Your Pink FLamingo

The New Hampshire primary is in the history books for 2012.  Mitt Romney is number 1, Dr Paul is number 2.  The only news is that former Governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman, is number 3 with 17% of the New Hampshire vote. 

The pundits have made one accurate observation.  We expected to have to defend capitalism against the President's continuing attacks –  but it appears that Romney is suffering from attacks on capitalism from Republicans.  This will weaken the Republican party and our eventual nominee in 2012 more than anything I have seen in the race so far, in my view.

Tampa independent writer Larry Thornberry offers an excellent discussion of the New Hampshire primary in his article appearing for The American Spectator today.  Larry feels that the small state primaries or caucuses are interesting but represent the views of unrepresentative populations.  He points out that the Florida primary on January 31 will be of more importance as an indication of the national pulse because of our larger and more diverse population. 

He also points out the institutional structures that exist in our states against the concept of a third party candidate.  New Hampshire and South Carolina have open primaries that permit independent voters to participate in the primary elections while Florida uses a closed primary system that does not permit independent voters (“Is this odd or what? If a voter wishes to be “independent,” what business does he have helping choose the candidate of a party he is independent of ?”) A third party candidate does not enjoy the systematic advantages of the two major party candidates –  which is why I believe that any third party candidate can be a spoiler but not a victor in the Presidential race.

Read Larry's article in full at <link here>  Enjoy.

I also note that Jon Huntsman is beginning to sound like the conservative Republican that his record as governor of Utah shows him to be.  If he had given his New Hampshire post primary election speech sooner and more often, he might be in a better position than #3 in the New Hampshire primary.  I believe that Jon Huntsman's record as Utah governor with economic stability, job growth, private sector medical care programs without the government mandate of Obamacare and RomneyCare and his expertise in foreign policy and experience with China combine to make Jon a strong and qualified candidate for President.  Perhaps his third place showing in New Hampshire will result in folks taking another look at Jon Huntsman as President in South Carolina, Florida and beyond.

You may listen to Jon's primary election night speech (about ten minutes) <link here>

I urge all of you to pay attention to the primary elections and debates and to support the candidate of your choice in your state coming into the Republican National Convention in Tampa beginning August 27, 2012.