At least part of the reason Romney is doing well in Arizona is the state’s large Mormon population. According to the LDS Church News, Mormons make up just under 6 percent of Arizona’s population. The entrance polling for the Nevada caucus found that Romney won 88 percent of the LDS vote.

88% of 6% of the vote and Mitt is leading in a racist state where the GOPers hate Hispanics. I think Mitt going after Perry for supporting Hispanics is the bigger factor. That and Newt despite his own past on this campaign is trying to get Hispanic votes. Normally is a state where racism is the issue I would have expected Newt to win easy.
Ron at 11% in his best showing still seems low to me and thats interesting if Ron can’t pull off 2nd or third place wins in Western States then where can he win? Maybe the polls are off?

I think, as was discussed yesterday by many, MICHIGAN is the litmus test (of the week). A Rokney loss there and his whole team needs to step back and re-evaluate.

I just can’t believe that ANYBODY with half a brain thinks Santorum is even a qualified “candidate” much less a suitable nominee.

Next week has GOP primaries in Michigan and Arizona. While polling indicates there is a decent chance Rick Santorum could win Michigan, all the recent polling of Arizona shows Romney with the lead.

In a normal race the follow the leader mentality in an election is a factor especially in a GOP race because of their authoritarian tendencies if Rick were to win Michigan I would expect Rick to take the lead in AZ.
But as the GOP fragments the Tea Baggers seem to be saying no to Mitt and AZ might be the next funny election for the GOP like Iowa and Maine the Corporate wing of the GOP seems to be stealing elections for Mitt.

I just can’t believe that ANYBODY with half a brain thinks Santorum is even a qualified “candidate” much less a suitable nominee.

Half a brain does describe the GOP quite well forget logic negative emotions drive their choices I’m surprised Newt is not doing better. But Newt did try and get Hispanic voters this election I think that is costing him support.

IN the GOP everybody want to say they voted for the winner. They are friggin’ weird like that.

“…the Corporate wing of the GOP seems to be stealing elections for Mitt.”
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It was obvious that the GOP PTB did not want Newt. But, are they working behind the scenes agains Mitt?

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of “As the GOP Churns”.

Primary turnout is the missing story given the high unemployment rate and Ron Paul bringing in new voters to the GOP GOP primary turnout should be higher.
I wonder if Ron is hurt in the polls because many of his supporters are younger probably only have cell phones, never voted GOP before any poll that looks only at voters who voted GOP before in other words likely voters would also not be counted.
I honestly thought Ron could do 2nd in AZ third maybe but 4th?

I don’t think Paul “photographs” well.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of “As the GOP Churns”.

If the Corporate GOP steals this election for Mitt then Mitt has to pick a Fundy (Rick or Newt) or Ron as VP. Which would force him more fundy in the general election and hurt him with moderate voters.
Ron does bring in new voters but loses Mitt the GOP Fundy base. The problem Mitt can’t win with just Fundy voters and Mitt’s outsourcing of jobs hurts him with regular Americans Mitt does not bring in Moderate voters himself Mormons already vote GOP in high numbers.
If the GOP had higher primary turnout this would be a small problem but with record high unemployment at a level no President has ever won reelection at and the GOP can’t get higher primary election turnout the GOP has a problem.
We need to look at the party out of power’s primary turnout in past elections when unemployment was high.

Thats always been a problem for the Undead look at Cheney and Rove:)

Gotta go as the GOP fragments old ideas about elections become useless the smaller the GOP groups get the less they act like atoms and the more they act like sub atomic particles until we open the box/have an election the cat is half dead half alive.
But in this race Iowa and Maine are examples the lab tech who opens the box likes to kill the cat throwing even right guesses about elections off.

I believe they have early voting in Arizona, and those who voted early (prior to the Santorum surge) are counted in the analysis.

Could change (and how much) if Santorum voters are motivated to turn out to reverse the early voting trend?

I’ll leave it to someone with local expertise to explain if it’s possible.

Or is there a possibility that the GOP PTB decide a brokered convention is necessary to head-off a full-on take-over by the T-Party led by Santorum?

AZ — the west’s Florida.

I continue to support the notion that Marc Rubio will be Mitt’s VP.

Bob, there might indeed BE a strategy involved. OTOH, this MAY just be a case Stevie Wonder playing a game of darts.

Correctomundo!
Both have lots of sand and tanned, leathery looking old people.

Or is there a possibility that the GOP PTB decide a brokered convention is necessary to head-off a full-on take-over by the T-Party led by Santorum?

Yes and that would be very fun to watch. Jane better make sure we have enough internet to handle the surge in comments if that happens. After all brokered convention means Ron becomes a player and will want something in return for his support so will Newt and Rick. Plus Sarah will come to a brokered convention hoping to be elected homecoming queen.
Popcorn sales in blue states should skyrocket.::)

I continue to support the notion that Marc Rubio will be Mitt’s VP.

That would cost him AZ and given the GOP’s stand on immigration let alone Mitt’s stand still not get Mitt many Hispanic votes.
But the GOP projects on us their idea that racial identity is more important than ideas never mind O only beat Hilary because he said he would end both wars stop torture, give us National Healthcare end NAFTA etc and Hilary would not.
We are idea people first until O lied to us O was not beating Hilary.

I think you may have misunderstood my point, or I didn’t make it clear enough.

I’m pointing out that the GOP leadership is dealing with the outcome of nurturing a lunatic base.

I don’t think they have a cohesive plan other than trying to avoid being completely taken over by the crazies on the one hand, and nominating an unelectable mannequin on the other.

So I’m with you, I think it’s already “a case Stevie Wonder playing a game of darts” (Sorry Stevie) and the GOP is faced with the question of how to clean up the mess.

Personally, I don’t think they can clean it up; it’s gotten out of hand.

I do think your logic on Rubio as VP is sound from a GOP corporate viewpoint but it would hurt Mitt with the racist GOP voters. Given how out of touch Mitt is with the Racists and Fundies despite his flip flopping I admit you might be right.
But if your right the anti immigrant Tea Baggers stay home on election night and outside of Florida Cubans and anti abortion Hispanics not many of us will cross over and vote GOP.
Brown people suddenly showing up at GOP events I don’t think would be welcomed outside Florida.

“Apparently, a democracy is a place where numerous elections are held at great cost without issues and with interchangeable candidates.”-Gore Vidal

Polls and elections are entertainment for the masses, diversions to give the illusion of choice and voice.

You mean, “Darts all over the place and somebody lost an eye”…..right?

I had never heard that quote before.
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OTOH, who names their kid “Gore”????