Posted on 06/13/2015 2:17:47 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When Charlie Cook muses on political matters, people tend to pay attention. Cook, an analyst for the National Journal and a frequent commentator on TV newscasts, is busy these days handicapping the race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. And like most everyone else, he's not yet sure who will get the GOP nod — but he's willing to quantify the chances of certain candidates as things currently stand.
As we see HERE in his latest column, Cook sees Jeb Bush losing ground:
Bush could still be the Republican nominee, but I would put his chances no higher than 25 percent about the same as two other relatively establishment candidates (though many would quibble with that characterization), Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. We'll have to wait and see whether another quasi-establishment candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, can break through the morass of other candidates into contention as well; the former House Budget Committee chair has arguably the strongest credentials of any contender in either party, though his campaign is off to a relatively late start. But when you add it all up, there's a pretty decent chance "no less than 25 percent, I'd say" that Republicans will opt this time for a strongly anti-establishment candidate, whether it is in the person of Sens. Ted Cruz or Rand Paul or (possibly but less likely) former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. That means the odds of Republicans doing something outside the box in 2016 are extraordinarily high.
Jeb Bush is a designated loser.
Renegade? Ha.
Based on history, Republican primary voters just nominate whoever is in line for “his turn.” Must mean Jebbie, not Santorum
Oh, The Horror!
Historically that would be Paul Ryan or Sarah Palin, the last two vice presidential nominees.
Paul Ryan can F off.
I guess that's bad, LOL.
So all the “whacko bird” talk and opprobrium against Cruz was just Kabuki Theatre to fool us rubes?
Reagan was labeled an “extremist collaborator”of anti-communist advances.
Lookout! They’re taking a BIG gamble! Cry Baby and Tooter Turtle are possibly considering the idea of perhaps maybe looking at doing something!
Mr. Cruz runs a very sharp campaign, excels on the stump and will be the most skilled debater so far from a long shot, honestly I don’t see how he can lose.
The renegade? Donald Trump might appeal to a mad-as-*ell electorate.
Another Paulestinian unmasked. Thanks.
Yeah, I was there.
I dunno. A “maverick” is similar in meaning to a “renegade.” But in RINO parlance is still the furthest thing from what you and I would call a “conservative.” If McCain was the party’s maverick, then Lindsey Graham must be the party renegade they’re really considering.
He can lose by continuing to Pisa off conservatives, a la TPA, TPP, Freedom Act, H1B1. There’s quite a few threads on theses issues and Cruz right now.
Well, for one thing, some of us are sick and tired of Karl Rove passing himself off as the spokesman for all Republicans. Especially since he can hardly speak the English language.
It could be too that the debate format will not allow Cruz to convince the uninformed American people. He can be cut off in mid-sentence over and over.
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