{"id":8670,"date":"2011-07-28T13:46:44","date_gmt":"2011-07-28T20:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/?p=8670"},"modified":"2011-07-28T13:47:53","modified_gmt":"2011-07-28T20:47:53","slug":"the-big-14-gop-2012-presidential-candidate-round-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/2011\/07\/28\/the-big-14-gop-2012-presidential-candidate-round-up\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big 14: GOP 2012 Presidential Candidate Round-up"},"content":{"rendered":"

The John Birch Society weighs in on the three Republican Presidential candidates, currently in office, in the House:<\/a>
\nPut simply, most Congressmen earned failing grades. But not all. In the House, 24 congressmen earned 100-percent scores, including presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas. (Two other House members running for President, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, earned scores of 95 percent and 89 percent respectively.) In the Senate, two lawmakers earned perfect scores \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah.<\/em><\/p>\n

There is an interesting item to note beyond Representatives Paul, Bachmann, and McCotter: Mitt Romney finished up his term and did not run for a second — which he would not have won. (it’s pretty typical: John Edwards would not have won a second term, for instance, before taking up for a Presidential bid.)\u00c2\u00a0 Tim Pawlenty served his two terms, both won with under 50 percent of the vote, and then took up a bid for President.\u00c2\u00a0 Newt Gingrich resigned his seat in 1998.\u00c2\u00a0 Gary Johnson started his last term in office in 1998.\u00c2\u00a0 Jon Huntsman left his office to join the Obama Administration.\u00c2\u00a0 Rick Santorum lost his last election, winning 41 percent of the vote — which, come to think of it, is a greater percentage of the vote than the one current office holder from a statewide election of the bunch– Rick Perry (last election won with under 40 percent of the vote).\u00c2\u00a0 Roy Moore<\/strong> lost his last election campaign for governor <\/a>— after creeping out the Republican establishment.<\/p>\n

Of course, the leader of this brigade of “Kind of embarrassing their last election”, and this is going to have to be mentioned in EVERY SINGLE PROFILE for Buddy Roemer<\/strong> — see:<\/p>\n

It’s been two decades since Louisiana’s election from hell, the race that appeared to mark the end of the political line for then-Gov. Buddy Roemer<\/a>.<\/div>\n
The profile is worth a gander — I begin to presume that Buddy Roemer is actually running for the nomination for 2012’s version of “Unity ’08” — “Americans Elect<\/a>“.\u00c2\u00a0 For the Republican nomination, The candidate he lost to — David Duke<\/strong> — is also considering a run for the President.\u00c2\u00a0 (Maybe Duke will win this place?<\/a>)\u00c2\u00a0 One thing to watch for the 2012 presidential candidate — Buddy Roemer versus David Duke: the Rematch.\u00c2\u00a0 Who will last longest in the presidential bid?\u00c2\u00a0 (There are reasons to take either of them.)<\/div>\n
One way to get out of the Buddy Roemer versus David Duke rut:<\/div>\n
Buddy Roemer is going to\u00c2\u00a0 fille in on Stephen Colbert <\/a>after Herman Cain<\/strong> dropped out, citing scheduling.\u00c2\u00a0 Notable is that there is nothing on Herman Cain’s schedule.\u00c2\u00a0 But maybe he has scheduled something with Muslim leaders.<\/div>\n
On Wednesday, Cain met with four Muslim leaders in Stirling, Va. He said in a statement later he was “truly sorry” for comments that may have “betrayed” his commitment to the Constitution and the religious freedom it guarantees<\/a>.<\/em><\/div>\n
I do not know why Stephen Colbert picked Buddy Roemer.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe Thaddeus McCotter had an already planned campaign appearance?<\/div>\n

Thaddeus McCotter<\/strong>… He has Five Core Principals<\/a>…<\/p>\n

#1: Our liberty is from God not the government\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 #2: Our sovereignty is in our souls not the soil\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 #3: Our security is from strength not surrender\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 #4: Our prosperity is from the private sector not the public sector\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 #5: Our truths are self-evident not relative.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmmph.\u00c2\u00a0 Some things to watch with Thaddeus McCotter:<\/p>\n

Labor is keeping a close eye on Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) to see whether he disavows his pro-union record as he campaigns for the White House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is pretty interesting.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s the “Will he deviate for the broader party electorate?” line.\u00c2\u00a0 (Like Tim Pawlenty with Global Warming.\u00c2\u00a0 Like Dennis Kucinich on Abortion… Like Mitt Romney… And this is interesting:<\/p>\n

“Unemployment rising, people struggling in the Obama-Romney economy,” McCotter tweeted Friday<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

HOTCHA!\u00c2\u00a0 A Mitt Romney — Thaddeus McCotter Fight!
\nBy and by, the answer to the question of the possibility of McCotter flip-flopping on his relatively pro-union voting history:
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But McCotter defended his own support for the 2008 auto bailout, saying he’s favor of keeping Americans working instead of losing those jobs to overseas manufacturers, saying that opponents of the plan “don’t have a problem with communist nuclear-armed China being the manufacturing giant in the 21st century.”<\/em><\/div>\n
It seems that he can escape the party-line trap by evoking the Nuclear status of China.\u00c2\u00a0 But one good thing about being tied with Michigan’s economic overlords is that this means he probably won’t have to flip flop on the environment and global warming.<\/div>\n

Two interesting items about this Tim Pawlenty<\/strong> profile in the New Republic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Perhaps the best example of Pawlenty gaming things out a few steps ahead of the pack came during his second term. Reelected by just 21,000 votes in November 2006, Pawlenty two months later made renewable energy one of the four cornerstones of his State of the State address<\/a> to the legislature. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Minnesota can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t reverse global climate change by ourselves,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he declared. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But we can do our part and help lead the way. Our energy plan will significantly reduce the amount of carbon we put in the atmosphere. I look forward to working with the Democrats and the Republicans to pass and sign comprehensive historic renewable energy legislation this year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pawlenty endorsed cap-and-trade, and his far-reaching environmental agenda called for Minnesota to derive 25 percent of its electricity from wind power and solar energy by 2025. As Sviggum put it, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tim was a bit more green than I was.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d By 2008, Pawlenty had begun seriously discussing visiting the North Pole with Arctic adventurer Will Steger, a Minnesota native, to see firsthand the effects of global warming.<\/em><\/p>\n

That notion died just about the same time that John McCain began vetting Pawlenty as a potential 2008 running mate. Democratic State Senator Steve Murphy, who negotiated with Pawlenty on energy-related transportation issues, recalls, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When it became public that he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to the North Pole with Will Steger, everybody knew that Tim Pawlenty, the environmentalist, was history.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/p>\n

Pawlenty now treats this period of his gubernatorial career as the equivalent of a politician\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pot-smoking college days. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everyone has some clunkers in their record, and cap-and-trade is one of mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he has said. During our interview, Pawlenty ticked off practical reasons for not trekking to the North Pole with Steger, ranging from cost (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it at state expense, because it didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem like a good use of state money\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) to time pressures (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not easy to carve out a week or two of the governor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s schedule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). But, in the end, Pawlenty contended that his melting enthusiasm for both the Arctic adventure and cap-and-trade was based on a gimlet-eyed assessment of the science.<\/em><\/p>\n

Figures.\u00c2\u00a0 Our political climate is out of whack.\u00c2\u00a0 Once upon a time, “Cap and Trade” was that “market oriented” policy idea.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s actually, I think, a bad policy (look into the arguments for and against yourownself) — but it is something designed to “address” the issue of global warming.\u00c2\u00a0 It was fiercely opposed by those “market oriented” forces once it came into focus, suggesting that the proponents pushing for it as against “market unfriendly” ideas never took it seriously in the first place — Competitive Enterprise Institute and… Newt Gingrich<\/strong> must now back-peddle<\/a>.
\nBack to the base:\u00c2\u00a0 Nearly six in 10 white evangelical respondents believe that natural disasters are signs from God.<\/em><\/p>\n

Second interesting tid-bit about Tim Pawlenty.\u00c2\u00a0
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He is actually a very interesting person.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sviggum makes a similar point: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been branded by the national press as bland. If you know Tim Pawlenty, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just wrong. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a jokester, a prankster.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d When I asked Sviggum for an example or an anecdote, he replied with frustration audible in his voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not coming up with anything right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/div>\n
Interesting thought about Tim Pawlenty<\/a>:
\nI’m a little annoyed to see Tim Pawlenty clapping at Michele Bachmann<\/a> after he declined to address<\/a> Mitt Romney face to face.<\/em><\/div>\n
I suppose it’s unfortunate, and the first opportunity to make amends for not going after Romney ended up at Michelle Bachmann<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 (Some things to think about with Bachmann<\/a> as she gets tabbed into a “mainstream”.)<\/div>\n
Jon Huntsman<\/strong>, former Cap and Trade enthusiast and now hedging straddler<\/a> —<\/div>\n
Huntsman has an interesting fun raising letter<\/a>.<\/div>\n
I note a sense of “religion” anxiety in this blog post.\u00c2\u00a0 But… wait…
\n<\/em><\/div>\n
Wait.\u00c2\u00a0 Not Mormon enough!
\nSays:\u00c2\u00a0 Jon Huntsman is Mormon like Lady Gaga is Catholic.<\/a><\/div>\n
Ouch.<\/div>\n
By and by, this person misses the mark on analysis:<\/div>\n
Since the first rumors of Jon Huntsman joining the 2012 race there have been dismissals of his candidacy because of his service as Ambassador to China under the Obama Administration. Personally, I felt it was a weak and shortsighted criticism when it was first cast by the left, and instead I believe it is this service in China that gives Jon Huntsman a level of knowledge and experience that no other candidate offers. I believe this video not only proves Governor Huntsman is the only candidate with global economic experience, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also a taste of what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to come in the candidate debates should China or other global economic issues be raised by the moderators<\/a>.<\/em><\/div>\n
Basically agree that in a better world, particularly in such a non-political slot, Huntsman’s role as Obama’s Ambassador to China would be an asset and not a liability — mind you, in a Republican Primary.
\nFor what it’s worth, if I had to rate the presidential candidates’ chances for the nomination, I’d have Romney first, and a task at splitting apart Pawlenty, Huntsman, and Perry for second.\u00c2\u00a0 Unconventional rating, surely, but it’s important to note I note that Huntsman has a much better chance of splitting out before the years is out than winning the nomination. <\/em><\/div>\n
And what about that Rick Perry<\/strong>?:
\n<\/em><\/div>\n
Rick Perry took over from Jim Hightower and canceled subscriptions to Mother Jones<\/a>.<\/a><\/div>\n
And several other liberal magazines.\u00c2\u00a0 That Jim Hightower had subscribed to.
\nIt is interesting to note Rick Perry as the campaign head of Al Gore’s Presidential bid in 1988 — back when Al Gore was the Southern (read: conservative Democrat) candidate, best known for his wife’s campaign against explicit music lyrics, bashing Michael Dukakis for being soft on crime and weak on the military.\u00c2\u00a0 Rick Perry since switched parties — which puts him in the same category as his fellow presidential opponents for the nomination — Buddy Roemer and David Duke.<\/div>\n
These days the man he has to distance himself from is George W Bush, cowboy boots included.<\/div>\n
Er… maybe<\/a>?
\nOkay, fine:\u00c2\u00a0 Here’s what you need to know about Rick Perry’s record as Texas governor<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 Also, he — like the rest — doesn’t see anything wrong with America Defaulting:<\/div>\n
Gary Johnson<\/strong> is for “rebooting<\/a>“.<\/div>\n
Hm<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 Fight with Herman Cain?
\nAs for Herman Cain, who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been doing well despite never holding office or running outside of Georgia, Johnson attributes that showing to having a name that sounds similar to one Republican voters already know well.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think Herman Cain, I think a lot of that has to do with \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcMcCain,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Johnson said.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ouch.<\/div>\n
More Photo Ops for Mitt Romney<\/strong>! <\/p>\n

Pictures from the event, shot by a local photographer, show Robertson and Romney in conversation together along with Jeff McWaters, a wealthy health care executive, state senator and the event’s host.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

What does Pat Robertson get out of this transaction?\u00c2\u00a0 For that matter, what does Mitt Romney?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Note to\u00c2\u00a0Rick Santorum: <\/strong>It is a pretty bleak sign of your campaign when Dan Savage’s antics<\/a> are dominating its coverage.<\/div>\n
Ron Paul<\/strong>:\u00c2\u00a0 A dip through the “Daily Paul”:\u00c2\u00a0 Has Ron Paul made you more courageous<\/a>?\u00c2\u00a0 Janet Napolitano: Government Has Defaulted Before<\/a>!\u00c2\u00a0 (It’s the Gold Standard.)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 NYT: Ron Paul Could Go Mainstream with Iowa Straw Poll Win<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 (Yes.\u00c2\u00a0 America is on the edge of the seats to see the Iowa Straw Poll results.)\u00c2\u00a0 Help promote Ron Paul simply by looking at an article<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 (Get the page view count up.\u00c2\u00a0 Now that’s political Activism!)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The John Birch Society weighs in on the three Republican Presidential candidates, currently in office, in the House: Put simply, most Congressmen earned failing grades. But not all. In the House, 24 congressmen earned 100-percent scores, including presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas. (Two other House members running for President, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8670"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8676,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8670\/revisions\/8676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.struat.com\/election\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}