# 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:** 43
**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 25, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/842 "2015-02-25T15:14:03Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m extremely wary of making predictions this early. Hillary seemed inevitable in 2007. Something could come up about Jeb, or someone like Walker could ‘catch fire’, or (as is my hope) the crazy right will be strong enough to get Ted Cruz (or similar) nominated. Walker is a remote possibility. It would be good to see a genuine right wing whack-a-doodle go down in flames. But there is no way that Ben Carson gets the nomination, the odds against this happening exceed the number of subatomic particles in the universe. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/843 "2015-02-25T15:53:32Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > PPP finds that Ben Carson is now in second place, ahead of Jeb. > > [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016\_republican\_presidential\_nomination-3823.html](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html) You don’t sound terrified enough about this. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/844 "2015-02-25T16:17:10Z")
I’ve followed Carson for decades. I’m confident that he can be packaged into a fine candidate just like all the schmucks who got into politics because they couldn’t succeed in the real world. ---
**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 25, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/845 "2015-02-25T16:35:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’ve followed Carson for decades. I’m confident that he can be packaged into a fine candidate just like all the schmucks who got into politics because they couldn’t succeed in the real world. Why such enthusiasm for him? What does he stand for that resonates so strongly for you? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/846 "2015-02-25T16:41:19Z")
I’m not enthusiastic about Carson, but I do respect him as a man, and most people who have followed him for a long time do as well. I doubt many have been impressed with his “campaigning” so far, but he’s a smart guy. Give him a staff to tell him what to say and how to say it and he’ll be as polished as Jeb Bush in no time. For the Presidency, I care less about issues than the competence and integrity of the man running for the office. The President’s job is to execute the law and manage the federal government. My problem with Carson is that nothing in his background prepares him for the Presidency. So I’d only vote for him if the alternative was worse. That’s why I’d probably vote for Joe Biden if he was the Democratic nomination. There’s virtue in having a man who can’t lie convincingly. Plus he’s a very serious man and one reason he often mouths off is because he doesn’t have patience for political games. He now has the necessary experience, he’s honest to a fault, he’s a straight talker, and he even has a history of working well with Republicans. Almost all of the deals made between Obama and the Republicans have heavily involved Joe Biden. I realize this is the Republican thread, but I just wanted to make clear why I take Carson seriously. The man reeks of integrity and like Biden he seems incapable of filtering himself. But unlike Biden, he might listen to his staff better. Maybe. We’ll find out. Right now few are paying attention. When Ben Carson starts making big ad buys highlighting his biography and giving speeches to the masses, he might be doing better as a candidate by that point. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/847 "2015-02-25T16:44:37Z")
Update on Carson’s staff hires: it looks like so far he’s been favoring old Gingrich associates: > **[Ben Carson Builds Campaign With Newt Gingrich Connections](https://time.com/3721048/ben-carson-newt-gingrich/)** > > His new staffers used to work for the former speaker. They say that’s just coincidental, and it might be true. Could just be that with all the big names going to Walker and Bush so far that the best veterans still out there worked for Gingrich. ---
**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 25, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/848 "2015-02-25T17:03:47Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’m not enthusiastic about Carson, but I do respect him as a man, and most people who have followed him for a long time do as well. I doubt many have been impressed with his “campaigning” so far, but he’s a smart guy. Give him a staff to tell him what to say and how to say it and he’ll be as polished as Jeb Bush in no time. > > For the Presidency, I care less about issues than the competence and integrity of the man running for the office. The President’s job is to execute the law and manage the federal government. My problem with Carson is that nothing in his background prepares him for the Presidency. So I’d only vote for him if the alternative was worse. > > That’s why I’d probably vote for Joe Biden if he was the Democratic nomination. There’s virtue in having a man who can’t lie convincingly. Plus he’s a very serious man and one reason he often mouths off is because he doesn’t have patience for political games. He now has the necessary experience, he’s honest to a fault, he’s a straight talker, and he even has a history of working well with Republicans. Almost all of the deals made between Obama and the Republicans have heavily involved Joe Biden. > > I realize this is the Republican thread, but I just wanted to make clear why I take Carson seriously. The man reeks of integrity and like Biden he seems incapable of filtering himself. But unlike Biden, he might listen to his staff better. Maybe. We’ll find out. Right now few are paying attention. When Ben Carson starts making big ad buys highlighting his biography and giving speeches to the masses, he might be doing better as a candidate by that point. I’m glad I was sitting down as I read this. A potential vote for Joe Biden? Color me amazed! You’re not going to see Carson make the big ad buys. Since Jeb Bush has more money than Carson, he obviously has more right to speech than Carson and will rout him in the primaries. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/849 "2015-02-25T17:18:58Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m glad I was sitting down as I read this. A potential vote for Joe Biden? Color me amazed! > > You’re not going to see Carson make the big ad buys. Since Jeb Bush has more money than Carson, he obviously has more right to speech than Carson and will rout him in the primaries. And a good thing for Carson, too. When he does get to speak, the result is always embarrassing. ---
**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 25, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/850 "2015-02-25T17:25:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’m not enthusiastic about Carson, but I do respect him as a man, and most people who have followed him for a long time do as well. I doubt many have been impressed with his “campaigning” so far, but he’s a smart guy. Give him a staff to tell him what to say and how to say it and he’ll be as polished as Jeb Bush in no time. > > For the Presidency, I care less about issues than the competence and integrity of the man running for the office. The President’s job is to execute the law and manage the federal government. My problem with Carson is that nothing in his background prepares him for the Presidency. So I’d only vote for him if the alternative was worse. Carson seems like a very capable surgeon, and very smart with regards to surgery, but whenever he’s spoken of things beyond the medical field he seems as dumb as Louie Gohmert. What has he said that makes you think he’s “competent” in any area beyond neurosurgery? As for integrity, that’s a nice thing, but I’ll take a lying realist over an honest fantasy-believer (like Carson) any day. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/851 "2015-02-25T18:17:49Z")
I have seen nothing to indicate any level of competence beyond surgery. All I’ve seen is intelligence and integrity, which count for a lot, but doesn’t mean he would do well as Commander-in-Chief or in managing the federal government. Like I said, the only way I support Ben Carson is if the Democratic alternative is unacceptable. I find Biden to be more than acceptable, ditto for Jim Webb. Hillary Clinton I’m open to as soon as I can figure out exactly who she is and what she brings to the table. Of course I’d prefer a suitable Republican, but I’d rather continue with the Democrats in the White House than elect a screwup who will make it that much more unlikely that we’ll be able to elect a good Republican in the future. ---
**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 25, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/852 "2015-02-25T18:37:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I have seen nothing to indicate any level of competence beyond surgery. All I’ve seen is intelligence and integrity, which count for a lot, but doesn’t mean he would do well as Commander-in-Chief or in managing the federal government. Where have you seen intelligence (or integrity, for that matter)? What has he said (beyond anything about neurosurgery) that is intelligent? What about all the Gohmert-level stupidity that he’s said? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/853 "2015-02-26T11:16:55Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Of course I’d prefer a suitable Republican, but I’d rather continue with the Democrats in the White House than elect a screwup who will make it that much more unlikely that we’ll be able to elect a good Republican in the future. You can’t _elect_ a good Republican until you can _nominate_ a good Republican. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/854 "2015-02-26T12:28:10Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > PPP finds that Ben Carson is now in second place, ahead of Jeb. > > [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016\_republican\_presidential\_nomination-3823.html](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html) Just looking at the names of the front-runners, one doesn’t know whether to laugh or to cry: Bush Walker Huckabee Carson Paul Christie Rubio Cruz Perry Jindal Santorum Kasich It would be too generous even to call this list the “second string.” Where are the superstars: Brownback, Keyes, Palin, Bachmann, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![Jungian\_Camisole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@Jungian\_Camisole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jungian_Camisole)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/855 "2015-02-26T13:40:07Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > JIt would be too generous even to call this list the “second string.” Where are the superstars: Brownback, Keyes, Palin, Bachmann, etc.? If it helps, I heard this morning that Donald Trump is seriously considering a run at 2016. Finally! Someone worth our consideration! 😛 ---
**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 26, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/856 "2015-02-26T13:50:00Z")
> [@Jungian\_Camisole](#): > > If it helps, I heard this morning that Donald Trump is seriously considering a run at 2016. Finally! Someone worth our consideration! 😛 Donald Trump is not going to run in this or any other year for this or any other office. He’s even more reluctant than Romney to release his financial dealings and tax returns- it just isn’t going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/857 "2015-02-26T14:05:24Z")
Anyone checked the sportsbook odds on Romney recently? Wasn’t 80-1 offered when he dropped out? I like that bet since, if the GOP comes to its senses and decides to avoid the most incompetent candidates, Romney is draftable. It would disappoint the base again, but Romney might have won in 2012 if all the base agreed that Mormons were Christians. What do the Koch Brothers think of Mitt? that’s a key question no? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/858 "2015-02-26T14:43:44Z")
Here are best back odds offered at [BetFair.Com](http://BetFair.Com) for the 2016 GOP nomination: Bush 3.3 Walker 5.3 Rubio 5.8 Paul 8.2 Christie 19.5 Cruz 21 Huckabee 27 Carson 34 Perry 36 Ryan 36 Pence 40 Trump 50 Santorum 75 Fiorina 75 Martinez 75 Jindal 80 Palin 100 Romney 100 I’d happily take the £12 offer to back Romney – that’s £1200 if he’s the nominee, right? I’d take the £11 to back at 80-1 also. (Jindal BTW, has best back offered of 75-1 to win in November, seemingly inconsistent with the 80-1 to be nominee.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/859 "2015-02-26T16:18:23Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > You can’t _elect_ a good Republican until you can _nominate_ a good Republican. > > Just sayin’. And, you can’t. The base won’t have it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/860 "2015-02-26T16:51:58Z")
[21 Rand Paul quotes that expose libertarianism for the con job it is.](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/26/21_rand_paul_quotes_that_expose_libertarianism_for_the_con_job_it_is_partner/) ---
**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 26, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/861 "2015-02-26T16:56:23Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [21 Rand Paul quotes that expose libertarianism for the con job it is.](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/26/21_rand_paul_quotes_that_expose_libertarianism_for_the_con_job_it_is_partner/) Oh please. That article was almost as content-free as your posts. They took some quotes, slapped that title on it, then dropped the mic. Lazy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=44)