After spending much of his money to finish a distant third in the Ames Straw Poll, Tim Pawlenty ended his presidential bid Sunday.Back in 2008, at least my guy made it to the Primaries (Giuliani). Last time my #2 was Romney - but for now I am going to stay in my whaleboat for awhile until I decide which ship to shift my flag to.
"We needed to get some lift to continue on and have a pathway forward and that didn't happen, so I'm announcing on your show that I'm ending my campaign for president," the former governor said on "This Week."
The Minnesota Republican revealed his decision on an early morning conference call with supporters, an aide told POLITICO.
"I wish it would have been different, but obviously the pathway forward for me doesn't really exist, so we're going to end the campaign," Pawlenty told ABC's Jake Tapper.
My basic requirements, not that different than 2008:
- First, I need someone with a successful record as a leader and executive. That means a governor or mayor of a state-like city, re: NYC.
- Second, I need a fixer. Someone with a record of fixing existing problems lessor men/women would not fix.
- Third, I need someone with a thick skin who also realizes it isn't about him/her.
So, let's look at the rest.
Romney: meets all the criteria, but I don't know if I really trust him to stick to his guns. I like him, but I think his time may have passes.
Huntsman: only meets #1. When someone mentions country club Republican, he pops in my mind. I grew up in a country club; no thank you.
Bachmann: meets none of my requirements. More qualified than Obama was at this stage, but not really that much.
Paul: really? Now is not the time for the Republican Party to enjoy a hobby loss like this. Maybe the next generation.
Cain: should have concentrated to being elected to the legislative branch. Not ready for the job. Nice guy, but not ready.
Santorum: boutique candidate that meets none of my criteria. Next.
Gingrich: he isn't campaigning for President - he is on a book tour. He should play golf with Clinton or something. Anyway, someone in his middle-age who treats wives like a college junior treats girlfriends is all the I&W I need.
McCotter: I like him a lot, but only if we lived in a different country; he doesn't meet 2/3 of my criteria.
Perry: new kid on the block - but I say this as a Southerner - the next Republican candidate does not need a Texas accent. That being said, he meets 2.5 of my 3 criteria - that puts him at the top.
So, there I go - sitting there deciding which ship I can best fight from.
First Class: Romney, Perry.
Second Class: ungh. None.
Third Class: McCotter, Bachmann, Huntsman.
Others: yadda, yadda, yadda.
63 comments:
<span>Need a lookout for that whaleboat? My feelings on this are very similar to yours, and I have no candidate who fits the bill yet. It is much too early.
The one prominent Republican who meets all the criteria has announced he will not be a candidate in 2012.
1. He succeeded as a US Attorney. He is succeeding as a governor.
2. Cleaning up the 2nd or 3rd biggest train wreck in the country by making significant spending cuts - $34.6 billion spent in 2008 reduced to $29.4 billion in 2012. His predecessor had grown spending from $24.6 to $34.6 billion in the prior 4 year period. Sounds like a familiar story, no?
3. Thick skin? You betcha!</span>
<span><span>"Anyway, someone in his middle-age who treats wives like a college junior treats girlfriends is all the I&W I need." -Too funny!</span>
</span>
Buddy Roemer?
I'll say one thing. Your process is more logical than the one used by 99%+ of all US voters. It didn't include dynamic teleprompter reading, community organizing, a perceived coolness factor, and a whole list of others that have nothing to do with leadership, being the commander in chief, and chief executive experience.
I'll be honest and say out loud that I could never vote for Romney...something about his religion and bigamy stays with me to this day. I also read into him a perception that he would say anything to anyone at any time if it meant he would get one more vote. I don't know enough about Perry, yet. I like Paul's ideas but not well enough yet to cast a vote for him. We have 1/2 year yet to decide.
That Texan at the White House at least will stop any talk of secession.:P
What is the unemployment rate in Texas right now? and, by comparison, in say, California?
<span>We will continue to get the same if we continue to embrace candidates, both Republicrat and Demican, that are Keynesians. </span>
My thoughts on this are pretty close to yours, though I'd have Cain actually on the list. Saving Burger King and Godfathers were impressive feats. So he is a sucsessful exec and was sucsessful in quite adverse conditions. Kansas City Fed, National Resturaunt Association...this guy does have some chops and having a southern candidate...who is black...could cause the other side to suffer dissonance induced cranial detonation. Of course he's never held elected office and he has had some stumbles to be sure but he'd definately be an improvement on the current fiasco.
Regards Gingrich....what you said...plus he's a legislator, but he is an idea guy, a historian and he's smart. I'm actually quite glad to see him in the debates.
Romney just rubs me the wrong way, need to learn more from Perry and see what kind of plans he has before I can really get behind him.
The others are all sideshow candidates.
One question for the porch - what is your reaction if Jeb Bush jumps in? I can't say I think it is likely, nor do I think the country would profess itself ready for another Bush in the White House, but he does seem to have to backed off his firm "no way" stand about running...
I love Chris Christie too. I'd pay money to watch him answer questions from reporters.
Perry. Definitely Perry. I don't think the Texas accent will bother voters when it's combined with such a great record of accomplishment in a very large state.
I'll vote for Romney if he winds up being the candidate, but I don't think he has a genuinely conservative bone in his body. He really will say anything to get elected to whatever office he is running for. His convictions are a little too fluid for me.
Newt would be a terrible President, but a great senior Councillor to the President.
People who wouldn't vote for Romney because of his religion should be ashamed. Its un-American. If you don't like his policies, fine, don't vote for him.
I haven't seen anyone I'm impressed by, including Perry. Christie would rock. Huntsman needs to show his chops, badly. Who else is out there?
Jeb is terrific and I think he'll be a great candidate...a little further down the road. I have a feeling that most people would find it a bit too dynastic to have the third President Bush in a twenty-year span. But he's young enough to wait a while, I think. Would love to see him run for the Senate, though.
Must say that your analysis, CDR Salamander, is the best I have seen anywhere. Wish that were not true, but the state of our news outlets has dropped from utterly suspect to often unreliable.
At any rate, your opinions are appreciated.
Phib,
I disagree with you. Romney? Really? Flip Flops cant define this RINO. He would sell his child to get in the office.
Hunstman, A Car dealership is missing a salesman... greaseball.
Perry?? Dude was Gore's Campaign Staff in 88.... and a Democrat to boot. He sounds like W and has the same fiscal policy...
No Sir, it is time to reset the table and start over... I want a simple criteria, either you believe in your OATH to the Constitution or you dont. Simple Matter for me. In that regard the only two candidates are Paul and Bachmann..
Please reevaluate your criteria...
Romney's religion doesnt bother me.. it's his two faced, typical politican that does.. dude joined the NRA prior to his run in 08 to get the cred.. he is an empty suit.. special interest douche bag... who he worships is of little consequence...
Kristen, I feel the same way with "Texas Fatigue".. nothing against the Lone Star Republic, but how about a candidate that doesnt flip flop... Perry and Romney have those strikes against them....
Christies stance on the 2nd Amendment tells me all I need to know.. you dont cherry pick the constitution... NJ still has MAJOR issues with the 2nd Amend...
Why does his religion matter its just another offshoot of christianity and he isn't a polygamist. He's been married to the same women for quite awhile if IRC.
And i think the mormons made polygamy a no no right?
Republicans have about run their course with the Salty Gator. I'm about to change my party affiliation to "Tea Party." Not putting a single tea partier on the super committee was all I needed to know. Rockefeller Republicans can kiss my a$$. Like I told the nice lady from the NRCC, "you won't get a dime from me while Boner is golfing with Obama and the tea party is getting dissed by the mainstream republicans."
Constitution. Constitution. Constitution. It served us well for over two hundred and thirty years. Why are we allowing it to be abandonned now?! Spirit of 76 time, baby...
Texas is bringing in jobs. By the thousands.
Ok here is mine
Perry: Not sure while im impressed with his creating so many jobs in Texas and his record as a governor i dont know enough about him yet. So we will see as time goes by. Though the fact that he sounds like GW will bring out the insanity in alot of really stupid people.
Bachman: She is from the state so i believe that contributed to her win. She talks well but over all i just can't see voting for her. Its not that she is female its just for much the same reason i could never vote Palin. We will see.
Huntsman, Gengrich, McCotter: Meh, Meh, Meh. All for different reasons.
Cain: I like Cain. But i believe his lack of political experience is hurting him. He has good messages and idea. However he is torn appart by the media. Also being from the south certain view points are accepted here that arent elsewhere. He doesnt lie like a politican. He cant two face people like Obama is what im trying to say.
Santorum: Who? I just never hear about him no clue what he even looks like.
OK god help me....
Ron Paul: I will never vote him for president. Nor any other Lefty Liberterian. Which is what he is. He has views Left of most of the "true" Liberterians i've known. And Yes i like A few of his idea's most do then all the others are heard and its over. The US is not Liberterian. Do i want to limit government YES. Do i want to do away with 95% of it? No. Hell no its nessesary.
Trying to pull this Nation farther right like Obama is trying to pull it farther left is freaking destroying us.
The Next person i vote for president needs to be able to do these things.
1) Trim the US budget and deficit. Not with a hatchet, nor a butchers knife. A cut here a cut there like your triming a cut of beef.
2) Be strong on defense. Recognize those programs that are useful and can put us on footing for any of many future conflicts that are possible. Trim the fat from the Military structure. Do we need more admirals than ships? Hell no. Do what is nessesary but keep the Nation strong it is our last real strength on the world stage.
3) Institute total tax reform. No more holes for greasy lawyers. No more taxing one group paying 50% in federal taxes because they didnt pay off the right person. No more BS.
4) Reform the big 3 Entitlments. SS MEDICARE and Welfare. No more money for people who dont work unless they litteraly are incapable. No, i dont mean those who have lost there job to a bad economy i mean the ones who live in the ghetto or out in the hills of west verginia or WHERE EVER no more free ride. No more SS for those who never worked more than 10 months of there life if that.
Ok i'm gonna stop because i can keep going (border security anyone? Maybe some gun running by a federal agency?) and going. There is alot to fix.
I'll vote for whoever is the biggest improvement over Captain Obama and the socialist yacht club. They arent willing to tackle abortion on the campaign. Dont care this isnt about that its about the future of over 300,000,000 people and the fate of our nations. Enough of the silliness.
Now....someone impress me.
But admit... he's spellbinding at press conferences. The entertainment value alone...!
If you remember, Al Gore in 1988 was somewhat different than Al Gore in 2011. Texas Democrats were always a little more conservative than New England Republicans. So I won't hold that against him. He had the brains to see the changing tide and switch.
My kids love Ron Paul. They're trying to convert me. I just don't like his naive international view. But Ron Paul for some reason really makes the young'ns happy. Go figure.
Maybe since Newt converted to Catholicism his personal behavior will stabilize. He's brilliant and he did make the debate the other night very interesting. Yeah... I vote for a high level cabinet post for him... but not the main post.
A century ago. Big NO-NO. The dissidents moved way back in the back of beyond and were left alone for 50 years and hassled every 15 years thereafter to no effect. Now the two lane blacktop got back to them and the tabloids and the District Attorneys found out about them as they started planting rural colonies where land was cheap.
But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the REAL Mormons) and the Reorganized etc, etc (the folks who skipped the ox cart and hand cart deal in 1840 and stayed east, very roughly) do NOT do polygamy. Matter of dogma.
To a more or less main line protestant, Morman theology looks distinctly different; but they like it clean, quiet, and law abiding, so they get into politics and keep it that way, at least on the local level. They are NOT pacifists (remember the guy who landed his Spad on the Au Shau valley landing strip - when the VC held both ends and the Green Berets held the middle - to pick up a downed wingman? Took off with the buddy in his lap. Got the Medal. Yep.)
So for Gramps, Mormon...Schmoreman. DILLIGAF? Nope. Anybody but Obama 'cept Ron. I want Navy to stay the numero uno Marina de Guerra del todo el mundo.
Two for you, three for me. ;)
Anyway, Bachman has one great asset - she looks great on TV. Remeber, were in age of "Beauty contest elections" - after all thats how Obama was elected...
Out of the bunch, and relevant to all here....it is likely that Romney, alone...would have a decent understanding of the value of ship building industry, maritime commerce, and hence the value of Navy. just sayin. (full discosure: I'm one of THEM ;) )
don't know why..."guest" just doesn't seem to fit.....
If you're pro-Constitution, then you pretty well have to be anti-Bachman. She's pro-1A in the same way that Sarah Brady is pro-2A.
Google Michele Bachman + Family Leader.
DB,
sweetie, RP is a CONSTITUTIONALIST.. no different than the same view that GW held in 1787.... just sayin....
James, if I may.. and I am a Republican.. . "Libertarian" is NOT LEFT.... a constructionalist.. Constitutionalist.. not liberal, please open the mind...
with those ears???
Primary season should prove to be exceptionally interesting here on the front porch. Whereas we usually ride like the horsemen of the apocalypse, I can see this thing turning into an ugly free for all. In other words, CAN'T WAIT!
Since 2009, 40% of all the jobs created in the USA were created in Texas.
The hair is long for a reason!
They have shipyards in Texas... just sayin'.... There's a big body of water called the Gulf of Texas next to it. Just sayin'...
IMHO he also seems to be a bit of an isolationist.
SSDI "disability" is only for those that have worked for 7 quarters. SSI is "welfare" and is for those that can't work due to an illness e.g schizophrenia, major depression recurrent, etc.
You need to expound upon this, as there is a lot that come up.
So you are saying Newt would be a great puppet master? Kind of a Rove / Cheney thing?
No... an advisor. The team around a president can make or break him. Gingrich would be excellent at herding the cats in congreess.
Look for the text of the Family Leader Pledge that she signed, and every other major and viable candidate refused to sign.
Aside from the blatant racism of it (black children were better off under slavery, because at least then they had both parents), but also the bits about embracing freedom of religion (so long as it's ours, not theirs), embracing freedom of speech (unless it's something that we think is immoral, then you have to take it away). There's a very strong suggestion there that women need to get back to being women, because "we" are being outbred. (Who "we" is isn't exactly spelled out in terms of color, but in context it's pretty clear.) Seriously, the only thing that's missing is explicit reference to the 3 K's, the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage, and the establishment of a Cross of Honor for childbearing.
I am sorry but what self respecting candidate would put Newt in that role? It would be more of a distraction than help. Look at some of the adviors of the current occupier of the WH who have caused "PR" problems. Newt would be a lighting rod. Or many would describe him as I have,"Newt is really pulling the strings, the Pres is an empty suit."
I agree on the president's team aspect, I mean look at the current adminstration.
The Iowaegians as arbiters is how it is, even though he is the best qualified...The spark was not there. T-Paw's departure leaves me rudderless; will be following the porch closely. OT, but John McCain, who I voted last time? God bless him and his service, but wish he'd shut up, retire, and and tell stories to the grandchil'run.
nah man I'm talking about Barry. Sex appeal? That guy? Chicken legs? Dumbo ears?
Puh-lease.
Whew. Glad to hear you aren't talking about Ms. Bachmann. One of the things that the LEFT hates most about both Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann is that they are both exceptionally attractive women.
They also hate that they are women who appreciate the male of the species. How dare they? AND they are attractive?
I pretty much share your criteria and ratings.
Perry looks like my guy, but I can live with Romney or Bachman.
Having seen Huntsman as Governor- NO FREAKING WAY! Let him run as a Democrat if he wants to but he is barely a Republican and definitely not conservative on any issue, and does not really have any firm convictins other than his own awesomeness and lust for power.
NO i know liberterians. Ron Paul does have some liberterian views but if you look many of his views are so far out from the norm they are leftist.
I did not accuse you of being a lefty.
One of the ways i rate people is to see how their endorsed and what their supporter base looks like.
Ron Paul cannot win a election agaisnt Obama.
yeah.....seems I've heard somewhere that Texas has a coastline, and builds ships too.
nice place. thinking of relocating my own business there.
Point about Romney is simply that, as...a corporate/big business/economic/money guy....he'd "get" shipbuilding value perhaps more than other candidates. same with marine commerce. ergo: value of a strong Navy.
I'm just going to start girding myself for a second Obama adminstration, after looking over that list...
Newt is just too toxic to be taken seriously anymore. Frankly, I thought he'd already thrown in the towel after his staff imploded earlier this year. He's just playing the spoiler role, now.
He and Ron Paul should recheck their "sell-by" dates; I think they may be a bit surprised by what they find.
I'm a Texan who won't be supporting Perry. He's one of the most skilled politicians I have ever seen, but everything he's done since he became governor tells me that he is more authoritarian than libertarian. He's largely been kept in check by a state constitution that gives our governor little real authority, but I am truly afraid of what he might do with the awesome power of the federal executive. What power he does have hasn't been used to lead--it has been used to reward friends and punish enemies. He seems genuinely uninterested in solving the state's problems, and when he has inserted himself into the legislative process it has done more harm than good. Romney strikes me as a man of conscience who is genuinely interested in solving problems and has a record to back that up, so that's who I will probably support. Not that it matters, given that I will be voting in the Texas primary...
I think Bachman is a bit of a nutter, but I thougt she had more poise than most in the debate. And the "submission" question was dirty pool.
That said, Governor Christie, where art thou?
She's a lawyer, of course she's a nutter! ;)
A bit?
http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2011/08/15/george-w-bush-redux/
Let credentialed Phil Giraldi explain why Ron Paul is the choice. If you don't want to bleed America dry.
I had sincerely hoped that was taken out of context. Nope. The ignorance...it hurts. I mean...I get wanting to criticize the erosion of the family and it's unquestionable impact on urban youth...but to even come close to implying that slave "Families" were better...uh...sure, if you ignore the having your children and spouse sold away from you, and the whole getting illegitimate children because you were raped by your master...sure...sounds peachy...
my favorite part:
<p>"Recognition of the overwhelming statistical evidence that married people enjoy better health, better sex, longer lives, greater financial stability, and that children raised by a mother and a father together experience better learning, less addiction, less legal trouble, and less extramarital pregnancy"
</p><p>
</p><p>Well, yes. I suppose so. :)
</p>
Yes much better to:
cut it into tiny little bits
expect people to act entirely different from how they have throughtout history
completely ignore the our competitors on the world stage gobbling up trade agreements and canceling out our defense agreements.
Sit by while Iran gets the nuke as well as Saudi arabia. Ignore Iran nuking saudi's and Israelis.
Meanwhile the US breaks into many different peices.
But of course this has Paul getting past Obama. Which considering he WILL have something like 20% of possible voters guarranted on his side and ron pauls general low scores among Moderates nation wide in many poles and past elections means!
The socialist win again. But hey! Atleast you stuck to those principles!
COME ON GUYS! Look at the bigger picture!
I dont see Ron Paul as ANY better than Obama. Just as bad but for different reason.
Instead of FAR LEFT or FAR right can we try moderate calm and logical middle? For once in......what 50 years. Kinda like that Reagan guy.
I am hoping someone can convince Paul Ryan to run with Marco Rubio or LTC (Ret) West along for the ride.
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