The 2016 Republican primaries presented the sharpest contrast possible, with the party's three factions breaking behind three candidates and slugging it out for the Republican nomination.
Senator Supersonic Venue (R-TN) - a self-proclaimed "Neoconservative," Supersonic is the candidate of the Republican establishment. He is popular among 'big government conservatives,' i.e. the suburban right, the soccer mom Republicans who turned out for Bush in 2004 but didn't quite make it to the polls in 2008 or 2012. He's also got the backing of the Republican party machine; a campaign run by Karl Rove, Condi Rice as a foreign policy adviser (and rumored running-mate) and the full support of most of the Bush-Cheney administration, as well as the key support from defense contractors, oil companies, etc. He is also openly in favor of same-sex marriage rights, an issue he hopes he can use to pry away professionals from the Democratic coalition and return those voters to their original home - the GOP.
Governor Cath Con (R-MI) - a relatively new Governor (having succeeded Governor Rick Snyder after serving as his Lieutenant from 2011 to 2015), Gov. Con has made a name for himself as a tribune for the Populist Right. Relatively pro-labor (for a Republican), socially conservative, and with an independent streak, the Governor is counting on his support among Catholics, Latinos, and working class whites to deliver him the White House. He has the backing of many religiously conservative groups, anti-abortion groups, and some support from the paleoconservative Right.
Congressman Jay Brase (R-IA) - a member of the 'class of 2010' and a libertarian with connections to former Representative Ron Paul, Congressman Brase is especially liked among Tea Party voters and erstwhile libertarians outside of the Republican Party. Harshly critical of both the Obama and Bush administrations, Congressman Brase is running on a platform of expanded free trade, ending American military presence abroad, and repealing the PATRIOT Act. He is popular among young Republicans.
In spite of spirited challenges from the libertarian and populist right, the Senator from Tennessee was nevertheless able to secure the Republican nomination before the convention. He then chosen Condi Rice as his running-mate, as previously rumored, cementing a neoconservative ticket.
