More Republicans thinking of entering the race?
posted at 8:45 am on August 17, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
Politico follows up this morning on Karl Rove’s assertion that Rick Perry’s big entrance into the Republican presidential sweepstakes might prompt more potential candidates to toss their hats in the ring. Could we see names like Rudy Giuliani and Chris Christie generate the same kind of big splash we saw this week with Perry?
A candidate who joined the race at such a relatively late date would face daunting prospects, with time running short to launch an organization and some bundlers who had been on the sidelines moving toward Perry, whose supporters argue is the one who can best unite a party fractured into Tea Party and establishment camps. But in a volatile year, some top Republicans believe it’s possible that another heavyweight candidate—such as Sarah Palin, Christie, Ryan or even Rudy Giuliani—could still join in.
While Christie continues to maintain that he is not running, Palin continues to leave the door open. Giuliani, who was endorsed by Perry in his 2007 presidential race, has made clear he is still weighing a campaign, and has said it would focus centrally on New Hampshire. He has put a time frame of deciding by the fall.
Ryan, the Wisconsin congressman who is beloved among fiscal conservatives and the Republican intelligentsia, has made some conservative hearts flutter for months—most notably writer William Kristol. His fans argue that despite his connection to the Medicare revamp proposal that Democrats have been using to thump Republicans as “extreme” in swing states, he is proven voice who has shown he can stand up to President Obama.
Allahpundit and I wrote about the reasons why we think Ryan should stay in the House yesterday, so I won’t restate the entire argument here, but there is one more consideration. While Ryan is well-liked and respected, he doesn’t exactly have a nationwide following — or even a statewide following in his own Wisconsin. The conservative intelligentsia might swoon over a Ryan run, but he will have the same problem that every House member has, which is a lack of a solid, broad constituency. Only Michele Bachmann’s Tea Party activism sets her apart, and Ryan would have to eat into that rather than find a separate and competing base of support.
Christie has said rather bluntly that he’s not running for President, telling the media that only a suicide would get them to stop asking about it. It’s hard to walk that back, but also difficult would be transforming two years of a first term as a governor of blue New Jersey into a presidential race. His neighbor, Rudy Giuliani, can lay claim to having a national draw, but Giuliani is also older, both in age (67) and in political terms. He ran in 2008 as an establishment moderate, which is precisely the wrong person to excite the base now — and is territory covered, willingly or not, by Mitt Romney in both respects.
The only person left on the sidelines at the moment who would be a gamechanger is Sarah Palin — and Perry’s entry limits that in at least to small degree. Palin campaigned for Perry in Texas in his re-election bid, and their political positions are close enough that there isn’t much contrast Palin could draw now that Perry has entered the presidential sweepstakes. Palin has a nationwide following, many of whom have been backing Bachmann and the rest now running to Perry. The big difference is that Palin could almost immediately organize and raise money — an ability that the other candidates above might find difficult to do this late in the process — if she wants to run. Having scheduled an early October event with Glenn Beck, she’s cutting the fundraising and organizing time to a mighty thin slice before the Iowa caucus. And Perry is already moving to secure the big-ticket donors on the Republican sidelines, a process that will be all but over by the time Palin takes the stage in October.
Perry’s big splash certainly might have other Republicans saying coulda woulda shoulda. But other than Palin, none of them have a good enough position to overcome the fundraising and organizing disadvantages they will face with Perry now in the race, and the clock is ticking on Palin.
Blowback
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I believe that electing TP candidates to the congress and biding our time for a POTUS until 2016 is the way to go. If we can get a TP elected to POTUS, then fine. But I don’t want to push an unelectable TP candidate and end up with more progressive justices on the SCOTUS.
csdeven on August 17, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Just seen Fark headline….
Obama’s luck lies in the near-unbelievable fact that the Republicans look determined either to pick a loser or refuse to vote for someone who could win
That is true.
Moesart on August 17, 2011 at 12:46 PM
of course you do because that means Mitt has a chance in 2012.
unseen on August 17, 2011 at 12:46 PM
If Ryan were to declare would we be getting that same graphic of him used on each post, that look of perpetual surprise LOL!
I even have a headline: America where even bean counters can run for President.
Dr Evil on August 17, 2011 at 12:54 PM
all the usual suspect squishy GOPers (DANIELS, JEB, BOEHNER) are urging RYAN to run.
NO THANKS PAUL, RUN FOR SPEAKER INSTEAD.
PappyD61 on August 17, 2011 at 1:01 PM
RINO Christie, anti gun, and pro Obamacare.Rove and his fellow country club RINO’s really clutching at straws.
Sandybourne on August 17, 2011 at 1:02 PM
You’re projecting……I don’t worship at the alter of any candidate as you do with St Palin the Victimized.
I have one goal….defeat Obama so he cannot appoint progressive justices to the SCOTUS. And any candidate that fits that goal will get my vote. St Palin the Victimized does not.
csdeven on August 17, 2011 at 1:06 PM
In the sense that Palin is unelectable.
csdeven on August 17, 2011 at 1:23 PM
If there was ever a time to suck the air out of the already vacuous speech that obozo is going to give on the 5th is for Palin to declare on that date and totally dominate the news cycle for the next month. That is the date to strike and throw the LSM into total teeth nashing, tongue biting seizure for the next year.
jistincase on August 17, 2011 at 1:27 PM
I thought I’d speak one more time and kill the thread.
From the WaPo:
From the Weekly Standard (an update):
I think he’s running.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Does Sarah Palin have a secret Nixon strategy?
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/08/13/palin-to-hannity-i-may-run
Accidental Good Fortune? Or Strategic Genius By The Woman Tony Knowles Called ‘Alley Cat Smart
http://conservatives4palin.com/2011/08/accidental-good-fortune-or-strategic-genius-by-the-woman-tony-knowles-called-alley-cat-smart.html
“She’s what I call ‘alley-cat smart,’” Tony Knowles, the former Democratic governor, told me. “It’s not about ideology. She knows how to pick her way down the political route that she feels will be the most beneficial to what she wants to do.”
Viator on August 17, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Maybe someone should remind all these folks that there’s only one Vice-President slot available…
OnlyOrange on August 17, 2011 at 1:37 PM
During their chats later this week, Ryan will almost certainly pose the same question and Bennett will give him the same answer.
I think he’s running.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Ryan is the Chair of the GOP House Budget Committee. Trying to talk him into running for President would be a good way to remove him from that, don’t you think? Where did this idea come from? His friends? Most likely his enemies, is my opinion.
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Yup. All self-serving and money making. Including being a major player in the 2010 GOP cleaning of the House – along with MANY state governors and legislator.
Remind me never to do you a favor. You are beyond ungrateful and it says a lot about you that you so easily twist facts and insult the very people who have helped your team the most. You won’t see me slandering candidates I don’t intend to vote for.
You don’t have to want her to be president. You don’t even have to express any gratitude for what she’s done for the conservative movement – but how about acknowledging reality and at least show a modicum of civility? Do you also insult soldiers and charities to try to win political points? Says a lot about you.
miConsevative on August 17, 2011 at 1:50 PM
You’ve had a lot of good things to say today. Enjoyed it.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 2:40 PM
I guess I’m not as cynical as you. I think he’s interested in furthering the debate and there is only so much he can do as chairman of a House committee. Real leaders get frustrated by a lack of leadership and will choose to step into the fray. This appears to be what Ryan is going to do, more power to him.
If he does, what Palin decides to do will be really interesting, and I mean that in the best possible way.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 2:43 PM
Ryan is the Chair of the GOP House Budget Committee. Trying to talk him into running for President would be a good way to remove him from that, don’t you think? Where did this idea come from? His friends? Most likely his enemies, is my opinion.
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 1:45 PM
I guess I’m not as cynical as you. I think he’s interested in furthering the debate and there is only so much he can do as chairman of a House committee. Real leaders get frustrated by a lack of leadership and will choose to step into the fray. This appears to be what Ryan is going to do, more power to him.
If he does, what Palin decides to do will be really interesting, and I mean that in the best possible way.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 2:43 PM
A Ryan Presidency needs to have a Conservative Congress and a new Speaker in the House in order to give him something to sign. This would apply to any Republican that would win the Primary. That is why I think we need to work on the Senate/House members that are up for election. That is what Marco Rubio is doing, along with Senator DeMint for the Senate. I just don’t think Ryan is electable and muddies the water. Just my opinion. I like Ryan, don’t get me wrong. But I hope he stays where he is.
I haven’t heard of anyone working on the House members that are up for re-election tho.
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Obama’s ratings are in the tank and his base is unhappy, but watching the rightwingers eat their own now has me convinced that he will win re-election.
Instead of rejoicing in what might be right about a candidate–especially electability–the Republican base is obsessed with finding every little fault and deviation from its “perfect” conservative ideology.
Obama won’t have to slam your eventual nominee 24/7 to get back to the WH. You will so seriously undermine your own candidate with your constant sniping at him (and it will be a male) that he won’t stand a chance against Barry, his money, and his loyal supporters in the MSM.
Meredith on August 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Meredith on August 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Thank you! That is close to what I was going to post on the other thread that I had a window open to. All the opposition need to do is read the Hotair threads to see the nitpicking. No wonder the Republicans never win. They wouldn’t have the House if it were not for the great job the Tea Party did. Or even the wins in the Senate.
I’ve seen negativity lose card games, pool games and most tragic of all, the 2008 Presidential Election.
I’ve also noticed thru many threads, that some commenters would rather argue than find out the truth of a Candidates’s positions. They hold up a lie as the truth and argue about the lie and disregard the truth.
I do appreciate those that offer correction, but who has time to constantly do that? The very next thread, the same lie is posted.
Unbelievable. No wonder a Republican Candidate can’t win. The MSM, the Dems, the W.H. and the Republican Elitists are against you and then to top that off, your own base!!
Shaking my head……………
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Well, it doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition – we can work on getting conservatives elected to the house and senate AND elect a true fiscal conservative.
I happen to be of the mind that you need a powerful voice articulating the reason to elect conservatives and by placing himself squarely in hte middle of the debate about our entitlement culture, Paul Ryan has made himself a powerful voice. We need leadership to win next year.
2012 could be a watershed election and it will certainly be a different one regardless, but coattails still matter. Viable candidates will want to run if they know someone like Ryan is leading. We have the potential to get it all, but it requires thinking outside of the box a bit.
At this point, what do we have to lose? This election is about saving the republic from decline. Who do we want on the front lines – the guys who know how to manage a decline or the one willing to put forth a new strategy? I’m young enough to be willing to gamble.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 3:58 PM
I agree with your snark but consider this. Before 2009 we didn’t have a Tea Party. When we elected Republicans we had to deal with the fact that the GOP tent is truly a large one and priorities for different factions within the party were sometimes at odds. Not to mention that the GOP establishment was often at odds with the people that sent them to DC.
Democrats are pretty homogeneous. There isn’t a lot of room to stray off the reservation, therefore they appear much more unified than Republicans. Their goals don’t put their factions at odds with each other.
It is healthy to debate, to disagree, to argue heatedly about priorities and what we want from our candidate. We wouldn’t have a Tea Party if people weren’t fed up with the established views and people in office and weren’t willing to argue about the best path forward. I am heartened by the discourse – it is enlightening and illuminating. It proves that the values of the Tea Party were no fluke, that ordinary people are extremely invested in the future of this country and the people we want to lead us. I am amazed by how many people are paying attention to politics right now. Amazed and thrilled because engaged citizens are open to change and real change, honest change is what we need.
Aside from the occasional outlier here, everyone will vote for whoever the GOP candidate turns out to be. What we all want is someone who doesn’t force us to hold our nose.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 4:11 PM
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 3:58 PM
I agree with what you are saying. I just don’t think Ryan is the person, just as I don’t think Bachmann is. My reasons are different of course. Just because one has a talent in one area, does not mean they have the talents that are required for the Presidency. I’ve heard of many great salesman, but they can’t manage anything. We have a habit of latching onto one great ability and automatically assign that person to the highest office in the land.
For example, what experience does Romney have that qualifies him? Bachmann? Or Ryan? The only ones that I see that has the experience would be Palin and Perry. In the 2008 election, McCain certainly wasn’t qualified. What did he ever do except cross the aisle? No, I think we need to consider which Candidate has the MOST experience and qualities.
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Reagan’s success shows that Rudy is not too old. I see him as the alternative moderate to Romney and Rudy does not have the flipflopper image or Romneycare to contend with. Either he or Romney would wind up competing with the Tea Party candidate (Perry or Bachman) right to the convention I would think.
That is not a bad thing as it would keep everyone actively participating and as many voices as possible pointing out the POTUS’s flaws and keep his flaks from being able to focus all their guns on one candidate until after the convention.
KW64 on August 17, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Reagan’s success shows that Rudy is not too old. I see him as the alternative moderate to Romney and Rudy does not have the flipflopper image or Romneycare to contend with. Either he or Romney would wind up competing with the Tea Party candidate (Perry or Bachman) right to the convention I would think.
KW64 on August 17, 2011 at 4:39 PM
I would prefer Rudy in the Cabinet as Attorny General:-) Since Rudy has already ran before, I don’t think he could win. We need the best Candidate that can win in my opinion.
Bachmann for me is soooo underqualified. Too much talk and not enough walk. As a boss told me once, I don’t want excuses, I want results:-)
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Word here in Wisconsin is Ryan is NOT going to run for the White House. This is coming mostly from the D.C. crowd for a couple of reasons. 1. Tommy Thompson’s people is trying to clear the decks for his senate run, and the current Governor Scott Walker would like to see Ryan make that run other than Tommy.(TT turned into uber RHINO, and is not well liked by the current Wisconsin leadership at all.)2. Many see this as the attempt by the D.C. GOP “insiders” to put up a, well let’s it what it is, a stalking horse. Ryan is under a great deal of pressure to run by the usual suspects. According to friends in the 1st. Ryan will not run, and posing mostly for the D.C. types, but as long as his name is out there, it makes its very difficult for Tommy to raise money or people for his senate run.
flackcatcher on August 17, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Many see this as the attempt by the D.C. GOP “insiders” to put up a, well let’s call it what it is, a stalking horse. Yes, caught by a 7 year old.(Fix it Daddy. FIX IT.) Sigh…….
flackcatcher on August 17, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Rudy polls better against Obama than Romney or Perry. Check it out.
KW64 on August 17, 2011 at 5:10 PM
Something you’d know about more than most, lol.
xblade on August 17, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Ryan for Senate 2012.
Keep Ann Coulter’s favorite chubby where he is.
Rudy? If he wants to waste his donors money on another crappy campaign, but I’d rather see him as AG in 2013.
The more I see of Perry, the less convinced I am he’s a suitable substitute for Palin.
Run, Sarah…for the love of God, please run…
SuperCool on August 17, 2011 at 5:45 PM
Yes! Please, Sarah!
pannw on August 17, 2011 at 8:22 PM
The only ones who have the kind of experience YOU are looking for are Perry and Palin. Frankly, outside of a Ryan run, I am totally in agreement with you. There are very few people (okay none) I feel can handle the job without the prerequisite experience except Ryan. He is a leader of men. You can have all the executive experience in the world (think Romney) and not have real leadership qualities. Part of being a leader is having people willing to follow you and trust that you won’t throw them off a cliff – McCain could never impart that kind of faith. I’ve never been as angry as I was the day he secured the nomination and I’ve never forgiven Huckabee for ensuring that disaster. The only silver lining from McCain is the emergence of Sarah Palin on the national stage.
Bachmann has never been on my list of possibilities. Giuliani is throwing his name out there, but he didn’t have the heart for it in 2008 and he certainly doesn’t now. He’s just trying to stay relevant. So I am at three I could comfortably throw my efforts behind – Perry, Palin, and Ryan.
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Word here in Wisconsin is Ryan is NOT going to run for the White House. This is coming mostly from the D.C. crowd for a couple of reasons. 1. Tommy Thompson’s people is trying to clear the decks for his senate run, and the current Governor Scott Walker would like to see Ryan make that run other than Tommy.(TT turned into uber RHINO, and is not well liked by the current Wisconsin leadership at all.)2. Many see this as the attempt by the D.C. GOP “insiders” to put up a, well let’s it what it is, a stalking horse. Ryan is under a great deal of pressure to run by the usual suspects. According to friends in the 1st. Ryan will not run, and posing mostly for the D.C. types, but as long as his name is out there, it makes its very difficult for Tommy to raise money or people for his senate run.
flackcatcher on August 17, 2011 at 4:55 PM
I hope Ryan don’t take the bait and run for President. I think he’s on record as declining to run for the Senate(?) saying he wanted to continue as Chair of the Budget Committee. Tommy Thompson? I hope there would be a better choice.
I would think that Gov. Walker would appreciate the powerful position that Ryan now has along with the great budget work he has done.
I’m not surprised that Boehner & others would encourage this and from another thread, Bill Bennett also. Ryan better be careful. Something doesn’t sound right to me. I’ve posted my thots in this thread and on why this is being suggested. My question is What is the motive? Who would gain if Ryan throws his hat in the ring? Not the Country, nor Ryan is my opinion.
Hope you are right and also that someone other than Thompson would run for the Senate. We’ll see.
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 9:32 PM
Rudy polls better against Obama than Romney or Perry. Check it out.
KW64 on August 17, 2011 at 5:10 PM
What poll are you seeing? I haven’t see that at all!!!
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 9:34 PM
piglet on August 17, 2011 at 9:00 PM
We are still some ways apart:-) Ryan is very very good at what he does and yes a person needs a following. I just think that with the economy as it is and the great need for entitlement reform that at this moment in time, only Ryan can do it. Well, he already has a plan. However, if I’m not mistaken there was Republican resistance. The Speaker of the House (Boehner) is not strong enough and backed down on the CCB.
I agree about McCain & Huckabee(he’s still making digs at others). You said:
So I am at three I could comfortably throw my efforts behind – Perry, Palin, and Ryan.
Well, piglet, I’ll go for your first two, but can’t go for Ryan at this time:-) Only due to the reasons I stated above, tho.
2 out of 3 isn’t bad:-)
bluefox on August 17, 2011 at 9:45 PM
This poll from last week. Previous polls were similar.
General Election: Romney vs. Obama CNN/Opinion Research Obama 49, Romney 48 Obama +1
General Election: Perry vs. Obama CNN/Opinion Research Obama 51, Perry 46 Obama +5
General Election: Bachmann vs. Obama CNN/Opinion Research Obama 51, Bachmann 45 Obama +6
General Election: Giuliani vs. Obama CNN/Opinion Research Obama 45, Giuliani 51 Giuliani +6
General Election: Palin vs. Obama CNN/Opinion Research Obama 55, Palin 41 Obama +14
KW64 on August 18, 2011 at 12:14 PM
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