Call Me GOP

The results are finally in! After a week of voting and over 1,000 votes, you’ve chosen the candidates for the Final Four. Who won? Eric Cantor, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Jim DeMint. While it was clear Mitt was in early on in the game, I must admit I’m a little surprised by the other nominees — they seemed like the underdogs in the Republican tourney.

But that’s just me. How do you feel about the results? As always, leave your thoughts in the comment box to tell us why you voted how you did. We’ll be using these insights to create a stronger platform for the Republican Party.

Come Monday, we’re going to start organizing these insights — so come back for that. As for now we just have two more rounds to get through to find out who should lead the G.O.P. Ready, set, vote!

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Dede Scozzafava, a pro-choice, pro-gay marriage New York assemblywoman, won the Republican nomination to replace Representative John McHugh. Is this the new face of the G.O.P. or “Republican suicide”?

(via The Daily Beast)

Last night, Boston Globe writer Charles Pierce blamed news channels for popularizing political figures — like Liz Cheney. I’d like to hear your thoughts: does media make the man (or woman)?

(via The Huffington Post)

It’s your last day to vote on the G.O.P.’s Great Eight! While Mitt Romney has a commanding lead over Joe Scarborough, Eric Cantor and Colin Powell are literally neck and neck in a fierce battle to make it to the next round. Don’t let your voice go unheard: vote now!

The anti-Obama tone in Washington taken by many G.O.P. members has some Republican Senate leaders concerned — particularly regarding health care. Why do they think the debate has turned less about the issues and more about the president?

Get the full scoop here.

Toward the end of eight years in the White House, Dick Cheney was on a mission to have the chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter” Libby, pardoned by the president. Libby had been convicted of obstructing an investigation into the leak of a CIA officer’s identity two years earlier. But the president pushed back. This Time article reveals how the last few stressful and tumultuous hours represent key differences between the two men who lead America through most of this decade. What does this reveal about the pair’s relationship while in power? What issues do you think they fought over?

(via The Daily Beast)

Lately, it seems there’s been a host of young conservatives rapping about politics. From the Young Cons out of Dartmouth to “Just Tax” — a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” — which seems to have gone viral a couple of days ago. In The Daily Beast, Meghan McCain discusses the connection between pop culture and politics. But Autotune and dance beats alone aren’t enough. Is there a generational difference between voters’ ideologies and political concerns? What might young voters care about that the older generations don’t (and vice versa)?

Tonight, President Obama will hold his fifth news conference since taking office. The New York Times speculates he will focus on the economy and health care system — two hot topics for you guys. So what would you ask the president…on these subjects and other matters?

A recent Rasmussen report states that support for Republican congressional candidates is at its highest level in over two years. 42% polled said they’d vote Republican while only 38% would back their district’s Democratic candidate. But is the G.O.P. counting its chickens before they hatch? Is this gradual trend toward the G.O.P. a result of failures from the Democratic Party or positive efforts from the Republicans?

Time is running out to debate about this Great Eight bracket of Republicans. Some — mainly Mitt Romney — have a commanding lead over the competition, while others are racing neck and neck. Soon, we’ll have this tournament broken down for your Final Four. We’ve got to keep the ball rolling: the party needs a leader… and it needs one quickly! Questions? Concerns? You’d better speak up while you can.

Which pair is your most difficult decision and (as always) why?

So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and vote here before it’s too late.