There was some GOP event recently which was attended by most of the announced and probable GOP candidates. They had a fine time trotting out their best Hillary zingers and sound bites for the faithful and the press.

But they know that all 20 of them can't be President. So, at some point they are going to have to focus on distinguishing themselves from each other. Then the real campaign starts.


Ridiculous question of the day: Which one runs best against Clinton?

If Rubio should break thru he might give Clinton some difficulty.
In addition to the R vs D aspect, there would be  a generational aspect of a Rubio - Clinton contest.
Rubio is young, energetic, very pretty young family.
Hillary Clinton looks a bit careworn.
I know that the visuals aren't supposed to be important, but think Kennedy-Nixon 1960.

Rubio-Clinton would set up a youth v wisdom visual.
Don't know how that would turn out.

Goose wrote:

If Rubio should break thru he might give Clinton some difficulty.
In addition to the R vs D aspect, there would be  a generational aspect of a Rubio - Clinton contest.
Rubio is young, energetic, very pretty young family.
Hillary Clinton looks a bit careworn.
I know that the visuals aren't supposed to be important, but think Kennedy-Nixon 1960.

Rubio-Clinton would set up a youth v wisdom visual.
Don't know how that would turn out.

Maybe she can pull out the old Reagan quote on this. 

Ronald Reagan often took advantage of his eloquence and sense of humor in the presidential debates, delivering sharp-tongued barbs while maintaining a sly smile. Addressing the concern over his age (he was 73 when he was reelected in 1984), Reagan said:

"I want you to know also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." 



 

Rongone wrote:

Just with the current crop of clowns, how about Rubio-Carson?

Are the republicans that desperate to capture the Hispanic/African-American vote? (clown)

 
To entertain that thought, I'd probably go with Bush/Carson.  Bush was/is pretty popular with the Hispanic community, well, in his own state at least.

As far as someone like Carson, I'm torn.  I disagree with him on many social issues, but he is an American success story, and he is a smart guy, no doubt.  He also is a political rookie, which, I guess can be looked at as either a blessing or a curse.

Right now, in the very early going, I'm predicting Bush will get the Republican nomination.  He's got an uphill climb if he wants people to disassociate him with his brother though.

Goose wrote:

The Man wrote:

I'm registered Republican for voting purposes so I can participate in the primaries, although I consider myself an independent, fiscal conservative, social liberal, and so far I have no idea which one of these candidates I would vote for, if any. It's early yet, a whole lot of dirt is going to be thrown for sure.

It is extremely early yet, and I haven't heard much in the way of policy proposals from any of the GOP field, or Hillary Clinton for that matter. So, I guess I am undecided as well, which is what it should be at this stage. We voters should approach this with ears and eyes wide open.

I am going to approach this as a multiple issues voter, and resist any temptation to be a "scandal voter". (Hey, I just coined a term.) Meaning I won't base my vote on the tenth Benghazi hearing, I won't care if candidate X had a girlfriend on the side years ago, etc.

Now, the GOP is going to have a bit of a time getting my vote for two reasons. First I am very big on environmental issues. I believe that climate change is occurring. I need a candidate who acknowledges that and presents some sort of plan for living with it.
I am also socially liberal. Meaning I don't want to tell people what to do in their bedrooms or weddings. My wife and I would never have considered an abortion. But, I don't want to criminalize those who do. 

 
I agree with this almost 100%.  The social issues are where a lot of otherwise good Republican candidates lose me.  If people who are gay want to marry, they should be allowed to, IMO, if someone wants an abortion, I'm behind them, that's their choice.  As for climate change, hell yeah it exists, and it's a problem.  At the very least, if the candidates don't agree with those issues, they shouldn't be so polarizing and opposed to them.  They could approach them with an open mind.