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Big Easy Hosting Big 2012 Hopefuls
Clockwise: Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)
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Conservative activists, presidential hopefuls and Republican officials descend on New Orleans Thursday for the 3-day Southern Republican Leadership Conference -- the first big test of 2012 mettle since President Obama scored his health care victory. It's also the first major GOP event in a city devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which contributed to the end of Republican rule in Washington.
From Sarah Palin to Mike Pence the Republicans who may challenge Obama two years from now will attempt to win over conservatives at one of the premiere events for the GOP. Just about everyone considering a bid will appear, except former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is finishing out his book tour. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will address the conference via video. Pawlenty is opting to attend a welcome-home ceremony for soldiers returning from Iraq instead.
Timing is everything in politics, and this event could set the tone for how the GOP will challenge Obama in the next year. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Republicans dedicated hours of the event to promising to "kill" the health care bill. Now that it's passed and Democrats are enjoying an uptick in popularity, it's going to be time to refocus on a new line of attack. It's also possible there will be either a refinement of the "repeal" message, or that that conference will showcase Republican divisions on the topic.
A big question remains about Ron Paul, and whether his grassroots, libertarian-leaning supporters will flood the straw poll in a CPAC repeat and render another 2012 preview contest unhelpful for those testing the water. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal might have a better shot, since the conference is held on his home turf. Then again, conservatives love former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA).
It's the first time in a year that Palin will be up against the 2012 hopefuls in such a forum, and she already made a splash by pulling out of an RNC fundraiser scheduled for the conference. Another potential candidate, Liz Cheney, will appear.
The conference opens Thursday morning and the first big speaking events will be that night when Mary Matalin, Cheney, Newt Gingrich and JC Watts address the crowd. Friday kicks off the big show, with Palin, Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaking in the afternoon. Saturday afternoon will feature Pawlenty's video address, Paul, Pence, Santorum, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 9:53 AM
It's the New Orleans Jackass Festival!
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lousgirl84
April 5, 2010 10:08 AM in reply to Brownbagger
Good morning BrownBagger!! How was your Easter barbeque? How about those scrimps?
Did you see the youtube link I posted in another story over the weekend. Hope you had a great weekend. All's well here - a little windy and rainy this morning...
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 9:08 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Sorry to take so long responding about the video. No, haven't looked at it and now can't recall where link is.
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lousgirl84
April 6, 2010 9:32 AM in reply to Brownbagger
i thought you didn't like me anymore.
here it is again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BpHHghkFOw
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Brownbagger
April 6, 2010 9:44 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Still like you. Just wish you'd quit staring at me. ;-)
p.s. Where's Mr. Marinus?
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lousgirl84
April 6, 2010 10:05 AM in reply to Brownbagger
i love staring at you - you're so damned cute and I have a thing for blue eyes.......
i believe our friend Marinus has taken a break from the insanity and is focusing on another project. I am sure he will be back at some point........
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lousgirl84
April 6, 2010 1:23 PM in reply to Brownbagger
Voodoo woman is back and she's looking for you. She's in the Jon Stewart story
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Brownbagger
April 6, 2010 1:26 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Thanks. OK, I'm gonna go hide out in the McMaverick thread. Shhhhhh.
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weezie.jefferson
April 5, 2010 3:13 PM in reply to Brownbagger
LMAO!
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lousgirl84
April 5, 2010 10:09 AM
The others here aside for the moment, other than the Palin idiot faithfuls, who would vote for this woman?? Seriously?? Nobody is that crazy??????
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Tuffanuff
April 5, 2010 1:08 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Look at all the idiots that voted on Obama!!!
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lousgirl84
April 5, 2010 1:33 PM in reply to Tuffanuff
Bitter much? Troll.....
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Vincent F
April 5, 2010 3:01 PM in reply to Tuffanuff
Voted on? I reckon 53% of Amurikans voted on Obama means they musta like him. Or ain't. Loser.
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WaitWut?
April 5, 2010 3:18 PM in reply to Tuffanuff
You big bully! You take that back or I'm gonna tell yer mama! I'm gonna tell 'er you din't go to school 'gin, also, too!
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weezie.jefferson
April 6, 2010 4:56 PM in reply to Tuffanuff
We voted on Obama? He is a person, which would mean we voted FOR him. He was not a legislative item that you vote "on" such as the Islamonegrosocialistfascistdevilinthewhitehouse bill #HR 666.
Just clarifying.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 10:32 AM
I smoked baby back ribs and they were outstanding. Thanks.
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wuzzywoozle
April 5, 2010 10:41 AM in reply to Brownbagger
Did you inhale?
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 10:58 AM in reply to wuzzywoozle
Yes ... and I liked it ;-)
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lousgirl84
April 5, 2010 10:34 AM
Good to hear.....
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darkrhyme
April 5, 2010 11:03 AM
That's like a who's who of fucking worthless.
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TrivTriv
April 5, 2010 11:09 AM
"Another potential candidate, Liz Cheney, will appear."
Who's talking about her running for President?!? Good lord!
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minnesconsin
April 5, 2010 1:20 PM in reply to TrivTriv
wha? hyu? huh? LIZ CHENEY???????? PRESIDENT???????????
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minnesconsin
April 5, 2010 1:23 PM in reply to minnesconsin
(gathers his composure)
Liz Cheney - Because voting for the child of the previous Republican office-holder worked so well for the country last time we did it.
Oh
my
God
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blkblt
April 5, 2010 11:32 AM
Will Megan McCain be there with all the other boobs?
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Hank
April 5, 2010 8:06 PM in reply to blkblt
No, but she will probably come with hers.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 12:46 PM
Where are the hurricanes and floods when we need them?
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Hidden Oak
April 5, 2010 12:51 PM
That's probably the biggest raw sewage contamination since Katrina.
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Sandoz
April 5, 2010 12:58 PM
Mike Pence? Seriously?
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 1:07 PM
This town is a cesspool! Why don't you folks clean this up? Oh, because we held up the funds after Katrina. Heh-heh. Never mind.
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WaitWut?
April 5, 2010 1:26 PM
So...they still don't have anyone to run. That's what I thought.
I'd love to see any one of these runts debate our President. Actually, he should just take them all on at once. Like a shooting gallery.
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darkrhyme
April 5, 2010 1:45 PM in reply to WaitWut?
The only Republican who could hold a candle to Obama in a debate is Colin Powell...who happens to be an Obama endorser.
Oops.
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WaitWut?
April 5, 2010 3:42 PM in reply to darkrhyme
Agreed. Powell is one of a dying breed.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 1:50 PM
Hutaree was about to endorse Liz Cheney, then they read her platform. "What are we crazy? This chick is way too Right Wing for us."
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human
April 5, 2010 2:29 PM
Seriously, this is the best they've got? Sad.
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GTFOOH
April 5, 2010 2:39 PM
Hopey, Changey,…Who were the other 10 dwarfs?
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LisB
April 5, 2010 2:52 PM in reply to GTFOOH
LOL!!
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 3:25 PM in reply to GTFOOH
Well, there's Dopey and Grumpy of course, and Whiney, Whitey, and ... Barney!
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zonk
April 5, 2010 4:23 PM in reply to Brownbagger
Man-on-doggy, has-beeny, crazy.... I think that about covers it.
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ajkrueger
April 5, 2010 2:47 PM
What a motley group! ROFLMAO!
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senilebiker
April 5, 2010 2:51 PM
KUDOS WHERE IT IS DUE
The photo six pack ( Law and order SVU anyone) at least includes one woman and one minority. In GOP terms this is progress(ive)
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 4:19 PM in reply to senilebiker
You are right! Gingrich being a proud Pillsbury Doeboy American.
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Sir T
April 5, 2010 3:24 PM
The most respectable person out of that lot is Ron Paul. And I'm not even being all that snarky here. At least the guy has integrity.
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rbeats
April 5, 2010 3:47 PM
You know this article for whatever odd reason reminded me of an article I read 5 years ago in the NYTimes Magazine, when I still had the physical copy delivered, that stuck out more than any other commentary upon the disaster.
Here it is
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/magazine/25wwln.html?sq=katrina%20failure%20of%20government&st=nyt&scp=4&pagewanted=print
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 3:54 PM
Ha, Ah'm Bobby Jindal. If mah slow drawl and sing-song delih-vary don't bore ya, mah lame platitudes will send yoah head crashing to da pilla so's y'all can get some sleep. Now don't y'all waste any of yoah money on no volcano alarms, ya hear?
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twirling fartknocker
April 5, 2010 3:57 PM
do they have some event or confab like every month or two? seems like it
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we r all husseins
April 5, 2010 4:54 PM
Perhaps the reason for the gathering is to finally, oficially rename The Republican Party, The Southern Republican Party. It differs from the Dixiecrats in that ... uh ... er ... the name is different.
I wonder if they'll hold one of their "I'm more conservative than all these guys put together" debates.
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Middleclassvotingbloc
April 5, 2010 5:51 PM
What a line-up of hate mongers. Is this crop of extreme right-winger Flea Baggers the best the GOP has to offer. By the way, Palin is not going to run for President, she is making too much money doing nothing. Why would she want to be President when it requires her to remain in office for at least 4 years, quiters and failures don't run for President. She just want to put on a show for the Flea Baggers since she has raked in millions form the fools.
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Middleclassvotingbloc
April 5, 2010 5:52 PM
It is all about the money ya'll!!!
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Middleclassvotingbloc
April 5, 2010 5:54 PM
It will be a real sport to see anyone of those Flea Baggers go up against our President in 2012---what a show!!! President Obama will beat anyone of the Flea Baggers with his hands tied behind his back.
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Middleclassvotingbloc
April 5, 2010 5:56 PM
I wonder which one of the hate mongers the Flea Baggers will find appealing, it will all depend on who hates the most.
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rip
April 5, 2010 7:32 PM
None of these losers will even come close to being the republican nominee in 2012, with the possible exception of Pawlenty who will only be there via video.
The "Tea Party" movement will have largely fizzled out by then, even Fox will consider it yestrerday's news, especially as the crowds get thinner and thinner, and the republican establishment will be dominating the nominating process and they will be looking for plain vanilla without the nuts.
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capemh
April 6, 2010 1:55 AM
Yahoo! New Orleans...no sex clubs there, right?
LMAO
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Owen
April 6, 2010 8:37 AM
It's going to be hard for these guys to balance their need to please the Tea Partiers with their need to retain a shred of credibility. They can't out-crazy Sarah Palin, but they are obviously dying for the spotlight.
There's no room for moderates in today's GOP, but by 2012 there may be no room for nut jobs. Fortunately for them everyone will have forgotten what they said in April 2010, so I guess they just need to avoid drooling on themselves.
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March 28, 2011 10:04 AM
BARACK OBAMA 2012 :KGB TECHNOLOGY 2008
YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOCK !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvG4nLRn4PI
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