Overview for gop-primary

Why is Pawlenty On Stage With These Crazy People?

As the GOP got ready for its first primary season debate in South Carolina, one question stuck out: Why was Tim Pawlenty even participating? Closing Thoughts: Credit goes to the Fox News anchors who moderated the debate. They did their research and managed to ask tough questions that …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 5, 2011

Daniels' School Reforms: Too Smart for Tea Party?

In Indiana, Gov. Mitch Daniels has instituted a broad set of education reforms. Unlike many on the right, he’s not out to destroy public education but to save it. Mitch Daniels is regularly held up as one of the best examples of a “serious” and policy-minded conservative. Wednesday in Washington, …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 5, 2011

Daniels' Favorite Non-Answer

When asked for his 2012 plans, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels likes to repeat a favorite quote of his. But even he might be surprised at the original source. When reporters ask Mitch Daniels if he will run in 2012, he has an answer that he likes to give: A man said: when I consider my …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Daniels Stays Mum About 2012 Plans

Wednesday afternoon in D.C., Gov. Mitch Daniels spoke at AEI about education reform. But the standing room only crowd was more interested in his 2012 plans. Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at AEI to discuss the successful passage of several education reforms bills in Indiana. When he spoke, even …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 4, 2011

For GOP: Pawlenty vs. Romney is the Main Event

The GOP primary field is about to get crowded, but in the end the race will boil down to a battle between Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty. Bill Kristol posts that he now believes that Mitch Daniels, Mike Huckabee and Michelle Bachmann will indeed all declare. The National Journal simultaneousl…

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Written by David Frum on Sunday May 1, 2011

The GOP's Gay President?

Fred Karger is running for president on the Republican ticket but he has no name recognition and no experience in elected office. What do you do if you’re running for president, but have no name recognition and no experience in elected office? Like Republican Fred Karger, who is in just that …

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Written by Tim Mak on Sunday May 1, 2011

Trump's Next Reality Hit

Pundits are already making bets on whether "The Apprentice" survives. But if Trump plays his cards right, his reality career doesn't need to come to an end. Last week, I took a look at what happens when one well-off family allowed a camera crew to insinuate itself into their daily lives, back in …

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Written by Telly Davidson on Friday April 29, 2011

Barbour's Withdrawal Boosts Romney

Now that he's out of the race, Haley Barbour - the ultimate party regular - will gravitate to the party regulars' consensus choice: Mitt Romney. Who benefits from Barbour’s withdrawal? Short answer: Romney. Barbour would have been effective competition for support of Romney donors. As is, Barbour …

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Written by David Frum on Monday April 25, 2011

Mitt Romney’s Achilles Heel

The Onion takes a swing at one of Mitt Romney's biggest worries: how to sell his Massachusetts health plan to Republican voters. The Onion identifies it: "Every day I am haunted by the fact that I gave impoverished Massachusetts citizens a chance to receive health care," Romney told …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday April 21, 2011

How to Beat Trump

If the GOP really wants to finish off Trump, Republican candidates had better learn to speak to the anxieties of voters and offer real solutions to the economic crisis. This post by Ed Kilgore about Donald Trump seems to me very astute. The Republican establishment has perceived [Trump] as a …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday April 20, 2011

For Trump, There's No Bad Publicity

Donald Trump may become the first man in American history to actually run for President in order to make money. Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the man is nothing if not creative. Trump’s not the first uber-wealthy person with an outsized personality to run for President (see Perot, …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday April 14, 2011

Romney: Not Cynical Enough?

Romney may be notorious for changing his stance on issues, yet lately he seems too eager to say what he believes rather than what will win political points. Is Mitt Romney's biggest problem that he’s just not cynical enough? It seems like a ridiculous conclusion since the man is notorious for …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

2012 GOP Favorites: Too Wonky to Win?

Jonathan Chait thinks the GOP has a "Dukakis problem": none of the candidates being drafted to run looks very presidential. Will wonkiness hurt the GOP in 2012? In Sunday's New York Times Magazine , Jonathan Chait argues that the GOP has a "Dukakis problem": none of the candidates being …

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Written by Andrew Gelman on Sunday April 10, 2011

Reading Romney’s Mind

As Republicans edge closer to a shutdown and Democrats get ready to run against the Ryan budget, what's going through Romney's head? This has been my best week in politics since John McCain lost to Barack Obama. I face two huge problems: getting nominated and getting elected. To get …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday April 7, 2011

It's Time for a Florida-First Primary

A primary system that started in Florida would press presidential candidates to talk more about the issues most Americans care about. At the end of World War II, a new secretary of state faced a tough management decision. The State Department's old quarters had become desperately cramped and …

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Written by David Frum on Monday April 4, 2011

Would the Real Birthers Please Stand Up?

When the first GOP presidential debate gets held, there's one question that should be asked as preliminary screening to separate the sane from the cynical or crazy. When the first Republican presidential debate gets held, there is one question that should be asked by the moderator to perform …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday March 29, 2011

Trump's Birther Obsession

Question to discuss: Is Donald Trump crazy? Or does he just hold a very, very, very low opinion of the Republican primary voter? Question to discuss: Is Donald Trump crazy? Or does he just hold a very, very, very low opinion of the Republican primary voter? Tweet

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 28, 2011

For GOP Nominee: 2012 Win Won't be Enough

Any Republican running for president must focus not just on winning in 2012, but doing so in a manner that leaves them positioned to govern in 2013. Any Republican contemplating running for president in 2012 has two formidable obstacles: November 2012 and what happens starting January 2013. For …

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Written by Fred Bauer on Friday March 25, 2011

Pawlenty Aces His Screen Test

Tim Pawlenty's new exploratory committee video looks sleek and smart and modern, which is by the way how the Republican party ought to look. How much do I like this Tim Pawlenty exploratory video? I like it a lot. Let me count the ways: I like the way Pawlenty talks …

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 21, 2011

T-Paw: The Generic GOP Choice?

The Kristol-Barbour falling out is getting all the headlines, but the real story is Pawlenty’s falling in with Bill Kristol. Real Clear Politics offers a clear summation of the Kristol-Barbour spat. But it's easy to read this story upside down. The real news here is not the Kristol-Barbour …

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Written by David Frum on Friday March 18, 2011