What if 2008 marked a somewhat permanent political shift in presidential elections — away from the rural, rustic machismo of the Bush era and toward a more sophisticated, cosmopolitan ideal for a leader? Could it be that Republicans can only win again by playing this game — by casting aside the tough Southern thing, the Bush “swagger” — and nominating a young-ish, cosmopolitan conservative?
If the country has changed this way, and the GOP needs its own Obama — a conservative who can appeal to minorities, urbanites, and millennials — they might well turn to a Marco Rubio, a Bobby Jindal, or possibly a Jeb Bush.
But if they decide they want to go the exact opposite direction — that they want a fighter, not a writer — then it might just be a good year for a Ted Cruz, a Chris Christie, or a Rick Perry.
Then again, even the tough-talking former governor of Texas may be edging ever so slightly from fighter to writer. Because if those new glasses don’t signal a cosmopolitan makeover, I’m not sure what does.
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