GOP’s Strong Field Has No Frontrunner for 2016

[DonViejo]

Mark McKinnon

Without an obvious frontrunner to represent Republicans against Hilary in 2016, one thing is guaranteed: It’s going to be an entertaining race.

Contrary to conventional media wisdom, this week’s CPAC proved Republicans are likely going to put a formidable team on the presidential field in 2016—and they’ll have at least one advantage going into the election: Their primaries are going to be much more interesting, dramatic and entertaining than the Democratic primaries. This means Republicans are going to soak up a whole lot of press coverage and attention while the media and voters largely tune-out what is likely to be a foregone conclusion on the Democratic side.

Now, I believe someone will rise up, albeit briefly, to challenge Hillary Clinton. There will likely be a scare. Someone will emerge as the alternative and provide some "giant killer" storyline for awhile. But what was thought to be "inevitable" in 2008, will be more so in 2012, and the Hillary machine should role up the nomination early.

But, on the Republican side, never have things been more undecided and uncertain. And, therefore, a whole lot more fun. The typical paradigm of handing the baton to the senior statesman who has paid his dues and waited patiently in line (Nixon, Reagan, H. W. Bush, Dole, McCain) is out the window.

There is no frontrunner on the Republican side, thanks in part to Bridgegate. Chris Christie may survive the scandal, but he's scarred and has become just another mere mortal candidate. Jeb Bush may decide to run, but he will get no immediate dynastic anointment and will have to navigate a much different kind of primary electorate than his brother or father.

more
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/10/the-amazing-race-16-gop-s-strong-field-with-no-frontrunner.html

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. "Formidable team"?

Funny

It will be entertaining (in a train wreck sort of way) to find out who wins the GOP nomination in 2016. The quadrennial question that the public never really gets an answer for is, what are they going to do if elected and how is it going to help everybody who is not them and/or their "base"? Try as they might, they just don't have any policy prescriptions for anything that seems helpful/realistic for a vast majority of people in this country. Unless I were extremely wealthy and jonesing for more tax breaks or wanting to have more "freedom" to pollute and/or oppress my workers or wanting the GOP to spend more time, energy, and taxpayer money to repeal a law that helps people obtain health insurance and care or filing bills that harass and turn the screws on "teh gays", women, and anybody else they don't like, what's in it for voting Republican? This does not describe the vast majority of the public.

[gordianot]

2. Republican field winner, biggest clown who gets out of the clown car, in 2016 they are all giants.

Media types are going to swoon, CNN will chortle and make odd noises, Chuck Toads beard will spontaneously com-bust, as the largest Republican ass clown rises to HIS full stature.

[Laelth]

3. "Strong Field?" That's really quite funny. n/t

-Laelth

[Rozlee]

4. They'll be having a favorite of the week in the primaries, like they did in the last election.

First Santorum would be up; then Newt, then they raved about Cain and fell in love with Perry until he 'oops' his way into the dustbin. In polls, they admitted that they were voting for the candidate they thought was the most 'electable,' which probably meant they were holding their noses and voting for Romney instead of the candidate they really liked. The only 'moderate' candidates that might hold 'electable' independent appeal this time would be Christie and Jeb Bush, but I doubt Christie would make it with his current scandals and I don't think Jeb Bush will run. I think the Bush's are paving the way for Jeb's son, George Prescott Bush, to assume the mantle. They're already grooming him for public office.

[Gothmog]

5. This field is very very weak

McKinnon is dreaming if he thinks that this field is strong

[winter is coming]

6. When they say "strong", are they referring to odor? n/t