Is this really happening again?
Yes.
When and where?
CNN, 8PM. It’s being webcast here.
Why should I spend even one more minute on these things?
Well, this one is a bit of a Big Deal. It’s the first debate in about a month. A lot has changed in the race, and a lot is at stake.
Like what?
Well, following a pair of disappointing debate performances and an aggressive negative-ad carpetbombing of the Sunshine State, Gingrich lost to Romney in Florida, losing the momentum that the Speaker’s victory in South Carolina had built. At that point, the received wisdom was that February would be a quiet month for the GOP - it would be several weeks without debates, there were no delegate-granting contests, and Romney was widely expected to take easy wins in the few “beauty contest” primaries that would take place. Those low expectations made Rick Santorum’s surprise victories in the Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota a Very Big Deal. The former Pennsylvania senator has led every national Republican poll for the last two weeks. Despite a strong organization, an immense warchest, and a broadly held perception that he is the most electable candidate in the race, Romney continues to be unable to secure majority support within the GOP.
The timing of Santorum’s latest surge is particularly dangerous for the Romney campaign. Next week, primaries will be held in Arizona and Michigan, the latter of which is Romney’s home state (well, one of them). But right now, Romney is narrowly losing Michigan to Santorum in the polls. Republican elites are nervous, saying things like the following in the press (albeit anonymously): “The senator believes Romney will ultimately win in Michigan but says he will publicly call for the party to find a new candidate if he does not. ‘We’d get killed,’ the senator said if Romney manages to win the nomination after he failed to win the state in which he grew up. ‘He’d be too damaged’ … Santorum? ‘He’d lose 35 states,’ the senator said, predicting the same fate for Newt Gingrich.” While Michigan is just one state among many, losing it would strike the core of Romney’s electability argument. After Michigan is Super Tuesday. Santorum’s credibility as the potential nominee hinges on a strong performance on the national stage. That, in turn, depends on him maintaining and building momentum through early March.
Tonight will frame the narrative for this next wave of very important contests.
OK, but I hate all these guys and I don’t really give a shit about their internecine bullshit. Why should I watch?
Well, I watch because I’m addicted to news media. But speaking more generally, I do think there is value in watching the things. I’ve been learning things about the state of American conservatism, for sure. But I’ll talk about that another time.
Other possible reasons to watch include sublimated desire to self-harm or, “It’s better than Survivor: One World”.
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whamola reblogged this from interruptions and added:
Hahaha perfect summation! Oh Colin, how
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phredology said:
8 PM east coast? so 5 PM here? as in in 45 minutes? oh god i need to be drunk for this
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interruptions posted this
