Who should the GOP look to to give the 2015 SOTU Response?

[Brittain33]

There's no reason Michele Bachmann couldn't do it again this year.

[Mister Mets]

There's no reason Michele Bachmann couldn't do it again this year.

I don't believe she ever gave the Republican response.

Fortunately, she will no longer hold elected office.

[Brittain33]

There's no reason Michele Bachmann couldn't do it again this year.

I don't believe she ever gave the Republican response.

Fortunately, she will no longer hold elected office.

She gave a Tea Party response following the official Republican response either in 2014 or 2013.

[The_Doctor]

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That's fair enough. I would branch out to a discussion if this practice (after politics) is as pernicious as we think it is. There may be room for a healthy relationship between politicians and business interests; indeed, we've had a few eras where the relationships have contributed to significant technological and economic growth.

But this isn't the place for it, probably.

[publicunofficial]

The distinguished Darren Wilson

[King]

I'm actually a little surprised they haven't tapped Tim Scott yet.

Tapped? Graham hasn't even worked up the courage to ask him out yet.

[Mister Mets]

The main quality would be selecting a good speaker, who holds elected office, isn't running for President, hasn't given the response before, and doesn't have weird issues in their background (IE- David Vitter).

Nikki Haley might fit the bill.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The main quality would be selecting a good speaker, who holds elected office, isn't running for President, hasn't given the response before, and doesn't have weird issues in their background (IE- David Vitter).

Nikki Haley might fit the bill.

Who says she isn't running?  At the very least, she's a leading candidate for the Veepstakes in 2016 and while a 2016 Presidential run is unlikely, a 2020 run is quite possible.  She's term limited and I can't see her mounting a primary challenge against either of our senators and I can't see either departing office voluntarily soon.  I suppose there's an outside chance she could run for Comptroller General in 2018 if she wants to stay active in electoral politics without going national in her ambitions.  Eckstrom might consider retirement, unlike our State Treasurer Loftis (tho he might try to run for Governor) so she wouldn't have to unseat an incumbent.  With her background, Haley's not really qualified to run for Attorney General, tho both Treasurer and Comptroller General are good fits for her resume.  So is Secretary of State but that is too minor an office for a former governor. (Plus there are constant calls to either eliminate the office, or at least stop electing it. Also, our Secretary of State has no role in elections as is the case in many States, so she wouldn't be able to even hope of pulling a Katherine Harris.)

[Mister Mets]

The main quality would be selecting a good speaker, who holds elected office, isn't running for President, hasn't given the response before, and doesn't have weird issues in their background (IE- David Vitter).

Nikki Haley might fit the bill.

Who says she isn't running?  At the very least, she's a leading candidate for the Veepstakes in 2016 and while a 2016 Presidential run is unlikely, a 2020 run is quite possible.  She's term limited and I can't see her mounting a primary challenge against either of our senators and I can't see either departing office voluntarily soon.  I suppose there's an outside chance she could run for Comptroller General in 2018 if she wants to stay active in electoral politics without going national in her ambitions.  Eckstrom might consider retirement, unlike our State Treasurer Loftis (tho he might try to run for Governor) so she wouldn't have to unseat an incumbent.  With her background, Haley's not really qualified to run for Attorney General, tho both Treasurer and Comptroller General are good fits for her resume.  So is Secretary of State but that is too minor an office for a former governor. (Plus there are constant calls to either eliminate the office, or at least stop electing it. Also, our Secretary of State has no role in elections as is the case in many States, so she wouldn't be able to even hope of pulling a Katherine Harris.)

There's nothing wrong with a SOTU response by potential 2020/ 2024 candidates, or potential Veeps.

But it might be divisive to have a potential 2016 nominee. It provides party actors an incentive to criticize something that's meant to unite Republicans.

[Suburbia]

Nikki Haley or Brian Sandoval would be a good choice. Maybe even Tom Cotton.

[Suburbia]

Kelly Ayotte would be good choice too.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Nikki Haley or Brian Sandoval would be a good choice. Maybe even Tom Cotton.

No. Cotton is the opposite of everything the GOP needs to be emphasizing right now.

I'd be interested in seeing Sandoval though since he could use it to take down Reid, and I don't necessarily want him to be President.

[Maxwell]

I'm actually a little surprised they haven't tapped Tim Scott yet.

Yes, I think Tim Scott is a solid pick.

[Blue3]

They usually pick people who you don't usually think of as a serious presidential contender, but could use the limelight to better become one. Jindal, Rubio, Daniels, McDonnell, etc. Even that female Republican in the House, forget her name, was briefly talked about as a presidential contender after her mediocre response.

So who does the GOP establishment like, but not think is getting enough attention?

[Suburbia]

They usually pick people who you don't usually think of as a serious presidential contender, but could use the limelight to better become one. Jindal, Rubio, Daniels, McDonnell, etc. Even that female Republican in the House, forget her name, was briefly talked about as a presidential contender after her mediocre response.

So who does the GOP establishment like, but not think is getting enough attention?

McMorris Rodgers. But Cotton or Sandoval would be good.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Official Republican response should go to Sandoval. He's the most moderate governor that was reelected in 2014, he can use it to help take down Reid (which should be the GOP's #2 goal in 2016 (#1 being winning the presidency of course).), and he can shape his speech to appeal to soft democrats, independents, hispanics - people that the GOP need to improve their standing with.

The Tea Party response should go to Bobby Jindal or Ben Carson. Basically, keep Ted Cruz from getting a boost from this, and give it to someone whose presence in the race would lower Cruz's chance of winning the nomination and raise the chance of an establishment candidate winning the nomination.

[Clarko95 📚💰📈]

Martinez, Sandoval, Kasich, Gardner, Ayotte, hell even Kirk or Rauner should do it for the luhlz.

[Ebowed]

Scott Brown would be another good choice.

[The Other Castro]

Scott Brown would be another good choice.

It would help prop up his 2016 CT senate run

[ElectionsGuy]

I've never really understood why governors would want to give a response to federal issues. But anyway, I hope its somebody fresh like Curbelo, Love, Gardner, etc.

[Maistre]

Give it to the fat man, hope he screws up and his 2016 prospects go down with it.

[Suburbia]

Imagine if the GOP gave Judge Jeanine Pirro the rebuttal. Yes, she lost by 30 or so points in the 2006 NY Attorney General's race against Cuomo, but she's tough as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93bbhebvUvU

[All Along The Watchtower]

I've never really understood why governors would want to give a response to federal issues.

Because they have ambitions for federal office?

[Mister Mets]

Some more potential choices...

Larry Hogan- The new Republican Governor of a very liberal state could highlight the less popular elements of the Democratic agenda.

Kevin McCarthy- Introduces Americans to a relatively obscure member of congressional leadership. As House Majority Leader, he would be a Republican in a position to offer alternatives.

John Thune- Probably the most charismatic member of the new Senate leadership.

[Mister Mets]

I've never really understood why governors would want to give a response to federal issues. But anyway, I hope its somebody fresh like Curbelo, Love, Gardner, etc.

It raises the profile of a Governor, which helps with fundraising.

It brings attention to the profile of Governors interested in running for Senate, or getting appointed somewhere high-profile (IE- The cabinet of the next administration).