Internal GOP polls show Gingrich's attack on Romney's Bain record is effective

[highplainsdem]

From a Miami Herald blog:


http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/01/think-bain-attacks-repel-primary-voters-internal-gop-polls-suggest-otherwise.html

With the near-universal outrage among conservatives over Newt Gingrich's attacks on Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital, it would seem that the line is a sure loser during the Republican primary. But two internal Republican-conducted polls, shared on condition of anonymity, suggest otherwise. Also, Gingrich's double-digit surge in polls in South Carolina (largely fueled by his debate performance) shows that the Bain line wasn't toxic.

The surveys of 500 Iowa caucus goers and 500 South Carolina likely primary voters show that the attack could work well if it's framed the way Gingrich has: That Romney got rich while he fired the little guy. In Iowa, 61 percent of likely primary voters said it would make them less likely to vote for a candidate. In South Carolina, 63 percent said it would make primary voters less likely to vote for a candidate.

-snip-

Yes, it's a leading push poll/message-testing question, one that's used to help sharpen campaign ads or one that consultants use to anticipate future attacks so they can defend their candidate. It doesn't mean the message is fair, accurate or complete. And, yes, this is just a snippet of a poll shared with us to push an agenda. Still, it's worth a note.

Also, the Iowa and South Carolina polls roped in Democrats and independents, who can participate in the early votes there. In Florida, only Republicans can vote in the Jan. 31 primary. But Florida is also a top job-loss state and Romney has yet to explain how his company profitted off of shuttering a Miami factory and laying off hundreds of workers years ago (story is here). And, in the end, struggling Republican Floridians are a lot more like struggling Democrats and independents than the coiffed, well-suited cognescenti of the Washington-New York chattering class.

-snip-

[gateley]

1. Wow. I saw Gingrich is up by 6 today. nt

[exboyfil]

2. Romney is the face of the 15% capital gains/dividend tax rate

I would hope Obama pushes that lever for all it is worth. Consider that every dime of income for everyone is taxed at this rate as well (even excluding federal income taxes) in the form of both sides of Social Security/Medicare.

I would frame it like this. One of the biggest arguments for the low tax rate is the risk associated with investment. Well my daughter is looking at college right now. She will invest close to $100K and four years of her life in this investment, and what will be her marginal tax rate when done (about 45% for Fed/Social Security/Medicare). Which is the bigger risk?

[eridani]

3. The notion that rich people risk anything at all is total bullshit

So a deal turns sour and they lose a million or two? What happens to their lives? Nothing whatsoever. The money they have left will pay for food, housing and their kids' educations. Risking those things is real risk.

[kemah]

4. Win Win for these vulture capitalist

They analyze the financial data and play all angles. They won't invest unless they are 100% sure they will get at least break even. Some of these companies have patents, real estate, equipment, contracts, expertise, market share, all of some value. They just auction off the pieces and bingo they got their money. They stiff the vendors, workers, banks, and local government cash incentives.
You would think that they wouldn't be so greedy and at least give the workers a severance check. Nothing all for themselves and then they hide the money in the caymans to avoid paying taxes.
Trump even brags about going bankrupt to stiff the vendors and workers. Just a business decision.
It is all an insiders game. The stock market is rigged to take your money. I took a financial class by one of those capitalist. He showed us the inside game. Bragged about it.