# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/461 "2015-02-02T03:22:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Money talks. Bush has the money and nobody else is going to come close. Some are running out of delusions of adequacy, like Paul and Cruz, and some, like Pawlenty in 2012, know their only prayer is to get the veep nod. I think Walker’s smart enough that he just can’t compete with the Bush money machine. What are the Koch brothers? Chopped liver? And they love Walker. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/462 "2015-02-02T03:58:05Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > What are the Koch brothers? Chopped liver? If I ever meet a supernatural being that grants wishes . . . ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/463 "2015-02-02T04:04:32Z")
Anyone who can identify with the Tea Party and win three elections in a blue state is automatically a contender. And I say that as someone who isn’t even really a fan of Walker. He’s good enough that I’ll support him if he gets the nomination, but I’d really prefer someone less divisive and with fewer ethical clouds surrounding him. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/464 "2015-02-02T14:56:09Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think not. The nominee is going to be someone that the big money Republicans can stomach. This rules out virtually everyone but Christie and Bush. Forget about anyone with Tea Party ties. I doubt they’ll take a chance on Christie and whatever other scandals lie beneath the surface. So it’s Bush, guaranteed. [He’s not doing so well in Iowa polls.](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/01/jeb_bush_is_already_toast_in_iowa_poll/) Of course, it is all kinds of early. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2015, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/465 "2015-02-02T15:59:24Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > What are the Koch brothers? Chopped liver? And they love Walker. They love him as governor. If they thought he could beat Hillary, they’d be backing him right now for president. I’m guessing they don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/466 "2015-02-02T16:12:08Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [He’s not doing so well in Iowa polls.](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/01/jeb_bush_is_already_toast_in_iowa_poll/) Of course, it is all kinds of early. Bush just hired Romney’s old Iowa lead. Expect his numbers to rise. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/467 "2015-02-02T18:25:26Z")
I don’t know. His name recognition should be putting him way ahead in early polling. The fact that guys like Ben Carson are competing with him says that like Romney in 2012, he’ll win as a last resort candidate. Problem is, this time the field doesn’t contain bad candidates. Walker, Kasich, Huckabee, Jindal, all plausible candidates. Not like Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, and Gingrich. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/468 "2015-02-02T18:26:06Z")
William Hill have Jeb Bush at 7/4 and Scott Walker at 9/2. ETA Ben Carson is an 18/1 outsider. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/469 "2015-02-02T18:33:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Walker, Kasich, Huckabee, Jindal, all plausible candidates. Not like Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, and Gingrich. LOL for Jindal and Huckabee. Half-LOL for Walker (he’s half-plausible, in my view). No LOL for Kasich – he is indeed plausible. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/470 "2015-02-02T18:45:14Z")
They are governors, and successful at that. Any successful governor is a serious candidate. Huckabee’s time might have passed because his social conservative beliefs aren’t going to sell anymore. Jindal has a similar problem, except he’s even less able to articulate his views in a way that doesn’t piss people off. But their ability to govern isn’t in doubt, they’ve actually done it. Both also accomplished something Bill Clinton failed to do: they won reelection, demonstrating at least some voter satisfaction with their performances. Your opinion of their overall plausibility is valid, to be sure. But if we’re looking at objective qualifications, both have proven they can appeal to voters statewide. The Republican candidates I mentioned had not proven they could do even that. Cain failed to win statewide election, Gingrich never tried, and Santorum did win but then got booted overwhelmingly because he’s the most tone deaf social conservative in history. Jindal and Huckabee easily exceed that admittedly low standard, thus making the GOP field much stronger than the one Romney faced in 2012. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/471 "2015-02-02T19:04:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > They are governors, and successful at that. Any successful governor is a serious candidate. Whether or not they are “successful” is a matter of opinion, not fact. But even if they are “successful” governors, that doesn’t mean that they’re a serious candidate – if Palin had finished her term, she still wouldn’t be a “serious” candidate. Further, “serious” does not mean “plausible”. Whether or not Jindal and Huckabee are “serious” candidates, they’re not plausible. Especially not Jindal. > [@](#): > > Huckabee’s time might have passed because his social conservative beliefs aren’t going to sell anymore. Jindal has a similar problem, except he’s even less able to articulate his views in a way that doesn’t piss people off. But their ability to govern isn’t in doubt, they’ve actually done it. Both also accomplished something Bill Clinton failed to do: they won reelection, demonstrating at least some voter satisfaction with their performances. > > Your opinion of their overall plausibility is valid, to be sure. But if we’re looking at objective qualifications, both have proven they can appeal to voters statewide. The Republican candidates I mentioned had not proven they could do even that. Cain failed to win statewide election, Gingrich never tried, and Santorum did win but then got booted overwhelmingly because he’s the most tone deaf social conservative in history. Jindal and Huckabee easily exceed that admittedly low standard, thus making the GOP field much stronger than the one Romney faced in 2012. Romney was a terrible candidate, but he still had a much better chance to appeal to non-Republicans than Huckabee or Jindal. Jindal has been doing nothing but turning the stupid up to 11 since getting ripped by his own for arguing that Republicans shouldn’t be the “stupid party”. And Huckabee is killing his own chances every time he talks about gay marriage. I really, really hope one of these guys gets the nomination – but I seriously doubt they will. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/472 "2015-02-02T20:53:09Z")
Huckabee is dangerous in a general election because he’s so unthreatening and a good talker. He’s authentic. Against the plastic Hillary Clinton he’ll match up very well. How often does the winner of the “guy I’d like to have a beer with” part of the contest lose? Um, never. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/473 "2015-02-02T20:53:48Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Jindal and Huckabee easily exceed that admittedly low standard, thus making the GOP field much stronger than the one Romney faced in 2012. If Jindal is to be taken seriously, how are we supposed to take his carping about the non-existent Muslim “no-go zones” as anything but trying to capitalize on Islamophobia? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/474 "2015-02-02T20:59:59Z")
Those statements are certainly damaging, but there’s little that can’t be overcome this early. He needs to walk those statements back and “distract” us with his legitimate policy proposals. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/475 "2015-02-02T21:58:28Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But their ability to govern isn’t in doubt, they’ve actually done it. Both also accomplished something Bill Clinton failed to do: they won reelection, demonstrating at least some voter satisfaction with their performances. Right, Bill Clinton never won re-election. Except in 1984, 1986 and 1990. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/476 "2015-02-02T22:08:26Z")
He lost his first attempt though. Jindal and Huckabee got it right the first time. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/477 "2015-02-02T23:42:47Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Huckabee is dangerous in a general election because he’s so unthreatening and a good talker. He’s authentic. Against the plastic Hillary Clinton he’ll match up very well. How often does the winner of the “guy I’d like to have a beer with” part of the contest lose? Um, never. I seriously doubt many people beyond the hard-core Christian right want to have a beer with a guy with such vitriol against gay people and, for some reason, people like Beyonce and the Obama family. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/478 "2015-02-02T23:43:27Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > He lost his first attempt though. Jindal and Huckabee got it right the first time. Oh, well, that’s _different…_ You think voters will notice that, but overlook the fact that Scott Walker is a college dropout with nothing more a high school diploma? Your impression of the intelligence of voters is crafted of purest anal extract. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/479 "2015-02-02T23:43:57Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > He lost his first attempt though. Jindal and Huckabee got it right the first time. These are some awfully thin straws you’re grasping at. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/480 "2015-02-02T23:56:53Z")
It wasn’t meant to be some major selling point. But if you take Clinton seriously based on objective standards rather than subjective, Huckabee had a better record of political success in the very same state. I get where you’re coming from, and I think you’re right that his stance on social issues is going to be a big problem for him in 2016. But I also think that if he made it through the primaries somehow he’d be the perfect contrast to Hillary Clinton. She’s just too artificial. He comes off as extremely natural and easy to relate to. Plus he’s disciplined. What you saw with his Beyonce moment is unlikely to be repeated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=25)