It has begun. The descent into … the race for the Republican nomination for president.
So far, the big noise-makers are a birther and a truther. Then there’s the big government, pseudo-conservative former governors. You got a couple of quitters in the mix…
Let’s look at this motley crew. And then I’ll tell you about the current glimmer of hope I have.
First, the motleys…
Ron Paul. Or, more correctly: RON PAUL!!!!!1!!!11!!!!! Yes, he’s running again.
He’s the GOP’s Obama. Got a lot of fired-up nutcases supporting him. And he believes some really scary stuff. Sure, he’s sound on fiscal policy, but that whole truther business… Simply put, Ron Paul is nuts. As are his supporters.
Donald Trump. No, I really don’t believe he’s running for president. I think he’s promoting a TV show. Or, at least, it started out that way. But, he’s tying himself to the birther movement.
Let me state that I don’t believe Obama is qualified to be president. Not because of where he was born, but because he is an unqualified oaf. After over two years on the job, he still has no clue. But, he does meet the Constitutional requirements:
No Person except a natural born Citizen … shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
But still, I’ve seen trees that would do a better job as president than Obama.
But we’re supposed to be talking about Trump. And that’s the problem. We’re talking about Trump. He should be ignored, and he’ll go away and play a tycoon on TV. Which is the perfect job for him.
Mitt Romney and Chris Christie could be described the same way: conservative for their states, but way too left-wing for my tastes. Like the scene in Hall Pass where the guys see a hot chick, only to discover that, once she’s seen apart from her ugly companions, she’s not so hot. That’s Romney and Christie. And we don’t need no Hall Pass Conservative.
Newt Gingrich did some good things as Speaker of the House. And he is sound in many, many ways. But there are a couple of things that bother me. While I understand why he did it, his resigning from Congress isn’t a good thing.
Same thing about Palin. She bailed on the job as governor. I understand why she did it. But that still bothers me.
I’m not so much worried about her experience. I seem to recall the left all up in arms over her experience in 2008. The same left that helped elect the even more unqualified Barack Obama. While Palin isn’t the most experienced candidate, she’s far, far more qualified for president than Obama.
Tim Pawlenty might be a good choice. Best of the lot I’ve mentioned so far. I know that doesn’t sound like much of an endorsement. But I do like the guy. He’s one of my top three.
The thing is, I don’t know enough about him to know if he’s a true conservative. His state elected Al Franken, so, yeah, he’s going to look conservative by comparison. I just don’t know. Christie and Romney, I know enough about, and they ain’t really conservatives. I want to know more about Pawlenty. If he’s the real deal, I could support him.
One of my favorites I actually know something about, a true conservative governor, has decided not to run. Haley Barbour said “no” to 2012.
Another favorite, Herman Cain, is a long-shot, but is running. I’m not so much worried about long-shots as I am getting the right man for the job.
Cain has business experience, and a long track record of success. We need somebody like Herman Cain. So, why not get the real Herman Cain?
Despite the glimmer of hope I have in Cain (and maybe Pawlenty) I’m worried. Right now, the focus is on Trump and RON PAUL!!1!!!11!
I’m worried that the GOP is going to nominate someone who isn’t a conservative, and we end up with a choice between a left-wing nutcase, and a not-quite-as-left-wing not-quite-as-nuts Republican.
In other words, I’m worried we’re going to do 2008 all over again.
You did not mention Col. Allen West.
Well at least you chose to eliminate Romney based on his political beliefs not his religious ones, that’s refreshing. I also noticed you didn’t mention Mike the Huckster Huckabee. Thank you for that too. A worse candidate I could hardly imagine.
I have been questioning lately not the idea that a conservative can’t get elected but would he be any better at governing the whole county than the left wing ding bat we have now? The other side would be where we are and given human nature and their own lack of common sense would be obstructionists as well as irritants to the conservatives. This country is made up of people all along the political spectrum. Adherents to each side are sure they are right, that they and only they have the correct prescription to cure the countries ills. There are just as many on the far right as the far left who are interested in running people’s lives and getting in their business.
We need a president that can bring AMERICANS TOGETHER, not increase the distance between us. We, as unfortunate as this is, need to compromise with each other to find something that is mutually palatable to the largest amount of us that is possible.
In a perfect world right would be right according to everyone. Moral imperatives should hold sway in everyones life, but they don’t. I don’t suggest abandoning principles but I do suggest an open mind and some measure of common sense might be a change from policy wonks, government whores and the sludge that binds them all together as well as the “what are you going to do to buy my vote this election” crowd.
I’m sure most people wouldn’t agree with me. That’s ok, they don’t have to. I don’t want to be Supreme High Muck D’ Muck of the world. (I’m not that fond of homo sapiens as a species)
Hopefully we have an election, or at least one that doesn’t look like a war to most civilized countries.
I’m no Paul supporter- but what is so crazy in the idea that the government covers things up? They do. They aren’t to be trusted. That is why we are conservative right?
I like Allen West.
He is willing to serve his Country. We must start a movement to plead for him to run for Pres.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, can articulate and expound as intelligently on all the issues facing this country as well as he can, and does. He understands our history, our values, and has the leadership experience and track record to show it’s not all hype and fluff.
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate
Is that latin for Win The Future ?
I’m backing Cain so far, but I really don’t feel like he’ll make it. An uphill battle to be sure, but it’s still a long ways off and anything could change the landscape. I always felt like the only reason McCain won the primary was that everyone else was so busy sniping at each other no one noticed he was still there until the dust settled. He didn’t win by popular acclaim, but by being the last man standing. I don’t think we stand much of a chance of getting a good candidate until we change the way the primaries are implemented.
The problem is the republican nomination process. It almost guarantees a milk toast middle of the roader, when we need a crazy eyed Idealistic slash the budget type.
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate! No, that Latin for “I’m Brokeback Mountain ghey and here is what I think.” We won’t talk about what “speranza” actually means…
Best programmed monotone voice “I’m backing Mitt Romney because that is who the GOP and FOX News have told me is the best candidate.” “I think he is a very attractive candidate who will really give his good friend Barack Obama a good old fashion run for his money…ha ha…that was clever!” “I hope I get a chance to vote for Mitt Romney because he is such an inspirational leader who will lead this great nation back to it’s conservative principles once more while bringing civility back to Washington” “There is no reason why Republicans and Democrats can’s sit down together and work on issues to get things done on behalf of the American people” “Mitt Romney has promised that if he must cross the aisle to work with his good friends on the other side, he will talk to the Republicans any time they want to”! Monotone off…
We had a broad field last type around, and we ended up with McCain. The worse things get the more conservatives get in the race and split the primary vote. By the time we turn the corner into super Tuesday the momentum of the early states has thrown the lead to somebody like McCain or Bob Dole.
I think the Tea party should prescreen the conservatives. A preprimary battle for the tea party endorsement would thin out the conservative crop and maybe then they would stand a chance.
We are repeating 2008, it’s currently a matter of whether we choose to stop repeating 2008.
I’ve long suspected that we’re talking about Trump because the media and the Dems are flogging it so hard. All I can say is:
SHUN!!!
This is a perfect wedge for them to dispirit the Party so that we wind up with another McCain. They know that their boy-king is hugely vulnerable, so they want to line us up with someone who is even worse.
I’m still not sure why anyone would actually want the job. If you were a candidate for CEO of a stagnant company and you found out it was full of snotty idiots who meddled in each others’ affairs and constantly fought over parking assignments and office spaces, might you change your mind?
The ideas of our country – the Constitution – is worth fighting for and saving. Our body politic? Not so much.
To repeat a meme I’ve thrown out before, the Republican party internal structure elevates wimpy middle of the road lame folks. Anyone with a conservative bent and fire in the belly is kept down and fought. Why that ihappens is curious. We get Bush’s, Dole’s McCain’s, and so on. Reagan had to fight tooth and nail to win the nomination, and then had to battle his own party while in office. Palin was a rising star but lacked support and needed more experiance in dealing with the media and the lefites. Herman Cain is by far my first choice.
As an aside, I troll the leftie blogs. (brrr) They had a concerted effort to cross over to vote Republican and make sure McCain was the front runner. Shesh, we have to fight the liberals and our own party.
I agree with you on your top two choices mentioned. I think Pawlenty is the most acceptable candidate with the best chance to win. I like Herman Cain a lot and think he’d do a great job, but that’s definitely an uphill fight.
No mention of Mitch Daniels, who I think would also be an acceptable choice, if not a very charismatic one.
I just really hope Sarah Palin doesn’t run because I think she could definitely win the nomination, but would soundly lose the general election.
Oh, and the sooner we stop talking about Trump, the better. I can’t imagine why anyone would vote to put him in charge of the country. (To be fair, he’d do a better job than Obama, but that’s not saying anything.)
Don’t know enough about Christie, other than he’s been chipping at entrenched powers with a jackhammer.
Perry? Don’t know enough, other than the cheerleading pieces which are not the best for vetting.
Paul Ryan will get shunned by the DC Republicans who will push the “He can’t win” meme on talk shows until it’s accepted as fact. They prefer the Romneys, who they can do business with.
Ernie raised a good point. The party establishment really could’ve supported Palin better when she had to wade through the frivolous actions of the cranky left. Of course, they all believed the woman who energized the campaign and finally got the wallets to open was the reason McCain lost. I wonder if she had better support if she would’ve resigned.
John Bolton!!!!!!!1!1!1!
Meh.
It’s not like 2008 because there’s no Fred Thompson facts this year to keep us entertained.
I would suggest matching onto John Bolton with some facts this year as well if we can.
Perhaps I should clarify my heretofore never exhibited brevity. I mean that I have a hard time getting excited by anyone who seems to have a shot. And then we’ll get screwed, and Romney will get the nomination.
If we can convince Col. Allen West that it is his duty to his country to run for President, then he will do it. The perfect ticket is Allen West and Herman Cain – just snatch that race card right out of the Left’s weak little girlie hands. The best part is, our candidates won’t be affirmative action symbols – they actually have qualifications and a track record of success. Think of the fun when the Left loses its collective mind and starts attacking the ticket with the “Oreo” and “Uncle Tom” race-baiting insults that they always fling at any minority who strays off the liberal plantation – good, good times. Not to mention a chance to educate some people that the Demoncrats never have cared about black people, they just care about keeping the “black vote.”
Also, forgot to mention, the Dante quote in the original Italian is awesome. Abandon hope indeed.
No one has mentioned Michele Bachmann. From what I’ve seen I like her, but that would mean that that left would probably hate her as much as they hate Palin and thus storm against her.
In what way is Chris Christie too left-wing? Next you’ll be telling me that Ann Coulter (big Christie supporter) is too left-wing. We’re talking about a guy who’s slashed the budget, taken on teachers’ unions, closed the NJ Office of Climate Change, is anti-abortion, applied for federal funding for abstinence-only programs, opposes medical marijuana, and has been critical of both electric cars and Obama’s high-speed rail plan. Illegal immigration is pretty much the only issue he’s too soft on.
We have an opportunity to take back the Senate at the same time as the presidency. Once we do that, we need to NOT COMPROMISE! NOT REACH ACROSS THE AISLE! We need a conservative president that can do FULL implementation, not half-measures. After these past few years of democrats ramming 110-percent of their agenda through without compromise…without even allowing Republicans in the meetings. And, the only way to turn this country around is for Republicans to do the same thing. Unfortunately, instead of people like the Founding Fathers, who gave up everything to do what they knew was right, we have cowards who are terrified that the morons at MSNBC, CNN and the New York Times will say mean things about them. Well, if there’s ever a time when the left-wing media says nice things about you, you are a failure! Unfortunately, when it comes to our elected officials, conservative women seem to have way more balls than conservative men.
You are correct, Jimmy. I have not yet given up hope myself and will not give up hope as long as the following three conditions are still met:
1) Smart, extremely attractive, gun-toting conservatives with a deep knowledge of gardening, survival instincts, and a love for the A-Team like us IMAO Ronin still exist.
2) The United States Marine Corps, and in particular, the USMC’s infantry still exist.
3) One can still buy pocket Constitutions on Amazon.
Many people don’t like ANY “R” choices so far. For that I have a solution Draft Allen West. Allen West is the ANTI-Obama, he could sweep the vote by a margin like Reagan did to oust Carter. No other offers us on the right side that chance.
My site for info
Sign the petition, write the man, get him to run force the debate back to the issues rather than race/birth cert.
First day in the Oval Office:
Christy: “Bring me the entire stack of Obama’s Executive Orders! (Signs his first one canceling them all). NEXT!”
Trump: “Look at this pile of Obama’s bullsh!t” (Gets up and starts lecturing aids, blabbing about China.)
Palin: “Where’s the one on oil drilling? We’re canceling it and DRILLING a new one right NOW!”
Romney: “I’m going to have my staff look through these and sort out the good from the bad.”
West: “Put ’em in the burn barrel on the South Lawn. Herman, you still got that flame thrower I gave you?”
Cain & West are at least past bringing a knife to a gunfight, and this one is going to make the OK corral look like a sandbox tiff. If one of them doesn’t get elected, the US is toast. Meanwhile, work for the best & prepare fast for the worst…