No Wonder This Party's On a Losing Streak

[Colossus_500]

Are the GOP Candidates Afraid of a Snowman?
PJM LAJ uly 27, 2007 1:30 PM
 
One of the hottest stories in the blogosphere in recent weeks is the apparent reluctance of leading Republican presidential candidates to appear in a YouTube sponsored debate in September. As of now frontrunner Rudy Giuliani may be “bypassing” the event and Mitt Romney has cast aspersions on having to answer questions from a “snowman.”

The controversy over Republican candidate participation in the YouTube debates scheduled for September 17 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida appears to be building as several candidates declared their intention to participate while the two front runners remained cool to the idea.

A story in the Washington Post this morning suggested that “sources familiar” with the Giuliani campaign said that the GOP frontrunner was considering bypassing the debate. A spokesman for Governor Mitt Romney said that the campaign had received 7 debate invitations over an 11-day period in September and had not committed to any of them. Romney himself expressed some good natured skepticism with the YouTube format saying “I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman,” referring to a questioner at the Democratic debates on Monday night who dressed as a snowman to ask about global warming.

Sam Feist of CNN said that as of this morning, only John McCain and Ron Paul had formally accepted invitations to the debate. Pajamas Media has learned that at least one other Republican candidate has since decided to attend.

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson’s campaign announced his plans to participate in the debate. The Thompson campaign teased Mitt Romney in their statement confirming his participation in the debates saying “We’ll answer questions from any American who wants to ask one and that includes one dressed up like a snowman.”

“Mayor Giuliani and Senator McCain seem more interested in finding reasons to pass up opportunities to address Americans than finding opportunities to engage in debate,” said Steve Grubbs, Senior National Advisor for the Thompson Presidential campaign.

Lou Moore, National Campaign Manager for Ron Paul said he didn’t know whether it was “fear or ignorance” that would keep the frontrunners from the debate. “The American people deserve to hear from the candidates,” he said.

A spokesman for Fred Thompson told Pajamas Media that the former Senator would have no statement about participation in the debate because officially, he is not a candidate. Any public statement that would identify him as such would require him to file a report with the FEC and place restrictions on his fundraising ability.

Meanwhile, at least one GOP candidate didn’t receive their invitation to participate in the debate until today. A spokesperson in the Tom Tancredo campaign office told Pajamas Media that they were still mulling over the decision as to whether they will participate in the debate and had only received the formal request to appear at the event this morning.

Reached for comment late today, YouTube told Pajamas Media that they were “hopeful” all Republican candidates would participate in the event.

“The Democratic CNN/YouTube debate was a success and we have equally high expectations for the Republican CNN/YouTube Debate.”

[24KT]

That might have something to do with it, ...but I'm pretty confident there's a whole pile of reasons. 

[Colossus_500]

That might have something to do with it, ...but I'm pretty confident there's a whole pile of reasons. 

I know they miss having your vote, Jag.   

[24KT]

I know they miss having your vote, Jag.   

What's a matter Colly... no one stomp on your neck lately? 

[Colossus_500]

What's a matter Colly... no one stomp on your neck lately? 

You're just itchin' to, aren't you.   

[24KT]

You're just itchin' to, aren't you.   

Wasn't thinking about it. Stop trying to plant destructive seeds in my brain. What are you a masochist?

[Colossus_500]

Wasn't thinking about it. Stop trying to plant destructive seeds in my brain. What are you a masochist?

I could say something, but I won't. 

[OzmO]

I couldn't say something, but I won't. 

But you kind of just did, didn't you?   

[Colossus_500]

But you kind of just did, didn't you?   

guilty as charged.   

[Hedgehog]

GOP will bounce back.

I believe that one of the reasons the Democrats are doing good right now, is because they got their ass kicked in the late 90's/early 2000's. Which meant they had to re-group, and a lot of their bad seeds were sorted out, not all, but a lot of them.

The same thing can happen to the GOP, and they should bounce back with full power in a couple of years IMO.

If the GOP gets the fresh blood they need, they could take the house in the next mid-terms.

There are currently more incitaments for people NOT to vote Republican, than there is to vote Democrat.

Ie, the Democrat who runs for president, will most likely win, no matter what he or she does. There is simply too much AGAINST the GOP at the moment.

Which is kind of sad. It would be preferable if both candidates were strong, and that if the Democrats won, they would do it because they offered a better alternative.

Not because USA simply wants a change of direction.

[Colossus_500]

Which is kind of sad. It would be preferable if both candidates were strong, and that if the Democrats won, they would do it because they offered a better alternative.

Not because USA simply wants a change of direction.

So true, bro.  So true.

[Hugo Chavez]

GOP will bounce back.

I believe that one of the reasons the Democrats are doing good right now, is because they got their ass kicked in the late 90's/early 2000's. Which meant they had to re-group, and a lot of their bad seeds were sorted out, not all, but a lot of them.

The same thing can happen to the GOP, and they should bounce back with full power in a couple of years IMO.

If the GOP gets the fresh blood they need, they could take the house in the next mid-terms.

There are currently more incitaments for people NOT to vote Republican, than there is to vote Democrat.

Ie, the Democrat who runs for president, will most likely win, no matter what he or she does. There is simply too much AGAINST the GOP at the moment.

Which is kind of sad. It would be preferable if both candidates were strong, and that if the Democrats won, they would do it because they offered a better alternative.

Not because USA simply wants a change of direction.

I think it can be safely said that the people didn't want to continue down the path paved by George Bush.  In that, we did want a change of direction and McCain did not represent a significant enough move away from Bush.  He opposed him in the beggining and the rest was a love fest.  McCain was not able to break that perception and that he tried to break it shows we were concerned about changing direction.

When 60 to 78% of the country says we're on the wrong track, they want to change directions.  When the percent that thinks we're on the right track is in the teens, we're definitly wanting to change directions
http://www.pollingreport.com/right.htm