Which Republican candidate would be the strongest contender in 2012?

[Bucky]

Poll question: Which Republican candidate would be the strongest contender in 2012?

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. I don't know about "Strongest"; perhaps "Strangest" might be the best term.

[lutefisk]

8. I see a four way tie for "Strangest"- it's a tough call...nt

[leveymg]

2. Who the Hell is John Huntsman?

That lack of name recognition may be an asset in this field, so he gets my vote.

[Richardo]

3. I think he's a Utah Rep who was named by Obama to be ambassador to either China or Japan.

Now: Let me check my memory. BRB

[Richardo]

4. I am so smart - S-M-R-T

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman,_Jr.

:D

[Bucky]

14. That's not just smart; that's S-Mart

Shop Smart. Shop S-Mart

[Glassunion]

5. Justin Bieber

[Angry Dragon]

6. None of these people have declared

So the poll has no merit

[Bucky]

15. Right, because the only people who are going to run are those who've declared by now

Ugh. If you want to one-up, it isn't that hard. But to start by you at least have say something logical.

[Angry Dragon]

31. Well we can always play pretend here

It just makes more sense to me to wait to see who has the balls to actually declare

palin will not because she would lose too much money
barbour is a joke outside the south
trump not sure what his game is
bolton no name recognition
pawlenty no name recognition outside the midwest polling badly
newt old guard washed up
huckabee old guard too much baggage
romney Mormon religion will do him in

huntsman is probably the most intelligent of the group but Mormon also

[Bucky]

38. I think you overestimate anti-Mormon prejudice

It's really not a big deal. And Huckabee's "baggage" consists of one bad pardon. This will not keep the true believers from voting for him any more than Clinton's less than candid half revelations kept anyone from voting against him in 1992. As for dismissing people for "no name recognition," I don't think you understand the poll question. Once nominated, who would be the most formidable Republican? After they're nominated, they would of course have all the name recognition they need. After all, who had heard of Bill Clinton before 1991? Or of Jimmy Carter before 1975?

Of course these are Democratic examples. Dems always nominated a dark horse--we keep on hoping Bobby will come back. Republicans always nominate their front runner, usually after he's had a losing election and kept on plugging away at it (Nixon, Reagan, Poppy Bush, Dole, & McCain). I expect they'll end up with Romney this time, which is good for us. Huckabee's the dangerous one in my book. Huckabee can swing over independents.

[leftstreet]

7. Hey whatever happened to that guy from the movies? It was Fred something

Did he die or what?

[Bucky]

16. His candidacy died. And it wasn't pretty.

Not even close to pretty.

[JoePhilly]

18. Fred Horn Leghorn???

[Bucky]

24. I'm going to show you something scary now

      Oh my God, a zombie has captured that little girl and now he's going to eat her right in front of her mother! Quick, someone call Superman to come save the day!!!

[JoePhilly]

45. ughh, that is CREEPY.

please tell me that's is his granddaughter and her children.

If its his wife, I'll need to :puke:

[FiveGoodMen]

9. Barack Obama

[Richardo]

11. hahahahahahaha

hilarious

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Ignore list gets another member.

Thanks for playing.

(Meanwhile, others take their country's future seriously)

[Richardo]

13. ...

[Bunny]

20. Oooooooohhhhh, the mighty Ignore List!

That's so badass!

:eyes:

[Bucky]

25. Jackie Chan uses the ignore list

on Chuck Norris.

[MiniMe]

10. I don't think the eventual winner has announced yet

[Bucky]

17. Who do you expect then?

I'm curious

[MiniMe]

43. I really don't know

I just don't see any of the current field making a serious run for it

[CTyankee]

19. Huntsman. He might be around, sane and able to pick up the pieces when

the others self destruct...hey, it happens...

[damntexdem]

21. Moamar Qaddafi?

Just in case he's looking for a new gig. ;-)

[Saturday]

22. I know you'll think I'm crazy but I voted for

Donald Trump. He's that brash tell it like it is kind of fella the common folk like. People love his gruff take charge attitude. The birther issue? It will be forgotten when he gets on his horse about China, Afghanistan, the budget etc. The election is months away. Oh, and the media will love him because he is a great story and treat him with "possible presidential respect". He's a big threat IMO.

[Bucky]

27. That's worth thinking about. I see him as kind of a joke. But I said that about Reagan too.

Sometimes the stupid hurts; sometimes the stupid hurts us all.

[Renew Deal]

23. DUers are in love with Romney.

This is based on the idea that voters will make the logical decision. Don't count on it this time.

[Motown_Johnny]

37. he could be considered the one "next in line" and the (R)s like to go there

[Renew Deal]

39. You're absolutely correct.

If republicans stay with tradition, they will nominate Romney.

[old guy]

26. Romney and a player to be named later.

I doubt it will be any of the group we see in the media every day.

[Adsos Letter]

28. I voted Huckabee over Romney; I don't think conservative evangelicals

would make a strong showing at the polls for a Mormon candidate (just guessing).

[Bucky]

29. I'm not sure religious prejudice trumps tribal loyalty for most Republicans

They care about the Republican Party more than the welfare and future of America... why should we be surprised if it turns out they believe in voting Republican more than they believe in even their own distorted views of God?

[emilyg]

34. So did I. Besides I like MH.

[JuniperLea]

30. I don't think it matters...

The GOTP will only run expendables...

[Vidar]

32. Romney, but since he's fairly intelligent and reasonably sane, they

probably won't nominate him.

[ThomWV]

33. David Petraus (sp?)

He'll retire from the Army and run as a Republican.

[Initech]

35. Trump / Palin 2012: the crazy third world dictators America needs!

[Terra Alta]

36. Huckabee.

I can't see the Republican base going for Romney; he's Mormon and isn't conservative enough for them.. Huckabee kind of scares me, though.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

40. The one that doesn't have God and/or Ronald Reagan on speed dial.

And, an IQ above that of boiled beets.

[Safetykitten]

41. So the feeling here is this is the final list? No other one would slither out from under a rock? Sad

as we underestimate them.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

42. Mitt Is The Only One Who Isn't Batshit Insane, And He'd STILL Get Smoked

This Republican field is sad, sad, sad. And unless some heretofore unknown Republicans start emerging in the future, it will continue to be so. They simply don't have a single adult in the room. That's what happens when your entire Party spends most of time catering to the 5% of the voters who are out of their frickin' minds. And from what I've seen, the "new" Republicans that are taking over on the lower tiers of government are even WORSE than the old ones, not better.

[HopeHoops]

44. This is a joke, right? They don't HAVE a serious candidate.