It's simple - the GOP who could possible win a race know to wait until 2016

[LynneSin]

What you see with the crowd of potential GOP candidates is the next 'Bob Dole'

Sure Obama is down in the numbers, Clinton wasn't doing much better. But in the end Clinton won re-election in 1996 after the devestating losses he had in Congress in 1994. Obama will do the same.

The GOP knew it was better to waste their money on Congressional Races in 1996 and ended up having Bob Dole on the presidential ticket. Dole wasn't a blithering idiot that would tank the elections across the board but they figured he was a candidate with nothing to lose when he loses to Clinton.

Christie doesn't want to be a Bob Dole and neither does any other very feasible GOP candidates like Jeb Bush. They would rather wait until 2016 when the slate is wide open. It's unlikely that Joe Biden will run for President and not sure if Hillary will run. The GOP hope to control congress by the time 2016 roles around so they can have another 8 years of destroying the country just like they did when Bush was in office.

So there you go.

[monmouth]

1. In the meantime hopefully Elizabeth Warren will have established her

creds in MA and at the very least, be a Democratic contender.

[doc03]

2. I don't care who the Republicans run Obama has slim chance

of getting re-elected unless the economy improves dramatically in the next 6 months.

[boxman15]

3. The GOP will focus on Congress and try to hold on to as many seats as possible so they can continue

to obstruct. The presidency will come in 2016 for them as they see it.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. I hope we have some good candidates ourselves in 2016

n/t

[Ter]

6. You think one party can win three elections in a row?

I'm not sure these days one can, unless you believe we'll lose in 2012.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. No recent examples

but the Republicans won 3 consecutive elections in the 80's (Reagan/Bush I). Technically, Gore won in 2000 but, of course, he didn't get to assume office, so that is probably not a good example. Whether or not one party can keep the WH for more than 2 terms nowadays, I have no idea. I didn't think that McCain could win with Bush's mess and his own general (un-)likeability in 2008 and I do believe that Obama will win re-election in 2012. I just don't know about 2016 but there are so many factors and it's so far away that it's probably not even worth discussing. Just wondering whom will be the "rising stars" in the Democratic Party by then. It would be awesome to see Hillary take a crack at it in 2016 but it sounds like that is unlikely (as is the case with Biden). I wonder what kind of state the GOP will be in by then too. :shrug:

[Ter]

5. Bad analogy

After November 1994 (when the opposition usually thinks about running), everyone and his brother knew Clinton would lose in 1996. Only catch is, he didn't. In 1998, the 2000 race race always was a considered a toss-up, and it was. In 2002, it looked to be another probable toss-up, and it was. In 2006, it looked like a Democrat would probably win, and one did.

The only time I can remember in my lifetime when no one wanted to challenge the president because he looked unbeatable was in 1990. Somehow, Poppy Bush has a 50 point swing in approval ratings and lost in 1992.

Obama in 2010 looked better than Clinton in 1994. However, I believe Clinton by October 1995 was looking a lot better than Obama October 2011. We still got a while, but noting is certain.

[LynneSin]

10. To be fair, the only reason 2010 wasn't a total slaughter was thanks to the Tea Party

They opted to boot out sure winners in states like Nevada, Colorado and Delaware and instead run extremists that wouldn't fly in states where Dems stand a chance of winning.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. I tend to agree...UNLESS one of these jokers decides to drop the

Angry, Negative, Obama-Bashing tones completely

And, starts to act calm, positive (even praise Obama for trying..."Poor guy, he means well, just doesn't know what to do."), and offers concrete ideas and plans in an upbeat way.

I can't believe I am agreeing with Jeb on this...He said they had to stop Obama bashing and start becoming Idea Men.

If none of them do it...Obama will win. Especially against Mittens - whose nervous energy is palpable. Next to Obama's calm demeanor, he will look like an anal retentive, defensive, nutcase.

[monmouth]

8. Huntsman always struck me as a rather sane, calm person. That hasn't

served him well however, with this group of nuts..

[LynneSin]

11. The 3 people who stand a chance against Obama in that group won't win the nomination

Huntsman and Rommey are actually pretty sane options but the Tea Party has pretty much rejected then. Cain could also win because he might splinter the African American vote but again, he won't win in the primaries.

It seems we have lunatics left and when paired up with Obama - it makes Barack look like the sane choice.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. so, the baggers don't like Cain? why? he seems right wing

to the max.

Romney may be "sane"....BUT...he's missing the point about ideas and
positivism. Plus, he's an anal retentive (I know because I know
one and Romney acts the exact same way....kinda prissy, gets his
panties in a wad...tres defensive...and then just spouts out a million
miles a minute)

[Thrill]

12. Not sure why Huntsman

didn't just wait in the first place

[LynneSin]

13. It wouldn't have mattered. He's a mormom so that's a big hurdle

nuff said.

[AlinPA]

15. Also, he does not appear to be crazy enough for the republican base.

[LynneSin]

18. Huntsman and Rommey could win in states with open primaries

but closed ones they are doom.

[SidDithers]

14. Yup. Good post...

:thumbsup:

Sid

[Blasphemer]

16. Absolutely

This has been clear since '08 in my opinion. They want Congress in '12 and the Presidency in '16. They have a far better chance of holding all three branches of government (barring an unexpected SCOTUS retirement or death) in '16 than they do of winning the Presidency in '12.

[LynneSin]

17. So who do you think will be the Bob Dole of 2012

My guess is Perry.

Personally I don't think George W. Bush even likes Rick Perry and would rather see him fail miserably in 2012 so hopefully the guy fades out into the sunset of oblivion.

[Blasphemer]

19. I still think it will be Romney

Someone on DU (I wish I could give proper credit but I don't recall who it was) once pointed out that the GOP tends to stay true to their hierarchy. GWB leapfrogged McCain but he was essentially a legacy pick. Dole got the nomination when it was his turn, McCain got his turn and Romney is the one who has been waiting for his turn. I think TPTB like that he can at least partially self-finance, allowing them spend more money on Congressional races. What is interesting about the GOP in 2016 is that the slate will be pretty clean and it will most likely be an upstart/new face as opposed to a member of the old guard.

[Phx_Dem]

20. Cristie can't win ever. Jeb Bush will run and probably win in 2016.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. hush