Posted on 06/07/2015 12:55:19 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
For the first time in a generation the Republican Party won't simply nominate "the next guy in line."
The field is wide open. The horses lined up at the starting gate (or already out on the track) rival the number who run at Churchill Downs every May.
On the other side the pundits seem settled on the idea that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee. Of course they were also certain she'd win in 2008.
Clinton is a household name. Her name-identification hovers near 100 percent, an enviable position for most candidates.
The problem is that people don't trust her. Poll after poll shows that the former first lady and secretary of state isn't seen as trustworthy or honest, and those numbers are declining.
She's also being tugged leftward. Bernie Sanders, the self-proclaimed socialist, is already registering significant numbers in Iowa running to the left of Hillary. Others are lining up to challenge her, as well.
Already former U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Govs. Martin O'Malley of Maryland and Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, are set to oppose her drive for the nomination.
Meanwhile, Republicans from a vast array of backgrounds and geography are vying for the right to carry their party's banner into the fall campaign.
There's great optimism that the eventual winner will occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Here are thumbnail sketches of the early entrants and those likely to get in:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: He's emerged as the early front runner, embraced by conservative activists who love his record as governor. Party regulars are impressed by his electoral success in a "purple" state. His appeal to blue-collar Republicans and "Reagan Democrats" is broader than most of the GOP field, but some wonder whether those voters will support a candidate that never graduated from college.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: He'll have his father's fundraising team and his brother's political crew. He's also got their last name. That may be his toughest challenge. He'll show well in early polls, but whether or not he can break out of a crowded field is an open question.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul: son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, he has a very passionate following, especially among younger more libertarian voters. He's working hard to expand his base. He splits much of that with Sen. Ted Cruz, and the boat is certainly not big enough for both of them. If he or Cruz can emerge quickly it will likely narrow the field.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: Hails from a large state, but one that is fairly "solid red" to begin with. A fiery speaker on the stump, he's viewed as too polarizing by many moderates and will fight with Rand Paul to establish a wider base.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: Comes from an electoral vote-rich "swing" state (but so does Jeb Bush). He's one of two candidates who are both inspirational speakers and have great personal stories. He is the son of immigrants who worked as a bartender and maid. He's still very young -- just 44 -- and with Bush in the race in 2016, his best opportunity to be on the national ticket may be down the road. He'll be in the thick of the hunt next year, though.
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina: The other candidate who is both an inspirational speaker and has a great personal story (starting as a secretary becoming the first woman CEO of a Fortune 50 company). She started out far back in the pack, but her exceptional campaign ability is quickly moving her up. My 12-year-old daughter summed up the feelings of many, "I want a woman president. I just don't want Hillary." Carly Fiorina is the one Republican Hillary Clinton hopes she never has to face.
Dr. Ben Carson: The renowned neurosurgeon catapulted onto the national stage when he challenged President Barack Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast. He quickly developed a strong following among conservative activists and has been polling in double digits in early surveys. But his verbal gaffes and overly provocative comments don't make him look like a serious presidential contender.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: He won the Iowa Caucuses in 2008 and was viewed as a serious contender until conservative Texas and a host of other states knocked him out. After he left the campaign trail he got a television gig on Fox News that helped him build his national profile. He's recently waded into some murky waters, e.g., defending Josh Duggars, that threaten to haunt him.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham: Coming from an early primary state should give him a strategic boost -- if he can win handily there AND do well in another early state. But he's not viewed kindly by many of the conservatives who dominate the nominating process, and his campaign kickoff had great visuals but a monotonous speech reminiscent of the floor speeches in the Congress' upper house.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum: He won a surprise victory in Iowa by a handful of votes in 2012 and parleyed that into a string of successes against ultimate nominee Mitt Romney. But he dropped out of the race on the eve of the Pennsylvania primary where he almost certainly would have been embarrassed. He is now polling in low single digits in Iowa.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry: A popular governor with a great track record from an electoral vote-rich state. That should propel him to the front of the pack, but memories of his embarrassing debate performance four years ago linger. He's done a good job using self-deprecating humor to deflect criticism of his 2012 effort, but in a crowded field little differences loom large.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: He was an early favorite, especially among "Establishment" moderates, but "Bridge-gate," the realities of daily life in Trenton and his brusque persona have hampered him. His style is appealing to east coasters but may be seen as abrasive by mid-western Iowans, polite New Englanders and genteel South Carolinians.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal: Working to establish a base with social conservatives, the Indian-American has yet to catch on. With so many clamoring for the same voters, his time to connect may be very limited.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich: Has a solid record in Ohio, a state many believe is the ultimate "swing state." The convention will be on his home turf, but he'll need to ramp up both his perceived persona and his organization if he wants to be more than a spectator when the Party rolls into Cleveland.
Former New York Gov. George Pataki: The former moderate three-term governor of New York has been out of office for nearly a decade. He is not well known outside of New York and may have difficulty connecting with conservative voters in Iowa and other early-primary states.
Businessman Donald Trump: He's "cried wolf" more times than Harold Stassen actually ran. He says this time he's serious and has staffed up with some key people in Iowa. We'll see.
Former Govs. Jim Gilmore, of Virginia, and Bob Ehrlich of Maryland: Both capable chief executives who have been mentioned and would like to run, but both had to be in very early and grab some media attention and success to get onto the debate stage in August.
The campaign's initial debate on Aug. 6 will be the first pivotal moment. The organizers are limiting the stage to the top 10 candidates. Making the cut is critical to all the above and any seeking to get onto the track.
The winnowing process will go from there. There are winning scenarios for virtually all the candidates that make it under the lights of August.
And for every one of them there is a fundamental truth: they're all light years ahead of what we currently have in the White House and heads above Hillary.
Out of all these people who want to President, only two have sided with the rule of law and the citizens.
What difference does it matter?
In the end, the GOP leads to Boehner and McConnell,
and therefore Obama, Clinton and Soros.
And it supports RomneyCARE/ObamaCARE and Amnesty.
So you’re here why?
With the exception of a couple candidates, the GOP field looks more
like a freak show that P.T. Barnum would be envious of.
And for democrats, an embarrassing choice...
Still looking for an honest man, 2000 years and counting...
But, most of them are way better than what we have in the White House now, and better than the Democrat field.
I hope to heck we and all the Rs running can in the end come together and support one candidate and I pray to God that candidate is NOT Jeb Bush.
I pray to God that candidate is NOT Jeb Bush......or Lindsey Graham, or Pataki, or Huckabee, or Kasich, or Trump, or many others.
Pubbies (seven declared, up to four more within a week or so):
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Here are some combos that make sense to me at this time:
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Demwits (4 declared, rest possible or probable):
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While I DO like, neigh LOVE there is no “next guy in line”, too many candidates could give you nomination by plurality. Furthermore, there will be ZERO focus on Hildabeast early.
We heard that same nonsense and ended up with McCain
and Romney...losing.
I believe the Patriot-News is jealous that more Republicans are running than they have readers!
What difference does it matter?
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Damn, you sound just like Hillary Clinton. If that’s the way you feel Diogenesis, why do you bother coming on this website? Just so you can spread your defeatist shit? Go to Facebook and chat with the other little boys and girls and leave those of us alone on here who have not given up, but have the balls to keep on fighting; because saving this nation is worth it.
Agreed
By the way.... All those you mentioned except Bush don’t have a chance which is a good thing.
ummmm... primary season is 3 seasons away
Democrats love having just one canidate, that way they don’t have to choose, thats so judgemental.
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