# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/161 "2015-01-16T17:20:01Z")
The real problem is that the Republican base has a lot of nonsensical views, and expect those views to be present in their candidate. They’re also angry, so they expect their candidate to come out swinging. That’s why know-nothings like Cain and Perry took a turn as front-runner. It was only after they held up the loons to the light they they grudgingly accepted Romney as a lesser evil. Guys like Carson are just the next round of ideologically comfortable goofballs. After they burn themselves out, it’ll end up being Romney or Bush. At least that’s my guess. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/162 "2015-01-16T18:14:06Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And it eliminated Rick Perry, although he seems to think he is still a plausible candidate. I could give you two good reasons why he isn’t. Now if only I could remember them! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/163 "2015-01-16T18:36:56Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Walker . . . has already self-destructed, by his record. No he hasn’t. He got re-elected by a strong margin, after winning a recall election by a larger margin than that by which he was originally elected. You are mistaking “self-destruction” for “reasons why the hard left hates him”. They aren’t opposites - that is, there could be reasons why the left hates him that have nothing to do with his electability - but they aren’t the same. He stared down the public unions, which is a net positive for him (except with the hard left). He survived a particularly nasty election, full of lies and mud-slinging from the same left wing. This is also a net positive, since the left will suffer (if he runs) from the same disadvantage they think applies to Republicans and Hillary Clinton - recycling failed smears of the past doesn’t resonate with normal people. As previously mentioned, at this point he looks like a viable VP candidate, especially if Ryan is out. Romney-Walker would be as good for the country (if elected) as Romney-Ryan would have been. Yes, I know the SDMB hates him. That’s usually a good indication that there must be something to him. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/164 "2015-01-16T19:06:08Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No he hasn’t. He got re-elected by a strong margin, after winning a recall election by a larger margin than that by which he was originally elected. But, in a presidential election he will not have the advantage of incumbency. > [@Shodan](#): > > You are mistaking “self-destruction” for “reasons why the hard left hates him”. I am equating “self-destruction” with “decisions that wrecked his state’s economy.” ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/165 "2015-01-16T19:57:55Z")
And don’t forget, Walker is facing potential indictment too! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/166 "2015-01-16T20:24:01Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > And don’t forget, Walker is facing potential indictment too! What, still? Or, again? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/167 "2015-01-16T22:05:38Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I’ll take that bet. US$20 - to be payable within one month of Inauguration Day. Deal? > > Mitt did not exactly wow 'em at a recent Heritage Foundation shindig: [Mitt 3.0 Fails To Impress Conservatives At Major Conference In Washington | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/13/heritage-mitt-romney-2016_n_6463328.html) :Thinks about it long and hard: Nah, I’m out. Governors have a way of wilting under the national spotlight. And a bet with an elf is a sucker’s bet. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/168 "2015-01-16T22:23:44Z")
I note that Ayotte and Haley both seem to have apparently-minor blots on their copybooks. Just how minor are they really? ---
**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:** [January 16, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/169 "2015-01-16T23:53:51Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > :Thinks about it long and hard: > > Nah, I’m out. Governors have a way of wilting under the national spotlight. > > And a bet with an elf is a sucker’s bet. Too bad - you seemed so sure before. And I’m no elf. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/170 "2015-01-16T23:57:32Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Too bad - you seemed so sure before. > > And I’m no elf. Well, maybe you no longer practice, but, well, **you** know . . . ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/171 "2015-01-17T00:18:33Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > You grossly underestimate the self-destructive capacity of Jindal and Huckabee. Walker . . . has already self-destructed, by his record. Self destruction in politics involves self-inflicted wounds that damage or ruin your political career. Walker has actually only gotten stronger. Huck has already had a Presidential campaign in which he lost, but made a very respectable showing, and the guy knows how to talk and carry himself. Huck will lose because he can’t raise money, not because he’ll destroy himself. Which you’re as genial and articulate as Huck, you can say all sorts of crazy things and sound reasonable and unthreatening. > [@](#): > > They are the only **electable** options and even the base must know it by now. They are the MOST electable, but I think Jindal, Walker, and Huck are also electable, especially Huck. I’ve never heard of a two-man Presidential race where the friendliest most down to earth guy loses. Huck would be dynamite in a one-on-one race with the plastic Hillary. And his record is actually the most liberal of the field, which is another problem he’d have in the primary. But if he got past that point it would be very easy for him to move to the center. All Democrats would really have on him is his devout religious beliefs, and even when that causes you to have unacceptable positions on some social issues, the electorate tends to forgive that as long as you’re not a dick about it. And Huck is not Robertson or Santorum. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/172 "2015-01-17T00:19:35Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I could give you two good reasons why he isn’t. Now if only I could remember them! And isn’t the Texas governor a weak governor compared to most other states? Might explain why the last one we had wasn’t a very good President. ---
**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 17, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/173 "2015-01-17T00:26:13Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And isn’t the Texas governor a weak governor compared to most other states? Might explain why the last one we had wasn’t a very good President. I think personal shortcomings drown out the “weak governor” problems with that one. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/174 "2015-01-17T00:34:29Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’ve never heard of a two-man Presidential race where the friendliest most down to earth guy loses. 1968, Humphrey loses to Nixon. 1972, McGovern loses to Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/175 "2015-01-17T00:37:17Z")
Not a two man race.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/176 "2015-01-17T00:43:45Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Not a two man race.🙂 '72 was; Wallace dropped out after he was shot. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/177 "2015-01-17T00:49:42Z")
McGovern was the MORE congenial candidate, but not particularly congenial. He came off as more of an aloof intellectual. That never goes over well, and Democrats should know that by now having run those types in a whole bunch of losing efforts. Clinton is just not all the warm. Huckabee has a huge advantage in that department and it goes straight to how well voters relate to the candidates. I suppose she could cry again. She probably will. It got her back in the race in 2008 and I can’t see her not repeating what works. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/178 "2015-01-17T01:26:11Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > McGovern was the MORE congenial candidate, but not particularly congenial. He came off as more of an aloof intellectual. That never goes over well, and Democrats should know that by now having run those types in a whole bunch of losing efforts. Obama won twice, and “aloof intellectual” is one of the nicer things I’ve heard RWs call him, and McCain and Romney certainly are nothing of the kind. (Romney is an aloof patrician, not an aloof intellectual.) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/179 "2015-01-17T03:30:32Z")
Obama has a unique coalition that breaks the rules of politics a bit. Your generic Democrat isn’t going to win as many young or minority voters. Plus he never ran against anyone charismatic. All three of his major opponents(Clinton, McCain, Romney) were awkward(McCain) or came off as too fake(Clinton, Romney). The election will be decided by which way the white working class swings and few are better positioned to win a landslide among such voters as Huckabee. Clinton would probably win that group against either Bush or Romney. Mind you, I’m not a supporter of Huck. I don’t go in for religious conservatism and his brand of it is more anti-libertarian than the usual strain. But being a former pastor, I think he understands what people are looking for better than your average politician and knows how to talk to people better than your average politician. His weaknesses(lack of ability to raise money and lack of support outside his evangelical base within the GOP) will probably prevent him from winning the nomination, but if he did, I think he’d probably win the general. ---
**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:** [January 17, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/180 "2015-01-17T03:48:21Z")
Will Ron Paul’s organization’s claims that the CIA is responsible for the Charlie Hebdo attacks have any blowback on Rand? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=10)