# 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:** 29
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/561 "2015-02-05T14:50:14Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Nobody but nobody. The least despicable of this sorry lot would be Jeb Bush, who at least has shown some humanity on immigration. As far as considering a vote for- no way. Yeah, seriously. Why would anyone vote for a GOP pres with a GOP legislature, when all they will do is try to take away healthcare to millions, and pursue an agenda that undoes all the good President Obama has done. Back to the good old days of torture, drill baby drill, no gov’t intrusion on healthcare unless you are a woman (then it’s transvaginal wands for everyone!), complaints about the deficit while giving tax breaks to the 1%… _shudders_ Sounds terrifying. The worst Dem is far better than the best Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/562 "2015-02-05T15:23:48Z")
Jeb’s views on immigration will be a hard sell to GOP stalwarts: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/politics/bush-immigration-conservatives-detroit/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/politics/bush-immigration-conservatives-detroit/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/563 "2015-02-05T15:31:33Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Jeb’s views on immigration will be a hard sell to GOP stalwarts: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/politics/bush-immigration-conservatives-detroit/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/politics/bush-immigration-conservatives-detroit/index.html) Ooh . . . I see a party-schism on the horizon . . . ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/564 "2015-02-05T17:04:03Z")
> [@CGav8r](#): > > The worst Dem is far better than the best Republican. I don’t agree in theory. But right now in practice? Yes. Because the best Republican has still aligned her or himself with the GOP and the GOP right now is not okay. It will take more than a single good Republican as president to make the party okay. It will take a change in platform, a change in focus, and a change in who is given a place at the table. Bush, so far, is the one sounding the most like a grown up. His lack of terror about immigrants is a good start, and if the party embraced that and put it into its platform, that would be an even better start. But instead, he’s likely to come under fire for what he’s saying. Just as there are some freepers who think Bush’s views on immigration disqualify him for office, the Republican party’s views on immigration (and other things) disqualify them from office for me, even when individuals might break the mold. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/565 "2015-02-05T17:16:02Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I don’t agree in theory. But right now in practice? Yes. Because the best Republican has still aligned her or himself with the GOP and the GOP right now is not okay. It will take more than a single good Republican as president to make the party okay. It will take a change in platform, a change in focus, and a change in who is given a place at the table. It will take the death of most of the Tea Party base. If you’ve had a look at them . . . we won’t need to wait long. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/566 "2015-02-06T00:40:34Z")
Walker leads Bush in NH in the last two polls taken there: [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new\_hampshire\_republican\_presidential\_primary-3350.html](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_presidential_primary-3350.html) ---
**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:** [February 6, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/567 "2015-02-06T00:45:33Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Walker leads Bush in NH in the last two polls taken there: > > [RealClearPolitics - Election 2016 - New Hampshire Republican Presidential Primary](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_presidential_primary-3350.html) Polls at this point are basically worthless, regardless of what they say about either side. It’s more than a year before the first primaries, for Og’s sake! Nobody even knows for certain who’s running and who’s not. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/568 "2015-02-06T00:52:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Polls at this point are basically worthless, regardless of what they say about either side. It’s more than a year before the first primaries, for Og’s sake! Nobody even knows for certain who’s running and who’s not. I agree they are worthless to see who is going to win. I think they have a little value in showing who people have heard of. ---
**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 6, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/569 "2015-02-06T01:21:28Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Since we have the attention of many of the boards’ liberals, who is this year’s John Huntsman? Who is the Republican who you’d hate the least, or maybe even consider a vote for? Is there a candidate like Jon Huntsman this cycle? I’m not even sure whether or not Jon Huntsman was Jon Huntsman, or if people were projecting a lot of disparate qualities on him. He came and went too quickly. In terms of perception, I would say Chris Christie comes the closest. How he governs a blue state might be much different than what he would attempt as president. But overall, he’s the least objectionable republican imo. I like his “you’re not going to tell me what to do or put me in a box” rejection of conservative purity. Of course, if I like that, then a true conservative probably sneers at him for being a “RINO.” ---
**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 6, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/570 "2015-02-06T01:23:52Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Walker leads Bush in NH in the last two polls taken there: > > [RealClearPolitics - Election 2016 - New Hampshire Republican Presidential Primary](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_presidential_primary-3350.html) New Hampshire Winners: 2012 GOP - Huntsman - Lost the primary 2008 GOP - McCain - Lost the general election 2008 Dem - Clinton - Lost the primary 2004 Dem - Kerry - Lost the general election 2000 GOP - McCain - Lost the primary 2000 Dem - Gore - “Lost” the general election Yeah, NH is a _great_ bell-weather for the GOP to follow. NH (and Iowa and, to some extent SC) aren’t to determine the winner, they’re to eliminate the underfunded and unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/571 "2015-02-06T01:55:22Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Polls at this point are basically worthless, regardless of what they say about either side. It’s more than a year before the first primaries, for Og’s sake! Nobody even knows for certain who’s running and who’s not. Hell, they all are. Except Romney. And in a year or less, you will see these words in print again: “Draft Romney”. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/572 "2015-02-06T02:00:40Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Polls at this point are basically worthless, regardless of what they say about either side. It’s more than a year before the first primaries, for Og’s sake! Nobody even knows for certain who’s running and who’s not. And yet this thread exists . . . [and this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=641320) . . . ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/573 "2015-02-06T20:06:38Z")
Polls aren’t predictive at this point, but to call them worthless is a stretch. Scott Walker’s name recognition is pretty low compared to Bush’s. If he’s competing with Bush now, in both Iowa and New Hampshire, that spells trouble for Jeb. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/574 "2015-02-06T20:27:39Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > …Yeah, NH is a _great_ bell-weather for the GOP to follow… Nitpick - it’s “bellwether”: [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bellwether?s=t](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bellwether?s=t) ---
**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 6, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/575 "2015-02-06T20:51:40Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Nitpick - it’s “bellwether”: [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bellwether?s=t](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bellwether?s=t) Thanks! Ignorance fought. I’ve spelled it the other way for years. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/576 "2015-02-09T04:27:35Z")
[Southern Poverty Law Center puts Ben Carson on their extremist watch list.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/08/human-rights-group-puts-gop-presidential-contender-ben-carson-on-extremist-watch-list/) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/577 "2015-02-09T08:48:47Z")
Scott Walker snaps up Iowa’s best strategist: > **[GOP strategist with Iowa ties joins Team Scott Walker](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/23/gop-strategist-david-polyansky-joins-team-scott-walker/22201093/)** > > The team prepping for Gov. Walker's possible presidential run brings on David Polyansky. He helped Huck win Iowa in 2008, helped Bachmann win the Ames straw poll, and was instrumental in electing Joni Ernst to the Senate. ---
**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 9, 2015, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/578 "2015-02-09T10:11:29Z")
[Scott Walker trails in third place in latest New Hampshire poll.](http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/08/bush-tops-gop-field-new-hampshire-poll-but-unpopular-among-general-election-voters/8nT52Z6b58DS7sOBa1ZsOI/story.html%22) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/579 "2015-02-09T12:45:14Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Southern Poverty Law Center puts Ben Carson on their extremist watch list.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/08/human-rights-group-puts-gop-presidential-contender-ben-carson-on-extremist-watch-list/) This is a serious scandal for the Democrats! The President and VP went to one of his speeches and even applauded him! Someone needs to ask the President why he continues to attend the speeches of hatemongers. Has he learned nothing from the Rev. Wright controversy? ---
**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 9, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/580 "2015-02-09T13:23:22Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Has he learned nothing from the Rev. Wright controversy? Reverend who? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=30)