The Future of the GOP?
The Washington Post recently named who they think will be the top ten Republican players to watch in the next election. There are ten names on the list (noticeably absent are Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee), but the only two I like right now are Governors Mitt Romney and Bobby Jindal. In fact, that’s a ticket I might vote for if there were an election today. Romney has a ton of executive experience fixing things (especially financial disasters) and Jindal is as sharp as a tack (no to mention young and ethnic, two traits of immense value in today’s politics). This is what the Post had to say about the duo:
Bobby Jindal: There is NO hotter commodity in the Republican party these days than Jindal. Jindal is the rare candidate who both reformers and establishment types find appealing, and as a 37-year-old Indian American he is — literally and figuratively — the sort of new face the party is pining for. While Jindal is hot right now, it’s important to remember that he is the governor of a state with a complex political scene — meaning there will be myriad opportunities for Jindal to falter over the next few months and years.
Mitt Romney: Discount the former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate at your own peril. Romney has three big things going for him: he is, by almost anyone’s account, an expert on the American economy; he is incredibly ambitious and will work harder than almost anyone to make sure his voice is heard; and he has immense personal wealth and a willingness to spend it. Do his flip-flops on social issues (and his Mormonism) still make social conservatives queasy? You bet. But Romney is in the mix and will aim to stay there.
What do you think? An unstoppable team?
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Frank the Tank | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
I am not sure about Romney. I don’t think he has the charisma or personality to win. Not that he isn’t qualified, but America has become the culture of personality and celebrity. He would make a great Fed Chairman or Treasury Secretary, however he wants the top spot. Maybe he can prove me wrong.
Jindal I definitely like and have liked him for a while since I first saw him on tv as a freshman member of Congress. Young, energetic, likeable and correct on the issues that matter.
I also like Huckabee and I am curious about Crist, the Florida Governor. I hope to hear more about him.
JPS | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
There is a great article in the latest Economist on the Republican party (Lexington section). If you get a chance take a peek.
RHM | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
Here’s the link to the Economist article that JPS mentioned. Why do I have to do all of the heavy lifting?
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2008/11/2012_a_palin_odyssey.cfm
GPalmer | Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
@ Frank
I couldn’t disagree more about Romney. He’s got charisma and personality to spare. He is well spoken, photogenic, family oriented. He turned around a PR nightmare with USOC fiasco and had a major impact in MA as a conservative in a liberal state. He has the respect, if not admiration one both sides as a legitimate executive with real life experience and success. In fact, if he wasn’t a Mormon, Huckabee would have been an after thought and we might not all be complaining about the distinct LACK of change coming from the President Elect’s cabinet selections.
RGVgal | Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
I like both Romney and Jindal. I don’t think the evangelical base will support Romney because of his religion. I also don’t think they’ll support Jindal because he is too foreign for them (first generation American) and he became a christian in High School.
Huckabee is a likeable guy, but will never be able to put together a winning coalition (thank goodness). Palin, I think has no chance. I think she’ll loose her Governorship next time around.
DJS | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
If Obama fixes just one of the major messes we are in today within the next 4 years, his popularity will skyrocket. To the point that the only team the GOP would be able to win with is a Lincoln/Regan ticket.
Have to admit, I don’t know much about Jindal. So, I will have to get back to you on him. Romney, I agree that he has all the smarts, pedigree’s and I don’t think he inhaled(not that I would care). He looked, sounded and presented himself like a solid presidential candidate in front of the common folk. But then the primaries happened. And to me he just lost all those great traits I just discussed. And for whatever reason that’s all I think about when I see him now. I just remember him being man handled and belittled by McCain.
So, I do think Romney is a smart guy and that probably would be a solid ticket(taking your opinion on Jindal). Unless America’s situation gets worse or stay’s the same, I just don’t think there is a ticket to beat Obama in 2012.
DJS
JPS | Nov 28, 2008 | Reply
RHM, thanks for the heavy lifting, but you lifted a different article…this is the one I was referring to. Take a look it is dead on in my opinion.
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12599247