GOP 2012 presidential contenders

1. Which republican candidate would be repugnant enough to the general electorate to all but guarantee Obama's reelection?

2. Which republican candidate is the lesser of all the other evils

3. Which republican candidate is the greatest threat to Obama's reelection?

1. Bachmann, Palin and almost all of the "hopeless" candidates (Cain, Santorum, etc.)

2. Romney

3. Perry

1. Gingrich

2. Huntsman

3. Romney

Without doubt, Santorum pretty much holds the "most repugnant title. I mean when you can't do a Google search for his name in many public libraries due to filtering software you do have a problem. Bachman or Palin are certainly repugnant but may be able to garner support among low information women voters eager to vote for anything without a penis.

The best of the worst is John Huntsman. I'd say Ron Paul who I actually agree with on a few issues (foreign policy, drug laws) but his positions on civil rights and corporate law are frankly wacky.

If cooler heads prevail and the Republicans actually nominate Mitt Romney he's likely to pose a strong challenge to Obama. I honestly think though that he has an uphill battle getting the nomination. You could also say the same about Huntsman and perhaps even more so--far as we know Huntsman never lashed a dog to the roof of his car and he seems to be more or less consistent on the issues unlike trampoline Mitt. This leaves Perry who sports big state experience as a governor plus the "Texas Miracle". Sure he'll turn off people in the East but desperate unemployed workers in the midwest could fall for his schtick. He's of course beloved by the Bible belt crew--think of Governor Goodhair as George W. Bush on steroids.

But your explanation is certainly as well-written as it is thought-out.

That's where the threat lies. Perry, I'm pretty sure has the support of Big Oil. The Wall Streeters like Romney. I think as long as Perry can convince Wall Street types that he's not totally batshit crazy and will continue the usual "do nothing but talk on social issues and keep the rubes voting GOP" ruse, they'd get behind him. Big Oil of course wants to make sure that Romney's somewhat moderate positions on environmental issues when he was governor of Massacheusetts were just positions of convenience.

One thing for sure. Big Money does not want the Tea Party wackadoodles actually calling the shots. If by some chance Bachman wins the nomination my guess is they'd largely sit on their bank accounts and wait for 2016. Big Money's actually doing quite well under Obama, unless they think they can replace him with someone who is more conducive to their interests and either Perry or Romney will probably do nicely.

I'd also say Huntsman would be a good choice for the business community. He comes off as intelligent and thoughtful which could appeal to independent voters and he has none of Perry or Romney's negatives but how this guy's going to get through a GOP primary is a big question.