As the days tick away toward the first chapter of 2012’s Presidential primary season—Iowa— the contest for the GOP nomination has alternatively been compared to a “car full of clowns”, “circular firing squad”, “long, tough road”, “the most volatile Republican race in decades”, and, like an episode of “last comic standing.”
All this uncertainty and ballyhoo only builds into a kind of feedback loop with Sarah Palin now teasing her fans (albeit, torturing her detractors) saying its not too late for someone to jump into the race. Hmmm, I wonder who that someone could be? Donald Trump?
P.W. (Palin wink).
The irony of the ‘reject Romney at all costs’ attitude that many Republican party activists—especially those sportin’ Tea Party stripes—have taken, is the fact that Romney is really the only candidate who stands a chance against Obama.
Ron Paul’s a non-starter in a general election, because he is too fringe and suggests radical changes such as abolishing the Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Reserve, and the Department of Energy. Despite the fitness of these ideas, or lack thereof, this slash and burn platform will not win a general election in 2012.
Gingrich contrasted with Obama, will make Obama look like the new leader, instead of the guy we're tired of. Newt will have a difficult time being more Presidential than, well, our President. As he faces an uphill challenge, Newt will come off as desperate, and the fireballs he will throw will bounce off a guy that’s been facing the heat constantly for four years. The choice in the general electorate will be clear: four more years.
When Romney is placed head-to-head against Obama it’s a different dynamic. All of a sudden, Romney might be perceived as the “fresher” choice with plausible arguments about his experience in business leading to a more effective and real world understanding of the inner-workings of the American economy. Romney will argue that Obama emerged through the legislative tract—and before occupying the White House—didn’t have any executive experience in government, or in the private sector. Of course, while making these arguments, a President will be standing next to him listening dispassionately.
So, in conclusion, if the economy is recovering mildly ‘round the Fall of 2012, all the economic juxtapositioning that the Romney campaign will have engaged in will not hold water.
On the other hand, if there are ongoing or new economic storms a brewin’ stateside—then Mitt Romney might have a real chance at being the gleam in his father’s eye (a once GOP candidate for President) and succeed to the Presidency of the United States.
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
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