Posted on 05/18/2011 5:25:30 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
Top Republicans are increasingly convinced that President Barack Obama will be easily reelected if stronger GOP contenders do not emerge, and some are virtually begging Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to add some excitement to the slow-starting nomination race.
It’s a sign of the GOP’s straits that the party is depending on the bland, wonkish Daniels for an adrenaline boost.
But interviews this week with longtime party activists and strategists made clear that many in the Republican establishment are unnerved by a field led by Mitt Romney, who could have trouble confronting Obama on health reform; Tim Pawlenty, who has yet to ignite excitement; Jon Huntsman, who may be too moderate to get the nomination; and Newt Gingrich, weighed down by personal baggage and a sense that he is a polarizing figure from the 1990s.
Despairing Republican lobbyists say their colleagues don’t ask, “Who do you like?” but instead, “Who do we back?”
“It’s not that they’re up in arms,” said a central player in the GOP money machine. “It’s just that they’re depressed.”
And a huge swath of operatives, donors and strategists remain uncommitted, in the hope that the field is not yet set.
So instead of solidifying against the overwhelming force being amassed by Obama’s reelection campaign, the GOP is indulging in an embarrassingly public — and probably futile — search for a more compelling standard-bearer.
House Speaker John Boehner, the nation’s highest-ranking Republican, confessed that he did not watch the first GOP debate of the cycle because he believes there is still time for more candidates to emerge. He said last week on NBC’s “Today” show: “I would expect that we haven’t seen all of the candidates.” He then proceeded to plug Daniels.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
I agree with you. But it's a losing battle. The morons are taking over. Up until the Donald predictably aborted (post season-finale), he was a major contender. What does that tell you? It tells me that rationality is on holiday.
You’re not hearing me (us). McCain’s voting record was only half his problem. His mouth was the other half. Daniels certainly has much more conservative actions than McCain but his mouth is almost as meely.
We do not buy into this savvy and deliberate stuff - we know what that means - we know it means he will trash the talk radio crowd or the pro life crowd or the anti Muslim crowd to try and make the liberals feel unthreatened by him. Nor do we buy the fact that “one of the three” stuff as far as who is going to win.
Daniels is going to have to fight this battle for as long as he’s in the race.
Daniels justs looks like a wimp.
Will he side with Israel? Is he Pro-Gay? There are social things I think he is hiding. I am a Hoosier and should know my governor, but I don’t. There are red flags about the guy. We don’t want just a “better” president, we want an excellent one. I am a bit tired of mediocrity and we don’t have to settle for it this time.
Daniels recently received an award from the Arab American Institute. This is Zogby’s group which supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and is very much pro illegal immigration. Turns out he’s been involved with them for some time.
Daniels is a non-starter.
Yep.
At 5’7” he is not a towering leadership figure to be feared. His Harley makes him look bigger than he is, but standing next to Obama in a debate? He will look like a wimp! Appearance does count these day, the media will play it and exaggerate his small stature. He can’t win, the MSM will see to it.
Herman Cain came out and boldly proclaimed that he would have no Muslims on his staff. Te antithesis of politically correct.
Ok, MAYBE Bachmann. Possibly. But Cain, Pawlenty cannot raise $500 million - $1 billion.
“Actually, there is no need to know much about Daniels because he isn’t going anywhere.”
I am not so sure of that. If his wife does grant him permission to take this sure thing, it would be good to know how he will deal with, say, Putin.
“I am a bit tired of mediocrity and we don’t have to settle for it this time.”
This.
CASTRATI ALERT!!!!!!!
That picture reminds me of Lindsy Graham. Are they not too distant relatives?
I’m sure he would invite him to dinner, just like he did with the muslims.
I doubt it. Mitch Daniels’ paternal grandparents are from Syria.
Containing instructions for the future "president"
LOL. I don’t want another muzzie-loving president.
First, he or she has to convince a sufficient majority of the public that limited government, free market solutions are the only route for America's future.
Second, he or she has to make it clear to that same public that in order to get to that future, many of their favorite government goodies have to be reduced or eliminated.
Third, the public need to be told that there will be no more crony capitalism, no more bailouts. The resulting deleveraging will be painful, but it cannot be deferred without increasing the pain in the long run.
In short, we need a Churchill who will paint a vision of victory, but only after much toil, tears, and sweat.
What I'm afraid we will get is glib promises of a quick fix. When the quick fix does not come, conservatism's credibility will once again be heavily damaged.
I don't think Daniels is a Churchill. But I think that Palin, Cain, and Bachmann are all pretty much quick-fix types, telling the voters what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear.
“paternal grandparents are from Syria”
Ah, the Arab connection. I’m surprised he would associate with any Muslims. What worries me about him he is a full time politician that took off time in the 90’s to make money. All people that have spent that much time in tend to have the RINO virus even though it may be dormant. It often creates havoc at the most important time such as appointments to the SC.
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