My thoughts on the 2012 GOP Presidential Field

SOOTHSAYING 2012

by Steve Fair

I have resisted making a prediction of who will win the 2012 GOP presidential nomination until now. I predict that Romney will be the nominee and that Cain will be his running mate. Beyond that, here is my take on each of the candidates.

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Herman Cain: While his 9/9/9 plan sounds good, some say it will increase tax on the poor and reduce the tax on the rich. The reality is spreading out the burden would be an improvement over what we currently have. Cain is weak on foreign policy and while he has improved some recently, he is still lacking. While the sexual harassment charges are being blown out of proportion by the media, when you sing gospel music at your appearances, you can expect more scrutiny on moral issues. Don’t forget Herman was on the board of the Fed. That’s not talked about much, but it will hurt him in the primary. Still my candidate and will be in OKC on December 5th .
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Newt Gingrich: The most able debater in the crowd. In fact- a real master-bator(I couldn’t resist). Newt can analyze a situation better than anyone, but has trouble governing. Anyone who describes himself as ‘the smartest person in the room,’ lacks the humility and character to be President. Read Dr. Coburn’s book, “Breach of Trust,’ if you want a perspective on Newt. If just the families of Gingrichs former wives vote against him, he’s doomed. Newt is a complete egocentric pragmatist who would be a disaster as President.
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Ron Paul: Libertarian and proud of it, Paul’s position on Israel is his major flaw. His isolationist policies would be a disaster for the U.S. His proposed legalizing of drugs would also be a challenge in the general. He is right about the Fed, the budget and health care. Paul’s ‘cult’ has seemed to finally recognize the ‘in your face’ tactics they used in 2008 don’t win friends and influence people and more importantly hurt you at polls. They have softened their approach and that is the reason he is doing better in the polls. He has also done very well in the debates by staying on message.
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Rick Perry: How can he still be in the race? He seemed to think if he laughs at himself, everybody will forget his debate gaffs. If this guy becomes President, he will give all the illegals amnesty and free college education. He is great on some issues, but he is a disaster on several key ones. He can raise money like no one in the field which will keep him around longer than he should be. We need a President who can think on his feet and Perry is not it.
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Rick Santorum: Of all the candidates, he is probably the best qualified and the most consistent with his message. His problem is he comes across as a whiner at every debate. And Santorum needs to stop trying to take credit for every positive piece of legislation that was passed during the time he was in Congress. With a nickname like Rooster, how can he not be taken seriously? He would be a great VP pick.
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Mitt Romney: Most consistent- ly BORING! Romney stays on message, but he doesn’t excite the troops. Obama would blister him in a debate, even if Mitt had the facts on his side. RomneyCare is an issue as is his flip flop on abortion. He has the best campaign mechanism in place for the early primary states, but it remains to be seen if he can translate that into votes. His business background is impressive, but how hard is it when you start at the top. Romney was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.
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Jon Huntsman: How can anyone who worked for Obama be a serious candidate for the GOP nomination? This former ambassador to China sounds more liberal at each debate and clearly is just staying in because his family fortune can let him. He was a decent Governor and while early on he may have been in consideration for VP, now that is out of the question.
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Michele Bachmann: Idealistic and energetic, but she lacks executive experience. Sound familiar- like in Obama? Bachmann got off to a quick start and has sputtered as of late. In the debates she REPEATS the same lines, hoping to get the applause and cheers she got the first time she delivered them. Just voting no is not really governing. She is not Sarah Palin and it shows.