Michele Bachmann 2012? Are You Serious?

[DRSmith]

I think Huck still has more appeal since he's better known and there's not as much baggage surrounding him.

If I had to pick, I'd say Romney is gonna get the nomination.

Which I think will be ironic since he he showed the indivual mandate was a Republican idea

And he is smart and well to do which sort of makes him one of those elitests that people are suppose to hate, you know like Obama

[Burgold]

I think Huck still has more appeal since he's better known and there's not as much baggage surrounding him.

If I had to pick, I'd say Romney is gonna get the nomination.

I don't know how the Republicans can pick Romney and see they are against Health Reform. His version was way more socialist than Obama's.

[Barney B]

I don't know how the Republicans can pick Romney and see they are against Health Reform. His version was way more socialist than Obama's.

Remember when Bush 41 reversed himself on abortion in order to appease conservatives? It worked.

Romney needs to do the same:

Perry to Romney: Renounce Reform

http://nationaljournal.com/gov-rick-perry-to-mitt-romney-renounce-health-care-reform-20101110

If he were to stand up and say, ‘You know what, this was a program that didn't work, and I wish I hadn't tried it,’ I think that would help him substantially,” Perry told Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren on Monday. “But the fact is, they are so similar that it is going to be a major anchor unless he stands up and repudiates that approach.”

[Hubbs]

I don't know how the Republicans can pick Romney and see they are against Health Reform. His version was way more socialist than Obama's.

Reason 1b why Romney won't be nominated. He's going to get shredded in the debates on this issue.

Reason 1a is that he has the charisma of a doorknob. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a boring, stiff, wooden, awkward, uncomfortable politician. Let's compare Romney's natural charm to, say, Mike Huckabee's. Here's Huck:

IgedasA-nLc

...and here's Mitt:

FDwwAaVmnf4

[Burgold]

So, you're saying that Mitt Romney makes Al Gore look like Frank Sinatra?

[Hubbs]

So, you're saying that Mitt Romney makes Al Gore look like Frank Sinatra?

Eh, depends on which Gore we're talking about. 2000 Gore? That would be giving him too much credit. Romney makes 2000 Gore look, at best, like Michael Cera.

Even next to Mitt Romney, 2000 Gore has a pretty low ceiling. Then there's post-election, bearded, offensive lineman-sized Gore, who had an even lower ceiling. But 2011 Gore has lost at least enough weight to put an end to the "let himself go" comments, and more importantly, seems much more comfortable with himself. Probably got some good coaching from the film industry. Mitt could push 2011 Gore all the way up to something like a Matt-Damon-in-Ocean's-Eleven status. (There's a good chance that I'm the only one who has any idea what I'm talking about.)

[88Comrade2000]

Dude, there's no chance she'll get the nomination. The GOP will probably pick Romney or Huckabee to run in 2012. Bachmann's following isn't nearly big enough.

No they won't. Romney has no chance. Once the campaign adds air linking Romneycare to Obamacare; he will be finished. Huckabee has similar problems with his tenure as Arkansas governor. Not healthcare mind you but tax related.

Frankly, if Obama and the democrats were smart they would do everything they can to ensure a tea party- republican split. A three way race in the fall with the tea party candidate being the third party in the presidential and congressional races would give the win to the democrats. The other scenero would be for the tea party to complete their takeover of the Republican party; thus driving out whatever remaining moderate or liberal republicans. Those voters would either stay home or vote dem but take enough support from the repubs that the tea party republican nominee wouldn't have enough votes to win.

Michelle is just one of those issue candidates who will make voice heard but that will be all.

[Nerm]

Bachman is polling at around 5% among Republicans. I think even the extreme conservatives that cheer her bomb throwing know that a vote for her in a primary is a vote for Obama in the general election.

[Hubbs]

Frankly, if Obama and the democrats were smart they would do everything they can to ensure a tea party- republican split. A three way race in the fall with the tea party candidate being the third party in the presidential and congressional races would give the win to the democrats. The other scenero would be for the tea party to complete their takeover of the Republican party; thus driving out whatever remaining moderate or liberal republicans. Those voters would either stay home or vote dem but take enough support from the repubs that the tea party republican nominee wouldn't have enough votes to win.

Republican strategists know that. They're not that dumb. Plus, right-wingers will still tend to coalesce around whichever conservative candidate has the best chance against the Dem in any given race.

I'd love to see some electoral craziness that resulted in the Tea Party breaking off and the GOP making a big shift to go after moderates on both sides to become a truly centrist party. It'd really shake up some of the partisan groupthink that's so prevalent in American politics, and make voters rethink a lot of their political assumptions. But I think we'd have to see the state of the country get a lot worse before true political upheaval like that would happen. Most people are still pretty content to vote according to their favorite red/blue soundbites and talking points.

[88Comrade2000]

Republican strategists know that. They're not that dumb. Plus, right-wingers will still tend to coalesce around whichever conservative candidate has the best chance against the Dem in any given race.

I'd love to see some electoral craziness that resulted in the Tea Party breaking off and the GOP making a big shift to go after moderates on both sides to become a truly centrist party. It'd really shake up some of the partisan groupthink that's so prevalent in American politics, and make voters rethink a lot of their political assumptions. But I think we'd have to see the state of the country get a lot worse before true political upheaval like that would happen. Most people are still pretty content to vote according to their favorite red/blue soundbites and talking points.

Tea Party and Republicans aren't necessarily the same. I expect every single Republican that doesn't tow the tea party line to face a primary challenge in 2012. If the TEA Party succeeds in winning those races, I don't expect the moderate or liberal republicans to support them in the fall. They aren't as ideological. I do think the tea party though will go third party if they fail to win those races.

At the presidential level, the Republican candidate will have to be acceptable to the TEA Partiers. I'm not so sure they care if they win the presidency if they can take over congress first. They aren't going to sacrifice just so they can get some Republican elected.

We will know more this time next year as the primary season will have started.

[Koolblue13]

Why would the Reps want to win this election? It's like after the first term of Bush II and the Dems put a sack of potatoes up against him.

[Fergasun]

Why would the Reps want to win this election? It's like after the first term of Bush II and the Dems put a sack of potatoes up against him.

1) The only way they can repeal Obamacare is with GOP President. The only way they can push through the government cuts they want is with a GOP President. The only way they can do those little annoying things that only a GOP folks love is with a GOP President. Why else do the political parties struggle over power pretty much daily?

[Larry]

deleted post.

[Burgold]

Why would the Reps want to win this election? It's like after the first term of Bush II and the Dems put a sack of potatoes up against him.

Well, the Reps damn near destroyed this country in their last go around. Maybe they just want to finish the job :whoknows:

[RedskinsFan44]

Why would the Reps want to win this election? It's like after the first term of Bush II and the Dems put a sack of potatoes up against him.

In 2003 Bush seemed invincible politically, events going bad in Iraq during the campaign made it a race. I would think that Obama is far more vulnerable, but the Republican field so far indicates he may not be. Romney would be the presumptive front runner, but he has some glaring weaknesses. Huckabee does not look like he is going to run (has he lost weight?). Gingrich just pulled a massive flip on Libya (so did Obama). Pawlenty and Daniels lack charisma. I think Bachmann has some room to become one of the front-runners if no one else is going to carry the TEA party mantle (Huckabee, Palin), I guess Barbour could appeal to that demographic but he really is a Washington insider. I still want to see Palin and Romney debate, but sadly I think she will not run.

[Hubbs]

Tea Party and Republicans aren't necessarily the same. I expect every single Republican that doesn't tow the tea party line to face a primary challenge in 2012. If the TEA Party succeeds in winning those races, I don't expect the moderate or liberal republicans to support them in the fall. They aren't as ideological.

Yeah, that sounds like American politics. Voters love to see what they consider to be the greater of two evils winning.

I do think the tea party though will go third party if they fail to win those races.

Like they did in 2010?

At the presidential level, the Republican candidate will have to be acceptable to the TEA Partiers. I'm not so sure they care if they win the presidency if they can take over congress first. They aren't going to sacrifice just so they can get some Republican elected.

Yes, they are. (If a moderate is nominated.) Their hatred for Obama trumps their frustration with the John McCains of the world. They'll convince themselves that a moderate in the White House isn't a problem if the TP is a major influence in Congress. And, honestly, I'm not sure that they'd be wrong on that one.

[NavyDave]

The only way Obama wins is if there are enough people who either hate the USA to the point they want us to further become irrelevant as well as are looking to have an Judicial activist SCOTUS leaning left or they are drunk on Team JackAss koolaid and are ignoring the results of the administration.

[DRSmith]

Remember when Bush 41 reversed himself on abortion in order to appease conservatives? It worked.

Romney needs to do the same:

Perry to Romney: Renounce Reform

http://nationaljournal.com/gov-rick-perry-to-mitt-romney-renounce-health-care-reform-20101110

I think you meant to say bush reversed himself to please the religous dictocrats

Yes Romney needs to renounce another Republican idea in order to get the nod.

[JimboDaMan]

Yes, they are. (If a moderate is nominated.) Their hatred for Obama trumps their frustration with the John McCains of the world. They'll convince themselves that a moderate in the White House isn't a problem if the TP is a major influence in Congress. And, honestly, I'm not sure that they'd be wrong on that one.

I'm with you half way on that. I don't think they'll convince themselves that a John McCain is OK. If a moderate or even a standard-issue conservative wins the Republican nomination the TPers will be viciously furious. Take a peek at Free Republic, they despise nearly every possible but Palin and Bachmann. But I agree that their hatred of Obama is so deep and irrational they'd vote for a lamppost if it ran against him.

---------- Post added March-27th-2011 at 12:52 PM ----------

The only way Obama wins is if there are enough people who either hate the USA to the point they want us to further become irrelevant as well as are looking to have an Judicial activist SCOTUS leaning left or they are drunk on Team JackAss koolaid and are ignoring the results of the administration.

Dave, you profiled me precisely.

1) Hate the USA.

2) Seeking an ultraleft activist Supreme Court

3) Drunk on Team JackAss koolaid.

It's uncanny, I tell you. Uncanny.

[December90]

Well given that My dog could do a better job than the current POTUS. No matter how bad Bachmann is, she could do no worse than the current failure in the office.

Not saying she is the best Republican choice, just that the worst Republican Choice is a dramatic improvement to what Obama has been.

[Thiebear]

If the Teaparty ran against McCain why do you think they would now be okay with squishies?

The Republicans will eat their own due to Powells 67% voting with is apparently unacceptable and stupid.

[Corcaigh]

Well given that My dog could do a better job than the current POTUS.

Can we see his birth certificate?

[@DCGoldPants]

Obamanation is a mess! He inherited a robust economy and strong stock market. Spending was at record lows while debt was falling through the floor. We had two wars fully funded without causing a ounce of debt. Jobs for everybody that wanted one. Education was affordable. Poverty levels were at an all-time low. Our neighbors and allies respected us more than any other time in history.

Then this jerk comes in, ruins everything including Egypt and not Libya.

He can't even take a **** and get that right!

[Corcaigh]

The Republicans have a huge problem if they are going to win a significant part of the center. They have to stop talking in simplistic soundbites targeted to the most fervent part of their base and hoping that the electorate doesn't notice.

Whether it's Newt criticizing the President both for intervening and not intervening in Libya, Palin with her Spudnik coffee shop gibberish, Bachman's lunacy on many different topics, or that their most vocal cheerleaders (Limbaugh and Beck) make their living being intentionally offensive to the mainstream.

At the moment, it may be tough for the Republicans to find a candidate that will satisfy the extremes in order to be nominated, and yet make it through the process remaining credible enough to the mainstream to launch a serious challenge.

[DRSmith]

The Republicans have a huge problem if they are going to win a significant part of the center. They have to stop talking in simplistic soundbites targeted to the most fervent part of their base and hoping that the electorate doesn't notice.

Whether it's Newt criticizing the President both for not intervening and not intervening in Libya, Palin with her Spudnik coffee shop gibberish, Bachman's lunacy on many different topics, or that their most vocal cheerleaders (Limbaugh and Beck) make their living being intentionally offensive to the mainstream.

At the moment, it may be tough for the Republicans to find a candidate that will satisfy the extremes in order to be nominated, and yet make it through the process remaining credible enough to the mainstream to launch a serious challenge.

So hoping for open primaries that allow the sane to vote?