First Republican presidential debate postponed

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

First Republican presidential debate postponed
WASHINGTON | Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:56am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first scheduled debate of the 2012 Republican presidential nominating race has been postponed from May to September because of a lack of candidates.

The May 2 debate at the Ronald Reagan presidential library will be moved to September 14 to allow time for Republicans to enter the race for the right to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012.

The Republican campaign has been slow to begin, with a large field of potential candidates gauging their prospects but few jumping in. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty last week became the first major contender to take a formal step toward running when he formed a committee to explore a bid.

"Although there will be a long and impressive list of Republican candidates who eventually take the field, too few have made the commitment thus far for a debate to be worthwhile in early May," said John Heubusch, director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in Simi Valley, California.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/us-usa-campaign-debate-idUSTRE72T40U20110330

[tanyev]

1. Oh, dear. Looks like Sarah might have to offer herself up in the name of service to the public.

[barbtries]

20. yeah and i'm betting

she's going, "oh shit" now because she thought she wouldn't have to debate.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. ROFL

Obama and Hillary both announced in January of 2007.

It's now almost April of 2011, and we still see no clear GOP candidates on the horizon.

:rofl:

[Bok_Tukalo]

14. I think the 2004 election would be a better gauge than 2008

2008 was a wide open election whereas 2004 had the president standing for re-election.

I didn't check them all but Dean didn't announce until June of 2003 and Clark in September.

I think it is still early.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. That can't be right. September?

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Florida, starting on August 27, 2012. They will have already nominated a candidate by September.

[Angry Dragon]

6. This is year 2011 ............

[arcane1]

7. I presume they mean September 2011 n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

8. I just couldn't imagine a primary debate 18 months before the election.

I concede to you.

[arcane1]

11. I agree

And I expect this campaign season to be much shorter than 2008

[onehandle]

4. Good. Time for more crazies to qualify. nt

[global1]

5. Although There Will Be A Long And Impressive List Of Republican Candidates......

who eventually take the field.....

Are you kidding me? Impressive?

Maybe they meant "wrong" and "repressive" or "regressive".

[47of74]

9. They need more time to...

...make sure their expensive brown shirts are cleaned and pressed, and to make sure their makeup is all in order.

[SpiralHawk]

10. The REAL Reason: Lack of brains, lack of ideas

Americans have zero interest in hearing the Republicon numbskulls natter NO NO NO NO NO.

The so-called 'candidates' have not got a 1/2 an idea among them, other than 'MORE MORE MORE tax cuts for rich republicon cronies,' and 'screw the elderly.'

Hardly a winning combo.

[Kolesar]

13. Could hire Condi-Rice to tutor them ..

...to make up for the problem that they don't read newspapers or books.
Then get Jeb to rig the election.

[SpiralHawk]

18. Sure. Condi could define the TORTURE plank for the Republicons

Since torture is such a welcome part of 'republicon family values'

[Historic NY]

12. Thats rich.......a lack of sacrificial candidates

[livetohike]

15. Lack of interest

They could bill it as a circus and put flyers on the windshield of cars in Simi Valley. Maybe a few people would show up if they offered something for free.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Lack of candidates? Really?

It looks like half the insane asylum is ready to run, judging by recent news reports.

[Mz Pip]

21. seems like there's more than enough

for some pretty good political theater. It would be great to see the current batch yammer over who loves God and hates Muslims and taxes more than the other.

[TheCowsCameHome]

22. How many does it require to qualify as a circus?

In their case, I'll bet not too many.

[Kurmudgeon]

25. A circus should have 3 rings, one clown for each ring.

[TheCowsCameHome]

30. Budget cuts. Make do with two. Sorry.

[Kurmudgeon]

31. Ok.

[Turbineguy]

17. Oh good.

That gives the candidates an extra 4 months to learn something. Anything.

[barbtries]

19. lol

that is all.

[AndyTiedye]

23. The Candidates Haven't Announced Yet Because They're All Still on the Faux News Payroll

When they formally announce, Faux News will have to let them go, so they won't have their own TV shows anymore.

[Zorra]

24. Aw hek, I gess I wil runn four 'em.

How am I doong so fahr?
:evilgrin:

[NYC Liberal]

26. Who's gonna be the sacrificial lamb?

Yes, NOTHING in politics is ever certain. But the ONLY Republicans running are the crazies who would normally be the perennial fringe candidates. I don't see one strong, sane Republican who could step up. Maybe Romney...not that he's any less nuts, he's just fairly good at masking it...but the tea baggers and GOP base will never go for him.

[tanyev]

29. Someone with a Queen Esther complex?

[RedCloud]

27. They rejected question #1 "Can't we all just agree to disagree?"

50% said NO to compromise.
The other half ran away when the mike was in their faces.

[Xolodno]

28. Political Landmines everywhere for them...

1. They would have to commit to actually agreeing with or opposing Gov. Walker. Agree and you alienate too many. Oppose and your seen as weak within the GOP.

2. The whole Libya thing is still panning out. Can't attack the President of failure, shortcomings, or ignore it all together until the whole thing plays out.

3. Budget impasse in the capitol could wreak havoc. A candidate would have to come out on one of the sides within the Republican party...and no one is for sure who is going to win in the jury of popular opinion.

4. TEA baggers....not sure if they will continue to be a force or a group you can ignore.

5. They took power.....still no jobs. They could be hit hard on that.

6. The serious contenders may be content to wait another 4 years. Thanks to the hard right and their massive F-ups, the atmosphere has become very anti-Republican. In a way, it would be better if they (hard right) took to the podiums and became the "disaster". It would give them a chance to retake the party from them and move back to the "big-tent" philosophy.

Could go on...but none of them would like to declare and have to flip flop on positions so early in the game. As it is, Newt's flipping and flopping looks like a fish that accidentally jumped out of water and onto land. Plus a disastrous primary campaign could mean no campaign later on. Plus if the Republican platform goes hard right...they could go down in history as losing in a landslide with a map that looks much like Reagan vs. Mondale...but with opposite colors.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. They have no shortage of candidates

they just haven't announced yet.

They have just formed exploratory committees to answer the question "Is there a snowball's chance in hell?"

:hi:

[HughBeaumont]

33. For 2012, I think the Clownshoe Party Koch'ed their chances in WI, FL and OH.

Well, definitely in WI. Maybe in FL.

Sherrod Brown and Obama notwithstanding, SlowHio historically seems to wear their willfull stupidity like a badge of honor as they keep electing labor-hating fucknards, so who knows?

[old mark]

34. "There will be a long and impressive list of republican candidates...."

I wonder where they will come form-I'm not impressed with any republicans at all, at least not favoribly impressed.

mark