Two questions for seasoned political minds....

1. What do you think the likelihood of Mitch Daniels running for prez is?

2. What's the likelihood of him winning.

I've seen his name thrown around a lot. I've read about him, but I'm no good at feeling things out. Other than knowing Christine "the witch" O'Donnell wouldn't win my state.

Is there anyone out there that worries you for 2012?

Ok, that's three questions... sorry..

How's that?

thanks! :hi:

1. 1%

2. .001%

3. Yes, but I'm not telling. :beer:

:D Thanks for the response.

a far stronger VP pick.

Any ideas?

far fewer strong potential republican candidates going into this season. I think it is fair to question why that is? Could any potential strong candidate think that it is better to wait until 2016 for a better chance? Are the republican elders actually fairly pleased with President Obama, and prefer the thought of having the rabid-right run a punching bag to discredit their movement? I suspect both.

Still, I do not think President Obama is a sure winner in 2012. Too many things could damage his chances between now and November 2012.

there don't seem to be any serious contenders. At least what I consider serious...Palin, Newt, Bachmann, Haley Barbour, Huckabee, none of these could beat Obama..at least in my mind.

That's why I was asking about Daniels. I've thought the same thing they're holding back till 2016 figuring they'll have a strong candidate, and we'll have a weak one.

On the other hand I'm wondering if they don't have someone in mind and they're keeping hush-hush and will spring it at the last minute. It would have to be someone that they think has a strong chance of beating Obama.

If nothing else, the crew that's out there now will be entertaining.

running to be VP. Remember that he played a huge role with Cheney. For example, he accompanied Dick to CI HQ, to pressure them to adjust intel to justify the invasion of Iraq. A serious question: what right did he have to be in those meetings?

Second, when Cheney & Libby decided -- three months before Joseph Wilson's NYT op/ed ran -- to do a "run-up" on Wilson, Newt ran the first meeting. He did so in Cheney's office. Why? Who else could have run a meeting in Cheney's office?

That's interesting. I'm gonna have to go and refresh my memory on a lot of this. You've got me thinking about all kinds of stuff now. I knew DU folks would get my brain working...

Thanks.

The GOTB is so fragmented right now I don't see how it will completely support a candidate next year. On one side you have the great unhinged that will have a big say in the early primaries of Iowa and South Carolina. That's why you're seeing "hopefulls" like Bachman and Gingrich as "legitimate" and scammers like Hucklenutz going all birther. On the other side you have the "establishment"...where Daniels comes from but that mantle and money now belongs to Mittens. He's been working non-stop to lock up the money and support that Daniels would need.

His best chance would be as some kind of a dark horse...a compromise candidate, but even that's a long shot. He's not that well known nor has much of a personality. He's just right where he's at...and that's probably where he'll stay.

I'm thinking either they have someone in the wings--dark horse--or they're gonna wait till 2016 for a serious contender.

I have been saying for a couple of years now their choice will be Pawlenty.