# Handicapping the 2012 GOP presidential nomination **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 12, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160 "2011-02-12T21:14:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/421 "2011-06-06T18:16:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Noted slimeball and homophobe Rick Santorum has now [declared himself](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/culture-warrior-rick-santorum-jumps-in/?hp)as running (or slithering) for the nomination. I’m sure Obama is totally terrified of THAT one. Romney or a nobody. Those are the threats to Obama. -Joe ---
**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:** [June 6, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/422 "2011-06-06T19:40:48Z")
And all of the likely nobodies are already out of it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/423 "2011-06-06T20:07:19Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Noted slimeball and homophobe Rick Santorum has now [declared himself](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/culture-warrior-rick-santorum-jumps-in/?hp)as running (or slithering) for the nomination. He’s gonna have a Google problem. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/424 "2011-06-07T09:01:37Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > He’s gonna have a Google problem. The word is spreading… ---
**Author:** ![Profound\_Gibberish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/425 "2011-06-07T15:23:00Z")
As for Jindal, he comes across to me as very awkward and unsure. He would totally tank in a debate at this point. I believe he needs some additional years to mature. And what is wrong with actually serving out your term as governor with you focus on your current job and not the next one? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/426 "2011-06-07T16:43:02Z")
> [@dbx820](#): > > And what is wrong with actually serving out your term as governor with you focus on your current job and not the next one? Because Republicans are absolutely _desperate_ for a candidate that won’t be a total embarrassment to the party. Of course, the underlying problem is the nature of the party, and none of the potential candidates can get away from the positions they’d have to take to have a chance at the nomination, and how that would completely shred whatever reputation for integrity, credibility, or moderation they previously possessed, just in time for the general election. Silk purses, sow’s ears, and all that. ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/427 "2011-06-07T16:55:01Z")
I am new to the board, but I would like to say that Obama’s chance at a second term lies entirely with the state of the economy. There is no one on the GOP side who can defeat him, one on one, if the unemployment rate settles near 8%. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/428 "2011-06-07T17:02:48Z")
[http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/national-affairs/matt-taibbi-on-extremist-altar-boy-rick-santorum-20110606](http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/national-affairs/matt-taibbi-on-extremist-altar-boy-rick-santorum-20110606) Here is Tiabi’s take on the very divisive and low rung politician, Santorum. He is a bottom feeder who panders to the lowest and meanest of the right wing. How will that translate to a national majority. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/429 "2011-06-07T17:07:51Z")
I think if Obama perp walked a few of the bankers, he would get a lot of love. They caused the mess and most people feel unsettled because they have been allowed to walk off and go back to bilking their customers. The justiec department has been working on that. It may be a case of Obama timing the arrests and trials for maximum benefit. ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/430 "2011-06-07T17:20:45Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I think if Obama perp walked a few of the bankers, he would get a lot of love. They caused the mess and most people feel unsettled because they have been allowed to walk off and go back to bilking their customers. > The justiec department has been working on that. It may be a case of Obama timing the arrests and trials for maximum benefit. Good Point. I never thought of that. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/431 "2011-06-07T17:31:18Z")
Pawlenty made a major economic position statement today. It’s full of corkers. He would get rid of the Post Office, Amtrak and any good or service you can find on Google that is provided by the government. Oh, and there will be huge tax cuts as well. I take this as a sign that Palin and Trump have been bogarting all media attention so T-Paw had to pull out something big to get noticed. It may be working as this is prominently displayed on the NY Times site right now (but of course, conservatives don’t have any use for the Times and I don’t know how big a story it is elsewhere.) This could help win T-Paw some admiration and attention amongst conservatives but these stances will cost him in the general election if he should actually win the nomination. ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/432 "2011-06-07T17:38:32Z")
If you remember, McCain was so deperate to win the 2008 GOP nomination, that he actually hugged GW. How many times did you remember seeing that photo on the web. It may have won him the nomination, but it certainly hurt him in the general. I assume Pawlenty is thinking the same thing. He needs to win the nomination first. Personally, Romney is the front runner and I don’t see anyone that can upset him. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/433 "2011-06-07T19:04:06Z")
Palin is holding her own in the top 3 and she isn’t even running. She will get a significant bump when she announces. Crane ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/434 "2011-06-07T19:07:33Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Palin is holding her own in the top 3 and she isn’t even running. She will get a significant bump when she announces. > > Crane I have my fingers crossed. A Palin run would be the best news the Dems have had in months. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/435 "2011-06-07T19:33:20Z")
I have mixed feelings about that. Palin could win both the nomination and the Presidency. Expectations of Palin are low. She is being coached and may do very well with tightly controlled, limited, media exposure. Remember GW Bush and the scripted press conferences? Crane ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/436 "2011-06-07T19:43:17Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Palin …will get a significant bump when she announces. And a few months later, another Down’s Syndrome baby. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/437 "2011-06-07T19:47:39Z")
If she runs, she will have to answer questions from the media, and she will have to engage in debates. This is a woman who thinks that “What have you seen so far today?” is a “gotcha question” (and for her, it apparently IS). When she actually has to answer real questions and debate other candidates, she’s going to be toast. She has to know that. I don’t think she’ll run. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/438 "2011-06-07T20:19:20Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > The amazing part is that her base doesn’t understand the problem. They think she’s right - after all she’s home schooling her daughters. > > Crane It looks like her teaching of history is as effective as her teaching of sex ed. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/439 "2011-06-07T20:44:19Z")
Diogenes, Why would she have to face the media? Her pitch is based on the idea that they set her up and twist her statements. She can refuse to debate on the grounds that it’s all an insider trap. Look at the poll numbers. She has eliminated Gingrich, topped Pawlenty, and controlled the media by saying nothing - and she isn’t even running. Looks like a great campaign to me. Crane ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160/440 "2011-06-07T22:49:13Z")
Palin does not want Romney to win the GOP nomination. I think that is one reason she went to NH during his announcement. But at the same time, there is not room for Palin and Bachmann together in the field. Bachmann has hired Rolls and is going to run. So Palin needs to make her mind up quickly. Personally, I don’t see her running. Like Huckabee, she is getting rich off of FOX. She won’t run, but she will make a lot of noise…whatever that means. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination/571160.md?page=23)