- The Ron Paul pile-on, save for Romney, has begun in earnest.
- Paul counter-punches.
- Pragmatism is Romney’s ally, even in Iowa.
- Paul’s still ahead there, but the top six are hard to figure.
- He could change the party, even without a win.
Mitt Romney’s Rhetorical Evolution: From Listmaker to Storyteller
There are two broad categories of campaign messages: Stories and lists. The list message is the easiest to pull off, and usually the least effective. Put the candidate on a stump, or before a camera, and rattle it off: Less …
In the Arena2012 Election
7 Days Till Iowa: Onward and Mittward
Iowa City, Iowa
Sad to say, Rush was not at his usual radio stand as I drove through the cornfields on Tuesday afternoon, a replacement called Mark Belling was sitting in–but it was curious stuff, all the same. There was a dollop of hair-pulling: Why on earth can’t the Republicans ever come up with a decent conservative? And some …
Newt’s Closing Argument: Just Glad to Be on the Team
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Gt5Tn3xax5I]
Michael Scherer directs me to this new ad from Newt Gingrich, an upbeat composite of debate talking points on the economy. It’s reportedly a “major buy” scheduled to run through next week in Iowa–his closing argument. It’s also a very odd choice for this moment in the race.
Obama (Finally) Looks to Fill Empty Fed Seats
Way back in April 2010, Obama nominated three economists to fill out empty seats on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. Two sailed through, but one, Peter Diamond, was snared in the net of the Senate, where Republican Richard Shelby was unconvinced of the Nobel-winner’s monetary bona fides. After a long back-and-forth, Diamond …
Ben Nelson Retiring, the ‘Kickback’ Kicks Back
Ben Nelson, the conservative two-term Nebraska Democrat, won’t seek re-election to the Senate next year, according to Politico.
Nelson is 70–not exactly an adolescent, but hardly outside the norm for a Senate whose average …
It’s Officially Getting Weird Out There
Via Ben Smith, a Newtmas video message from Newt Hampshire:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/HLl7SiGOGAg]
Ron Paul’s Novel Coalition Faces Its Major Moment in Iowa
Go to any Ron Paul event and the audience is part of the tale. They’re younger, rowdier, more socially diverse than Republican rally regulars. Any one of them might have driven across the state to see Paul speak or be able to …
Morning Must Reads: Golden
- $10 million in political TV advertising has been broadcast in Iowa this month; Perry, Romney and their respective PACs account for 80% of it.
- Romney’s campaign says he has the nomination all locked up.
- There are scenarios where he could lose, but not so many.
- The rise of absentee voting in Florida could decide its primary early.
Why Iowa Shouldn’t Vote First Anymore
A week before Iowa’s January 3 caucuses, the outcome of the Republican contest is hard to predict: Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney all stand a chance at winning. But something else already seems clear: Iowa has blown …
In the Arena2012 Election
8 Days Till Iowa: Make Up Your Minds, Already!
Nothing much happening today. Just a tiny shiver in the zeitgeist…could it be Rick Santorum, after all? He hasn’t had his surge yet. He’s been the tortoise, campaigning slowly, patiently, throughout the state. He’s been extreme on some issues–homosexuality, Iran–but he hasn’t made a fool of himself. He’s been solid in the debates. He …
In the Arena2012 Election
9 Days Till Iowa: Merry Christmas
Not much happening today, of course. A very wise Santa left me some warm Iowa-wear, sweaters and gloves, for the coming week. But we do have my old pal David Yepsen’s evaluation of the campaign so far, from his new perch at the Paul Simon Institute at Southern Illinois University, alma mater of Walt “Clyde” Frazier who brought so much …
In the Arena2012 Election
10 Days Till Iowa
After a week rummaging about through eastern Iowa, chasing the candidates, I’ve noticed a few interesting policy trends this year. Here are two: