[saden1]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

As unqualified as I personally think Sarah Palin is, I don't see Romney beating her. I thought so about three months ago, but not now. If she can survive this latest misstep with how she abruptly resigned, she'll be in good shape going down the road.

Someone mentioned the economy being Romney's strength. Romney has kept his nose clean for as long as anyone can remember, gives substantive interviews (although I think his foreign policy views seem to be more rhetoric than anything else), he's actually governed a state and has executive experience. On paper Mitt Romney is a ten. But the economy was bad when John McCain was running for office and Romney still couldn't get his party's nomination. And I don't think it will be any different 3 1/2 years from now. So the notion that if the economy is still bad in a few years, that favors Romney, is a false argument in my opinion. In fact, he and Obama have very similiar views on how they would deal with GM.

Secondly, Palin with all of her demons and drawbacks commands media attention like no other politician except for President Obama. This is a huge plus for her. If she can figure out how to use that as an asset instead of a liability, Romney won't stand a chance. One more thing that Palin has going for her that Mitt Romney doesn't and that's the forgiveness factor. It seems to me that people are more willing to overlook Palin's flaws and give her a second chance whereas I don't sense the same type of goodwill towards Romney. He has to be damn near perfect; in fact, that's what people don't like about him. He comes off as the perfect candidate.

Here here...Bravo. I would like to add that I like Tim Pawlenty's chance of winning the nomination. He has gotten considerable media exposure and is generally likable.