12 keys to the GOP presidential race right now

Washington Examiner ^ | Jan. 24, 2015 | Byron York

[libstripper]

DES MOINES -- As the Freedom Summit marks the unofficial start of the 2016 Republican presidential campaign here in Iowa, the race is already too sprawling, with too many characters and too many crosscurrents, to have a single theme. But here are a dozen keys to understand what is happening now:

[libstripper]

Looks like York right now thinks Walker's the guy to beat, FTA:

6. Scott Walker doesn't have to be great on the stump to do well. As a lot of Republicans see it, the Wisconsin governor is the most accomplished candidate in the race. Who can match his achievement staring down the mighty public-sector unions and then winning a recall and re-election in a blue state? For Republicans, those are simply huge victories. Now, as the campaign begins, Walker's record means GOP voters will cut him a little slack in the charisma and oratory department. It's fair to say that Walker does not electrify a crowd. But his GOP cred as the man who took on the unions and the armies of the left means he can win over an audience even if he can't speak like Ted Cruz.

[abclily]

Did Mitt Romney really say that man causes climate change? If so, he is an extremely ignorant man and could be led around by the nose. We already have one of those. Don’t need another.

[Starboard]

The GOP, a soulless party that stands for nothing, will fund and run someone who is equally devoid of any convictions or principles.

That was an easy prediction. :)

[Homer_J_Simpson]

To them, Jindal was warning about the danger of enclaves of unassimilated Muslim populations in an age of Islamic radicalism . . .

"Them" could be rational adults, as opposed to the MSM mentioned in the paragraph.

[Vaquero]

Meanwhile Sarah Palin called out the congressional GOP leadership and comparing them to the NE Patriots with deflated balls.

[C. Edmund Wright]

This was a breathtakingly shallow argument....the header says Presidential race - hell, it was jus about Iowa, which in the long run, never really means squat. History shows it.

[ziravan]

Following the current driveby meme: if we don’t mention Ted Cruz, he doesn’t exist...

The problem with a 12 person primary is that if ONE candidate can energize the 20% base, they can run the table.

So. The current strategy is, “Jeb, Jeb, Mitt, Crispy...” Ignore the ELEPHANT in the room. You’ll know that they’ve gone to plan B when they mock and criticize every misspeak or clunker of phrasing at Cruz’s daily stump speeches.

[Flintlock]

Can we just PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PHLEEEEEZE..........

Just set ourselves an AGENDA and a PLATFORM FIRST?????
THEN worry about who runs.

This election is NOT about some (bleeping) horserace.
Let’s jus do it right for once.

[DoodleDawg]

But his GOP cred as the man who took on the unions and the armies of the left means he can win over an audience even if he can't speak like Ted Cruz.

Does it really? It wasn't Reagan's performance as a governor that won him the nomination, and later the presidency. It was his ability as a communicator and his being able to articulate a clear vision for the future. Walker doesn't have that. Cruz does.

[bigbob]

interesting how you know what’s in Gov. Walkers mind

[molson209]

and Hillary will be all by herself ,the Democrat debates will be very boring

[SoConPubbie]

Does it really? It wasn't Reagan's performance as a governor that won him the nomination, and later the presidency. It was his ability as a communicator and his being able to articulate a clear vision for the future. Walker doesn't have that. Cruz does.

Bingo!

Walker can't even figure out that the Gay Marriage fight is about the 10th Amendment, he's already thrown in the towel.

Juxtapose that with Ted Cruz who is still fighting the good fight on Marriage and rightly communicates that it is the States themselves who set the rules for Marriage and the Feds have no say in the matter.

Add to that Walker walking away from the Right-to-Work fight in Wisconsin and you have someone, for his Presidential aspirations, is willing to walk away from a conservative issue for personal reasons.

Not a leader in my book!

[gogeo]

Exactly...

When he was being shushed during a debate..."I paid for this microphone..."

[txhurl]

The article doesn’t mention Cruz? Not giving it the clickthru to find out.

[libstripper]

If Iowa “never means squat” and “history shows it,” then how do you explain the fact that Obola’s win in Iowa gave him vitally needed credibility that enabled him to defeat the Witch and go on to win the presidency?

[C. Edmund Wright]

uh, i was speaking in context of Republican nominees and eventual winners. SC is the key.

Dems? Iowa and NH do mean something. Try to follow the thread.....

[entropy12]

Then let’s just elect the “soul” party of Hilda Clinton /sarc

[Dr. Sivana]

hell, it was jus about Iowa, which in the long run, never really means squat. History shows it.

Not true. It made Carter's candidacy completely. It winnowed the Republican field from 7 to effectively 2 in 1980, when Bush beat Reagan, knocking out Dole, Crane, Connolly, Baker, and Anderson.

[C. Edmund Wright]

try to keep up people, I was talking about the Republican field.

[Dr. Sivana]

try to keep up people, I was talking about the Republican field.

You would do well to avoid the condescending tone. Last I checked, Bush and Reagan ran as Republicans in 1980. I any event, the relevant data set is too small to draw conclusions about Iowa anyway. NOT running in Iowa certainly killed Giuliani.