Not a shocker, honestly.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Huckabee not running in 2012
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by Moonlight J View PostNot a shocker, honestly.
It seems more and more that the GOP has voted with its feet and won't be putting up credible opposition in 2012. MItt is neutralized by his religion and his record on health care, Pawlenty & Daniels are as charismatic as a shoe, Ron Paul is a punchline. Maybe Mike Pence gets in and tarnishes his star, but right now I just don't see the GOP making a run at this."There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
-
A lot of things could change over the next several months, but right now serious politicians don't seem to want to run against Obama. It's one thing to snipe from the sidelines. It's another to stick your neck out there. And then, of course, there are people like Newt, who just don't seem to get the fact that nobody likes or wants them.
There are some good candidates the GOP could run, intelligent and thoughtful politicians. Unfortunately, the people who decide who carries the GOP banner are not presently in the mood for intelligent and thoughtful politicians. They want Trump. They want Bachmann. They want people who will express their anger, frustration and bitterness that it is no longer 1952. I think some of these potentially strong GOP candidates are looking to 2016, figuring that by then Obama will no longer be an obstacle, and the Tea Party will no longer call the tunes.
I'm not saying Obama has a lock for 2012...far from it. I think it is very possible that someone running from the extreme right could beat him. That person would have to do things, however, that many GOP hopefuls could not stomach.
It will be extremely interesting to see how things go from now until the 2012 elections. Have Republicans in places like Wisconsin and Michigan overplayed their hands? How will the GOP on a national level recover from the resounding rejection of the Ryan budget and the ideas that underpinned it?
There are brilliant people in the GOP, just as there are in the Democratic Party. Right now, the GOP isn't listening to its smart people. I'm not sure about the Dems. What I do see is a President who continues to accomplish the things he set out to accomplish...maybe not on the timetable that some in the left would prefer, but with steady progress nonetheless. Osama bin Laden is just the latest example. I think many are underestimating just how huge that is. Maybe Obama should have donned a flight suit and strutted around on a carrier, proclaiming "Mission Accomplished". But that's not his style. That won't keep people, especially independents, from realizing and appreciating the mission he accomplished.
But, there are a world of possible scenarios which could play out between now and the 2012 elections. Obama has been on top, apparently done for, and back on top. This cycle could repeat itself several more times. It's too early for anyone to count their chickens.
Comment
-
I don't think Obama is a lock, but neither can I see any of this group beating him. Especially if the economy continues its agonizingly slow recovery. If unemployment gets anywhere near 8%, I don't see how the GOP can win. Romney won't inspire the GOP rank-and-file, Pawlenty doesn't seem ready for prime time, and Newt has so many flaws it would be a pleasure running against him.
I've said it before, but the only one who makes me nervous is Daniels. (On the other hand, he's also the only GOP candidate I could actually vote for or feel comfortable in the presidency.) I guess it's possible for Tea-Party mania to make Ron Paul a viable candidate, but I don't see him running well outside of the south and parts of the west. I mean, what states would he take away from Obama? Certainly Indiana is lost to Obama no matter who runs against him. (And maybe NC or even Florida depending on the GOP nominee). But is Ohio going Tea Party? I just don't see it. So even if the GOP takes back Indiana, NC and Florida, they still lose.
Remember, all Obama has to do is take the states that went for Kerry and then just one or two more. He has a lot of room for error while the GOP candidate has to run an almost perfect campaign, which none of these guys is remotely capable of doing. A year and a half is more than a lifetime in politics so this could be turned on its ear. But assuming no sea-changes and looking at the electoral college, Obama supporters must be feeling pretty good right now.Last edited by Wonderboy; 05-15-2011, 11:33 AM.“Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comment
-
I wrote my post above way too early this morning. I hadn't even had my first cup of coffee.
One thing I should have said is that Huckabee's decision doesn't surprise me either. He's not an ideologue. He's a self-promoter, and an excellent one. Right now, there is way more money in not running for President, plus he gets to keep his present platforms, plus he doesn't have to answer any questions from the pesky media if he doesn't want to.
Comment
-
Originally posted by Wonderboy View PostIf unemployment gets anywhere near 8%, I don't see how the GOP can win."The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable." -NY Times
"For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you’ve got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she’s talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts" - Joe Biden
Comment
-
Originally posted by cardboardbox View Postit just keeps getting tougher for the repubs. Last time I saw you make this statement it was, "if unemployment gets down to 8% and housing picks up."
BTW, just curious. But did anything happen between my first post and this one that might have upped the bar for republicans? You know, like killing Osama bin Ladin? Sheesh, I know you love spreading bile because that's about all you're good at, but you really had to stretch for this one. I'm flattered that you're hanging on my every word, but you need another hobby.Last edited by Wonderboy; 05-15-2011, 07:17 PM.“Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comment
-
Originally posted by Wonderboy View PostYeah, I can now see how wildly inconsistent my two statements are. One time I said "if unemployment gets anywhere near 8%" and the other time I said "if unemployment gets down to 8% and housing picks up". That was certainly worth your time to search out my prior quote in order to call me out for being so outrageously contradictory. It especially concerns me because you are usually so conciliatory and understanding; so coming from you, this really hurts.
BTW, just curious. But did anything happen between my first post and this one that might have upped the bar for republicans? You know, like killing Osama bin Ladin? Sheesh, I know you love spreading bile because that's about all you're good at, but you really had to stretch for this one. I'm flattered that you're hanging on my every word, but you need another hobby."The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable." -NY Times
"For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you’ve got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she’s talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts" - Joe Biden
Comment
-
Originally posted by Wonderboy View PostYeah, I can now see how wildly inconsistent my two statements are. One time I said "if unemployment gets anywhere near 8%" and the other time I said "if unemployment gets down to 8% and housing picks up". That was certainly worth your time to search out my prior quote in order to call me out for being so outrageously contradictory. It especially concerns me because you are usually so conciliatory and understanding; so coming from you, this really hurts.
BTW, just curious. But did anything happen between my first post and this one that might have upped the bar for republicans? You know, like killing Osama bin Ladin? Sheesh, I know you love spreading bile because that's about all you're good at, but you really had to stretch for this one. I'm flattered that you're hanging on my every word, but you need another hobby."When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Wonderboy View PostYou mess with The Wondeboy, you get the...the ah...oh hell, I got nothing."When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."
Comment
-
for the record, I never mentioned, nor thought about wild inconsistencies. I just found it amusing that the bar had been lowered so quickly and wondered where it would be 3, 6, 12 months from now.
But the rant was cute. In a rabid squirrel sort of way."The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable." -NY Times
"For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you’ve got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she’s talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts" - Joe Biden
Comment
Comment