# And the Republican "Deep Bench" Produces ... The Reality Show Candidate ? ! ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841 "2016-05-04T01:47:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/21 "2016-05-04T11:24:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Maybe in 2020 Paul Ryan will catch fire. After another couple years of running the circus (whether he holds on to the Speaker chair or is relegated to Minority Leader status), he’s going to be in the same position as John “Orangeman” Boehner – if he _were_ to catch fire, not one of his colleagues would stop to piss on him. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/22 "2016-05-04T13:20:04Z")
> [@](#): > > On the other hand, the Republicans are sitting on the deepest bench they’ve had in decades. Bill Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard, counts some 26 potential candidates: “John Bolton, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, Pete King, Mike Pence, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum, Joe Scarborough, Scott Walker, and Allen West … Dick Cheney, Tom Cotton, Mitch Daniels, Joni Ernst, Newt Gingrich, and Rudy Giuliani.” … “more ready than Hillary.” There are some on that list of names who aren’t absolutely crazy picks to be presidential candidates, but a lot of them are really reaching. If someone honestly thinks that Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, or Allan West are more ready than Hillary, they would think that literally anyone Republican would be more ready than her. But also, Trump winning just shows how dissatisfied that Republican voters are with their party. If the Republicans had been getting more done, and not lying about what they can and would do, I’d guess more would have voted for Bush or Rubio. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/23 "2016-05-04T13:37:50Z")
It’s perfectly consistent. How deep your bench is depends on how low you’re willing to set the bar. Based on that list, the Republicans are willing to set the bar at “has a pulse”. And Trump meets that qualification. (and yes, I just realized that there’s an error in that post, but it’ll be funnier if someone else points it out) ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/24 "2016-05-04T13:56:37Z")
It’d be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. Oh, what the heck – I’ll laugh anyway: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ---
**Author:** ![Goofus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Goofus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goofus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/25 "2016-05-04T14:01:29Z")
The deep Republican bench had a “Group W” sign next to it. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/26 "2016-05-04T14:48:41Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > It’s because for all his xenophobia, crazy comments, and occasional lapses in knowledge, he is the only Republican who even pretended to give a shit about anybody who wasn’t upper-middle class. Not really, because Trump’s appeal has little to do with _what_ is says–it’s purely about _how_ he says it. He could be talking about country club life, and still win those same voters he has won, as long as he uses the same rhetorical techniques which he has been using so far. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/27 "2016-05-04T15:45:55Z")
> [@Goofus](#): > > The deep Republican bench had a “Group W” sign next to it. What’re you in for, kid? Running for President. And they all moved away from me. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/28 "2016-05-04T16:37:14Z")
Now that we’re done pointing & laughing, an amateur attempt at analysis: The conservative response to 8 years of the Obama administration was to feed the beast that we can simplistically identify as Tea Party. This was an angry mob, lashing out at the ideals represented by Obama, and manifesting itself as nationalistic, xenophobic, fearful of job loss (especially linked to “trade deals”), libertarian and not-just-a-little racist, and mistrustful of Washington. But after 8 years of feeding the beast, it came time to lead the beast. And no sitting or former Senator or Governor could talk to them. Just Donald. He said all the words they wanted to hear. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/29 "2016-05-08T06:36:55Z")
Interesting article by Megan McCardle: [The four horsemen of the Republican apocalypse](http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/the_four_horsemen_of_the_repub.html) Puts the blame on Trump, Jeb!, Chrstie and Kasich for acting irrationally throughout. > [@](#): > > We would not be in this situation if Republican primary voters had mostly rationally tried to pursue two goals: 1) nominate someone as conservative as possible and 2) win the general election. The field would have consolidated around Marco Rubio, and Democrats would now be anxious rather than openly celebrating the nomination of a no-hoper. > > That’s usually the outcome we see in both parties: the field consolidates around the most ideologically congenial candidate who is capable of winning a general election. Why didn’t that happen? Blame the four horsemen. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/30 "2016-05-08T11:31:25Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Ummm … Oooo - kaaaay… > > Just 18 months ago the Republican punditry was talking about the “Deep Bench” they had in this election. That they would crush Hilary. That even their second and third strings could lead them to victory. > > So what happened? > > In an earlier thread, I commented that this was exactly the situation that is supposed to favour the non-incumbent party: two term president with baggage, with an heiress apparent with even more baggage; Republicans on a roll in the state-houses and mid-terms. > > This should have been the election that attracted the best and the brightest from the Republicans. > > Instead, a reality show snake-oil salesman with a huuuuuge ego, multiple bankruptcies, and absolutely no experience in government. And some of the worst negatives ever, amongst the very constituencies he needs to attract. > > So what happened to the best and the brightest Republicans? Where were they? 😕 > > **Or was this really the best and the brightest they had on their bench?** :eek: Yes. Yes, it was. ---
**Author:** ![Textual\_Innuendo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/31 "2016-05-08T20:24:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s perfectly consistent. How deep your bench is depends on how low you’re willing to set the bar. Based on that list, the Republicans are willing to set the bar at “has a pulse”. And Trump meets that qualification. > > (and yes, I just realized that there’s an error in that post, but it’ll be funnier if someone else points it out) Cheney doesn’t even meet THAT bar! ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/32 "2016-05-08T22:46:31Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Interesting article by Megan McCardle: > > [The four horsemen of the Republican apocalypse](http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/the_four_horsemen_of_the_repub.html) > > Puts the blame on Trump, Jeb!, Chrstie and Kasich for acting irrationally throughout. It’s only interesting if you ignore the way it’s completely divorced from reality. By “irrational”, McCardle means, “they should have been doing everything in their power to elect Marco Rubio”. Rubio - an empty suit huddled around a gaping desperation - was never going to be the Republican savior. He’s such a lightweight he must have had rocks in his pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841/33 "2016-05-08T23:10:36Z")
The Republican party keeps insisting the American electorate wants conservative candidates. And the American electorate keeps rejecting them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-republican-deep-bench-produces-the-reality-show-candidate/753841.md?page=1)