# The 2016 Republican candidates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 9, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444 "2015-01-09T22:38:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/401 "2015-01-30T07:44:12Z")
Lindsey Graham is in: > **[Lindsey Graham officially launches presidential exploratory committee](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/01/29/lindsey-graham-officially-launches-presidential-exploratory-committee/)** > > The organization, called "Security through Strength," is described by Graham as a "testing-the-waters" committe. Not sure where his niche is in this race, but I’m a fan. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/402 "2015-01-30T10:31:40Z")
Oh joy! Huckleberry J. Butchmeup joins the already-crowded field. [Ed Kilgore says](http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/graham_16053932.php), “a campaign trail with Lindsay Graham on it would guarantee Rand Paul a very regular pounding on foreign policy issues,” to which a commenter (not me, alas!) responded, “Mr. Kilgore, I realize this is puerile, but putting “Lindsay Graham”, “Rand Paul” and “a very regular pounding” in the same thought is wrong on more levels than I can describe. Well played, sir.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/403 "2015-01-30T11:03:25Z")
And the proper response to “\_\_\_\_\_ is running for the GOP Presidential nomination” continues to be “Well, who in the damn galaxy ain’t?” There are more GOP candidates than YoSaffBridge had husbands. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/404 "2015-01-30T12:32:12Z")
Sean Trende at RCP has opined that with so many top tier Republicans in the race, it will be very hard for any one to win a majority of delegates. You figure the winner in Iowa will need only 20% or so, and a different guy will probably win NH, and still a different guy might win SC. Again with maybe 20% of the vote. A brokered GOP convention involving the party as fractured as it is now would be entertaining, that’s for sure. And remember, Joe Scarborough has expressed an interest in running too, so we’ve got more coming to the party. Rick Snyder and Mike Pence also want in. Eagerly awaiting the entrance of Bob Dole into the race. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/405 "2015-01-30T13:29:08Z")
Ooh…Morning Joke is thinking of jumping in? I can only imagine what the pack of primary jackals is going to make of the dead intern… And it’s going to take more than Viagra to get Dole jumping at this point. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/406 "2015-01-30T13:51:54Z")
As delicious as the prospect of a brokered Republican convention descending into fisticuffs and swordplay on the floor might be, it simply isn’t going to happen. The Iowa straw poll will cull the field later this year. After the Iowa caucus, all but no more than 3 or 4 will drop out. After NH, it will be at most a 3 man race. After SC, no more than 2 survive. The party will quickly coalesce around the heir apparent and it will be over before April. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/407 "2015-01-30T15:51:06Z")
Well, it ain’t gonna be [Jindal](http://www.salon.com/2015/01/30/bobby_jindals_public_humiliation_why_theres_a_nasty_side_to_his_thirst_for_power/) or [Graham](http://www.salon.com/2015/01/30/americas_biggest_genius_why_lindsey_graham_is_a_huge_threat_to_einstein/). ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/408 "2015-01-30T16:04:50Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > As delicious as the prospect of a brokered Republican convention descending into fisticuffs and swordplay on the floor might be, it simply isn’t going to happen. The Iowa straw poll will cull the field later this year. After the Iowa caucus, all but no more than 3 or 4 will drop out. After NH, it will be at most a 3 man race. After SC, no more than 2 survive. The party will quickly coalesce around the heir apparent and it will be over before April. Ed Kilgore [has a nice bit of commentary](http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/look_out_cleveland_1053927.php) on Trende’s piece. Concluding line: “It almost certainly won’t happen, I believe. But the odds are higher than at any time I can remember.” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/409 "2015-01-30T16:07:49Z")
Come to think of it, the 1976 Republican convention was the last major-party national nominating convention where the candidate was not already picked before it started. I’m pretty sure. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/410 "2015-01-30T16:14:30Z")
Well, Romney is back out. [The Romney Statement: Not Running. "I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee." - The Hugh Hewitt Show](http://www.hughhewitt.com/romney-statement-not-running-ive-decided-best-give-leaders-party-opportunity-become-next-nominee/) I’m so glad he’s not running. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/411 "2015-01-30T16:15:28Z")
Mitt Romney [is not running](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/30/2016-scramble-former-romney-backers-strategist-shifting-to-bush/). That really limits the field. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/412 "2015-01-30T16:58:20Z")
Romney finally said something the American people wanted to hear. Good for him. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/413 "2015-01-30T18:00:52Z")
So Mitt’s decided to drop out and go back to his car elevator. Well, that opens up a bigger chunk of the field for “[small-time businessman](http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/mitt_edges_up_to_the_starting053943.php)” Jebbie, who had also just picked off a key Romney operative from Mitt’s last two campaigns. We’ll see if he can do anything with that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/414 "2015-01-30T19:58:11Z")
I just saw where polls show that 48% of polled Republicans are in favor of something being done about global warming. Let the squirming and spinning commence. I wonder if the RNC will ask Inhofe to STFU. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/415 "2015-01-30T20:01:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I just saw where polls show that 48% of polled Republicans are in favor of something being done about global warming. Unfortunately, their solution includes tax cuts and more guns. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/416 "2015-01-30T20:11:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Unfortunately, their solution includes tax cuts and more guns. You forgot ‘praying’. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/417 "2015-01-30T20:39:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I just saw where polls show that 48% of polled Republicans are in favor of something being done about global warming. Let the squirming and spinning commence. I wonder if the RNC will ask Inhofe to STFU. Kilgore (again) points out the following from the poll results: > [@](#): > > Democrats are much more likely than Republicans or independents to say that the issue of global warming is important to them. Among Democrats, 63 percent said the issue was very or extremely important to them personally. In contrast, 40 percent of independents and **only 18 percent of Republicans said the same**. Bolding mine. Maybe half of Republicans think something should be done about global warming, but it isn’t that important to most of that half. And since the moneymen of the GOP are in the ‘do nothing about global warming’ camp _and_ deeply care about it, backing that up with their ample checkbooks, nothing’s any different in the GOP on this issue than it was yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/418 "2015-01-30T20:52:47Z")
Scott Lemieux at Lawyers, Guns, and Money [had a great summary](http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2015/01/wont-mittens-kick-around-anymore) of why he thinks Mitt threw in the towel: > [@](#): > > Apparently, Romney figured out that if he had to scrap and claw to win a nomination contest in which he was effectively running unopposed, trying to beat actual competition wasn’t going to work out. I think there might be something to that. Other than (only briefly) Rick Perry, the alternatives to Romney weren’t a crew that anyone, even the GOP base, could take that seriously. This time, whatever you think of Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, the Rick Perry reboot, Scott Walker, etc., it’s a tougher field than Santorum, Gingrich, Bachmann, Cain, etc., and this time, Romney wouldn’t have been entering the race as the default choice. Maybe he could have won, but it would have been a lot more of a challenge than in 2012, which wasn’t supposed to be any sort of challenge at all, but it wound up being one anyway. He’d have had to get a lot more down-and-dirty to win this time, and he might well have failed to do so, which would have been embarrassing. So best to just go back home to his car elevator. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/419 "2015-01-30T21:02:59Z")
Now we know what went down in Utah. Step one for Jeb. ---
**Author:** ![EndlessEntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@EndlessEntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EndlessEntropy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/420 "2015-01-30T21:13:32Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Lindsey Graham is in: > > [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/29/lindsey-graham-officially-launches-presidential-exploratory-committee/](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/29/lindsey-graham-officially-launches-presidential-exploratory-committee/) > > Not sure where his niche is in this race, but I’m a fan. excellent, I love seeing him on the Daily Show and Jon Stewart’s impersonations of him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=22)