[Yorlik803]

I like Cruz. He is smart and isn’t afraid to piss off the right people. Rand Paul is number 2 but because he has Ron Pauls DNA make me a little worried.

[cripplecreek]

[Old Teufel Hunden]

I truly believe the Republicans have a very talented field vying for the presidency. You forgot to put Marco Rubio in there and I’m pretty sure he’s going to run. I would only make one comment, I’m very wary on Rand Paul’s foreign policy positions. Because of Obama, we are entering a very dangerous age in world politics and we can’t have a President who is going to dis-engage from the world.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

whoops, not Rubio, I meant to say John Kasich

[Pollster1]

Good analysis, but you grade generously by my standards.

Ted Cruz - A; conservative pick
Rand Paul - B-; named after Ayn Rand, and son of Ron Paul, what could go wrong? :) Would definitely love to see the country move more in the libertarian direction.
Marco Rubio - C-; severe concerns due to immigration stance, but otherwise a good republican
Scott Walker - A-; union buster, executive experience, great campaigner, unsure of his immigration reliability.
Rick Perry - B-; Good guy from a good state with executive experience, but a little weak in three areas: articulating his stance, organizing a campaign, and I forgot the third area
Chris Christy - D-; Big government, pro-Amnesty, anti-gun, I’m not sure why he’s not a democrat, but none of us can say we wouldn’t love to see him debate another lib!
Jeb Bush - C-; I dislike him but due to his last name, and due to his stance on Amnesty, Obamacare, and the Second Amendment, really doubt he’d be nominated
Ben Carson - B+; great guy but little executive experience, but worlds better than current prez.

[fatnotlazy]

Ted Cruz is my choice, but regardless of who you and every other FReeper support, this will be the first exciting primary this country has had in a while. IMO the last 2 presidential races were snoozers. Same tired candidates spouting the same crapola. Nice to see some young fresh blood in this race.

[Gay State Conservative]

Scott Walker and Ted Cruz sound pretty good to me.Jeb sounds like Caesar Chavez to me.

[Gay State Conservative]

Ben Carson sounds good too but the Presidency as your first elective office might be a stretch.

[b4its2late]

I’d downgrade both Crusty and Bushie a bit.

[CatherineofAragon]

I don’t think Christie has any particular debating skills. He’s all bombast and show.

Cruz, on the other hand....

[Chickensoup]

It may sound odd, but I don’t honestly care which of the below winnowed list are President.

I would prefer that these people and other conservatives decline to provide a circular firing squad at the behest of the leftist media, but instead, get together to plan an administration and cabinet that will roll back leftism within our government. Country first, egos second.

An administration that has courage enough to ask for resignations of the entrenched leftists, end entire bureaucracies (think EPA, Education) give states more self determination, and focus on a healing domestic policy with strong defenses and borders.

Ted Cruz - A+ conservative pick

Rand Paul - Would definitely love to see the country move more in the libertarian direction.

Scott Walker - A+ union buster.

Rick Perry - A+ Good guy from a good state with executive experience

People I would like to see with strong roles in a conservative administration would include Trey Gowdy, Mike Lee, Pence, and other conservatives working in the trenches.

[showme_the_Glory]

When the MSM is talking candidates for the republican party, they bend over backwards to either leave out Crux’s name, or trash it. They have confirmed my choice. Cruz2016

[ScottinVA]

Cruz and Walker are my top two:

1)Cruz because he is unrelenting in his conservative philosophies, yet highly likeable while slicing opponents and their policy positions in half.

2)Walker, because he has an extensive record of accomplishment in a state that on paper “should” never have elected him. His administration’s policies have brought Wisconsin’s unemployment rate down from 9.2% to 5.2%, and it has wiped out the Doyle-era’s $3.6 billion deficit. Additionally, no Republicans are as battle-tested as Walker.

[cdcdawg]

“Rand Paul - named after Ayn Rand ...”

Really?

[ctdonath2]

Cruz is my pick.
But will he be the pick of 51% of voters?
The Leftist media will go after him like a full on war.
But maybe it will be his “outrageous” hard stance that will get the win. Squishy centrist doesn’t...

[Resolute Conservative]

Cruz or lose.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ted Cruz - A+ conservative pick <-—THIS

Rand Paul - F for Fony (sic), liberal panderer to Al Sharpton

Marco Rubio - F, Liar and fraud. Sold out his supporters before the ink was dry on his election certificate. The Hispanic Charlie Crist.

Scott Walker - A - Should’ve run in 2012. Momentum is with Cruz.

Rick Perry - F, another fraud and phony. Panderer to illegals: “La Raza Rick.” Champion of the Trans-Texas corridor to flood Middle America with millions more illegals. Obsessed with giving little girls Gardasil. Stayed too long as Governor of Texas by 8 years. A Karl Rove/Al Gore/Jimmy Carter Democrat convert.

Chris Christy - F, a buffoon and blowhard that has done zilch for Conservatives in NJ. Sees nothing criminal about illegals. Good buddy with Zero and gifted Cory Booker a Senate seat.

Jeb Bush - F, Made it plain as day he doesn’t want a Conservative Republican party. Prefers one made up of big gubmint liberals and criminal invaders. First act as President would be to legalize every border-jumper from Maine to California.

Ben Carson - Incomplete, no experience, no record.

[Rodamala]

I don't want a field of candidates... I want everyone to rally behind one rock-solid LEADER that can kick Hillary's sagging ass, punch Elizabeth Warren in the mouth, and put this nation back on track as a nation of laws with absolute protection of my rights to life, liberty and private property. That is all that matters.

I believe such a leader would be molded in this image:

[Lurkinanloomin]

Ted Cruz - A+ conservative pick
Rand Paul - C- Decided after getting to Washington he’d become Mitch McConnell’s best friend
Marco Rubio - F - Decided to scheme with Schumer against the citizens with his Gang.
Scott Walker - B - Has only recently decided he’s for the rule of law, previously sided with illegal aliens and their employers
Rick Perry - F - A cheap labor importer
Chris Christy - F - A Democrat in an R jersey
Jeb Bush - F- A cheap labor importer Democrat in an R jersey
Ben Carson - Not a serious candidate

Clearly Ted Cruz 2016

[TexasGunLover]

Perry is a former Democrat and an Aggie. He's not qualified to mow the lawn.

Ted Cruz is great, but stands somewhere right below the halfwit reality TV star Palin of getting the nomination.

Beyond the minority conservatives on FR, the average VOTER is middle of the road on most issues. They like compromise and agreement. They're fed up with taxes, welfare and lack of character in the ruling class. They want to be left alone, largely want us to leave the rest of the world alone. They like inexpensive gas, and Walmart.

While this middle ground seems nice, it unfortunately gives ground to the left who is pulling way left. Until you get to the right 3% of conservatives, you don't find the counteraction against this leftward pull. It is this 3% or less that likes Ted, Sarah or any other FR star. It's also why they'll never be nominated.