Republicans - If we lose...

[Keystone Phil]

If we lose (which is looking likely now but it's not quite certain yet), who is your first choice to be our nominee in 2012? Feel free to give a few possible runners up.

I kindly ask that this thread not be overrun with "LOL YEAH! NOMINATE HIM/HER! 4 MO' YEARS OF OBAMA!!!" Please. Thank you.


My choice: Richard John Santorum

Possible runners up: Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford

[Torie]

I have zero idea. I don't like any of  your names however. Pence, but he's a dirt bag house guy, and that dog won't hunt.

[TomC]

Not a Republican, but a Romney-Palin primary would be very interesting. Go Sarah!

[Lief 🗽]

Hopefully you guys nominate a frightening young theocon (Palin, Jindal, etc.) so that Obama can get his very own 1984/1972/1964.

A Romney-Palin-Gingrich primary would be super fun though.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Rudy Giuliani

Also: Mark Sanford (he won't run though), Mike Bloomberg, Tim Pawlenty, Jeb Bush (if his name isn't ruined still)

[J. J.]

"After you, the deluge."

I will say that to any candidate who wins.  

In all seriousness, if Obama wins, I expect a major recession, probably 2-3 years after this one.  A Republican Congress by 2012 and a roll back of civil rights legislation.  You will see affirmative action ended by 2014, if not before (and this if from someone who thinks it's appropriate in some cases).

[Smid]

Santorum would be good. I'd like Huck to have another go at it. Jindal would be good.

[Keystone Phil]

Hopefully you guys nominate a frightening young theocon (Palin, Jindal, etc.) so that Obama can get his very own 1984/1972/1964.

I kindly asked you not to do that.

[The Mikado]

If Republicans are as smart electorally as they have been, the ticket will be _____/Petraeus.  I know Iraq probably won't be the same issue as it used to be, but Petraeus is the only figure even tangentially connected to this Administration (in other words, high-profile figure) who has shone in the spotlight, and under very difficult circumstances.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Hopefully you guys nominate a frightening young theocon (Palin, Jindal, etc.) so that Obama can get his very own 1984/1972/1964.

I kindly asked you not to do that.

What did you expect from Lief? If Obama's lead gets any larger, he'll begin arguing about how Obama will carry Kansas again (okay, that was a bit obsessive like BRTD). But it had to be said

[J. J.]

I think you might actually see someone like a Huckabee get elected, but I'd expect Palin is more likely.  It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

[Lunar]

Lunar's prediction: Sarah Palin will be your '12 nominee if Obama wins.  Think about how Huck won your primaries in Iowa, and now think about Sarah doing that everywhere.  She'd be guaranteed to be the richest candidate, the one with the broadest and most enthusiastic support, and she clearly wants the job.

She'll have four more years to prep herself and she won't make 1% as many gaffes by then.

[Keystone Phil]

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

[Torie]

Lunar's prediction: Sarah Palin will be your '12 nominee if Obama wins.  Think about how Huck won your primaries in Iowa, and now think about Sarah doing that everywhere.  She'd be guaranteed to be the richest candidate, the one with the broadest and most enthusiastic support, and she clearly wants the job.

She'll have four more years to prep herself and she won't make 1% as many gaffes by then.

I think suicide might be an option, per your lens. I am trying to reduce the importance of politics in my life. It is not good for my health.

[Nym90]

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

True, your party would never put anyone on a ticket who had been a Governor for only 2 years.

Though in all seriousness, you are probably right that you wouldn't again after a loss this year.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

Is Specter retiring?

Anyway, I love Huckabee but we disagree on both economic and social policy. If it weren't for that, I'd support him 100%.

[memphis]

The conservative era 1980-2006 is over. If you want to be competitive you've got to find a moderate. Find your version of Bill Clinton.

[Firefly]

If we lose (which is looking likely now but it's not quite certain yet), who is your first choice to be our nominee in 2012? Feel free to give a few possible runners up.

I kindly ask that this thread not be overrun with "LOL YEAH! NOMINATE HIM/HER! 4 MO' YEARS OF OBAMA!!!" Please. Thank you.


My choice: Richard John Santorum

Possible runners up: Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford

Rick Santorum is my choice, too.

[J. J.]

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

True, your party would never put anyone on a ticket who had been a Governor for only 2 years.

Though in all seriousness, you are probably right that you wouldn't again after a loss this year.

Toomey was also a former three term Congressman, so you'd be talking some Federal experience.

[Keystone Phil]

True, your party would never put anyone on a ticket who had been a Governor for only 2 years.

I said that it wouldn't fly especially if this ticket fails.

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

Is Specter retiring?

No

It could be Palin/Santorum or Palin/Toomey.

Toomey isn't likely at all. Let's assume he wins Specter's Senate seat or even Governor. He'd only be in that office for a little over a year by the time he's chosen. That's not going to fly.

True, your party would never put anyone on a ticket who had been a Governor for only 2 years.

Though in all seriousness, you are probably right that you wouldn't again after a loss this year.

Toomey was also a former three term Congressman, so you'd be talking some Federal experience.

Yes, we know but that's only three terms. He left the House in 2005. That's quite a gap.

The conservative era 1980-2006 is over. If you want to be competitive you've got to find a moderate. Find your version of Bill Clinton.

Can you people please grow up? Seriously.

Just like how you guys couldn't win with a real liberal?

[Bacon King]

Pawlenty? Schwartzenegger, if you can get the constitution amended?

[Ronnie]

I really like Santorum, but he would be crucified.

I'd say Huckabee or Romney would be my top choices.  I'll likely support any Republican running (barring Ron Paul or Pat Buchanan).

[Keystone Phil]

I really like Santorum, but he would be crucified.

Don't be so sure. The Dems thought that they could destroy Reagan even with their unpopular incumbent President. A lot can change (and often does) in four years. That being said, Obama could end up becoming more popular in four years. Who knows?

[Ban my account ffs!]

Somebody not unlike Jim Ramstad...

But that's just because he's a pretty moderate Republican and would connect with people really well.

[HardRCafé]

I really like Santorum, but he would be crucified.

Don't be so sure. The Dems thought that they could destroy Reagan even with their unpopular incumbent President.

I see you've learned a lot the last two years.