Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

This really puts him in a bind with the next debate right around the corner. Talk about being left high and dry.

Besides Newt being a loser of epic proportions, this might signal another dark horse jumping into the race or they're defecting to another campaign. Maybe Michelle Bachmann or Pawlenty? She'll be strong in Iowa.

It's hard out there being pimp.

Not sure what the end-game target is with him and Palin. Their negatives, even within the GOP, are too high for a serious run at POTUS. I can understand wanting to influence the policy debate, or maybe jump on a ticket as a VP, but a POTUS run ain't cheap.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Not sure what the end-game target is with him and Palin. Their negatives, even within the GOP, are too high for a serious run at POTUS. I can understand wanting to influence the policy debate, or maybe jump on a ticket as a VP, but a POTUS run ain't cheap.

It ain't cheap and it ain't easy. I think there's some jockeying going on with jobless claims still high (400k), which might signal we're in for another rough unemployment figure next cycle. If that's the case, it's now or never for the guys on the fence. The Rudys, the Rick Perrys, and the Palins of the world.

Rick Perry would carry Texas easily and then some, plus he's got that good old boy Texas swag. TPaw, Romney, Huntsman -- none of them quite have that appeal, if that makes sense.

Sarah Palin is in weird corner politically. She can't afford, and can't stand, for the spotlight to be on someone else for too long, but she can't risk jumping in the race and getting her ass handed to her in Iowa. But one thing is for sure, she can't just parachute into the campaign like she did in 2008 and expect voters to genuflect and get behind her. She's going to have to earn it.

This smells more and more like Rick Perry as I type.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Rick Perry would carry Texas easily and then some, plus he's got that good old boy Texas swag. TPaw, Romney, Huntsman -- none of them quite have that appeal, if that makes sense.

absolutely makes sense, I expect he would do well in FL and NC, not sure about Ohio/Indiana

Sarah Palin is in weird corner politically. She can't afford, and can't stand, for the spotlight to be on someone else for too long, but she can't risk jumping in the race and getting her ass handed to her in Iowa. But one thing is for sure, she can't just parachute into the campaign like she did in 2008 and expect voters to genuflect and get behind her. She's going to have to earn it.

She needs to be an attack dog/cheerleader/fundraiser for the GOP candidate through the election, then get a nice ambassadorship or a talk show on Fox. The only benefit she brings for the GOP if she's in the primaries is to attract and absorb slings/arrows from the left making the eventual candidates path slightly smoother through the primaries.