Libertarians in Islington

Islington, home to the "Chattering Classes" and (possible) bans on chuggers. Is being dragged into 2012 by a new kind of political force. One Ron Paul supporter is going all out:

Do you know what this car is?
It might struggle with rural British roads (rambling round the shire).

Not that it will make any difference. Paul is, especially from a British perspective, a nutter, and the moderate, if mundane, Mitt Romney is being hailed as the victor only a couple of into the Republican Primaries.

Newt's on top

On the 3rd January, 2012 Republicans in Iowa will have the first vote in the 2012 USA Presidential Elections. Whether you care or not, this matters: The POTUS is the most powerful person in the World.

There have been some rather sudden changes of fortune. Remember Michele Bachmann? Rick Perry? Herman Cain? Well, they've been and gone, the new "Anyone but Mitt" candidate is Newt Gingrich. According to an NBC/WSJ poll 40% of primary voters would plump for Newt. 17% more than Mitt Romney, in second place.

Newt Gingrich (left) and a Great Crested Newt (right). ©Piet Spaans and Gage Skidmore.

The Republican Primaries have become a battle of "I'm more conservative than you". This may be appealing to Republicans, but it isn't to the general electorate, who prefer the more moderate Mr Romney, although Barack Obama would still win the popular vote by ~2%.

Newt would make a terrible President, it has been said that: Newt Gingrich wakes up every morning with 5 big ideas; 4 are dreadful, and the other is unworkable*. If Obama found Congress obstructionist a President Gingrich would probably fare worse.

You can explore the most recent polls on The Economist, or The Beeb.

Other cute animals are running for US President, why not Vote Hamster?

If you live in London you can also "Vote Newt". Ken Livingstone (Lab) keeps them. Other mayoral candidates are available.

* I think the saying come from Today, I was probably half asleep and have misremembered, but the vague sense was the same.