Thursday, February 9, 2012

Romney Strong In South? He Just Aint' Whistling Dixie!


It's been a long held belief Mitt Romney doesn't have a ghost of a chance to earn votes in the South. However, four polls recently released show Romney running surprising strong. New polls reveal Romney is leading, tied or making significant inroads against his two competitors in Dixie.

In a new Alabama poll released today Romney LEADS Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich by 4 and 5 points respectively. Romney leads in Alabama (yes... you read that right) with 27% in the state conquered by Vincent LaGuardia Gambini in 1992

A Georgia poll on Feb 3, Romney has gutted Gingrich's lead from 53 points in December to just 13 points currently.

And the Super Tuesday state which Gingrich is staking his campaign's viability on, may not be as easy as he assumes. Romney staged a rally tin Atlanta last night and may make an effort in the state in order to force Gingrich to play defense on his alleged turf.

Add these factors to the polls released yesterday showing Romney running away with Virgina and tied in North Carolina, and it appears the breathless anticipation of a Romney implosion may be a little premature.

Rick Santorum, despite his Iowa win didn't resonate in South Carolina or Florida. While he did stage a sweeping victory on Tuesday in the Midwest, he has yet to prove himself down South. So while Gingrich continues to flail and look increasing passe, Romney can run a very competitive Southern race. Since most of these states are proportional in their delegate selection, Romney running close ensures none of the other two will break out, while he continues to maintain is delegate edge.

Stay tuned....

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lookin good Doug. Thanks for the post!

-Martha

Anonymous said...

Helpful suggestions. Proofread title. I think you meant Whistling.

Lori*

Anonymous said...

Romney, Gingrich tied in NC

"These numbers challenge the thinking that Romney can't compete in the South. Romney wins a head to head match up with Santorum 45-44, and trails Gingrich only 45-42. It's hard to say if North Carolina will be relevant by the time the race gets here, but if it is Romney should have a shot."~PPP

Right Wingnut said...

These polls are worthless until we're about a week out.

Doug NYC GOP said...

Not really RWN, they show trends.

Yo seem to like polls when they show Romney trending down.

Then you swear by them.

Typical Uncle Crazy/Cranky spin.

BTW, how long before yor next implosion/name change?

Anonymous said...

The only person who trends downward 100% of the time is RWN.

Right Wingnut said...

I've never "sworn by" polls. I've long said that they mean little until it's closer to the election. This season has proven that, and then some. People in these states aren't even paying attention yet. Haven't the events of the last several weeks taught you anything?

Doug NYC GOP said...

People aren't paying attention?

Who the hell do you think is voting?

People are paying attention.

Right Wingnut said...

Doug, I'm talking about states whose primaries are weeks or months away. Not everyone is a political junkie like you. Look at the recent caucuses and primaries, and the wild swings in polling over the course of just a few days. As far as I'm concerned, the only polls that matter are the ones that come out within 2-3 days of the actual voting.

Anonymous said...

I'm skeptical of polling in the South...Romney looked competitive in SC and all it took was some unfriendly news cycles and they ditched him for Moonbeam as fast as they could. Santorum is going to be competitive in the South from here on out I belieive...it would be cool for Romney to be able to have a win or two in Dixie Land though...I'll definitely be staying tuned.


Gordon

Anonymous said...

A friend of mine in Colorado received the following e-mail before the Colorado. She believes it came from the Santorum campaign, but isn't sure. She's still investigating.

But check this out. People need to accept that much of the ABR's are founded in anti-Mormonism. Not all, but some:

Republicans:

There are three things all Christians must know before voting tonight

One Mormons are not Christians no matter what they try to tell you. Mormonism is a cult. Mitt Romney is a Mormon.

Two Mormons believe in polygamy. Mitt Romney is a Mormon.

Three On 9/11 a Mormon missionary conference was scheduled to be held at the World Trade Center. Mysteriously, none of the missionaries were in attendance at the conference on and all were spared their lives while thousands of Americans perished in the towers and on the planes that day.

Cults like Mormonism cannot be trusted.

Mitt Romney is a Mormon. We cannot vote for him to be the Republican nominee.

If we don’t beat him at the caucus tonight we may not be able to beat him again. Christians cannot in good conscience vote for a Mormon.

Forward this message to everyone all who interested in protecting traditional marriage and preserving the values of our country.
-------------------------------
This is precisely why I am considering leaving this party.

Firecracker

Anonymous said...

Gordon-Isn't it funny how FOX and CNN and old Rush go really negative on Romney 5 days prior to a primary? They do their deceptive editing of statements and propagate those edited statements throughout the air waves, creating their own news to suit their ABR agenda.

Anonymous said...

Wow Firecracker, I'm not surprised by the anti-Mormon piece going out on election day by Santorum's pastor friends, (I hope he wasn't involved or supported these tactics), but I am shocked that they're making the leap on the World Trade Center attack...what are they getting at by referencing that little nugget. Linking Mormon's to 9/11 is below a low- blow...it's despicable even by Anti-Mormon standards.

Gordon

Right Wingnut said...

Firecracker, bye.

Doug, exhibit A of what I was talking about. On Sunday, Bosman posted intrade numbers. Romney was at 92% in Colorado, and 75% in Colorado, based on what? Poll numbers. A post like yours might give your fellow Rombots warm fuzzies, and if that's your intention, I don't have a problem with that. But, let's not pretend it really means anything at this point in time.

Anonymous said...

Leighrow, this cycle has been eye-opening for me in a lot of ways concerning the media. One truly has to be skeptical of every media source...they all have an agenda. I've never seen a candidate that was truly despised by both media wings before to this extent.

I'm actually glad that I've been able to see it happen though...much wiser to the "News Game" now and I won't easily be manipulated moving forward by any media agenda.

Gordon

Anonymous said...

Polling Caucuses is tough RW...you know that. Doug is right about trends though, so I agree with you that Rombots shouldn't get excited about DixieLand polls.

The trend in SC for three plus years always had Romney getting spanked in SC...he got spanked. Polls showed him strong for three plus years in NH, FL, NV...he spanked everyone else there. Most polls in the south have had Romney getting spanked for three plus years...I expect him to lose pretty handily throughout the south this cycle.

Gordon

Anonymous said...

What's the matter Rightwing Nut -- are you continuing to deny that anti-Mormonism is all and well in the Republican Party?

Perhaps you are an anti-Mormon bigot yourself. I wouldn't be surprised at this point.

Firecracker

Anonymous said...

What's the matter Rightwing Nut -- are you continuing to deny that anti-Mormonism is all and well in the Republican Party?

Perhaps you are an anti-Mormon bigot yourself. I wouldn't be surprised at this point.

Firecracker

Anonymous said...

Firecracker

I am right behind you if Romney does not receive the nomination. With the exception of Gingrich, I would still vote to oust Obama, but gone will be the days that I contribute money to the Republican party.

I was a big Romney supporter in 2007 because he was the conservative and I really wanted someone who understood the private sector economy. I was ill when McCain won the nomination,but I still voted. Rush and all of the pundits were pushing Mitt as well.

I feel like most of the Right wing pundits and conservatives are intentionally working against Romney in an attempt to ensure Obama 4 more years. When Rush Limbaugh makes statements that he does not care about electibility, then that tells you he does not have the interests of the American people in mind.He and many others only want to see their ratings and pocketbooks grow.

If you look at Santorum's and Gingrich's voting record you will see that they are much less conservative than Romney in terms of fiscal issues.

Look what happened in Colorado. The right wingers elected the weakest GOP nominee,Sharon Engle and we now have 4 years of Harry Reid, who defies everything the GOP House moves forward to the Senate.

People also need to be concerned about the Senate and House Races. We need a candidate who is not polarizing that will help elect more GOP Senators and House members.We need to takeover the Senate in order to completely repeal Obamacare. If Harry is still in charge of the Senate,he will prevent the Obamacare repeal from hitting the Senate floor.

Santorum is considered a right wing nutter who wants to control people's lives through big government from a right wing perspective. Just Google Santorum's name and that should show you what an Obama/Santorum match up will entail. All of the focus will be on Santorum's extreme statements regarding social issues and people will just gloss over Obama's record.

Machtyn said...

Gordon, what I have learned is that there is NOTHING too low when attacking the "Mormans", from horns growing in their heads to raping virgins in the Salt Lake temple and tossing their murdered bodies into the Great Salt Lake from the temple roof.

I am already done with the so-called Conservative, Republican media. They are as hypocritical as the Left - I've known this for awhile. I haven't watched Fox News a lot since 2008. I haven't watched Fox News at all since December. I'm with others, now, that I have to go overseas to get decent news about the US.

Right Wingnut said...

Firecrackhead,

You've provided zero evidence of any involvement with the Santorum campaign. In fact, you can't even prove that it's an actual email rather than something someone cooked up to cause trouble. Given your history, I wouldn't put it past you to do something like that. As far as I'm concerned, the party would be better off without you. Bye.

Anonymous said...

The bias against Mormons won't be able to be denied much longer.

Anonymous said...

RW, it's amazing to me how some will post comments without any basis in fact to provoke an anti-religious emotional response. Yet, the responses just prolong the abuse. I think it's time to get back to the real issues in this primary season. The rest is needless distraction from those issues.

Folks, the Republic is crumbling around you. You see that everyday. Can't everyone get back to addressing the larger issues before the wheels fall off everything?

Anonymous said...

I am concerned when I hear the anti-Mormon rhetoric. i have also heard that some of the people in Colorado pretended to be Mitt supporters, got nominated as delegates and then voted for Santorum. If these things are true...SHAME on these factions of our party. We need to stand up against this behavior. Let's have some integrity.

Anonymous said...

My husband works in international security, which requires that he is up on anything current happening in the world. He watches six TV stations all day long and has learned that the most accurate information comes from overseas. How sad! We can't trust our own media to tell the truth. But we have known that for a long time.

Ohio JOE said...

"I feel like most of the Right wing pundits and conservatives are intentionally working against Romney in an attempt to ensure Obama 4 more years." That is just paranoia talk.

Terrye said...

Right Wing Nut and Lionhead, I have been told by many Mormons that they have faced discrimination and prejudice because of their religion..now you guys can just call them all liars if you want..but when pastors and church officials make public statements reinforcing that prejudice it seems to me you are just denying the obvious.

The question is to what extent that prejudice can effect the vote..I would say that if people like you continue to ignore the obvious it will only get worse.

And btw, I never noticed either of you requiring "proof" when you felt the need to pass some sort of judgement on someone else.

Terrye said...

Ohio Joe..no it is not paranoia talk. O'Reilley himself made mention of the fact that 73% of the stories done on Fox regarding Romney were negative.

And Rush has been caught lying his behind off about Romney on more than one occasion, not to mention flip flopping on his previous statements.

And Eric Erikson is legendary for his hatred and Mark Levin who told us to vote for Romney three and a half years ago has stated that he must be defeated this time.

and the list goes on...there is nothing paranoid about it..it is just the truth.

Right Wingnut said...

Terrye,

Your glossing over the issue I addressed with Firecracker. The discussion wasn't about whether prejudice exists. It's about the alleged email that he's spreading around the internet without offering proof of involvement by the Santorum campaign, or proof that the email was actually authentic in the first place. Firecracker should be ashamed of himself. If I was a Mormon, I would be highly offended by his actions. Sadly, many here have lapped it up. I suspect it makes them feel better about Romney's disastrous results from Tuesday.

Anonymous said...

RW and Lionhead...I understand your feelings about the bigotry card. Who knows if the email firecracker was referring to is legit or not and whether or not it had any impact on Tuesday's races. I for one believe that Santorum wouldn't condone these tactics...I think he's shown that he'll stick to misrepresenting the issues and Mitt's record...which is fair game.

If this email did in fact make the rounds though, I'm especially bothered to the reference to 9/11, and you should be as well. I'm extremely familiar with every anti-Mormon talking point and have been to my fair share of Anti-Mormon revivals, so please don't pretend like the sentiment towards Mormons isn't real. I've been to over 150 different religious services and have been personally dammed to Hell in front of thousands of people just for showing up to listen to the sermon. I've had batteries and numerous Big Gulps thrown at me while I was riding my bike or walking down the street just because I had the black name tag on. I've been thrown out of churches just for sitting in the pew and blasted as Satan's personal messenger from the pulpit.

Now, I don't mention these things to amplify the issue or cry foul...it is what it is and evangelicals have every right to hold those opinions about my "Final Destination", and even use their vote accordingly. I just hope that if Mitt is the nominee, that most will seperate their personal views concerning his faith with the job of being President. Mormons have never participated in tearing this great country of ours down and we never will.

Gordon

Terrye said...

RWN:

Really? I mentioned this to a Mormon and she did not surprise her because she hears that kind of crap all the time..so maybe you should realize that for some of these people this kind of nonsense is not exactly new to them. She was more offended by that than anything else.

As for proof..I will remember that the next time I get a lecture from some "true conservative" who tells me that Romney is a liar and could not possibly be sincere in his pro choice beliefs...

Right Wingnut said...

Gordon,

That is all unfortunate and reprehensible, but I was specifically addressing Firecracker's irresponsible circulation of the alleged email without evidence of authenticity or connection to the Santorum campaign. His actions won't help your in quest to eliminate the bigotry.

Right Wingnut said...

By the way, that's about the 100th time I've been called a bigot on this site. I'm so used to it, it doesn't even really bother me anymore.

Terrye said...

RWN:

I kind of feel that way about being called a RINO..after awhile I say to myself...you just have to consider the source.

Anonymous said...

RWN,

How was it irresponsible? I TOLD YOU she was trying to verify where the email came from.

I am SO SICK of people like you denying the existence of anti-Mormon bigotry. If it continues, you can bet the Republican Party will lose support from a large segment of the Five Million Mormons living in America.

Evil prevails when good men do nothing. I wonder RWN, if you are indeed a good man. You obviously aren't the least bit troubled by bigotry within the party.

Firecracker

Terrye said...

Firecracker...RWN is too busy being morally offended by the fact that someone might have thought Pastor Rick had something to do with this...to even care about the bigotry evidenced in the email itself.

Next thing you know he will say it is a hoax..no proof after all that such things really happen.

Anonymous said...

RW...I don't have any quest to end bigotry...I rarely mention the word Mormon at all. The 9/11 part hit me wrong today because I've never heard us get lumped in with that atrocious act before. I hope it is a hoax of some sort. There's lots of Anti-Mormon material for them to use without going there.

I love those that are not of my faith and have no problem with them using their god given right to believe whatever they want about Mormons. I really don't even have an ounce of bitterness in me for any personal acts against me because of my faith or the general bigotry that exists...I don't think people are wrong to vote their concious and religious beliefs with Mitt, I just think they're missing out on a good and decent man.

I know you're beefs with Mitt are policy based and trust-related and have nothing to do with Mormonism and have stated that publicly many times on this site when others try to put you in that box.

Gordon

Right Wingnut said...

Terrye,

That could have very well been written by a Mormon for the sole purpose of trying to inflame the issue. In other words..."bigot baiting."

Or, it could just be another internet hoax by someone trying to be clever...

Or, it could have been circulated by the DNC to try to divide the party...

Bottom line...we don't know, and to circulate it with an attached innuendo linking Santorum is just as reprehensible as the actions of bigots and racists themselves. Firecracker is a sleezeball.

Anonymous said...

Go EFF yourself RWN!!

YOU.ARE.SCUM.

Doug NYC GOP said...

Wow.

And I thoght I was merely posting some intersting poll numbers out of the South this mornig.

First off...RWN.

You need to take a chill pill Bro.

For a guy with no horse in the race you certianly have your water running HOT 24/7.

Yes indeed my post was intended to partially give my fellow Romney supporters a boost. That's what a teammate does.

It was also to point out everything may not be as Doom & Gloom as the media portends.

You know if they push a storyline long enough and it eventually becomes reality, they look back at themselves and marvel at how perceptive they were.

This is how they resurrected Gingrich (the Debate King meme) and elevated evry other ABR.

BTW, if you were a little more perceptive, you would have noticed the title of the post was posed as a question. That means I wasn't intending to portray these results as dead on balls accurate, but to show the Convential Wisdom may not be as conventional as it seems.

Just so you know....Romney is a hell of lot more popular than the Fringe Talk Radio Right, the DNC and Papa Rupert like to portray.

I actually kinda like all those folks are against him. Means if he pulls this thing off he's beholden only to himself.

Now that would be real change in the political world.

Doug NYC GOP said...

Terrye @3:28

I have read Rush's transcripts and heard him live, on many occasions blantantly lie about Romney.

I'll say this about Rush & Levin, they do a great job taking Obama to task.

But they are hopelessly deceitful and untrustworthy when dealing with Romney.

Makes me wonder what else they are lieing about.

Right Wingnut said...

Doug, I have a horse in the race. I think I've been clear on that. I voted for Santorum on Tuesday. Have you not been paying attention?

Doug NYC GOP said...

Then it's a late pick.

Last week, when you were ABR you mentioned perhaps going for Paul.

Over the past few weeks you have been telling everyone you have n horse.

So pardon me if I don't keep up with changes - be they Emotional
Political Candidate or Screen Name.

I do have other responsibilities you know.

Anonymous said...

RW, Santorum is out there WITH pastors who call the Mormon church a cult, and spread lies about it. He has not condemned them, nor distanced himself from their comments ONE BIT.

THAT is a fact. Deal with it. It would not surprise me one bit if the email was true, and connected to Santorum. Simply because he isn't willing to stand up against the bigoted remarks of his own supporters.

You also saw that the Evangelicals today laying hands on Rick in Texas. Listen, this is obvious. They want him to take out the Mormon. Please.

-Martha

Right Wingnut said...

Martha, I dint know what to tell you on that, but if true, it doesn't bode well for your guy. I mean, if the party is in fact as bigoted as you and others say, Mitts toast.

Anonymous said...

And of course, RWN, you are PERFECTLY FINE WITH THE BIGOTRY!

Just admit it!

Firecracker

Right Wingnut said...

Firecracker,

The fact that a few people in Alabama don't like Mormons isn't exactly on my list of grave concerns. Some people don't like blacks...some people don't like whites...some people don't like Catholics....etc. etc. I can't do anything about it. Sorry.

Right Wingnut said...

just to add...every time I get called a bigot, I become even less concerned about it.

Anonymous said...

Wow, now RW is for Santorum.....who knew.

Anonymous said...

RW, next time you "think" that Romney has done something, or e-mailed something underhanded or somehow done something under the table to your candidate, I hope you will remember your defense of Santorum in the same type of circumstances.

Do I believe e-mails like the one Firecracker posted go around? Yes. Did Santorum endorse them, no. Did someone connected to Santorum or who supports Santorum do it? possibly.

AZ

Right Wingnut said...

AZ, Firecracker insinuated that they came from Santorum without offering a shread of evidence. Furthermore, he called me a bigot for questioning him on it. Funny how you don't call your friends out on that.

Anonymous said...

I have said all along Mitt would be competitive in the south. I am from the south and live in the heart of the Bible belt. Mitt Romney was very popular here last election. People in the south are not as judgemental as some like to make them out to be. They are also not stupid and they know Mitt Romney is the only one that can beat Obama.