SCARY THOUGHT: Did “Project Orca” Cost Romney the Election by Diverting Resources to Failing Computer Program?
One of the big differences between Democrats and Republicans is that when Republicans lose an election, the knives come out and they eat their own. We’ll be seeing this for the next few years — much like we did after the McCain campaign — with Cocktail Party GOP operatives lashing out at various members of the Romney staff, blaming them for the loss in order to elevate themselves and get exposure for their own careers on tee-vee. Steve Schmidt, McCain’s campaign manager, is a classic example of this. He jumps at every opportunity to badmouth Republicans and would appear on MSNBC every day to do so, if they had him.
Today, Breitbart.com’s running a shocking article about “Project Orca”, which was billed as the most technologically advanced Republican GOTV effort ever. Democrats were genuinely terrified of this project, and it was part of the reason that it seemed Mitt Romney would win this election in a big way. If you believed that Americans were eager to defeat Obama to prevent Obamacare from taking effect and that the Romney guys had an advanced tool to turn out the vote, then it was hard to see how Romney would lose.
We don’t know the name (or the motives) of the “Romney insider” who’s telling Breitbart that Project Orca was technologically flawed and crashed on election day, but anecdotal reports throughout the day do show that people had trouble using the system, activating their pin numbers, etc. The “Romney insider” could be telling the truth when he says that Orca diverted 40,000 Romney volunteers to a failing computer program instead of having them do traditional GOTV efforts…or this guy could be positioning himself to be the next Steve Schmidt by pushing a story like this just to sink knives into the Romney campaign. We won’t know the reality for a while.
I’m always suspicious of campaign operatives in Republican ranks because I’d think they wouldn’t reveal something like this and give Democrats the satisfaction of knowing Project Orca flopped (if that’s what happened). It’s like during the Cold War…the US and the Soviets never told each other what really happened when some new vehicle or weapons system failed.
So why come out and reveal what happened with Project Orca so that Democrats can benefit from it? That seems strange. Unless, of course, the guy doing this wants to become the next Steve Schmidt and land a seat on the talk show circuit revealing more and more about the Romney campaign’s failures.
I’m shocked to read this, though, because the big selling point about having Romney be the nominee was that he’d been working on his campaign for over 6 years and he had the best and the brightest that money could buy in terms of loyal advisors and brash young turks who would do things with GOTV that no Republican had ever succeeded in doing before.
Romney and his senior staff were legitimately shellshocked on Election Day as the first set of polls started to close, because they really thought they were winning until vote totals started coming in. Obama and his supporters seemed resigned to losing in the weeks before election day…and all throughout November 6th the talking heads on MSNBC kept talking about “voter suppression” being the only explanation for Obama’s loss, really setting the stage to push that narrative when Romney won. Everything pointed to a Romney win that never came.
If people really were counting on Project Orca to deliver the turnouts needed — and everyone assumed it would work — then maybe it’s failure is part of why Democrats ended up with the (D+7) electorate they needed to win Obama a second term.
It’s still hard to believe we really do need to suffer through four more years of Leftist control of this country…but in those four years I hope we can finally break the ugly cycle where Democrats constantly have a vaunted “turnout advantage”. Surely there is something that can be done in Republican ranks between now and 2016 to avoid another “Project Orca” failure or to allow Democrats to keep having a better “GOTV ground game”.
It’s mind-numbing and soul-killing that the Romney guys would have failed in this, because the Romney guys were supposed to be better at this stuff than anyone (better than Democrats at it, even).
IT BEGINS: Companies start layoffs before Obamacare hits next year.
This is exactly why it was always unthinkable that Democrats would have a party advantage of (D+7) this year: it seemed impossible that as many people would turn out for Democrats in 2012 as they did in 2008 when that would mean making Obamacare permanent and forcing companies to layoff millions of workers.
Here in Chicago, I know three or four companies that are downsizing to under 50 employees and another business that’s going to shutter completely because it just won’t be profitable to continue operating under Obamacare.
A while back I went to an event in Peoria and sat next to a man and woman who owned some sort of industrial parts-supplier outfit…and their 40-ish daughter was at the table too. They told me the plan had always been for the daughter to takeover the business from them, but that the succession plan was going on hold until we saw what would happen with Obamacare. This was back in 2010, not long after it had passed in the House. This family employs about 80 people and the daughter was being groomed to continue the business so all of those jobs would be safe…but the owners said that they were just breaking even as it was and with Obamacare there would be no way for the daughter to inherit the company and keep it operational. I bet those people are looking to sell or just close down shop right now.
It’s shocking that Americans voted to subject our country to this…but it might be an instance where people just don’t understand how bad things will get until they get burned by it. Like little kids with a stove. You can warn them all you want until you are blue in the face, but until they get burned they just won’t understand why you keep telling them not to touch the stove.
Americans, it would seem, needed to touch the hot stove and be burned by the full effects of Obamacare in the years ahead.
If you believe God always has a plan, then perhaps this was meant to prevent something even WORSE from happening in the future…if Americans in 2013 and 2014 see how terrible things will get, perhaps that will force a sea change against the Left in the future that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. With several generations of kids brainwashed in Leftist public schools and completely devoted to the cult of Obama, maybe putting Obamacare into practice and having it ruin our economy was the only way to wake people up to the dangers of allowing Democrats so much power.
Hard times are ahead…but perhaps there is a spiritual master plan for why we’re going to have to endure all this.
HillBuzz Open Thread, Friday, November 9, 2012
The election is over. People are recouping from the shock, and trying to figure out “what’s next?” I’m not going to be anywhere near the internet for most of the day, so please share your POSITIVE thoughts about our future. I don’t know how long it will take for comments to get approved, as Kevin is taking a break and I’ve got to work, so don’t be surprised if it takes a while for your comment to be approved. And if it’s a nasty comment, it will just go in the trash anyway, so don’t waste your time.
Have a great day, and don’t let the election loss get you down too much. We’re Americans, damn it, and we pick ourselves up and get back in the fight. Don’t ever forget that.
These Are The Morons Who Voted For Obama
I have two friends who raised morons like these, and I’ll write about it tomorrow. If this is the future generation, then all of the parents of these morons are responsible. I’m sorry, parents, but you raised these clueless, group-think idiots. Take responsibility for it.
Weasel Zippers Found This For Us
Get Ready For A Fight.
Best uplifting message I’ve heard all day.
Did the “Ron Paul Revolution” Stay Home Last Night?
I haven’t seen anyone ask this yet, so I will: did the Ron Paul Revolution stay home last night?
Mitt Romney won 3 million votes less than McCain while Obama lost 10 million votes of his own from 2008.
Where did those 3 million McCain voters go?
The main part of why I believed Romney would win this time because I knew the 10 million Obama supporters would sit home…but never in my worst nightmares did I imagine McCain voters would sit home. I counted on them to show up and bring friends this time to boot Obama out.
The only thing I can think of is this:
* Ron Paul supporters sat the election out because Dr. Paul because the conflict regarding the convention and the other delegate issues
* Evangelicals went through with their threat to sit home because Romney is a member of the LDS Church
And these two groups thought allowing Obama to have a second term was worth sitting home.
Is that what happened?
I never thought that was a realistic possibility because I can’t imagine ever allowing the Left to not just maintain power but actually expand their reach…but that’s what happened last night.
Have you seen anyone crunching numbers to explain this today?
The Ministry of Truth will say “oh, it was all about Hispanics!” but that is a red herring. That doesn’t explain dropping three million votes below McCain and a total of five million votes from Bush in 2004.
Ron Paul supporters seem to explain that first drop from Bush’s 2004 numbers, sitting out to the tune of 2 million when McCain ran in 2008…and then sitting out even more this time; perhaps it’s a combination of Ron Paul people and Evangelicals who sat home “to teach everyone a lesson”.
That’s an expensive lesson if this is right.
Documenting the Left’s Impact on the Country in Ways Regular People Can Understand It (circumventing the media)
Today’s a day for regrouping, thinking, and cracking the secret to making regular people out there see that the Left has a negative impact on the country. Democrats have a powerful ally and tool in the Ministry of Truth that is our news media; this cabal truly won Barack Obama reelection and kept the Left in power. Largely this is because the public at large does not connect price increases, a lower standard of living, unemployment, and other ills with electing Democrats to office. While Minitru rules the airwaves and continues printing papers chock full of Democrat talking points this is not going to change.
So, how do we change it?
Clearly, last night proved that the majority of Americans have no idea how bad the next four years will be with the Left in control of our lives…and few of these people thought about what the Supreme Court will look like if Obama really does get to nominate 3 or 4 more Justices (especially if Democrats control the Senate that whole time).
Once upon a time, William Randolph Hearst was all-powerful and could start a war on a whim if he wanted…during the reign of yellow journalism. We’re at that place again, but instead of the problem being one man it’s the “Gang of 500″ that comprise the de facto leadership of Minitru. How do we take away their power and make the public at large see that the television, radio, and newspapers are just propaganda devices for the Democrats…and that sending Democrats to Washington over and over again is a bad thing?
I think that’s the missing piece. We can write and read all day on conservative sites and we can print books that only conservatives read…but how do we reach the people who still turn on MSNBC and enjoy what Chris Matthews is saying? How do we get them to realize that if they keep voting Democrat that the entire country will soon look like Detroit?
THAT is the big question of the day.
We know the next four years will be a nightmare and there is nothing we can do to stop that now…so how do we document the nightmare in a way that people who don’t consider themselves conservatives can relate to?
How do we best use the next few years effectively on an individual and personal level?
Thank You Mitt Romney For Trying to Save Our Country
November 7th, 2012
Governor Romney,
Today begins the nasty and pointless tradition in Republican ranks that celebrates the eating of our own, where every hack in Washington will scramble for camera time to denounce you for failing to win the 2012 election; if the results had been different, they’d be singing your praises…but today they’re sending you hatemail. I want to thank you for putting yourself forward in service and for trying to save our country from financial ruin we all know is coming. You had a plan to fix what was wrong and get us back on track but the Ministry of Truth that is our national media kept the public from ever understanding how big of a mess this country is really in. Much like John McCain four years ago, you not only had to run against Democrats but also its propaganda-spewing MiniTru…and they proved too powerful a tag team in the end.
Over the last few months of the general election campaign I really became an admirer of yours and last night’s defeat doesn’t change that. You are a remarkable man who was uniquely talented to address the challenges we face today, but Minitru was just too influential in preventing Americans from seeing that. Going forward, I hope you continue to serve behind the scenes in ways that help Republicans counter the Left’s home field advantages in the media. You’re too smart and too capable not to have another act in politics…so though you won’t be president now, perhaps you can help use the next four years to make another excellent Republican the nation’s 45th President in 2016.
Last night I subjected myself to watching Steve Schmidt on MSNBC all day, where he trashed Republicans and enthusiastically joined the Left in mocking conservatives for what I assume is a hefty paycheck. No doubt people affiliated with your campaign will be making the rounds soon, too. This always seems to happen when a Republican loses, where the blame-game starts and the knives come out for the sort of revenge and pettiness that Barack Obama actually advocated in his campaign. I know that you and Anne and your family are prepared for all this, but I wish it didn’t have to happen because unlike John McCain four years ago you actually fought hard in this race and ran an excellent campaign.
MSNBC, of course, trashed your selection of Paul Ryan as VP but he remains an excellent choice because the two of you could have accomplished so much together. You rolled the dice because the payoff would have been worth the risk and you’re a personal hero to me for doing that. Too often people in politics are too afraid of plowback to either do what they know is right or to say what they really think, but you didn’t hedge or play it safe. You went big…and though last night you went home I think you are a remarkable man for leaving absolutely nothing on the field.
A Jewish friend of mine has been saying all morning that you’re a real “mensch”, a class act who would have been a remarkable president. I’m sorry that more Americans didn’t see that…but am hopeful that whatever you do next in life inspires other “mensches” in conservative ranks to step forward and offer themselves in service to the country as you did. You are expert at spotting talent and helping people reach their potential…so I hope you look to 2014 and 2016 and help coach an all-star team who’ll succeed where you came up short this time.
Thank you, Governor Romney, for trying to spare us all from the nightmares and ruin to come. I hope the detractors and hacks aren’t too hard on you today (though I know they will be, because that’s what they do) because you don’t deserve scorn for trying to do what ended up being the impossible: to fight the Left and the media at the same time. You gave it your all and held nothing back and for that I am so very thankful.
In gratitude,
Kevin DuJan
Chicago, Illinois
Proud Romney Voter
The 2014 and 2016 Elections Start Today: What We Can Do Differently Going Forward
Last night was an absolute shock to the system, because Americans decidedly rejected a decent and competent man with a real plan to get this country back on its feet. Instead, the Ministry of Truth succeeded in pushing voters to choose four more years of wild spending, government intrusion, chaos, and ineptitude. It’s tempting to lash out and succumb to anger this morning…and waking up today knowing that Barack Obama and the Left would be in power for another four years was cold and numb…since it just didn’t seem possible that Americans would want to subject themselves to an actual decline and collapse of our country.
I believed the Obama phenomenon was a passing fad, and that the 2010 election results meant the fad had passed. But, Democrats successfully replaced the hopeychange nonsense of 2008 with a relentlessly nasty message and pandering to the core identity blocs of the Left…and it was a strong enough coalition to triumph. That’s a shocking and scary thought, that we have truly become a nation that wants to keep the Left in power even though we’ve had four years of hard evidence what this does to our economy and place in the world.
The Ministry of Truth secured Barack Obama a second term with nonstop propaganda on his behalf — and revealed itself to be a more powerful force than I’d ever believed. Mitt Romney really was up against both Democrats and Minitru, and the majority of Americans who get their news from The Ministry bought into its story lines. Until we find a way to bring Minitru down and roll back its influence, conservatives will always face opponents on two fronts in future elections: the actual Democrat campaign and also the shadow campaign conducted against the Republican by Minitru. We have two years to change this before 2014 gets here…and four years to limit Minitru’s influence before the next presidential election.
Since the Left has won it will see no need to move to the center or appeal to moderates, so it’s hard to see how the second half of the Obama Regime is less radical and dangerous than the first. Obamacare is here to stay at this point, and will begin to collapse our economy in a year or two. Small businesses that have hung on hoping for Obama’s ouster now have difficult decisions to make today…since Obamacare’s taxes will drive many of these places out of business. Americans last night chose to become a nation of high unemployment and low job growth…and the majority of people have no problem staring into a future of government dependence and nanny-ship.
That’s a sobering thought. The demographic shift really did happen, and the generations of kids indoctrinated in public schools have come of age and are putting into practice the Leftism spooned into their heads all these years by the members of the public teachers’ unions and the outright Marxists on college campuses. I thought we had one election or two before this shift happened, but the country is now in the control of people who think there’s nothing wrong with having portraits of Che Guevara and Karl Marx hanging in a classroom instead of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As students, they were all taught that America is bad and evil and the greatest aspiration in life was to become a “global citizen” in a country that’s governed by UN mandate. Four years of Barack Obama was clearly not enough to show these people how wrong they are or how terrible the consequences will be if we go down this path.
God has a plan. The sun rose this morning like always. While the Left is jubilant and eager to push ever harder in its agenda to radically transform this country into something unrecognizable, we now have two years to think of new ways to convince a wider swath of Americans that Leftism is not America’s destiny and that the path to prosperity is not through socialism. This means finding a way to avoid old cycles of not worrying about elections until they were immediately upon on and using all the time we have wisely.
When Democrats lose a campaign, they start to work the day after on the next one. The Left is already working up plans for 2014…and even 2016. Since they won a presidential race by not doing a single thing to appear moderate and by appealing solely to their lefty base, it’s hard to see Democrats moderating themselves in the next two or four years. This means Obama’s successor will be someone in his mold, probably a Hispanic, who will build on his current identity-bloc coalition to keep the Left in power. Our only way to thwart them is to spend the next two to four years driving wedges between the various identity blocs and the Democrat party.
That means countering the Democrats’ branding and marketing efforts and getting people to see that these people are Leftists…instead of the cuddly “liberals” that Democrats sell themselves as to the public. It means opening people’s eyes to the longterm impact of the Democrats’ agenda. Because of their reelecting Barack Obama, insurance companies will be driven out of business in the next four years and we’ll revert to a single-payer system where the government controls and dictates your healthcare. The Keystone Pipeline that would have brought jobs and energy independence will never be built, and instead China will benefit from Canada’s natural resources. Treaties with the UN will subject America to global taxation and many things in our lives like the Internet will be permanently changed by UN mandate. This is the future that Americans chose for themselves last night because the Ministry of Truth kept them from knowing better.
Today is a sad day, but it’s the first day in regrouping and reorganizing for the elections ahead. I never believed the majority of Americans would willingly choose to subject themselves to real suffering, but that’s what our countrymen chose by giving the Left four more years in power. Since there’s nothing we can do about that now, we can only focus on winning back the Senate in two years and taking back the White House in 2016.
It’s a shame that Americans couldn’t see the value in putting Mitt Romney in charge to turn the country around and save us from ruin…but clearly something different must be done in the years ahead to better educate the public about the consequences of handing over the country to the Left. We’re up against a stronger and more resilient foe than we ever realized…which is daunting, but not demoralizing.
If you believe that conservative principles, fiscal responsibility, and small government is really the key to success then don’t give up on that today. The Left had a massive propaganda machine and plenty of goodies to distribute, but we have four years to change that if we try.
It has to start at the local level, in your communities…and with a new commitment to doing things a little differently going forward so that we better articulate a conservative message to a new American majority that was taught America is bad and socialism is good. Never in our history have we faced a challenge like this…but like with other challenges, we will prevail because our ideas are right…even if our marketing needs work.
That’s what the next two and four years are for.
And all of that starts today.
God Has a Plan. Tomorrow We Regroup and Push Forward.
The Left was much stronger than we thought.
Tonight was a crushing blow.
America is not the place we thought it was. People see no problems with letting the Left take control.
We thought the nightmare would end tonight…but it looks like we have four more years of this, barring a miracle in Ohio.
The American people have spoken, and though we don’t like what they said it appears we can’t do anything about that at this point.
Tonight we grieve.
Tomorrow we look towards 2014 and finding new ways to educate our friends and neighbors of the dangers of the Left.
The electorate really has changed…and it appears that change has come from the generations who’ve attended public schools and have been indoctrinated to believe that big government is good and European socialism is our ideal.
As frightening as that is, it appears to be our duty to press on and change that.
The Left’s going to begin preparations for the 2014 campaign tomorrow morning…and I hope conservatives do the same.
If we’re ultimately going to beat them, we need to regroup and push forward as soon as possible.
That means November 7th.
