ashlux
12-28-2007, 04:26 PM
I have one friend who is definitely a typical Republican. He's not crazy about Bush's big government populism. It'd be a near-cold day in hell before he'd vote Democrat (he has only done so twice because he thought they were more conservative than the Republican counterpart).
At first, very shortly after the Giuliani/Paul stuff, he thought Ron Paul was outright crazy, a definite loon. He was excited about Fred Thompson to getting into the race. Ron Paul would have been his last GOP choice, besides Giuliani and Romney. Thompson was definitely his #1 choice.
Like many early Thompson supporters, his support for Thompson dwindled once Thompson actually joined the race. Paul was still back of his favorites list, but rose slightly. My friend doesn't think of Paul as a loon much now.
About three weeks ago, he was all about Huckabee. Since my friend is a supporter of FairTax, that threw Huckabee close to the front. I'm not sure my friend really recognized Huckabee to be a big government populist yet. Paul is no longer crazy or loony.
Now, he's still supporting Huckabee primarily because of FairTax and little else. He (rightfully) believes all the other candidates aren't taking chances and trying to maintain the status quo. I agreed Huckabee would make a good spokesman for FairTax, I told him I certainly do not want another big government populist President.
Here's his current list for President now: "1. Cox/Keyes/Hunter/Huck/Paul - whoever I think has the best shot. 6. Thompson, 7. McCain, 8. Constitution or Libertarian Party Candidate. After that it doesn't really matter."
It's been a long road from being a crazy loon to tied for first. I suspect he's not the only Republican who has had a similar journey.
My point is, I think we are so close to breaking out. Have some faith and be optimistic.
I think if Iowa turns out to be 1. Romney, 2. Huckabee, 3. Paul, we'd be set for Super Tuesday. Huckabee not winning Iowa will be a sign of weakness and Paul finishing third would be a sign of strength. Normally Huckabee at second would be a sign of strength, but he has peaked too early. All the dirt is starting to weigh him down.
That's my two cents anyhow.
At first, very shortly after the Giuliani/Paul stuff, he thought Ron Paul was outright crazy, a definite loon. He was excited about Fred Thompson to getting into the race. Ron Paul would have been his last GOP choice, besides Giuliani and Romney. Thompson was definitely his #1 choice.
Like many early Thompson supporters, his support for Thompson dwindled once Thompson actually joined the race. Paul was still back of his favorites list, but rose slightly. My friend doesn't think of Paul as a loon much now.
About three weeks ago, he was all about Huckabee. Since my friend is a supporter of FairTax, that threw Huckabee close to the front. I'm not sure my friend really recognized Huckabee to be a big government populist yet. Paul is no longer crazy or loony.
Now, he's still supporting Huckabee primarily because of FairTax and little else. He (rightfully) believes all the other candidates aren't taking chances and trying to maintain the status quo. I agreed Huckabee would make a good spokesman for FairTax, I told him I certainly do not want another big government populist President.
Here's his current list for President now: "1. Cox/Keyes/Hunter/Huck/Paul - whoever I think has the best shot. 6. Thompson, 7. McCain, 8. Constitution or Libertarian Party Candidate. After that it doesn't really matter."
It's been a long road from being a crazy loon to tied for first. I suspect he's not the only Republican who has had a similar journey.
My point is, I think we are so close to breaking out. Have some faith and be optimistic.
I think if Iowa turns out to be 1. Romney, 2. Huckabee, 3. Paul, we'd be set for Super Tuesday. Huckabee not winning Iowa will be a sign of weakness and Paul finishing third would be a sign of strength. Normally Huckabee at second would be a sign of strength, but he has peaked too early. All the dirt is starting to weigh him down.
That's my two cents anyhow.