Redstate

Posted at 5:47pm on Jan. 4, 2008 The Tailspin Begins?

Hillary was "in it to win" and promptly lost.

By Richard H Collins

Nearly a year ago Hillary Clinton kicked off her presidential campaign stating that she was “in it to win.” Despite being anointed the national frontrunner and prohibitive favorite to win both the Democratic nomination and even the general election, however, when the first opportunity came to count votes in the Iowa caucuses last night she promptly lost to Barack Obama.

The Hillary campaign will try to spin this result as a good showing in a state where she faced an uphill battle. But given her fundraising, her name recognition, her husband’s popularity and campaigning, along with her early and large leads in the polls it can’t be denied that this is a damaging loss.

Read on.

Posted in 2008 | 2008 Democratic Primary | Hillary Clinton | Iowa Caucuses — Comments (9)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 1:59am on Jan. 4, 2008 The Iowa Caucuses: The Postmortem

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

So much then for my predictions. But now that the results are known, let's discuss what they mean.

Do please read on . . .

Posted in 2008 | Democrats | Iowa Caucuses | Republicans — Comments (35)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 11:13pm on Jan. 3, 2008 Huck's win and the revenge of the SoCons

By Alexham

As the only Huck-supporting Redstate contributor, I thought it would be appropriate for me to offer a few thoughts on tonight's victory.

First, Governor Huckabee's win in Iowa sends a message to the GOP establishment that SoCons are not going to sit back and allow the party to be hijacked by those who don't have our interests at heart. We are still the heart and soul of the party, and we're not going anywhere. If you want the nomination, you're going to have to deal with us and our concerns (i.e., "Culture of Life" issues).

Second, Governor Huckabee's win demonstrates that grass-roots conservatives have flatly rejected the candidacy of Mitt Romney. Mitt can stay in as long as he wishes to fund his own campaign, but he's essentially done. McCain is going to win New Hampshire, and either McCain or Huckabee is going to win South Carolina. So, if you been waiting to buy ol' Hugh's book (but didn't want to pay full price for it), just wait a week or so, and it will be on sale at your local Sam's Club in the dollar bin.

Third, Governor Huckabee desperately needs to reach out to FisCons and DefCons immediately if he stands any chance of winning the nomination and/or presidency. The brutal truth, Huckfans, is that there are many legitimate criticisms of our boy regarding his fidelity to fiscal conservatism and preparedness to handle complex national-security issues. He needs to deal with these concerns in a way that shows his skeptics within the party that he is ready to be the nominee of the entire party, not just SoCons.

Finally, the hostility currently being leveled at Huckabee by many Republicans needs to be dialed down a few notches. If you want to criticize him on substantive grounds, please feel free to do so (indeed, I've done so myself); but some of the attacks that have been made against him on this website border on being ridiculous. At some point, we're all going to have to start singing from the same hymnal again, and that's not going to be easy to do if folks continue to characterize a potential nominee of our party as the anti-Christ.

Now, on to South Carolina!

Posted in 2008 | Iowa Caucuses | Mike Huckabee — Comments (248)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 8:06pm on Jan. 3, 2008 Drudge Headline Says It All

By Dan McLaughlin

RESULTS:
Clinton 0; Obama 0; Edwards 0
Huckabee 0; Romney 0; McCain 0; Paul 0; Thompson 0; Giuliani 0

Posted at 3:33pm on Jan. 3, 2008 Thompson Rumors a Sign of His Strength

By Mark I

California Yankee notes in RedHot that Sen. Fred Thompson strongly denied rumors published in the Politico that his campaign was discussing dropping out of the race and endorsing Sen. McCain. Here's a video of the FoxNews interview from this morning.

Posted in 2008 | Fred Thompson | Iowa Caucuses | Presidential Primary | Republicans — Comments (72) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 11:53am on Dec. 24, 2007 'Twas The Night Before Iowa

By Kevin Holtsberry

Since it is "Christmas Eve day" it seems appropriate to watch 'Twas The Night Before Christmas Iowa:

Posted at 12:43pm on Dec. 14, 2007 "A Little Snappier Gentleman" Fortune Mag. Calls GOP Moderator "Schoolmarm"

By Michelle Oddis

Carolyn Washburn (Iowa GOP Debate Moderator)was better than listening to Chris Matthews voice -- but still... There were jokes circulating. Ive pegged her the "Monotoner" rather than "Moderator." The Washington Times

"Fortune magazine writer Nina Easton yesterday called Mrs. Washburn a "schoolmarm" who tried to quash meaningful sparring." Read on...

Posted at 3:00pm on Dec. 13, 2007 Live Blogging Iowa Dem Debate

By Kevin Holtsberry

I will be live blogging the Democratic Debate in Iowa here for those of you interested (those with a high pain threshold or who are, like me, paid to watch it).

Posted at 2:41pm on Dec. 13, 2007 "A Little Snappier Gentleman"

By Michelle Oddis

Was John McCain there yesterday? I didn’t notice. I think we need another rendition of "Bomb Bomb Bomb – Bomb Bomb Iran." Call someone a "little jerk," start a fight with Cornyn again… I like him better with guns blazing.

And Tom Tancredo what was your problem? Was someone in a bad mood? You took your time taking cheap shots at Romney, what a waste of breath. Knocking the top tier’ers will not help you now... it’s too late. I thought his comments about Romney seemed spiteful and bitter. No political gain for him there so what was the point? As a matter of fact he was so aggressive that the Monotoner (boy was she the worst moderator or what? I take that back shes better than listening to Matthews) cut him off.

Alan Keyes -- What in the world was he going on and on about? His presence cheapened the debate. If I had an office in Iowa would I be able to participate too? If I did... I think I would have come off more coherent then he did. Stop preaching, start talking. I dont want a revival I want a president. Thank God Huckabee doesnt sing when he...

Alan -- the monotoner was ignoring you because your answers had NOTHING to do with the questions...

"EXCUSE ME, DO I HAVE TO RAISE MY HAND?"

"I'M GETTING TO YOU."

"NO, YOU'RE NOT. YOU HAVEN'T IN SEVERAL GO ROUNDS, SO I HAVE TO MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF IT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION."

"YOUR UNFAIRNESS IS NOW BECOMING SO APPARENT THAT THE VOTERS IN IOWA MUST UNDERSTAND THERE'S A REASON FOR IT, AND THE REASON IS WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY."

Well, that was awkward.

“And I would say as president one of my goals would be I cant part the Red Sea, but I believe I would part the red tape."

Hmmm, who said that? It wasn’t Moses...

I thought Huck did well but the biblical references are starting to seem staged – or maybe I am more aware of them now? I knew Huck would make it to the top...He earned it. He participated and fought for it. He said the right things at the right times and he seems to really want it... (cough Fred Thompson cough)

Fred was good, but I don’t know that he won per se... I don’t think anyone "won" really. I wish Fred was there before, I really do. His best answer was on the new NIE on Iran.

"WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY. IT ALONG WITH CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR MILITARY WERE NEGLECTED FOR A LONG, LONG TIME IN THIS COUNTRY, AND WE'RE PAYING THE PRICE NOW. THE FACT IS NOBODY HAS ANY REAL CONFIDENCE IN THE RESULT THAT THEY'RE GETTING. THE RESULT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WAS DIRECTLY CONTRADICTED BY THEIR STRONG BELIEFS JUST TWO YEARS AGO. SO YOU'VE GOT TO REBUILD FROM THE BOTTOM UP. I THINK THAT IN THE MEAN MEANTIME, WE HAVE TO RELY ON OTHER PEOPLE, THE BRITISH ARE HELPFUL TO US, THE ISRAELIS SOMETIMES ARE HELPFUL TO US."

I really liked his line about Romney getting good at acting.
I like Romney, but sometimes I do worry about that.

Sometimes I think: Mitt -- are you always "on?"

I wanna see Mitt in his pajama’s with his hair messed up. (NOW STOP IT THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN! GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER) I mean I need him to not be in a perfectly tailored suit with his hair all coifed. Go dig in the dirt or take pictures of you hunting or pumping your own gas or SOMETHING. I see a suit, and that’s all. That worries me occasionally.

Most of all, my favorite thing about this debate -- It means something now. It’s no longer a glorified press conference. I popped pop corn and sat at my desk analyzing Iowa on my 2006 election results map while I chuckled and boo’ed. This is when it starts to get fun.

P.S. I didnt forget Rudy... just didnt think he said anything worth mentioning.

Posted in 2008 | Debate | Fred Thompson | GOP | Iowa Caucuses | John McCain | Romney | Rudy Giuliani — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:32pm on Dec. 13, 2007 ‘Twas the Night Before Iowa

By Kevin Holtsberry

A nice little bedtime story for all of you political junkies:

Yes, this is shameless flacking for my employer, but it is - IMHO - good clean fun as well.

Posted in Archived | Hillary Clinton | Iowa Caucuses — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 1:57pm on Dec. 8, 2007 Hillary's Not So Charming Side

Are Iowa voters seeing and rejecting the real Hillary?

By Richard H Collins

Seeing her standing in the polls dropping and a steady stream of criticism from her rivals, this week Hillary Clinton decided it was time to go on the attack. And it wasn’t subtle. The headlines read like a Fox special: When Hillary Attacks! But these attacks could easily spark a backlash that solidifies negative perceptions about her rather than weaken her rivals. It seems increasingly clear that Hillary’s angry and combative personality could present a real problem for her campaign.

Read On.

Posted in 2008 | Democratic Primary | Hillary | Iowa Caucuses — Comments (17)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:21pm on Dec. 8, 2007 Fred Thompson Doubles Down

By haystack

According to the Weekly Standard, Fred Thompson has drawn his line in the sand...and it's in Des Moines: [h/t Brad at FredThompsonNews]

Des Moines, Iowa
FORMER TENNESSEE SENATOR Fred Thompson has decided to take his campaign and virtually all of its resources to Iowa in an all-or-nothing attempt to register a strong showing in the caucuses here on January 3. "We're getting ready to make this not only our second home, but our first home," he told a small gathering of supporters at the Polk County Convention Center on Friday night.

There is clearly a method to Thompson's campaign strategy madness, and it's fairly easy to glean from a recent interview with his campaign director, Bill Lacy and RightWingNews' John Hawkins. Hawkins asks:

[W]hat I keep hearing from Fred's fans out there is that they love Fred, they think he's doing well, but they keep hearing from these Inside-the-Beltway pundits and Fox News, etc., that say Fred's done, that Fred can't win. So, can he win? I mean, I can...see how it (would be done), but I just want to hear it from you.

Lacy's reply is worth a read here. Now, mind you, I never quite understood the level of religion the political world espouses over Iowa in the larger scheme of trying to win the Presidency, but that would explain why I'm just a dumb trainer by trade. The Thompson campaign sees Iowa as a cornerstone of getting the nomination for the GOP, and they are pulling out all the stops.

The interview below the fold...

Posted in 2008 | Campaign Strategy | Fred Thompson | Iowa Caucuses — Comments (56) / Email this page » / Read More »