Posted on 09/17/2010 9:40:18 AM PDT by rightistight
Point, by Aurelius of Pundit Press:
Sarah Palin- Yes, the bane of the Dmocratic Party and liberals in general is one of the top contenders for the Presidency come 2012. With clear political pull (just look at her endorsements for congress) and her presence in the American media, Mrs. Palin has both clout and name recognition. Add to that the fact that she could be the first female Commander-in-Chief and you've got someone who is poised to strike at the presidency.
David Petraeus- One of the greatest and most repsected military minds of our age, David Petraeus is one of my favorite candidates. Not only does he have cadence and quick wit, but he has incredible foreign policy experience. On top of that is his honorable and exceedingly successful military leadership. Petraeus deserves respect and has earned it.
Jeb Bush- That's right, another Bush. Jeb Bush successfully led Florida as its governor for two terms and has the conservative values that Republicans are looking for. With discontent with President Obama rising, by 2012 many voters will have a much brighter view of the George W. Bush years than during the 2008 election. Jeb Bush's last name could very well boost his candidacy.
Chris Christie- Although he's been in office for just a short time, Chris Christie's governorship of New Jersey has been nothing short of excellent. Though some doubts about this conservative-ness abound, his actions so far leading NJ show a conservative who is also pragmatic and good at what he does. On top of it all, he has shown he knows how to run a campaign and win.
Mitt Romney- The most important thing going for Mitt Romney is name recognition. Coming just short of the Republican nomination for President in 2008, Romney has been in the public's ey for over two years now. Some questions still about about his stances, but he is widely considered conservative.
Dark Horse- Glenn Beck: One of the nation's most influential political commentators, he has spearheaded a gigantic rally in Washington as well as the Tea Party and 9.12 Project. He'll have no problem with name recognition and is extremely conservative to boot. Though he's said that he won't run, some of his actions say otherwise.
Counter-Point, by RR
Sarah Palin
+ Natural political talent, huge charisma, tough, principled conservative, a real fighter, building a lot of support with her winning touch in the primaries
- Too good-looking by half, slightly silly accent, establishment GOP/MSM/entire Left out to destroy the poor gal... and Levi Johnston needs to get a job on a rig in Siberia
Intrade: 18.6
Sum: Hard to hold this one down... just like the powerful grassroots movement she's so closely allied with
Mitt Romney
+ Highly competent manager, economic expert, previous runner-up, looks and acts presidential
- Too good-looking by half, dull on the stump, hiding/laying low while waiting his turn, mostly absent from today's battle for the future of the nation... disappointing, where's some courage and sense of urgency here? The tipping-point is now, not two years too late...
Intrade: 31.2
Sum: apparent front-runner to this point, and the establishment's dream candidate. For the rest of us, the father of RomneyCare has got some 'splainin to do... and we haven't heard a peep yet.
Tim Pawlenty
+ social conservative, respected governor, no apparent skeletons
- Lacks charisma and national political base, has been tepid in support of TEA Party movement... 'Cuda left him in the dust
Intrade: 12.8
Sum: already running, basically
Bobby Jindal
+ Wiz-kid Reaganite with a resume/record of success that puts most others to shame, impressive manager in most ways, novel background
- still not 40 yrs old, pretty-much choked in his big national TV debut
Intrade: 4.6
Sum: I really like Bobby Jindal... for 2016-2020, though.
John Bolton
+ Great strategic mind, true conservative -and patriot- all the way
- Pugnacious nature, honest to a fault, lack of campaign experience, distaste for for inside-the-Beltway DC political games
Intrade: n/a
Sum: Love the man... but I dunno if he's serious about recent hints, and came as quite a surprise to most.
Runners-up: Barbour, Daniels, or maybe Newt- although he's a non-starter for me personally due to heavy, heavy baggage and a number of poor choices from working with race-hustler Al Sharpton to total loser moves in NY-23... Scozzafava really made fool of him.
As a defense hawk, I don't stand take Ron Paul serious... at all.
Sure like Petraeus, would like to hear more from him on some key issues. But the good General seems fairly resolute about not entering politics anyway, and if the politically inexperienced Petraeus did go that way, perhaps a better fit as a VP alongside -say- a Sarah Palin...
So, who do you think is best?
David Petraeus? Does anyone know where he stands on any particular issue?
I like Paladino. I donated to him, before and after his primary win (and I live in Texas...donating to a yankee was tough!!).
I really like Allen West, and I donated to him both in 2008 and this year.
Still, I don’t think either are the right choice for a Palin VP. I think it needs to be somebody who is less in the spotlight this cycle. That probably won’t happen...they’ll probably force a squish to ‘balance’ out the ticket, but that is a mistake.
We need a strong conservative who is not currently up for election, and not currently in Washington. I really like Jindal, but they’ll refuse to consider another new governor.
Jan Brewer would work, but they’ll also like somebody with international experience.
Condi Rice could be a great choice...somebody like that.
1. Jim DeMint - Strong across the conservative board. Clearly is taking charge of the rebellion within the Senate. Willing to take risks to further the conservative cause, but usually comes out stronger for it.
2. Mike Pence - Sharp, aggressive and well-tuned conservative Rep.
3. Sarah Palin - Strong conservative, absolutely fearless. The most charismatic of all in my book.. someone who can fill stadiums.
4. Michele Bachmann - Like Palin, a fearless, powerful conservative voice, a very sharp political infighter.
5. Paul Ryan - Brilliant mind, especially on fiscal issues. Very analytical and thoughtful in the arguments. Doesn't let emotion take hold.
The Reserve Bench (looking to the future):
1. Bobby Jindal -- Brilliant, absolutely shines especially in a crisis. Still quite young at 38; wisely building executive experience. Bombed in speech in 2009, but was hamstrung by glowing adoration for 0bama at the time.
2. Chris Christie -- Has said he's not interested in the Presidency, but his kick-ass approach is a plus in my book. Maybe after a term as NJ's governor and a drop of some 100 pounds, he may show some interest in running after all. I need better insights into his social stances, but on fiscal matters, he's formidable.
3. Bob McDonnell -- as Governor of VA, has done a stalwart job of bringing the fiscal situation under control. He pushed for, and got, a lot of needed budget cuts. A good leader, and a deceptively great presence. He could position himself for 2016 if he so desires.
Not making the cut:
1. Tim Pawlenty -- always late in coming around to an issue. Comes across as a weak-kneed, finger-in-the-wind politician. Aside from the fact he's bought into Globull Warming, it's somewhat hard to tell exactly what he stands for.
2. Mike Huckabee -- has a few strong points, but is weak on immigration issues... also the fact he early-released that murderer tells me he's too much of a bleeding heart.
3. Mitt Romney -- Strong presence, but comes across as untrustworthy, as he's flip-flopped on several issues. His Mormon religion is a turn-off to many.
4. Newt Gingrich -- Though he's a "no," his presence in the primary debates will force his GOP competitors to bring their "A" game. He's a brilliant strategic thinker, but has wayyyyyy too much baggage and tendency to "reach to the other side."
5. George Pataki Uh, no. To liberal.. a history of a gun grabber.
6. Jeb Bush Has a few upsides, but... no more Bushes. Been there and done it.. twice.
Unless Barbour makes it clear that he supports life and will protect the traditional family, he can take a hike. What, we should vote for him because he's kind to oil companies? Please!
Let’s not kid ourselves. Palin.
There can be nobody else. She’s got more balls than the rest of that group combined.
You mention “experience” twice in your post, but after AKA Obama, that should never matter anymore. Ever!
You mention “experience” twice in your post, but after AKA Obama, that should never matter anymore. Ever!
6. Jeb Bush Has a few upsides, but... no more Bushes. Been there and done it.. twice.
I agree with most of your analysis and points. Jeb would be a great choice for a VP. Proven, conservative, not in office, not from DC. As shallow as it is, I just can't get past his name, and I doubt anybody else can either. I think he came to the same conclusion, which is why he has removed himself from consideration.
I really like DeMint, but we need somebody from outside DC. He is the least corrupted, but we need somebody from the outside.
Adding to my earlier list. I’m not interested in Mitch Daniels or Haley Barbour. Asking for a “truce” on anything with the Left is tantamount to a surrender.
While there is much to commend Petraeus, the problem is ( assumign that he wanted to run ) that he’d have to resign from the Army by year’s end, and he would be portrayed as quitting and abandoning the troops in Afghanistan..
From http://www.gop12.com/2010/09/barbour-sympathizes-with-truce.html
When asked about comments by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, that said the GOP should call a “truce on the so-called social issues” to focus on fiscal matters, Barbour said he supported the sentiment.
A candidate’s stance on abortion “ain’t going to change anybody’s vote this year,” he said.
So what will?
More Barbour:
“.... if somebody goes to campaign for governor candidate x, I would hope that somebody would stay focused on the issues that matter to the campaign: jobs, the economy, taxes, spending, debt, deficits,” Barbour continued.
“You run down rabbit trails, you’re wasting— you’re using up valuable resources that could be used to talk to people about what they care about.”
MY LIST EXACTLY...
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ON!
Romney needs to just go away.
The first campaign for public office shouldn't be for President. Let him run for Governor or Senator first, win, govern and/or legislate; and then we can see.
That's an interesting point of view. You think because America selected a President who had and only less than 3-years of state-wide office experience, they're going to ignore experience again, even after they've become fairly disenchanted with Obama?
Do you really think that's likely? Or, do you think that experience is probably going to play a much bigger part in the decision making process of the general electorate?
I actually kinda like Herman Cain.
Whew, could you take him more out of context if someone paid you to do it?
This is EXACTLY what he said at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.
"I'll put my bonafides up against anybody as a social conservative," he added, noting that as governor, Mississippi was voted the safest state in the country for an unborn child. "But that ain't going to change anybody's vote this year because people are concerned about job, the economy, growth and taxes... you are using up valuable time and resources that can be used to talk to people about what they care about."emphasis added
Do you disagree with that statement? To quote Mr.s Carville and Begala, it's the economy stupid. That's ALL Barbour was saying.
palin/bolton all the way
I don’t mind a person outside government running for president, in fact, I would applaud them. I do want to know their beliefs before I support them, however. As far as serving in the Senate goes, once a person becomes enmeshed “inside the beltway”, they become tarnished in my eyes. I would prefer a successful governor or business owner from outside the cesspool of Washington.
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