The results of the Florida Republican presidential primary show that while the ladies in the Palmetto State liked what Gingrich had to say as a candidate, the gals in the Sunshine State wanted another candidate to take to the general election prom.

I’m not the only one who’s likened the Republican presidential debate and campaign process to a very complicated version of The Dating Game. Almost every GOP candidate that’s tossed their hat in the ring has had a moment where the voters loved him or her, only to find themselves wondering what they’d done to blow their chances at going steady until the primary season, metaphorically standing alone outside the apartment door because their date had “an early morning.”

Gingrich’s turn to bask in the spotlight was the South Carolina primary in January, especially when it came to women’s votes. Even though studies have shown that Newt isn’t as popular with the ladies as his personal history might suggest, there must have been something about the twinkle in his eye when he called Barack Obama “the food stamp president,” because he won the support of Georgia’s women voters 36 percent to Mitt Romney’s 30 percent.

But while South Carolina voters might have thought Gingrich was the type they’d want to go on a second date with (to the general election), women voters in Florida weren’t convinced.

According to exit polling, Romney was the hot political suitor of Florida’s women voters with 52 percent of their support, while Gingrich had to settle for being the “I like you, but not like that” candidate with only 28 percent of women’s backing. Why? One report says that the exit polling suggested that women voters had a “personal distaste” for the twice-cheating, thrice married, alleged open marriage conservative. Gingrich and has campaign staff must have seen that coming, as they brought out Gingrich’s daughters to go on the offensive for their father with the spectrum of cable news shows even before the Florida polls had closed.

On to better luck in Nevada? If the 2008 primary results are any indication, Romney and Ron Paul may have the upper hand there. So if it’s winning that Newt is after in the next contest, he might want to stick with the nickel slots.

Originally posted at iVillage.com, where I’m working as Election 2012 Editor & Contributor.

Image via NewYorker.com

Source: NewYorker.com

Maniacal laugh. MANIACAL LAUGH!

Forget her accomplishments as a U.S. Senator!  Nevermind all that talk about helping women and children around the world!  Hillary is bringing back the headband!  Women in their 60s with long hair!  WOO-HOO!

OK, no headband here, but her hair rocks. Image via www.state.gov

I don’t know about you, but I’m loving the blonder, longer hair the Secretary of State is sporting these days. As a woman closer in age to Hillary than Chelsea, I may just try that myself!

Of course, Clinton had to know that, having been mocked once in her life for being an adult woman who wore a headband, that there’d be plenty of discussion of it this time, too. The funny thing, though, is she’s totally in the style moment — fashionistas LOVED the look on Michelle Williams at the Golden Globes!

But aside from the headband, why are we so fascinated with  Hillary’s hair?   She’s got a ponytail!  Now it’s in a bun! Hey, did she get a blow-out? I hate to break it to the Hillary fashion haters, but sometimes a girl’s just got to mix it up a little bit.  Maybe she can sport this little leopard number for her next news conference?

Maybe her critics are afraid if the focus on what she actually does rather than how she styles her hair, they’d have to admit she’s a woman to be taken seriously.

Mitt Romney

Status: Married to Ann Romney for 42 years

Age: 64

Children: 5 sons — Craig 30, Benjamin 33, Joshua 36, Matthew 40, Taggart 41; 16 grandchildren

Previous political experience: Massachusetts Governor from 2003 to 2007; ran for U.S. Senate 1994, lost to incumbent Senator Ted Kennedy; ran for President in 2008, did not get GOP nomination

2012 Primary status: Winner of New Hampshire primary. Was originally declared winner of Iowa Caucuses by eight votes, but after recount he was declared the loser to Rick Santorum.  Placed second in South Carolina after surprise defeat by Newt Gingrich. Won Florida primary.

Health care: Would repeal Affordable Care Act, often referred to by the GOP candidates as “Obama-care,” legislation passed by Congress in an attempt to provide health coverage for all Americans, lower health care costs and prevent insurance companies from refusing coverage on the basis of patients’ preexisting conditions.  Is against current federal health care reform plan, but spearheaded successful movement in favor of universal health care for state residents while Massachusetts

Economy : Would eliminate  Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,  which increased regulation and oversight of the financial industry in response to the economic collapse in 2008 and the subsequent Wall Street bailout.  Would cut some government departments to lessen regulation of businesses. Romney says, “The right answer for America is not to grow government or to believe that government can create jobs. It is instead to create the conditions that allow the private sector and entrepreneurs to create jobs and to grow our economy.” To achieve this, Romney would reduce corporate tax rate to 25% and cut “non-discretionary” mandated government spending by 5%

Foreign Policy: Would review Afghanistan in first 100 days, but hold Afghanistan government responsible for governing. Said in debate performances shouldn’t fight war for another nation and says troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Won’t rule out war against Iran to prevent Iranian government from acquiring/developing nuclear weapons

Fun Fact: People Magazine named Romney one of its 50 Most Beautiful People in 2002

Oops Moment: While technically true under the letter of law, Romney took a lot of heat when, in response to questioning about how people fare in America vs. corporations, he told an Iowa State Fair campaign crowd that “Corporations are people, too”

Twitter: @MittRomney

Newt Gingrich

Status: Married  to Callista Gingrich for 11 years;  divorced twice

Age: 68

Children: Two daughters from his first marriage, Kathy 48, Jackie 45, two grandchildren

Previous political experience: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1999 from the 6^th District of Georgia. GOP House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995.  Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999. After an ethics investigation into whether he received questionable PAC contributions, he resigned from Congress in 1999, rather than face censure.  He was ordered to pay $300,000 in fines in connection with that investigation

2012 Primary status: Won South Carolina primary by double digits over Romney and others.  Lost by double digits in Iowa (4the place) and New Hampshire (4th place). Second in Florida primary.

Jobs/Economy: Institute an “optional” 15% flat tax. Repeal the Affordable Care Act. Reform “entitlement” programs,  such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Would eliminate the capital gains tax and the estate tax

Foreign Policy:  Secure the U.S. border with Mexico.  Would support a war against Iran to keep it from getting nuclear weapons. Has been blasted by conservatives for his stance on his amnesty-like immigration policy

“I’m willing to be tough, but I’m not willing to kid people,” he said. “And I can’t imagine any serious person here in this country who believes we’re going to tear families apart that have been here twenty or twenty-five years”

Political baggage: While many in GOP applaud Gingrich’s intellect, they have also lamented his “baggage,” including the fact that he has acknowledged having an extramarital affair with his current wife Callista while married to his second wife, and while advocating for the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Second ex-wife says she divorced him because he wanted an “open marriage” so he could continue his affair with Callista, now his wife

Oops Moment: Gingrich was criticized for his “let them sweep floors” moment,  after he suggested doing  away with child welfare laws and letting poor kids in poorly performing schools work from age 14

Fun Fact: His cell phone ring tone is the song “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.

Ron Paul

Status: Married to wife Carolyn Paul for 54 years

Age: 76

Children: Five children — Ronald, Lori, Rand (who is U.S. Senator from Kentucky), 48, Robert and Joy; 18 grandchildren

Previous political experience: U.S. Congressman from 14^th Congressional District in Texas, 1976 to 1977, 1979 to 1985, 1997 to present; ran for GOP Presidential nomination in 1988, 1996, 2008

2012 Primary status: Third place in Iowa. Second place in New Hampshire. Last place in South Carolina, though Paul continues to do extremely well with the 18 to 24 year old vote

Jobs/Economy: Eliminate “unnecessary” regulations on businesses.  Eliminate income, capital gains and estate taxes. Repeal the Affordable Care Act. Lower the corporate tax rate to 15%. Eliminate Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Advocate for balanced federal budget within three years of becoming president

Foreign Policy: Voted against the Iraq War. Believes “offering friendship rather than sanctions” is the policy to support in Iran, worrying that stories of Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been inflated.  Supports withdrawal from Afghanistan

Third Party Philosophy: While he is a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, Paul considers himself a Libertarian in his political views

Fun Fact: According to his campaign website, Paul, who is a medical doctor, has delivered more than 4,000 babies

Oops Moment: While not a gaffe, Paul has told reporters that medical care and education are not “rights” under the Constitution

Twitter: @RepRonPaul and @RonPaul

Rick Santorum

Status: Married to wife Karen Santorum for 21 years

Age: 53

Children: Seven children – Elizabeth, 20, John, 18, Daniel, 16,  Sarah, 13 Peter, 12 Patrick, 10 and Isabella, 3

Previous political experience: U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007; U.S  Congressman from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995

2012 Primary status: Winner of Iowa Caucuses.  Fifth place in New Hampshire.  Finished third in South Carolina

Jobs/Economy:  Allow corporations to pay no taxes on profits earned overseas if that money is invested in U.S. manufacturing jobs.Cut corporate tax rate on manufacturing companies from 35% to 0%, claiming this will help create factory jobs. Repeal Affordable Care Act

Foreign Policy: Concerned that troop withdrawal from Iraq will give more power to Iran in region, would keep some troops in Iraq. Supports funding of Iranian pro-democracy groups.  Would authorize military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons

On shopping for a husband: Santorum has publicly suggested that in order to expand the Republican voter base, there should be more of an effort to find husbands for single mothers, because he believes that married mothers vote Republican more frequently than single mothers

Fun Fact: During his legal career, Santorum represented the World Wrestling Federation

Oops Moment: Abandoned campaign slogan of “Fighting to Make America America Again” when informed it was coined by the late poet Langston Hughes, who was publicly very liberal. Has come under fire for his ‘no exceptions’ stance on abortion, when he has admitted to considering an abortion for his wife in order to save her life

Twitter: @RickSantorum

While her progress has been nothing short of remarkable, Giffords has announced that she will resign from her Arizona congressional seat after the President’s State of the Union address, allowing her to focus on her ongoing physical recovery.

In a video released this weekend, speaking much more clearly than in the TV interview she did with her husband Mark Kelly in November, Giffords said her decision was the best one for her and her constituents. She thanked supporters for their prayers, saying, “I have more work to do on my recovery, so [stepping down was] best for Arizona,” rather than waiting until her re-election filing deadline in May.

One of Giffords’ best friends, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, commented on Giffords’ decision on her own congressional website:

“Gabby has had such a positive impact on our nation. Even in announcing her resignation, she reminds us that ‘we can do so much more by working together.’ We will miss Gabby’s spirit in Congress and I will miss working with my friend day-to-day, but I am confident that she will return to public service and we can all work together for America.”

Giffords did tip her hat about her future in her video, saying that she “will return.” It’s hard to know what that means, but Giffords’ best Capitol Hill friends Wasserman Schultz and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have been holding fundraisers for Giffords potential future campaigns since the shooting, giving her the option of getting back into a world where a candidate needs money, as well as voter support, to win.

Giffords’ shooting prompted lawmakers to attend last year’s State of the Union address with a “date” from the opposite political party in the spirit of bipartisanship, so it’s heartening to see that Giffords will be attending this year’s event to further promote her desire for more across the aisle efforts.  As she continues her recovery, I can only hope that at least a few members of each political party will take that bipartisan moment to heart.

The original version of this post was written for iVillage.com, where I’ll be working on 2012 election coverage through November!

That’s one of the reasons I loved this post from Jessica Ashley at Sassafras.  I usually find these coincidences of nature when I’m not looking for them, so I loved how her son, with his closer to the ground perspective, found one in their home.  And as he said, just like love, it was there all the time, even though he wasn’t looking for it.

When it comes to the political, there’s always room for humor.  That’s why I loved Jenny’s take on SOPA at The Bloggess:

Karen at Chookooloonks always reminds me of things to be grateful for, and that I should find at least one moment each day just to breathe.

And while I’m shaking my head in wonder over the amazingly beautiful images Karen takes (and how she doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to come to her house one day and make her teach me her magic!), I’m trying to find my own way with Andrea and her amazing class at Superhero Journal and Superhero Photo.  I don’t get to do the prompts everyday, but the inspiration is in my head.  I’ll get there soon.

If only there was someone who could better express my confusion and shock at this:

Gingrich had to be gleeful when he heard that on the eve of the South Carolina primary election, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced he is dropping out of the 2012 presidential race following his not-so-stellar showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Then there was an extra piece of good news for Gingrich when Perry endorsed Gingrich’s campaign.  Gingrich had to be thinking that that if he does well in the second South Carolina debate, he might close what little gap remains between himself and Mitt Romney, turning the southern state’s primary event into what some are calling a “barn burner!”

All that good news could mean nothing, though, now that Marianne Gingrich – Ex-Mrs. Newt Gingrich Number 2 – has come out with a “tell all” and “explosive” interview with ABC News.  Marianne Gingrich has made no secret of the fact that she’s not sure her ex-husband would make a good president.  She said so in an Esquire Magazine interview a couple of years ago.  The devastating bomb in the interview is this — Marianne Gingrich claims that while she was still married to Newt, he wanted to have an “open marriage.”  Such a quaint term for wanting to be able to stay married but also to sleep around.

As Gingrich’s adult daughters defend their dad and do their best to keep the focus away from his serial infidelities, and calling on people to ignore their ex-stepmother, James Dobson of Focus on the Family is doing the opposite.  He proclaimed this weekend at the Christian Right Summit that conservative voters aren’t ready to see a First Lady in the White House who was a mistress for eight years.  That might not be a campaign breaker in some states, but about 60 percent of Republican voters in South Carolina consider themselves to be evangelical Christians, so many of them are tuned into Dobson’s comments.

So now the GOP presidential race is down to four major candidates – Romney, Gingrich, Rick Santorum – who learned today that he was the real winner in the Iowa Caucuses – and Ron Paul.  I’d say that maybe the very good day really goes to Santorum, who snatched the Iowa win from Romney and now is bound to make hay out of Gingrich’s personal life in hopes of a South Carolina win.

A version of this post was originally written for iVillage.com, where I’ll be working some amazing people on 2012 election coverage!

Image via Boris Rasin via Wikimedia/Creative Commons license

There is just TOO much going on in the world of presidential politics to weigh in on all the pundit-y goodness that could surely fill pages of this site!  But what’s a girl to do when the whole world of Republican politics looks like it’s turning upside down?  I was all set to have a quiet ‘catch up on E-mails’ kind of day when all hell broke loose:

1. Rick Perry is dropping out of the 2012 presidential race,

2. Rick Santorum has now been declared the winner of the Iowa Caucuses after a recount followed the apparent Mitt Romney win by eight votes,

3. ABC News supposedly has a tell-all interview with Mrs. Newt Gingrich number2 in which she will dish on all the reasons Newt isn’t fit to be president (other than the obvious thing about being a serial cheater),

4. Mitt “I’m unemployed just like you” Romney has millions in offshore investments.  And you know why people and corporations make offshore investments — to avoid paying taxes in the U.S.!

5. And some people think it might have been God’s will that Michelle Bachmann came in last in the Iowa caucuses.

Ron Paul must be beside himself with glee.

Now, no one should EVER count their chickens in politics or press their luck until the fat lady really has started singing, but if I were President Obama’s campaign team, I might be thinking about breaking out one of the cheaper bottles of champagne. (Gotta save the good stuff for November!)