Disgruntled independents may determine the future
With the Iowa GOP caucus and New Hampshire primary behind us, I am somewhat surprised by the outcomes.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came out ahead in both — only by eight votes in the Iowa caucus, though. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum came in second and former Texas Rep. Ron Paul came in third.
In New Hampshire, Paul came in second followed by Jon Huntsman Jr., who didn’t campaign in Iowa. Santorum trailed far behind along with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
So, what surprises me? Ron Paul.
Evidently, Paul has struck a likable cord with a faction of voters. Listening to a radio commentary this morning, several voters in New Hampshire were interviewed. They claimed to be independents who voted for Romney or Paul.
They liked Romney because he is moderate. I didn’t get a clear indication why those who voted for Paul like him, other than the fact he’s different.
It’s pretty hard to call Paul moderate. He has some pretty radical ideas. But even though Paul came in third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire, the national media still isn’t taking him seriously.
In a wire story about the New Hampshire primary, Paul isn’t mentioned until five paragraphs in. Santorum, Gingrich and Perry were all mentioned before Paul.
That won’t bode well for Paul as the next few primaries unfold. The media, or lack of, shouldn’t determine the nomination, but I’m afraid it happens.
It is clear to me the winner of the 2012 election must appeal to the independent voters. The independent voters liked President Barack Obama in 2008. Many have become disenchanted with the direction our economy has gone and are looking for someone to change that.
The candidates trying to get the die-hard Republicans’ votes are campaigning on their conservative values. If only Republicans were voting that would probably be the way to go. But, in order to get the independent vote, it will take a more moderate stance on many issues.
I consider myself independent. I actually liked Romney for awhile when he was running for the GOP nomination in 2008.
When he came to Creston and I had a chance to interview him, I asked him what he was hearing from Iowans as their most important issue. He didn’t think twice and said “immigration.”
Wow, that was a shocker. Even four years ago, Iowans were concerned about the economy. Immigration was way down on the list of issues for most Iowans. Romney was obviously out of touch.
I think because Union County is in U.S. Rep. Steve King’s district, Romney thought immigration was a big issue here, since it was, still is, one of King’s big issues.
Romney didn’t come close to Union County during his recent campaign in Iowa.
I’m anxious to see what the economy does in the next few months. I’ll listen to what both the final GOP nominee and Obama have to say about the future of our country. Then I’ll decide how I am going to vote in November.
I would like to see some major changes in the way our government is run. Does that mean we need a new president? A lot of new faces in Congress?
It’s obvious that something is going to have to be done to get those representing us, to represent us.
Yes, I am one of those disgruntled independents.
