GOP Dark Horse Dreams: Can Someone Pull a Goldwater? (Unmentioned, how about Jan Brewer?)

RealClearPolitics ^ | April 26, 2010 | David Paul Kuhn

[neverdem]

The political axiom is familiar today. Republicans nominate the next in line. So it's been from Richard Nixon to John McCain.

The next presidential cycle could prove otherwise. The GOP establishment no longer rides herd over today's elephants. Conservative activists are both exceptionally galvanized and autonomous. It's a unique mix unseen in decades. And critically, the establishment's early favorite has an Achilles heel.

This conservative milieu begs the question: is 2012 the year of the Republican dark horse?

Mitt Romney should be the next Republican nominee. No less than 81 percent of Republican "insiders" say that Romney is the "most likely" to challenge Barack Obama in 2012, according to a January National Journal poll...

--snip--

But when the CBS/New York Times poll asked them what living U.S. political figure they most admire, half of the Tea Party supporters declined to select any of the prominent Republicans listed. Only 5 percent said Romney. Newt Gingrich led the list at 10 percent. This is a conservative grassroots movement with little reverence for the Republican establishment.

--snip--

Goldwater's supporters began as early as 1961 to win precincts and win over conservative activists. The Tea Party is following a similar trail. But they work for a stricter conservative establishment, not a singular conservative challenging the moderate establishment. A Republican dark horse will likely only emerge if he or she can become that singular conservative.

[WOSG]

Governors:
Mitch Daniels.
Bobby Jindhal.
Sarah Palin.
Haley Barbour.

Frankly, I think John Kasich would be great too.

Romney and other 2008 retreads need to step back on this.

[DLfromthedesert]

Won’t John Kasich need an AG on his side to fight Obama policies?

[DLfromthedesert]

LOL I was at the Pima County Lincoln Day Dinner; Both Senator Kyl and Governor Brewer endorsed McCain, who was also present.

[DLfromthedesert]

Sandy Koufax for 2012!!!

[DLfromthedesert]

I had a Kasich for President button and bumper sticker back in ‘98; he would have been WAY better than GWB; but didn’t have the name ID.

[neverdem]

HERE'S THE PROBLEM: The GOP always starts out with 12 percent of the population against them (Blacks). Now, add 13 percent of the population (Hispanics) and she would start the campaign with 25 percent of the vote in her opponent's column.

It's not that great. Many Latinos oppose amnesty. Why would all Blacks be in favor of amnesty? They want more low skilled illegal aliens to compete with for jobs? Once Latinos numbers are big enough, Latinos frequently compete with them for elective office. Latino gangs have declared open season on them in many parts of Los Angeles. In jails, there are plenty of fights between Black and Latino gangs.

77% Oppose Drivers’ Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Republicans oppose giving drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants. So do 68% of Democrats and 75% of those not affiliated with either major political party. There is little difference along gender, age, or income levels.

Those numbers are from Nov. 07, before the recession started.

[Texas Fossil]

I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice!

And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

Barry Goldwater -1964

[itsahoot]

Ryan is the only one who has a chance.

Ryan is on the Committee to balance the budget, report will be issued in December, wait for that then we shall see.

[xkaydet65]

I’m old enough to remember what happened to AuH20.

[Freddd]

During the 2008 election, Democrats were already foaming at the mouth for Romney to run.

They have their attacks already ready.

[itsahoot]

Goldwater won the GOP nomination in 1964, but scared voters in the general election

He was the least social conservative in the running. He was as lefty on that as Ron Paul. But that aside the Daisy add didn't help either.

[neverdem]

I’m old enough to remember what happened to AuH20.

Me too. I also remember what happened to Hillary's main rival.

[SmartInsight]

My choice: Palin/Brewer 2012.

[caddie]

The whole thing depends upon the courage of the electorate.

If there are people still talking about RINOs like Romney and other filth, then, no, there is no hope of their ever being reform.

The sad thing I see is that when Palin is even mentioned, then, a bunch of panty-waists pop up to say, "Oh, she's not ready to be President," or other wimply crap.

So as long as those people exist in some number in the GOP, then, we are doomed.

But when the GOP rank and file get truly fed up and want real men to be their candidates, then, they will champion Palin, Brewer, and Baumann.

Real men, all....

Wait a minute...

[JoeFromSidney]

I'm not sure I'd trust DeWine to oppose Obama's policies. He was a "wet" when he was in the Senate. He even voted to renew the Clinton gun ban.

[Once-Ler]

Goldwater didn’t scare anyone; the Media did the job in the usual fashion. They allowed LBJ to lie, and forbid goldwater from telling the whole truth.

We always face a liberal media. We don't always fail at the polls so spectacularly that it spawns the "Great Society."

[Once-Ler]

Failure to attract voters in 1964 resulted in the “Great Society.” Goldwater turned his extreme defense of liberty and pursuit of justice over to the Johnson Administration and they stomped on it and laughed. Failure is not virtuous either

[DLfromthedesert]

But wouldn’t you have a better chance with him than with a RAT? And John Kasich, as I recall, is pretty persuasive in a non-threatening manner. He might not want to go against his Republican governor.

[ConservativeDude]

Are you kidding? Mike DeWine is back?

[ConservativeDude]

Daniels is good, Harbour also. Some talk of DeMint.

Honestly, I don’t think Palin will run. Why should she? Life is good for her right now. Not sure I see her giving that up....