is broken and needs an outside voice, but running as a 3rd party candidate and handing Obama re-election isn't the way to help the country.

It would be like Ross Perot all over again. Obama would win with 40% of the vote from all the moochers and the country would go down the drain once and for all.

Very true, we do not need a Perot situation again… I was quite young at the time but I've done plenty of reading on it.

Ron Paul would be my #1, but sadly 90% (or so) of the official republican party doesn't even like him.

I live in Iowa as well. haii [Nathan]!
Update:

Rick Santorum 29,968 24.5%
Mitt Romney 29,964 24.5%
Ron Paul 26,186 21.4%
Newt Gingrich 16,241 13.3%
Rick Perry 12,592 10.3%

Romney wins by *8* votes.

Crazy close.