The Republican Candidates---My thoughts.

[vaberella]

In a post either a month or 2 months back I had mentioned how I saw no viable candidate in the Republican party for the seat in 2012. I just don't even see many Republican voters feeling themselves reflected in the monstrosity that is being presented.

I will randomly list a few names that are being touted by the Republican party. Keep in mind some of these people have claimed they will not be running. Additionally, be aware that the names in the list are my own personal speculation because even those who claim are not running seem to be willing to consider an exploratory committee to decide if they will run and some people who I have long seen as silent (Palin for instance) are still counted as though they are running.

1. Thune-- said to not be running but one never knows.

2. Huntsman-- does anyone really know anything of his run (I see him far from a threat to Obama for 2012 since he's basically an Obama nominee).

3. Palin-- I haven't heard from her since "blood libel" but who knows she might surprise me since EVERYONE in MSM touts her as viable---MSNBC included.

4. Christie-- Yeah...he's actually the one who threatens me the most since people talk about him like he's worthwhile and a possible candidate.

5. Gingrich-- I don't see him much but he's apparently a candidate.

6. Bachmann-- the most vocal presidential candidate (after Trump) ---it could be the free publicity by Tweety on MSNBC and other stations like CNN.

7. Trump-- who I will expand on separately. Vocal but unlikely.

8. Walker-- I think he was on the list but he's not there any more.

9. Bush III - I mean really, but whatever.

10. Romney-- Yeah...he's just been sidelined by Bachmann and Trump.

11. Rand Paul/Ron Paul-- One of them might run or both. Imagine a Father/Son President/Veep duo?

12. Pawlenty--hahaha

13. Huckabee-- Is he in or out...no one knows.
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Anyway I said two things in regards to these people a month back. I said no. 1) not one seems like a likely or plausible candidate, 2) Christie looks like the candidate "du jour" because of statements made out by some Republican strategists on the MSM.

What do I think now? This is a set up for 2016 and not at all any competition for a seat in 2013.

They are not focused on getting the presidential seat on 2013. If they were, Romney would be working extra hard to get his voice out there in Tweety's show and on CNN. He's no none of them. If he wanted to be considered for 2012, he would not allow himself to be sidelined by Trump or Bachmann. But instead you notice he's taking a back seat.

Bachmann is making noise but unlikely. I get the feeling Palin has gotten the same memo as Romney and is basically laying low for 2016. Huntsman has been out of the loop too long and didn't get said memo. But I don't see him as a plausible candidate in 2012. Rand Paul/Ron Paul seem to be keeping quiet as well. The time that would be great to start making noise is now and not wait until June of this year to let people know. Why? Because then you're voice won't be the clear one amongst all the noise.

I think the Republican sect has no clear leader. The only one trying to be a leader and actually even usurping Boehner (poor guy) is Paul Ryan. And the only candidate I would be worried about from the GOP in 2016 is Paul Ryan. The man is relatively attractive (and yes for those who don't my point---looks do count in American politics), he talks so much and with big words that people are fooled into thinking that he has some intellectual prowess. And he basically the only one, it would seem, with some economics background---even if he lets his ideology to rape the numbers.


So I'm under the impression all these guys are just thrown out there for a distraction. Which is the 2016 battle and who do we have on our side who's almost at Obama's level and can do something that he's done. If HRC decides to run this would be great. Shoot, I would even support a Debbie Wasserman-Schultz run in Presidency. But right now, there is no one in the Democratic side as popular with the American people as Obama. And the Repubs this time around are bidding their time or laying low until that time comes around.

So I think this is a distraction.

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Now on to Trump.

I don't think Trump is a Republican. Yeah, I said it. I think Trump is a Liberal. He's a liberal who's basically using the GOP talking points as not only a way to destroy the GOP, but it gives him added publicity. Trump is not a dumb man. Everything he does is with for a reason. And the man is a New Yorker, he has said some out there things---but nothing that a birther hasn't said and some far worse.

He's shedding light on the stupidity of the birthers more and more. And showing how far right and ridiculous the Republican party can go that they would be willing to hire him, a guy who's been married 3 times and bankrupt 5 more times, as the President of the US. There are no words and I think he knows that.

This is all a fun game for him. Unlike the other idiot candidates, he's also the only one willing to go to different news stations and get his message out. He shows no fear while the list above seem to be regulated to some CNN anchors or Fox News. This is a comedy routine and he's making the Republicans look bad. The man looks like a great BSer and this is just another BS notch on his belt.

[AlinPA]

1. Thune will be their nominee. They are going to do it on his looks. Plus he appears "not-as-crazy"

as the others.

[monmouth]

2. I agree and/or Romney. Rove has his work cut out for him but it is

early and repubs have a huge amount of debt. I'm betting late summer, early September you will see a clear candidate. Trump will be long gone...

[vaberella]

3. They took they're time. I don't think these people are really invested in 2012 seat. n/t

[AlinPA]

6. Republicans don't have to worry about debt anymore because of the SC ruling on

Citizens United. They have money to burn now.

[vaberella]

4. I doubt it will be Thune. He's the least interesting in the bunch.

And last I heard, Thune was the one of the list who stated he was adamantly not running.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Thune ain't running...

[GreenArrow]

5. Mitch Daniels

should be on your list.

[vaberella]

10. Too many idiots vying for attention. These cats need to be corraled. n/t

[craigmatic]

7. Nobody listed seems like a realistic threat to Obama. I could see if Patacki or more blue staters

were running but they're not that big of a threat.

[brooklynite]

8. Keep something in mind...

While no candidates have "announced" and only a few are "exploring", its not easy to get into the race at this point if you haven't laid the groundwork (staff organization, reaching out to funders, taking "book tours" to Iowa, etc.) Christie, Bush III, Walker aren't showing any signs of interest.

[vaberella]

11. Oh no, I know this.

However, by this time normally they make an announcement. Obama made his announcement around January of 2006. And he had put it off for a while. So Obama did some serious moves. These people, some of who are better well known than Obama was at that time...have done nothing.

[Shiver]

9. They aren't running serious candidates this year.

I'm certain of it. They're bringing out the sideshows because no one likes running against and incumbent president, especially one that - despite what a portion of DU thinks - has a very good chance of keeping office. They're bringing out the sideshows this year, while the candidates for 2016 will be slowly spreading their influence and recognition, likely with a speech at the RNC and appearances on Faux, MSNBC, and CNN.

This is a regrouping year. The party is too divided between the teabaggers, the old-school moderates, and the desire to win over independent voters. A moderate would have to run far right to get the base, which are the main people who vote in the primaries, and doing that will alienate the moderates, undecideds, and independents. And in the campaign after the primary, to win back those people, they would have to push back to the center, and doing that will alienate the base.

Their not looking for a candidate this year. They're looking for a sacrificial lamb.

[vaberella]

12. Basically. And testing out all the losers to see who might be standing a chance in 2016.

I'm putting my money on Ryan being the main guy in 2016 along with and probably Christie.

[Shiver]

13. I think they were originally intending to groom Ryan for VP this year.

They might still do it, but I think they're saving him for 2016, either for POTUS or VPOTUS. If the latter, it's to give him added cred for a later presidential run. As much as I'd love to have a president from Wisconsin, I'd much rather the first president from my state NOT be a Republican.

[vaberella]

18. Right back at you. n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

15. It'll be like 1996 all over again...

The real legitimate candidates stepped aside in 1996 and opted to run in 2000 or not run at all (George W. Bush, John McCain, Colin Powell, Tommy Thompson and Christine Todd Whitman).

This was the 1996 Republican primary field:

Lamar Alexander
Pat Buchanan
Steve Forbes
Phil Gramm
Alan Keyes
Bob Dole

Not exactly the Republican All-Stars.

Dole won by default because the party felt it was owed to him for his service.

Forbes, Buchanan and Keyes were not serious candidates - even if some on the right thought they were.

It was a pitiful primary field.

As it will be this election cycle.

[Shiver]

16. What's funny is some of those names are interchangable with the ones now.

Trump is taking Forbes' place.

I'd place Bachman as equivalent to Buchanan.

Gringrich would be Dole.

It is basically 1996.

[Drunken Irishman]

17. Palin & Keyes...

[The Green Manalishi]

19. The focus might be on attacking President Obama

and trying to pick up gains in the House and Senate.
no way can they win the Presidency, but the best of all possibilities for them is to cripple Obama and tie up congress while things get worse and worse so that everything can be blamed on us in 2016.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Thune admitted that he cannot beat Obama. Mitch Daniels is boring and won't be able to incite

a Teabagger crowed, plus, he admitted that he didn't have a problme raising taxes. Yeah, that'll sell well in the Teabagger crowd. :sarcasm:

I hope people wake up to the buffoon that Huckabee really is. He scares me the most, only because he comes across as affable. (We all know that it's a sham.) The American people may buy into it as they bought into Dumbya. Palin's career is over; she may be overshadowed by Bachmann. Pawlenty? Who's that? Mitt Romney has the money behind him, and actually scares me, too. Sure, he may have some problems in the primaries with the religious wing of the Wingnut Brigade, but when it all boils down to it, it's all about money for Republicans of ANY stripe. He'll have the Koch Bros. behind him, undoubtedly.

That's all I have for now.

[Armstead]

21. I'm guessing they're focusing on the Senate -- Which is the real power center

If they keep the House and gain the Senate, they can basically neuter Obama, and push forward their awful agenda.

In that case the Presidential race in 2012 iwould be a distraction.

[GoldMedals4U]

22. Completely agree, they're all waiting on 2016.

Should be interesting to see who actually runs, besides the leftovers from 2008.

[opihimoimoi]

23. Its a complete wash for the GOPers...their governors, their gang of 6, their protection of the GOP

tax cuts, etc are signs of a BULLY Party going amok....

Fascism is upon us unless we stop them in their tracks...

[Blasphemer]

24. I agree about 2016. Why waste a good candidate in 2012?

Get Congress in 2012 and go for the Presidency in 2016. It makes far more sense.