“I still worry that the GOP will find a way to deliver another terrible presidential candidate.”
I agree. Romney is too moderate for many in the Republican base. Plus many people will not vote for a Morman. While Palin energizes the conservative base the mainstream press will destroy her. Even today she gets flustered under intense questioning for which she is not prepared. She is too polarizing a figure.
Gingrich is articulate, but has too many skeletons in his closet. Pawlenty is unknown and like Romney looks like a corporate suit. Bobby Jindal is not yet seasoned enough. Haley Barbour is a politician, not a transforming visionary. He is a creature of the established order.
I don’t yet see a truly conservative Republican, committed to small government, who can articulate a vision and inspire enough independents to win the election in 2012. The party has become an expert in putting forth candidates whose major attribute is they aren’t as bad as the other guy (Bush I, Dole, Bush II, McCain). The people want someone they can enthusiastically vote “for”, not another candidate they support only because the alternative is worse.
Excellent summation of the potential candidates.
I adore Sarah Palin, but I agree that she is polarizing, and faces the same “ceiling” Hillary! did in terms of a negative perception.
The key is someone who has her enthusiam, but who does not have her negatives.
Right now, the only person with that combination is Governor Chris Christie of NJ.
Plus he’s not a metrosexual, and looks like a typical American (hah)!
Exactly right.