In a few weeks, the first debate of the presidential political season will take place for Republican candidates. Except the roster of participants is so filled with lackluster, no-name, misfit candidates, it’s hard to see how the debate will proceed at all.
Let’s face it folks: Republicans are running away from a match-up with President Obama faster than they can run away from a political scandal. Mike Huckabee, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Gov. Chis Christie of New Jersey, have all come out to say they will NOT run for president in 2012. Even Donald Trump called off his publicity stunt political stab at the presidency.
The Republican party has a huge problem on its hands. They’ve created such a tiny box that all their candidates MUST fit into, it’s nearly impossible for even the most popular names to have a shot at it. Republicans expect their prospects to be Christian, ultra-conservative, pro-marriage and fidelity, anti-abortion, anti-Obama, anti-national health care, anti-gay rights, anti-gay marriage, anti-social programs, and then some! But it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the better GOP candidates to tow the line. Former Mass. governor Mitt Romney would be a formidable candidate to run. But because he once established a health care program in his state that is similar to President Obama’s, he will have trouble getting the nomination. Then there’s Utah’s John Huntsman, who looks and acts presidential and would be a telegenic dream for the GOP. Except he just returned from his post as U.S. Ambassador to China — a job given to him by President Obama!
The candidates for the GOP nomination are slim pickings. And for the first black president, who still has above 50% approval numbers, has threatened to raise one billion dollars for his reelection campaign, and just captured and killed Osama Bin Laden, many in the GOP ranks are beginning to believe there’s just no way to beat him.
So let’s take a look at who’s officially running and who’s left over:
NEWT GINGRICH – Some are saying his candidacy has already ended before it’s even begun. The former architect of the “Contract With America” has been married 3 times, cheated on his 2nd wife with the woman who is now his 3rd wife, and even told his 2nd wife that he was leaving her while she was lying in a hospital bed suffering from cancer. So he can never promote the Republican theme of “family values.” He’s also been critical of other Republicans within the past few days, which has not made him many friends within the party. And he’s made some disparaging remarks about African-Americans. Making enemies this early in the game is not a way to win an election.
PREDICTION: Newt will soon crash and burn.
RON PAUL – His quirkiness made him a popular standout last time around, so expect more of the same this time as well. He’s a funny guy with a “different” approach to politics. But he doesn’t have the gravitas within the party to secure the nomination, let alone beat the sitting president.
PREDICTION: Close, but no cigar.
HERMAN CAIN – The former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and current conservative radio host announced to his Tea Party base this past Saturday that he is formally a candidate. As an African-American man, Cain could appeal to some within the GOP as a strength to put up against Barack Obama. But Cain has never held elected office or has even run one campaign. He knows little to nothing of foreign policy and his candidacy seems more of a gimmick than a legitimate challenge.
PREDICTION: He doesn’t have a chance in hell.
TIM PAWLENTY – The former Minnesota governor made a formal announcement last night that he is a candidate. Out of all the names in the race, Pawlenty probably has the best chance of all to lure the Republican vote. He’s conservative, faithfully married, sticks closely to the GOP mantra, and has no known skeleton’s in his closet. But can he beat Obama? Probably not!
PREDICTION: Likely to get the nod.
DONALD TRUMP – Hahahahahahahaha! Enough said!
SARAH PALIN – As her numbers continue to tumble and as other Tea Party names continue to overshadow her, you’d be hard pressed to find any majority of the country who believes she is a worthy candidate. She’s best staying out of politics and remaining a “personality” who can say or do whatever she wants without recourse.
PREDICTION: See “Donald Trump” above.
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When I was getting ready for work this morning they were talking about this very thing on CNN. Repubs were hoping for Mitch Daniels to get into it because their not all that happy with the group they have now. But Mitch turned em down so now they are gonna press Chris Christie in Jersey. But it doesn't matter no way because none of them can beat Obama.