Posted on 05/21/2015 12:05:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
You can be forgiven if you sometimes feel the Republican presidential contest is a bit like a clown car, they just keep coming and coming. That there are a few clowns among them only strengthens the illusion. Democrats had the same problem a few years ago. That was in the era when the absence of male genitalia was not a prerequisite for the Democratic nomination. Think I’m kidding? Okay, name one Democratic male candidate with even a miniscule chance of success this time or one who might be thought of as a future star in the party. No, Elizabeth Warren doesn’t qualify.
I think it might be helpful at this juncture in the proceedings to evaluate candidates on potential and, not just their own but what will they bring to the dance that might help or hurt the Republican Party in general. As usual, I rely heavily on the list prepared by Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, although Sabato should not be held accountable for the comments attached to the candidates.
Jeb Bush can raise a ton of money and is a moderate but with a fairly conservative record as governor of Florida a decade ago. Strong on education but favors national programs of testing that, for various reasons, is not generally favored by Republican primary voters. Bush fatigue is a problem.
Marco Rubio is another candidate who will help identify Republicans as not too crazy to be in the main stream of political thought. He’s smart, knows and campaigns on issues, limits personal attacks, and generally maintains an upbeat persona. When asked if President Obama loves his country, Rubio quickly responded with, “Of course he does.” Hard to dislike a guy who avoids cheap shots.
Scott Walker has an enviable conservative record in Wisconsin. Has won three tough elections, beat back public employees’ unions, and the state’s economy has strengthened. But, Walker, who is son of a Methodist minister, was asked if Obama was a Christian and the best he could do was, “I don’t know.” He won’t help himself or the party if he blunders into one of those ridiculous “Obama might be a Muslim” discussions.
Senator Ted Cruz may be the smartest candidate in the bunch. He may be the smartest candidate ever. But, it won’t help him if he continues to give the impression that his role in life is to educate the rest of us. He is a bit hard to like from a distance and his smile sometimes makes you wonder if you’re being threatened.
Then, of course, there is Rand Paul. But, he isn’t going to be president. His foreign policy is worse than the one put forward by our current president and he isn’t a small government Republican, he’s almost a no government guy.
Republicans have an attractive field of governors, anyone of whom might jump into contention. John Kasich of Ohio has successfully governed a liberal state, reduced taxes, stimulated economic growth, and generally succeeded. He is suspect because he adopted some Democratic programs. That is death in our politically ignorant era. Rick Perry served three terms in Texas, has a good middle of the road record on immigration, and is strong on national defense. His disastrous 2012 campaign is like an anchor and threatens to keep him anchored to the bottom. Forget Chris Christie and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. Jindal, a good governor, just doesn’t come across to the public. Christie’s governorship hasn’t been all that great and Republicans haven’t forgotten he hugged Obama just days before the election in 2012. What’s with the hugging? What’s wrong with just shaking hands?
Next on the list is what might be called the “crazy caucus.” Mike Huckabee heads this distinguished group. Huckabee did well in Iowa last time around but flamed out after that. Huckabee is part huckster. He ran a reasonably successful stint on FOX where he entertained people of like mind but also tried to sell them patent medicine of the type last sold out of the backs of wagons in the old West. Not cool for someone wanting to be president. Ben Carson is a bit of a puzzle. He’s a brilliant surgeon who worked his way up from extreme poverty as a child, but he says things as a candidate that makes one wonder. Obama has proved the presidency is not an entry level job so Carson’s inexperience will not be a plus. Then there is Rick Santorum. He is known for having lost a senate seat by over 30 points. Our editor, Steve Reid, will be president before Santorum ever is.
Carly Fiorina deserves a mention as she has made some impressive public appearances. The main-stream media discounts her by observing that she wouldn’t even be mentioned if she weren’t a woman. Probably true, but she will have some fun pointing out that Ms. Clinton’s record isn’t overloaded with accomplishments either. Think vote for second Gulf war. Think Russian reset. Think Arab spring.
To sum up all these meanderings, I believe Marco Rubio will end up as nominee. He is the Reagan heir. People forget that Reagan didn’t appear angry, avoided personal attacks, and campaigned with a sense of humor. The guy today who best fits that bill on the Republican side is Rubio.
Remember, you heard it here first, unless it doesn’t work out, then, just forget I ever mentioned it.
Marco Rubio is the GOPe’s back up plan if Jeb doesn’t get the nomination or doesn’t enter.
Give me a “clown car” of mostly strong candidates, versus... Hillary!
Yeah, I want that clown car any day of the week.
The democrats are practicing a little Kung Fu.
The Republicans have a deep and strong bench of candiates. The Dhims have but one candidate, and she has more baggage and less appeal than any candidate in history of the Republic.
Ergo, they say a deep bench is bad.
They’ve been posting this meme daily. It’s very predictable.
His criticism for Cruz is a rejection of Cruz’s message, not style. Style matters, but that is not what the author is rejecting.
Frankly nothing this author says about any of the candidates is worth a plugged nickel.
Incredibly lame article.
All tripe, all hunches, all data seems to founded on “this is what I want to happen.”
It is not an “official clown car” until “little Rick Perry” throws his little cap in.
With “little Rick” there is always room for “one more.”
Yup. Ol’ Tom is doing the old liberal end around play on us. Trying to build up a weak and beatable candidate on our side, in this instance Marco Rubio, and trying to convince us that he’s the man the left fears when the opposite is true. Nice try Tom.
Great picture especially the second one. Bill could be Shaggy. Chelsea could be Daphne (I know it’s a stretch). Shrillary is Thelma. For Scooby you need the biggest lap dog the Clintons have. Yes, Lacky Davis would be the perfect choice.
Whenever Hillary Clinton supporters start talking about the republican field the clown car reference always pops up. It’s like they get paid each time it show up on their social media postings.
The way the GOPe’s mind works, they probably believe Rubio’s hispanic-ness will divert enough of Cruz’s support to knock him out of the race.
Now that you mention it, I swear I read practically the same article point by point a few weeks ago.
He rules out Rand Paul on his foreign policy. Too bad for the GOP. Rand’s foreign policy is the old one the voters will like. The rest of them in the clown car are itching for a war with Iran.
I’d happily take ANYone in that “Clown car” over ANY Dimocrat.
I’d be less than fullywhelmed about Marco, but I know for dang sure he’d be vastly better than Hillary!
Hillary and the other Dem candidates don’t show up in clown cars...they arrive in the freaks wagon.
She loves abortion and it shows.
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