One time frontrunner Rick Perry has withdrawn from the race to become the Republican party's presidential nominee. Joining him on the sidelines is Jon Huntsman who entered the race as something resembling the 'thinking man's' candidate with his libertarian leaning outlook. Perry fell off the horse that was going to take him to the finish line, Huntsman never really got into the saddle...
Showing posts with label withdrawn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label withdrawn. Show all posts
Friday, 20 January 2012
Friday, 9 December 2011
Cain suspends then quits
Businessman and radio talk show host Herman Cain has withdrawn from the race to be the GOP's presidential nominee. With deepening revelations concerning his extra-marital conduct the former ballistics worker initially suspended his campaign but then promptly abandoned it all together. Told you this would happen! (self-indulgent tone intended)
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| Herman Cain perhaps mulling a future in the media? Photography: Gage Skidmore (Flickr) |
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Palin Bottles It
Whilst the biggest news of the last 24 hours has been the passing of the revered Apple co-founder and technology innovator, Steve Jobs, the revelation concerning the presidential race has been confirmation that Sarah Palin will NOT RUN. Told you so...
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Tim Pawlenty Withdraws
Former Gov. of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty has withdrawn from the presidential race after not receiving the kick he needed from the Ames Iowa Straw Poll. He finished in third place with 13.6% of the vote behind Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul who earned 28.6% and 27.7% of the vote respectively. Ouch...
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Mitch Daniels is Out
Like his close friend Haley Barbour, the Governor of Mississippi, Mitch Daniels, the Governor of Indiana, has decided not to pursue the Republican nomination for President in 2012. He joins an increasingly large list of Republican politicians who have surprisingly declined the opportunity to run. Mike Huckabee, in particular, looked like a lock and possibly the race's biggest heavyweight given the relative success of his attempt in 2008 and his activities since then including a TV show on the Fox News Channel and books he has written.
Daniels is widely seen as a rising star in the GOP having been re-elected by an 18 point margin in 2008 and has made his name as a potent cost-cutter, budget-balancer and, to a lesser degree, as a limiter of abortion. David Brooks of the New York times described the Governor as the "Party's strongest [would be] candidate," adding that he "couldn't match Obama in grace and elegance, but he could on substance."
In an e-mail sent out in the early hours of Sunday morning to his supporters he told them: "I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one, but that, the interests and wishes of my family, is the most important consideration of all." Daniels expressed concern at the strain a national campaign, and the glare of the national media it entails, could have on his wife and 4 daughters.
In finishing his e-mail he wrote: "If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry. If you feel that this was a non-courageous or unpatriotic decision, I understand and will not attempt to persuade you otherwise. I only hope that you will accept my sincerity in the judgment I reached."
Daniels is widely seen as a rising star in the GOP having been re-elected by an 18 point margin in 2008 and has made his name as a potent cost-cutter, budget-balancer and, to a lesser degree, as a limiter of abortion. David Brooks of the New York times described the Governor as the "Party's strongest [would be] candidate," adding that he "couldn't match Obama in grace and elegance, but he could on substance."
In an e-mail sent out in the early hours of Sunday morning to his supporters he told them: "I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one, but that, the interests and wishes of my family, is the most important consideration of all." Daniels expressed concern at the strain a national campaign, and the glare of the national media it entails, could have on his wife and 4 daughters.
In finishing his e-mail he wrote: "If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry. If you feel that this was a non-courageous or unpatriotic decision, I understand and will not attempt to persuade you otherwise. I only hope that you will accept my sincerity in the judgment I reached."
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| Photo by Adam P Schweigert/WFIU via Flickr. |
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Mike Huckabee is Out
Another one pulls up before the race even starts. Mike Huckabee joins Haley Barbour as two big Republican heavyweights who have decided not to run for the GOP nomination. Huckabee's decision is particularly surprising considering he has positioned himself well throughout the campaign so far.
There were rumours a couple of weeks ago that Huckabee might not be running and he had taken his foot of the gas somewhat as it was clear his campaign was at a much lower tempo than his rivals when. He had lost out on some key hires for his Iowa campaign team.
“All the factors say go,” Huckabee said in his Fox News Channel show. “But my heart says no.” Huckabee's withdrawal flings the campaign further open amongst grassroots conservatives as this was certainly the group from which he drew most support. Undoubtedly, he now makes a strong choice for running mate when the time comes.
One also has to question if the window is now closing for Huckabee. Should he run in four years time he would likely encounter one Sarah Palin, who seems unlikely to run this year, and this would result in a serious tussle for the votes of the socially conservative base. It really seems now rather than later is Huckabee's best opportunity to challenge for the highest office in the land.
There were rumours a couple of weeks ago that Huckabee might not be running and he had taken his foot of the gas somewhat as it was clear his campaign was at a much lower tempo than his rivals when. He had lost out on some key hires for his Iowa campaign team.
“All the factors say go,” Huckabee said in his Fox News Channel show. “But my heart says no.” Huckabee's withdrawal flings the campaign further open amongst grassroots conservatives as this was certainly the group from which he drew most support. Undoubtedly, he now makes a strong choice for running mate when the time comes.
One also has to question if the window is now closing for Huckabee. Should he run in four years time he would likely encounter one Sarah Palin, who seems unlikely to run this year, and this would result in a serious tussle for the votes of the socially conservative base. It really seems now rather than later is Huckabee's best opportunity to challenge for the highest office in the land.
Donald Trump is Out
With all his talk of exposing Obama as a foreigner and being a 'really bad student' at Harvard - because lots of bad students become the first Afro-American editor of the Harvard Law Review - the Donald now scuttles away back to the safety of the private sector after balking, not for the first time, at the opportunity to run for President. A Ross Perrot-esque candidacy isn't going to happen any more which is sad for many, like myself, who would delight in writing about something that would definitely spice up standard procedure.
However in his statement he maintained: " the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election." So why not run? "Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."
He went on to say: "This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly."
As part of his continuing work in the private sector he is obliged to fulfil his lucrative contract to NBC with another series of his multi-million making TV show The Apprentice.
However in his statement he maintained: " the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election." So why not run? "Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."
He went on to say: "This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly."
As part of his continuing work in the private sector he is obliged to fulfil his lucrative contract to NBC with another series of his multi-million making TV show The Apprentice.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Haley Barbour is Out
Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has ruled out a possible run in the Republican primaries. Widely expected to be a contender he said he lacked the "absolute fire in the belly" to pursue the nomination. He talked of a "10-year commitment to an all-consuming effort" that is now expected of potential presidents and that he could not offer it with certainty when "total certainty is required." After thanking his family for their support he expressed regret if he had disappointed any of the volunteers that had pledged to support him.
Barbour was a 2-term governor who was in office when Hurricane Katrina struck who obtained billions of dollars of Federal money to fund the clean-up and rejuvenation of the state. He was a Washington lobbyist and former National Republican Committee chairman. His candidacy seemed a dead cert after the national exposure he received during the Katrina disaster and unlike current confirmed runner Gary Johnson he already has very high name recognition.
The stage seems set for Romney, Pawlenty and Co. to declare their official candidacy for the Republican nomination. However, Barbour is far from done with the election as a whole as he remains chairman of the Republican Governors Association and will undoubtedly provide some commentary during the media coverage.
Barbour was a 2-term governor who was in office when Hurricane Katrina struck who obtained billions of dollars of Federal money to fund the clean-up and rejuvenation of the state. He was a Washington lobbyist and former National Republican Committee chairman. His candidacy seemed a dead cert after the national exposure he received during the Katrina disaster and unlike current confirmed runner Gary Johnson he already has very high name recognition.
The stage seems set for Romney, Pawlenty and Co. to declare their official candidacy for the Republican nomination. However, Barbour is far from done with the election as a whole as he remains chairman of the Republican Governors Association and will undoubtedly provide some commentary during the media coverage.
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| Photo by Atlantic Sentinel. |
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