Our son, on his own blog last week, posted a perceptive detailed analysis of the Republican race so for. With his permission I have posted it below with my own comments interspersed.
Presidential campaign hasn’t heated up too much, but there has been some new adjustments to my list of Presidential preferences.
#1) Tim Pawlenty. Previously in second place, but with Daniels bowing out T-Paw is now number one. Not the most exciting candidate, but his ability to climb to the top stems from solid all around credentials. He’s smart, experienced, and capable and lacks any glaring flaws. His cap and trade past will be an issue, but only minor. Right now he lags in the polls, but that’s only because it is early and he has low name ID. Baring another big time contender, the money folks and leaders will rally behind T-Paw and he should do well in Iowa.
I agree..... I like that Pawlenty is more "Sam's Club than country club"
#2) Mitt Romney. Previously third place, now he has bumped up to second place by default. Same baggage as before, but better than any of the other alternatives.
I agree but his own health care law in Massachusetts is a big hurtle for him
#3) John Huntsman. Didn’t make the list last time because he has been so low on the radar even I overlooked him. But, with Daniels declining to run, it’s time to place Huntsman at number 3 as an emergency quarterback. So far it doesn’t look like he has too many liabilities. He was appointed ambassador by President Obama, which may taint him as too accommodating to Democrats. I’m not sure Romney’s Mormonism was ever much of a liability for him, and I don’t think it will hurt Huntsman (former Governor of Utah). He’s still pretty unknown, so he could easily move up or down on this list.
Huntsman has no chance. Working for Obama as U S Ambassador to China .... no way the Republican party will nominate him
#4) New Gingrich. The fact that I had to recruit John Huntsman to take the number three spot should be an indication of where Gingrich stands. He walked back his criticisms of Paul Ryan by telling us he never said what we all heard.
Also, dead in the water.
#5)Gary Johnson. A number of his views go against much of the GOP, but at least he has executive experience and seems competent.
A very nice man..... but there is not room for two Ron Paul's
#6) Herman Cain. Probably the biggest let down from the previous rankings. He gives good sounds bites on fiscal issues, but has very little command of foreign policy issues. A serious presidential candidate should come into the campaign with a policy view towards Afghanistan and an understanding of various Middle East issues. On the bright side he owned up to his lack of knowledge on the concept of “right of return.” But, he’s been running for the last several months and should have boned up on that. Krauthammer is probably correct, Cain would get thrashed in a debate with Obama and it would be a drag on the GOP across the board.
I also like Herman Cain and there should be room for him in any Republican administration but I think the first debated was his 15 minutes of fame.
Wildcards:
Paul Ryan. If he enters the race he would skyrocket to the top of this list. For years Republican candidates have been trying to claim the mantle of Reagan. With everyone being a “Reagan Republican” the concept has lost all meaning. Paul Ryan seems to have his own magic, and carries an aura that seems to inspire the base akin to Reagan before he became the legend. As a protégé of Jack Kemp, Ryan seems to represent the best the GOP has to offer. At this point Ryan seems inclined to stay in the House of Representatives. So far he has denied any intention to run for the White House, but has opened the door somewhat in his wording. He has been under a lot of pressure to jump in the ring. We’ll see.
We can only hope
Chris Christie: His blunt style has enamored him with the GOP and his New Jersey constituents. Will this appeal to the broader nation? He seems pretty insistent that he’s not running, as per his blunt statement: (“What do I need to do short of suicide to convince you that I’m not running.”)
He won't run
Waiting in the wings: Sara Palin, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.
I am still ticked that Mitch Daniels will not run. I guess the fact he won't run is proof that he does not have the drive necessary to be President. If the United States is in as much trouble has he believes then it is unconscionable for him not to put his country first. Every man in uniform has made the choice to spend long periods away from their family's and perhaps to never come home. Thank god there are Americans who will put their country first.
