What GOP Candidate will run against Obama in 2012

Originally Posted by MJ1970

This guy looks interesting.

What's even more interesting is that, apparently, he's a Tea Party "favorite."

Originally Posted by tonton

...that I'm willing to bet 95% of people who associate with the Tea Party had never even heard of until today.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

I was going to start a thread, but I see this one is already here. Has anyone's opinion changed recently? I think things are looking different.

Right now, Romney is the man to beat. He is not facing challenges from Trump, Huckabee, McCain or Guiliani. As of now, his only real challenger is Ron Paul. This could change if Mitch Daniels runs, or possibly Rick Perry of Texas. Romney enjoys huge financial and organizational advantages over ALL of these candidates and potential candidates. His remaining problem is healthcare. He needs to explain the reasons for RomneyCare, what he's learned from it, and why it won't work at the federal level. He should attempt to turn it into a qualification.

On the other side, I think it's possible Obama faces a primary challenge. I'd bet against it, but he's upset a lot of his Lefty base and more conservative democrats. The days of "soccer moms" are over. I also think Obama is gravely underestimating the resentment and anger of the electorate. They are angry because they feel he is out to change the fabric of America, which they don't want. Then there are those who are fuming about the deficit as well. Obama is guilty of reading not just his own press, but the wrong press. His generic approval numbers are not great, but they are half decent. This is one time I think that the approval number is not indicative of the mood of most of the country. Worse still, he's having trouble with his base getting fired up. Oh, and recently...he pissed off a whole bunch of jews, who traditionally are Democrats.

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPol...aspx?id=221397

In short I think Obama is very vulnerable. The media is singing a different tune, claiming that catching bin Laden is a huge and long-lasting boost, and that the Republican field is weak and open. They sang the same song in 2008. Of course, in 2004 it was all about how beatable Bush was, and how strong the Dem field was. Same old, same old, I suppose.

Originally Posted by BRussell

I think it will be Romney. Democrats nominate who they fall in love with, and Republicans nominate who has the most seniority.

I like Romney. I don't like the Republican party. Unfortunately, it's the Republican party who will have to nominate, and so any nominee will have to go crazy and say evolution and global warming are hoaxes of scientific liberals, tax cuts reduce the deficit, ObamaRomneyCare is Fascist Communism, the gays are taking over, torture is a basic American value, and if we could only reduce the pay of teachers, police, and firemen then our country would finally be on the right track.

I hope the Republicans nominate someone they really want - a Michelle Bachman or some other full-on tea party birther type conspiracist. Then when they get Goldwatered maybe they'll come back more rational. Let them really get it out of their system.

Originally Posted by BR

Seriously. The return of a rational second party would do wonders for this country.