GOP presidential hopefuls jockey for position in a crowded 2016 field

The Washington Post ^ | November 8, 2014 | Philip Rucker

[2ndDivisionVet]

More than a dozen Republican governors and senators are rushing to line up supporters, pore over policies and map out strategies for the 2016 presidential campaign, concluding that last week’s midterm rout of Democrats shows that the GOP has a strong chance of taking back the White House.

Whereas Democrats are rapidly coalescing around Hillary Rodham Clinton as their standard-bearer, there is no heir apparent on the Republican side. The field is as splintered as the Grand Old Party itself, with stark differences along the lines of ideology, style and background.

“Tuesday night certainly gives the Republicans a sense of hope and momentum, and that fuels enthusiasm, interest and engagement,” said former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (R), a 2012 presidential candidate. “There’s an enhanced opportunity that will propel more candidates toward 2016.”

For the first time in a generation, there is no singularly dominant contender on the Republican side, leaving a passel of governors, senators and other luminaries jockeying for position.

Some hopefuls sound all but certain to run: Texas Gov. Rick Perry is inviting hundreds of policy heavyweights, financiers and grass-roots activists to Austin for private consultations in December, his final full month in office. Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) has summoned his advisers, donors and supporters to Washington this week for strategy meetings. Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) is preparing to push a hard-line conservative agenda on Capitol Hill, beginning this week in the Senate’s lame-duck session....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Yeah, it's so "splintered" that it won perhaps the biggest victory in almost one hundred years. Where do they find these writers?

[Slyfox]

... and on the demoncraps side they have only one contender ...

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

I just want a conservative, especially a social conservative.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Beware of Elmer Gantry.

[TomGuy]

Whereas Democrats are rapidly coalescing around Hillary Rodham Clinton as their standard-bearer

That depends on who one listens to. The Media are pushing for Hillary, but the big money brokers aren't necessarily. The same faction that derailed her last trip to her coronation are working to derail her again. Most of the candidates she and BJ campaigned with lost last Tuesday. That did not help her. Her book didn't sell and her book signings didn't fill up with massive numbers of devotees.

[Organic Panic]

And what fresh faced candidates full of energy and optimism do the democrats have???
...
...
Elizabeth Warren???

Yep. that’s it.

The Hope and Change juggernaut sank to the bottom of the Potomac.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Elizabeth Warren is basically the same age as Hillary Clinton. Joe Biden is even older, as is Bernie Sanders.

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Beware of those who want our votes but not our values.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Who, particularly?

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Do you want a list?

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

I’ve listed my top tier on numerous occasions: Cruz, Palin, Jindal, Santorum, and Pence. I quit voting for (ahem) moderates a long time ago.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Just as I am sure you don’t follow every post of mine, I’m afraid I don’t follow everything you do here.

[LouAvul]

I don't think a truly conservative man can get the nomination. Somebody who denounces homosexuality as the abomination it is. Refuses to reward criminals who are in America illegally. Denounces abortion as a holocaust.

Or, maybe my definition of conservative is obsolete?

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Fair enough.

[Persevero]

No, not obsolete. Conservatism is a three legged stool as described by Reagan IMO

- foreign policy
- fiscal policy
- social policy.

Take away a leg and you lose.

[JRandomFreeper]

A candidate that is pro-life, pro-2nd amendment, for free-market medicine, for strong borders and has a history of reducing federal government will get my vote.

Obviously, I couldn't vote for Romney with that list.

/johnny

[Usagi_yo]

Democrat Manchin should be in the presidential primary. Or perhaps some conservative leaning democrat. Keep hillary way left during the primary and not let her encroach on Conservative issues.

[VanDeKoik]

“GOP presidential hopefuls jockey for position in a crowded 2016 field”

Well have fun. I’ll be over here with Cruz actually winning.

[VanDeKoik]

Get Biden in. And then cross over and help him beat Hillary.

[Victor]

What a frightening photo- all you need to know about this freak are in the eyes....a psychopathic killer consumed by lust for power.