Charles Krauthammer: Republican racing form for 2012

The Los Angeles Daily Breeze / The Washington Post ^ | April 21, 2011 | Dr. Charles Krauthammer

[2ndDivisionVet]

Unified Field Theory of 2012, Axiom One: The more the Republicans can make the 2012 election like 2010, the better their chances of winning.

The 2010 Democratic shellacking had the distinction of being the most ideological election in 30 years. It was driven by one central argument in its several parts: the size and reach of government, spending and debt, and, most fundamentally, the nature of the American social contract. 2010 was a referendum on the Obama experiment in hyperliberalism. It lost resoundingly.

Of course, presidential elections are not arguments in the abstract but arguments with a face. Hence, Axiom Two: The less attention the Republican candidate draws to him/herself, the better the chances of winning. To the extent that 2012 is about ideas, about the case for smaller government, Republicans have a decided edge. If it's a referendum on the fitness and soundness of the Republican candidate - advantage Obama.

Which suggests Axiom Three: No baggage and no need for flash. Having tried charisma in 2008, the electorate is not looking for a thrill up the leg in 2012. It's looking for solid, stable, sober and, above all, not scary.

Given these Euclidean truths, here's the early line. (Remember: This is analysis, not advocacy.)

LONG SHOTS

Michele Bachmann: Tea Party favorite. Appeals to Palinites. Could do well in Iowa. Hard to see how she makes her way through the rest of the primary thicket. A strong showing in debates and a respectable finish would increase her national stature for 2016. But for now: 20-1 to win the nomination....

[2ndDivisionVet]

"...In 1978, Krauthammer quit medical practice to direct planning in psychiatric research for the Jimmy Carter administration, and began contributing to The New Republic magazine. During the presidential campaign of 1980, Krauthammer served as a speech writer to Vice President Walter Mondale.

In January 1981, Krauthammer began his journalistic career, joining The New Republic as a writer and editor. His New Republic writings won the 1984 "National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism." In 1983, he began writing essays for Time magazine. In 1985, he began a weekly column for the Washington Post for which he won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for commentary...."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Krauthammer

[Bringbackthedraft]

Krauthammer served as a speech writer to Vice President Walter Mondale. ............................ OMG, we gotta keep him away from Palin. We don’t need the kind of results the Mondale Campaign had.

[Big Horn]

In 2012 Obama is going to have a record to defend, he had none when elected in 2008.

[reasonisfaith]

Krauthammer, you’re so obvious. It’s hard to believe you’re a psychiatrist.

This is your poorly veiled attempt at trying desperately to stop Palin from running.

Regarding your mention of Palin—that you placed so conspicuously down near the bottom—I doubt very much Palin herself will take your fabricated opinion seriously.

If she ever even sees it.

[reasonisfaith]

Sorry, Krauthammer.

You will not be the secret weapon of the ruling class for taking out Sarah Palin.

[Aria]

I wonder how the Kraut’s previous racing forms played out?

I think he overestimates Obama’s personality strength going into 2012 - a lot of people who voted for the monster have seen through him now.

[bray]

The Country Club has spoken!

Pray for America

[screaminsunshine]

Laying the groundwork for Jeb Bush.

[onyx]

I hope he never plays the horses, but candidates are not horses and Charles couldn't have fielded a weaker field if he actually tried.

He left the Thoroughbred in the stable.

[streetpreacher]

Screw this big government neocon... along with Fred Barnes and George Will... William Krystol and the rest of ‘em. We don’t need these snotty Beltway elites mapping out a victory strategy. If Obama sends ground troops to Libya, half of them would support him.

[newzjunkey]

The posted link wasn't working. Too busy it said. Here's an alternative link at National Review

[GlockLady]

That was my take on it too... That he was trying to paint her OUT of the picture.

Also, how is their message going to be heard if no body pays any attention to them?

[newzjunkey]

Are you suggesting Palin is the thoroughbred?

[newzjunkey]

We don’t need the kind of results the Mondale Campaign had.

What possesses you to think Palin wouldn't have Mondale like results, or at least, McCain/Palin-like results?

[unseen1]

I guess CK doesn't understand that when Mitt and Jeb were in the pizza shop explaining how it was time to move beyond Reagan. Gov Palin was talking about common sense conservatism and setting the narrative for the 2010 election. Who does CK think set the narrative for the 2010 elections? Jeb bush? Mitt romney?

CK is an idiot of the 1st order

[unseen1]

rofl...because Palin is a reaganite. And Mondale was a liberal and MCain was a rino.

[bray]

I think he was predicting a 5-10 seat pickup last Nov. and would have been right if not for that pesky Tea Party. At least he kept us from taking the Senate w/his attacks on O’Donell.

Pray for America

[re_nortex]

Pray for America

And pray for Charles Krauthammer and his RINO colleagues. With God Almighty, all things are possible. Perhaps the Lord will remove the beam from the eye of these beltway elites who brazenly refuse to listen to the voices from the real America.

[bray]

The main difference between the Repub and Dem elite is one is socialist and the other is communist.

Pray for America