The plutocratic wing chose the party’s presidential nominee in 2012 and demoralised everybody. Which one of the Freak Show candidates would have done better? Newt? Santorum? Ron Paul? Rick Perry? Herman Cain? Michelle Bachmann? Tim Pawlenty?
I was at a conference luncheon with Norquist back when I was doing more political work, and one of the things he was ranting about looking back at the 2012 election is that he felt that there were only 3 candidates who were actually looking to win - Perry, Romney, and Pawlenty. The rest of them were just looking to sell books/grab their 15 minutes of fame and really weren't interested in the race in and of itself.
I don't think Bush can win the GOP nomination, but if he does, Mrs. Clinton will crush him at the polls. I'm more concerned about the upcoming congressional elections. Were the GOP to win control of both houses, it would mean our Congress is under the thumb of extremists of the far right, and that would be a disaster. A disaster that could happen. So if any of you are religious (I'm not), pray that this doesn't occur. This isn't your father's Republican Party.
Jeb Bush is a reasonable guy that actually cares about governing and finding solutions. I don't think he can win the nomination.
@Deck: The only way that happens is if dems don't get out and vote. Just remember: it’s not republican voters who elect republicans. It’s democratic voters who stay home that elect republicans.
And frequently Democrats don't bother voting. You and I do, of course, but the specter of apathy worries me a great deal.
Couple of "broad stroke" notions to consider: 1. Very little will be accomplished after mid-terms regardless of results. 2. If Republicans win both houses in November, the more it will boomerang on them in 2016. They just can't help themselves.
Just another crony for the 1%, and I would love to see the GOP nominate him. Then he can run on dismantling affordable healthcare. I can't wait!
I don't think it will matter all that much. It appears that our gov't is completely gridlocked unless one party can hold 3 arms of the legislative process. I think Jeb could give Hillary a run for her money. Probably the only candidate that could. The Bush brand is tarnished but Jeb is a lot savior than his brother. Bush would inspire Republican turnout a lot more than Romney did. The bigger issue the Republican party has is that a candidate capable of tacking towards the middle will have some tough positions to defend. The GOP is so extreme that they really handicapped Romney coming out of the primary. He might be able to beat a mediocre Dem candidate, but not Hillary. Clinton has so much going for her. Women will come out in droves and drag their hubbies to the poll. She has Bill to inspire the base. She just has Bill. People will see her return as the return of better times - the late 90's. It's just too powerful. I'd say only Jeb has any chance of beating her - and that's being generous. Heck, I am voting for her as I think she will make a great President.
The GOP nominating Jeb this time against Hillary is roughly equivalent to trotting out Bob Dole against Bill in 1996. He's guaranteed to lose but won't embarrass them. His only chance is if Hillary's candidacy implodes due to scandal or some kind of giant gaffe on the campaign trail. In other words, Jeb gets nominated because the party realizes they don't have a legit candidate. It's possible, but I still believe someone other than dogs like Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, Bobby Jindal is out there. What about Scott Walker? I know little about him. Can he withstand the background checks and pressure? Who are GOP fatcat donors eyeing right now?
No, Scott Walker isn't presidential. Only Christie is and I dont think he will recover from traffic gate. None of those other candidates are legit. Huckabee is yesterday's news...guy never had much personality. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, or even Paul Ryan could do ok, but they are just going to get destroyed by a savvy politician like Hilary. It's not going to be pretty for the GOP in 2016. I think they really have to look to 2024 before they can realistically think about getting the white house back. Can you believe that....
Scott Walker has been a poor candidate before. The last time he ran (and lost), the main focus of his campaign was to make fun of Elizabeth Warren for her Native American heritage even though she really does come from a Native American background. What an odd thing for Walker to bring out as his focus of attack. I don't think he's a candidate ready for prime time.
Why on God's green earth would anyone want him to have success? Oddly enough i seems to me the only people who want Jeb as the republican nominee are democrats.
Good point, as were your "broad strokes" comments earlier. The problem I have with a Republican Congress, even for two years, is what you pointed out. Little would get done, and there are enormous problems facing the country. As bad as the Republican House has been the last several years, this would be far worse. It would be "throwing away" two years when we desperately need congressional action on a host of issues. I think we need a Congress acting for the good of the country during those two years, not for the good of a small group of wealthy Americans busy pouring ungodly amounts of money into our broken political system, thanks to a radical Supreme Court. I do think it matters, as I point out in my response above to A_3PO. I can't stand the thought of the last half of Obama's last term being completely stymied by a GOP Congress led by extremists, and those afraid to offend them, like Mr. Boner. Yes, it is apt to lead to a Democratic congressional election landslide in four years, but the price is a steep one for our country, in my humble opinion. This part of your post? Couldn't agree more. -
