I had some respect for Christie once upon a time. Now I honestly believe he deserves to spend some time locked up in a tiny cage in which he can neither turn around nor sit down. He's a cold, self-serving, small-hearted jerk and I wouldn't vote for him if you offered me ten million in cash. He's as thoroughly repulsive a politician as exists today. And that's saying something.
Both Rubio and Christy start off with trust and credibility issues. Rubio began his career telling stories of how his parents escaped Fidel Castro's revolution to come to America. It was only when he was confronted with travel records that showed -- no, they escaped the right wing dictator, Fulgencio Batista's Cuba, that he relented in a fit of "don't tell me what it means to be Cuban!" Besides, Rubio early hopped on the vitriolic boat of hardline anti-Cuba. What else has Rubio falsely mythologized about himself that we can't tell him about? Christy has the traffic jam-gate, and the image of a hard, unconventional arm twister, whether or not he knew about this one. What else will surface here?
1
And let's not forget that Bush has already made a childish and egredious error by sending out thousands of emails with very confidential information, from medical conditions to SSNs, for all to see. Can't even trust him with basic confidential information. Do we really want him to have CLASSIFIED information? Bush Dynasty = Duck Dynasty
"Whatever will be, will be", The future's not our's to see! Off we go to the races down. Rest assured, the worst will win.
"Center left"????
There's a center to the GOP? When did that happen.
Yeah, I get that you are saying the relative center, but simply put poppycock.
There is NO such thing as a center in Republican party spectrum. Not saying there are not plenty of republican voters who might think of themselves as close to the center. But in fact the party has slid so far to the right that it is necessary to put modifiers in every expression about where it stands.
There's a center to the GOP? When did that happen.
Yeah, I get that you are saying the relative center, but simply put poppycock.
There is NO such thing as a center in Republican party spectrum. Not saying there are not plenty of republican voters who might think of themselves as close to the center. But in fact the party has slid so far to the right that it is necessary to put modifiers in every expression about where it stands.
3
You are clueless. Who won the last two Republican nominations? It's in fact the Democratic party that has gone way left; look at President Obama.
One can't help but think that billions will be spent selling a candidate who will best represent the handful of PACs who will fork over that amount of money to increase their profit margin:hedge funding their bets. No one candidate showing interest in running is brimming with either intelligence or visionary message.
The one with the best advertising campaign may arise as the champion of the 5000 or 'people' who are funding this sham of an election season so ironically called citizens united as opposed to corporate takeover.
The one with the best advertising campaign may arise as the champion of the 5000 or 'people' who are funding this sham of an election season so ironically called citizens united as opposed to corporate takeover.
2
Today's GOP: still woefully dangerous on economics and now bad at Foreign Policy and Defense too.
2
The notion that a center-left exists within the G.O.P. is laughable, or else we are definitely in Orwell's era of NewSpeak.
6
Remember the 2012 GOP Primary? The candidates were trying to out crazy each other by flanking as far Right as possible. If it had not been for President Clinton's DNC speech where he staked out the Center ground and left Romney with nothing but the fringe Right the strategy may have worked. Romney was tacking back to the Center and enough people were buying it throughout September until the Big Dog took over.
2
Again....you've got a radical left-winger in office for the Democrats, compared to the last two Republican nominees: McCain and Romney.
This election will be a disgusting war of attrition, dependent on big donors and a media paid to keep the hype flowing. Bush is not charismatic. Hillary is a last century icon in search of a 21st century voice--or any voice--or a new voice every week or so. Who cares.
America craves authenticity and the candidates crave money to buy television spots. This will not end well.
Two thoughts: The cleverest, most charismatic, pol of the last 50 years--Bill Clinton--is sitting on the sidelines. I'd like to see a debate between Jerry Brown and Ted Cruz.
America craves authenticity and the candidates crave money to buy television spots. This will not end well.
Two thoughts: The cleverest, most charismatic, pol of the last 50 years--Bill Clinton--is sitting on the sidelines. I'd like to see a debate between Jerry Brown and Ted Cruz.
3
Sheer speculation and the belief in an invisible primary. Not worth reading or commenting on; more filling the space of the newspaper.
With respect, I disagree. The invisible primary is real and tangible, and can be seen in the dollars drummed up in SuperPACs and campaign chests even at this early date. Why did Romney quit? Because Bush showed him how much money he has already raised and received commitments for from former Romney donors. Call Romney Victim One of the invisible primary.
Eventually, we'll all be victims of the invisible primary, as the inexorable flow of money reduces the field to two me-too candidates each vying to buy votes from the 40% of Americans who identify as independents. We all lose because along the way candidates with new ideas, new perspectives, and any indication of moral consistency or private integrity will be ruthlessly eliminated by the invisible primary of money flowing to the party person who successfully enunciates the wildest promises to the broadest audience, thereby garnering the most money.
Eventually, we'll all be victims of the invisible primary, as the inexorable flow of money reduces the field to two me-too candidates each vying to buy votes from the 40% of Americans who identify as independents. We all lose because along the way candidates with new ideas, new perspectives, and any indication of moral consistency or private integrity will be ruthlessly eliminated by the invisible primary of money flowing to the party person who successfully enunciates the wildest promises to the broadest audience, thereby garnering the most money.
6
There is such a thing called "judicial temperament" for people selected to serve as judges. That same general concept applies to those who would serve in high government posts, particularly president of the U.S. Chris Christie has demonstrated beyond a doubt that he does not possess such qualities. One such occasion was on the Boardwalk where he yelled at a citizen while eating an ice cream cone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkzzHjq6wJI
The irony is that Christie, with all his bull in the china shop style, would appeal to a certain set of voters on the hard right, but he can't be a hard right candidate because he comes from a state where the Republicans are more moderate than their party generally. Romney had a Massachusetts problem, Christie has a New Jersey problem (which applies to style and culture as well as his blustery manner and the state's politics).
If the Republicans in Congress had been able to get their wish and create a full austerity program in America, which would have locked us into a decade or more of deep recession, then Christie might have been the man the desperate public would turn to. With the economy growing and his waist line holding at 60+ inches or so, Christie looks like yesterday's news.
Doug Terry
The irony is that Christie, with all his bull in the china shop style, would appeal to a certain set of voters on the hard right, but he can't be a hard right candidate because he comes from a state where the Republicans are more moderate than their party generally. Romney had a Massachusetts problem, Christie has a New Jersey problem (which applies to style and culture as well as his blustery manner and the state's politics).
If the Republicans in Congress had been able to get their wish and create a full austerity program in America, which would have locked us into a decade or more of deep recession, then Christie might have been the man the desperate public would turn to. With the economy growing and his waist line holding at 60+ inches or so, Christie looks like yesterday's news.
Doug Terry
14
Wish I had written your review, Doug!
Neither Gov. Christie nor Sen. Rubio has the star power to force fence-sitting Republicans to throw in their lot with either man. Both men carry serious liabilities as national candidates; neither would be acceptable running mates and would drag down the party's nominee like a stone. This party has nothing going for it but a hatred for the president and a lust for power, undergirded by money, protected by the Supreme Court. Jeb Bush is a name without policies. Most people, I think, see that. A far right candidate will be a disaster and not even a vulnerable Hillary Clinton need fear him (it won't be a "her").
7
Jeb is not necessarily a strong candidate, especially with the GWB albatross hanging around his neck - but he is the only *credible* candidate.
He wins by default.
He wins by default.
2
Sad outcome, winning by default!
1
How awful to be a republican presidential candidate; it's impossible to win the presidency without being a bald faced hypocrite. The only way to win an election is to disavow everything you said to win the primary. IMHO, Romney is the only person capable of successfully achieving that level of duplicity .. and he's out.
7
I'm sure it's not too bad. they start some Super Pac and line their pockets with $100s of millions, they fly around and get treated like Big Wigs with everyone kissing their ring and they get all the sex and power money can buy. Winning would be a downside. Just look at the most glaring example, i.e., Mrs Palin.
Hard to believe that the term "center-left" can be used for anyone of these people.
8
Heck, the way the whole country's gone to the right, there's hardly any Democrats that could be described as "center-left".
What a sorry bunch. As a NJ resident, Chris Christie spells "corruption" to me. The GW Bridge scandal will never be forgotten, and our state is one of only 3 in the country in which poverty has increased according to the last US Census data. In 2013, 11.4% of the state was living in poverty (not sure what the current stats are), yet he continues to travel by private plane on the taxpayers' dime and use the Port Authority as his personal cash cow.
11
I consider myself a well-informed person but I really had no idea how the whole "funder" side of politics operates. I recommend a book I just finished, "Political Mercenaries" by Lindsay Mark Lewis. For example, it explains how "dialing for dollars" has taken up greater and greater amounts of politicians' time and psychic energy that should be devoted to governing and what's the deal between politicians and lobbyists. I think the thing that could get Hillary elected would be a solum promise that, working with a Democratic congress, the campaign finance system as we know it will be replaced by something rational and not so fundamentally dishonest. People would forgive some of her prior moral lapses on the theory that only an insider (like Joe Kennedy) can root out institutionalized corruption.
6
i am not a fan of Mr. Bush, but I would be delighted to see him as the nominee if it meant eliminating Mr. Christie.
5
Do we need a national "bully in chief" in Christie? I think not. Do we need someone to head up America's diplomatic efforts around the world who prides himself on being undiplomatic, "I'm in charge and you're not"? I think not.
The irony is that Christie, with all his bull in the china shop style, would appeal to a certain set of voters on the hard right, but he can't be a hard right candidate because he comes from a state where the Republicans are more moderate than their party generally. Romney had a Massachusetts problem, Christie has a New Jersey problem (which applies to style and culture as well as his blustery manner and the state's politics).
If the Republicans in Congress had been able to get their wish and create a full austerity program in America, which would have locked us into a decade or more of deep recession, then Christie might have been the man the desperate public would turn to. With the economy growing and his waist line holding at 60+ inches or so, Christie looks like yesterday's news.
Doug Terry
The irony is that Christie, with all his bull in the china shop style, would appeal to a certain set of voters on the hard right, but he can't be a hard right candidate because he comes from a state where the Republicans are more moderate than their party generally. Romney had a Massachusetts problem, Christie has a New Jersey problem (which applies to style and culture as well as his blustery manner and the state's politics).
If the Republicans in Congress had been able to get their wish and create a full austerity program in America, which would have locked us into a decade or more of deep recession, then Christie might have been the man the desperate public would turn to. With the economy growing and his waist line holding at 60+ inches or so, Christie looks like yesterday's news.
Doug Terry
5
Christie's eliminating himself. He just doesn't know it yet.
So this "invisible primary" will anoint the GOP candidate before the campaign even begins? The GOP already lost Mitt Romney who couldn't attract Koch cash. If Rubio and Christie give up before they've even started and the only remaining candidates are ones who can't get the money (and the renegade fools without a chance) where does "Democracy" stand? And it's not just the GOP, this question goes for Democrats who lack the money and influence to enter the race, let alone win, against Hilary Clinton. Apologists for money in politics say it doesn't influence elections when proof to the contrary is staring us right in the face. The conservative Justices on the US Supreme Court opened up the floodgates of money which is drowning elections and stifling freedom of speech before campaigns even start in these "invisible primaries."
15
Conservative corporations headed by conservative CEOs and Board members hired conservative lawyers to convince 5 conservative Justices that freedom of speech goes to the highest bidder. You may well remember they won and Democracy lost.
1
Let's hope this is finally the end of Chris Christie. His act has grown very old. The lesson for him is he should have listened to the misguided chorus that urged him to run in 2012 rather than believing he was master of his fate who controlled his own destiny and could wait until he was good and ready in 2016. Sorry Chris time has run out for you and by the next election in 2020 you will be long gone maybe Howard Stern's replacement on the radio !! A prefect way to put his real talent for bluster to work.
18
GOP Scorecard Update
Perry-under indictment in Texas
Paul - the world is flat
Romney-example of planned obsolescence.
Huckabee- grits, gravy and crazy.
Rubio-sandwiched between new Cuba/US talks.
Walker - needs online courses to finish degree.
Bush- may get fingers caught vacuuming up millions of dollars
Christie- pending federal investigation. Unlikely to accept plea bargain - 12 count federal indictment to follow.
Perry-under indictment in Texas
Paul - the world is flat
Romney-example of planned obsolescence.
Huckabee- grits, gravy and crazy.
Rubio-sandwiched between new Cuba/US talks.
Walker - needs online courses to finish degree.
Bush- may get fingers caught vacuuming up millions of dollars
Christie- pending federal investigation. Unlikely to accept plea bargain - 12 count federal indictment to follow.
27
And don't forget McDonnell - headed for the Virginia penitentiary shortly... His wife too!
4
As a New Jersey resident I am torn by the thought of Christie as President. I fear what he would do as President but welcome his departure from the governorship.
Oh, wait. That hot mess who is the Lieutenant Governor would take over.
There is no benefit to New Jersey in a Christie presidency.
Oh, wait. That hot mess who is the Lieutenant Governor would take over.
There is no benefit to New Jersey in a Christie presidency.
20
Yesterday I wrote, "Christie's fondness for Trés LUXE Travel is chump change compared to the roll models he follows (and envies) in the White House."
Daniel from Calgary pointed out that "roll" ought to have been "role"…he missed my pun. For Christie, a trés large man, "roll" was actually more appropriate. But I stand corrected.
Apologia's aside, Christie is like Mitt - a bone thrown to the republican masses and offered up as a faux-choice of voter participation, when in fact it is just another con-job on the populace. Unfortunately, it's a con job that has worked for decades to convince voters into believing that their vote actually counts. But behind the elephant and donkey curtains the decisions of who will run and who will be (s)elected have already been made. The Hillary Brand® will run as a populist liberal, and Jeb will run as her counterpoint. The Brand® with her billions to spend will clinch the (s)election and Jeb will go back to his home in Florida. Christie, Rubio, Mitt, Cruz, Huckabee on the right, and Warren, name-your-candidate-here-times-two on the left are simple cannon fodder for the masses.
Ultimately,we need to break out from the unfair system used by the Commission on Presidential Debates that require only candidates who register 15 percent or more in public opinion polls are eligible to participate in the debates. This arbitrary criterion is intended to exclude third party candidates - it works. Until we have real choice, we will get what we deserve.
Daniel from Calgary pointed out that "roll" ought to have been "role"…he missed my pun. For Christie, a trés large man, "roll" was actually more appropriate. But I stand corrected.
Apologia's aside, Christie is like Mitt - a bone thrown to the republican masses and offered up as a faux-choice of voter participation, when in fact it is just another con-job on the populace. Unfortunately, it's a con job that has worked for decades to convince voters into believing that their vote actually counts. But behind the elephant and donkey curtains the decisions of who will run and who will be (s)elected have already been made. The Hillary Brand® will run as a populist liberal, and Jeb will run as her counterpoint. The Brand® with her billions to spend will clinch the (s)election and Jeb will go back to his home in Florida. Christie, Rubio, Mitt, Cruz, Huckabee on the right, and Warren, name-your-candidate-here-times-two on the left are simple cannon fodder for the masses.
Ultimately,we need to break out from the unfair system used by the Commission on Presidential Debates that require only candidates who register 15 percent or more in public opinion polls are eligible to participate in the debates. This arbitrary criterion is intended to exclude third party candidates - it works. Until we have real choice, we will get what we deserve.
6
As if those debates mean anything. With any luck, somebody makes some kind of major gaffe, but there is no substance to any of it.
3
I sure wish we would have real debates where each candidate could question the other. It may happen, but only if there are two truly outstanding candidates who will agree to the first one.
4
At least we get to see him perform in front of a live crowd and
trying to out do one another. I rather enjoy them, similar to a bull fight except they produce more bull than a matador!
trying to out do one another. I rather enjoy them, similar to a bull fight except they produce more bull than a matador!
1
With all due respect, I think the starting premise here--to the effect that "Bush's strength" is what ended Romney's flirtation with a third run--is fallacious.
Romney ended his little fan dance when it finally penetrated his finely coiffed head that the only people calling for another Romney run where the sycophants and flatters he surrounds himself with--however numerous those people may with a man of Mitt's wealth--they do not remotely begin to outnumber the legions within the party who were aghast at the idea.
That said--the fundamental problem faced by Christie, Rubio, AND Jeb is there is a bedrock belief among Republican faithful that last "truly" conservative Republican nominee for President was Reagan--that Bush Senior and W., only pretended to be--"Read my lips"--in order to get elected, and the last two candidates--McCain and Romney lost because they weren't truly conservative--let alone conservative "enough."
It is crowd that believes the narrative that a Republican candidate has to appeal to the center in order to win the White House is a bogus trope, peddled by "RINOs" in order to maintain their power.
Really--the weakness in this article's analysis is made manifest by the line referencing Bush as occupying "...a large space in the center-left of his party."
The reality is--there either isn't a "center-left" in the GOP--or it is small enough that all of them could fit on Romney's campaign bus, with left inside for an Irish setter. Or two.
Romney ended his little fan dance when it finally penetrated his finely coiffed head that the only people calling for another Romney run where the sycophants and flatters he surrounds himself with--however numerous those people may with a man of Mitt's wealth--they do not remotely begin to outnumber the legions within the party who were aghast at the idea.
That said--the fundamental problem faced by Christie, Rubio, AND Jeb is there is a bedrock belief among Republican faithful that last "truly" conservative Republican nominee for President was Reagan--that Bush Senior and W., only pretended to be--"Read my lips"--in order to get elected, and the last two candidates--McCain and Romney lost because they weren't truly conservative--let alone conservative "enough."
It is crowd that believes the narrative that a Republican candidate has to appeal to the center in order to win the White House is a bogus trope, peddled by "RINOs" in order to maintain their power.
Really--the weakness in this article's analysis is made manifest by the line referencing Bush as occupying "...a large space in the center-left of his party."
The reality is--there either isn't a "center-left" in the GOP--or it is small enough that all of them could fit on Romney's campaign bus, with left inside for an Irish setter. Or two.
13
"[Bush] occupies a large space in the center-left of his party."
Lol, center-left - are that the people who didn't sleep well in the night when they heard that G.W. Bush had lied their nation into a war costing a trillion dollars? Or maybe the people who write in their comments that they are "Independents"?
Lol, center-left - are that the people who didn't sleep well in the night when they heard that G.W. Bush had lied their nation into a war costing a trillion dollars? Or maybe the people who write in their comments that they are "Independents"?
9
Do they have an Overton Window over in Germany?
Pearls before swine. These jokers won't ever be PotUS.
3
The litmus test for all these people is probably who is more anti planet than the next person? Pollution is patriotic--heads in the sand--that's the right point of view. Tending this 6000 year old world? Piece of cake. Just turn your back on reality.
14
As a resident of Florida, there are three words to describe Jeb Bush - petty and vindictive. He don't believe in an independent judiciary - he was the key reason that governor has more power in selecting judges. He is the main reason behind the privatization of public education in the state. He advocate testing so much that teachers taught mainly to pass the high stake FCAT.
Under his care, the child welfare system was privatized but children under the supervision of the state kept dying.
I think he would be more dangerous than Dick Cheney if he he became president. Don't let the charm, the smile, and the good breeding fool you.
Under his care, the child welfare system was privatized but children under the supervision of the state kept dying.
I think he would be more dangerous than Dick Cheney if he he became president. Don't let the charm, the smile, and the good breeding fool you.
27
Really, good breeding?......as in spawning? Certainly not by the general connotations of being decorous and generous.
1
Elias, Alan was being sarcastic.
Regarding Mr. Christie: I'm not sure America is ready for an obese President. He doesn't appear healthy or in shape and all the stress involved in the job requires being up to the challenge in every aspect, physically and mentally. He does not look up to it now.
11
He will never "look up to it"! He is obese with a filthy mouth. I feel sorry for those who live in New Jersey. Can't imagine him traveling all over the world representing the USA.
2
As a Blue Dog I still would like to see Kasich in the race. Anyone that can win in a swing state by 31% must have appeal across the aisle. I lived in Columbus when Kasich was getting started in the 70's. From what I read now and remember from then, he is a reasonable, pragmatic man. I would prefer Jon Huntsman, but he is old, stale news now. In any case, right now it looks like Bush. My ideal, albeit unlikely dream race, would be Kasich Vs. Webb. Maybe when hell freezes over.
2
Jeb is un-electable.
5
I hope so--not based on his surname, but rather on his record as Governor.
2
Fine-crafted branding and rhetoric will create a facade that Jeb is electable.
Remember, Republicans want any body that could win — and Jeb looks like the only candidate worthy of pinning the tail on the donkey.
Remember, Republicans want any body that could win — and Jeb looks like the only candidate worthy of pinning the tail on the donkey.
The saddest (scariest) part is that Bush, Christie, Rubio are the best the GOP has to offer.
19
I don't know any Republicans personally, so I am going on second hand
information. But I don't detect much rank-and-file support for Jeb Bush.
He's been out of office and out of the limelight for too long. Plus the Bush
brand is pretty damaged. I do think Bush's biggest challengers will be Huckabee and Scott Walker, who will attempt to outflank Bush on the right.
information. But I don't detect much rank-and-file support for Jeb Bush.
He's been out of office and out of the limelight for too long. Plus the Bush
brand is pretty damaged. I do think Bush's biggest challengers will be Huckabee and Scott Walker, who will attempt to outflank Bush on the right.
5
What I want to know from Marco Rubio is why his parents came to the U.S? His parents should have been right at home under the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, a free wheeling capitalistic system that Marco Rubio espouses now. Why didn't they stay in Cuba? Instead they came hear to land of the free ride of Social Security and Medicare.
8
Definitely not Medicare, which didn't come into being until the mid-1960s.
1
Immigration gate got Marco Rubio. Bridge gate and vaccination gate have ruined Rand Paul and Chris Christie. They're all close to black toast.
4
Does it matter that both Christie (aka Gov. Panderpig) and Sen. Rubio both carry significant personal baggage and both have recently come near to political suicide by running their mouths when just a little judgement would have prevented or moderated their remarks.
The governor, who has constantly overreached in his efforts to appeal to the part of the GOP that loathes his thuggishness, greed and rapacious hunger for power, really blew it this week with his ridiculous hemming and hawing about the importance of immunizations.
Rubio, a man pickled in the sour mash of his elders in the family of elderly Cuban expats, exploded in a furious tantrum when Obama made the only logical move to correct a problem that 50 years of embargo didn't touch. The vast majority of Americans (as well as 100% of foreign countries) support the end of our one-country embargo. Rubio sounded and looked like a four-year-old with his ridiculous rants on this subject.
Why donate to a couple of men who will never, ever win the presidency?
The governor, who has constantly overreached in his efforts to appeal to the part of the GOP that loathes his thuggishness, greed and rapacious hunger for power, really blew it this week with his ridiculous hemming and hawing about the importance of immunizations.
Rubio, a man pickled in the sour mash of his elders in the family of elderly Cuban expats, exploded in a furious tantrum when Obama made the only logical move to correct a problem that 50 years of embargo didn't touch. The vast majority of Americans (as well as 100% of foreign countries) support the end of our one-country embargo. Rubio sounded and looked like a four-year-old with his ridiculous rants on this subject.
Why donate to a couple of men who will never, ever win the presidency?
18
Realistically I do not see
Jeb Bush viewed so very warmly
By voters in the booth
The name will not soothe
Victims of inequality.
Jeb Bush viewed so very warmly
By voters in the booth
The name will not soothe
Victims of inequality.
10
Christie's a joke and Rubio is a non-starter (though he might end up on the bottom of the ticket if the eventual nominee figures he might help the GOP win Florida or pull a few Latino votes out of thin air). Personally I see the race coming down to Bush, Rand Paul and Scott Walker (i.e., Larry, Moe and Curly).
44
Yeah, Stu, because the Dems are all geniuses.
1
CjmesqO: Geniuses? From the Republicans I'd settle for a knowledge of basic science.
19
You mean like Al Gore? On the Dem side you have Hillary, Hillary, and oh, yes...Hillary. Nice choices.
2
Gee whiz, all this speculation !!!
Why not just call up the Koch Brothers and ask them which Republican candidate they are going to purchase ?
Why not just call up the Koch Brothers and ask them which Republican candidate they are going to purchase ?
170
Gov. Christie has way too much baggage and is not in the least presidential. Sen. Rubio is hardly a centrist and is also way out of his depth. Six months from now, one will wonder why either was ever considered a possible candidate.
52
What a shame the GOP can't seem to wrap their heads around Huntsman. He might actually have a chance to win, because he's, well, sensible and actually seems to have the best interests of the country at heart.
Oh well, forget that nonsense. Corporate America would never allow something like that to happen.
Oh well, forget that nonsense. Corporate America would never allow something like that to happen.
78
Huntsman comes from a family affiliated with a wildly successfully major corporation and I don't think his positions are antithetical to the interests of big business. I think his positions are more anathema to the Tea Party and the far right wing rather than to the establishment corporate GOP. Do you disagree?
12
i am delighted to hear someone mention Huntsmans name. After GWB I swore off republicans for all time. However, if Huntsman should run, I find him to be the only republican I could support and likely over Hillary.
3
The only people who would vote for Huntsman are those who read the comments section in the New York Times.
6
One thing we can bet on just like 2008 and 2012, the hysterical primary voters made up of 50% evangelicals will knee jerk their way from one candidate to the next. Bachman, Santorum, the pizza man, Newt the man from mars, will be replaced by this cycle's brief front runners before they implode, leaving Romney's replacement to steal the most overall delegates, or perhaps this time the billionaires choice will win out and Walker will emerge.
26
All true, but its so much fun to watch! I have my popcorn ready.
8
It remains to be seen if any actual GOP voters, as opposed to GOP donors, are going to vote for Mr. Bush. He's no one's first or second choice among the Republicans I know personally. Republicans would probably rally around him if he were to be nominated, but he's not going to be nominated unless a lot of people vote for him in primaries.
11
I suppose there is still time for any one of these men to morph into a person worthy of becoming the 2016 Presidential nominee for one of the major political parties in the US, but it seems unlikely to happen. Fortunately for all of them, it is only necessary to appeal to big money donors and not actual voters who it is well-known can be bought or convinced "down" is "up" by effective advertising. The need to establish any policy agenda is eliminated because the big money donors will give them one to articulate; the candidate need only speak with convincing sincerity; it won't matter that the policies could be precisely opposite to his previous positions. After all, nearly everyone in national politics has "evolved" on some issue or another even if that "evolution" is in reality a rejection of a previously moderate (horrors!) position.
Right now the days when decisions were made by the power brokers in smoke-filled rooms beneath convention stages look pretty honest in comparison to this fantasy that decisions will be made by "primary" voters.
Right now the days when decisions were made by the power brokers in smoke-filled rooms beneath convention stages look pretty honest in comparison to this fantasy that decisions will be made by "primary" voters.
28
Christie's past excesses and heavy handed actions will sink him, while Rubio, who has always been a one issue candidate and Senator, will have a difficult time remaining in the least bit relevant now that the Cuban embargo is over.
Even if they run, they will never make it past the first two rounds of primaries. They are this cycle's Santorum and Gingrich: Unelectable, with very narrow appeal.
Even if they run, they will never make it past the first two rounds of primaries. They are this cycle's Santorum and Gingrich: Unelectable, with very narrow appeal.
49
Mike Huckabee is an '[even] further right' candidate of the Republican party? On what planet does this paper live? Huckabee has, what, a ten year record as a US governor, and within that a long record a substantial one of supporting in policy and rhetoric the traditional US safety net (and the moderate progressivism of Arkansas politics at times) and standing up for the economic interests of the regular man. John McCain, another candidate from the party's left side, only got his crucial win in South Carolina in 2008 [in a divided field] because Fred Thompson decided to burn up his waning energy in attacking Huckabee as representing 'the agenda of the Democratic party.' Plus, it's widely assumed Huckabee is he only candidate whose appearance would mobilize attack against him intraparty by the Club for Growth, the most powerful GOP economic lobby (its name translates as 'low taxes for the rich' in Modern English). ...So...why is he here being put on the far right? Let me guess: he's now a talk-show host in a party moving rightward who throws red meat to his audience on social issues. And all the NYT cares about is social issues, even though public office has far, far less influence over such things than, say, government administration and tax policy. Yeah.
4
Anyone who would write a book called 'Gods, Guns, Grits & Gravy' has already burned any bridges he may have once had to the sane Republican Party. He has placed himself on the far right - he has 'self-deported.'
8
Everything you wrote rings true, but the article is clearly an opinion piece written by a guy named 'Nate Cohn', and it goes way too far to state that its publication proves "all the NYT cares about is social issues".
3
"center left" of the Republican Party?? Maybe when Nelson Rockefeller was still around, but not now. In fact, I'm not sure if there's a center.
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Jeb Bush may appear moderate but only by way of contrast. His record in as governor in Florida reveals somebody who still occupies a very conservative place on the political spectrum, and I hope a presidential bid will bring that out.
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From the article: "Mr. Bush...occupies a large space in the center-left of his party."
Excuse me? Center-left??? If Jeb is center-left, I'm Kim Jong-un. There is no position taken by the Republican party that could be remotely described as "left". For that matter, there are precious few in the Democratic party. The GOP platform varies from "right wing" to various flavors of "insane". That's not bias, that's a fact. The elephant has fallen (to the right) and can't get up.
Excuse me? Center-left??? If Jeb is center-left, I'm Kim Jong-un. There is no position taken by the Republican party that could be remotely described as "left". For that matter, there are precious few in the Democratic party. The GOP platform varies from "right wing" to various flavors of "insane". That's not bias, that's a fact. The elephant has fallen (to the right) and can't get up.
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The sentence says 'center-left of his party', and it is accurate, I think. That is not to say his positions are in any way 'centrist', though.
7
The often-mentioned assumption that Christie is liked in NJ is wrong. He has done nothing for this state during his administration. He IS a bully. He is an arrogant man who has zero tolerance for any other view but his own. He has no ideas for the state, no plan of action for the crises facing the state, and is a perfectly awful administrator. He did little or nothing for those devastated by Sandy - just more hot air and photo ops. Fewer than half New Jerseyans approve of his job performance (Dec. poll).
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What baffles me about Christie is that voters seem to confuse loud and obnoxious behavior with leadership ability.
But after Bridgegate, I think the good people of NJ have buyer's remorse. I don't think Christie could get elected as dog catcher in NJ at this point.
But after Bridgegate, I think the good people of NJ have buyer's remorse. I don't think Christie could get elected as dog catcher in NJ at this point.
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well, they once (inexplicably) did, in spite of how unseemly it always was to see Christie shout down and insult reasonable, ordinary people who merely wanted to have their say or ask valid questions.
That started to get old even before Bridge-gate, however. Then everyone across the river woke up and discovered that Christie was doing little to nothing for NJ--and that wasn't just the opinion of the people the Governor shouted down, but supported by data, economic indicators, etc.
Now they realize (spoiler alert, really awful visual image coming up here): the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes.
That started to get old even before Bridge-gate, however. Then everyone across the river woke up and discovered that Christie was doing little to nothing for NJ--and that wasn't just the opinion of the people the Governor shouted down, but supported by data, economic indicators, etc.
Now they realize (spoiler alert, really awful visual image coming up here): the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes.
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I see Jeb vs. Hillary as the last hurrah of the Baby Boom, a tragedy for the republic if either would win.
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Baby Boom goes all the way to 1961 so Pres. Obama is a "Boomer." And the later years had a lot more kids. My HS graduation class was about 150 kids (born in 1948) and my sister's was about 500 kids (born in 1957).
But you sure are right that electing either Clinton or Bush next year would be a tragedy. The thought of it is appalling.
In 2012, Romney's money was a big issue but now we are supposed to have a choice between people who just grab money hand over fist. "They're putting it in front of me so I'm gonna take it" must be the philosophy of the Bushes and Clintons.
But you sure are right that electing either Clinton or Bush next year would be a tragedy. The thought of it is appalling.
In 2012, Romney's money was a big issue but now we are supposed to have a choice between people who just grab money hand over fist. "They're putting it in front of me so I'm gonna take it" must be the philosophy of the Bushes and Clintons.
2
A "tragedy"? Really? Yes, we had one disastrous baby boomer in office: George W. Bush. But Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have been good presidents, especially in comparison to W., so stop casting aspersions generationally.
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150 kids? 500 kids? Small potatoes. In Miami/Dade County we had over a dozen high schools in 1969 each with a graduating senior class nearing 800 kids. There will be Baby Boomers around for quite a while yet. 10,000 of us retire every day.
So we have Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton as the frontrunners of both parties and both of them avoid talking to the public. They're lining up big donors and elites and speaking only to audiences that won't challenge them. It seems like no Democrats are going to challenge Hillary Clinton because for some reason, which I don't understand, she is entitled to this nomination.
On the Republican side, Jeb Bush is going to have a lot of challengers and he looks like a weak frontrunner. He may very well implode as the challengers fight the notion that he's inevitable and resistance is futile. His brother did not dare show up at the 2012 GOP convention, having done so much harm to the party, the nation and the world. I know the media loves to shovel it to us that Bush the Elder is such a sweet old guy but I never hear any Republicans talking about Bush the Elder the way they talk about President Reagan. Do Republicans revere the "legacy" of the Bush family? Bush the Elder's war on Iraq clearly was a mistake at least as much as the son's war; look where we are now, bombing Iraq for almost a quarter century.
On the Republican side, Jeb Bush is going to have a lot of challengers and he looks like a weak frontrunner. He may very well implode as the challengers fight the notion that he's inevitable and resistance is futile. His brother did not dare show up at the 2012 GOP convention, having done so much harm to the party, the nation and the world. I know the media loves to shovel it to us that Bush the Elder is such a sweet old guy but I never hear any Republicans talking about Bush the Elder the way they talk about President Reagan. Do Republicans revere the "legacy" of the Bush family? Bush the Elder's war on Iraq clearly was a mistake at least as much as the son's war; look where we are now, bombing Iraq for almost a quarter century.
20
Both Christie and Rubio are doing what they are supposed to be doing at this point. Christie is traveling overseas to bolster his foreign policy credibility, and pandering to the Right on vaccinations. Rubio is holding hearings on Cuba. Both, I suspect, are building an exploratory committee, making phone calls to big donors. and floating trial balloons on policy.
I don't believe we'll get a sense of who is stronger "over the next couple of weeks". I expect that Christie will announce and exploratory committee sometime in March; Rubio can afford to wait a bit longer. In any event, I expect both of these men to still be candidates one year from now, and both to survive the Iowa caucuses.
I don't believe we'll get a sense of who is stronger "over the next couple of weeks". I expect that Christie will announce and exploratory committee sometime in March; Rubio can afford to wait a bit longer. In any event, I expect both of these men to still be candidates one year from now, and both to survive the Iowa caucuses.
7
A statistician should know to qualify a statement such as the one avowing Mr. Bush "occupies the center-left" of his party, since statistically speaking, there is virtually zero blue to taint the bright red-meat party. So either put forth data documenting the existence of the right wing's "center left", outing the "commies and RINOs", then highlight their left-wing positions, or I will treat Mr. Bush as a stray data point. I will admit that "being born with a silver foot" in one's mouth statistically makes you much more likely to reach the White House.
17
I agree with this analysis -- if you want to add an analytic layer, compare what Jeb is doing now with what his brother did in the early stages of his 2000 campaign.
GW locked down the establishment donor class long before he started to actively campaign. Major possible candidates soon realized it was time to go to Texas to pledge support and to arrange how future patronage for their own long-time supporters would be organized, e.g. who would funnel names for appointments in the future.
There will be far right candidates -- there were some in 2000 -- the media insists on a horse race and talk TV gives temporary credibility to all sorts of people. But self-promoting entertainers have a hard time building a strong organization and fade as the race goes on.
Scott Walker may well be a bell weather -- will he get behind Jeb Bush? Another candidate? Or will he run himself? Donations from around the country sustained him during the recall effort in Wisconsin; his decision will reflect the inclination of that cross-section of Republican donors.
GW locked down the establishment donor class long before he started to actively campaign. Major possible candidates soon realized it was time to go to Texas to pledge support and to arrange how future patronage for their own long-time supporters would be organized, e.g. who would funnel names for appointments in the future.
There will be far right candidates -- there were some in 2000 -- the media insists on a horse race and talk TV gives temporary credibility to all sorts of people. But self-promoting entertainers have a hard time building a strong organization and fade as the race goes on.
Scott Walker may well be a bell weather -- will he get behind Jeb Bush? Another candidate? Or will he run himself? Donations from around the country sustained him during the recall effort in Wisconsin; his decision will reflect the inclination of that cross-section of Republican donors.
3
I supported Governor Walker in the past and I will do so again if he decides to go for the nomination. A sensible man who does not back down in the face of adversity. The unions spent more money than we did and they lost big time.
Good piece. With Romney out, the nomination is Bush's to lose. He's well seasoned and won't gaffe his way out of it. And the Bushes know how to play hardball in the South where the nomination will be sewn up. This one should be over by South Carolina. And Jeb will be a formidible candidate -- all he has to do is convince the country he's more like his father than his brother.
4
'...more like his father than his brother...' Hmm, Clarence Thomas comes to mind as a reason not to be like his father, and Dick Cheney is a reason not to be like his brother--what's to like here? A demagogue versus an ideologue--what a perfect choice for this election! I believe 'knowing how to play in the South' is a polite way of saying--really subtle racist. I'm not sure that's a good recommendation for anything.
1
I suspect Christie is going to have to fight for the same voters as Bush, but unless Bush implodes, it's very difficult to see how Christie tops him. However, it's not as difficult to see how Christie, engaging in venomous attacks against Bush, allows a far right candidate (the ever-likable Huckabee?) to take the nomination. This would be the best-case scenario for the democrats.
15
Rubio is Jeb Bush's protege, so I don't get the speculation of Rubio challenging Bush. What most informed observers believe is that Rubio is running for VP. His problem, if Bush gets the nomination, is that he and Bush are both from Florida, an unlikely political combination. Politics ain't bean bag, so I suspect that Rubio will quietly try to undermine Bush's candidacy so Rubio would be in line for the VP.
8
"…both from Florida, an unlikely political combination." In fact it's impossible; the Constitution prohibits it. One of them would have to move to another state. Which one would?
1
Once again, i can't believe the Republican field. Christie, a crooked failed Governor. Jindal, another failed Governor who cautions against crazy - mirror, Mr. Jindal. Thirsty pandering Rubio. Crazy and dangerous Ted Cruz. Bigoted Mike Huckabee. Crooked and weasly Scott Walker. And another Bush, the one who stole the election for his brother who was the worst Prsident in our history. Except for maybe John Kasich, the pizza guy from last time is looking good.
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Governor Christie will deflate on the national stage like a big fat ballon full of hot air. He is a bully. No one likes bullies except the people in New Jersey. Whatever hope Senator Rubio had evaporated with his very dry rebuttal to the President's State of the Union several years ago. All Hillary will have to do is show the scene of him going for the water a million times, and we see Senator Rubio for what he is: a nervous lair who couldn't even manage his student loans. Jeb Bush will be nominated to run against Hillary. The Tea Party Folks will spit in Jeb's face and nominate crazy Ted Cruz or the even crazier Rand Paul. The Republicans will proceed to rip themselves apart like two stupid roosters, and Hillary will return to the White House, not as First Lady, but as the first lady President of the United States of America.
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Glad to know someone can predict the future. Worked real well when Reagan was frequently dismissed as a hopelessly out of the mainstream liar in 1980. Or in Sept of 2000, when everyone knew Al Gore would win the election, or in October of 2000, when everyone knew Bush II would.
It's a lovely prediction. Just don't confuse it with anything but speculation.
It's a lovely prediction. Just don't confuse it with anything but speculation.
2
"No one likes bullies except the people in New Jersey"?
Read the polls! Christie is increasingly unpopular in NJ, for reasons too numerous to go into here... And nobody ever "liked" him personally!
And why the gratuitous bile towards NJ residents? Especially from a resident of Jan Brewer's state?
Read the polls! Christie is increasingly unpopular in NJ, for reasons too numerous to go into here... And nobody ever "liked" him personally!
And why the gratuitous bile towards NJ residents? Especially from a resident of Jan Brewer's state?
4
Beware the Dark Horse, Scott Walker of Wisconsin. He talks a good conservative Christian game and has the pro-business stamina to stand up to unions. A Republican--who overcame a recall attempt--in Wisconsin, a blue state known for its progressive history.
22
I think once potential voters get to know him they may not be as enthusiastic. He's pro-conservative values, pro-business (let's build a stadium) but anti-education (cut funds to the University of Wisconsin). The devil is always in the details. It's only Feb. 2015 and I'm sure more details will be forthcoming.
36
Problem with Scott Walker is that he's cross-eyed and has a bad haircut. Seriously. He needs a makeover. Maybe glasses would help make him look Presidential.
5
Notwithstanding that everyone is 'pro-business' (Walker merely being one of those who puts the interests of business above those of, say their customers or the rights of individuals, thus earning the label), this is correct. Scott Walker has appeal to most sides of the party, proven pugnacity, and is clearly the most dangerous candidate. And he won not only the recall election, but another general, now, too. Even the abhorrence of him that's (finally) relit some fire under the state's left hasn't been able to stop him from those second two victories.
4
Is Christie wearing a small American flag pin on his lapel in the photo? And isn't that a conceit indulged by the official party nominee?
Christie always wears a lapel pin in the shape of New Jersey with an American flag motif.
Christie is way too big for his britches. Reminds me about all the hype for former Mayor Giuliani for the Republican nomination. These guys seem to believe that they will have appeal outside of the NY/NJ area. Christie will fade just as quickly as Giuliani. Both have an exaggerated sense of their importance and political worth.
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Just curious if any thought has been given to the idea of some of these 'candidates' as actually becoming President of the United States? Of course that seems besides the point. We should at least have a requirement that voters ask themselves; Rubiio, Christie, etc?
And we need to consider the idea of Rubio as the first President with a comb over...?
And we need to consider the idea of Rubio as the first President with a comb over...?
1
"…way too big for his britches." was it a sec' ~~ is that even possible?
I can't imagine that even Republicans are willing to get behind a politician as corrupt and misguided as Chris Christie. The only thing he has going for him is his massive ego. He and our governor, Andrew Cuomo, are opportunist politicians in the worst sense, and I hope neither of them ever gets further than helping to ruin our respective states.
57
Cuomo is waiting for Hillary to implode. Then he will step forward....
2
The one candidate with the triple whammy of betraying his father's legacy, transparent selfish egoism (boasted a lot, after his father got him appointed to Clinton's cabinet, about how he 'outranked' his father) AND having little appeal to the party's base. Plus strong whiffs (no fire, but he was the one who stamped out the smoke) of corruption... It's been written in this very pages that Cuomo has felt '2016 slipping away from him.' But I know a lot of rich 'centrists' like him. Good luck with that.
3
Sect Clinton has been doing this for a long time. I don't think she's going to "implode".
9
As Mr. Christie began learning in Iowa last week, "Sit down and shut up" may fly in Seaside Heights but will crash and burn between the coasts, where they already have a plethora of southern fried dingbats to pick from. The governor's embrace of the president in the aftermath of Sandy will be shown thousands of times in campaign ads, becoming known as "The Hug", Eventually it will be as familiar as the love scene on the beach in "From Here to Eternity".
18
"... as familiar as the love scene on the beach in 'From Here to Eternity',,," - too funny, except the image of CC in bathing suit
3
Which one is Burt Lancaster?
3
Christie is clearly not the "exceptional candidate" the Times envisions beating Bush. Christie has an abysmal record as governor, ethics questions, is prone to outbursts that don't play well nationally, and it's only a matter of time before he puts his foot in his mouth on a nationally televised debate. Between what I've just mentioned, and the "landlines" Romney's vetting team found on Christie; it's no wonder he didn't survive as a potential V.P. candidate. It should come as no surprise when he doesn't survive as a potential presidential candidate either.
49
As a fellow NJ resident, I can't figure what Christie thinks he can run on. Job creation lags behind neighboring states and the nation, his online gambling scheme is going bust and his public pension "reform" just turned out to be another bait & switch.
What a buffoon.
What a buffoon.
29
Christie's not campaigning to be president. He's aiming for a lucrative gig with Fox, a la Palin and other bombastic GOP half-bakes.
63
This is just Democratic wishful thinking. There is no conceivable way the Republicans will nominate Bush. His name is hopeless and he has the wrong program for the primaries. They have a cinch victory against Hillary and are not going to give it away. Bush is a Christie surrogate to control Rubio in Florida and among Hispanics, but really to have a liberal immigration position that will allow Christie--the de facto nominee--to take a moderate position on the issue. And after the failure of a second-generation American with a strange name Barack Obama, America is never going to turn in 2016--or for decades--to another one with the name of Marco Rubio.
1
I dunno, the name is a problem for Bush, but Christie's peccadillos and his inability to control his temper just add up to trouble. Being fat, being vindictive, bridgegate, having expensive taste and an imperial manner -- things like this just get magnified in a presidential campaign. Agree with you though, the GOP is basically a party of old white men so someone named Marco Rubio has no chance. Maybe Rob Portman?
16
Bush II's budget manager, wasn't he? Please.
1
Your assessment is so far off all i can say is hand onto your predictions and break them out in 15months. Christie the "de facto nominee?" huh? By what standard? What polls? There is no GOP front-runner and Christie has no chance. How is anyone a "cinch victory against Hillary"? What electoral votes will the GOP nominee win that Romney lost? Ohio? Pennsylvania? Florida? Virginia? We all know what the swing states are and the demographic trends. They strongly favor Hillary because presidential turnout is up and the GOP alienates low-info voters. Everyone knows the GOP has an uphill climb in presidential elections. The economy is recovering and probably will gain momentum over the next 18 months. The GOP has terrible candidates and Hillary is not my favorite, but she's smart enough and conservative enough and women will be motivated to support her.
4
If Bush gets the nomination, then I don't see what Christie adds to the ticket as a VP. His popularity in his home state is low, and Clinton would probably win in NJ.
I guess he'll be on Fox news soon.
I guess he'll be on Fox news soon.
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