Posted on 08/23/2015 1:03:54 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
If you look on the surface, one might think that the polls indicate that Donald Trump is the best candidate to go up against the Democrats in the general election. As history has shown, the ability to get support within one’s own party is not always an indicator of ability to win in the general election. In fact, one can argue that either Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich were more likely to defeat President Obama in 2012, though we’ll never know.
Before we get into the list of candidates, let’s look at general election “winning attributes” that work in the general election. It’s different than the primaries for a few reasons. First, there are more people paying attention to the two candidates going for the goal than a plethora of candidates vying for the nod. Second, the ability to go head-to-head is different from the ability to stand out in a pack. Lastly, the ability to fend off tumultuous attacks from the other side is imperative and less prevalent during the primaries.
The Attributes
Let’s look at the seven attributes required to win the general election.
◾Promises: There’s always a punchline attached whenever people bring up campaign promises, but they resonate. Looking at the campaign promises of the last three Presidents, we can see that many of them were not met despite two terms each, but that doesn’t stop the American voters from holding onto hope that someone will come along who keeps their promises.
◾Effectiveness: The Republicans almost had President Obama during the last election based upon ineffectiveness. His campaign was able to spin it to give them another term to achieve their goals. Again, the lack of effectiveness of both Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 53% helped to secure their second place finishes in the general election.
◾Upbringing: History counts in the primaries. People want someone who came from humble beginnings, who worked their way to the top and who had experiences that echoed the plight of the average American.
◾Skeletons: In American culture, it seems as if the skeletons are more easily forgiven now than they were in the past. The last three Presidents all had skeletons that should have sank them before their second term, but if something the size of John Edwards’ or Gary Hart’s ever comes to light for a candidate, this can play a role.
◾Debate Skills: There was hope for the Republicans after the first debate between Romney and Obama. The polls shifted after an excellent performance by Romney compared to a mediocre showing by President Obama. The President turned it around for by the second debate, but one still has to wonder of Gingrich couldn’t have done much better. This time around, the likely Democratic candidates are all poor debaters other than Martin O’Malley, so this particular trait might be able to seal the deal.
◾Charisma: Bill Clinton won on charisma. Barack Obama has even more. This can definitely play a role in the primaries, particularly with an electorate that has youthful voters growing in ranks.
◾Polarity: Those who polarize the electorate are the ones that usually win. The left knows this. For some reason, the Republican Establishment has failed to grasp this, force feeding us Romneys, McCains, and Doles. George W. Bush, Clinton, and Obama were both polarizing. The more the other side hates you, the easier it is to win.
The Best Shots at a GOP Victory
With all of that established, it’s important to remember the wild card in this equation. I’m not one who believes that Hillary Clinton is going to be nominated and I’m pretty sure Bernie Sanders will fade over time. This means that it’s wide open and the opponent has a dramatic effect on the who would be more effective against them. For example, someone like Ben Carson would fair better against Clinton than others while Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 100% would be the perfect foil against Sanders. We can’t make decisions based upon this factor, so we’ll have to leave it out.
Here’s how I see the top GOP candidates in reverse order of their ability to win the general election.
5. Donald Trump
Despite his large lead in the early polls, his no-holds-barred style will be revealed as false and his chevalier attitude will be shown to be a front for a man that is little more than an egomaniac. Still, he appeals to the uninformed voters and there are plenty of those out there so he would have a chance. His debate skills are questionable and he likely has several large skeletons in his closet that the Democrats are holding until after the primaries. His shining lights that put him into the top five is that he’s polarizing, effective (in business, at least), and has the type of charisma that appeals to many.
4. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) 92%
Rubio seems to be 8-12 years premature in his run. He’s a rising star with a strong upbringing and the potential to be a great debater, but he’s still green. His charisma is strong at first but he seems to wane after you hear him speak a few times. If he can make powerful promises that are achievable, he may be a strong choice, particularly against Clinton or O’Malley.
3. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 87%
If it weren’t for Donald Trump, Paul would be the great polarizing force amongst the candidates. Unfortunately, his reputation may not be as polar as his actual beliefs; of all the candidates his promises and effectiveness might be too far off the map, particularly when it comes to foreign relations. He was a disappointment during the first GOP debate, taking shots at Chris Christie and others that didn’t paint him in a great light. Still, he should have the charisma to win and his upbringing as Ron Paul’s son can be an ace in the hole.
2. Ben Carson
If it weren’t for some skeletons in his closet, he might be the best shot the GOP has. I’m still undecided about whether his soft spoken nature is a positive or a negative. It really depends on how profound his promises are. His biggest upside is that his upbringing is the epitome of the American dream presenting a man from a poor family that rose to greatness through hard work, intelligence, and perseverance. Depending on who gets the nomination, Carson might be the ideal running mate.
1. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 100%
Of all the GOP candidates, Cruz is the most complete package. His early promises are resonating. He has proven that he will take a shot at fulfilling his promises and while he hasn’t been successful, it demonstrates that he can be effective if given the power of the Presidency. His upbringing is nearly ideal, second only to Carson’s as a great story. If there were big skeletons, we likely would have seen them already. With the charisma of a Southern Baptist preacher and debate skills that match any candidate in recent memory, the only other criteria to be checked off is one that he’s known for as Senator. The guy polarizes in a way that galvanizes. That’s why he is the best chance the GOP has of securing the White House in 2016.
The Others
Clearly missing is the #2 in most polls, Jeb Bush. He cannot win, not against Clinton, not against Sanders… not against anyone. The Bush family baggage aside, he has such negative charisma that it’s a wonder he’s W’s brother.
Carly Fiorina is interesting and came close to cracking the top 5, but she hasn’t been exceptionally effective. There are a couple of big skeletons in her leadership closet, most notably merging HP with Compaq before laying off 30,000 US employees. Her upbringing could be a negative as well, having attended a private school in London and dropping out of UCLA Law School after one semester.
Scott Walker is a winner but under the scrutiny that comes with being on the national stage rather than just the Wisconsin stage, he looks like someone who would not withstand the barrage from the left if nominated. This is a shame because he has some great ideas, but he’s not the right candidate to put up against the Democrats.
None of the rest really have a good chance of winning.
It’s far from scientific but it’s a thought-out analysis of what we can expect from the candidates. Complacency is the killer in this equation. The presence of weak Democratic candidates is no excuse for not selecting the best possible GOP candidate. The country’s future is hanging by a thread. We can’t afford to lose this one.
I think Carly will have the rest of the extraterrestrials come down and promise us their “fountain of youth’ drug if we elect her and she’ll win.
Of course IT’S 6 MONTHS OUT and my prediction may change...
Carson is a long shot. He barely makes the top 10.
Ted Cruz.
And there it was...inserted a couple paragraphs down in his masterpiece we come across the same old, same old "Of course, Trump appeals to the uniformed voters" crap.
That's a pretty good portion of the populace he's describing and insulting in his best condescending tone, isn't it !
Some of the most informed, stable and un-emotional folks I know are Trump supporters and there are millions of them.
Who died and designated this oracle-e as today's Einstein?
By the way, the article posted at the top of this thread is from a blog which is owned by Erick Erickson, the arrogant pretend-conservative who cancelled Trump as a speaker at his (Erickson's) "Red State Convention" after the first debate and invited Megyn Kelly in his place.
'Nuff said.
Leni
Remember “Can’t run a newsletter, can’t be president?” Well, same thing goes for Hewlett-Packard.
and his chevalier attitude
Uh I think he may be missing a meaning here. Chevalier is French nobleman I think. Cavalier means arrogant, dismissive, not showing regard. I would think the word should be “cavalier” not “chevalier”.
Good choices. A little rough treatment on the Trump voters, though. He’s largely adored here in FR, and FR voters sure as hell aren’t “uninformed.”
Ted’s obvious problems are his poll numbers. The people being polled don’t seem to realize he walks on water./s
Perhaps that will change drastically (I still won’t vote for him) and he will be in a position to win. Right now I don’t think you can blame me or the GOP-e or the Socialist Media. Something about him is not resonating with the voters right now.
At any rate, yelling at me won’t fix it.
This is spot-on, but the idiot Trump voters will see the word “Red State” and disregard anything in it since comprehending conflicting information into the psyche seems to be an impossible task. That’s what happens when one sells their sole to a charlatan.
Cruz 100%. If Cruz challenged Trump to 1-on-1 debate on the issues, would Trump show up?
I am befuddled at how Carson keeps making high rankings on these lists and polls.
Just last week, he admitted he referred mothers to abortion clinics — after denying it previously.
2nd Amendment? Too many have guns. Trouble is, those who likely have unregistered guns are the ones doing most of the killing.
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It is also surprising that Rubio continues to make these lists and polls. Just last week he was again on his amnesty/path to citizenship kick.
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Polls .....are made not to reflect but to redirect public opinion.
Trump and Cruz are the two I could support at this time.
Red State-Erik Erickson=hates Trump.
I get it
Adios
Freegards
LEX
The GOPE operatives here and other places are trying to enable a direct Cruz v. Trump fight where they would split their votes enabling an outcome of Jeb Bush to slip ahead of both of them.
It’s unabashed ploy that’s not going to work.
“Just someone’s opinion. Nothing in this election cycle can be formatted.”
You’re exactly right.
Besides, chances are this time next year it’s going to be a whole new world we’re dealing with. And not for the better.
“... not resonating ...”
What meetings are you looking at ..??.. he’s having overflow crowds .. but that tells you he’s “not resonating”.
Like I said, you’re just a shill for the DemocRATS .. and I’ll YELL AT YOU IF I WANT TO; ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE TELLING LIES ABOUT SOMEONE.
IMO they are missing the messsages that are keeps Trump on top.
1) Illegal immigrant saturation and now the anchor baby angst from the left
2) Making America the greatest country in the world again
3) The media trying to shape and form the news instead of reporting it.
4) Trump's rebellion against all things politically correct.
The democrat players are enamored with Hillary’s foundation money as a war chest (can you say cheating) and not Hillary. If she was poor, they would dump her.
For the Republicans, staying power is key in the primaries. After super Tuesday, it will likely be down to three players and a long shot. Trump has the most staying power, Cruz the second most, Jeb the third most (unfortunately), and either Fiorina or Dr. Carson as the long shot.
A few years ago I predicted that a Trump type would rise up. When it was clear that a majority of Americans were being held histage by a violent minority, that some jerk would speak for them and they’d fall for it.
My wife pointed this out from today’s Proverb. She thought it fit Trump perfectly.
“Proverbs 23:1-3 KJV
[1] … When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: [2] And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. [3] Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.”
Try and have a good day :)
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