Huckabee is Leading Republican Contender for 2012!

[Swampmaster]

Not surprising, since he is the most conservative, but he will not get the moderates that the republicans need to beat obama.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washing...gop-poll_N.htm

[gatordowneast]

If Huckabee were our nominee, we would be toast. We need someone with experience in economics and garbage cleanup after Obozo and the kiddie corp.

[AustinGator1]

I have been saying Romney is the answer. A Romney / Huckabee ticket would be huge (all the bases would be covered). I have my doubts that Republican leadership can figure that out.

[g8orbill]

I do not believe conservatives need the moderates to win-the moderates got their candidate in McCain and look how well he did

to me moderates are just fence riders who cannot make a decision and want to please everyone

[Gatorpika]

Originally Posted by AustinGator1

I have been saying Romney is the answer. A Romney / Huckabee ticket would be huge (all the bases would be covered). I have my doubts that Republican leadership can figure that out.

Huckabee can't win a general election. Romney didn't get the votes last round because the traditional Christian values people thought Mormonism was a cult. As long as the party is beholden to the religious right they will never put forward a centrist who could easily win over Obama if things keep going the way they are. The election is there for the taking, but the primary process is ruled by the radical wings of both parties, so we never get a candidate with broad appeal.

[gatordowneast]

Originally Posted by g8orbill

I do not believe conservatives need the moderates to win-the moderates got their candidate in McCain and look how well he did

to me moderates are just fence riders who cannot make a decision and want to please everyone

Exactly. Country needs someone who stands for something. Moderates stand for nothing but being moderate. Kind of like being average; the best of the worst and the worst of the best.

Gerald Ford, Bob Dole, John McCain and even Bush 41. All damn good men but got beat...no message.

[AustinGator1]

Originally Posted by Gatorpika

Huckabee can't win a general election. Romney didn't get the votes last round because the traditional Christian values people thought Mormonism was a cult. As long as the party is beholden to the religious right they will never put forward a centrist who could easily win over Obama if things keep going the way they are. The election is there for the taking, but the primary process is ruled by the radical wings of both parties, so we never get a candidate with broad appeal.

As has been pointed out, McCain flies in the face of your argument here. Couldn't be anymore middle of the road than McCain.

The whole Mormon thing got overblown. All anyone has to do is look at what we ended up with to stop that argument. Just ask anyone who couldn't bring themselves to vote for Romney last time whom they would rather have in office, Romney or Obama and they will quickly get past that issue.

On top of that, with Huckabee on the ticket the Mormon haters should be appeased.

Romney / Huckabee addresses the issues at hand.

[gatornana]

Originally Posted by AustinGator1

Romney / Huckabee addresses the issues at hand.

I understand Romney and the economics.....what issue does Huckabee address?

[swampcabbage]

Without looking it up, does anybody remember who the leading Republican candidate for President was in November 2005?

[dlowe2k2]

Originally Posted by gatornana

I understand Romney and the economics.....what issue does Huckabee address?

He addresses the religious right.

[BobK89]

Originally Posted by AustinGator1

I have been saying Romney is the answer. A Romney / Huckabee ticket would be huge (all the bases would be covered). I have my doubts that Republican leadership can figure that out.

Agreed. No more social conservatives, please.

Social conservatives rub me the wrong way; they want less government in business and smaller federal gov't, but then want gov't to legislate morality.

For the R's to win the W.O. in 2012, they need to focus on an economic conservative, IMO.

[brainstorm]

If I remember correctly, Huckebee is socially conservative and fiscally on the liberal side. At least while he was governor of Arkansas.

Romney will be the best bet to address economic issues. He has been successful in the business world and that has particular relevance given we have nationalized the auto industry. In my mind, he is easily the best of the listed candidates.

My predictions: Ginrich and Barbour will not get traction. Palin will eventually drop out. In addition to Pawlenty, look for some new blood to emerge. The party needs it.

[gatordowneast]

I believe the pubs pander way too much to the religious right...just as the demos pander way too much to the wacked out lefty libbies. And I am big time pro-life but I'm not a one issue voter and I doubt many pro lifers are either.

My question (after having observed where Obozo's and cronies are taking us) is where are the religious right going to go if we don't put a Huckabee or similar on the ticket?

And where would the wack job libbie lefties go if Obozo or any other demo did not pander to every screwed up solution by the libs...it's not likely they seek out the pubs to vent?

Seems like the Pubs need someone who takes a stand on traditional Pub economic and social philosophies, smaller government, less taxation, personal freedom, personal responsibility, securing our borders, balancing our budget, putting Medicare and SS on paths to fiscal solvency etc.

My guess is that Independents will get back on board.

And one more item...no one allowed to lobby a branch of government they've worked for for 5 years following their departure from government. Call this clause the "Protection of the American Taxpayer" clause in their employment agreement.

[brainstorm]

Originally Posted by gatordowneast

I believe the pubs pander way too much to the religious right...just as the demos pander way too much to the wacked out lefty libbies. And I am big time pro-life but I'm not a one issue voter and I doubt many pro lifers are either.

My question (after having observed where Obozo's and cronies are taking us) is where are the religious right going to go if we don't put a Huckabee or similar on the ticket?

And where would the wack job libbie lefties go if Obozo or any other demo did not pander to every screwed up solution by the libs...it's not likely they seek out the pubs to vent?

Seems like the Pubs need someone who takes a stand on traditional Pub economic and social philosophies, smaller government, less taxation, personal freedom, personal responsibility, securing our borders, balancing our budget, putting Medicare and SS on paths to fiscal solvency etc.

My guess is that Independents will get back on board.

And one more item...no one allowed to lobby a branch of government they've worked for for 5 years following their departure from government. Call this clause the "Protection of the American Taxpayer" clause in their employment agreement.

This is Ron Paul territory although he is unlikely to run again.

[DaveFla]

Originally Posted by AustinGator1

I have been saying Romney is the answer. A Romney / Huckabee ticket would be huge (all the bases would be covered). I have my doubts that Republican leadership can figure that out.

That's because today's republican is simply "Democrat - Lite".

[dlowe2k2]

Originally Posted by DaveFla

That's because today's republican is simply "Democrat - Lite".

And today's Democrats are socialists.

[TR1228]

How do you reconcile Romney's support for health care "reform" similar to today's Baucus bill back when he was governor of Massachusetts? It's made costs go up, wait times go up, you name it, but he hasn't said "I shouldn't have supported that, it was a mistake" or anything. How do you deal with that?

[Lawdog88]

Originally Posted by dlowe2k2

He addresses the religious right.

Only.

[Dreamliner]

Hey, the GOP nominated a Democrat for 2008 and you see where that got them.

[wgbgator]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

Hey, the GOP nominated a Democrat for 2008 and you see where that got them.

Closer to winning than had they nominated a "real" conservative?