Republican Candidates

[stdreb27]

Ok, let me start this by saying I'm curious what right leaning people think about the current Elephant field. Not to be rude, but i'm not looking for what a democrat thinks about the Republicans. ie no bush bashing, we need to get out of the war, you know. But what you after watching the debates last night, and the "forum" tonight on fox thought about what the candidates said. If you believed them? What do you think about ALL of them becoming more conservative while running for president? Who do you like and WHY?
In my idealic world. I'd make a mix, of them all minus romney (I don't know why but I can't stand him after this weekend), I'd take the hucksters personality, McCains love of the country and military experience, Fred's more conservative speaking, and Rudy's views on the taxes. But honestly I really don't like any of them totally. Although after listening to the huckster i'm starting to like him a bit more, minus his moronic statements about the "arrogant Bush foreign policy". What scares me about him is that we will end up with another bush as far as domestic spending. And we can't handle much more of that.

 

[jerthunter]

I was very suprised about Huckabee (did I spell that right?) winning in Iowa...
The guy scares me, but pretty much every candidate scares me. Something about people who want power makes me very untrusting...
Although I cannot say I agree with him on alot of things I think if I were to pick which candidate scares me the least its McCain...

 

[notsonoob]

Huckabee is a retard...
There is nothing in his campaign that isn't just catch phrases pandering to the born-again christian evangelical nutjobs. I wouldn't trust him with a toilet full of terds.
Fred Thompson. He is like Richard Nixon going against JFK. The only reason JFK beat him was the first Television brodcast of a national debate and Nixon looked like he just crawled from under a barstool. Although Fred is my candidate of choice, his aloof campaign will leave him in the dust. Sorry Fred.... Yah need a little fire in yo' belly!

Guiliani? WOW...not even close in the clutch.
McCain. Ticked off too many conservatives. He definately would make a great commander in chief, however, border gaurd you are not. His stance on immigration doomed his campaign.
DR Paul. The guy makes perfect sense about what the Federal Governement is for. But he has no clue that the isolationism that he desires would spell our doom. He starts out great...then loses it in the end of the expliation.
I left out Romney for a reason....

For some reason...it really is a mute point. If Obamba can catch the wave he'll win like Clinton in 92'.
To bad the ex-Florida Gov was named BUSH...he would have won the nomination hands down if his name was JEB (anything but Bush)...

 

[stdreb27]

Huckabee is a retard...
There is nothing in his campaign that isn't just catch phrases pandering to the born-again christian evangelical nutjobs. I wouldn't trust him with a toilet full of terds.
So you think that simply because the guy actually believes in the same religion as most of our founding fathers he is a nut job and isn't trustworthy to lead a country.
Fred Thompson. He is like Richard Nixon going against JFK. The only reason JFK beat him was the first Television brodcast of a national debate and Nixon looked like he just crawled from under a barstool. Although Fred is my candidate of choice, his aloof campaign will leave him in the dust. Sorry Fred.... Yah need a little fire in yo' belly!

I kind of like his persona, but wierd things appeal to me.
McCain. Ticked off too many conservatives. He definately would make a great commander in chief, however, border gaurd you are not. His stance on immigration doomed his campaign. I will give McCain he is doing what he thinks is right, even if he is wrong. I like that in a person.
DR Paul. The guy makes perfect sense about what the Federal Governement is for. But he has no clue that the isolationism that he desires would spell our doom. He starts out great...then loses it in the end of the expliation.
Yeah, I like his lasse fair appoach, but come on abolish the fed? We are the real reason for terrorist attacks? This guy is nuts.

 

[rylan1]

I've been watching both races very closeley. I am a Obama supporter, but from the GOP side... I liked McCain to start with, but he slipped with me a lot. Huckabee was interesting until the other night when I saw him get killed by Rommney. The 2 were debating side by side and Romney brought up taxes and how Arkansas' taxes and budget trippled while he was in office. Huckabee tried to deflect the question, but he clearly had no answer and looked rattled. IMO the republicans have very little to offer because they are all missing several traits.

 

[burch2006]

I myself am very conservative...
My top candidate would easily be Fred Thompson, but for whatever reason his thunder never became lightning.
Then Probably Mccain. I like how months before when we were losing 100's of soldiers a month he was pushing a troop increase inspite of his conservative opposition... and look at now post troop increase our death toll is in the 20's-30's a month. I would like someone with military experience to be our commander in chief, but his solution on immigration is suspect (not that we will ever come to a conclusion accepted by all).
I liked Romney in the beginning, but his flip flopping/lieing isnt becoming in a presidential candidate. Who can trust him he's like the republican version of John Kerry.
Dr. Paul is very sound in alot of his beliefs he holds very true to the constitution and wants to re-establish the power of our dollar. Which is what the president needs to do. His foreign Policy is lacking, but he clearly takes after our founding fathers. No entangling alliances. Unfortunately for Mr Paul his ship IMO is sunk.
Huckabee... I like him, and I dont. He's a BIG SPENDER and BIG GOV'T. But then again compared to what we have now it is nothing (not a bash on bush just stating fact).
Either way I think the GOP will win in a landslide in November

And thats just based on the disapproval of congress and such I think the people will eventually open their eyes when its down to 2 and see really how outlandish Hillary and Barack can be.

 

[clown boy]

If I was a gambler, I'd be willing to bet money that Huckabee is going to win. I am SO positively sure he will. I will post the reasons why, if anyone is interested...
Romney is a snake. We have recordings of him saying on TV that he was WAY left on a certain issue a couple of years ago, and we also have recordings taken a couple months ago of him talking about the same issue and now saying that he was WAY right.
A lot of people firmly believe that Guliani is a... um...... well, a bad private thing.
I wouldn't mind having McCain, Thompson, or Hunter as president, but it's pretty obvious that that's not going to happen.
Any comments?

 

[rudedog40]

In light of the number of Democratic voters that showed up in Iowa (they were expecting around 125,000, and got over 200,000), I honestly don't think any of the Republican candidates have a chance. Bush's arrogance has angered too many Americans, and I think the American public is afraid to put another Republican in office that has the same idiologies as Bush. However, if I were to pick one of the Republican candidates that will make a run for it, I would put my money on Rommney. Huckabee seems to much of a religious fanatic. That really scares a lot of people. I heard one of his speeches the other day, and it sounded like one of those Sunday morning bible thumpers you see preaching on TV. There's a place for religion in a persons life, but I don't think it should be expounded on in a political debate.
Jeb Bush? Youy've got to be joking!

The guy doesn't even deserve to be a Governor, much less a presidential candidate. Since he's been Governor of Florida, some of the craziest legal rulings have occurred in that state (Terri Schiavo, Elian Gonzales, etc., let's not forget the 'hanging chad'). He mirrors all his brother's policies, and doesn't have a clue how the federal government should be run. Forunately, the Republican Caucus knew better and didn't even approach him to run.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by Rylan1
I've been watching both races very closeley. I am a Obama supporter, but from the GOP side....
Ryan, you've posted enough in the aquarium topics for us all to know you are not a member of the GOP. No Conservative could support Obama. He's a very liberal socialist.
Huckabee won't get my vote. While I am one of those "born-again christian evangelical nutjobs" (as notsonoob put is so eloquently

) the truth is he's too liberal for my tastes. He's trying to run on a "vote for me" campaign instead of issues. That and he's not really a true conservative.
Romney... just a little too slick for my liking. Reminds me of a former smooth, fast talking President we had in the recent past. The kind that would say anything to get power.
McCain... He's been a rogue and thorn in the side of Conservatives for years. Why he thinks he's entitled to be our party's nominee is beyond me. The only reason he calls himself a Republican is because their is not a viable Independent Party.
Guiliani.... Train wreck of personal issues which would undoubtedly get brought up time and time again in a National Campaign (might be interesting to watch Hillary and Guiliani's personal attack ads against each other however....)
Fred Thompson is just too slow. He would get eaten alive in a debate with Obama or Hillary. Which is a shame, as he has some great views.
Ron Paul is a nut. Literally. Enough said.
I'm leaning towards Guiliani, as I think he's got the best shot at winning Nationally. He's too liberal in many aspects, but at least he would appoint judges who have a basic comprehensive understanding of the Constitution and their role in the system... That and the fact he's not a Socialist out there campaigning by bribing the masses with "entitlements" that they aren't actually entitled too.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by rudedog40
In light of the number of Democratic voters that showed up in Iowa (they were expecting around 125,000, and got over 200,000), ...
Democratic turnout in a left leaning state with polarizing candidates says absolutely nothing about the GOP... And while "Bush's arogance has angered too many Americans" is often sited for his disapproval ratings, it doesn't explain The Senate's (where Hillary and Obama sit, or are supposed to sit had they been doing their jobs the last two years instead of getting an early jump on campaigning) record low approval rating.

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
Huckabee is a retard...
There is nothing in his campaign that isn't just catch phrases pandering to the born-again christian evangelical nutjobs. I wouldn't trust him with a toilet full of terds.
So you think that simply because the guy actually believes in the same religion as most of our founding fathers he is a nut job and isn't trustworthy to lead a country.
WOW couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by Rylan1
I've been watching both races very closeley. I am a Obama supporter, but from the GOP side... I liked McCain to start with, but he slipped with me a lot. Huckabee was interesting until the other night when I saw him get killed by Rommney. The 2 were debating side by side and Romney brought up taxes and how Arkansas' taxes and budget trippled while he was in office. Huckabee tried to deflect the question, but he clearly had no answer and looked rattled. IMO the republicans have very little to offer because they are all missing several traits.

Dude seriously?

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by rudedog40
In light of the number of Democratic voters that showed up in Iowa (they were expecting around 125,000, and got over 200,000), I honestly don't think any of the Republican candidates have a chance. Bush's arrogance has angered too many Americans, and I think the American public is afraid to put another Republican in office that has the same idiologies as Bush. However, if I were to pick one of the Republican candidates that will make a run for it, I would put my money on Rommney. Huckabee seems to much of a religious fanatic. That really scares a lot of people. I heard one of his speeches the other day, and it sounded like one of those Sunday morning bible thumpers you see preaching on TV. There's a place for religion in a persons life, but I don't think it should be expounded on in a political debate.
Jeb Bush? Youy've got to be joking!

The guy doesn't even deserve to be a Governor, much less a presidential candidate. Since he's been Governor of Florida, some of the craziest legal rulings have occurred in that state (Terri Schiavo, Elian Gonzales, etc., let's not forget the 'hanging chad'). He mirrors all his brother's policies, and doesn't have a clue how the federal government should be run. Forunately, the Republican Caucus knew better and didn't even approach him to run.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Fred Thompson is just too slow. He would get eaten alive in a debate with Obama or Hillary. Which is a shame, as he has some great views.
I'm leaning towards Guiliani, as I think he's got the best shot at winning Nationally. He's too liberal in many aspects, but at least he would appoint judges who have a basic comprehensive understanding of the Constitution and their role in the system... That and the fact he's not a Socialist out there campaigning by bribing the masses with "entitlements" that they aren't actually entitled too.
Oh come on who couldn't beat hilary in a debate, she simply doesn't have the wearwithall to come up with an original train of thought, she is the most coached candidate out there. The reason she couldn't answer the simple question about drivers license is because she hadn't checked the poll on that yet. I like fred's way to much information answers.

 

[rudedog40]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Democratic turnout in a left leaning state with polarizing candidates says absolutely nothing about the GOP... And while "Bush's arogance has angered too many Americans" is often sited for his disapproval ratings, it doesn't explain The Senate's (where Hillary and Obama sit, or are supposed to sit had they been doing their jobs the last two years instead of getting an early jump on campaigning) record low approval rating.

I guess you could go on the 'left leaning state' theory. But every poll and every inidcator so far NATIONWIDE, shows the Democrat voters will be out in force this year. I totally agree with you that Hillary and Obama have shirked their Congressional duties with their endless campaigning the last couple of years. I'd be pretty ticked if I was one of their constituents. If Hillary doesn't fair well in N.H., she may be looking at becoming Obama's running mate. Now that would be an interested pair...
So what I'm reading so far, no one is really excited about any of the Republican candidates. If the GOP does want to win this election, they better start siding with one of the frontrunners. What you will really have to worry about is Ron Paul. He hasn't had stellar numbers so far (doesn't even get mentioned in the newscasts). But he could do the Libritarian ticket and run independent. If he does that, he'll take away some of the Republican votes. Will it be a lot, or enough to hurt the Republican candidate? Not sure. Texas got hosed last year during the Governor's race because of this. Kinky Friedman went independent, and took enough of the Democratic votes that they re-elected that nut job Perry.

 

[stdreb27]

Let me please reiterate, I don't want to hear what you libs think about republican candidates. That is another argument for another day. I'm not looking for Bush bashing, unless you have a legit policy difference like domestic spending, or immagration. He isn't running for president.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by rudedog40
I guess you could go on the 'left leaning state' theory. But every poll and every inidcator so far NATIONWIDE, shows the Democrat voters will be out in force this year. I totally agree with you that Hillary and Obama have shirked their Congressional duties with their endless campaigning the last couple of years. I'd be pretty ticked if I was one of their constituents. If Hillary doesn't fair well in N.H., she may be looking at becoming Obama's running mate. Now that would be an interested pair...
So what I'm reading so far, no one is really excited about any of the Republican candidates. If the GOP does want to win this election, they better start siding with one of the frontrunners. What you will really have to worry about is Ron Paul. He hasn't had stellar numbers so far (doesn't even get mentioned in the newscasts). But he could do the Libritarian ticket and run independent. If he does that, he'll take away some of the Republican votes. Will it be a lot, or enough to hurt the Republican candidate? Not sure. Texas got hosed last year during the Governor's race because of this. Kinky Friedman went independent, and took enough of the Democratic votes that they re-elected that nut job Perry.
If the GOP didn't sound like a bunch of democrats we would be excited about a candidate.

 

[stdreb27]

What do you think about Mick's I support a mandate, but I'm not for socialised medicine?

 

[bang guy]

I think Ron Paul is insane. Beyond that he has the most conservative voting record and of all the candidates aligns with my view of what the federal government should be. I'm just not sure I can vote for an insane person. I sure do like his voting record though.
Giuliani wants to grow the government, that's exactly opposite what I want and what I think is best for the country.
Romney wants a powerful federal government. I believe he's going to be a status quo person. The status quo is leading the U.S. down the path of debt and spending. I don't want to go any further down that path.
Duncan Hunter is a true conservative candidate but he's not going anywhere.
Huckabee is the best chance for defeating Obama. Unfortunately he also wants to grow government and add more programs. History has shown that welfare states do not work well so I don't understand why people keep pushing towards one. I think he would grow the government less than Obama or Hillary though so that makes him a viable candidate.
McCain has been a thorn in the side of Republicans. I think he's fine from a conservative point of view. I adore his work on campaign finance reform.
Thompson is a Reagan Conservative. I think he'd be good for the country but I don't think he has a chance.
I have no idea who I'll be voting for next moth in the primary. I'm strongly considering registering Democratic so I can vote against Hillary.
I flip flop daily but today it's:
McCain
Huckabee
Thompson

 

[jerthunter]

Someone mentioned that they thought McCain wasn't republican enough...
To me that is the BEST reason to vote for him. I am sick of everyone screaming for change, talking about how bad everything is. Look around, life is good. Sure I can think of some things I would like the change but overall I do not see any need for have religious morals forced onto the country or any need for expanding special interest perks or increasing government size.
The best case scenerio would be a congress controlled by one party and a president from another. They would spend all their time arguing about which special interest groups should get our tax money and in the end nothing would get done and we could keep on living in a world where the worst news on any given night is where some celebrity spends her time drinking...