chicowalker

The mention in another thread of Bolton possibly running reminded me of something I've been wondering about: who are the early contenders for the Republican nomination?

I don't know if Bolton really is considering running. Pawlenty clearly is gearing up, but I don't think he has what it takes to get there. Paul (Ron) still seems too fringe, imo. Palin, despite harry and the DNC (strange bedfellows) wishing she would run, knows better, I think (why go through all that to lose, when you can make more $ yet have no accountability by staying on the sidelines). Four years ago I would have thought Jindal but he's disappeared from the national map, it seems. Ryan, maybe? Gingrich? I don't think he really wants his past opened back up. Romney seems like his day has passed, but maybe he lays low and then benefits from name recognition? Huckabee seems to me like his day, too, has passed, and I'm not sure he really wants it. Gary Johnson? (Is he really a Republican? like Paul, I don't know if he'd have enough party support, and some of his libertarian views will alienate many traditional Republican voters)

OK, I've run out of names and quick thoughts off the top of my head. Curious to hear people's thoughts, particularly from the Republicans here. (and Dems, love to hear your thoughts on strengths, weaknesses, apparent desire, etc.,too, of course -- but if at all possible, I'd like for this not to turn into a pissing match about any of the candidates)

Real World

I don't see how either Romney, or Huckabee's time has passed. I think another run for each (2012) would be perfectly inside their window of viability. Even then, they could possibly go for broke in 2016 if Obama is re-elected, as it would be a completely wide open field on both sides. That might be a stretch, but I think each is a viable candidate in 2012.

I've read some mention of Gary Johnson, but I don't know enough about him to opine on his chances. I saw him for the first time on Stossel when I was flicking channels the other night. He said 7 words in the 2 minutes that I tuned in for.

Agreed on Palin. I don't think she'll run. I don't think she can win if she does. Who knows though, she might run when the time comes, since it is politics and anything is possible.

Gingrich...LOL.

Pawlenty will get some pub, but as one pundit said one time, can you really see people getting fired up over "President Tim Pawlenty". His point was that the guys name, as trivial as it may be, doesn't exactly scream presidential.

The obvious name that comes to mind for the GOP, is Chris Christie. If he decides to run, which he's said to this point that he won't, then he'd be the clear front runner on the GOP side. I think he might be someone that the Dems might actually fear.

I think Romney will fare much better this time around. In some ways he was kind close to gaining the nomination in 2008, and I bet a lot of people in the GOP wish he had. I think the Mormon issue will be less problematic for him this time around, and his numbers oriented resume will make him appealing to voters if the economy isn't seen in a positive light 12-18 months from now. Aside from that, I think it's an open race for the GOP (which isn't saying much), and that there will likely be those couple of currently unknown names that will work their way into the public mix.

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

Holy Diver

McCain...the time is now.

chicowalker

re romney and Huckabee, I don't have anything behind it -- it was just my personal sense of things and could be 100% off on all counts.

Christie -- that's one I hadn't given any thought to. I know very little about him.

chicowalker

lol I thought of mentioning him but couldn't think of any comments that wouldn't be mean-spirited

STFarmy

I don't really know, but I think this is a good idea for a discussion (as long as it doesn't resort to name calling and such). I'm with RW, I don't think Palin will run. She is hopefully happy making dumb shows and grabbing headlines when she can.

Right now, I'm thinking Gingrich or Romney. I don't really like either, but they have the name power of all of the potential candidates. From what I know of Pawlenty, I like him, but I don't know how that will pan out.

I'm just hoping someone with a strong libertarian bend is chosen, but I highly doubt that will happen.

Harry Boy

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chicowalker

I have no idea what your party affiliation is -- if any -- but who would be your choices along those lines, probably Paul or Johnson?

btw, re Pawlenty, it's only a sample of 2, but I've seen him on a couple interviews b/c of the book he published, and he did not come across as strong. Not much personality, and he had a hard time putting forth a strong foundation for the points he was making. just 2 interviews, though, so I'm not sure it means much.

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One thing just occurred to me re Huckabee -- if he runs, will his opponents use that parole / early release against him -- I think the guy who shot the police officers upin Washington state last year? or does the RNC do its best to keep it off the table, in case he winds up with the nomination?

Stokes

JackBauer

If Jon Huntsman runs, he's the strongest general election candidate the Republicans have. Problem for him is making it through the GOP primary, which I don't see happening.

Right now the cast of Republican contenders is the usual grab bag of suck, and the window of opportunity for fresh blood is rapidly closing. Unless something major happens to shake up the field, Obama looks to be in good position for his reelection.