Guess what? We're only two years away from the GOP convention, and only eighteen months from the Iowa caucuses. Not so long at all, now. But before we get into the full craziness of it all, I'm going to ask conservatives to step back and think: if you could choose the next President of the United States of America, who would it be? In other words, without worrying bout electability, or who is running, or any of that -- just who do you think would actually make the best president for the term beginning January 2013?
Ron Paul. He can build the strongest coalition right now: Tea Party-type conservatives, anti-Afghanistan activists. He polls well amongst independents and youth to.
ReplyDeleteRomney. There's a fierce economic debate in America today, between the "(Krugman)-stimulate-until-it-hurts" crowd, and the "(Paul)-don't-burden-our-grandchildren/(Kudlow)-don't-ruin-American-fiscal-dominance" crowd. There's passion and good arguments on both sides, with this being a topic illustrating that time-honored maxim: Opinions are like assholes (everyone's got one).
ReplyDeleteFrankly, no one knows for sure what the hell to do. I do feel as though Obama is a quick study in economic matters, though he started from wa-a-a-a-y at the bottom of the mountain (I recall a presser from inauguration time last year, when the markets were plummeting to their March 2009 bear lows, and Obama was talking up the markets, referring to "The attractive price-to-earnings ratios" with the deliberate, carefully-pronounce-every-phoneme-style of Dubya that made many suspect that Bush 43 was retarded. Obama's come a long way from there. But its a hell of a long journey).
Not saying that Romney is an expert on fiscal matters, though his track record of success with Bain Capital suggests he knows his way around these conversations much better than any other candidate. Its funny why people hate Romney: wishy-washy.
As if any other successful CEO, reporting what s/he "intends" to do during an earnings call or other PR moment, feels honor-bound to do exactly that, as opposed to, you know, whatever works for the company.
CSH - Was Romney really as talented at fiscal matters as his CEO experience would lead us to believe? I doubt that any governor who would sign a universal health insurance program into law could seriously present himself as a fiscal expert. I know Ron Paul has written a few serious books on fiscal policy. Between Paul and Romney, I'd choose Paul.
ReplyDeleteMy dream candidate would be Buchanan because I share his views on immigration, foreign policy, trade and diversity.
ReplyDeleteOf the likely contenders I think Huck would do best. He can communicate with people outside the base better then the rest. He was the only GOP candidate last time who expressed concern with how average people fared in the Bush economy. I don't think he backed TARP. He does not get along with the supply-siders which is a plus in my opinion because their thinking on fiscal and trade matters should be challenged.
@Anonymous (re: Romney)
ReplyDeleteFor me (admittedly a RINO), Romney's apostasy on health care makes him more attractive to deal with the ambiguous looming economic armageddon in the US. When there's a crisis of uncertain dimension threatening the country, seems like an ideologue is the worst person to address it.
FWIW, I think Paul is probably correct on the stimulus, or more to the point, Kudlow is. OTOH, one recalls that Reagan came into office facing a recession much less severe than the one faced by Obama. Reagan pushed through an $800 B stimulus in 1981 to respond to his recession - the same as Obama in nominal dollars, twice as large as Obama in real dollars.
So if Obama's stimulus didn't work, and Reagan's did, and Reagan's was twice as large to deal with a problem half as bad, might it not be reasonable to conclude - per Krugman - that Obama's stimulus simply wasn't large enough?
To be clear, I am not endorsing the Krugman view, rather saying that there's a basis to believe he might prove to be right. Should that day arrive, Ron Paul is about the last guy I'd want in the Oval Office, because I am pretty sure he would do the wrong thing at that pivotal time.
Sometimes wishy-washy is the mark of a visionary leader. Not saying that Romney is that guy - to be sure - but rather that Romney is routinely disqualified based on a characteristic (seeming to change his mind) that, curiously, is often a real leadership strength.
Not a conservative, and I know we're not talking electability, but --
ReplyDeleteI think all Patreus has to do is extend his hand, and he'd get the GOP nomination on a silver platter; he'd also be a very formidable opponent to Obama or another democrat, more so than any other potential Republican
Newt! I think Gingrich has innovative ideas and that is something most GOP hacks are lacking.
ReplyDeleteI like Paul Ryan too. Tim Pawlenty feels good, but I don't know enough about him.
I'm an outsider here; I do not want ANY Republican elected. But this is the best you guys can do? That's depressing. Or hopeful, for my guys.
ReplyDelete@doc Obama is the best you guys can do? That's depressing.
ReplyDelete