Prediction: Scott Walker will be the Republican nominee.

[RandySF]

Scott Walker is where the Republican party is today. He is cruel to unions, the poor and working class Wisconsinites, but can do it calm, photogenic smile. He is not quite as establishment as Jeb nor as outwardly batshit as Cruz. He knows how to channel the resentment of white, working class voters while nestling deep into the Koch Brothers' pockets. The Religious Right and tea baggers both like him. But you know what is most frightening? He knows how to talk to someone who has no health care and, instead of offering to expand medical coverage, he can convince them that the "union bums" don't deserve health health, either. THAT is what the Republican Party wants in 2016.

[still_one]

1. That may be what they want, but I still think Jeb will be their nominee

[EL34x4]

11. There's two GOP candidates running:

Jeb and "Not Jeb". The biggest obstacle Walker faces (Or Cruz, Rubio, Paul and everyone else) is that "Not Jeb" are all competing against one another.

I agree with the OP though. Jeb will get the Wall Street backing but I think he's going to fail to convince Republican voters that this country needs a third Bush at the top of the ticket. His father was never very popular with the base and many Republicans blame GWB for sullying the GOP brand so badly that Ronald Reagan himself couldn't have gotten elected in 2008.

That leaves Walker, who can appeal to both the wingnuts and the more moderate base (the type of people who think Ted Cruz is crazy). I think Paul is running to champion libertarian issues on a national stage and Rubio is running for the VP slot. In the event a "Not Jeb" gets the nod, Marco Rubio is almost guaranteed to be picked for VP. The GOP has no roadmap to victory that doesn't include Florida.

It's still so early to really try to predict who the GOP front runners will be. It is estimated that up to 14 candidates may toss their hats into the ring. Lots of time to stumble and fall or break out into the lead.

[pansypoo53219]

2. weasel boy's eyes say he gets mid way. and his bald spot.

[olddots]

3. he is repulsive , arragant and looks like he has a flag pole up his ass

Yup he will be the maggot candidate .

[gotj90]

4. I've given up trying to guess.

I really don't have a gut feeling about who will emerge from the clown car. I still think there's a chance it could be somebody we aren't even talking about yet. I wouldn't even count out Romney

[JI7]

5. plus he got multiple victories in a democratic leaning state

[LordGlenconner]

6. He's underrated as a contender

He has the credentials with the far right and can also get those slightly less nutty types as well. Beyond that, he lacks a college education which will be an asset in the primaries. Instant street cred with unimformed and usually angry whites who make up the GOP primary electorate.

How that plays in a general election is less clear.

I still think Jeb is the favorite though.

[EL34x4]

12. I think trying to capitalize on Walker's lack of college degree

Is ill-advised and may backfire. A lot of voters out there don't have college degrees and playing up the notion that they are somehow "second class" citizens may endear them to Walker even more.

[kelly1mm]

7. A Walker/Rubio GOP ticket could be a problem. nt

[moondust]

8. Wall Street likes the Bushes.

Since Prescott was one of them, and that's where the Bush family fortune comes from, they know a Bush would never do anything against their wishes. Walker could easily win neighboring state Iowa but I'm not sure after that. The billionaires may see Walker as an upstart insufficiently rooted in monied elitism and arrogance.

[former9thward]

9. Wall street may like Bush but does that translate into votes?

Somebody has to vote for him.

[Gothmog]

10. Walker is a college drop out who has a bad record in his own state

The man has been a bad governor and Wisconsin lags behind the region

[Logical]

13. Or maybe not! Nt

[RandySF]

14. Lol