why no Republican Presidential candidates yet

[handmade34]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42056579/ns/politics/

the big guys haven't doled out the money yet... not even a hint of trying to deny that our politicians are bought

"The potential White House candidates need cash...But donors aren't eager to shell out until the hopeful prove they're credible...This helps explain why the 2012 Republican primary race has yet to begin in earnest...There are also the rewards...President George H.W. Bush named Sembler as ambassador to Australia after he raised millions for Bush's campaign. Sembler raised millions for the younger Bush, and a posting as ambassador to Italy followed...Early financial backers — of both parties — are often given plum posts...John Roos, a California technology lawyer and campaign fundraiser, went to Tokyo as the U.S. ambassador. Before leaving, he collected at least $500,000 for Obama's campaign. Same for Charles Rivkin, Obama's ambassador to Paris. The former financial analyst at Salomon Brothers raised more than $500,000 for Obama...Such roles are never promised, but it's part of the thinking for many donors..."

[slackmaster]

1. They know they can't win. Obama has done a good enough job to get re-elected.

Anyone the GOP ran would effectively serve as a sacrificial lamb.

[handmade34]

2. agreed

what stood out for me though, was the starkness of the reporting about donors, the ones who really run the show...


((we need to get the money out of politics))

[slackmaster]

4. My experience managing a local campaign in 2008 really drove that one home.

((we need to get the money out of politics))

AMEN!

:kick:

[Skink]

3. The money guys now hold out until they can choose the VP.

the pick that they can control.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

18. and that really worked for them last time....

[The Wielding Truth]

5. They are hiding Romney until the others dissolve or explode.

[handmade34]

6. hmmm...

"The Republican candidate will have to run on a jobs platform," said Lew Eisenberg, one of the party's top money men who's supporting Romney because of his economic message..."It's one of the overriding reasons I'm with Mitt. There's nobody at the moment who has actually created jobs in the private sector or run a state in a positive way as Mitt has done."

also lots of pro-Mormon ads running on Fox stations

[LAGC]

12. I'm not sure the non-Mormon Christian fundies are on-board with Mitt.

That might be a tough sell.

[JDPriestly]

15. Whitman and Fiorina outsourced jobs. I would be surprised if Romney

didn't. Americans are unlikely to vote for an outsourcer. California didn't. Business experience isn't worth much in a campaign if it involves outsourcing.

[The Wielding Truth]

27. Pro-Mormon ads - part of a republican psyops. My thoughts,too.

[pokerfan]

7. Because their candidate is already sitting in the WH?

:hide:

[handmade34]

11. political theater

"The general gist is, 'We have to get rid of Obama ... he's too leftist and out of touch,'" Bathgate said."

[rpannier]

8. I just figured they were waiting to dig up the remains of Ronald Reagan and run him

That or try running another Bush

[handmade34]

9. you mean...

the myth of Ronald Reagan

[rpannier]

13. Yeah. Kind of like Supply Side Jesus

They want to run the Reagan who NEVER, EVER raised taxes
The Reagan who NEVER, EVER negotiated with terrorists
The Reagan who NEVER, EVER left Lebanon after the Marine barracks was attacked
The Reagan who NEVER, EVER compromised with the Democrats on anything.

The Reagan that NEVER, EVER existed

[Lasher]

16. The same Saint Ronnie who NEVER EVER ran a deficit.

But somehow managed to triple the national debt.

[rpannier]

17. Damn. Forgot about that one

There are so many things Reagan NEVER EVER did, that he did do.
It's hard to keep track.

on edit: Wasn't he the same Reagan that NEVER EVER met on numerous occasions with Mikhail Gorbachev and his Sec of State NEVER EVER met with the Soviet Foreign Minister.

[Lasher]

22. Even Reagan Was No Ronald Reagan

He granted amnesty to 4 million illegal aliens.
He grew the size of government.
He broke the law and lied to cover it up (Iran/Contra).
He promoted fear all the time, not hope and optimism.
He had humdrum approval ratings throughout his two terms.

Yes, that was the same Saint Ronnie of Reagan. The one who predicted his friend Gorbachev would lead the Soviet Union for many years to come. He said that during a visit to Moscow, just before the August Coup.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

10. Making too much money as celebrity pundits

None of them want to give that up.

Also, all the big guys are already known and have sky-high negatives. They're hoping the other implode first, so they even have a shot at being considered.

[Zanzoobar]

14. Don't worry, they will field candidates

One thing is certain; they will play a message of weakness, a message which will have some resonance unless, "It's the economy, Stupid". is taken care of with some degree of success.

Yes, I know. There have been some wins, but the outlook is not rosy, which will not play well for the incumbent.

[rbixby]

19. Doesn't it have something to do with fundraising rules?

Like there aren't any until they officially throw their hats in the ring?

[JoePhilly]

20. Because they can't win. They are looking to 2016.

[starroute]

21. A lot of the big money is going to the Chamber or Rove's operation

The corporations and the billionaires who used to fund the GOP have figured out they can get a lot more bang for the buck by donating to outside organizations. I don't have the figures at my fingertips, but my recollection is that these outside groups out-raised and out-spent the RNC and other official party groups last fall.

Some of these people might be willing to toss a little into the pot to buy themselves an ambassadorship. But I don't think you're going to see anything like the Bush Pioneers rolling up massive donations.

My guess is that the general strategy on the right is to write off the presidency and use 2012 to pick up more governors and state legislatures and to try to take control of the Senate so they can cripple a Obama second term.

The fact that the potential GOP presidential candidates all seem to be treading water at this point is probably an unintended consequence. Without the money boys choosing their candidate for them, the GOP rank and file apparently aren't able to think for themselves.

[A Simple Game]

23. I wouldn't announce any sooner than I had to either.

As soon as you announce, you are the one to be attacked.

Look at what they are doing to Palin and Huckabee already, and they haven't even announced yet.

Sharks will attack their own.

[dkofos]

24. Too much money to be made just thinking about running. Just ask newt.

[JuniperLea]

25. I wonder if they have determined who is expendable...

Because they won't waste any viable candidates in this race.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. They're still waiting to see who wins the Dumbererest Competition.

It's a tight race and the competition is fierce.