Posted on 11/13/2012 9:34:57 AM PST by Perdogg
Who is going to be the next conservative candidate who has the necessary mix of skill and ideology that we as conservatives, conservatarians, and libertarians can unite behind to win the argument and the country?
If ideology alone were the criteria, I would run, but that is not going to happen. I am not sure Palin or Ryan is the answer. Losing VP candidates have not been successful in being elected president, only FDR in 1932 after losing as a running mate in 1920 was elected president. Remember, Nixon was not a losing VP candidate he was 2-0 running as the running mate.
If Palin wants to be President, she has to be part of the equation and we will have to stop making excuses for her. She is going to have to overcome a general negative impression of her in the population. I don't like it, but it is reality that people do not like her. Remember, it was difficult for Reagan as well, only winning the nomination in 1980 on his third try. If we were nominating a candidate today, odds on Chris Christie would win. Or Jeb Bush. I say we "stay out of the bushes" and off "the Jersey Shore". I myself is behind Tom McClintock, but I am not sure he is interested. Are we going to get behind Rubio? There is a lot unhappiness with him already and I don't want to be dragged through the birther argument again.
Who is the next Reagan or Coolidge? Is it Tom Cotton, or as silly as it sounds, is his name going to be a problem?
If there’s going to be a great Conservative leader rising up, it’ll have to be someone relatively unknown. I don’t see much potential from the current field of knowns.
Are we talking about the USA or the ISA (Independent States of America)?
So I guess we can rule out 2016 - right?
I still say Duncan hunter
Ok, enough with the Palin cheerleading team. Sarah is great in her own right, but she’s not the one.
It will be a man. With balls harder than diamonds.
Which one?
I'll tell you who would be a tremendous candidate, though ... if a non-Latino Caucasian is even viable in the future ... and that is Congressman Steven King of Iowa. In addition to being a conservative's conservative, he's expressed an interest in running.
There isn’t one. Not in THIS GOP............
Gary Johnson and Tom Tancredo need to be put to the front of the line.
Ain’t gonna be one.
If we are very very lucky and very, very blessed, the question MIGHT be “Who will be the next George Washington.”
More likely, the question will be “Who will be the first Josef Stalin?” There are an awful lot of people running for that office...
i was thinking of the elder, but i’d happily take the younger one also.
how popular is he in IA? that’s a state that a conservative needs to deliver in the primaries, and hopefully take in the general.
Palin ?? NO!!
Krispy Kreme?? NO!!
a very good question as to who else... Cruz? Rubio? will have to wait and see how it shakes out.
Maybe its just a great leader like Reagan dosent come along very often... sadly.
A better question might be, Was the future Reagan already aborted?
It doesn’t matter who the republicans nominate. The looters will decide who wins. They will vote for the one who promises the most goodies.
The left got the educational system and the media. I see no way that conservatism will reemerge given the current situation. We can talk a good game, but take a look at what passes for a conservative these days. Do you honestly think that a politician is going to make a difference? If so, please change my mind on that subject.
Regards,
AR
There might not be another Republican president, but I’ll go along with those who think the next serious contender will have to be Hispanic. After the coming amnesty, open borders and open polls, that will go double.
I think the minimum requirement for a Presidential candidate should be that he or she have been elected governor of a purple state, a record of success in said position, reelection to said position, and continued popularity in said state such that it will be solidly in his column in any general election contest. Preferably said state would be a populous one. I’m not sure if there is anyone who fits that bill right now, but there is a pretty good crop of good candidates facing reelection between now and 2016, who would fit if they prevail: Scott Walker, Rick Scott, Susanna Martinez, Mitch Daniels, Terry Branstad, Rick Snyder, Brian Sandoval, John Kasich, Tom Corbett, and Bob McDonnell. With exception of McDonnell and Daniels, they’re all up for reelection in 2014.
Interestingly, Daniels is the only one of the group to get elected in a Presidential year, but then Indiana is probably the reddest state of the bunch. My 2016 primary line up would begin with those from the above list who have a record of budgetary discipline and economic growth, and who survive their reelections in 2014.
The only other political biography that I think we should consider is someone who has run a major federal agency, including the military, especially in the foreign policy arena. Condoleeza Rice and Dick Cheney are the only names that come to mind there, but the Bush taint may still be too strong. I’d actually be open to a Condoleeza Rice run if I get a better handle on her general philosophy. If she will at least say that abortion is best decided by the states, then I could give her a pass on that question.
Exit: given the demographic shifts that are absolutely killing all chances for the GOP and/or conservatism, something like a Martinez-Rice ticket may be just the things to really shake things up a bit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.