Who Will The Republicans Look to in 2012

[paul718]

2012 GOP Ticket

Mitt Romney/Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham, no way.  The "gay" rumors would crush him.  He speaks somewhat effeminately and has still never been married.  Makes you wonder why Charlie Crist even had to deal with those rumors. 

[paul718]

Does anyone think maybe Tom Ridge would consider a run for the Presidency. or Colin Powell and if so What party would he run in.

Tom Ridge would already have BEEN President if he weren't pro-choice. 

[paul718]

Crist looks good so far.  But domestically, he is a McCain clone.  If McCain can't beat Obama now, why would Crist be able to do it in 4 years?

[paul718]

Crist looks good so far.  But domestically, he is a McCain clone.  If McCain can't beat Obama now, why would Crist be able to do it in 4 years?

Crist is a giant dud, and too far to the left.  He represents the mod wing in Florida, while Jeb represents the conservative wing.  No thanks to Crist.

My list:
Palin
big drop
Jindal or Sanford

How can we win the election with Mrs. I don't know what I'm doing, Mr. TOO conservative, and Mr. Boring?  These are horrible choices that will give us, once again, almost no base movement.

I would hope the GOP sees it's time for the social conservatives to take a back seat.  They shouldn't be forgotten, as they're an intergral part to the coalition, but social issues are not going to matter in the coming years. 

I also have to agree with Fezzy re: Sanford.  I think he's great and was my initial VP choice.  But then I heard him do an interview.

[paul718]

I love Mark Sanford. I've met him on several occasions, but I highly doubt he has presidential aspirations.

I certainly hope we can do better than Sarah Palin in 2012. If not, we'll have Obama for 2 terms.

What's wrong with Palin? Other then the fact the media hates conservative women.

Foreign policy.

[paul718]

Jindal's chances hinge on what NO and the rest of LA looks like in 2011.  If there is a thriving renaissance Jindal is an excellent choice.  His skin color can only be a positive, even if it is a cynical move by the GOP to show they are "color blind."

Mitch Daniels is a superb governor and his economic credentials are beyond reproach.  He keeps a balanced budget, lowered property taxes (while raising the sales tax 1%), kept vital social services alive and well, AND provided health coverage for the uninsured!  Deficit-hawk conservatives will rally around him, and he can make a serious outreach to liberals as well.  Read his Wikipedia page for more info.

We'll see how he does against Jill Long Thompson.  If he can mount a substantial win against a very good challenger in an otherwise catastrophic year for the GOP, I think he should consider getting an exploratory committee together.  And maybe start chatting up foreign dignitaries.

"I got Indiana back on track, and I can do the same for America!"

From wikipedia re: Daniels' service as Bush's OMB Director (citations in original):

"In 2002, Daniels helped discredit a report by Assistant to the President on Economic Policy Lawrence B. Lindsey estimating the cost of the Iraq War at between $100-$200 billion. Daniels called this estimate "very, very high" and stated that the costs would be between $50-$60 billion.[6] As of 2007, the cost of the invasion and occupation of Iraq has exceeded $400 billion, and the Congressional Budget Office in August 2007 estimated that appropriations would eventually reach $1 trillion or more.[7]" 

I think this is why you didn't hear Daniels' name in McCain VP speculation. 

[paul718]

No one expected the Iraq operation to require large-scale troop commitment into Nov. 2008 and beyond, except perhaps a few visionaries.    A short war to depose the Ba'ath regime (which was correct) and a 1-2 year drawdown while order and new government were established, was the expectation.  And $50-$60 billion, while a bit low, is consistent with that.

Understandable that McCain wouldn't want to touch that, but I don't think you can fault him for it.  Candidate Daniels can brush that off very easily: "We all thought it would be a short operation, including all of the Democrats in Congress who voted for the war."  End of discussion.

Good point.  Aside from that, I like what I see of him. 

[paul718]

the next Goldwater might be the right analogy.  especially if Obama gets shot in 2011, and Biden pushes through some of his legislation and the GOP nominates Pence.

in my dreams

minus the whole "losing" thing, of course.

[paul718]

I see Pence as the coming leader and face of the party.  Though I'm not sure he'd run in 2012.  I think and hope that the party will coalesce behind one person, so we can avoid having 10 guys up there for the first few primary debates.  Romney has the greatest chance of being that person.