onejayhawk
Afflicted with reason
Contrasting the Democrats, the GOP race is wide open. Unlike most elections, few of the potential candidates have fallen off in the endorsement stakes. The primary exception is 2012 candidate Mitch Romney. There is a certain symmetry that he is broke so early.
Part of the problem is that there is no establishment candidate. The closest at Governor's Christie and Bush. Both are moderates, though many in this forum would say otherwise. Bush's family name has been greatly rehabilitated by President Obama. UVa currently rates Bush 1st tier and Christie 2nd tier.
https://espnfivethirtyeight.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/84259515.jpg?w=773
The other first tier occupant is Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin. He has survived three election in quick succession, which makes him the seasoned campaigner of the entire race--excepting Bill Clinton. He is not a moderate. If elected fireworks could be expected. He has easily enough backing to make that happen.
The others in the picture are on the proverbial shoestring. Sen Rand Paul of Kentucky is more mainstream than his iconic father, but not much better funded. Still, his seat is safe, so he can run as much as he wishes. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are the Republican party's Latin connection. Both are outstanding stump speakers and are unafraid to go against the party on occasion. Rubio has more name recognition and rates a tier up. Cruz is more his own man, to the point he alienates potential allies.
The final player in the big names is surgeon Ben Carson. He is (obviously) black and very conservative. He has no experience in politics and tends to show it at awkward moments. All that said, he is no one's token candidate. He is very good on camera, a credible critic of ACA and much loved by the Tea Party.
Other names include former candidates Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry. All are longshots. The true token candidate (female) is Carly Fiorina. The whole list of names is another page.
J
Part of the problem is that there is no establishment candidate. The closest at Governor's Christie and Bush. Both are moderates, though many in this forum would say otherwise. Bush's family name has been greatly rehabilitated by President Obama. UVa currently rates Bush 1st tier and Christie 2nd tier.
https://espnfivethirtyeight.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/84259515.jpg?w=773
The other first tier occupant is Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin. He has survived three election in quick succession, which makes him the seasoned campaigner of the entire race--excepting Bill Clinton. He is not a moderate. If elected fireworks could be expected. He has easily enough backing to make that happen.
The others in the picture are on the proverbial shoestring. Sen Rand Paul of Kentucky is more mainstream than his iconic father, but not much better funded. Still, his seat is safe, so he can run as much as he wishes. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are the Republican party's Latin connection. Both are outstanding stump speakers and are unafraid to go against the party on occasion. Rubio has more name recognition and rates a tier up. Cruz is more his own man, to the point he alienates potential allies.
The final player in the big names is surgeon Ben Carson. He is (obviously) black and very conservative. He has no experience in politics and tends to show it at awkward moments. All that said, he is no one's token candidate. He is very good on camera, a credible critic of ACA and much loved by the Tea Party.
Other names include former candidates Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry. All are longshots. The true token candidate (female) is Carly Fiorina. The whole list of names is another page.
J
