For a long time, I’ve thought that Jon Huntsman would be a formidable challenger to President Obama. I don’t claim to know a lot about him, but from what I’ve heard, he is someone who could appeal to the middle of the country. Of course, he has to make it through the “TeaPrimaries” and that is the one thing that may prevent him from ever facing President Obama in the general election. And to be honest, both he and Romney carry the religious issue around with them, so the evangelical wing of the party isn’t going to be thrilled with either of them. Republicans are pretty loyal, though and will more than likely rally around whoever is the nominee.
Even though I’ve thought that Jon Huntsman would give President Obama the best fight of any of the declared candidates, I’m not so sure he will get the nomination. The Awesome Bob Cesca thinks that Rick Perry will get the nod and makes some valid points in defense of his theory. I just seem to remember hearing too many crazy things that Perry has said in the past and that signals to me that he will self destruct along the way. His past statements may sink him. But Bob may be right. If he is, I’m sure President Obama will win in a landslide.
I guess I’ve been thinking that it will either be Huntsman or Romney that will get the nomination. The first few states may have crazy results like Perry or Paul or Bachmann (I can’t believe I just typed that :) ), but if those two can hold out past the first few states, I think the rest of the country will fall in line and pick the most reasonable candidate and to me, it’s either Romney or Huntsman. If I have to pick one over the other, I think I’ll pick Huntsman. But I know it’s a longshot.
Who do you think will get the Republican nomination in 2012 and what are you reasons why?
The comments are now open!
Cross-posted at Angry Black Lady Chronicles!
Extreme Liberal's Blog 
I am with Bob, I think it will be Perry.
If its not Huntsman; then it will be one of the brainless others. Anyway, it will be a clown car pile up.
I think Gary Johnson is going to be the nominee. He’ll win New Hampshire.
Really, wow. He doesn’t have much name recognition. Has he been in any of the debates, I haven’t seen any of them. I’m seeing that Jon Huntsman is making a play for it, it’s all over twitter that he came out punching on ABC’s This Week show, I think. Previews are out there I think.
I think it will be either Perry or Bachman. Perry is a man of ‘God’ and the chosen to destroy that evil socialist Obama a man who is black and different looking so the real ‘God’ Fearing folk have to go for that neocon Bachman or Perry.
Eitherway if Romney wins he’ll have a very difficult time getting his party to vote for him. Many will break rank and vote for Bachman, Perry or Ron Paul. So in the end their candidate is going to be weak no matter who they choose.
I think the Republicans will hold their nose and pick Romney. Out of the big three Mittens might hold up in a debate with President Obama better and they think he can appeal to indies who don’t pay attention the news. Plus I can make ads just off the stuff Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann said alone. Rick Perry would be cast as the second coming of George W.Bush and Michele Bachmann is a do nothing congresswoman from Minnesota.
Romney can easily be picked apart but your right they think that Romney will appeal enough to the independents that are too unaware and don’t think the, ‘corporations are people’ thing is a big deal.
Johnson participated in the first televised national debate. (He was the one whose suit didn’t fit!) He is not shy about telling it as it is.
Johnson is the type of candidate that will come out of nowhere. It’s what he did in New Mexico where he won two terms as governor, surprising critics. Very popular there. He’s a pretty doctrinaire libertarian. He’s Ron Paul without the “nut” factor.
He wants to end the war on drugs. He wants to pull troops out of all foreign wars immediately (including forces stationed in Europe). He’s pro-choice on abortion and backs gay unions. He’s against a Mexican/US border fence (wants to eventually have a more-or-less open border). He’s a low tax and low spending, small government Republican.
Some of these views he shares with Huntsman. One thing he doesn’t share with Huntsman is a willingness to criticize opponents. In his campaigns for governor he never mentioned his opponent’s name, sticking to issues only.
Another thing, Johnson is focused and relentless. He will pick his battles, but go all in on the battles he chooses to fight. That’s why I believe he’ll surprise some folks in New Hampshire. He’s said he’s all in for that contest.
I don’t think any of these baggers have a chance. Romney seems to have the strongest chance, perhaps Perry but I think he might isolate much of the more moderate crowd. Either way Romney is a real hoot, almost as funny as Bachman and Perry. I’ve been reading how he’s going to bulldoze his 12 million dollar mansion and build it even bigger because its not suitable for his ‘needs.’ This guy really feels the peoples pain, lol.
Saying Romney is the strongest in that GOP field is like saying dog food tastes better than cat food. Romney has said the least overtly wacky things(corporations are people will haunt him)like Perry and Bachmann. Romney has looks but no personality to match that’s like having a sports car with a scooter motor. You can beat up Romney as a flip flopper in one breath he says he’s more liberal than Ted Kennedy when it came to gay rights then be against it.
Perry will get the nod and then lose to Obama. He is a pretty boy but has no substance. Takes credit for all the good things that has happened in Texas but has a go with the wind past. Bachman can’t say anything without biting he foot which is always in her mouth. Cain would be the best choice but he lacks name recognition. Regardless who the GOP puts up, they can’t beat Obama, He has the media on his side and has a boatload of money.
Do you people live in Oz????
Gov. Rick Perry, speaking before the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in San Antonio, today, calls for “pre-emptive strikes” against those nations he feels are a threat to ‘merica. In his book “Fed Up,” Perry identifies a number of countries and issues that “require our attention and investment in defense capabilities.” His list includes China, India, and “leftists in Latin America” such as Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, in addition to the usual list of rogue states, which includes North Korea and Iran. Perry said today:
http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2011/08/3418/
In criticism of the Obama administration, this year is the first ever in the history of the VFW that the White House has turned down an invitation to speak before the veterans group. However, Obama will speak to the American Legion National Convention tomorrow in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mitt Romney will also speak to the VFW conventioneers, too.
You calling the President of the United States evil? You have some audacity doing that. I hope the Democrats crush the Republicans next year, even asking President Obama to delay his very, very, important jobs speech? I’m looking so forward to getting this Congress Democratic run again, where people were backed up, people got protection from credit card rates, and help. Go Democrats!