Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread

[saden1]

If the GOP is half as smart as one would hope they would nominate John Huntsman. He is probably as high character candidate they could field.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by saden1

If the GOP is half as smart as one would hope they would nominate John Huntsman. He is probably as high character candidate they could field.

hence the problem

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by saden1

If the GOP is half as smart as one would hope they would nominate John Huntsman. He is probably as high character candidate they could field.

Well the problem really is convincing the majority of the country to be smart enough to nominate and vote for Huntsman. As brilliant and well qualified as he is, he doesn't have that mass appeal, not yet at least.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

We're a year and a half away from the 2012 presidential election, but why not have one ongoing thread and discussion as the debate rages on, candidates get stronger/weaker, and those pesky scandals rear their ugly head knocking people out of the race.

Vice President Huntsman anyone?


Michele Bachmann: ......she'll have to round out her message and broaden her platform as we get deeper into campaign season.

Summary:
The country has fallen woefully behind in education compared to other industrialized nations, chronic unemployment that neither side can seem to fix and an anemic housing market has continued to slow economic recovery. The idea of socialized medicine has been accepted by nearly every other country, while the cost for healthcare here in America continues to soar and remains the number one contributor to our deficit problems.

The views of these candidates will evolve and gain clarity over time, so don't expect them to get too specific about their policy positions right now. Keep your eyes peeled for the next two GOP debates on CNN, June 13th and Fox, August 11.

Good thread, great summary. Don't discount the woman president factor. There's a large segment of the population who aren't involved in politics and vote emotionally. I believe there are a great number of women across the politcal spectrum who will vote to have a woman president.

If Bachmann does what you suggest, which she will if she gets close to the GOP nomination, a Bachmann / Huntsman ticket could be quite formidable.

[NC_Skins]

Pawlenty proposes three-tier income tax system - Yahoo! News

In a speech expected to be heavy on specifics, Pawlenty was ready to propose a three-tier income tax system:

• The estimated 45 percent of U.S. households that did not pay income taxes in 2010 would see no change in their tax rates.

• Individuals would pay 10 percent tax on the first $50,000 of income. Couples earning $100,000 would also pay that rate.

• "Everything above that would be taxed at 25 percent," Pawlenty said.

He also wanted to cut business taxes, reducing the current rate from 35 percent to 15 percent.

Why do ****ing idiots keep thinking that cutting taxes to businesses are going to "create more jobs!!"? The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results. I guess the GOP isn't even remotely trying to hide who they represent these days.

"I think it's ironic that he's talking about a fiscal plan for the entire country when he left his state a mess," Gov. Mark Dayton said in an interview. "He decided he was going to leave and left it to his successor. They knew they were going to kick this down the road."

Irony indeed.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

Why do ****ing idiots keep thinking that cutting taxes to businesses are going to "create more jobs!!"? The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results. I guess the GOP isn't even remotely trying to hide who they represent these days.

So what would be your solution to creating more jobs? Taxing businesses more? Making it difficult for businesses to operate and earn a profit?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Good thread, great summary. Don't discount the woman president factor. There's a large segment of the population who aren't involved in politics and vote emotionally. I believe there are a great number of women across the politcal spectrum who will vote to have a woman president.

If Bachmann does what you suggest, which she will if she gets close to the GOP nomination, a Bachmann / Huntsman ticket could be quite formidable.

I have to tell you if Bachman can stay away from shit she doesn't know, she'll do well. I don't think for a second that she's presidential material, but few people are at the beginning of this crazy ass process. She just hired Ed Rollins to run her campaign. He's a hack and old school, but he'll keep her focused and the gaffes to a minimum.

If she makes some noise in Iowa, watch out Mittens.

[saden1]

Michele Bachmann is a non-starter. With the batshit crazy stuff that she has said, including anti-feminist statements, she will be crushed. Her candidacy shouldn't be take seriously at all.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by saden1

Michele Bachmann is a non-starter. With the batshit crazy stuff that she has said, including anti-feminist statements, she will be crushed. Her candidacy shouldn't be take seriously at all.

She makes Palin look tame in comparison. I agree, I don't see her as a legit candidate.

[saden1]

Whoever can get the "independent" vote wins...Romney has a huge Obamacare problem. He came in third place in the primaries in 2008 and his record on job creation is a disaster. He will be Gore 2.0 candidate.

[12thMan]

Something about Huntsman just doesn't sit right with me. Can't put my finger on it. Nothing negative or anything like that, I just want to see how he handles himself on the big stage.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Something about Huntsman just doesn't sit right with me. Can't put my finger on it. Nothing negative or anything like that, I just want to see how he handles himself on the big stage.

The only thing I can think of is his "yeah, global warming is real but I won't and can't do anything about it" stance. He has all the political and business background, good looks, and "moderation" in his arsenal. Formidable!

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by saden1

The only thing I can think of is his "yeah, global warming is real but I won't and can't do anything about it" stance. He has all the political and business background, good looks, and "moderation" in his arsenal. Formidable!

Disclaimer: I know nothing about Huntsman other than what 12th wrote and brief Wiki look (Yes, yes, it's worse than cliff notes but I just wanted the sound bite for now).

I am not sure "moderation" cuts it as a galvanizing electoral call. Obviously, it depends on his charisma - if he can get people excited about him and his positions. Again, I know nothing about the man, is he someone who, beyond good looks, can electrify a crowd with his ideas? Lacking this, i just don't see him overcoming the polarizing arguments likely to occur in the primary (can he get enough support from the solid right to win the nomination?)

We all know just how ineffective the rally cry of "Stay Medium!" is.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Disclaimer: I know nothing about Huntsman other than what 12th wrote and brief Wiki look (Yes, yes, it's worse than cliff notes but I just wanted the sound bite for now).

I am not sure "moderation" cuts it as a galvanizing electoral call. Obviously, it depends on his charisma - if he can get people excited about him and his positions. Again, I know nothing about the man, is he someone who, beyond good looks, can electrify a crowd with his ideas? Lacking this, i just don't see him overcoming the polarizing arguments likely to occur in the primary (can he get enough support from the solid right to win the nomination?)

We all know just how ineffective the rally cry of "Stay Medium!" is.

Working across the party line is a big selling point for a lot of folks. Obama was medium and he sold himself as such relative to other democratic candidates and when McCain was his general election opponent guess which of the two was closer to the happy medium line? It certainly wasn't McCain. Look, even Bush sold himself as a Compassionate Conservative back in 1999, Clinton sold himself as a moderate too.

Time will tell if Huntsman has or can learn the required charismatic delivery to become president but I wouldn't bet against him in that regard. I would bet against him getting the nomination based on the probability that the GOP base will select Palin/Romney type as their nominee. Obama will easily dispatch Palin/Romney type candidates.

This is what a Republican use to look like:

[MTK]

Who cares if he did... that doesn't mean he supports him blindly