If Romney loses the general....

[All Along The Watchtower]

...then that's ok, because once 2016 rolls around, there will be no incumbent, either way.

Which leaves an opening for:



AM I RITE?

[Joe Biden 2020]

...then that's ok, because once 2016 rolls around, there will be no incumbent, either way.

Which leaves an opening for:



AM I RITE?

I seriously doubt it.

[Bull Moose Base]

I do wonder how many Democrats consider Kerry's 2004 loss worth it for paving the way for Obama, or at least felt that way right after Obama was elected.  Not just because Obama was more exciting to the Democratic base but if Kerry won in 2004, would he have lost to the Republican in 2008?  Not that it affected people's votes or anyone thought about that in 2004.  But if Romney is nominated, I don't think it's that unlikely some rabble-rouser like Eric Erickson or even disgruntled intelligentsia like George Will might openly question if conservatives' better bet isn't Obama being re-elected.  

And, while no one in the party would admit it, I assume those Republicans who harbor presidential aspirations and aren't tapped to be Romney's running mate would have mixed feelings about Romney winning (if not fully hoping he loses).  For example, if Jeb Bush still aspires to be president, (I'll assume he does) how's he going to feel about a Romney-Rubio ticket winning in 2012?  Let's not pretend the majority of politicians are public servants and true believers devoid of ambition.  Again, no one's going to admit it or withhold an endorsement of Romney.  But they might say things that are indirectly unhelpful to Romney and hence self-serving.

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

I wouldn't be surprised if there were Republicans who voted for Obama against Romney for the sake of forcing a more conservative nominee in 2016. That's something that a lot of the "Vote for the guy most likely to beat Obama" crowd forgets about, and if Romney is nominated it could give them a problem.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Romney's closet is full of skeletons and he have many liabilities. But the truth is, when compared to his opponents (Cain, Gingrich, Perry, etc. etc.) he's almost clean and fresh.

As much as I dislike him, he's most electable Republican from this lousy crowd. If he's a nominee, tea party crowd will vote for him.

[NHI]

If for reason Romney loses to Obama, then the next President in my view will either be: Marco Rubio or Chris Christie and I'm thinking the latter is the more likely.

[SufferedMore ThanJesus]

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

[Pingvin]

If for reason Romney loses to Obama, then the next President in my view will either be: Marco Rubio or Chris Christie and I'm thinking the latter is the more likely.

[Psychic Octopus]

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

Nah, the GOP's done with septugenarians. This is Newt's last shot. He'd be overshadowed by pretty much every potential candidate and be considered a relic of another era.

[California8429]

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

It's now or never for Newt. Unless it was a pretty close race, he kept it clean with Mitt and his approvals after the campaign were Huckabee or higher levels as well as knowing he'd raise $25 million in Q1 of 2015.

[Reaganfan]

2016 would be amazing

Chris Christie
Marco Rubio
Jeb Bush
Mike Huckabee
Mike Pence
Brian Sandoval
Bobby Jindal
Rand Paul

and then some.

[Bull Moose Base]

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

Nah, the GOP's done with septugenarians. This is Newt's last shot. He'd be overshadowed by pretty much every potential candidate and be considered a relic of another era.

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

It's now or never for Newt. Unless it was a pretty close race, he kept it clean with Mitt and his approvals after the campaign were Huckabee or higher levels as well as knowing he'd raise $25 million in Q1 of 2015.

Amazed to say it, but I find myself disagreeing.  I agree it depends to some extent whether he loses in some damaging way or spectacular failure, but even without Huckabee popularity, if Newt is the runner-up, wins some states and just starts falling away and drops out like McCain in 2000 and Romney in 2008, then I think he miraculously finds himself in what would be a small cluster of frontrunners for 2016 (that would also include whoever was Romney's running mate, Jeb Bush, Huckabee, and perhaps Chris Christie or Marco Rubio even if they're not the running mates.)  Newt's age would be a non-factor not only because of GOP precedent but also because the Democrats are also somewhat likely to have an older nominee in Biden or Clinton.  I guess if Romney loses to Obama in such a spectacular fashion that there could be a backlash against the whole next-in-line tradition but I doubt it.

[All Along The Watchtower]

2016 would be amazing

Chris Christie
Marco Rubio
Jeb Bush
Mike Huckabee
Mike Pence
Brian Sandoval
Bobby Jindal
Rand Paul

and then some.

I think you guys do have a better shot in 2016 than in 2012.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

I would think that the Republicans on this board would want Romney to lose. If Obama wins 2016 will be wide open for both parties. Biden and Clinton will likely both be too old.

Potential Dems: Cuomo, O'Malley, Schweitzer, Warner, Hickenlooper, and others

Potential Repubs: Jindal, Rubio, Christie, Bush, Rand Paul, Huntsman, Ryan, Haley, and others

THAT would be an interesting primary season to watch.

["'Oeps!' De blunders van Rick Perry Indicted"]

2016 would be amazing

Chris Christie
Marco Rubio
Jeb Bush
Mike Huckabee
Mike Pence
Brian Sandoval
Bobby Jindal
Rand Paul

and then some.

I think you guys do have a better shot in 2016 than in 2012.

Elections aren't about the candidates.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Were that to happen, that would mean it's Gingrich's turn.   

Get ready for the Age Of The Newt, 2016-2024.

You know Newt would be 73 by 2016?

2012 is his now or never.