Who will run in 2012

[Kung Wu]

I believe Ryan has a stellar chance if he were to surround himself with Bush's campaign management.

He's young, good looking so he'll win the ladies over, not a freaking Massachussetts/East Coast RINO, and he would come across very favorably in a debate format.

[RoyalShock]

I know people will roll their eyes at this, but there was a CNN poll a couple of months ago that showed Ron Paul either 1st or 2nd in a head-to-head with Obama. I know a fair number of Republicans don't care for his foreign policy, but no other GOP candidate does as well among the key group of voters - independents. Not only that, he is the only GOP candidate who can pull Democrat voters away from Obama, as many on the left are dissatisfied with his handling of the wars. Their votes can be had by the right candidate. A pro-war Republican won't be able to do that. And we all know most Republicans will vote for whoever has the (R) behind their name.

So everytime you hear how unelectable Paul is, consider the likely source - GOP establishment. Romney may do well, but he is hardly a conservative. Bachmann's social conservatism won't play well outside the GOP.

That said, vote for who you think will do the best job for our country. But if you're a pragmatist and want to see Obama defeated, there is a candidate who can do it.

[Maggie]

I know people will roll their eyes at this, but there was a CNN poll a couple of months ago that showed Ron Paul either 1st or 2nd in a head-to-head with Obama. I know a fair number of Republicans don't care for his foreign policy, but no other GOP candidate does as well among the key group of voters - independents. Not only that, he is the only GOP candidate who can pull Democrat voters away from Obama, as many on the left are dissatisfied with his handling of the wars. Their votes can be had by the right candidate. A pro-war Republican won't be able to do that. And we all know most Republicans will vote for whoever has the (R) behind their name.

So everytime you hear how unelectable Paul is, consider the likely source - GOP establishment. Romney may do well, but he is hardly a conservative. Bachmann's social conservatism won't play well outside the GOP.

That said, vote for who you think will do the best job for our country. But if you're a pragmatist and want to see Obama defeated, there is a candidate who can do it.

:noidea: There you have it – you are a soothsayer. ;-)

Ron Paul has no chance (nor should he), not in the primary, certainly not in a general election. Don’t get so wrapped up in your “thinking” – a fish doesn’t know it is wet, right? :roll:

Libertarianism – as Paul defines it is not a governing philosophy. Even so, Ron Paul is "slightly" unhinged.

[WuDrWu]

The truly electable, imho, Republicans have either said they will not run or haven't announced.

I think they would all defeat the sitting President, given they employ at least an average campaign management staff.


I believe these people to be Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio and to a slightly lesser extent, Rick Perry.


I also think of that group, Ryan and Perry are the most (currently) qualified to be President. They all would make spectacular VPs imho.

[pinstripers]

Perry-Rubio

[RoyalShock]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/obama_41_ron_paul_37

[wufan]

Paul is one of seveal republicans that polls well with the president. I like slot of his ideas...but not all.

[RoyalShock]

Paul is one of seveal republicans that polls well with the president. I like slot of his ideas...but not all.

Which I think most people can and do say about all politicians.

The thing about that poll, is that the only candidate to fare better is a faux conservative. It also demonstrates exactly what I said in a previous post. Paul can pull the key demographic - independents and dissatisfied Democrats. And as Rasmussen clarified, Romney's number is partly due to his portrayal as the front-runner.

Paul is electable.

[wufan]

Paul is one of seveal republicans that polls well with the president. I like slot of his ideas...but not all.

Which I think most people can and do say about all politicians.

The thing about that poll, is that the only candidate to fare better is a faux conservative. It also demonstrates exactly what I said in a previous post. Paul can pull the key demographic - independents and dissatisfied Democrats. And as Rasmussen clarified, Romney's number is partly due to his portrayal as the front-runner.

Paul is electable.

Actually Romney did better.

[RoyalShock]

That is who I was referring to in the first sentence as the faux conservative. From the Rasmussen link:

In reviewing the data, please note that Romney benefits from being perceived as the frontrunner. In 2004, the last time an incumbent president stood for reelection, Vermont Governor Howard Dean was the early Democratic frontrunner, and he polled best against George W. Bush. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry was always a few points behind. However, once Kerry became the frontrunner in early 2008, his numbers became as good as Dean’s.

[wufan]

That is who I was referring to in the first sentence as the faux conservative. From the Rasmussen link:

In reviewing the data, please note that Romney benefits from being perceived as the frontrunner. In 2004, the last time an incumbent president stood for reelection, Vermont Governor Howard Dean was the early Democratic frontrunner, and he polled best against George W. Bush. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry was always a few points behind. However, once Kerry became the frontrunner in early 2008, his numbers became as good as Dean’s.

Gotcha. I had heard that "any Republican" had outperformed Obama by 8 points in a recent poll. I thought that was what you were referring to.

[RoyalShock]

A new Iowa poll shows the top three as Bachmann (22%), Romney (21%) and Paul (16%).

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/iowa_caucus_bachmann_romney_and_paul_on_top

Just 49% of Paul’s supporters would vote for the Republican nominee if their man does not win the nomination. That’s well below the total for other candidates. Fifteen percent (15%) of Paul’s supporters would vote for President Obama over another Republican, and 22% would go the third party route. It’s important to remember that part of the congressman’s appeal is from his anti-war position which earns him support from many Democrats.

Just reinforcing what I've been saying about his appeal outside the GOP and potential to draw support away from Obama and a 3rd party, which typically hurts the GOP.

[Maggie]

Ron Paul…I have been an a$$ of late but come on. Paul might do well in the Iowa straw poll – so will Bachmann - so did many. Paul’s overall support is weak – he has many diehards and they will go to the polls but few people that believe.

As you know, I consider Libertarians to be like Celtic barbarians deployed by British kings in the Middle Ages against the Scots or the French. They are extremely useful for fighting your enemies, but you would never want one to actually sit on the throne. ;-)

[SubGod22]

Pawlenty is done

[Kung Wu]

Ron Paul…I have been an a$$ of late but come on. Paul might do well in the Iowa straw poll – so will Bachmann - so did many. Paul’s overall support is weak – he has many diehards and they will go to the polls but few people that believe.

As you know, I consider Libertarians to be like Celtic barbarians deployed by British kings in the Middle Ages against the Scots or the French. They are extremely useful for fighting your enemies, but you would never want one to actually sit on the throne. ;-)

From DrudgeReport according to AP he's no longer fringe: http://news.yahoo.com/once-fringe-ca...205132862.html