Thursday Open Thread [11.17.11]
Jack Markell is in Afghanistan for some reason. Sure, the Governor and his staff will say the purpose of his trip is to visit the Delaware National Guard and check on their progress, but, in my opinon, the only reason for a Governor of Delaware to go to Afghanistan is: 2016.
Some good economic news: 1) Jobless claims drop to 7-month low and 2) “U.S. industrial output rose more than expected in October as factory and mining production expanded strongly, suggesting the economy was gaining steam.”
Bloomberg polls in New Hampshire and Iowa find wide majorities of likely Republican voters view Mitt Romney as “smart, business-savvy and fit to be president,” but, at the same time, “substantial numbers, almost half in Iowa and two out of five in New Hampshire, also view him as someone who will do or say anything to get elected, ‘a flip-flopper,’ or not a true social conservative.”
“Those warring impressions help explain how Romney has attained front-runner status in national polls while remaining unable to secure enough backing to break away from his rivals.”
Meanwhile, Newton Leroy Gingrich moves into the lead nationally, according to a new Fox News poll shows Newt Gingrich leading the GOP presidential field nationally with 23%, followed by Mitt Romney at 22% and Herman Cain at 15%. The rest of the pack: Ron Paul at 8%, Rick Perry at 7%, Michele Bachmann at 6%, Jon Huntsman at 3%, and Rick Santorum at 2%.
Meanwhile, a new Economist/YouGov poll also has Gingrich leading nationally with 23%, followed closely by Herman Cain at 21% and Mitt Romney at 19%.
A new Iowa State University/Gazette/KCRG poll in Iowa finds Herman Cain still leading the Republican field with 25%, followed by Ron Paul at 20%, Mitt Romney at 16%, Rick Perry at 8%, Michele Bachmann at 8%, Newt Gingrich at 5% and Rick Santorum at 5%. Wouldn’t it be something if Ron Paul actually won both Iowa and New Hampshire. It is very possible.
People are awesome:
“Of course Americans are stupid,if they were smart Ron Paul would be president” – Bill Maher
Was listening to WDEL when their promo came on telling us why we should listen. In addition to the latest sports’ results and severe weather was this gem about them telling you when your taxes will be raised. Seriously? This crap is so pervasive.
I’m ready to say that Markell is running i 2016, but I’m not ready to say that he is running to become the President of the United States.
I agree. BUT…. the only offices statewide up for election in 2016 are Governor (he will be term limited), Lt. Governor (demotion), Insurance Commissioner (demotion) and Congressman.
The two Senate seats are not up in 2016. Coons is up in 14 and Carper is up in 12 and 18. I guess he could run for Congress if Carney is not there (and it would be just cruel of him to once again primary him 😉 )
My thinking: if Elizabeth Warren is the nominee, Markell will be her VP.
But is America ready for two straight Vice Presidents from Delaware?
So that leaves the Presidency.
Oh I see him running for the Democratic nomination, but I’m not sure that the Presidency is going to be his real goal. Improve his name rec? Pump up his speaker’s fees? Land a nice sinecure?
There are plenty of good reason to run for the nomination that don’t involve being the President.
For a Republican. Democrats who run for the Presidency tend to actually want the job, or they run to raise genuine issues (i.e. Kucinich, Sharpton or Mosely Braun).
The last thing the Democrats need in 2016 is a closet Republican from Delaware seeking their presidential nomination.
Y’all need to go over to DP and read the smackdown Geezer put on Jon Moseley. It’s a classic. It’s on the thread about Evan Q’s candidacy.