Why Not Nominate the Next Reagan in 2012?

American Thinker ^ | February 27, 2010 | Bruce Walker

[EveningStar]

If Republicans could, surely they would nominate Ronald Reagan for president in 2012. As it appears increasingly likely that Republicans -- conservative Republicans -- will control Congress after the 2012 elections, the only missing element in the political equation is a strong, conservative president like Ronald Reagan. In the mix of possible candidates for 2012, there are some potentially promising people.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

"No repeats from 2008."

I disagree. Duncan Hunter. Accept no substitute. Palin as VP.

[incredulous joe]

If you were to ask me who the next Reagan might be, I would have picked Fred, second, and after Palin.

She’s got “it”!

[Reagan Man]

FYI... Fred Thompson was candidate #1 on FR in 2008.

If Fred was a Rino he never would have gotten past the forum front door, newbie.

[Reagan Man]

Free Republic Opinion Poll: (9/9) Who do you support for president?

Composite Opinion
Fred Thompson	41.5%		3,059
Duncan Hunter	15.6%		1,151
Ron Paul	13.6%		1,004
Mitt Romney	10.6%		780
Rudy Giuliani	6.6%		483
Other/undecided	5.1%		373
Tom Tancredo	3.2%		234
Mike Huckabee	2.5%		181
John McCain	0.8%		59
Sam Brownback	0.6%		41
	100.1%		7,365
Member Opinion
Fred Thompson	49.9%		1,404
Duncan Hunter	21.2%		597
Mitt Romney	6.1%		172
Other/undecided	6.0%		170
Ron Paul	5.4%		153
Rudy Giuliani	4.8%		136
Tom Tancredo	3.0%		84
Mike Huckabee	2.6%		72
John McCain	0.5%		15
Sam Brownback	0.3%		9
	99.8%		2,812
Non-Member Opinion
Fred Thompson	36.3%		1,655
Ron Paul	18.7%		851
Mitt Romney	13.4%		608
Duncan Hunter	12.2%		554
Rudy Giuliani	7.6%		347
Other/undecided	4.5%		203
Tom Tancredo	3.3%		150
Mike Huckabee	2.4%		109
John McCain	1.0%		44
Sam Brownback	0.7%		32
	100.1%		4,553

[ More Opinion Polls · Return to Forum ]

[Brices Crossroads]

“Your post cracked me up: that Thompson is not a RINO compared to any of those on your list.”

One mistake does not a RINO make. And he is not a candidate now or likely to become one so it is moot. As far as Thompson being a RINO, Rush Limbaugh and Jim Robinson both supported him in 2008 with glowing comments. I haven’t got time to list the reasons, but I will submit to you that Rush and JR (and you can add Mark Levin, who was “leaning” to Thompson before he withdrew)NEVER support Rinos.

“If you’re calling Jindal a RINO all I can say is WOW.”

All I can say is WOW. Do you know that he made a deal with legislators to triple their pay in return for getting his toothless ethics reforms through? He had to back down when the deal became public, but was late to do so. He is a very big spender in Louisiana and has spent much of his time outside the state fundraising for a Presidential run while collecting a paycheck from the citizens of Louisiana. Finally, when the state’s GOP senator, David Vitter, got in trouble about an indiscretion seven years before, Jindal came out and condemned him, which I found to be a political calculation and quite ungratious in light of the fact that Vitter had cleared the field of candidates for Jindal to run for Vitter’s old seat in Congress (which he vacated in 2004 on election to the Senate) move from Baton Rouge, where he had lived his entire life (except for college and a Washington job) to suburban New Orleans in 2005 (even though several of the candidates had announced for the job including the current congressman, Steve Scalise), which Jindal used as a springboard for his successful run for the Governor’s mansion in 2007, also with Vitter’s support.

In my book, a governor who cuts a back room deal to triple legislator’s pay, and has be be forced away from it, travels the country fundraising for a Presidential run while collecting a state check, is a big spender, and tries to score political points at the expense of someone who has done much to help him, is a RINO, and and a particularly disloyal one.

I used to have high hopes for Jindal. No more.

[Bahbah]

I, too, am watching Mitch Daniels with interest. He appears to have cracked the door ajar just a bit to a possible run. He is a straight arrow with a terrific economic track record.

[stormer]

Here's a candid shot of Fred campagining.

[Dem Guard]

For those of you who want to cut to the chase, the author's pick for the next Reagan is Fred Thompson.

Absolutely not! No more old men! Fred didn't have the energy to participate effectively in the last election, much less another in nearly 3 years!

[Dem Guard]

What this list shows me is a real need to expand the list!

[Al B.]

Nice summation on Jindal He’s definitely a ‘Big R’ Republican. Nice guy though.

[doc]

Aside from Newt who is takes a very strong stance against illegal immigration? The number one issue that faces this nation because it affects so many areas, jobs, education, welfare, crime, medical, etc....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Fred Ping!

[pissant]

Perhaps. But Reagan wasn’t an option in 2008

[The Duke]

I think Duncan Hunter stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. It’s a shame that conservatives’ eyes were blinded to him in the last presidential election.

[freekitty]

He never wanted to be POTUS.

[Reagan Man]

Yeah, 20/20 hindsight is great!

Btw, Reagan chose Baker as his Chief of Staff. Guess that is what Duncan was hoping for from Huck.

[Truth101A]

Palin/?

[JohnBovenmyer]

And it shouldn’t be forgotten that Thompson was the #3 man behind McCain-Feingold.

[Rastus]

Plus, he has suggested he breaks ranks with Republicans over health care.

[princess leah]

I think we are going to need a strong, economic leader who will help repair the damage to this country via our cuurent elected disaster. Mitch Daniels is on the radar watch and from what I hear, he’s strong on economic policies...Sarah should be considered for a cabinet position as energy leader and push for oil drilling EVERYWHERE! Let’s not screw up our chances by dividing into factions - pick one who will do the best in what we REALLY NEED help with and jobs/economy/military will be our #1 priority!