Why the GOP field is so weak

Why the GOP field is so weak

By Michael Wolraich on Fri, 12/09/2011 - 10:56am |

By James Carville

Even the most partisan Democrat -- me for example -- would concede that three months ago the Republicans had an excellent chance to win the presidency. So ask yourself: Why does this thing that appears to have so much value have so many low bidders? Why did people like Govs. Chris Christie, Mitch Daniels, Haley Barbour, Jeb Bush and Sen. John Thune, all look at this and decide not to raise their paddles?

So here we wind up with the political equivalent of the Hope Diamond going for $99.99. I think that these guys were smart enough to see a big flaw in the process and it is this: The majority of the people in the Republican Party who were going to pick their nominee had been so overwhelmed by misinformation, unworkable simplistic solutions -- e.g., electrifying border fences -- and anti-science, right-wing pandering, that the potential candidates decided they just could not go through with it.

URL:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/opinion/carville-gop-field/index.html

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Carville makes an excellent point. I think when one combines this factor along with the media invasion of not only a presidential candidate's personal life, but also their extended family, it is enough to make any person take a pass on the whole ordeal.

by Elusive Trope on Sat, 12/10/2011 - 5:41pm

Plus the media invades the Republican candidate's life and makes him or her parrot the most outlandish Republican talking points, right in front of his or her own family. Who has the stomach for that?

by Rootman on Sat, 12/10/2011 - 6:03pm

You're right, tough call.

On the one hand, I can become President of a country with nuclear weapons, become incredibly famous, rich forever, have my own personal bodyguards for life, get laid 'til I'm blind and torture whoever I like....

And on the other, I have to handle my family's scorn as I say things they think are stupid.

Gee.

by Qnonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/10/2011 - 10:08pm

In a pinch, you can even torture family members into agreeing your statements aren't stupid after all. There's no downside, except for some frostiness at holiday gatherings. Hell, I say go for it, Q.

by acanuck on Sun, 12/11/2011 - 6:40pm

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