[untenured]

Here's the problem. When Mr. Santelli's rant unleashed the Tea Party, I think it had more success than most of us imagined - it almost derailed health care, and did wonderfully in the 2010 elections. But, amazingly, in 2012 at the presidential level the movement has no date for the prom. Which of the front-running candidates believes in limited government, in breaking the Beltway Bandits and the stranglehold of the administrative state? Rick Perry IMHO showed promise, but we know how that turned out. Sarah Palin made the right noises, but was probably unelectable and is gone in any event.

So where does the Tea Party go? Ron Paul really believes in limited government, but he has this freak-show baggage. So what does the movement to restore liberty do? I never would've thought in November 2010 that the choices would come down to what they have come down to.

[mamelukesabre]

Focus on congress and state level governments. As for president, anyone but obama will do for the next 4 years.

I’m not a fan of ron paul’s foreign policy ideas. But I wouldn’t be too upset about chopping the military operations around the globe(if everything else gets chopped too) for the short term while we get the economy back in one piece.

[Prokopton]

I never would've thought in November 2010 that the choices would come down to what they have come down to.

Stinks, don't it.

2008 = McCain

2012 = Gingrich/Romney.

We have made no progress at all.

[sourcery]

Come January 2013, someone will take the oath of office as President of the US. That person will have the de facto (but not de jure) authority to indefinitely detain you and your family—in any prison operated by any government anywhere in the world.

Which candidate would you prefer to have that power?