Posted on 11/17/2009 6:38:24 PM PST by SeekAndFind
1. South Dakota Senator John Thune
Like Mitt Romney, the Junior Senator from South Dakota is straight out of central casting for the role of president. Intelligent, articulate, handsome, with a winning smile and an easy going disposition - it's hard to locate anything missing from the prototypical presidential check list.
SNIP
2. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
With a resume that includes both political and policy posts at the local, state and national level, Mitch Daniels arguably boasts the strongest experience of any Republican in the country. Re-elected overwhelmingly to a second term in 2008 even as President Obama carried the Hoosier State, Daniels’ service as Indiana’s governor would come to an end just as a new president is sworn in. But does he want the job?
SNIP
3. Texas Governor Rick Perry
If Rick Perry wins what’s shaping up to be a blockbuster gubernatorial primary against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison this spring, it will be hard to count out the possibility of another Texas governor making a run for the White House in 2012. Perry, who took office when George W. Bush resigned to become president in 2000, would extend his tenure as the longest-serving governor in Texas history by winning a third full term next fall.
SNIP
4. Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn
At first glance, Tom Coburn doesn't necessarily seem like a presidential contender. He doesn't come from a hugely important state (electorally speaking), he doesn't appear to have the financial network to support a run for the White House, and he hasn't expressed any burning desire - at least so far - to be president.
SNIP
5. Former Vice President Dick Cheney
CLICK ON ABOVE LINK FOR THE REST AND THE COMPLETE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THESE PEOPLE ARE THE CANDIDATES.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
General David Petraeus: Petraeus would have made the big list had he not almost definitely ruled it out last week in an interview on CNN. Asked about whether the "door was open" for a 2012 bid, Petraeus responded, "I'll close it right here, right now. I will remind you of the great country song that used to ask 'What about no don't you understand?'" Country song or not, a year is a long time in politics and Petraeus wouldn't be the first person in history to change his mind.
Reps. Eric Cantor, Mike Pence, and Paul Ryan. All up-and-coming GOP stars who may be players at the presidential level at some point. Right now, however, all three are part of a second tier of possible candidates who realistically lack the stature, clout, and/or star power to make a run at the White House.
The problem is that the House of Representatives is simply not a big enough platform from which to launch a national bid. Only three people in history have won their party's nomination for president as a sitting member of the House. The only one to succeed in winning the presidency was James A. Garfield in 1880.
Hunter/DeMint 2012
We don’t want or need somebody who’s sleek and cool, like the Left has Obama. We need somebody that will get things done, like Palin or Hunter.
What about Kyl from Arizona?
Exactly; see my third post.
Coburn/Petraeus 2012
Palin is in. Forget the rest. The Libs are in a total PANIC. They know. The JIG is up baby. President Palin is coming. The Liberal Waterloo. I am all in.
Boy that would be an awesome ticket.
Cheney will never be our candidate. He would have made a better president than Bush, to be sure. But his public persona is irredeemably tainted. Not that everyone thinks he’s Darth Vader (or the Emperor, or whatever), but they do think there’s something too evil-smirk-y about him.
Piss
1. South Dakota Senator John Thune
No.
2. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
Maybe. Need to research.
3. Texas Governor Rick Perry
Dear God, PLEASE. No.
4. Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn
Sorry. No.
5. Former Vice President Dick Cheney
If he were healthy, a resounding YES. But, sadly, NO.
6. General David Petraeus
Interesting. Maybe.
7. Eric Cantor
8. Mike Pence
9. Paul Ryan
No. No. No.
Just my opinionated 2c worth. Not mentioned in the article:
10. Sarah Palin
YES! YES! YES!
Qualifications:
Spine
Guts
Gonads
Patriotism
Support of the Constitution
Pledge to undue the Socialism of Zero/Congress including Mengele/DeathCare
Unfailing support of our military
Strong on national defense
Stop illegal immigration
Lower taxes and give business incentives to grow again
Purge our intelligence agencies and courts of Liberals
Purge our government of anti-American moles
On all the RNC mail I returned I requested they support Sarah before contacting me again.
Now that would be a kick ass ticket!
What about Newt Gingrich/Palin? He will grow the economy and reduce unemployment through stimulating small businesses and controlling Gov’t spending. He’s definitely not a Union thug sympathizer and surely won’t have SEIU as his “most visited” guest at the White House. Perhaps most importantly, he DEFINITELY WON’T appease, kowtow or pander to the Islamic extremists (domestically or abroad) who seek to kill us. The words “war on terror” will no longer be banned. IT IS WHAT IT IS and Newt is what he is... Direct, honest, a true defender of our Constitution.. In other words, he’s an American who truly loves America unlike the current Tyrant we’re stuck with.
If these are the Dark Horses, why not focus on the Bright Horse?
Palin/Bachmann... or go home.
PS - Ryan and Pence are the real deal up and comers. Cantor is wimpy RINO.
I hasten to add that I realize people often agree with him on the issues, as was demonstrated in his victory in the war of words with Obama over “torture”. But in a strange reason that’s a good reason why he was never meant to be president. He’s too honest. He’s like Reagan, but without the charm. A straight-talker but not a smooth-talker.
He and Lieberman have always stood out to me, partly because they were both veep candidates at the same time, as two old Washingonians who didn’t play the game and who were willing to make people uncomfortable. Both had to swallow their tongues, I’m sure, alongside the “compassionate” Bush and the wacko Gore. But overall, they were honest men.
And it’s not as they lack tact or were unyielding purists. They simply thought what they thought and attempted to carry it over into practice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.