Quin Hillyer kindly commends my profile on Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and wishes for a last-minute presidential bid:
Jindal already has endorsed Rick Perry for president. Party leaders still looking to recruit another candidate might want to consider convincing him to renege on that endorsement. This nomination battle is still volatile enough for one more candidate to blow into the race with hurricane force tailwinds.
Keep in mind, the filing deadline for the South Carolina ballot is a week from today.
Besides that complication, my sense from conversations with Jindal and his staffers is that he really is committed to completing his goals in Louisiana — and while he never explicitly said he would turn down an invitation to be the 2012 GOP vice-presidential nominee, he seems much more interested in being a successful two-term governor than spending four to eight years attending the funerals of foreign leaders.
I believe that the only candidate who could realistically step in tomorrow and win the primary and the general in a cake walk, is Governor Huckabee. He is the GOP candidate who satisfy the old GOP prerequisite of being the familiar face, while at the same time be the guy who can easily excite the base plus the tea party.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI just don't see anyone I could vote for but Mike Huckabee . If Governor Huckabee does not run , I may just have to write-in his name on the ballot in the general election. Herman Cain is better than anyone else currently running though.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAlthough unlikely, a late entry this week by Governor Mike Huckabee would upset the political applecart like nothing the media has ever experienced. There is still time, albeit not much----but Huckabee would launch like a booster rocket to the top within 24 hours and the Obama Administration would go into extreme panic mode. Huckabee has never given a definitive "no" if you listen closely to his earlier statements. He has by far the most experience, far superior communication skills, likeability, class, the ability to garner votes from all sectors of the voting public, and rock solid conservative credentials that he can convey like no other person I have ever seen on the public stage, yet without being obstinate and polarizing. Even though it is unlikely, it would be unbelievably satisfying to watch Obama and the elitist GOP'ers squirm.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd God bless Gov. Jindal for doing so.
For a party ostensibly committed to federalism, it's unseemly how many GOP politicians flock to the federal government at the first chance. I'd submit that the biggest problem with the 2000-2005 GOP majority was that it was never committed to really devolving power back to the states so it moved us back into a deficit state and then made the occasional power-grab like the Schiavo mess.
The opportunity to really shift the terms of the debate and to make a real world record is at the state-level right now. Get that right and the GOP will have an over-abundance of interesting, potential candidates for the forseeable future and a much more favorable electoral map. More importantly, we'll have a stronger country incl. its economy.
Heck, do well enough and the GOP might even go on the offensive in urban areas (just imagine what getting to 40% of the vote there would do in national and state elections). Continued defense of success at the state level will also make it more likely that there's a one-term current president regardless of who comes out of the GOP primaries, esp. if it's combined with neutering certain elements of the Democratic machines via truly democratic mechanisms (natch, such as making union dues optional or restricting the bargaining ability of public unions).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAgree...Gov. Huckabee is the only one I see that could come sweeping in this late. He has the name recognition, experience and ground organization to hit the ground running even at the last minute.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBecause of the dissatisfaction of the current field from average Republicans as well as the boondoggles, missteps, and cat & dog fights going on every time the GOP hopefuls get together, there one who could emerge and go forward strongly to the nomination, even if he signed up October 28th: Mike Huckabee! His hard work, common sense, and integrity, coupled with determination to do the right thing, not the politically correct expedient thing to do, would fuel him all the way to the White House. With high energy grassroots support and Huck PAC & Team Huck groups already established in every state, Mike Huckabee has the infrastructure in place to mount a campaign even now. Mike Huckabee is a true leader that is more concerned about solving the country's problems than sucker punching the other guys and gouging their eyes out. I hope Mike Huckabee will take the challenge and opportunity that has opened up for him,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAmerica needs an
Honorable
Unwavering
Communicator who is
Knowledgeable
Authentic
Bold
Effective
Experienced
I think anyone who entered now would have to have a number of pieces already in place: nationwide name recognition, highly likable, conservative plans, deep understanding of the problems facing our nation, an ability to communicate in ways that don't polarize the party. Oh, and a boots-on-the-ground grassroots army ready to engage.
Only one person meets those criteria. It's not too late for Huckabee.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe only person that could enter the race at this late date would be Gov Mike Huckabee. As previously stated in the comments above, he already has a national grassroots organization already in place ready to move into action should he say he has reconsidered and will now enter the Presidential race. I believe there is a very large number of people who are simply not satisfied with the current field of candidates. If Gov Huckabee did enter the race I feel the reaction would be none like you have seen in recent history. All members of the different base groups would come together in such unity and purpose with Gov Huckabee's leadership that it would be a certain win for the GOP in the general election. Only thing is .... He hasn't entered the race.....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAfter "settling" for McCain in 08, many conservatives are unsatisfied with the current GOP field. I have a number of friends who are already saying they feel like they will be settling again this cycle.
Every one of the current candidates has something good to offer - the problem is that none is a full-spectrum conservative with significant executive/governing experience.
The continued call for another candidate to jump in is evidence of this dissatisfaction.
At this late date only one candidate could jump in and be competitive enough to win Iowa, South Carolina and then Florida - and that is Mike Huckabee. He has a national profile and grassroots team that would enable him to get a campaign ramped up quickly.
Huckabee has wide-spread support - he was leading the RCP polling average when he made his announcement in May.
Even with Obama's poor poll numbers, he still beats or ties every candidate in this field head to head. Huckabee beat Obama in at least three national polls last spring (and that was when Obama had fairly good favorables)
It's late, but not too late - I hear Huckabee may be reconsidering. I hope so. I would love to see him debate Obama on some of these issues. Huckabee's positive message will resonate with voters and offer a stark contrast to Obama's divisive rhetoric.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAt the rate our "front runners" are self destructing, draft Palin movement is starting to look like the only way to beat Obama.
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