1) Mitt Romney – Gov. Romney remains in the best position to win the GOP nomination, though his potential rivals have taken several strides to catch up with the frontrunner. Many of his future and past opponents have taken aim at his healthcare reform plan, dubbed Romneycare, and have used the national debate on healthcare reform to pound the former Massachusetts Governor. Finding a clear message on Romneycare is Gov. Romney’s first tough task of the 2012 cycle. Still, with a book on the way in early 2010, as well as courting 2008 nominee John McCain for fundraisers will continue to give the impression of Romney as inevitable establishment favorite. Romney, as well as former and current rival Mike Huckabee, proved to have far better political instincts then their potential rivals by staying out of the NY-23 race. The Florida Senate primary, however, may prove to be tougher to avoid.
2) Mike Huckabee – Huckabee continues to poll well while struggling to match his rivals in fundraising. This is Huckabee’s greatest problem; no matter how likable or how well he polls, his inability to raise money when hypothetically matched up against a billion-dollar Obama Machine will make Huck a tough sell for a party that will be desperate to win in 2012. Huckabee’s chances could hinge on whether or not he can find a way to raise money like a candidate at this level should. Still, the charming former Arkansas Governor has shown tougher lines of attacks both on Obama and on his favorite target, Mitt Romney, and their healthcare reforms. A big win at this year’s Values Voters Summit reminded everyone, however, that if Huck runs he will remain a favorite of the evangelical base, perhaps far more so then in 2008. Huckabee, like Romney, showed far better political instincts then other potential rivals in avoiding the NY-23 debacle. But unlike Mitt, Huck has already endorsed Marco Rubio in Florida’s Senate Primary, returning the favor for Rubio’s endorsement in 2008.
3) Tim Pawlenty - Minnesota’s governor has made some significant moves in his pursuit of the 2012 nomination. He has created a PAC, Freedom First, and announced several major hires from previous campaigns. He has also taken direct aim at both Barack Obama’s and Mitt Romney’s healthcare plan, likely to be a favorite line of attack as Pawlenty sets out to overtake 2012 frontrunner Mitt Romney. With two terms as a conservative governor of a blue state, an inspiring life story, a finalist for Vice President in 2008, and a slew of positions on issues that line up with all corners of the GOP base, Pawlenty is fast becoming the alternative to Mitt Romney among the establishment. His virtual tie with Governor Romney at the Values Voters Summit, a poll Romney won the last several years, shows just how fast Pawlenty is rising. T-Paw’s endorsement of Hoffman in NY-23 continues a pattern of the governor tacking to the right, gearing up for a fight in 2012. Hoffman’s loss does not hurt Pawlenty as much as others, such as Palin and Gingrich, due to Pawlenty’s low name recognition. Still, T-Paw did not gain much from the special election, and will need to continue to find new ways to stay relevant in the national discussion. Opting out of the Obamacare public option might be next on the to-do-list.
4) Sarah Palin - After taking a hit due to her sloppy resignation, former Governor Sarah Palin has built considerable momentum, using a new media strategy that surpasses anything else other potential candidates have at their disposal. She has hammered the President on healthcare and cap and trade, using op-eds, twitter, and facebook to consistently hammer a message across. With the announcement that her book release will be moved up, ‘Going Rogue: An American Life’ is set to shatter all sorts of records for non-fiction books. Palin is establishing herself as easily the GOP’s biggest media star, but it has yet to be seen if she can channel that into an effective campaign organization. Her endorsement of Doug Hoffman set off a nationalizing of NY-23’s special election, and was seemingly headed towards a big success for her. However, with Hoffman’s loss, Palin has taken a hit, unable to get a conservative over the finish line in a solid GOP district. This failure will only further alienate her from top activists, and make a 2012 run less likely then a few weeks ago.
5) John Thune - Senator Thune is the most likely member of the Senate to get the GOP nod in 2012. He has the conservative resume to win over the base, the looks and communication skills to win over the broader electorate, and a chance in the Senate leadership to become the rhetorical counter to Obama the next four years. Senator Thune could emerge as a unifying figure in a field with a number of candidates who have difficulty winning over certain parts of the party; Romney with evangelicals, Huckabee with fiscal cons, Palin with moderates. He has the potential to be the compromise candidate, bringing the Romney and Palin wings of the party together behind a consensus choice, but he will have to start moving before Tim Pawlenty beats him to it.
6) Haley Barbour - Governor Barbour is perhaps the greatest strategist in the party. He showed off that talent earlier this month, helping to lead two GOP candidates to victory in Virginia and NJ, a great start for the head of the RGA. With his sights set on major races all over the country in 2010, from California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Florida, and Texas, Gov. Barbour could not only continue to help revive the party but could also collect enough chits along the way to make himself a strong contender in 2012. With Speaker Gingrich’s mishap in NY-23, it could be Gov. Barbour who emerges as the ‘94er to lead a new generation of Republicans back to power, and himself to the White House.
7) Mitch Daniels - A very successful Rust Belt governor, Mitch Daniels proved himself by running what many call the best governor’s campaign of 2008 despite the dreadful climate for republicans. He is a graduate of Princeton and Georgetown, and served as Director of the OMB, while also sitting on the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. Oh and he’s Arab-American(Syrian to be exact), proving once again that the GOP is far more inclusive then advertised. Recently Daniels has stepped up not only his criticism of Obama’s policies, but of the GOP’s current standing too, sounding a lot like someone who wants to lead the party out of the wilderness. The Blade’s continued economic success during a period of recession continues to earn him praise, and despite his denials, inspires hope that the Governor will consider running for higher office in 2012.
8 ) Newt Gingrich – It’s hard to believe the leader of a Conservative Revolution could ever lose credibility with the party, but former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s endorsement of Dede Scozzafava in the special election in NY-23 may have wrecked any chance the former congressman had at a comeback. Gingrich still runs a powerful 527, American Solutions, and still commands the issues like few others. But this glimpse of Newt backing a liberal republican paints the Speaker more as party hack then party visionary. This latest strike may be the one that finally knocks the 1994 reverence off of the former Speaker, making a run in 2012 more unlikely.
9) Rick Perry – The long serving Texas Governor has bounced back from poor early polls to take a solid lead in the GOP primary against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. A successful primary followed by likely reelection will help raise Gov. Perry’s profile further in the national party. He is already winning populist support for his anti-Washington screed, and won the endorsement of Gov. Palin. But it’s his state’s strong economy that just might push the Texas Governor into contention. As blue states like California and New Jersey head into spiraling fiscal crisis, Texas stands as a strong example of successful conservative economics in the face of a President pushing tax-and-spend liberalism. This factor, combined with a long, experienced career can put Perry in a very strong position. The uniting of the Tea Party base and his large, deep-pocketed Texas donors would give him a strong chance in the early states.
10) Rudy Giuliani – America’s Mayor is gearing up for a run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010, and if that race happens, a likely victorious Senator Giuliani could instantly be back among the front-runners in 2012. Rudy remains a popular figure in polls both among Republicans and independents, and in an environment of a poor economy that is likely followed by high crime rates, the former mayor and potential senator could find himself in a strong position. Lessons learned from 2008 could serve Rudy well in the early states, and with no McCain to compete with he could become the consensus leader among the GOP’s moderate and national security wing. If another Presidential bid isn’t in the cards, a VP slot may not be far off, helping to balance the ticket with a more conservative nominee.
11) Jeb Bush – The former Florida Governor may be on the verge of reemerging during one of the most pivotal fights for the soul of the GOP. The popular chief executive could play kingmaker in next August’s Florida GOP Senate primary race between current Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio. Rubio has continued to build momentum while Crist has seen his once inevitable victory fall into doubt. Now, his predecessor has the ability to decide his fate. A Bush endorsement of Rubio could not only end any chance of a Crist nomination, but it could endear Jeb to the conservative grassroots. Already a favorite among establishment Republicans, a boost among the party’s grassroots base could make a Bush comeback more likely. A mentor to the conservative favorite Rubio, Bush is believed to favor the former Speaker and his endorsement could not only impact the Florida Senate race but change the balance of power in the fight for the GOP’s soul.
12) Mike Pence – The Indiana congressman has been drawing some buzz about a potential presidential run. A trip to South Carolina as well as a surprising 5th place finish in the Values Voters straw poll (behind Huckabee, Romney, Pawlenty, and Palin) has boosted speculation about a potential run for the White House. Trips to Iowa and California, as well as a big speech during the 9-12 Tea Party march on D.C. continue to fuel buzz about Rep. Pence’s future plans. Some feel he may be taking steps to run for the senate seat held by Richard Luger, who will turn 80 before his seat is up again in 2012 and is likely to retire, while others think he may have his eyes on succeeding Gov. Mitch Daniels. Then again, some grassroots activists would like to see Rep. Pence aim for an even higher office in 2012.
13) Gary Johnson – The former New Mexico Governor and Libertarian has created a new PAC, Our America, and continues to lay the groundwork for a presidential campaign in 2012. This early start could give Johnson the time to capitalize on both the Ron Paul-ites, who have become a fundraising force online, and the Tea Party Movement, that shares many of Johnson’s anti-tax, anti-government themes. Johnson’s success as Governor in a blue leaning state with his solid conservative record and his outsider appeal could make him stronger then many think. With Mark Sanford disgraced and Ron Paul turning 77 in 2012, Johnson is position to the the true Libertarian heir to Paul’s 2008 bid. The darkest of dark horses, his early organizing shows just how serious he is about becoming a contender.
14) Jim DeMint - DeMint has a rock solid conservative record and is likely to be a visible opponent of Obama these next 4 years on virtually everything the President wants to do. Senator DeMint happily endorsed Club for Growth head and former Congressman Pat Toomey against then-Republican Arlen Spector, followed by an endorsement of Marco Rubio despite establishment support for Charlie Crist, showing just how far DeMint is willing to go for an ideologically pure GOP as well as sending a message to disloyal Republicans. With a record that can win over Iowa’s GOP and a home base in South Carolina, DeMint could emerge as more then a vanity candidate from the Senate, but rather a real dark horse.
15) Rick Santorum – Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has scheduled a number of appearances in Iowa, and all indicators seem to be pointing to a presidential run. Santorum is a strong neoconservative with very strict social conservative values. While the former Senator may have some strong inroads with values and religious voters, he was also crushed in his 2006 reelection bid, and therefore may find it difficult convincing party activists that he can appeal to the broader electorate.
Previous Rankings:
1) Mitt Romney
2) Tim Pawlenty
3) Sarah Palin
4) Mike Huckabee
5) Newt Gingrich
6) John Thune
7) Haley Barbour
8 ) Mitch Daniels
9) David Petraeus
10) Jeb Bush
11) Rick Perry
12) Jim DeMint
13) Rick Santorum
14) Rudy Giuliani
15) Mike Pence
November 8th, 2009 at 2:25 am
T/Paw, Ex Gov Palin (Facebook) and Barbour are far too high.
Good to see Mitt still sitting pretty at number 1 though!
November 8th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Why is Rick Santorum, who can’t even win as an incumbent in Pennsylvania, more likely to win than Ron Paul. I know that Rick Santorum thinks that if we allow the gays to marry, that’s the same thing as beasteaslity, but the Pennsylvania voters didn’t seem to like his neanderthal rhetoric
Good article on Santorumism
“Not very.
His rating in the first index was a 60; Congressman Ron Paul scored a 100.
His rating in the second index was a 20; Congressman Ron Paul scored a 100.
His rating in the third index was a 22; Congressman Ron Paul scored a 100.
His rating in the fourth index was a 70; Congressman Ron Paul scored a 100.
This gives him an average of 44 – the same as Senator John McCain. There are thirty-five Republicans in the Senate who have a higher overall score than Santorum.”
November 8th, 2009 at 2:32 am
And why is General David Petraeus ranked higher than Ron Paul?
Did he raise more than $35 million that Paul raised in the last election?
Is he Democrat or a Republican?
November 8th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Plus the liberals named gross words have the senator Santorum.
The Santorum defition:
“The sometimes frothy, usually slimy, amalgam of lubricant, stray fecal matter, and ejaculate that leaks out of the receiving partner’s anus after a session of anal intercourse. Named, by popular demand and usage, after legislator Rick Santorum because of his homophobic political statements.
“That move was about as slick as santorum!””
November 8th, 2009 at 2:36 am
I’m of two minds about this. First, it’s great that people like Mitch Daniels, Rudy Giuliani,and Haley Barbour are all potential contenders for the Republican nomination. Secondly, it’s saddening that Rick Santorum, Gary Johnson, and Ron Paul are also contenders for the nomination.
Talk about Republican schizophrenia.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Jon,
I don’t think Santorum, Johnson, or Paul are contenders but then again, I don’t think Daniels, Guiliani, or Barbour are contenders either.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:43 am
What about Glenn Beck?
November 8th, 2009 at 2:43 am
#6:
One can dream.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Any guesses as to why Kratolvi voted against the Stupak amendment and the healthcare bill? If it was to ward off a challenge from the left, it’s probably not a strong play to vote against the healthcare bill.
But why vote against the Stupak amendment? His district strikes me as one that is fairly socially conservative (not that it needs to be as such an amendment probably garners 70% support in most districts).
November 8th, 2009 at 2:54 am
The Weekly Standard likes David Petraeus as a candidate, and has imagined that he might be a republican.
I guess that’s why he’s ranked higher than Paul.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:56 am
There is now way that Romney is #1. Huckabee for 7 straight PPP polls has been the front runner. Romney is second at best.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Kratovil voted against the Stupak amendment because he’s pro-choice. He opposed the House healthcare bill out of concern that it would increase the deficit and hurt small businesses.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I think it’s time to move Huck to #1. You are either obviously biased…or you aren’t paying attention. Being an establishment candidate does NOT make you a favorite during THIS election cycle. Romney is trailing in the CURRENT polls. Huck should be leading the power rankings.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:29 am
P.S. If anyone else is from Colorado, take a look at Jane Norton for Senate.
http://janenortonforcolorado.com/
She is our best chance at taking back that seat.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:33 am
I just don’t see a pissed-off GOP base going with Romney. Maybe they’ll manage to get it out of their system in 2010… But if the mood amongst Republicans is anything like what it is right now (no sure thing, since obviously a lot can happen in the mean time) they’re going to want someone who can channel the righteous anger and all that. I suppose it’s going to take a careful balancing act to capitalize on that while at the same time appealing to the moderates and independents disillusioned with Obama, Pelosi and Reid. I’m still not sure that we have anybody that can do that very successfully. Maybe Pawlenty?
November 8th, 2009 at 3:36 am
#14… It seems like we’re coming up with some pretty solid female candidates in a lot of races. I hate identity politics and all, but that can’t be a bad thing, right?
November 8th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Aron,
You can be pro-choice and still support the Stupak amendment. It’s a fiscally conservative measure.
Kratovil really missed the boat here unless he worried about a challenge from the left. Support for the Stupak amendment in his district is likely in the 70% range.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:54 am
I wasn’t opining. A staffer in Kratovil’s office told SSMir over at Kos that the congressman’s position on the Stupak amendment was “pro-choice.”
November 8th, 2009 at 4:14 am
You list is pretty good. Considering how much free Media Attention Huckabee gets from Fox, it amazing his poll numbers are not much higher. But they will come down, once the real race starts, and voters again start looking and his horrible record as governor. But, for some, they don’t want to be confused with facts.
Still, if it remains Romney and Huckabee at the top of the list, I like Romney’s chances as there is a large segment of the base that sees Huckabee as totally unacceptable. In 2012 he will not be able to hide behind his one liners. When he does announce he is running, Fox will have to stop giving him so much free press time and he will have to quite his Sunday show (or fox will be seen as being bias toward Huckabee).
But I am not completely convinced yet that Huckabee is running, as he will have to quite his Talk and Radio show in order to run for the nomination and with no real cash in his coffers, he will again suffer financially.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:47 am
For those who think Huckabee is a shoe in take the 2012 Iowa caucus, consider this. It the top four contenders in this list do run, unlike 2008 where Huckabee had the evangelical vote to himself, he would be competing at least in part with Palin and Pawlenty, while the fiscal and defense conservatives that went to McCain and Thompson, will likely move to Romney as that part of the Party are dubious of Huckabee. Still, Huckabee’s base in Iowa looks formidable.
2008 Iowa Caucus results.
————————-
# Mike Huckabee – 32% (Will lose some support to Palin and Pawlenty)
# Mitt Romney – 26% (Will gain from Mcain, Thompson, & Rudy supporters)
# John McCain – 13% (70% likely to move to Romney, 30% to Pawlenty)
# Fred Thompson – 9% (60% likely to move to Romney, 10% to Huckabee, 20% to Pawlenty, 10% to Palin)
# Ron Paul – 9% (These can not be counted for anything as they are fringe elements)
# Rudy Giuliani – 5% (90% likely to move to Romney, 10% to Pawlenty).
# Duncan Hunter – 1% (Will likely split 4 ways)
# Alan Keyes – 1%
# Not sure/Uncommitted – 4%
Potential 2012 Caucus results
—————————–
# Mitt Romney – 32%
# Mike Huckabee – 31%
# Tim Pawlenty – 14%
# Sarah Palin – 10%
# Other – 13%
This will leave Romney and Huckabee as top contenders and Pawlenty and Palin gasping for air.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Then comes New Hampshire Primary
2008 New Hampshire Primary results
————————–
John McCain 88,571 37.71% 7 (80% of these voters will go to Romney, 15% to Pawlenty, 5% to Palin)
Mitt Romney 75,546 32.17% 4 (Will remain loyal to Romney)
Mike Huckabee 26,859 11.44% 1 (Will remain loyal to Huckabee)
Rudy Giuliani 20,439 8.7% 0 (90% will go to Romney, 10% to Pawlenty)
Ron Paul 18,308 7.8% 0 (Ron Pauls voters can not be counted as anything but fringe voters)
Fred Thompson 2,890 1.23% 0 (Not enough worth considering)
Duncan Hunter 1,217 0.52% (Not enough worth considering)
Potential 2012 Primary Results)
——————————
Romney 60%
Huckabee 25%
Pawlenty 8%
Palin 2%
Other 5%
At this Point, it becomes a two main race between Romney and Huckabee, With Romney ahead of the delegate count.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:58 am
Romney will dominate Wyoming.
Michigan will again go Romney’s way.
Romney 60%
Huckabee 30%
Other 10%
Nevada will again go to Romney
Romney 65%
Huckabee 30%
Other 5%
Which will leave Romney with a commanding lead in delegates.
This brings us to South Carolina and a Huckabee strong point.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:05 am
South Carolina 2008 Primary Results
===================================
John McCain 33.15% (60% will go to Romney)
Mike Huckabee 29.84% (Will Remain loyal to Huckabee)
Fred Thompson 15.63% (Split between Romney and Huckabee)
Mitt Romney 15.30% (Will Remain loyal to Romney)
Ron Paul 3.63% (Fringe element)
Rudy Giuliani 2.15% (90% to Romney)
Potential 2012 Primary Results
==============================
Mike Huckabee 52%
Mitt Romney 43%
Other 5%
Louisiana Caucus will be split, but Huckabee will get the edge.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:13 am
2008 Florida Primary Results
============================
John McCain 36.0% (60% will go to Romney, 40% to Huckabee)
Mitt Romney 31.0% (Will Remain loyal to Romney)
Rudy Giuliani 14.7% (90% to Romney)
Mike Huckabee 13.5% (Will Remain loyal to Huckabee)
Ron Paul 3.2% (Fringe Voters)
Fred Thompson 1.2% (50% to Romney, 50% to Huckabee)
Potential 2012 Florida Primary Results
=======================================
Romney 65%
Huckabee 30%
Other 5%
********************************************************
After Florida, Romney will have 75% of the Delegates to Huckabee’s 25%
********************************************************
By Super Tuesday, Romney will be seen as inevitable, and after large wins in the West and North, Romney will have an almost unstoppable lead.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:26 am
It is just too early to tell. Mitt Romney won’t get the nominee in 2012. He is done! Romney is not conservative. He is supported a socialist health care. The conservatives won’t for vote Romney and they will stay at home if he is nominee in 2012. The Republican Party will lose. Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. He is done! He raised taxes in Arkansas when he was the Governor. It is the liberal mainstream news media are doing the polls. I don’t want to see Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul run again in 2012. They are done!
November 8th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Thunder, you have no way of knowing which way McCain’s former supporters will go. If they go to anyone, I’d think it would be to Huckabee rather than Romney. Remember West Virginia? In fact, remember when all of the Romney supporters were accusing Huck and McCain of teaming up against Romney to keep him from winning (which is actually what is supposed to happen in a campaign. Each politician outlines his position and runs until he thinks the nod is out of reach). You are too quick to say that now that Romney has adopted all of McCain’s old positions, that McCain’s support will automatically go to him. it doesn’t work like that.
And another thing, we don’t even know if Sarah Palin is running. considering her declining poll numbers and fading “star power” only one year after Obama was elected, i don’t think she’ll last another year as a serious presidential contender.
All of that said, Huck still leads the polls. PPP, Rassmussen, Gallup, CNN. Romney has to prove he can win the people, not just the money, in order to get the nomination. But with the anti-establishment mood that the country is in: smaller gov’t, no public option, Fairtax, no TARP, i doubt that Romney will be able to buy the nomination this time around. He’s going to have to work, hard, and displaying more personality than a blow up doll might be useful too, if he wants to beat Huckabee.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:32 am
“Thunder, you have no way of knowing which way McCain’s former supporters will go” BINGO.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Well, let’s see… which liberal would the Americans support in the general election? Mitt “the barking mad dog” or Obama the “rockstar liar”? In that case, young people, blacks and other minorities would go Obama all the way… Older Social conservatives wouldn’t gamble their principles/votes for a Romney who used to support abortion for votes in Massachusetts and as if in the general election that same state would go for him. He is a chameleon. He changes colors for his own gain. Paid staffers of Romney don’t force your ideas here. Unpaid Americans like Huckabee better.
Republicans should stop thinking and acting stupid. Moderate McCain failed and now you want to elect a multimillionaire so out of touch with the struggling Americans to become president? Use your brains people. Obama is a better liberal than Romney. People elected Obama because of their hate towards Big Industries. And now, you want to elect the cheerleader of Big Industries? What will the independents say?
How will Romney attack Obama and rally the TEA activists on health care if he himself pursued and FAILED in that issue in his “great” time as governor?
Huck a magna cum laude son of a fireman appeals better to common sense Americans in this time that their voices seemed not heard.
Huckabee 2012! Volunteers, True Americans will rally around him! Even if it means no money from multimillionaire Romney.
Go romney conservatives, show your case….
November 8th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Common sense… establishment republicans don’t have it… American people do…
November 8th, 2009 at 8:07 am
We still have a lot of really stupid people posting here! Luckily, we have many intelligent ones too, so it makes it worth while.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Mike Huckabee will win the 2012 Presidency. It’s not about who has the most money, it’s about who has the most heart. Huckabee is winning the American people over with his likeable, charismatic speaking skills. Huckabee by far has the most heart, he’s been pounding the pavement night and day since the 2008 Presidential elections. With his 14 years in the Governor’s office, he has more experience than any other potential candidate.
Ronald Reagan, Mike Huckabee, Winston Churchill and Vince Lombardi are charismatic leaders in their days leading the masses. Mike Huckabee is the new leader in the 21st century, his gigantic network of fans just keep multiplying night and day. Before 2012 arrives, there will be a Huckabee Fan in every county of every state in America. The volume keeps growing louder, Huckabee Fans are moving at the speed of light.
Check it out for yourself, just google the words: Huckabee Fan Club
November 8th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Hunter,
Even a ” pissed-off” GOP “BASE” can read the tea leaves in 2012. The GOP BASE is perhaps 14 % of all voters, and maybe 40-50 % of GOP Voters. Independents are about 30-40 % and the Dems are at 30 % or so. To win, the GOP needs to get about 55 % of the independents, 10-15 % of Dems and the usual 70 % + of the GOP. Getting a majority of the BASE is obviously great in a primary , but the GOP wants and needs to win the election. They need a candidate who holds the base, wins the independents and some of the DEMS. Obama showed this equation when he won ” some ” of the GOP last year. Time to turn the tables time, if we want to win in 2012.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:22 am
#25: I hope someone is not done yet and will get the nominee.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I hereby nominate commenter “anonymous” for FPP.
That rare brand of terse, unambiguous punditry is sorely lacking nowadays.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Hmm. I thought all the hype about cybersex was just hype. But we now have evidence of cyber-procreation.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Hey Huckapedia,
Suggest you re-write your ” facts ” Faubus and Clinton both served as Governor longer than Mike. In fact Mike served two terms ( 8 years ) plus the unexpired remainder of the previous Governor, Jim Guy Tucker, who resigned for fraud, corruption, etc.in 1996. That is, if my 4th grade math is correct, 10 years. The lineage of corruptness in Arkansas includes a littany of thugs like Faubus, Clinton, Tucker. Doing absolutely nothing in Arkansas will leave you smelling like a rose, in that Pantheon of Bums.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:51 am
#32… I don’t really disagree with any of that. Like I said, there’s a pretty careful balance act involved. I just don’t think that channeling the righteous anger of the Tea Party crowd is necessarily Romney’s forte.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hunter,
You may be right……but a carefully constructed ” ticket ” could. The practical math of a GOP ticket should provide two candidates who reach out to the farthest wings of the political spectrum. Not so far as to tick off the base….but far enough to garner some of the left of center. Two candidates with the same political philosophies probably have less chance of winning the general. So, how about Romney and Huckabee or Romney and Palin ?
November 8th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I like Max a lot. But this rating is wrong. Huck is definitely in the drivers seat and has earned the #1 spot.
Thunder I am one of those that find Huck totally unacceptable. But all the polls for quite some time say that Romney has a bigger problem in that area than Huck. Huck’s negatives are consistently lower than Romney’s.
I think it is premature to put Pawlenty in #3. But give him a few more months and he will have legitimate claim for that spot.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:02 am
CraigS-read up on some facts man. Huckabee improved Arkansas’ Highway system from one of the worst in the states to one of the best. He expanded the arts in the public school system to help reduce the dropout rate. He required women be notified that an abortion would hurt their babies. He required doctors to ask women getting an abortion if they wanted their babies to have anesthesia.
not to mention his fiscal record:
He was the first Governor of Arkansas to pass a broad-based tax cut in the history of the state.
He also doubled the standard deduction to $2,000 for individuals and to $4,000 for married couples, as well as the child care tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty.
He eliminated the capital gains tax on the sale of a home.
He eliminated the state income tax for families below the poverty line.
He reduced the capital gains tax for businesses and individuals.
He indexed the income tax to protect people from paying higher taxes because of “bracket creep.”
Governor Huckabee left the state with almost a $1 billion surplus- a state record, setting the stage for further tax reductions. The “Huckabee Surplus” enabled his successor to follow Huckabee’s lead to begin the elimination of the state sales tax on food.
He urged that the surplus should go back to the taxpayers in the form of a rebate or tax cut.
He cut welfare rolls by almost 50 percent.
With respect to the tax and spending that he had under his control, spending rose about six-tenths of one percent a year during his ten-and-a-half year tenure.
Governor Huckabee established the Murphy Commission by Executive Order (his first as governor) to streamline government to save taxpayers’ dollars and make government more efficient.
Governor Huckabee also led efforts to establish a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and a Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, which established a uniform notice and due process procedure guaranteeing all Arkansans they will be treated fairly in the assessment of property taxes.
so I don’t exactly think that AR is a pantheon of bums, since MH kinda sorta made it EASIER to buy a house
November 8th, 2009 at 9:03 am
all of this btw, with a democratic supermajority in his state legislature…
November 8th, 2009 at 9:44 am
1) Romney only seems to be the frontrunner with the beltway elite-not the American voters. Yes he has a great bastion of money, organization, and connections. But that is not what the American voter is looking for.
2) With the passage of the house healthcare bill and it leading to the senate, it only extends the length of time that nationalized healthcare will be compared to Romneycare. Those media pundits who supported Romney are going to have a hard time not bringing up Romneycare. We have already seen Beck and O’Reilly go after Romneycare for its huge expenses and its wait in line problems. Watch and see how Ingraham, Hannity and Rush will now go after Romneycare in the push to get their viewers more involved in stopping Obamacare.
3) Romney has not endorsed Rubio. Why, because he did not know which way the political winds were blowing and he decided to wait. Now that he can see that conservatives are fired up and ready to rumble, he has to make a calculated decision-if I back Rubio and he loses, than I won’t get the establishment endorsement from Crist and I may lose Florida again. If I back Rubio and he wins, it won’t matter because Rubio is a Huckabee supporter and then Rubio will endorse Huckabee for Florida. Too bad that Romney is always calculating his moves rather than just standing by his principles.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Ya know, as much grief as Huckabee is getting from the beltway for not raising a ton of money in his PAC, I don’t think he is really trying to do that right now.
Can you imagine if his TV show would have failed? He would be done, toast. So he put all of his energy into making the number one rated cablenews show of the weekend. That is a huge feather in Huckabee’s cap. Same with his radio show. Same with his new book about Christmas.
Huckabee knows that the American voter is not going to stay engaged for four whole years. So instead he gave them a safe, enjoyable, family oriented show where he is optimistic about America, patriotic, and yet he touches on key issues that concern the American voters.
His PAC is building up infrastructure. People are signing up, volunteering, and getting involved at the local level. This will be a huge bonus for Huckabee in 2012 when he needs those voters to cast their ballot for him in the primaries. Operation chaos will be coming from the left this time, and Huckabee and his volunteer supporters will be ready. That is something that Romney’s money cannot buy.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
O.K Chadballer 40
I took your advice and read up on some facts, man.
Arkansas Personal Income Tax rate at 7 % in 2006 ( last Huck year ) in top 10 % in U.S
Arkansas State Sales Tax rate at 6 % in top 10 in 2006
Arkansas state spending rose 57 % from 1996 to 2006, but personal income only grew 40 %. Similar to Federal Government under Dems, according to Arkansas Employment Security Dept.
Arkansas local and state Per Capita tax burden in 1996 of 40.9 % compares with national average of 27.3 % in 2006, the HIGHEST in the nation, according to State Policy Reports
Arkansas is second to last in 2006 in number of residents with bachelors degrees reflecting poor investment in education
Arkansas population grew 8 % from 1996 to 2006. Government payroll grew 60 %. Number of Teachers grew 3 %. Number of police declined 10 %
Arkansas poverty rate increased from 14 % in 1998 to 17.3 % in 2006.
Arkansas Children’s poverty rate increased from 14 % in 1996 to 25 % in 2006, according to Child Welfare League statistics
I could go on and on. Don’t ask people to ” read some facts” unless you are prepared to actually accept the facts they find.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I really don’t see Romney as #1. He came fairly close last time out but in the meantime he has lost most of the soft support that gravitated to him after Thompson dropped out. And the health care debate his killing his conservative cred thanks to Romneycare. Palin seems to be the strongest at the moment (and it gives me now joy to say that) as she played kingmaker in NY23, even though she lost, which may cause some backlash.
Maybe at this point the safest task would be to put Romney, Palin & Huckabee as a Tied for #1, like the site used to do for Rudy/McCain, at least until one pulls a clear lead ahead of the other.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Reply to 40 Chadballer
besides what 44, Craig said
He also let a rapist out of prison who went on and raped and killed again. So much for being pro-life. I guess pro-life is only for the unborn, not the living. Huckabee’s record is horrible,and trying to re-write history will not work.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:33 am
As for why McCain voters will likely move more to Romney than Huckabee, one needs only look at who are the supporters of McCain and who are the supporters of Huckabee.
McCain supporters are establishment voters. They are defense voters.
Huckabee Voters are mostly evangelical, which does not describe most of McCain voters.
Huckabee has a sealing of support that doesn’t go much beyond the Social Conservatives. He gets little to no support from Fiscal Conservatives or Defense Conservatives, and he is certainly not the the establishment candidate. He is more of protest candidate.
As far as What Happened in West Virgina, that was for the convenience at the time.
Let’s not forget all the Fund raising Romney did for McCain, and the Fund raising McCain did for Romney. I expect McCain may possible endorse Romney before its over. The two have become very close since Romney Dropped out and threw his support behind McCain.
At the same time, Huckabee dragged the Nomination out, costing McCain time and money. This did not sit well with McCain voters.
In the end, Huckabee attracts very little voter support beyond pro-life (evangelical voters).
November 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
anonymous—Are you retarded?
November 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I disagree with the 10% number for Palin in Iowa. I think she gets 31% and Huckabee 30% to squeak out the win.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I want everyone to understand one thing… It doesnt matter who the nominee is they will raise more money than any other GOP nominee in history. Because the country wants Obummer gone so bad. So I do not believe Huckabee will have any problem raising the money he is looking for. Besides he now has support of the Huge Jewish money machines, Dont thing Huckabee the Macabee cannot raise money. You will be very surprised.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Remember, its a Caucus, not a Primary, which means organization is much more important than Popularity. Palin would need to start organizing now, In order to even have a chance to get over 10%. Pawlenty at least has done that. Both Huckabee and Romney already have formidable organizations in Iowa which will be hard to match.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Then why is he hasn’t he done anything yet, fundraiser doesn’t happen all at once, it happens over time, and Right now, Huckabee is far behind. In fact, Huckabee’s organization is having problem paying their bills and can’t even seem to submit their reports on time. If Huckabee is going to raise large sums of money, he needs to start now!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:01 am
All the money Huckabee is raising is going to supporting candidates like Bob Mcdonnel, and Marco Rubio, Mike Pence….. All the candidates Huck- Pac are supporting are doing quite well. This will be paying dividens in 2012 as well.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Your dreaming, Here is reality
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/24/huckabee-pac-in-trouble/
Why is it the Huckabee supporters has such problems dealing with reality?
November 8th, 2009 at 11:19 am
When Huckabee is ready to run, the money will be there. Huckabee is the biggest ally of Isreal within the GOP, If you think they would let the biggest supporter and closest friend of Isreal fall by the wayside you are mistaken. Supporting Isreal was not even a political move for Mike Huckabee, like everything else he does its his convictions that drive him. He stands for what he believes and he slowly is taping into this tea party energy…. Mike was against tarp when being against tarp wasnt cool. Mike was against bail outs when Mitt thought they were all the rage. Add in Romney Care and Mitt is done……. I understand that Mitt does have support of most Washington established Republicans and that means alot…. But The People will be the ones who decide in 2012 and I dont think they are going to care what Washington thinks or endorses.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:37 am
This list is exactly right for the first 4, but after that it is sheer speculation. As much as it galls me, Huckabee is now a solid number 2, and the placement of Pawlenty over Sarah makes sense in that she has pretty close to zero chance of getting nominated in light of polling among Independents and Dems.
The whole notion of relying on polls at this stage, and particularly on polls that are essentially tied, is just downright ignorant of the fundamentals of the nomination process. Romney is clearly the frontrunner where it counts; organization, money, endorsements, and electability. Huckabee, for reasons that SHOULD be obvious, is simply not in the same class.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
55. Charles,
The man who said we needed wingtips in Iran, is not going to get the NS/FP voters in the GOP. He’s not going to get the fiscal cons, either. His support among social cons is his only strength, but there are other candidates who appeal to those voters as well, so I think it’s kind of a weak postion he is in, recent polls notwithstanding.
Charles, Huckabee is not the biggest supporter/closest friend (wingtips in Iran) of Israel within the GOP. That’s laughable, really.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Craigs,
Your list in #44 will help undecideds, but it won’t make an impression on Huckmaniacs. They can’t even be confused by facts, much less educated by them.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:44 am
55. It seems like Sarah is jumping the shark right now. That speech in Wisconsin appears to have been a dud, with Sarah reverting back to her old articulation problems.
And let’s be honest, we can’t have wannabe ‘leaders’ refusing to be recorded in speeches. What’s up with that?
November 8th, 2009 at 11:46 am
oops, I meant to direct my comment to you, Dave, in 56.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I think you are right on Charles about Huckabee. Mitt has done nothing but slip and Sarah just does not have the numbers to support a run, she could pull enough support to be a spoiler. One question? What is Huckabee the Macabee?
November 8th, 2009 at 11:52 am
There are some excellent potential Vice Presidential nominees in the group that should be mentioned. Jeb, Mitch Daniels, Thune, and DeMint would each be great, and help get the nation back on the track of competent conservative governance.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Brain Huckabee the Maccabee reffers to what the Jewish people have starting calling Huckabee. The Maccabees was a family of Jewish patriots of the second and first centuries b.c., active in the liberation of Judea. I think Charles is right about Huckabee and the Jews. They love him, and he loves them. I would be hard pressed Martha to find a closer friend to Isreal in the GOP… You say it is laughable but you offer up no alternatives. I would be curious who you are reffering to in the GOP?
November 8th, 2009 at 11:53 am
CharlesLawless # 55
Interesting perspective. Mitt was Governor of a progressive Democratic State. In April of this year, Mass voters were asked about Romneycare:
37 % said it was a failure……63 % said it was a success or weren’t sure
27 % said medical care was less affordable. …..65 % said it was more affordable or the same
29 % said the quality of health care was worse…………63 % said it was better or the same.
Obviously, as you know, Mitt vetoed several parts that were subsequently passed by the State House
These results in one of the most liberal states in America don’t mean you have to be a liberal to get their votes. It does mean that you have to have a pretty broad
message to actually win the Presidency in 2012.
By the way it is easy to be “against” TARP. I am against TARP, but I really don’t know what would have happened if it didn’t get passed. At least Mitt knows what is wrong on
Wall Street. I’m not sure Huckabee knows that it is a real location in New York, not a spot on a board game.
Also, as you should know, Romney had a well articulated prescription for bailouts that he suggested last December. Let them fail. And Huck’s plan ?????
November 8th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Martha Im waiting?
November 8th, 2009 at 11:59 am
CraigS… Silly question. If Huckabee was against bailouts then what do you think the alternative was (free market in action)
Thanks Peter! I agree. and Peter I too am waiting to see if Martha can back up her sense of humor.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Martha,
Sarah is excellent at what she does. That isn’t her problem. Her problem is that she isn’t electable and the people who matter in the process are eminently aware of it. As you know, I really like her, but she can’t go the distance. Huckabee can, possibly, but has cultural problems with sizable portions of the electorate.
Mitt remains, as always, our best chance of defeating Obama in 2012, and if Ann’s health precludes him from running, or if he stumbles unexpectedly, Pawlenty is Plan B. The future looks incredibly bleak if one of these 2 don’t win.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
meek,
There’s no substantive difference between Mike and Mitt’s views on Israel. It’s a NONissue.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Oh dear, people. For those with faulty memories, just go back to 08.
Wingtips in Iran
Arrogant bunker mentality
What NIE report?
Sleeping in a Holiday Inn Express for FP cred.
Sorry, folks. Israel is all about cold hard reality. They’ll be hoping for a serious person to take on Obama, and restore what has been lost the past 9 months.
Huck ain’t their man. I don’t care how many warm fuzzies you get when you see Huck in all the photo ops.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
68. True, but there IS a difference in each man’s ability to instill confidence in a strong foreign policy.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
67. I don’t think she’s excellent at what she does, unless you mean stirring up hornets nests. NY23 is a perfect example.
If she won’t be recorded for speeches, then she shouldn’t be out there presenting herself as some sort of leader.
And, apparently, according to reports from her last speech, her moments off the cuff were terrible.
I don’t want her representing me. She’s not consistent, and she is uncontrollable.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Hey Dave, Here is the results of the last GALLUP Poll, as it would seem it is Huckabee who has the numbers and Huckabee who is again our best chance to beat Obama. Again Huckabee has ran away with the top place. Looks like, as always Huckabee remains our best chance at defeating Obama.
Here are the results, If you need more poll results just let me know there is only about 100 or so from rassmussen, gallup, public polling, on and on and on that have simular results.. Come to think of it. I can not remember the last poll Romney topped???
The following is from Gallup
http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2009/11/05/usatgallup
Next I’m going to read you a list of possible Republican candidates in the 2012 presidential election. Please tell me whether you would, or would not, seriously consider supporting each for president.
Huckabee: 71% would, 25% would not
Romney: 65/31
Palin: 65/33
Gingrich: 60/35
Pawlenty: 32/38
Barbour: 26/52
November 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
72. Ran away? Seriously, can you read the poll?
November 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
LOL, Martha again you have failed to point out a viable alternative. Just offering a sting of incoherant talking points.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
CNN poll from October 18, 2009 that showed:
32% – Huckabee
25% – Palin
21% – Romney
22% – Others & Undecided
Here’s a Pew Research Poll taken just before Super Tuesday in early February 2008 (the last poll I can find before Romney dropped out):
42% – McCain
22% – Romney
20% – Huckabee
16% – Others & Undecided
November 8th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Lawless,
You ARE aware, are you not, that the campaign hasn’t started yet?? Once it does, there is EVERY reason to believe that Mitt will get a lot more votes than Huckabee, just like he did LAST time.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I am fine with the #1 and #2 rankings (although I think they should be reversed) but the difference at this point is too minimal to quibble. I always deal in logic (as an attorney for many years, it is just instinctive to me). Factoring in the primary results of 2008, republican primary historical analysis, the polls and a pinch of common sense (can’t forget about that now), I have been convinced for some time that the nomination comes down to Huckabee and Romney. With malice toward none, Palin will not be a factor. Every legitimate poll suggests what I have always believed: Huckabee is maintining his base – Palin does not threaten him. For those of you who believe — and hope — that Palin will dilute Mike’s base so that Romney will slip thru — all I can say is, you are of the same ilk of those foolish, foolish democrats who believed in 2008 that blacks would vote for Clinton and forsake Obama. I am confident enough of my candidate, Mike Huckabee, that it matters little to me who does or does not run; I suspect the bulk of Romney supporters feel the same way about their guy — but those few who continue to focus on a Palin effect on Huckabee — and draw confidence from that nonsensical whimsy rather than strength from Romney — are doomed to be disappointed.
Now, do I think Romney can win? Of course he can. But I also strongly believe that Mike Huckabee can win — and that neither Palin nor Pawlenty can. I think Pawlenty will make a pretty decent showing — actually a lot better than Palin, should she run — and could be a strong contender for a VP nomination.
But assuming they both run, the field comes down to Mike and Mitt. In my opinion, the advantages of each are reduced as follows: Mitt has money and organization; Mike has tremendous communicative skills and common sense, and appeals to non-political folks.
Now, as money goes, Mitt doesn’t have any more this time than he did the last time. But for Mike, he has a far greater recognization and exposure — he is defining himself this time — and doing fairly well at it. And Mike will bring in donations once he begins campaigning — right now he is simply storing away personal income (from his cable show, radio reports and speaking engagements), which is the first step. He never had any of that the last time. This time round, he will not be personally struggling — an important fact most people overlook.
Time will tell. I am encouraged by the trend of the polls — and frankly Huckabee is doing the best at this point I could have hoped for. But Romney is doing very well too. So, I respect both these candidates (I actually respect ALL the candidates but believe the contests come down to the two).
We shall see as time evolves.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
very fair analysis Voter.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Martha,
This has to be my last post, or I’ll be late to Choir practice. I don’t think Sarah would be able to survive the rigors of a presidential campaign, much less get the nomination in the first place. But she is excellent in several ways:
1) She has the ability to change the political dynamic.
2) She can communicate to a pretty broad audience.
3) Her ideological instincts are good.
4) She has genuine star quality.
5) Her record of actual governance in Alaska is very impressive.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
What??? Indeed its time to move Huck to #1.
I’d love to stay by my computer all and debate why Huckabee is clearly #1, but man its sunny and 70 degrees outside and I got miles of trim to paint on my house, but I’ll mentioned this.
Huckbee virtually matched Romney in delegates with only 1/10 of the money so that agruement has already been invalidated. Huckabee will have the organization in the form of millions of eveangelicals in the same way Bush did. With Michigan primary now moved back to May, Romney is going to find it a tuff go initially and primaries are all about starting strong. The waterloo will be Florida, but Huckabee will have the icon of the conservatvie movement in Marco Rubio on his side. So, Huckabee will has key people on his side where it will count the most.
You have to be blinded by your own ambitions not to see that Huckabee has been leading the Democrat and independent vote in the latest polls. Ramussen had him leading all economic demographics except the very rich.
#15 touched on something, a movement will not be made by Mr. Romney. He does not have that X factor as I call it. He can not match Huckabee in communicating policy. People will be emboldened by Obama, some will be very angry about the socialist turn of this nation and Huckabee, not Romney, is positioned well to lead the discontented and angry. Romney may inspire some of you, but its not enough to be carried on a national level.
Ok. I said my peace. Now off to painting.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
79. I have to get going too, but I disagree on almost all points.
1. Yes, she does. But she’s too much of a loose cannon, which makes her dangerous – as in NY23.
2. I think her audience is small, most people don’t take her very seriously.
3. Her ideological instincts are not consistent. She went from a moderate pragmatist, to an ultra-conservative populist.
4. Yes, she is a very interesting and dynamic person. Unfortunately, her actions lend to soap opera coverage, making it harder to take her seriously.
5. Her record in Alaska is over-rated, and mixed. Since the election, her effectiveness in Alaska went to zero. She simply lost interest in doing the job. She is known in Alaska, for good campaigning, and then dropping the ball when it comes time to do the hard work.
She’s all hat, not cattle, most of the time.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
72 Charles,
Please look at that Gallup poll. You first cite GOP voters where Huck is indeed ahead by 6 points ( but well withing the polls M.O.E ). You understand, I hope, that general elections include Republicans , Independents and Democrats. You understand that Gallup’s sampling did not really reflect the current mix of 30 % GOP, 30 % Dems and 40 % Independents. You obviously overlook the fact that Romney runs ahead of Huck with the 70 % that are not Republicans…….but do vote.
So, we’ll see. Obviously Mitt and Huck are leading the pack. Kind of reminds me of Kennedy and Johnson in 1960. Hated each other, but won the election by welding the North and the South together.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
THUNDER, What if Romeny, Huckabee, Palin do not run? Are you thinking it is a shoe in for Pawlenty or is it a free for all among anyone who does run.
Also in writting off the Ron Paul voters consider this. They WILL VOTE for someone, if that happens to be Gary Johnson or a yet to be named libertarian type, someone will get those new GOP votes. With that 5%-8% plus some more mainstream Republicans that could give someone a big showing.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
So, Huck’s going to win because he has the voters, while Romney has the hated establishment?
Even if that were true, it would be mighty hard for Huck to pull it off against ‘the establishment’. But Huck doesn’t have all the voters, (see the polls which show them pretty much tied)and he has none of the establishment.
It’s hard to see him pulling that off, especially in light of how badly he performed compared to Romney in 08.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Do not let the news media to tell us how to vote for these candidates on this list. Let the people to decide who they want to vote for. It is just too early to tell. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. Romney and Huckabee hated each other. They are done!
November 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I hope against hope that Mitt and Mike can at least put up a facade of working together in 2010 and 2012 to Bring America Back. Democrats would be scared to death if Mitt and Mike showed up to events together to support conservatives in 2010. It really would be great to see.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I believe huckabee’s got another HUGE obstacle …the MAJOR gaffe he made saying someone had pointed a gun at Obama! Voters currently are sick of Mrs. Gaffe Disaster Palin and Mr. Gaffe Disaster Biden. As the author of this blog stated, the GOP will be desperate to win next time around. They are not going to blow it by giving a colossal gaffe-disaster like huckabee the nomination. If they were foolish enough to do so…the Dems glee would be hard to contain.
Perception from liberals and Democrats
“On December 11, 2007 the Drudge Report found out that the highest levels of the Democratic Party told their officials to avoid any criticism of 2008 Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee, until he would secure the nomination. One Democrat said “He’ll easily be their McGovern, an easy kill.” The last time the Democratic National Committee criticized Huckabee was on March 2nd, 2007.[54]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_image_of_Mike_Huckabee
November 8th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I wonder why it is that Sarah Palin’s resignation is referred to as “sloppy.” First, she became a conservative star overnight and electrified the conservative base.
Second, in her RNC speech she told us of legislation enacted under her Governorship that made it easier for Alaskans to hold their politicians accountable and said “today those policies are the law.”
It is because of both of those elements that she became a sitting duck giving liberals angered by her conservative stardom accessibility to filing multiple ethics charges against her to tarnish her reputation – all of which (18 of them) she was cleared on. This spent countless tax dollars on investigations and racked up personal debt on Palin’s behalf as well….why? Because liberals hated her.
She left the governorship in the hands of a very capable man which will continue her mission.
In the end, Alaska has a good governor as they had before and America has their new and electrifying conservative star who can do so much more for this country today than she ever could being stuck in a position where she was harrassed and kept away from people who love her in droves in the lower 48.
The only thing different is liberals cannot officially, through squandered tax dollars of good people, attack her anymore.
Why Republicans are not smart enough to back this woman and move forward with those facts – as they are – to preserve this treasure in our party is absolutely beyond me.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
George Pataki is the only one who i miss on the list. He should be somewhere after Newt Gingrich. He is obviously interested in the job and far more likely to run than Gov. Bush or Gen. Patraeus. He was the governor of one of the largest states and would be a very good fundraiser. He is up to the job and represents a wing of the party that is abandoned by most of the other presidential contenders.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/11/024909.php
Huckabee 2.0
November 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Romney is the only candidate listed there that has the complete package. Others have strong points, but they fail in other areas required to be considered serious candidates. Many lack in organization, many lack finances, some lack establishment backing. I would not include Romney in any of those categories.
Romney has clearly proven he can win votes and delegates as demonstrated by his 2nd place finish in 2008 at the time of his exiting the election. When Romney bowed out of the race, he did so graciously then quickly Romney supported, campaigned, and raised money for McCain. It is a mistake to suggest that McCain voters will forget all Romney did for McCain while Huckabee was still campaigning & milking every vote, every dollar till the bitter end. Does anyone out there seriously think McCain voters would go toward Huckabee in mass when given a choice between the two?
One also can’t completely dis the Republican establishment. Right or wrong, they are powerful and they have significant say to many things. Just look at what they managed to pull off in the NY-23 race by forgoing the primary crowning Dede their candidate? That is an extreme example, but it shows that the party bosses have significant pull. Such is also the case at the national level. Because of this, non-establishment candidates don’t have a chance. That is just the way it is.
Romney, Thune, DeMint (who supported Romney in 2008) would be the top three based on the establishment choice so far (and I may be missing another name or two there).
The only candidate that could raise enough money, votes, and organize to the extent to buck the party establishment would be Romney. But Romney is the establishment’s pick already. I would argue that if Romney decided to buck the establishment, he would not be the establishment’s current favorite and thus would not be the early front runner.
If Romney runs, Romney will get the nomination given how things are presently.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
87-Shelby, honestly, I don’t think anyone will care. Mike has apologized and the rest of the world (besides you) has moved on. And are you willing to trust one anonymous democrat over all of the polling organizations (including the very respectable Rassmussen)?
November 8th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
If were to fast forward two years from now, all things being the same, I think Thunder’s analysis is pretty good posts 19-24. Acknowledging that a lot can change between now & then, I think that out come is pretty accurate.
I don’t think Huckabee will run. I don’t see him giving up his show etc for a run. I think Huckabee will angle to grant his endorsement.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
#77 Voter:
While I agree with some of your points, I disagree with others. I think Romney can win, I just don’t think Huckabee can win. I base that on the opinion that Huckabee most likely won’t have significant establishment backing as well as his inability to organize effectively and fundraise based on past performance in the 2008 election cycle. With respect to fundraising, what significant accomplishments has Huckabee performed? I know he has a PAC, it keeps his daughter & family employed, but what significant dollar amounts has the Huckpac donated? What exactly are they doing? Huckabee never really had much of a campaign, he just hung in there the longest.
“But assuming they both run, the field comes down to Mike and Mitt. In my opinion, the advantages of each are reduced as follows: Mitt has money and organization; Mike has tremendous communicative skills and common sense, and appeals to non-political folks.”
I would argue that Romney’s communication skills are also very sharp and that again, Romney would most likely have the establishments backing over Huckabee. Read here to get a better understanding of just how many national delegate votes the establishment gets. It is huge, it is significant.
“Now, as money goes, Mitt doesn’t have any more this time than he did the last time. But for Mike, he has a far greater recognization and exposure — he is defining himself this time — and doing fairly well at it.”
What makes you say that Romney would have less instead of more money next time around? What makes you think that Romney would do any less in these areas than he did in 2008? Assuming Romney is considering a run, then can’t Romney also be using this time to get more exposure and lay more groundwork etc above an beyond what he already has? I would argue that like Huckabee, Romney can do these things. I would also like to point out that unlike Huckabee, Romney is actually doing those things.
Some of us view Huckabee’s show (the day job to pay the rent) as somewhat of a liability since a seriouls campaign is a full-time 90hr /week job. In my view, Huckabee is too busy with other things. Huckabee still has time to quit his day show & begin organizing, it is not too late. But that time is running out.
I think there is a good possibility Huckabee may not run at all.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
cwpete,
If it goes all the way to convention, there’s no doubt that the lion’s share of the party delegates, the ex-officio delegates, will go to Mitt. He would have received more of these last time, but will receive even more next time. But Romney won’t get all of them, as there are divisions even among the National Committeemen and women.
An excellent point though, and one most of the neophytes in the Huckster’s camp are oblivious to.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
#80:
“Huckbee virtually matched Romney in delegates with only 1/10 of the money so that agruement has already been invalidated.”
Agh, but you are forgetting that Romney bowed out of the race early to shore up our party so McCain could face Obama. If Romney would have pulled a Huck, which is to say – hang in there till the bitter end, he would have gotten more delegates. There comes a time to put aside personal ambitions for the good of the party. Huckabee angered a lot of Republicans by hanging in there to the bitter end.
The money argument better applies in the National elections against Obama. I can’t see Huckabee seriously competing in that way. Things can always change for sure, I’m basing that opinion on past Huckabee fund raising experience.
“#15 touched on something, a movement will not be made by Mr. Romney. He does not have that X factor as I call it.”
Why must an “X factor” be required of our candidate? If the economy is further in the toilet, will our guy need an X Factor?
I demand that our candidate have proven economic credentials, our guy needs to show that he has proven experience cutting taxes, growing business, closing billion dollar budget gaps, and creating real jobs (not government leaching jobs). Our nominee needs to understand a global economy in order to put our country back on its proper footing.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
“But unlike Mitt, Huck has already endorsed Marco Rubio in Florida’s Senate Primary, returning the favor for Rubio’s endorsement in 2008.”
–:) Bingo, Max
“I think there is a good possibility Huckabee may not run at all.”
–LOL Keep dreamin’, Petey
November 8th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Martha,
We’ll have to agree to disagree about Palin, but we agree that she doesn’t have a prayer of getting nominated. It would make things more interesting though if she did. For one thing, she would pull more votes from Huckabee than from Mitt. The reverse has been happening in the polls, in which Mitt’s share of the vote is staying the same, while Huck gains at Sarah’s expense.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
You heard it here first, Romney-Barbour. Romney will win the nomination, Barbour will reassure the base, and bring the practical, tactical skill to the fight that a stellar executive covets. Romney is a stellar executive, through and through. That’s the winning ticket by demographic, by fundraising, by region, etc.
Romney-Barbour
November 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Dave,
You are right to state that Romney would not get all those votes. To clarify, my position is that he would get the lions share of them. It certainly would make the difference if that scenario plays out.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Huckabee can’t win. He can’t expand his base. Everyone who likes him, already voted for him. He isn’t likely to pick up any more seats.
He’s the potential GOP candidate that is the scariest. And that includes Palin.
I am a religious man, but pardoning people because your pastor says they’re saved is bad, bad, bad government. JFK had to come out and say he wouldn’t take dictation from the Vatican. Romney had to do the same about Salt Lake City. Huckabee – already takes dictation from his religous leaders. No, no, no.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Wade, I posited months ago that Barbour would run to siphon votes away from Huck and then drop out and become Romney’s VP.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
strange ranking since Romney only comes in second or ties at third in the polls. no doubt Romney money is attempting to buy the GOP.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
103, how’s life in the conspiracy cave?
November 8th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
#103,
Polls are not the only factors in determining this I’m sure. It is also very early.
“Romney money is attempting to buy the GOP.”
A candidates ability to fund a campaign should not be construed as a liability. Do you think that the GOP is easily bought & sold? Are you even a Republican? That is a lame smear against both Romney & the GOP I’ve heard several Huck supporters repeat many times. It should stop.
#99 & #102,
I could go for a Romney-Barbour ticket in 2012. We simply must have competent proven fiscal credentials on our ticket.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I have read a few everyone’s comments. Romney and Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. They are done! It is the mainstream news media are taken these polls. It is just to early to tell. We need to have the Republican to win the 2010 election and take control both US House and US Senate. Mrs. Pelosi won’t be the Speaker of the House in 2011. We need to get rid of these Democratic Congress and sent them back home. I have to say that Sarah Palin is number 1 and Tim Pawlenty is number 2 in the Power Rankings.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Bigfoot will get nominee in 2012. He is true conservative.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Barbour’s for Huck. Period
November 8th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
99–Wade E
I had never considered Barbour for Mitt’s VP, but I think you may be on to something. Although I think the
ULTIMATE ticket–as far as good governance and electoral vote securing–would be Mitt/Jeb (assuming, of course, that everyone will be over their “Bush-fatigue” by 2012). However Romney/Barbour has a lot going for it too.
102–Dan L
I hope you are right about Barbour running to undermine Huck. I would love to see Huck get a taste of his own medicine by being the target of that sort of “cooperative” effort between Huck and McCain that cost Mitt the nomination in ‘08.
106–anonymous
I want to say what everyone else is thinking. There are 3 possibilities to why you are such a dolt:
1) You are not a native English speaker
2) You are 6 years old
3) You are mentally challenged
Whatever the case may be, you are always good for a laugh.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
McCain will endorse Huck also.
Those negative untruthful ads that Mitt ran in Iowa and New Hampshire against John…
WILL come back to haunt him. Sorry, Romney fans here. : )
November 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
110, not a chance. McCain may have run a lousy campaign against Obama, but he still would want someone competent to run for president.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
110. What a joke. Did you bother to learn anything in 08? McCain can’t stand the Huckster – who was never anything more than a useful idiot for McCain. As soon as he didn’t need him anymore, he dropped him like a lot potato.
McCain will either endorse Romney or possibly Pawlenty. But never Palin or Huck.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Pawlenty and Huckabee spent months slamming and lying about Romney’s MassCare for political purposes instead of talking about the dangers of Obama’s socialized HealthCare, which is probably what we are going to get. Because of their lies and half truths I could NEVER vote for either of them. I Can’t trust them, and they don’t deserve my vote.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
HuckRub,
Are you aware that McCain has already raised money for Romney?
November 8th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Martha I found your quote rather ironic: “McCain can’t stand the Huckster – who was never anything more than a useful idiot for McCain.”
McCain could not stand Romney. McCain used Romney as a surrogate and Romney was very happy to comply-why? Because Romney was practically begging to be asked to be VP. Once McCain got Romney to help him generate some money, he dropped Romney like a hot potato.
Now who does this all say a lot about: McCain-he used them both. He does like Pawlenty and my guess, is that after the 2010 races, McCain endorses Pawlenty.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Huckabee/Rubio @110
Okay, what were those ads Romney ran against McCain, and why were they untruthful…Romney did not run any untruthful ads against Huckabee or McCain. If you say he did, then your gonna need to prove it.
The ads he ran against Huckabee were true..they were about Huckabee’s record as Governor, and the ads he ran about McCain we true and about his record as Senator. I saw them all at the time on You Tube.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
LOL… Huckrub is kind of fitting isn’t it?
November 8th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Texas,
I’ve read biographies of both Mitt and McCain, and they each have the character trait of not holding grudges. During the General they worked together extensively. It’s common knowledge Mitt was on McCain’s short list for V.P. Ann and Cindy are reputed to be close friends. A couple of months ago, McCain sponsored a fundraiser in Phoenix for Mitt.
THIS you call being dropped like a hot potato??
November 8th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
These polls are as un-useful as polls of “all adults”. In order to understand the path to the nomination, we need to count only those who are likely primary voters. And we would also need to see those numbers for the specific states. These polls of republicans include the vast majority of voters who don’t even tune into the election until the last week or two before the general. They are mostly driven by media exposure and narrative, not any of the real or imaginary issues we discuss here.
Huckabee’s current exposure on FOX is having a predictable effect with these voters. So is the lack of exposure of late for Mitt and Sarah. Sarah’s retail events with the book tour and Oprah will boost her numbers again and get a whole lot of folks here all agitated again.
This won’t start to matter, or even be reliable, until we start sampling primary voters. And I think that is why Max continues to show Mitt in first place.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
115. Why did McCain use Romney as a surrogate, anyway? Because Romney was better at it than anyone. In fact, much better at it than McCain himself.
Why didn’t he ask Huck to help? The truth is, after the primary, McCain didn’t touch Huck with a 10 foot pole. There was a reason.
And, while we’re at it, why didn’t Huck ever once criticize McCain? Because he never was running against McCain.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
For some reason many of Huckabee suppoters don’t seem to understand the nature of candidates running for the same office. Talk is tough and campaigning is brutal, but in the end candidates don’t usually end up hating each other..Mitt could care less about what Huck thinks about him, I have never heard Mitt say one bad thing about him, even as Huck takes jabs at every opportunity, Huck wants to keep the pot simmering for his own benefit and wants to keep his base energized.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Ron Paul isn’t even on the list although he came in second in Nevada (and would have taken the state delegates if the GOP state leadership under Sue Lowden hadn’t turned off the lights and fled without enough votes even to recess the convention.) While he didn’t come in first in any races he came in second or third in many, and had many MANY more delegates than the one Guliani had, even without Nevada. Yet he isn’t even on the list.
Why?
This list obviously is your wishful thinking in an attempt to convince others these are the front runners. I really doubt that in the current political climate that will do more than turn up a number of NY District 23 races.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Your first sentence was on track and then you went off the rails with the second.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Danl, Martha, Ikv, Micah, Dave -
Keep reassuring each other until the bitter end, my friends. We forgive your blindness and bitterness.
And now you’re making fun of Rubio’s name, too. Oh my, will y’all ever learn?
November 8th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
#122 I want to know more about that story. Romney won Nevada by so much that your story seems fishy unless this is something that happened after Mitt dropped out. Either way, Romney and Paul are two of my favorite politicians and I want to know more about this story.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Pence!
November 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
And do you believe in little green men also. So, do you have any evidence, or do you just like making things up?
Ron Paul and his supporters are nut cases and will never be more than a fringe element. Most of their supporters are not even republican, they are just voting in the Primaries to support the nut job that is Ron Paul.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
HuckRub,
Not really making fun of Rubio’s name. More making fun of you.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
That’s better, Micah.
Don’t ever diss Mr. Rubio. Ever!
November 8th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
[...] Look at this article. Do you see Ron Paul? In fact, Ron Paul supporters are described as “fringe elements” throughout the comments section. And take a look at this Gallup Poll, Ron Paul is nowhere to be found. Ron Paul is also ignored in reports on the poll here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. If we thought things had changed and were going to be different this time around we thought wrong. [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
[...] Look at this article. Do you see Ron Paul? In fact, Ron Paul supporters are described as “fringe elements” throughout the comments section. And take a look at this Gallup Poll, Ron Paul is nowhere to be found. Ron Paul is also ignored in reports on the poll here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. If we thought things had changed and were going to be different this time around we thought wrong. [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
2012-2020 Huckabee/Rubio,
You say a lot of nasty things about the Romney supporters here. Have you ever noticed that you accuse people of the very things YOU yourself do?
What is up with that?
November 8th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
The people of this country are going into the next election much more informed and doing their own research for the best candidate and Governor Huckabee is far and away ahead of ANYONE else! The people are recognizing this and his numbers continue to grow! He is perfectly presidential in every way and the best candidate we could ever hope for.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Continue to make “excuses” why Mike Huckabee is not #1 on your list BUT the PEOPLE of this country know what we like and we LIKE MIKE!!!! Just wait until Huck announces his candidacy and YOU WILL SEE THE DONATIONS FLY IN!!! You cannot possibly compare 2008 (where Huck was barely known) to 2012 where EVERYONE knows him!! He won’t have to worry about a lack of money. The people of this country are hungry for a great candidate and WE HAVE FOUND OUR MAN!!!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
That would be great if we could draft Ron Paul for 2012.
Get rid of the Huckster and the rodent hunter.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
No Ron Paul? Here we go again. The big-government neocons never change…
November 8th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Two Words: Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul
November 8th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Surely Gary Johnson has more hope than Ron Paul. Rand has shown that its not just Ron that gets the cash…
November 9th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Guy,
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:27 am
This list is pathetic. Who is this idiot Max Twain? No one on this list has ever read the US Constitution, let alone understood it. There is only one candidate that is not a war-mongering, big government loving, fiscally illiterate neocon. His name is Dr. Ron Paul. What you don’t understand is the one party system is dead. Independents far outnumber the Communist Demonkrats and the Socialist Republikans. We are sick of Communism.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:14 am
To the Huck fans, do you think his lack of formal education hurts him? Going back 40 years and comparing the last eight presidents to Huckabee, he is realitively poorly educated.
He has a “Bachelor’s Degree” in religion from the unknown Ouachita Baptist University which he earned in 2-1/2 years. I’m not familiar with this school’s program but typical bachelors degree programs take considerably more time to complete.
Compare that to Ivy League or advanced degree educations of the recent past Presidents:
Richard Nixon Whittier College
Duke University School of Law
Gerald Ford University of Michigan
Yale Law School
Jimmy Carter Georgia Southwestern College (transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology)
Georgia Institute of Technology (transferred to the United States Naval Academy)
United States Naval Academy
Ronald Reagan Eureka College
George H. W. Bush Yale University
Bill Clinton Georgetown University
University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar)
Yale Law School
George W. Bush Yale University
Harvard Business School
Barack Obama Occidental College (transferred to Columbia University)
Columbia University
Harvard Law School
November 9th, 2009 at 1:44 am
1.Palin: Rockstar crowd sizes, charisma, and very underestimated. (book tour sure to boost her favorables back into the 48-50% range.)
2.Romney: Soild qualifications lacks the charisma needed to beat palin.
3.Huckabee: Qualified, but not viable because of his sterotype conservative image. (white,bible thumper, and from the south)
November 9th, 2009 at 1:45 am
solid*
November 9th, 2009 at 2:05 am
AKReport #142
After four years of Obama, I doubt someone whose qualifications are “Rockstar crowd sizes” and “Charisma” will look so appealing. I think we’ve done that already and it isn’t working out so well. We have a Rockstar-like President who seems lost and in-over-his-head.
GAConservative #141
Compare Huckabee and the last eight Presidents with Romney:
Brigham Young University – graduated as valedictorian, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in English in 1971.
Harvard University (Harvard Law and Harvard Business) – graduated from joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration program. Graduated cum laude from the law school and was named a Baker Scholar for graduating in the top five percent of his business school class.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:22 am
The only candidate that made ANY sense last time…and has NEVER wavered on his votes/opinions in THREE DECADES OF WARNING the idiots in charge that the present state of financial affairs was coming if they did not change their ways…is RON PAUL. I guy who cannot be bought, dissuaded, discouraged, or turned from the truth of what needs to REALLY ‘change’ in DC.
But…I doubt that the American public has much intelligence left to even ‘get it’ any more.
Pardon the language…but this is DEAD ON:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXWzSwZ_wPs
November 9th, 2009 at 3:25 am
This is the GOP field? Hopefully and I say that very tentatively hopefully the people have learned something over the last several years?? This list shows otherwise. Our country is in grave trouble. The GOP & Dem Establishment are enemies to America.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Many commenters here have referred to RP supporters as “fringe”, I just want to know when supporting the Constitutiona nd Constitutional government became a “fringe” or “radical” idea? What’s the matter with you people, are you like Bush who said the Constitution is “just a god damned piece of paper”?
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” – US Founding Father Patrick Henry
I’d say because of people like most of you who’ve posted here, you have neglected your duty as citizens, have stopped supporting Constitutonal government and therefore you have allowed the government to grow to the point it does “dominate our lives and interests” (completely unconstitutionally, I might add).
November 9th, 2009 at 5:22 am
“And now you’re making fun of Rubio’s name, too. Oh my, will y’all ever learn?” Have not you figured it out, (haha) defeating Conservatives is more important than learning.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:06 am
The author of this website has little credibility.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Where is Ron Paul? Is the effort to push him out of the light already beginning? I say Ron Paul 2012.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Your rankings never take into consideration that the base can’t stand Romney. He will never be the nominee, nor will Huckabee or Pawlenty. You guys need to get over your infatuation with Mittens ’cause he isn’t going to win.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Good to see Gary Johnson making his way up the ladder even without being out in the media yet.
According to http://www.garyjohnson2012.com :
-He didn’t raise taxes as Governor once.
-He vetoed over 1,000 spending items.
-He cut taxes 14 times.
-In a state dominated 2 to 1 by Democrats he served two terms.
-He left New Mexico with a balanced budget.
-He competed in the Bataan Death March, a 25 mile desert run in combat boots wearing a 35-pound backpack.
-He climbed to the top of Mount Everest, despite a broken leg.
That sounds like someone we need in Washington.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:18 am
144 – your statement about people being sick of Obama is not entirely correct. A lot of people still like Obama and 2012 will be one of the most difficult elections for the Republicans to win. Obama will use, to his advantage, every aspect of his rockstar persona and people will want to believe it again…if we do not have a charismatic opponent to put against Obama we will be crushed…IMO.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:40 am
All of you who are writing that Ron Paul supporters are “fringe element” have no idea what you are talking about. You are swallowing what the mainstream media spoonfeeds you. You are allowing a liberal media to CHOOSE your candidates for you.
If you like amnesty vote for Huckabee.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1458160/posts?page=61
Youtube Huckabee and interviews about his stance on immigration enforcement. It is deplorable.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Ron Paul has more boots on the ground, more real support than all the other candidates combined. His campaign never ended the Campaign for Liberty has continued gaining momentum.
It is sad when people in the grand old party refer to the Constitution as “Fringe” The GOP needs to do some seriuos housecleaning of all these RINO’s and socialists.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Looked up the alexa ranking for the campaign for liberty compared to Mitt Romney’s site
C4l 4,968
Mitt Romney.com 13,504,298
Who is more popular again?..
November 9th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I noticed Ron Paul missing… afraid of a little competition? Oh, that’s right… Republicans don’t like Capitalism, either, I forgot…
November 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
JerseyRepublican #153,
I didn’t say people were sick of Obama but rather that someone who offers nothing more than a Rockstar persona might not look so appealing.
My opinion is that unless Obama makes a big turnaround and starts crafting legislation and acting like a real leader, America my be looking for someone with real accomplishment and competence in 2012. I believe Romney offers that.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
132. Martha and her Friendellas = BITTER towards Mike Huckabee = FACT
My apology to the Vandellas:
“Nowhere to run to, Romney
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, Romney
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run
Got nowhere to run”
November 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Martha & The Vandellas – Dancing In The Street (NEW) Lyrics
Callin’ out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Mike H is here and the time is right
For dancin’ in the streets
They’re dancin’ in IOWA
Next in South CAROLINA
Down in FLORIDA
All we need is music, sweet music
There’ll be music everywhere
There’ll be swingin’, BASS GUITAR
playin’ and VOTERS swayin’
And dancin’ in the streets !!!
November 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
The reason I don’t want to see Mitt Romney run or won’t get the nominee in 2012 because he has been attacked other candidates last primary election he was doing the debate. He is attacked on news media right now and used calling other people’s name. That why he doesn’t have the idealogy like the former late President Reagan. Romney is not conservative. Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. He is kind of look like “Fred Flintstone”. He has been playing a lot of ‘rock and roll’ music. It is the liberal news media pick their names and decide who is the best candidates for Republican Party in 2012. Let the voters decide. It is just too early to tell.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
As for the list, I prefer Gary Johnson. However, there is already a Constitutionalist that has run for this post and produced money records, support, and a movement that continues and is adding young people as well.
The name does not need to be said as only one person fits that bill and he is not on the list.
Search your mind race2008 and figure out the only Constitutionalist in federal office that is not on your list.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Ron Paul is on more main stream media sites that have of these people combined. Take this news article with a grain of salt. It’s been cooked, good sheep food for the masses.
Ron Paul will have a voice, you can count on that. He use to be not know at all. Just walk up to the average Joe on the street and ask if they have heard of Ron Paul. 60% have. Some of these others in this article, not a chance.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Ron Paul 2012. Your list of candidates , except Johnson , are no different than Obama. Big government shills.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who will bring down the Neo-Con and Neo-Lib parties. END THE FED to bring us true freedom, because printing money out of thin air is the ultimate power.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I just had to say something about Huckabee. You people make me sick who claim he has the most heart. Talk about lowering the special spirit of that phrase. What do you mean he has the most heart? Never in my life have I seen someone more petty, negative, whiney and just downright dishonest.
The guy needs to stop complaining about Romney. I mean act like a man and show your the great positive, Christ like man that you try so hard to show people than any politician in America and that you are above all this. It seems Romney is genuinely a far stronger and greater spirit. Extremely positive and unshakable, as where most of the people who like Huck only like him more based on his religion or his hatred for Mormons than anything else and this shows in how pathetic his fundraising is, in terms of how strong he really is. I think he is just fooling everyone, just like those phony preachers who abuse there congregations.
As far as being liked I mean this is not the first former poor person who has struggled his whole life to trick mass amounts of people. Just look at Obama. Besides he’s another Evangelical from the south like Bush and he would turn all northern states off as well as Utah and states that surround it. Nfor surely go blue.evada and Colorado would
November 10th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Maybe Mike Huckabee shhould use some consistency and keep his weight off, not only when he is planning to run for Pres., as I’m sure he will loose weight again.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Mitt Romney is going to speak at the Young America’s Foundation near former the late President Reagan’s ranch in Santa Barbara County, CA. this weekend. I have say Romney is not a true conservative and he is no Ronald Reagan. I watch Romney’s debate last May when the debate took place at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. Romney didn’t do too well on the debate. There was no winner on this debate at the Reagan Library. Romney is not a big fan of Ronald Reagan. Romney is telling so many lies and he doesn’t deserve to be President. Romney won’t get the nominee in 2012.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
All you can say is Romney, Romney, Romney, like someone who is more driven by hate than anything else. Romney won’t get this and his debate was not perfect ECT ECT. Reagan at one point was pro life and he was the guy who brought amnesty.
You people are fools and cannot even give a reasonable, powerful case as to why Romney sucks. The fact is he is a conservative and his record shows that. Go look at it. One more point, how are you so sure he will not the nomination?
Remember, McCain’s campaign died and he had no money. He was the oldest guy ever, up for the GOP nomination. He won New Hampshire and mostly dodged Iowa. Almost all of those who supported him had Romney as there second choice, especially military and South Carolina is big military country. Romney dropped out a month or a month and a half earlier than Huckabee and he still got way more votes, even though he lost Florida, where Smuck did poorly, even after having won Iowa, he lost New hampshire and Iowa and soth Carloina, seems the bar is pretty low for him and he still got the most votes, other than McCain, who died and came back.
Romney is going to stomp Huckabee and Palin and I can gauantee he is being underestimated by many.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
How can Ron Paul, the conscience of the Republican party, not on the list? If you’re going to make a lost of notable Republicans, be honest…lest the public think you’re a nitwit.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Well here we go again. Can no one see what is happening. I believe the Democrates have a simple plan for victory, divide and conquer. We are three years away and already the division has started. I believe a winning team would be say Romney/Huckabee, or maybe Huckabee/Romney, based on what Obama is doing it looks to me like our country and our freedom are at stake. I have studied and listened to Huckabee and Romney, they are both outstanding indiviuals with conservative principles based on our current leadership. I am interested in integrity and true leadership, when I see cheap shots, half truths,and slanted bigotry, I am left to wonder about character. Both of these men our God fearing Christians, with great families who stand as an ensign to challenged families in this great country. My support and money will go to both as long as we keep our focus on the common challenge. United we will regain the White house, divided we will fail. Our childrens future is at risk, and I beielve we have two powerful leaders that can fix the problem, as long as they do not use their power to destroy one another.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:22 am
..Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul..
..Get with it people, we will make the change, no one can stop us, not the neocons not the reds..
..Check out, appleseed project.com
..Strength & Honor..
November 12th, 2009 at 11:24 am
..Oh, did I mention.. Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul..
November 12th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
LOL @ your “Ron Paul people are fringe elements.” You clowns should watch ‘For Liberty’ and ‘Rally for the Republic’ and see just how ignorant and wrong you are.
Ron Paul was the only republican who had real, live supporters during the last race. Ron Paul did, and still can, field many thousands of supporters at any given rally. He had more actual support than all of the neocon candidates combined. Mitt Romney had to do photo ops with “captive audiences” trapped by him while they were trying to eat breakfast. McCain couldn’t give it away. No mother would ever think of letting Giuliani near her baby, much less kiss it. Fred was asleep half the time. And Huckabee should stick to churches. And Palin. Oh my. She’s attractive, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She’s hostess material, not presidential material.
Ron Paul has actual strategies to turn this country around. All your neocon candidates are just like the democrats. They only have plans to spend and war us into the ground.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.www.MikeHuckabeePresident2012.blogspot.com
November 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
[...] Any guesses as to why Kratolvi voted against the Stupak amendment and the healthcare bill? If it was to ward off a challenge from the left, it’s probably not a strong play to vote against the healthcare bill. …More Here [...]