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Adieu, Adieu, Remember Me
March 25, 2011 | 38 comments
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DeMint’s Defense of RomneyCare is Ignorant…And Dangerous
March 17, 2011 | 85 comments
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McConnell Pushing Vote to Block the EPA from Regulating Carbon Emissions
March 17, 2011 | 9 comments
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More Barbour on Afghanistan
March 16, 2011 | 8 comments
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House Passes Three Week Spending Bill
March 15, 2011 | 8 comments
The Spectacle Blog
Mark Halperin writes about the difficulty Republicans will have in beating President Obama in 2012 because of the weak GOP field, and though I don’t agree with every aspect of his analysis, I do concur with the general thrust of his piece.
I do think that Obama is likely to be vulnerable in 2012, perhaps extremely so. But even if a president is vulnerable, there still needs to be a challenger capable of winning. In 2004, for example, the Iraq War was growing increasingly unpopular and President Bush’s approval rating was starting to wane. The public was open to the idea of electing somebody else, but then Democrats offered up John Kerry as the nominee.
Though Mitt Romney is considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination right now, a lot of people still don’t like him, both within the party and among the general population. Just as he was trying to get over his reputation as a flip-flopper from his first presidential run, he’s now engaging in even more verbal gymnastics by trying to argue that Romneycare differs substantially from Obamacare (even though the plans are extremely similar). If Romney were the nominee, Obama would be able to neutralize the health care issue quite easily.
The other candidate who has been laying a lot of groundwork for a presidential run is Gov. Tim Pawlenty. In his attempt to overcome his reputation as a moderate, Pawlenty has been catering to conservative audiences for months (his CPAC speech was full of red meat and checked off all the boxes in the conservative issue matrix). By doing this, he risks repeating the failed Romney pandering strategy of 2008. But while that problem may be correctible, the biggest difficulty he’ll have to overcome is that he doesn’t really excite people. That’s something that you can’t teach.
The rest of the candidates whose names have been thrown around aren’t yet taking the traditional steps to gear up for a presidential run, and all of them come with their own sets of problems.
A lot could still change, of course, and I don’t mean to suggest that Obama will be unbeatable in 2012. The point is that even if he’s beatable, the GOP still needs to find somebody who can beat him. And as of now, it isn’t clear who that somebody would be.
View all comments (65) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/04/05/the-gops-weak-2012-field
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Stephen| 4.5.10 @ 11:18AM
In 2009, noone thought that Obama was going to be the Democratic nominee for the presidency. Hopefully there will be some young blood with new and fresh ideas on the horizon. I say Mitch Daniels in 2012.
Jude| 4.5.10 @ 2:23PM
I say, "hear, hear to Mitch Daniels in 2012"
emma| 4.5.10 @ 11:44PM
If the GOP/conservatives have a weak field, we must start to work hard at organizing UNITED efforts to counter the Democrats' Organizing For America grassroots machinery to help strengthen and/or nullify the impact of their group.
It is good and great to give our two cents on this and that issue/candidate, but without a UNITED ORGANIZED effort to fight back/blunt their millions of volunteers, it would be difficult to get our candidates in every level into office in 2010 and 2012.
Word was the "late" OFA effort in the MA Senate special election last Jan 19 managed to cut Sen. Scott Brown's double digit lead to 5%.
So, while we are waiting for the best candidates to emerge/surge ahead from the current pack of dozen or so potential presidentiables, this should be one of the conservatives' top priority.
Ret_Vet| 4.5.10 @ 11:25AM
Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Gen Patreaus all come to mind when I think of good candidates. I know many wonder is Mrs Palin smart enough, but this reminds me of another great president, Ronald Reagan. I think what really matters is will Obama turn centrist, which would probably go a long way to gettting him re-elected, like Bill Clinton. Also who will teh Tea Party back. The group will only gain strength if Obama stays leftist.
Julie Anne Burton| 4.5.10 @ 11:30AM
I despair when I look over the field of potential candidates. I see no one who has the personality to excite the public. These men who're moving to the right are making a large tactical error -- this may get them the nomination, but a far right candidate is not electable. The GOP needs to run a moderate who's personable, tough on fiscal responsibility, can attack the problems with Obamacare and wrestle with the Dems when they insist on sticking with their talking points about it, and who will stay out of Americans' private lives.
emma| 4.5.10 @ 12:10PM
Julie Anne, the reality is if the candidate is a moderate, the GOP will be all over themselves attacking the person as a RINO. So, the Democrats don't even have to do the dirty work themselves, bec. the conservatives and/or Republicans are doing such an excellent job of neutralizing whoever stands out even by just a bit.
Don't take my word for it, just look at what happened to Rep. Paul Ryan when he presented his Roadmap in the House or what happened to Sen. Scott Brown in the few months since he got sworn in.
His supporters taunted him so roughly in his facebook page that the My Fox Boston (if memory serves me right) run a poll on their site as to what was the worst name Sen. Brown was called for voting for CLOTURE.
Or visit Red State and read the chatter about how important it is to get someone who is 100% conservative into office, and you have more than an idea of what the situation is really like on the ground.
To win in 2012, the conservatives/GOP/etc. will have to unite and agree on what they want to see - win the White House by being a big tent party or insist on political purity tests and lose to Obama again!
Mind you, health care through reconciliation was for the year 2009 budget. The House slapped Obamacare into a old shell bill. Don't you think that they will try another one such as the vote generating immigration reform before the end of the year under the 2010 budget?
Am looking from the outside in and that's how it seems to me. My apologies if it is a bit too harsh.
Jeff Perren | 4.5.10 @ 1:13PM
"Don't take my word for it, just look at what happened to Rep. Paul Ryan when he presented his Roadmap in the House"
Do tell us what happened? I've yet to hear a conservative express a negative view about Rep. Ryan as a result of that or anything else.
However, your concern trolling is duly noted.
emma| 4.5.10 @ 8:04PM
Jeff, before you throw the troll phrase around, pls. check out just how many conservative House Reps supported Rep. Ryan when he put this thing up on the floor.
emma | 4.8.10 @ 8:35PM
You asked for this, and though it is a few days late, Beck just went on the record on his take on Rep. Ryan, who first introduced his Roadmap in 2008 (!)
http://hotair.com/archives/201.....hn-mccain/
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 4.5.10 @ 2:24PM
Forget it Julia. Put down the Michael Smerconish Kool Aide & remember 2008. John McCain was everything you are calling for here & what happened to him? The same thing that will happen to whatever RINO the GOP picks in 2012. Conservatism succeeds every time it is tried. Until the GOP understands this fact, they will continued to get smoked in election after election.
Reaganite Republican | 4.5.10 @ 11:38AM
Palin-Patreaus 2012
Ryan| 4.5.10 @ 11:48AM
I'm not too worried. I don't expect a clear front-runner to emerger for another year or so - where we see who is getting momemtum in the primaries. We need to concentrate on 2010 first and foremost.
John - TMF| 4.5.10 @ 12:28PM
Ok, I have a one "word" warning to all of those who are wanting an early perfectomundo candidate for the Tea fortified GOP to win with in 2012...
Macaca...
When are the Conservative pundits and average Joes out there going to learn the lesson of George Allen vs the WaPo... WaPo won.
It simply is not "the time" to be elevating anyone for President in 2012. To put someone up for that "honor" will be to line them up as a naked target for the Democrat Macaca gun. That person will be destroyed personally, politically, and "any-ly"..
Exeption to this rule: Go ahead put up the Mittster... maybe we could get rid of him by late 2011 when it is important to have a few good people to chose from for the primaries.
Oxygen and Caffeine Note: To Sarah Palin boosters... folks that Ain't gonna happen... period... end of story... give it up. She is politically off the table, and doomed from the minute she opens her mouth to do anything Presidential. I love her to no end, but Palin is gone, politically, and her reality gig will put the final screw in the lid.
Generals tend to make lousy to mediocre presidents. Eisenhower was probably the best of the lot modern lot. Washington was an exception. Patraeus is a smart man, and one would hope that he is smart enough to stay out of the entire mess. Ghosts of Grant, and concrete images of Sherman should stir him to act as the latter, not the former.
There are seriously good, quality people in line for a shot at the Republican nomination. It is critical that we quit looking for the knight errant and start concentrating on winning the House and Senate in 2010.
2012 will come soon enough.
r/The Mighty Fahvaag
Johncarens| 4.5.10 @ 11:27PM
Oh, tut tut, John.
The newspapers were filled with stories in 1979 quoting the Great Sage Gerald Ford that he hoped to God the GOP didn't nominate Ronald Reagan because he was over with, yesterday's news. Or, from Howard Baker that Reagan would be a disaster for the GOP because he was unelectable, too far to the right, way out of step, too much of a rube.
There is much water that will flow under many bridges between now and 2012, and Barack Obama will most likely look like a lonely, befuddled, incapacitated Woodrow Wilson by then, still bouncing around the country trying to sell his latest 14 Steps to Stardom, or whatever. And by then, Sarah Palin will look positively presidential.
She may not be a Rhodes Scholar (-thank God; the last one was so smart he got caught with his pants down), but she is smarter than Obama by orders of magnitude.
For example, I doubt Sarah would extend Miranda protections to terrorists. I am skeptical that she would raise taxes during a prolonged recession, and annex vast swaths of the private economy. I doubt she would unilaterally disarm, or slurp up our enemies while dissing our allies. I'll bet she wouldn't sign bills into law that had been voted out of Congress by unconstitutional means. She probably wouldn't move terrorist barbarians into a prison in Illinois. She probably knows that its pronounced Marine CORE, not CORPSE. I'll bet she even knows that there aren't 57 states in the union.
The fact is, nobody (and I mean NOBODY) fires up the Republican party like Sarah Palin. Tim Pawlenty would be thrilled if he wrote a book that 5,000 people would purchase, unlike the 2,350,000 Sarah Palin sold. If she steps off her bus in Searchlight, Nevada, 15,000 people show up. If Mike Huckabee has an event at Sam's Club, there's still parking spaces.
That's a lot of mojo for someone "off the table".
Sean| 4.5.10 @ 12:41PM
The field is weak. We got someone that believes in government healthcare, we have someone that falls for the global warming hysteria, we have big spenders, and big government proponents. Truly the only person that stands out is Ron Paul and he is getting up there in age now. If he runs I will be supporting him again most likely because I don't see any establishment candidates that are worth a darn.
kingsmill| 4.5.10 @ 12:53PM
The snapshot of the field at this point looks weak. If Romney remains the front runner then things will be bleak.
Ron Paul will be blasted right out of the water once the extremist newsletters he underwrote in the 1980s and 1990s are introduced to the electorate.
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.5.10 @ 1:03PM
Ryan,
Smack on target, guy! 2010 for a "conservative congress" is crucial!
OK,
Let me peer into the future. (smile)
Personally, I would be tickled pink, (so to speak), if Sarah won the Presidency. She has simply shown more courage than anyone we have. She has stuck the crud right up the communists' noses...on a daily basis, since 2008.
I like Ryan. He is a little wonky, but he is solid.
I love DeMint, but right now he is playing the "collegial game" as a Senator. (Help me out SC readers, when is he up for re-election as Senator?)
I have read his book "Saving Freedom", and it is straight...and brilliantly written. DeMint is also a true "Southern Gentleman". Don't let his soft words fool you...General Lee of Virginia was soft spoken as well.
Pawlenty and Jindahl do not have the "stage presence" we will need.
Forget Romney. As his fellow Mormon, Orson Scott Card stated, "Be serious!"
No, folks, Romney wears the wrong kind of underwear, and he signed the Massachusetts health law.
There are a couple of Republican governors who are splendid. So far, they are quietly monitoring the flow of events.
Folks, we need an arse-kicker in the Presidency.
Knowing what I KNOW, right now our best apparent ticket for 2012 is DeMint-Palin, (or vice versa), if they are willing to run.
Besides, heh, I would just love for Sarah as President of the United States of America to point her finger straight in the face of the Muslims...and tell them on worldwide TV.....
"Shove your misogynist...(woman hating - fearing), crud where the sun does not shine".
Or in the words of Ronald Reagan to the Russians..."wellll, if you think you are up to it..... DRAW!"
(He really did say that to them. I heard it from the Russians... my own self.)
Yep, the American "press" was calling him a "fast-draw movie cowboy".
He scared the crap out of the Communists, then loaded up with "SDI" better known as the "Star-Wars Defense", in his "six-gun".
Sarah's message to the 12 ers, (Shia muslims) might simply be..."DRAW! We will put a pig on every warhead."
Margie| 4.5.10 @ 2:11PM
Ken,
Your post is very encouraging! 2010 Congressional elections~ Urgent!
Sarah as President would do one thing for certain, this I know~ it would encourage and strengthen the hearts of all Americans! Her truly hopeful spirit is contagious, and even some hardcore Liberals I know like her.
What a ticket~ DeMint/Palin! Beautiful. We can hope.. and pray!
Big Bar| 4.5.10 @ 3:33PM
Every night I pray that Newt will pick up the banner. He is smart, he knows his facts, he knows history. He will beat Obama in every debate. He knows what needs to be done.
Julie| 4.5.10 @ 4:31PM
That you, Newt?
Jeff Perren | 4.5.10 @ 1:07PM
A weak field, yes. Sad, isn't it? There are lots of good possibilities, though.
Fred Thompson, although I doubt he really wants the job.
Paul Ryan, says he won't run. Too bad. He's terrific.
Michelle Bachmann. Superb choice, but considered too 'extreme' and the media would chew her up.
Sarah Palin. Probably couldn't win because of having resigned as governor. Maybe 6-10 years from now when the electorate has forgotten all about that.
Rick Perry, Mike Pence, Mitch Daniels, or half a dozen others.
There's no shortage of good options in the GOP. But one of the major problems is the RNC and the GOP leadership itself. These people still seem not to have caught on to what wins elections. Either too busy enjoying their ill-gotten perks or simply morally cowardly.
somnolence| 4.5.10 @ 1:23PM
Daniels would also be a terrible candidate for 2012. He is not telegenic and he has (had) too many ties to the Bush presidencies. Sorry.
somnolenced| 4.5.10 @ 1:27PM
If Palin doesn't run at least in the primaries in 2012 what really makes you think she is viable in 6-10 years? I supported Romney in the primaries in 2008. No more. It is strictly because of the health care fiasco he established in Massachusetts. Huckabee is also out for me. I can't see anyone other than Palin I would support. Isn't it really a pitiful state of affairs that as vulnerable as Obama should be he is likely to be reelected.
martin j smith| 4.5.10 @ 1:36PM
At this time there is a need for a "beauty show" of possible contenders --and this should not be on a runway. There are too many variables to pinpoint the best candidate but let me hazard a guess-and an oppinion. First, No one who ran for president in 2008 should be considered in my view ( I am talking about presidential candidates ). Second, whoever runs must be advised that cannot run a lousy MaCaine style campaign nor should they have advisors who do not want them to win. The candidate should not be associated with either Bush or anyone involved with their administrations. And, the candidate must be articulate and have a decent chance of winning based talks with repubs,Conservatives,Tea Party, Independents and other types who ar e opposed to Obama. For noe one other thing: The candidate must be willing to call out Obama on his "misstatements". ( aka lies ) and directly confront Obama on his policies. S/he must also offer the American people a more positive narrative for this country.
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.5.10 @ 1:56PM
Ladies and gentlemen,
I just..."DID IT!"
I just got off the phone with the CEO of Caterpilliar Inc.
(I am the past president of one of his biggest customers).
I asked him to send his people to Waxman's "inquiry"...and tell them to tear Waxman and crew a "new hiney".
Folks,
I wish you could have heard him laugh.
He has my new cell number now, and I expect a call or two.
Does anyone here have a suggestion of who else I should call?
Ken
Tim| 4.5.10 @ 3:17PM
Ghostbusters?
Or should I say Nostbusters in honor of his nostrilness.
Linda| 4.5.10 @ 3:29PM
watch McDonnell, VA Gov, McDonnell/Bachman
Tex| 4.5.10 @ 3:54PM
John Thune on the basis of substance and charisma.
Jim DeMint or Mitch Daniels will do if it needs to be substance alone.
Tex| 4.5.10 @ 3:59PM
... actually the Veep choice is easier. While I love Sarah, her decision to resign will dog her, at least in the short term. Who wouldn't choose Paul Ryan as his Veep. I'd pay top dollar to watch him eviscerate Joe Biden in a debate.
Smitty| 4.5.10 @ 4:35PM
Oh, baloney! No one cares about Sarah's resignation--it was a brilliant tactical move.
She's free to launch all kinds of broadsides at Obama & Co now.
I love it!
MS| 4.5.10 @ 4:18PM
We need a policy person, not an idealogue. We've had ten years now of idealogues, and it hasn't gotten us very far. My choices:
1) Mitch Daniels (balanced Indiana's budget, enacted "Healthy Indiana," which unlike RomneyCare actually helped to control costs)
2) Paul Ryan (only guy on Capitol Hill from either party who consistently offers ideas rather than soundbites and seems more concerned about fixing the problem rather than scoring cheap points on the other side)
3) John Thune (widely regarded as a good policy guy, though considerably more conservative than Ryan or Daniels)
And pretty please, no Sarah Palin. The only thing worse than her getting the nomination would be her actually winning the presidency. She's not only an ideologue, but a dolt as well. Sure, people said Reagan wasn't smart, but I dare anyone to track down blunders by Reagan on a par with Palin's during the 2008 campaign. Enough with the all-sizzle, no-steak presidential candidates. Let's get someone in there who knows how to get things done.
JohnInCA| 4.5.10 @ 5:56PM
I like the idea of Mitch Daniels. I know a lot of people think he is not charismatic or telegenic enough. After being flashed and dashed by Obama, maybe America will be ready for a serious candidate instead of a superstar celebrity. He could bill himself as the anti-Obama. Substance over style.
And, Paul Ryan needs to seriously consider running. 2012 might be his best shot. Kind of like Obama in 2008 the winds were in his favor. Well, if Ryan doesn't jump in he might not get another shot. He would be my first choice.
I also like Newt. As somebody else here said. He would dominate Obama in a debate.
Fisher Ames| 4.5.10 @ 6:41PM
Paul Ryan needs to seriously consider running. 2012 might be his best shot. Kind of like Obama in 2008 the winds were in his favor.
This is the most astute comment in the thread, by far. Ryan would be my first choice, but since he has persuaded me that he is genuinely not interested in running in 2012, I now default to Mitch Daniels as a second choice.
The difference between them, as several have noted, is that Ryan is "telegenic"; Daniels, not. Although Daniels would easily hold his own in a debate with Obama (I imagine), no imagination is necessary where Ryan is concerned: he has gone toe-to-toe with Obama, and prevailed.
The one expression I might change in John's comment: "winds in his favor." My estimation of Ryan is that, if he becomes convinced that the nation needs him (and him uniquely), he will indeed run.
No other candidate has the same chance of unifying the party.
emma| 4.5.10 @ 8:23PM
Rep. Ryan has gone on the record in Time/Newsweek that he will consider running as vice but not as president on account on his family/young children.
Sparky| 4.5.10 @ 4:40PM
Palin could be the most brilliant woman in the world, but would never win. The press has permanently "Quayled" her in a way Quayle would not even recognize. There are way too many under-informed voters who vaguely think she is stupid or hateful. It's a little early, IMO, but there are some very attractive candidates coming forward, such as Scott Brown, Paul Ryan and Chris Christie.
John Thacker| 4.5.10 @ 4:44PM
At this point in Bush the father's presidency, they were saying similar things about the Democrats. We shall see.
Oldefarte| 4.5.10 @ 4:44PM
I'm not sure what rock Philip and Mark are both apparently under, but ANY NORMAL LIVING, BREATHING MODERATELY INTELLIGENT CONSERVATIVE candidate could [and will] defeat Obama in 2012. Beyond that, I predict that Hillary Clinton will resign her Secretary of State position in 2011 to make a Democratic Party challenge against THE RADICAL ONE. It's not a question of WHEN, but only WHO, will replace him. He's toast, and his WRITING ON THE POLITICAL WALL has been there since 11/4/08; and will only increase with time until 11/4/12!!!!!!
Sparky| 4.5.10 @ 4:45PM
Another thing - don't let the dems pick our presidential candidates. In 2008, so many primaries were scheduled in such a way as to let the dems vote in their primary, then have enough time to change their registration to Republican and vote for the guy they most wanted to beat. Maybe the RNC could concentrate on doing something about that rather than attending bondage-themed nightclubs with OPM.
Jim| 4.5.10 @ 4:46PM
There is no field. Until there is, it is too soon to call it weak. The field exists when the primaries get underway. What we can say for sure is that 2008 field was very weak, and if we are looking at that again plus Pawlenty, 2012 will be a poor year for Republicans. However, if DeMint and one or two other interesting characters join the race it the field won't be weak. It will be dynamic.
somnolence| 4.5.10 @ 5:32PM
Quayle was just as much done in by the GOP hierarchy and the RNC as he was by the press when he ran in the primaries in 2000. The last candidate I sent money to was Phil Gramm in 1996. I really am tired of the RNC posturing at times, intermingling with fat cat cigar lounge types and all doesn't bode well in any media soundbite with the vast majority of people. No, the RNC will never let Sarah Palin be the candidate. And I vowed long ago never to give them a red cent. And I dare anyone to tell me that Quayle wouldn't have been a more conservative President than G. W. Bush.
raylynn| 4.5.10 @ 5:42PM
I seriously can not believe that despicable piece of human filth Gen. Betray (the) US would be considered a viable candidate?!!! He is an Islamic butt kisser and tied with the neo-con movement and war which the Republicans need to hurriedly disassociate themselves from. Sarah Palin needs several years of work. Daniels is good, Gary Johnson of New Mexico is good and everyone in the Tea Party movement has more of a right to be president than Pawlenty, Romney, and Huckabee. Losers all....just saying.
Lori| 4.5.10 @ 6:27PM
Philip you should stick to critique of liberals. Its kinda like a guy who needs glasses describing something while his glasses are on top of his head.
While their are some similarities to Massachusetts health reform, the differences with Obama care are what is substantial, not the similarities. Only Romney can neutralize Obama on this. He has been there, done it, got the Tshirt. He knows what went wrong and how to fix it. Romney says its a work in progress not a done deal. Obama's is bad for the private sector, Romney's depends on a thriving private sector. Obama's will eventually lead to single payer system. Romney never would go there, not in his DNA.
Halperin's piece was a cleverly disguised hit piece on Romney and I now know team Obama has Halperin in their back pocket. Obama is most afraid of going toe to toe with Romney. They are desperate to take him out before the primary begins. So obvious that you too try to keep the meme alive to smear Romney. Well, no one else on the Republican side can stand up to Obama on this than the one person who has learned the most from the experiment.
michiganruth| 4.5.10 @ 6:53PM
please, everyone: forget about Palin. nobody admires her more than I do, but I also know she's far too polarizing for 2012. we MUST defeat Obama, that's job 1. and that means we need every single vote from disaffected Democrats and independents, and I don't think she can bring them in.
as many above have noted, we could never have imagined Obama had a shot 2 years before that "historic" election. so we may not even have heard of the 2012 candidate yet.
and as much as I hate to bring race into this...it would really help if at least the VP candidate was a minority of some sort. it needs to be OK with black voters to vote against Obama, and right now I don't think it is.
JayJay| 4.5.10 @ 7:40PM
I am focused on the 2010 elections as everyone should be. One thing at a time and feel the outcomes there will greatly effect the direction we need to go for 2012. With that said, I will say that although or because I am an Alaskan, I could not vote for Palin. I am neither one way or the other about her, just realistic. I do have a suspicion that Hillary will try another bid. A CNN poll of Democrats already have 20% saying they are hoping for a different candidate in 2012. Depending on what she does and how successful she is with it may actually decide who will be the best candidates to field. As of now, my favorites are Eric Cantor, Jim DeMint, and Paul Ryan.
michiganruth| 4.5.10 @ 7:50PM
JayJay: I like Cantor and Ryan A LOT but I'm afraid they may still be too unseasoned. (I know, I know, like Obama wasn't?!)
what do you think of Judd Gregg? the NH senator who's retiring?
another one to watch--but also unseasoned--is Lt. Col. Allen West from Florida. maybe in a few elections from now...
JayJay| 4.5.10 @ 8:10PM
michiganruth, Never gave him much thought as far as a candidate. Without doing research I would say that he has experience, my be a little old... I know... Reagan but that was then and I think times have changed and Reagan looked considerably younger than he was and society is looking for that youthful appearance. Not saying that is how it should be, just think it is a fact. DeMint is a good combo of qualities but so is Cantor and Cantor is getting that experience lately. Ryan is the weakest of the 3 in the area of charisma and sad to say but that goes into the mix these days too. I think he is working on that too. I like Allen West too but right now he is really green in the political arena, I think. My biggest fear right now is with the TEA Party splitting the Republican vote somehow and that is something that both they and the Republicans need to iron out.
blackwatch| 4.5.10 @ 10:37PM
A GOP Governor--not a Congressman. One who has balanced his state budget mulitple times and put his unemployed men back to work. i don't know who that is yet--but that will be who can beat The Kenyan.
Don't over think it. The Kenyan won't be that tough to beat. he is a disaster and the MSM is loosing tens of thousands of viewers annually through natural attrition. Once the YOUNGSTERS figure out Obummer has socked them all with a flagging economy, a weakened job market, and a weaker national energy security position they won't vote for him. He won't be cool.
We have all of his 2008 campaign lies to compare and contrast with his four years of governing as the pinhead preening president. We will attack his shills in the press and his shills in purple shirts. We won't allow another McCain. No one gets the nomination because they are a vet, rich, or good looking. They get the job because they are competant. The Kenyan had no resume & and an African father. That's why he got the nomination and was elected POTUS. The novelty and white guilt thing won't carry him across the finish line this time.
Little Barry stands on his own actual merits. Not his supposed "hipness," nor his wife's gushing adoration and her new found "pride" in America. He stands on his own merits. And this time, he will be found wanting.
Cal Mark| 4.5.10 @ 10:53PM
OK, fellow conservatives--it's over! There is no hope! None, whatsoever!
Woe is us! Woe is the Republic! All is lost!
For Pete's sake. Pundits don't live in the world of reality. With few exceptions, conservative pundits were not Reagan fans. (George Will, anyone? As January, 1989, approached, Will snarkily called Reagan something like a top-level middle-tier President).
In politics, a week is an epoch. Three years is...an eternity.
The keys to winning in 2012:
1. Ignore the navel-gazing (meaning, all of them) pundits.
2. Work for good conservative candidates.
emma| 4.5.10 @ 11:13PM
Keys to winning in 2012?
1. Win BIG in 2010 by being UNITED vs. Dems
at every level - State Rep & Senate, Gov, House, Senate.
2. Stay true to fiscal conservatism in House and Senate
3. If people find the GOP true to their word, doing what they can together/united to veer the country off the deficit/debt debacle, provide jobs, replace what the worst features of Obamacare, and are able to keep their base plus attract "new" voting demography to that base,
they stand a good chance of winning the WH in 2012 and fully repealing Obamacare/restoring accountability in Big Labor groups, etc.
Otherwise, with the immigration reform an almost too good to be true Democrat vote machinery staring us in the eye, it would be very tough, uphill fight.
Cris Worth| 4.6.10 @ 3:29AM
The Republican Party is at a crossroads...the GOP cannot afford another major blunder by nominating another phony conservative. Right now it looks bad, the party is lead by two liberals’ party chair Steele and frontrunner Romney. If the economy continues to slide Romney will win the nomination by default. If so conservatives will abandon the GOP once and for all and the Republican Party will end up in the dust bin of history, a new party will form and that's a good thing.
Estragon| 4.6.10 @ 6:05AM
In 1950, who expected Ike and Stevenson in '52? No one! In 1962 there would have been no bets on Goldwater getting the nod, and in '66 nobody would have predicted Nixon vs Humphrey two years later. In 1970, who expected McGovern? In 1974, who had ever heard of Carter, outside Georgia?
In 1998, the Bush expected to run was Jeb. In 2006, who saw Obama as 2008 nominee?
It's too early. Chill.
Answers1| 4.6.10 @ 6:32AM
Focus on 2010.
ghdpick | 4.6.10 @ 8:17AM
so, 2010, what should do .
www.mbtsells.com
www.dunkpick.com
randyinrocklin| 4.6.10 @ 10:50AM
I think Rick Perry of TX and Palin wold be the ticket. Perry/Palin nice ring to it don't ya think?
reb| 4.10.10 @ 10:41AM
Ron Paul seems the most realistic candidate.
Sarah Insane Palin, what an idiot.
LOL
Pingback| 4.12.10 @ 4:45PM
Economic Play Pin » Blog Archive » Looking at 2012 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt: