If the 2016 Election Were Held Today

If the 2016 election were held to day who would you like to see as your GOP candidate?

Please give a brief, or not so brief explanation on why you like him or her.

Ron Paul 2008 2012 2016!

so you're just going to leave out every possible democrat/non-conservative candidate? great poll you got there.

third said:

so you're just going to leave out every possible democrat/non-conservative candidate? great poll you got there.

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He asked who people wanted as the GOP candidate.

What about Jon Huntsman?

Rice if limited to the options above. Of those not listed, Portman, Daniels or Huntsman (ideally, but highly unlikely) would be superior to most of the above choices in my opinion.

I was only limited to 10 options and yes this is a GOP candidate poll. That is why I made the final choice a write in

Haha, Sarah Palin gets a place and Huntsman doesn't. Welcome to the GOP.

third said:

so you're just going to leave out every possible democrat/non-conservative candidate? great poll you got there.

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This is why I would like citizens tested before being allowed to vote. Lack of attention to detail, inability to comprehend the government and issues at hand, etc. are not exactly desirable qualities in your voters.

Based on what I know at this point, out of this list, Palin and Santorum are unacceptable, Chris Christie is the best, everyone else at least deserves consideration, and Bill Weld, Mitch Daniels and Gary Johnson (if he chooses to run as Republican) are my write-in candidates. (Rand Paul will do most good as, in my opinion, in the close future).

Paul, but I'd support Cruz too.

I don't yet.

ChezC3 said:

If the 2016 election were held to day who would you like to see as your GOP candidate?

Please give a brief, or not so brief explanation on why you like him or her.

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Susana Martinez, good governor and hence with executive experience in a state usually run by Democrats and she has shown she can get things done. She may be one of only a couple that could win 2016 from the GOP. A female hispanic, sharp as a tact to boot.

now if I had to choose a Democrat for 2016, Evan Byah, I have no use for Hillery or Biden.

Perotista said:

Susana Martinez, good governor and hence with executive experience in a state usually run by Democrats and she has shown she can get things done. She may be one of only a couple that could win 2016 from the GOP. A female hispanic, sharp as a tact to boot.

now if I had to choose a Democrat for 2016, Evan Byah, I have no use for Hillery or Biden.

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I could see her as a VP for say, Christie or Paul. Establishment would never allow her in my opinion to top the bill...

Cyrylek said:

Based on what I know at this point, out of this list, Palin and Santorum are unacceptable, Chris Christie is the best, everyone else at least deserves consideration, and Bill Weld, Mitch Daniels and Gary Johnson (if he chooses to run as Republican) are my write-in candidates. (Rand Paul will do most good as, in my opinion, in the close future).

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I tried to give it a mix of populist favorites and those who actually stand a chance. I didn't include Daniels or Johnson because, Mitch's wife is a old battle axe and GJ leaving like he did would never get the party's blessing.

I didn't include Huntsman, which a couple people here have asked about because quite frankly, I don't see it. His support for 3rd party politics made him anathema with the Establishment and he for all intents could be portrayed as another Romney...

Cyrylek said:

Based on what I know at this point, out of this list, Palin and Santorum are unacceptable, Chris Christie is the best, everyone else at least deserves consideration, and Bill Weld, Mitch Daniels and Gary Johnson (if he chooses to run as Republican) are my write-in candidates. (Rand Paul will do most good as, in my opinion, in the close future).

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I meant to say "will do most good as Senator", of course.

Of those options. (Ted Cruz and Susana Martinez I don't know enough about)
1. Jon Huntsman (write in)
2. Marco Rubio
3. Rand Paul
4. Condoleezza Rice
5. Jeb Bush
6. Chris Christie
7. Rick Santorum
8. Sarah Palin

What is it with you people and the constant desire for political spectacle and non-stop campaigning.
I mean, I get that the whole election period is like a big circus, but honestly, the circus officially ended just 6 months ago. Are you already missing it?

I am saying officially because unofficially its still going on.

Rainman05 said:

What is it with you people and the constant desire for political spectacle and non-stop campaigning.
I mean, I get that the whole election period is like a big circus, but honestly, the circus officially ended just 6 months ago. Are you already missing it?

I am saying officially because unofficially its still going on.

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I'm one who believes proper preparation prevents poor performance. Personally I normally would agree with you, but seeing as the last few elections I voted for 3rd party (you wouldn't know this) I wanted to see who the people who'd most likely vote GOP were looking at.

Cyrylek said:

I meant to say "will do most good as Senator", of course.

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of course...

No multiple pick?

I selected Condi, though I know she would never seek the position. My second choice is Rand.

ChezC3 said:

I could see her as a VP for say, Christie or Paul. Establishment would never allow her in my opinion to top the bill...

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I'm sure you are right, but that was not the question. Rubio has a much better chance of heading the ticket than Martinez, but I think Martinez would make the better president.

Who I'd LIKE to see?

John Huntsman. Without a doubt. Though it's unfortunate, because I think he was the prototype for how to have beat Obama in 2012. I believe 2016, if he got the nomination, would actually be far more difficult for him.

However he's without question the guy I would like to see get it.

Experience? He's got executive level experience as a Governor. He's got Diplomatic experience, specifically dealing with a top foreign actor in China. He has private sector experience running a corporation and non-profits. He's got White House experience serving in the Reagan and Bush administrations.

Record? Under his tenure he helped make Utah one of the top 3 places in the nation for business. He passed record tax cuts. He lowered the amount of government spending in his state as a percent of it's GDP. He passed consumer focused health care reform.

Views? He's a strong fiscal conservative, a moderate social conservative, and a forward thinking militaristic thinker. On the thing he's "moderate" on socially, Illegal Immigration is the only one that bothers me (gay marriage does not). Of that, his stance actually is a reasonable one....secure the border first and ONLY then should we move forward with looking at what to do with those that are here in the country. He's a pragmatist and one not slaven to ideology in any direction. For example, he breaks from the GOP in believing that man made global warming is an issue, but breaks with the Democrats in believing that significant federal action is not needed that will provide a hinderance to job creation in our perelious economic situation. In terms of the military, he's in favor of a strong and able military that can project strength while at the same time believing we can modernize and adapt to the realities of the 21st century which would allow for decrease in personnel needs and costs, allowing a reduction in spending.

Electability? He's fiscally sound enough to overwhelmingly win the governorship twice in one of the reddest states in the Union, while at the same time being moderate enough socially to not alienate moderates/independents immedietely upon hearing about him.

However...after McCain and Romney in 2008 and 2012, two individuals I believe are not good equivilents to Huntsman but have been painted by such by both sides of the media, I highly doubt he has a significant chance in 2016.

Out of those with at least an outside chance, I would like to see Rand Paul at the current moment.