BTW ILC, RonnieR didn’t use “Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall” in his primaries of 1980 or 1984…

You’re really not too comfortable with the realm of principles and ideas, are you MM?

I’ll give you a hint. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” – as an *IDEA* of anti-communism and human freedom – was something Reagan had been saying at least 25 years, by the time he uttered that specific quote in 1986.

That’s part of how an idea works. It’s an *underlying* thing, that you give different expressions to, in different times and circumstances. Okay?

And ILC/Calarato, I’m not snarling…

Wow, then I’d have to infer you don’t even know when you’re doing it anymore. Looking only at the comments of yours that were pure snarl (vs. content, interspersed with snarls), please see #28, #32, #38.

Again, MM, I really don’t mind. In fact, I kinda like it. It reinforces what I know to be true of you, from other encounters. So, please snarl some more!

please point out something of substance you’ve written in this thread

Sure, no problem. As concerns your points, please see #11, #27, #33 and #34 . The effect of your “snarl comments” is to distract from discussion of all those points. Separately, I also made substantive points at #14, #15.

Remember, this all started with you claiming, in that angry armchair conservative manner, that damn all this “electability” nonsense about the primaries, let’s pick the best ideas and let that man win. Silly enough to become a YouTube question for the next Prez debate, I think.

I can understand that you’re frustrated to see RonPaul or FreddieT not receive a GOP coronation, but seriously, the enitre point of primaries is electability. As a loyal GOPer, I’m not willing to hazard the WH to serve some ill-suited angry impulse of armchair conservatives mad at society.

And ILC/Calarato, I’m not snarling… please point out something of substance you’ve written in this thread and I’ll respond on point. But if you just want to play your usual, tired games of nanny-debates, let it go.

BTW ILC/Calarato, RonnieR didn’t use “Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall” in his primaries of 1980 or 1984… he made that statement at the virtual end of his presidency… the wall came down two years later when Geo Bush 41 was Pres… oh, I know, you think that was RonnieR’s 3rd term. Um, right. LOL

Exhibit A: The response of this message board.

But don’t place the carriage before the horse. Thompson’s exit has pushed Romney into a lead in Florida:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Florida_Release_012308.pdf

A loss for McCain in Florida could be devastating to his campaign, due to the winner take all nature of Florida’s primary and Romney’s cash advantage. It’s rarely noted by the press, but Romney is the delegate leader right now. The press magnified McCain’s two victories thus far because they were in traditional glamor primaries. However, due to the penalties the RNC levied against primary states for moving before Feb 5th (caucus states got an exemption on a technicality), Romney received more delegates out of his win in Wyoming (8) than McCain did in Hew Hampshire (7) and received more delegates out of Nevada (17) than McCain did in South Carolina (15). McCain is also having to do 7 fundraisers this week at a key junction when he needs to be campaigning in Florida. A Romney victory there would further McCain’s money woes.

Also of note, a Romney or McCain victory in FL would just about TKO Giuliani. It would open the door for Romney in Connecticut (another winner take all state, 27 delegates) and leave NY and NJ open to anyone able to capitalize on the opportunity (Some polls show McCain leading or close there). Since they’re also winner take all states, there is really no way Giuliani can get to the 1191 delegates needed to win the nomination without a solid block in the winner take all states of FL, CT, NY and NJ. Remember, because Giuliani chose note to compete in the early states, he only has 1 delegate thus far. That’s 58 behind Romney. With Florida having 57 delegates alone, Romeny could double his delegate lead over Giuliani in an instant. Which is why a loss in FL would effectively TKO Giuliani.

Like I wrote, champ, “you’re going to have to bait that hook better to drag me into another one of your Nanny-esque monologues. No thanks.”

Again. Ugh.

Ummm, Vince, then get ready to slam Nancy as tasteless, his brother Neil as tasteless, Nancy’s father and mother as tasteless, many of his friends and more than a few professional colleagues. I met RR on 7 occasions -face to face, handshake to handshake, conversation engaged.

He isn’t an icon for me… he isn’t a golden statute… he was a human with all the fame and foils that accompany our unique state.

Remember, he ran on “Read my lips – No New Taxes!!!!!!!!!!!” Reagan’s 3rd term, again.

But did he stick to that principle? No. “The vision thing – It’s not about ideas / principles”, he might well have said when he betrayed the American people on that one, paving the way for Ross Perot and Clinton’s 1992 victory with only 43% of the vote.

Don’t get me wrong: Reagan turned out to be an above average president and a man uniquely suited for the time.

A concession!

But it wasn’t about ideas

Sorry, champ. It was about ideas. The idea of saving America, instead of apologizing for it. The idea of slashing taxes and freeing the American people economically. The idea of resisting Communism. The idea of “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

That’s what Reagan promised. That, plus his personality and character, is what made Americans pick him in 1980, 1984 – and 1988. Bush 41 (in 1988) won Reagan’s third term… Reagan (in 1980) did not win Bush 41′s first term.

Like I wrote, ILC, you’re going to have to bait that hook better to drag me into another one of your Nanny-esque monologues.

No thanks.

Um, no, again there Vince. I don’t care to use the term RINO, let alone classify someone as one… we don’t have RINOs in the Party… that’s a term used by angry armchair conservatives meant to shove party regulars and officeholders out of the BigTent. Divide and conquer isn’t an American value, it’s hateful.

I simply offered that independents and frauding Democrats shouldn’t be involved in picking the GOP’s nominee… anymore than they should have access to writing the Party’s platform. People who work within the Party and labor to advance political progress should be the ones picking the next nominee… I’m not a McCain supporter but he is a GOPer and if you don’t like that fact don’t get all red in the face with me.

Electability is still the reason for this season. It isn’t about purity tests on economic issues, social issues or who’s more willing to fry a pregnant Mom to save a dysfunctioning fetus or invade Pakistan to get binLaden.

Independents come into the mix after the primaries are complete and the convention has discharged its duties. But not before. Electability is the reason for the season… plans and ideas come into the mix as a way of proving one is ready to lead and has competency.

And if RonnieReagan hadn’t selected GBush41 as HIS running mate, sending a clear signal to America that someone with experience and gravitas would be keeping RonnieReagan within the sandbox of acting as President, I doubt Ronnie would have won even against Carter. Don’t get me wrong: Reagan turned out to be an above average president and a man uniquely suited for the time. But it wasn’t about ideas… it was, kind of like with John McCain now and Bob Dole in the past, Reagan’s turn for a grab at the ring and then-Party regulars knew it.