Anybody But Barack Obama 2012 Top 10 for 2/28/10
1 Scott Brown
2 Colin Luther Powell
3 Sarah Palin
4 Mitt Romney
5 Newt Gingrich
6 Paul Ryan
7 Tim Pawlenty
8 Mike Huckabee
9 Evan Bayh
10 Hillary Clinton
Though I am still experimenting with the presentation format, a solid field of possible Barack Obama replacements is coming together. What has become supremely important lately, given Luis Farrakhan’s pronouncement that Barack Obama’s Assassination is a certainty, is the selection of a competent number two. Joe Biden’s incompetence is all the proof anyone needs to justify considering number 2 when deciding who number 1 should be.
That brings me to the very first of what I’m sure will be a plethora of conundrums en route to the ticket that will ultimately replace Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2012: Mitt Romney and Scott Brown.
For the sake of discussion, let’s designate Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for President in 2012. Convention dictates that a nominee select a running mate that governs or has national influence centered in a distinctly different part of the country. With both Romney and Brown being from Massachusetts, it is highly unlikely that the two will ever be on the same ticket in pursuit of the Presidency.
Conclusion: If Mitt Romney doesn’t get the Republican nomination, Scott Brown could become the eventual nominee’s vice-presidential running mate. If Mitt Romney does get the nomination, one of the others noted in this field should be his running mate. The goal must be to maintain a running dialogue on these names until the most likely successful scenarios become obvious - which ticket combination defeats Obama/Biden in 2012.
Ironically, neither of these central figures have caught my eye or even pinged my radar since CPAC2010 but several others have. At the top of my list of notables this week and last is Congressman Paul Ryan who over the last eight days has become a rather substantial authority in the ongoing healthcare debate. His star will only rise as the debate reaches critical mass. He and Scott Brown have been dipped in the same well-spring of good fortune. They both have endless potential at this point.
Stay tuned.
Honorable Mention:
Rick Santorum [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Appeared on ‘On the Record’ 3/2 giving explaining ‘votorama’ as it relates to the ‘Reconciliation’ process. If healthcare reform - in its present form - can stand the carnival side-show that’s coming, I’ll eat a candy hat.
John Thune [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Appeared on ‘On The Record’ 3/2 giving his take on the viability of ‘Reconciliation’. All politicians are giving interviews as though their job could be on the line.
Mike Pence
Rudy Giuliani
Mitch Daniels [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Haley Barbour [1% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Bobby Jindal
Ron Paul
Robert Gates
Michael Bloomberg
Jenny Ryan
General David Patreus
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
CPAC2010 Brings out the Heavyweights for a major 2010/2012 Pep Rally
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
The Evan Bayh announcement and CPAC10 have gone a long way to justify this ABBO Top 10. With Senator Bayh and SOSOTUS Hillary Clinton now in the potential field, Barack Obama will make what I hope will be a quiet end to a failed Presidency.
Also big in this week’s Political News was the CPAC 2012 Candidate Straw Poll. It’s results and reasoning dominate this ABBO2012 Top 10. The results of the CPAC Straw Poll are as follows:
2010 CPAC Straw Poll Results
Ron Paul 31%
Mitt Romney 22%
Sarah Palin 7%
Tim Pawlenty 6%
Mike Pence 5%
Newt Gingrich 4%
Mike Huckabee 4%
Mitch Daniels 2%
John Thune 2%
Rick Santorum 2%
Haley Barbour 1%
<“What they’re saying about the 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll“>
Ron Paul, who ran for president in 2008, took 31 percent of the vote. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had won the past three CPAC straw polls but placed second this time with 22 percent. Romney is considered the current frontrunner for the 2012 nod.
Be careful not to read too much -- or much at all -- into these results. Paul's supporters are loyal and loud but not, ultimately, that large a group as proven by the fact that he did not win a single primary or caucus in 2008. {TheFix By Chris Cillizza | February 20, 2010; 5:42 PM ET}
The 2012 Presidential Campaign Started This Weekend, And Ron Paul Is In The Lead
{Joe Weisenthal | Feb. 21, 2010, 10:40 AM}
One reason for the Paul win is the make up of the CPAC attendees. CPAC caters to students and young conservative activists. And Paul's appeal has been strongest among young, vocal, activist Libertarians. {From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro}
Paul got 31% of the vote, which means he literally performed an abortion murder on Mitt Romney, who usually wins these things because he’s such an asshole — Romney finished with 22%, proving once again that he can’t even get a fourth of the room to like him, even when that room is exclusively filled with Republicans.
But the “world’s biggest loser” of the night was truly our Alaskan Quitter Bear, the Facebook user Sarah Palin. Nobody likes her at all! She ended up with a patriotic “screw you” of 7%, but at least that was better than unloved has-beens Pawlenty (6%) and Gingrich (4%) and Huckabee (4%). {Wonkette THE DC GOSSIP; Ron Paul WINS CPAC STRAW POLL, HA HA 2/20/10}
To jeers and cheers, Ron Paul wins straw poll at CPAC {Ralph Z. Hallow The Washington Times Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010}
<“What they’re saying about the 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll“>
Having been a Conservative all of my life but a Republican for a very short 16 months, I am amused and intrigued by the level of sophistication and superstition exhibited by my new party. The winner of the CPAC Straw Poll for three straight years, Mitt Romney, loses to Ron Paul who was a complete afterthought in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primary.
The notion that for three straight years Romney had the support of collegiate CPACers and that Ron Paul is suddenly the overwhelming choice of Young Republicans is laughable. Mitt Romney supporters cast numerous ballots for Paul to make sure that a candidate with no chance of beating their guy in 2012 finished on top. Call it sophistication or superstition, clearly the Republicans are energized by all that was accomplished during CPAC and have much to build on for 2010 and 2012.
I was a little surprised that there were five names included in the poll that hadn’t reached the ABBO2012 Top 10 radar previously. Mike Pence, Mitch Daniels, John Thune, Rich Santorum and Haley Barbour are now listed under Honorable Mention. In the coming weeks, they will likely become more prominent.
I was also a little surprised to see Sarah Palin receive such little support by the participants at CPAC. Could it be that she is a one trick pony with the Tea Party crowd or is the CPAC crowd a bit more high brow? She didn’t show up in D.C. and I’m sure no one told her not to come so there’s likely a story there that we’ll know in due time.
A comparison of the ABBO2012 Top 10 and the CPAC 2012 Straw Poll reveals a wide open field of potential 2012 Candidates for President that includes 22 players - two of whom happen to be Democrats.
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Made a good showing at CPAC10 but looked less prominent when other Republican Stars were assembled. I like Scott Brown atop this ABBO Top 10 for now!
Summary As of 2/14/10
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
2 Colin Luther Powell
Mr. Powell’s place in this field should diminish as the pack begins to assemble itself more formally. Having his name still on top is a testament to his having been an ideal Presidential Candidate before and a far more qualified than Barack Obama will ever be in this life.
Summary As of 2/14/10
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
3 Sarah Palin
More of the same this week. Point, counterpoint. Action, reaction. This pattern will plague Governor Palin as long as she has to take time from her agenda to chastise the insensitive and cruel mockery of her son Trig or anything else that is slight of the Palin’s.
Over time, especially if persistent insults can’t be ignored, Ms. Palin will grow weary of the attacks. She seems like a decent enough person but certainly not brass knuckles hard like a Rudy Giuliani. I still have high hopes for Mrs. Palin.
We were disappointed that she did not make an appearance at CPAC10 especially since she manages to make it everywhere else.
[Sarah Palin 7% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
The thing that really bothers me about Sarah Palin is that her sense of right and wrong may be wrong for the Presidency. Not that there’s anything wrong with her sense of right and wrong. I am certainly not suggesting that. What I am saying is that in my view, a President must be able to do what he/she feels is right for the country while putting personal feelings aside. Sarah Palin made a ‘personal’ decision to benefit Alaskans by quitting. Who benefited the most from Governor Palin’s personal decision?
Another nagging concern about Sarah Palin is that she has what could be considered a challenging family dynamic that needs her attention. Is she prepared to sacrifice family time to assume the responsibility of the Presidency. My guess is that Sarah Palin believes that she could shape the Presidency around her family and its needs. The problem with that is that the United States is not Alaska and the American people will not be nearly as accommodating of the Palins as Sarah Palin might insist. Executive involvement from the ‘First Dude’ was cute in Alaska but the whole homespun ‘this is how we do it in Alaska’ routine won’t play at all at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
To my friends in the ‘Tea Party’ Movement, please stop accusing me of Palin bashing. If anything, I’m trying to honestly represent view points that will become more prevalent in the weeks and months to come. I honestly think we can elect a more qualified President than Sarah Palin but while those candidates find their swagger, the former Governor of the State of Alaska holds down the number three spot in this weeks Top 10 ABBO list.
4 Mitt Romney
Quite a splash for the Governor at CPAC. Several mighty fine one liners made him a big hit.
[Mitt Romney 22% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
No noteworthy mentions in the news this week.
5 Newt Gingrich
It is interesting that Gingrich is entrenched in the middle of this pack. Even among likely Republican Candidates (Scott Brown and Colin Luther Powell not withstanding) he is easily among the top three viable candidates at this point.
[Newt Gingrich 4% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
Aside from his routine appearances on Fox News, the former SOTHOR was little more than a political commentator which is not bad work if you can get it. Does it lay a framework for a future run at the White House? Probably not. Don’t expect Newt’s bid to stay airborne if it gets off the ground. He holds the five spot because he’s a former Speaker and when you’ve been two (2) heartbeats from the Presidency you get certain accommodations.
6 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
“I am already pretty sick of Pawlenty. Secretly (okay not to secretly now) hoping that he doesn't run for POTUS.” {One prominent twitterer}
“TPaw” may not have national juice just yet. It is important to keep in that every Presidential Ticket consist of a top banana and 2nd fiddle. “TPaw” has the look of a good 2nd fiddle.
[Tim Pawlenty 6% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
The Governor moves up one spot to number six as Mike Huckabee stock took an expected tumble this week.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
7 Paul Ryan
This is Paul Ryan’s week! POTUS44’s Healthcare Reform Summit dog and pony show will be Ryan’s best chance to show that he belongs on the national stage. He is considered the Republican’s best spokesperson on the issue of Healthcare Reform and hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to see what he brings to the table.
Summary As of 2/14/10
I know who Paul Ryan is now! This week he was singled out as the one Republican that should speak for the Republican delegation to the President’s latest ‘dog and pony show’ on healthcare reform later this month. That’s a clear indication he deserves a seat at the table of potential Obama replacements.
8 Mike Huckabee
The Huckabee interview with Michelle Obama on childhood obesity replayed a half dozen times over the weekend as though FoxNews was under some misguided notion that viewers would want to see doughboy and dippity doo over and over again. Mike Huckabee becomes less appealing as a candidate as time passes. This is undoubtedly Huckabee’s final week of relevance in the ABBO2012.
[Mike Huckabee 4% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
No real change for the Host. My guess is that he’ll hang around these bottom three spots for the next few week or maybe months and then slip quietly under the radar.
9 Evan Bayh
Quite simply, the earth should have moved under Barack Obama’s feet regardless of where he was at the time of Evan Bayh’s call to the White House announcing his plan to ‘retire’ from the US Senate while holding a double digit lead in his re-election bid. He is getting away from Obama and his Administration as though he and it are some type of contagious disease. LMAO. Somehow H1N1 comes to mind.
The Dems, across the board, are in total and complete free-fall in part because Barack Obama is failing to deliver the brilliance that was promised. The fact is that 44’s not so smart and not so creative either. This is the reason that the politician that hopes to have a political tomorrow is abandoning Obama now. With this being a smart move, Bayh will be in position to step up and challenge Hillary Clinton if 44 pull a Lyndon Johnson.
10 Hillary Clinton
Looked rested and in total control of her duties abroad as SOSOTUS this week. A rested Hillary and a failure weary Barack Obama. I’d be sleeping with one eye open for a whole lot of reasons if I was 44. At the top of the list of concerns for the POTUS could be a sudden resignation from Mrs. Clinton. LMAO… Obama’s hair would gray overnight.
Summary as of 1/14/10
It became apparent that this tenth and final spot needed to held by one person that took Obama to the wire and could count on 18 million primary votes tomorrow. Barack Obama might not be able to get 18 million votes in a national election held tomorrow.
It all made sense. One person that could beat Barack Obama is Hillary Clinton.
18 million Democrats didn’t get it wrong.
A hand full of second rate sheep herders gave us Barack Obama - that and his galactic sized ego. This is what has nagged at me for the last several days. I have purposely not had much to Tweet and have not posted to any one of 5 blogs. My mojo was in suspended animation. Part of my inner conflict and confusion was the result of an up tick in Democrats and Liberals following on twitter and email comments and critiques on the Top 10. It made remember that I was once a Closet Conservative Democrat (#ccd).
Suddenly I felt a reluctance to attack all things liberal or Democratic because some of those being attacked are people that I still like and respect regardless of their political leanings. There’s no way that I can stop sounding the alarm that Barack Obama is not who he portends to be but I can go a tad easier on his followers. They can’t help that he’s in over his head nor is it really their fault.
With that moment of nostalgia behind me, it’s time to get to the heart of why SOSOTUS Clinton is rightly included in this Top 10 and why I have my liberal friends and former Democratic Party Mates to thank. You may want to sit down for this or at least have some smelling salts near by…
With all his brilliance, star power, extraordinary abilities and the needs of the people as his motivation, Barack Hussein Obama is still just an over-hyped quitter. Every situation that he boasts having mastered on his way to the White House was really a situation he quit after realizing he wasn’t going to get to do things the way he wanted. He can’t transform America as he set out to and now the American Electorate has clipped his wings. Don’t be surprised at his brilliant and noble gesture to step aside in 2012 having “saved the country from another Great Depression” and fighting - unsuccessfully - for healthcare reform for the American people.
Obama’s being a quitter by nature is what opens the door for Hillary Clinton in 2012. She is certainly no more a long shot than Robert Gates or General Patreus and having ran so well before could give her the nomination if 44 were to not seek re-election. The nation could see the ’Dream Presidential Election of 2012” with Sarah Palin taking on Hillary Rodham Clinton. I get goose bumps just thinking about those potential debates. This could be a bloggers dream come true.
Mrs. Clinton has said that she is definitely not running but as the water gets deeper and hotter around Mr. Obama, look for him to seek an honorable and profitable way out of the situation he finds himself in - the American people be-damned.
Honorable Mention:
Mike Pence ["This may be my most favorite speech yet," said the blog The Right Scoop. "Mike Pence is my pick in 2012 should he run. He has been on of the most consistent conservatives and he gets it." Posted by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos ]
[Mike Pence 5% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
9 Rudy Giuliani - I was almost sorry to see Rudy get bumped from the Top 10 contenders so quickly but the Evan Bayh dynamic is unmistakable this week.
Mitch Daniels [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
John Thune [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Rick Santorum [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Haley Barbour [1% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Bobby Jindal
Ron Paul
Robert Gates
Michael Bloomberg
Jenny Ryan
General David Patreus
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
The Evan Bayh announcement and CPAC10 have gone a long way to justify this ABBO Top 10. With Senator Bayh and SOSOTUS Hillary Clinton now in the potential field, Barack Obama will make what I hope will be a quiet end to a failed Presidency.
Also big in this week’s Political News was the CPAC 2012 Candidate Straw Poll. It’s results and reasoning dominate this ABBO2012 Top 10. The results of the CPAC Straw Poll are as follows:
2010 CPAC Straw Poll Results
Ron Paul 31%
Mitt Romney 22%
Sarah Palin 7%
Tim Pawlenty 6%
Mike Pence 5%
Newt Gingrich 4%
Mike Huckabee 4%
Mitch Daniels 2%
John Thune 2%
Rick Santorum 2%
Haley Barbour 1%
<“What they’re saying about the 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll“>
Ron Paul, who ran for president in 2008, took 31 percent of the vote. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had won the past three CPAC straw polls but placed second this time with 22 percent. Romney is considered the current frontrunner for the 2012 nod.
Be careful not to read too much -- or much at all -- into these results. Paul's supporters are loyal and loud but not, ultimately, that large a group as proven by the fact that he did not win a single primary or caucus in 2008. {TheFix By Chris Cillizza | February 20, 2010; 5:42 PM ET}
The 2012 Presidential Campaign Started This Weekend, And Ron Paul Is In The Lead
{Joe Weisenthal | Feb. 21, 2010, 10:40 AM}
One reason for the Paul win is the make up of the CPAC attendees. CPAC caters to students and young conservative activists. And Paul's appeal has been strongest among young, vocal, activist Libertarians. {From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro}
Paul got 31% of the vote, which means he literally performed an abortion murder on Mitt Romney, who usually wins these things because he’s such an asshole — Romney finished with 22%, proving once again that he can’t even get a fourth of the room to like him, even when that room is exclusively filled with Republicans.
But the “world’s biggest loser” of the night was truly our Alaskan Quitter Bear, the Facebook user Sarah Palin. Nobody likes her at all! She ended up with a patriotic “screw you” of 7%, but at least that was better than unloved has-beens Pawlenty (6%) and Gingrich (4%) and Huckabee (4%). {Wonkette THE DC GOSSIP; Ron Paul WINS CPAC STRAW POLL, HA HA 2/20/10}
To jeers and cheers, Ron Paul wins straw poll at CPAC {Ralph Z. Hallow The Washington Times Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010}
<“What they’re saying about the 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll“>
Having been a Conservative all of my life but a Republican for a very short 16 months, I am amused and intrigued by the level of sophistication and superstition exhibited by my new party. The winner of the CPAC Straw Poll for three straight years, Mitt Romney, loses to Ron Paul who was a complete afterthought in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primary.
The notion that for three straight years Romney had the support of collegiate CPACers and that Ron Paul is suddenly the overwhelming choice of Young Republicans is laughable. Mitt Romney supporters cast numerous ballots for Paul to make sure that a candidate with no chance of beating their guy in 2012 finished on top. Call it sophistication or superstition, clearly the Republicans are energized by all that was accomplished during CPAC and have much to build on for 2010 and 2012.
I was a little surprised that there were five names included in the poll that hadn’t reached the ABBO2012 Top 10 radar previously. Mike Pence, Mitch Daniels, John Thune, Rich Santorum and Haley Barbour are now listed under Honorable Mention. In the coming weeks, they will likely become more prominent.
I was also a little surprised to see Sarah Palin receive such little support by the participants at CPAC. Could it be that she is a one trick pony with the Tea Party crowd or is the CPAC crowd a bit more high brow? She didn’t show up in D.C. and I’m sure no one told her not to come so there’s likely a story there that we’ll know in due time.
A comparison of the ABBO2012 Top 10 and the CPAC 2012 Straw Poll reveals a wide open field of potential 2012 Candidates for President that includes 22 players - two of whom happen to be Democrats.
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Made a good showing at CPAC10 but looked less prominent when other Republican Stars were assembled. I like Scott Brown atop this ABBO Top 10 for now!
Summary As of 2/14/10
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
2 Colin Luther Powell
Mr. Powell’s place in this field should diminish as the pack begins to assemble itself more formally. Having his name still on top is a testament to his having been an ideal Presidential Candidate before and a far more qualified than Barack Obama will ever be in this life.
Summary As of 2/14/10
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
3 Sarah Palin
More of the same this week. Point, counterpoint. Action, reaction. This pattern will plague Governor Palin as long as she has to take time from her agenda to chastise the insensitive and cruel mockery of her son Trig or anything else that is slight of the Palin’s.
Over time, especially if persistent insults can’t be ignored, Ms. Palin will grow weary of the attacks. She seems like a decent enough person but certainly not brass knuckles hard like a Rudy Giuliani. I still have high hopes for Mrs. Palin.
We were disappointed that she did not make an appearance at CPAC10 especially since she manages to make it everywhere else.
[Sarah Palin 7% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
The thing that really bothers me about Sarah Palin is that her sense of right and wrong may be wrong for the Presidency. Not that there’s anything wrong with her sense of right and wrong. I am certainly not suggesting that. What I am saying is that in my view, a President must be able to do what he/she feels is right for the country while putting personal feelings aside. Sarah Palin made a ‘personal’ decision to benefit Alaskans by quitting. Who benefited the most from Governor Palin’s personal decision?
Another nagging concern about Sarah Palin is that she has what could be considered a challenging family dynamic that needs her attention. Is she prepared to sacrifice family time to assume the responsibility of the Presidency. My guess is that Sarah Palin believes that she could shape the Presidency around her family and its needs. The problem with that is that the United States is not Alaska and the American people will not be nearly as accommodating of the Palins as Sarah Palin might insist. Executive involvement from the ‘First Dude’ was cute in Alaska but the whole homespun ‘this is how we do it in Alaska’ routine won’t play at all at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
To my friends in the ‘Tea Party’ Movement, please stop accusing me of Palin bashing. If anything, I’m trying to honestly represent view points that will become more prevalent in the weeks and months to come. I honestly think we can elect a more qualified President than Sarah Palin but while those candidates find their swagger, the former Governor of the State of Alaska holds down the number three spot in this weeks Top 10 ABBO list.
4 Mitt Romney
Quite a splash for the Governor at CPAC. Several mighty fine one liners made him a big hit.
[Mitt Romney 22% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
No noteworthy mentions in the news this week.
5 Newt Gingrich
It is interesting that Gingrich is entrenched in the middle of this pack. Even among likely Republican Candidates (Scott Brown and Colin Luther Powell not withstanding) he is easily among the top three viable candidates at this point.
[Newt Gingrich 4% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
Aside from his routine appearances on Fox News, the former SOTHOR was little more than a political commentator which is not bad work if you can get it. Does it lay a framework for a future run at the White House? Probably not. Don’t expect Newt’s bid to stay airborne if it gets off the ground. He holds the five spot because he’s a former Speaker and when you’ve been two (2) heartbeats from the Presidency you get certain accommodations.
6 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
“I am already pretty sick of Pawlenty. Secretly (okay not to secretly now) hoping that he doesn't run for POTUS.” {One prominent twitterer}
“TPaw” may not have national juice just yet. It is important to keep in that every Presidential Ticket consist of a top banana and 2nd fiddle. “TPaw” has the look of a good 2nd fiddle.
[Tim Pawlenty 6% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
The Governor moves up one spot to number six as Mike Huckabee stock took an expected tumble this week.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
7 Paul Ryan
This is Paul Ryan’s week! POTUS44’s Healthcare Reform Summit dog and pony show will be Ryan’s best chance to show that he belongs on the national stage. He is considered the Republican’s best spokesperson on the issue of Healthcare Reform and hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to see what he brings to the table.
Summary As of 2/14/10
I know who Paul Ryan is now! This week he was singled out as the one Republican that should speak for the Republican delegation to the President’s latest ‘dog and pony show’ on healthcare reform later this month. That’s a clear indication he deserves a seat at the table of potential Obama replacements.
8 Mike Huckabee
The Huckabee interview with Michelle Obama on childhood obesity replayed a half dozen times over the weekend as though FoxNews was under some misguided notion that viewers would want to see doughboy and dippity doo over and over again. Mike Huckabee becomes less appealing as a candidate as time passes. This is undoubtedly Huckabee’s final week of relevance in the ABBO2012.
[Mike Huckabee 4% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Summary As of 2/14/10
No real change for the Host. My guess is that he’ll hang around these bottom three spots for the next few week or maybe months and then slip quietly under the radar.
9 Evan Bayh
Quite simply, the earth should have moved under Barack Obama’s feet regardless of where he was at the time of Evan Bayh’s call to the White House announcing his plan to ‘retire’ from the US Senate while holding a double digit lead in his re-election bid. He is getting away from Obama and his Administration as though he and it are some type of contagious disease. LMAO. Somehow H1N1 comes to mind.
The Dems, across the board, are in total and complete free-fall in part because Barack Obama is failing to deliver the brilliance that was promised. The fact is that 44’s not so smart and not so creative either. This is the reason that the politician that hopes to have a political tomorrow is abandoning Obama now. With this being a smart move, Bayh will be in position to step up and challenge Hillary Clinton if 44 pull a Lyndon Johnson.
10 Hillary Clinton
Looked rested and in total control of her duties abroad as SOSOTUS this week. A rested Hillary and a failure weary Barack Obama. I’d be sleeping with one eye open for a whole lot of reasons if I was 44. At the top of the list of concerns for the POTUS could be a sudden resignation from Mrs. Clinton. LMAO… Obama’s hair would gray overnight.
Summary as of 1/14/10
It became apparent that this tenth and final spot needed to held by one person that took Obama to the wire and could count on 18 million primary votes tomorrow. Barack Obama might not be able to get 18 million votes in a national election held tomorrow.
It all made sense. One person that could beat Barack Obama is Hillary Clinton.
18 million Democrats didn’t get it wrong.
A hand full of second rate sheep herders gave us Barack Obama - that and his galactic sized ego. This is what has nagged at me for the last several days. I have purposely not had much to Tweet and have not posted to any one of 5 blogs. My mojo was in suspended animation. Part of my inner conflict and confusion was the result of an up tick in Democrats and Liberals following on twitter and email comments and critiques on the Top 10. It made remember that I was once a Closet Conservative Democrat (#ccd).
Suddenly I felt a reluctance to attack all things liberal or Democratic because some of those being attacked are people that I still like and respect regardless of their political leanings. There’s no way that I can stop sounding the alarm that Barack Obama is not who he portends to be but I can go a tad easier on his followers. They can’t help that he’s in over his head nor is it really their fault.
With that moment of nostalgia behind me, it’s time to get to the heart of why SOSOTUS Clinton is rightly included in this Top 10 and why I have my liberal friends and former Democratic Party Mates to thank. You may want to sit down for this or at least have some smelling salts near by…
With all his brilliance, star power, extraordinary abilities and the needs of the people as his motivation, Barack Hussein Obama is still just an over-hyped quitter. Every situation that he boasts having mastered on his way to the White House was really a situation he quit after realizing he wasn’t going to get to do things the way he wanted. He can’t transform America as he set out to and now the American Electorate has clipped his wings. Don’t be surprised at his brilliant and noble gesture to step aside in 2012 having “saved the country from another Great Depression” and fighting - unsuccessfully - for healthcare reform for the American people.
Obama’s being a quitter by nature is what opens the door for Hillary Clinton in 2012. She is certainly no more a long shot than Robert Gates or General Patreus and having ran so well before could give her the nomination if 44 were to not seek re-election. The nation could see the ’Dream Presidential Election of 2012” with Sarah Palin taking on Hillary Rodham Clinton. I get goose bumps just thinking about those potential debates. This could be a bloggers dream come true.
Mrs. Clinton has said that she is definitely not running but as the water gets deeper and hotter around Mr. Obama, look for him to seek an honorable and profitable way out of the situation he finds himself in - the American people be-damned.
Honorable Mention:
Mike Pence ["This may be my most favorite speech yet," said the blog The Right Scoop. "Mike Pence is my pick in 2012 should he run. He has been on of the most consistent conservatives and he gets it." Posted by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos ]
[Mike Pence 5% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
9 Rudy Giuliani - I was almost sorry to see Rudy get bumped from the Top 10 contenders so quickly but the Evan Bayh dynamic is unmistakable this week.
Mitch Daniels [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
John Thune [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Rick Santorum [2% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Haley Barbour [1% 2010 CPAC ‘2012’ Straw Poll]
Bobby Jindal
Ron Paul
Robert Gates
Michael Bloomberg
Jenny Ryan
General David Patreus
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 Top 10 List w/o 2/14/10
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Much has been written about Scott Brown’s historic campaign to win the Massachusetts Senate Seat held by Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy in a recent special election. He bested the Democratic Candidate Martha Coakley and even an eleventh hour Command Performance by the Commander in Chief Barack Hussein Obama.
If you doubt the strength of Scott Browns political metal - consider that the eyes of the nation’s literate electorate were aligned ’for’ or ’against’ Scott Brown and the 41st Senate vote against Obamacare (aka health care reform). Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley, became that 41st vote and best of all - defeated the influence of the President’s Bully Pulpit. That’s got to be enough to give Scott Brown the national stature necessary to defeat Barack Obama head-to-head if they were pitted against each other today or three years from now in 2012.
With the country willing to vote 47% for a candidate other than Barack Obama for President as of the January 27 release of voter preference polling, Scott Brown has to be considered the candidate with the ‘star-power’ to chase Barack Obama out of Washington. Until someone establishes themselves as worthy of being included in a discussion about candidates able to defeat Barack Obama - Scott Brown sits atop this Top 10 ABBO 2012 list alone.
2 Colin Luther Powell
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Secretary of State Colin Powell is my favorite ‘statesman’ to have never run for the Presidency. A few times in history, we’ve had two really bad choices to choose from in Presidential Elections. 2000 was one of those times. GB43 was the lesser of two ill-suited candidates for what we faced on 9/11 and afterwards. The good thing about George Bush, save for Donald Rumsfeld, is that he did assemble a cabinet that was at its core - competent and capable. A Gore Presidency would have featured Gore which would have been bad enough but he would have staffed his kitchen cabinet with the same mixed bag of nuts that Barack Obama assembled less Van Jones.
2000 was a year when Colin Powell would have won the Presidency in a landslide against any American Democrat on the Planet and would have beaten Bill Clinton head-to-head for good measure if necessary. Mrs. Powell stopped that bid and ruled out future Presidential bids for her hubby but stranger things have happened. I wrote General Powell at the Obama White House, imploring him to run in 2012 to help correct the mistake of the American Electorate having elected Barack Hussein Obama.
3 Sarah Palin
The thing that really bothers me about Sarah Palin is that her sense of right and wrong may be wrong for the Presidency. Not that there’s anything wrong with her sense of right and wrong. I am certainly not suggesting that. What I am saying is that in my view, a President must be able to do what he/she feels is right for the country while putting personal feelings aside. Sarah Palin made a ‘personal’ decision to benefit Alaskans by quitting. Who benefited the most from Governor Palin’s personal decision?
Another nagging concern about Sarah Palin is that she has what could be considered a challenging family dynamic that needs her attention. Is she prepared to sacrifice family time to assume the responsibility of the Presidency. My guess is that Sarah Palin believes that she could shape the Presidency around her family and its needs. The problem with that is that the United States is not Alaska and the American people will not be nearly as accommodating of the Palins as Sarah Palin might insist. Executive involvement from the ‘First Dude’ was cute in Alaska but the whole homespun ‘this is how we do it in Alaska’ routine won’t play at all at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
To my friends in the ‘Tea Party’ Movement, please stop accusing me of Palin bashing. If anything, I’m trying to honestly represent view points that will become more prevalent in the weeks and months to come. I honestly think we can elect a more qualified President than Sarah Palin but while those candidates find their swagger, the former Governor of the State of Alaska holds down the number three spot in this weeks Top 10 ABBO list.
Summary As of 2/7/10
You can never say that Sarah Palin missed the opportunity to turn her 15 minutes of fame into money. Who can fault her for turning her name into a brand? Her week has included the disclosure that husband Todd was more involved in Alaska state government that most realized and delivering the keynote address at the Tea Party National Convention.
In my opinion, her remarks ran a little long but she is a major-league headliner right now.
While she can wield the influence that fills seats and coffers, it just makes sense to capitalize on the situation. The Presidency still seems to be a stretch for her at this point.
I voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008. This would suggest that I believed Ms. Palin was ready to be President in the event John McCain was unable to complete his Presidency. This was not the case. Similarly, my prayer is that Barack Obama serves every hour of one term because a single hour with Joe Biden would be a predictable disaster.
As a an lone option against Barack Obama, I choose Sarah Palin. Given her star-power and role in the national debate she still belongs among the favorites.
Summary As of 1/31/10
I can see Sarah Palin as a lot of things but President of the United States is not one of them. That goes for today, three years from now and beyond. She has proven to me, without question, that she is better suited for commenting on how something was done or should have been done. Sarah Palin making a critical decision, however, is a less palatable scenario.
Her quitting the governorship of Alaska seems, in hindsight, to have benefited the Palin’s and Sarah more that the citizens of Alaska. On the whole, she nor Barack Obama were qualified to be President when they were one and two on opposing tickets. The good thing is that Sarah Palin didn’t become the 47th Vice-President of the United States. Obviously, the bad thing is that Barack Hussein Obama became the 44 POTUS. Still, Sarah Palin presents herself as a likeable, attractive, 40-something conservative political voice.
4 Mitt Romney
No noteworthy mentions in the news this week.
Summary As of 2/7/10
If the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary were a horse race, one would expect Mitt Romney to be running among the pack not wanting to flaunt being the favorite. There is little else for him to do now aside from raising money. With most attention on former Governor Palin and Senator Brown, former Governor Romney is better off blending in.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Steve Hayes, Kirsten Powers and Charles Krauthammer view Mitt Romney as the front runner to be the Republican Nominee in 2012. The biggest problem with Mitt is that he couldn’t beat Barack Obama if the election were held today. The biggest upside to Mitt Romney is that his opponent’s poll numbers fall almost daily and time will only make the situation worse for the 44th Presidential Administration. Romney’s stock will rise inversely proportional to any health care reform bump Obama may hope to get later this year.
5 Newt Gingrich
Aside from his routine appearances on Fox News, the former SOTHOR was little more than a political commentator which is not bad work if you can get it. Does it lay a framework for a future run at the White House? Probably not. Don’t expect Newt’s bid to stay airborne if it gets off the ground. He holds the five spot because he’s a former Speaker and when you’ve been two (2) heartbeats from the Presidency you get certain accommodations.
Summary As of 2/7/10
The first week of February 2010 is a perfect example of the problems that Newt Gingrich will have in establishing Republican Presidential Nominee traction. He was in a commentary role major commentary role one or twice but nothing that rivaled Scott Brown being sworn in as a Senator or Sarah Palin Keynoting the Tea Party National Convention and dominating the tabloids with compelling spousal stories.
Newt Gingrich lacks what the top prospects have in abundance and that’s star-power. He’s not exciting and only presents well when sitting or at a podium. The first time he is seen walking across a stage or entering a venue looking jolly - his candidacy will be all but over on appearance alone.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich fairs about the way Bob Dole did against Bill Clinton.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If I wanted to take a course on American History, Newt Gingrich would certainly be an instructor I’d be interested in signing up for. If Newt Gingrich were the only candidate on the ballot against Barack Hussein Obama for the Presidency of the United States in 2012 - Newt Gingrich would certainly have my vote. That said, there are at least 5 Republican potential candidates for 2012 that will likely be ahead of Gingrich by the 2010 elections.
The problem with a Newt Gingrich candidacy is that his opponent would be an incumbent Barack Obama. The 18th Anniversary of the Contract With America will be celebrated in 2012 but who could give the architect of that movement good odds against the modern day Master Communicator.
6 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
The Governor moves up one spot to number six as Mike Huckabee stock took an expected tumble this week.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Last week, Governor Pawlenty was among the Honorable Mention but following a strong showing this week, he replaces Ron Paul as a more viable candidate to be listed among the Top 10.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
Summary As of 1/31/10
Tim Pawlenty- Saw Governor Pawlenty on Fox several times this week and he pointed out several Obama Policy flaws that were easy to follow. He will undoubtedly crack the Top 10 in the coming weeks.
7 Paul Ryan
I know who Paul Ryan is now! This week he was singled out as the one Republican that should speak for the Republican delegation to the President’s latest ‘dog and pony show’ on healthcare reform later this month. That’s a clear indication he deserves a seat at the table of potential Obama replacements.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Paul Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Steve Hayes of the Weekly Standard (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Undoubtedly destined to the Top 10 in coming weeks. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Paul Ryan.
8 Mike Huckabee
No real change for the Host. My guess is that he’ll hang around these bottom three spots for the next few week or maybe months and then slip quietly under the radar.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Mike Huckabee is a talk show host. This is a good role for him.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee would lose badly.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Without pulling any punches, I can’t say that Mike Huckabee inspires me as a potential POTUS. He’s portly, somewhat jolly and reminds me more of Mr. Weatherbee from the Archie Comics than someone I’d like to see sitting across from Vladimir Putin, Gordon Brown or any world leader for that matter. Being brutally honest, I don’t believe the American People would vote to replace Barack Obama with Mike Huckabee. If the election were held today and Huckabee were the GOP nominee I would likely sit the 2012 Presidential Election out as would many others I imagine.
9 Rudy Giuliani
Just a matter of time before the Rudy is no longer in the discussion. Until then, America’s Mayor stays in the Top 10.
Summary As of 2/7/10
The Mayor is really not a part of the discussion about potential Republican Nominees. He may feel differently so for the time being he’ll hold this spot.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. What to make of you is quite a complexity. You’ll never be elected President and I might not be able to explain this assertion in 1,000 words but some things you just know if you know things. As a matter of fact, I see you not holding this 8th spot on the ABBO 2012 Top 10 for very long if beyond this initial January 31, 2010 posting.
10 Hillary Clinton
It became apparent that this tenth and final spot needed to held by one person that took Obama to the wire and could count on 18 million primary votes tomorrow. Barack Obama might not be able to get 18 million votes in a national election held tomorrow.
It all made sense. One person that could beat Barack Obama is Hillary Clinton.
18 million Democrats didn’t get it wrong.
A hand full of second rate sheep herders gave us Barack Obama - that and his galactic sized ego. This is what has nagged at me for the last several days. I have purposely not had much to Tweet and have not posted to any one of 5 blogs. My mojo was in suspended animation. Part of my inner conflict and confusion was the result of an up tick in Democrats and Liberals following on twitter and email comments and critiques on the Top 10. It made remember that I was once a Closet Conservative Democrat (#ccd).
Suddenly I felt a reluctance to attack all things liberal or Democratic because some of those being attacked are people that I still like and respect regardless of their political leanings. There’s no way that I can stop sounding the alarm that Barack Obama is not who he portends to be but I can go a tad easier on his followers. They can’t help that he’s in over his head nor is it really their fault.
With that moment of nostalgia behind me, it’s time to get to the heart of why SOSOTUS Clinton is rightly included in this Top 10 and why I have my liberal friends and former Democratic Party Mates to thank. You may want to sit down for this or at least have some smelling salts near by…
With all his brilliance, star power, extraordinary abilities and the needs of the people as his motivation, Barack Hussein Obama is still just an over-hyped quitter. Every situation that he boasts having mastered on his way to the White House was really a situation he quit after realizing he wasn’t going to get to do things the way he wanted. He can’t transform America as he set out to and now the American Electorate has clipped his wings. Don’t be surprised at his brilliant and noble gesture to step aside in 2012 having “saved the country from another Great Depression” and fighting - unsuccessfully - for healthcare reform for the American people.
Obama’s being a quitter by nature is what opens the door for Hillary Clinton in 2012. She is certainly no more a long shot than Robert Gates or General Patreus and having ran so well before could give her the nomination if 44 were to not seek re-election. The nation could see the ’Dream Presidential Election of 2012” with Sarah Palin taking on Hillary Rodham Clinton. I get goose bumps just thinking about those potential debates. This could be a bloggers dream come true.
Mrs. Clinton has said that she is definitely not running but as the water gets deeper and hotter around Mr. Obama, look for him to seek an honorable and profitable way out of the situation he finds himself in - the American people be-damned.
Honorable Mention:
Bobby Jindal- When the 2012 Presidential Nominee is decided, Bobby Jindal will still be no more than an Honorable Mention in this and every other relevant poll. It will take several years for folks to forget his response to Obama’s first address before Congress. He was less than inspiring and looked more like the maitre d’ at a fancy restaurant. He is also quite slight in appearance for the office of the Presidency.
x7 Ron Paul (R-TX)
Now that his son is getting more headlines than his dad, it’s time to exclude Ron Paul from the discussion.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If there ever comes a time that America is desperate enough to elect Ron Paul as POTUS, I’ll run myself. Can’t get the image out of my head of him sitting alone in a room on a folding chair in a cheap blue suit, even cheaper accessories and a pair of shoes I wouldn’t be seen plowing in. Pathetic. He must never be allowed to leave the United States as a lone representative of this country.
Appearance aside, his countenance is that of an uptight librarian; a bit of a nuisance to have to listen to. You know he’ll never be accepted by the masses though his message is well thought out. Some people and some messages are summarily dismissed because the source is so uninspiring whereas Barack Obama is the opposite - an inspiring source with a ridiculous message. Unfortunately in 2008, the masses went for the ridiculous message.
Regardless of the landscape in 2012, Ron Paul will be little more than a nuisance trying to be heard.
x10 Robert Gates
With the emergence of Paul Ryan, my second outsider must relinquish the 10 spot. As with General Patreus, the chances of Gates running for President against his boss was unlikely. He will be in future Presidential discussions and likely as a Republican selling his ability to work effectively in a bi-partisan environment. Remember where you read that first.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Things didn’t go so well for Mr. Gates this week on Capital Hill. His comment about when - not whether - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would be repealed was correct by Senator John McCain.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
To hear Barack Obama tell it, everything about the George W. Bush Presidency was a complete disaster save for one shining star - Robert Gates. The last two Presidents have seen fit to entrust the leadership of the Defense Department to him during the execution of two wars. That’s got to be a confirmation that if nothing else, Robert Gates is a man qualified to be President by modern standards.
As he is certainly not running for the Presidency in 2012, it is fitting that Robert Gates hold the tenth spot as my second outsider.
x10 Michael Bloomberg
LATE BREAKING 2/14 5:30P
Bloomberg bumped from the tenth spot in this week’s ABBO2012 Top 10.
Summary As of 2/14/10
This whole KSM trial location fiasco must have the Mayor wondering what stops him from raising a billion dollars and ‘out pointing’ Barack Obama in 2012. He managed to muscle the President and ‘punk’ the U.S. Attorney General in a week. That’s got to be good for something. Remember where you read this first - Michael Bloomberg will be a player in this replace Barack Obama discussion.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Most noteworthy position is as an opponent of DOJ’s plan to try KSM in lower Manhattan. Amazing how tunes change when cost becomes an issue.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Mr. Michael Bloomberg of Bloomberg Financial and Mayor of New York has a very attractive skill set for the Presidency. He is a money man and this is a money nation. With a gift for negotiation and an ability to assemble a National Security team and strategy, he could most certainly extrapolate everything in between.
As one of my two outsiders for the Presidency, Michael Bloomberg could be a factor in the 2012 race for the White House.
Jenny Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Kirsten Powers of the New York Post (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Not on any radar that I monitor but that’s not to say she won’t become more prominent in the discussion at a later time.
General David Patreus as an outside chance candidate per Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post (1/29 on Fox’s ’Special Report’) because Patreus won’t be running against the sitting Commander in Chief and his boss. He is described as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2016. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Jenny Ryan.
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Much has been written about Scott Brown’s historic campaign to win the Massachusetts Senate Seat held by Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy in a recent special election. He bested the Democratic Candidate Martha Coakley and even an eleventh hour Command Performance by the Commander in Chief Barack Hussein Obama.
If you doubt the strength of Scott Browns political metal - consider that the eyes of the nation’s literate electorate were aligned ’for’ or ’against’ Scott Brown and the 41st Senate vote against Obamacare (aka health care reform). Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley, became that 41st vote and best of all - defeated the influence of the President’s Bully Pulpit. That’s got to be enough to give Scott Brown the national stature necessary to defeat Barack Obama head-to-head if they were pitted against each other today or three years from now in 2012.
With the country willing to vote 47% for a candidate other than Barack Obama for President as of the January 27 release of voter preference polling, Scott Brown has to be considered the candidate with the ‘star-power’ to chase Barack Obama out of Washington. Until someone establishes themselves as worthy of being included in a discussion about candidates able to defeat Barack Obama - Scott Brown sits atop this Top 10 ABBO 2012 list alone.
2 Colin Luther Powell
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Secretary of State Colin Powell is my favorite ‘statesman’ to have never run for the Presidency. A few times in history, we’ve had two really bad choices to choose from in Presidential Elections. 2000 was one of those times. GB43 was the lesser of two ill-suited candidates for what we faced on 9/11 and afterwards. The good thing about George Bush, save for Donald Rumsfeld, is that he did assemble a cabinet that was at its core - competent and capable. A Gore Presidency would have featured Gore which would have been bad enough but he would have staffed his kitchen cabinet with the same mixed bag of nuts that Barack Obama assembled less Van Jones.
2000 was a year when Colin Powell would have won the Presidency in a landslide against any American Democrat on the Planet and would have beaten Bill Clinton head-to-head for good measure if necessary. Mrs. Powell stopped that bid and ruled out future Presidential bids for her hubby but stranger things have happened. I wrote General Powell at the Obama White House, imploring him to run in 2012 to help correct the mistake of the American Electorate having elected Barack Hussein Obama.
3 Sarah Palin
The thing that really bothers me about Sarah Palin is that her sense of right and wrong may be wrong for the Presidency. Not that there’s anything wrong with her sense of right and wrong. I am certainly not suggesting that. What I am saying is that in my view, a President must be able to do what he/she feels is right for the country while putting personal feelings aside. Sarah Palin made a ‘personal’ decision to benefit Alaskans by quitting. Who benefited the most from Governor Palin’s personal decision?
Another nagging concern about Sarah Palin is that she has what could be considered a challenging family dynamic that needs her attention. Is she prepared to sacrifice family time to assume the responsibility of the Presidency. My guess is that Sarah Palin believes that she could shape the Presidency around her family and its needs. The problem with that is that the United States is not Alaska and the American people will not be nearly as accommodating of the Palins as Sarah Palin might insist. Executive involvement from the ‘First Dude’ was cute in Alaska but the whole homespun ‘this is how we do it in Alaska’ routine won’t play at all at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
To my friends in the ‘Tea Party’ Movement, please stop accusing me of Palin bashing. If anything, I’m trying to honestly represent view points that will become more prevalent in the weeks and months to come. I honestly think we can elect a more qualified President than Sarah Palin but while those candidates find their swagger, the former Governor of the State of Alaska holds down the number three spot in this weeks Top 10 ABBO list.
Summary As of 2/7/10
You can never say that Sarah Palin missed the opportunity to turn her 15 minutes of fame into money. Who can fault her for turning her name into a brand? Her week has included the disclosure that husband Todd was more involved in Alaska state government that most realized and delivering the keynote address at the Tea Party National Convention.
In my opinion, her remarks ran a little long but she is a major-league headliner right now.
While she can wield the influence that fills seats and coffers, it just makes sense to capitalize on the situation. The Presidency still seems to be a stretch for her at this point.
I voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008. This would suggest that I believed Ms. Palin was ready to be President in the event John McCain was unable to complete his Presidency. This was not the case. Similarly, my prayer is that Barack Obama serves every hour of one term because a single hour with Joe Biden would be a predictable disaster.
As a an lone option against Barack Obama, I choose Sarah Palin. Given her star-power and role in the national debate she still belongs among the favorites.
Summary As of 1/31/10
I can see Sarah Palin as a lot of things but President of the United States is not one of them. That goes for today, three years from now and beyond. She has proven to me, without question, that she is better suited for commenting on how something was done or should have been done. Sarah Palin making a critical decision, however, is a less palatable scenario.
Her quitting the governorship of Alaska seems, in hindsight, to have benefited the Palin’s and Sarah more that the citizens of Alaska. On the whole, she nor Barack Obama were qualified to be President when they were one and two on opposing tickets. The good thing is that Sarah Palin didn’t become the 47th Vice-President of the United States. Obviously, the bad thing is that Barack Hussein Obama became the 44 POTUS. Still, Sarah Palin presents herself as a likeable, attractive, 40-something conservative political voice.
4 Mitt Romney
No noteworthy mentions in the news this week.
Summary As of 2/7/10
If the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary were a horse race, one would expect Mitt Romney to be running among the pack not wanting to flaunt being the favorite. There is little else for him to do now aside from raising money. With most attention on former Governor Palin and Senator Brown, former Governor Romney is better off blending in.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Steve Hayes, Kirsten Powers and Charles Krauthammer view Mitt Romney as the front runner to be the Republican Nominee in 2012. The biggest problem with Mitt is that he couldn’t beat Barack Obama if the election were held today. The biggest upside to Mitt Romney is that his opponent’s poll numbers fall almost daily and time will only make the situation worse for the 44th Presidential Administration. Romney’s stock will rise inversely proportional to any health care reform bump Obama may hope to get later this year.
5 Newt Gingrich
Aside from his routine appearances on Fox News, the former SOTHOR was little more than a political commentator which is not bad work if you can get it. Does it lay a framework for a future run at the White House? Probably not. Don’t expect Newt’s bid to stay airborne if it gets off the ground. He holds the five spot because he’s a former Speaker and when you’ve been two (2) heartbeats from the Presidency you get certain accommodations.
Summary As of 2/7/10
The first week of February 2010 is a perfect example of the problems that Newt Gingrich will have in establishing Republican Presidential Nominee traction. He was in a commentary role major commentary role one or twice but nothing that rivaled Scott Brown being sworn in as a Senator or Sarah Palin Keynoting the Tea Party National Convention and dominating the tabloids with compelling spousal stories.
Newt Gingrich lacks what the top prospects have in abundance and that’s star-power. He’s not exciting and only presents well when sitting or at a podium. The first time he is seen walking across a stage or entering a venue looking jolly - his candidacy will be all but over on appearance alone.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich fairs about the way Bob Dole did against Bill Clinton.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If I wanted to take a course on American History, Newt Gingrich would certainly be an instructor I’d be interested in signing up for. If Newt Gingrich were the only candidate on the ballot against Barack Hussein Obama for the Presidency of the United States in 2012 - Newt Gingrich would certainly have my vote. That said, there are at least 5 Republican potential candidates for 2012 that will likely be ahead of Gingrich by the 2010 elections.
The problem with a Newt Gingrich candidacy is that his opponent would be an incumbent Barack Obama. The 18th Anniversary of the Contract With America will be celebrated in 2012 but who could give the architect of that movement good odds against the modern day Master Communicator.
6 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
The Governor moves up one spot to number six as Mike Huckabee stock took an expected tumble this week.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Last week, Governor Pawlenty was among the Honorable Mention but following a strong showing this week, he replaces Ron Paul as a more viable candidate to be listed among the Top 10.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
Summary As of 1/31/10
Tim Pawlenty- Saw Governor Pawlenty on Fox several times this week and he pointed out several Obama Policy flaws that were easy to follow. He will undoubtedly crack the Top 10 in the coming weeks.
7 Paul Ryan
I know who Paul Ryan is now! This week he was singled out as the one Republican that should speak for the Republican delegation to the President’s latest ‘dog and pony show’ on healthcare reform later this month. That’s a clear indication he deserves a seat at the table of potential Obama replacements.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Paul Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Steve Hayes of the Weekly Standard (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Undoubtedly destined to the Top 10 in coming weeks. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Paul Ryan.
8 Mike Huckabee
No real change for the Host. My guess is that he’ll hang around these bottom three spots for the next few week or maybe months and then slip quietly under the radar.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Mike Huckabee is a talk show host. This is a good role for him.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee would lose badly.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Without pulling any punches, I can’t say that Mike Huckabee inspires me as a potential POTUS. He’s portly, somewhat jolly and reminds me more of Mr. Weatherbee from the Archie Comics than someone I’d like to see sitting across from Vladimir Putin, Gordon Brown or any world leader for that matter. Being brutally honest, I don’t believe the American People would vote to replace Barack Obama with Mike Huckabee. If the election were held today and Huckabee were the GOP nominee I would likely sit the 2012 Presidential Election out as would many others I imagine.
9 Rudy Giuliani
Just a matter of time before the Rudy is no longer in the discussion. Until then, America’s Mayor stays in the Top 10.
Summary As of 2/7/10
The Mayor is really not a part of the discussion about potential Republican Nominees. He may feel differently so for the time being he’ll hold this spot.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. What to make of you is quite a complexity. You’ll never be elected President and I might not be able to explain this assertion in 1,000 words but some things you just know if you know things. As a matter of fact, I see you not holding this 8th spot on the ABBO 2012 Top 10 for very long if beyond this initial January 31, 2010 posting.
10 Hillary Clinton
It became apparent that this tenth and final spot needed to held by one person that took Obama to the wire and could count on 18 million primary votes tomorrow. Barack Obama might not be able to get 18 million votes in a national election held tomorrow.
It all made sense. One person that could beat Barack Obama is Hillary Clinton.
18 million Democrats didn’t get it wrong.
A hand full of second rate sheep herders gave us Barack Obama - that and his galactic sized ego. This is what has nagged at me for the last several days. I have purposely not had much to Tweet and have not posted to any one of 5 blogs. My mojo was in suspended animation. Part of my inner conflict and confusion was the result of an up tick in Democrats and Liberals following on twitter and email comments and critiques on the Top 10. It made remember that I was once a Closet Conservative Democrat (#ccd).
Suddenly I felt a reluctance to attack all things liberal or Democratic because some of those being attacked are people that I still like and respect regardless of their political leanings. There’s no way that I can stop sounding the alarm that Barack Obama is not who he portends to be but I can go a tad easier on his followers. They can’t help that he’s in over his head nor is it really their fault.
With that moment of nostalgia behind me, it’s time to get to the heart of why SOSOTUS Clinton is rightly included in this Top 10 and why I have my liberal friends and former Democratic Party Mates to thank. You may want to sit down for this or at least have some smelling salts near by…
With all his brilliance, star power, extraordinary abilities and the needs of the people as his motivation, Barack Hussein Obama is still just an over-hyped quitter. Every situation that he boasts having mastered on his way to the White House was really a situation he quit after realizing he wasn’t going to get to do things the way he wanted. He can’t transform America as he set out to and now the American Electorate has clipped his wings. Don’t be surprised at his brilliant and noble gesture to step aside in 2012 having “saved the country from another Great Depression” and fighting - unsuccessfully - for healthcare reform for the American people.
Obama’s being a quitter by nature is what opens the door for Hillary Clinton in 2012. She is certainly no more a long shot than Robert Gates or General Patreus and having ran so well before could give her the nomination if 44 were to not seek re-election. The nation could see the ’Dream Presidential Election of 2012” with Sarah Palin taking on Hillary Rodham Clinton. I get goose bumps just thinking about those potential debates. This could be a bloggers dream come true.
Mrs. Clinton has said that she is definitely not running but as the water gets deeper and hotter around Mr. Obama, look for him to seek an honorable and profitable way out of the situation he finds himself in - the American people be-damned.
Honorable Mention:
Bobby Jindal- When the 2012 Presidential Nominee is decided, Bobby Jindal will still be no more than an Honorable Mention in this and every other relevant poll. It will take several years for folks to forget his response to Obama’s first address before Congress. He was less than inspiring and looked more like the maitre d’ at a fancy restaurant. He is also quite slight in appearance for the office of the Presidency.
x7 Ron Paul (R-TX)
Now that his son is getting more headlines than his dad, it’s time to exclude Ron Paul from the discussion.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If there ever comes a time that America is desperate enough to elect Ron Paul as POTUS, I’ll run myself. Can’t get the image out of my head of him sitting alone in a room on a folding chair in a cheap blue suit, even cheaper accessories and a pair of shoes I wouldn’t be seen plowing in. Pathetic. He must never be allowed to leave the United States as a lone representative of this country.
Appearance aside, his countenance is that of an uptight librarian; a bit of a nuisance to have to listen to. You know he’ll never be accepted by the masses though his message is well thought out. Some people and some messages are summarily dismissed because the source is so uninspiring whereas Barack Obama is the opposite - an inspiring source with a ridiculous message. Unfortunately in 2008, the masses went for the ridiculous message.
Regardless of the landscape in 2012, Ron Paul will be little more than a nuisance trying to be heard.
x10 Robert Gates
With the emergence of Paul Ryan, my second outsider must relinquish the 10 spot. As with General Patreus, the chances of Gates running for President against his boss was unlikely. He will be in future Presidential discussions and likely as a Republican selling his ability to work effectively in a bi-partisan environment. Remember where you read that first.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Things didn’t go so well for Mr. Gates this week on Capital Hill. His comment about when - not whether - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would be repealed was correct by Senator John McCain.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
To hear Barack Obama tell it, everything about the George W. Bush Presidency was a complete disaster save for one shining star - Robert Gates. The last two Presidents have seen fit to entrust the leadership of the Defense Department to him during the execution of two wars. That’s got to be a confirmation that if nothing else, Robert Gates is a man qualified to be President by modern standards.
As he is certainly not running for the Presidency in 2012, it is fitting that Robert Gates hold the tenth spot as my second outsider.
x10 Michael Bloomberg
LATE BREAKING 2/14 5:30P
Bloomberg bumped from the tenth spot in this week’s ABBO2012 Top 10.
Summary As of 2/14/10
This whole KSM trial location fiasco must have the Mayor wondering what stops him from raising a billion dollars and ‘out pointing’ Barack Obama in 2012. He managed to muscle the President and ‘punk’ the U.S. Attorney General in a week. That’s got to be good for something. Remember where you read this first - Michael Bloomberg will be a player in this replace Barack Obama discussion.
Summary As of 2/7/10
Most noteworthy position is as an opponent of DOJ’s plan to try KSM in lower Manhattan. Amazing how tunes change when cost becomes an issue.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Mr. Michael Bloomberg of Bloomberg Financial and Mayor of New York has a very attractive skill set for the Presidency. He is a money man and this is a money nation. With a gift for negotiation and an ability to assemble a National Security team and strategy, he could most certainly extrapolate everything in between.
As one of my two outsiders for the Presidency, Michael Bloomberg could be a factor in the 2012 race for the White House.
Jenny Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Kirsten Powers of the New York Post (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Not on any radar that I monitor but that’s not to say she won’t become more prominent in the discussion at a later time.
General David Patreus as an outside chance candidate per Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post (1/29 on Fox’s ’Special Report’) because Patreus won’t be running against the sitting Commander in Chief and his boss. He is described as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2016. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Jenny Ryan.
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Potential ABBO2012 Candidates Have Interesting Weeks
Rankings by guest contributors can be forwarded to solly.forell@gmail.com or @Solly_Forell on twitter. For rankings submitted on twitter - initials will suffice.
List candidates in order of who can beat Barack Obama or who best represents what you are looking for as a replacement for the current POTUS.
* Contributors who Rank Candidates in the ABBO2012 Top 10 will not be identified or associated with their individual ranking unless specifically requested. ABBO2012 Top 10 editor reserves the right to refuse any submission that defeats the spirit of civility, courtesy and common decency.
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in this week has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Much has been written about Scott Brown’s historic campaign to win the Massachusetts Senate Seat held by Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy in a recent special election. He bested the Democratic Candidate Martha Coakley and even an eleventh hour Command Performance by the Commander in Chief Barack Hussein Obama.
If you doubt the strength of Scott Browns political metal - consider that the eyes of the nation’s literate electorate were aligned ’for’ or ’against’ Scott Brown and the 41st Senate vote against Obamacare (aka health care reform). Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley, became that 41st vote and best of all - defeated the influence of the President’s Bully Pulpit. That’s got to be enough to give Scott Brown the national stature necessary to defeat Barack Obama head-to-head if they were pitted against each other today or three years from now in 2012.
With the country willing to vote 47% for a candidate other than Barack Obama for President as of the January 27 release of voter preference polling, Scott Brown has to be considered the candidate with the ‘star-power’ to chase Barack Obama out of Washington. Until someone establishes themselves as worthy of being included in a discussion about candidates able to defeat Barack Obama - Scott Brown sits atop this Top 10 ABBO 2012 list alone.
2 Colin Luther Powell
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Secretary of State Colin Powell is my favorite ‘statesman’ to have never run for the Presidency. A few times in history, we’ve had two really bad choices to choose from in Presidential Elections. 2000 was one of those times. GB43 was the lesser of two ill-suited candidates for what we faced on 9/11 and afterwards. The good thing about George Bush, save for Donald Rumsfeld, is that he did assemble a cabinet that was at its core - competent and capable. A Gore Presidency would have featured Gore which would have been bad enough but he would have staffed his kitchen cabinet with the same mixed bag of nuts that Barack Obama assembled less Van Jones.
2000 was a year when Colin Powell would have won the Presidency in a landslide against any American Democrat on the Planet and would have beaten Bill Clinton head-to-head for good measure if necessary. Mrs. Powell stopped that bid and ruled out future Presidential bids for her hubby but stranger things have happened. I wrote General Powell at the Obama White House, imploring him to run in 2012 to help correct the mistake of the American Electorate having elected Barack Hussein Obama.
3 Sarah Palin
You can never say that Sarah Palin missed the opportunity to turn her 15 minutes of fame into money. Who can fault her for turning her name into a brand? Her week has included the disclosure that husband Todd was more involved in Alaska state government that most realized and delivering the keynote address at the Tea Party National Convention.
In my opinion, her remarks ran a little long but she is a major-league headliner right now.
While she can wield the influence that fills seats and coffers, it just makes sense to capitalize on the situation. The Presidency still seems to be a stretch for her at this point.
I voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008. This would suggest that I believed Ms. Palin was ready to be President in the event John McCain was unable to complete his Presidency. This was not the case. Similarly, my prayer is that Barack Obama serves every hour of one term because a single hour with Joe Biden would be a predictable disaster.
As a an lone option against Barack Obama, I choose Sarah Palin. Given her star-power and role in the national debate she still belongs among the favorites.
Summary As of 1/31/10
I can see Sarah Palin as a lot of things but President of the United States is not one of them. That goes for today, three years from now and beyond. She has proven to me, without question, that she is better suited for commenting on how something was done or should have been done. Sarah Palin making a critical decision, however, is a less palatable scenario.
Her quitting the governorship of Alaska seems, in hindsight, to have benefited the Palin’s and Sarah more that the citizens of Alaska. On the whole, she nor Barack Obama were qualified to be President when they were one and two on opposing tickets. The good thing is that Sarah Palin didn’t become the 47th Vice-President of the United States. Obviously, the bad thing is that Barack Hussein Obama became the 44 POTUS. Still, Sarah Palin presents herself as a likeable, attractive, 40-something conservative political voice.
4 Mitt Romney
If the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary were a horse race, one would expect Mitt Romney to be running among the pack not wanting to flaunt being the favorite. There is little else for him to do now aside from raising money. With most attention on former Governor Palin and Senator Brown, former Governor Romney is better off blending in.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Steve Hayes, Kirsten Powers and Charles Krauthammer view Mitt Romney as the front runner to be the Republican Nominee in 2012. The biggest problem with Mitt is that he couldn’t beat Barack Obama if the election were held today. The biggest upside to Mitt Romney is that his opponent’s poll numbers fall almost daily and time will only make the situation worse for the 44th Presidential Administration. Romney’s stock will rise inversely proportional to any health care reform bump Obama may hope to get later this year.
5 Newt Gingrich
The first week of February 2010 is a perfect example of the problems that Newt Gingrich will have in establishing Republican Presidential Nominee traction. He was in a commentary role major commentary role one or twice but nothing that rivaled Scott Brown being sworn in as a Senator or Sarah Palin Keynoting the Tea Party National Convention and dominating the tabloids with compelling spousal stories.
Newt Gingrich lacks what the top prospects have in abundance and that’s star-power. He’s not exciting and only presents well when sitting or at a podium. The first time he is seen walking across a stage or entering a venue looking jolly - his candidacy will be all but over on appearance alone.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich fairs about the way Bob Dole did against Bill Clinton.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If I wanted to take a course on American History, Newt Gingrich would certainly be an instructor I’d be interested in signing up for. If Newt Gingrich were the only candidate on the ballot against Barack Hussein Obama for the Presidency of the United States in 2012 - Newt Gingrich would certainly have my vote. That said, there are at least 5 Republican potential candidates for 2012 that will likely be ahead of Gingrich by the 2010 elections.
The problem with a Newt Gingrich candidacy is that his opponent would be an incumbent Barack Obama. The 18th Anniversary of the Contract With America will be celebrated in 2012 but who could give the architect of that movement good odds against the modern day Master Communicator.
6 Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee is a talk show host. This is a good role for him.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee would lose badly.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Without pulling any punches, I can’t say that Mike Huckabee inspires me as a potential POTUS. He’s portly, somewhat jolly and reminds me more of Mr. Weatherbee from the Archie Comics than someone I’d like to see sitting across from Vladimir Putin, Gordon Brown or any world leader for that matter. Being brutally honest, I don’t believe the American People would vote to replace Barack Obama with Mike Huckabee. If the election were held today and Huckabee were the GOP nominee I would likely sit the 2012 Presidential Election out as would many others I imagine.
7 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
Last week, Governor Pawlenty was among the Honorable Mention but following a strong showing this week, he replaces Ron Paul as a more viable candidate to be listed among the Top 10.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
Summary As of 1/31/10
Tim Pawlenty- Saw Governor Pawlenty on Fox several times this week and he pointed out several Obama Policy flaws that were easy to follow. He will undoubtedly crack the Top 10 in the coming weeks.
8 Rudy Giuliani
The Mayor is really not a part of the discussion about potential Republican Nominees. He may feel differently so for the time being he’ll hold this spot.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. What to make of you is quite a complexity. You’ll never be elected President and I might not be able to explain this assertion in 1,000 words but some things you just know if you know things. As a matter of fact, I see you not holding this 8th spot on the ABBO 2012 Top 10 for very long if beyond this initial January 31, 2010 posting.
9 Michael Bloomberg
Most noteworthy position is as an opponent of DOJ’s plan to try KSM in lower Manhattan. Amazing how tunes change when cost becomes an issue.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Mr. Michael Bloomberg of Bloomberg Financial and Mayor of New York has a very attractive skill set for the Presidency. He is a money man and this is a money nation. With a gift for negotiation and an ability to assemble a National Security team and strategy, he could most certainly extrapolate everything in between.
As one of my two outsiders for the Presidency, Michael Bloomberg could be a factor in the 2012 race for the White House.
10 Robert Gates
Things didn’t go so well for Mr. Gates this week on Capital Hill. His comment about when - not whether - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would be repealed was correct by Senator John McCain.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
To hear Barack Obama tell it, everything about the George W. Bush Presidency was a complete disaster save for one shining star - Robert Gates. The last two Presidents have seen fit to entrust the leadership of the Defense Department to him during the execution of two wars. That’s got to be a confirmation that if nothing else, Robert Gates is a man qualified to be President by modern standards.
As he is certainly not running for the Presidency in 2012, it is fitting that Robert Gates hold the tenth spot as my second outsider.
Honorable Mention:
Bobby Jindal- When the 2012 Presidential Nominee is decided, Bobby Jindal will still be no more than an Honorable Mention in this and every other relevant poll. It will take several years for folks to forget his response to Obama’s first address before Congress. He was less than inspiring and looked more like the maitre d’ at a fancy restaurant. He is also quite slight in appearance for the office of the Presidency.
x7 Ron Paul (R-TX)
Now that his son is getting more headlines than his dad, it’s time to exclude Ron Paul from the discussion.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If there ever comes a time that America is desperate enough to elect Ron Paul as POTUS, I’ll run myself. Can’t get the image out of my head of him sitting alone in a room on a folding chair in a cheap blue suit, even cheaper accessories and a pair of shoes I wouldn’t be seen plowing in. Pathetic. He must never be allowed to leave the United States as a lone representative of this country.
Appearance aside, his countenance is that of an uptight librarian; a bit of a nuisance to have to listen to. You know he’ll never be accepted by the masses though his message is well thought out. Some people and some messages are summarily dismissed because the source is so uninspiring whereas Barack Obama is the opposite - an inspiring source with a ridiculous message. Unfortunately in 2008, the masses went for the ridiculous message.
Regardless of the landscape in 2012, Ron Paul will be little more than a nuisance trying to be heard.
Paul Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Steve Hayes of the Weekly Standard (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Undoubtedly destined to the Top 10 in coming weeks. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Paul Ryan.
Jenny Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Kirsten Powers of the New York Post (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Not on any radar that I monitor but that’s not to say she won’t become more prominent in the discussion at a later time.
General David Patreus as an outside chance candidate per Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post (1/29 on Fox’s ’Special Report’) because Patreus won’t be running against the sitting Commander in Chief and his boss. He is described as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2016. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Jenny Ryan.
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
List candidates in order of who can beat Barack Obama or who best represents what you are looking for as a replacement for the current POTUS.
* Contributors who Rank Candidates in the ABBO2012 Top 10 will not be identified or associated with their individual ranking unless specifically requested. ABBO2012 Top 10 editor reserves the right to refuse any submission that defeats the spirit of civility, courtesy and common decency.
Anybody But Barack Obama (ABBO) 2012 - Top 10
‘An American Poll of One, influenced by millions‘:
1 Scott Brown
Not much has happened to change my mind about Scott Brown. If he were pitted head-to-head against Barack Hussein Obama today - Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) defeats the sitting President and by a wide margin. His having been sworn in this week has taken some of the luster from his aura but he’s still in possession of the “it” that would allow him to overtake Mr. Obama.
American Politics is a complicated mechanism. It is possible but not probable that Senator Brown would be the Republican Nominee. That said - the field or one among them must try to overtake the relevant star power of the Junior Senator from Massachusetts.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Much has been written about Scott Brown’s historic campaign to win the Massachusetts Senate Seat held by Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy in a recent special election. He bested the Democratic Candidate Martha Coakley and even an eleventh hour Command Performance by the Commander in Chief Barack Hussein Obama.
If you doubt the strength of Scott Browns political metal - consider that the eyes of the nation’s literate electorate were aligned ’for’ or ’against’ Scott Brown and the 41st Senate vote against Obamacare (aka health care reform). Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley, became that 41st vote and best of all - defeated the influence of the President’s Bully Pulpit. That’s got to be enough to give Scott Brown the national stature necessary to defeat Barack Obama head-to-head if they were pitted against each other today or three years from now in 2012.
With the country willing to vote 47% for a candidate other than Barack Obama for President as of the January 27 release of voter preference polling, Scott Brown has to be considered the candidate with the ‘star-power’ to chase Barack Obama out of Washington. Until someone establishes themselves as worthy of being included in a discussion about candidates able to defeat Barack Obama - Scott Brown sits atop this Top 10 ABBO 2012 list alone.
2 Colin Luther Powell
In my view, Colin Powell’s hold on the number 2 position in this candidate ranking is the same reason that Senator Scott Brown remains in the top position. His is a name I advance for debate with all takers who oppose the prospect of a Powell candidacy versus Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a spirited debate in a neighborhood barbershop about the appropriateness of two American Black Men running against each other or in the line at the Post Office where taxes and two wars are more prevalent issues, Colin Powell is a highly respected presidential prospect.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Secretary of State Colin Powell is my favorite ‘statesman’ to have never run for the Presidency. A few times in history, we’ve had two really bad choices to choose from in Presidential Elections. 2000 was one of those times. GB43 was the lesser of two ill-suited candidates for what we faced on 9/11 and afterwards. The good thing about George Bush, save for Donald Rumsfeld, is that he did assemble a cabinet that was at its core - competent and capable. A Gore Presidency would have featured Gore which would have been bad enough but he would have staffed his kitchen cabinet with the same mixed bag of nuts that Barack Obama assembled less Van Jones.
2000 was a year when Colin Powell would have won the Presidency in a landslide against any American Democrat on the Planet and would have beaten Bill Clinton head-to-head for good measure if necessary. Mrs. Powell stopped that bid and ruled out future Presidential bids for her hubby but stranger things have happened. I wrote General Powell at the Obama White House, imploring him to run in 2012 to help correct the mistake of the American Electorate having elected Barack Hussein Obama.
3 Sarah Palin
You can never say that Sarah Palin missed the opportunity to turn her 15 minutes of fame into money. Who can fault her for turning her name into a brand? Her week has included the disclosure that husband Todd was more involved in Alaska state government that most realized and delivering the keynote address at the Tea Party National Convention.
In my opinion, her remarks ran a little long but she is a major-league headliner right now.
While she can wield the influence that fills seats and coffers, it just makes sense to capitalize on the situation. The Presidency still seems to be a stretch for her at this point.
I voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008. This would suggest that I believed Ms. Palin was ready to be President in the event John McCain was unable to complete his Presidency. This was not the case. Similarly, my prayer is that Barack Obama serves every hour of one term because a single hour with Joe Biden would be a predictable disaster.
As a an lone option against Barack Obama, I choose Sarah Palin. Given her star-power and role in the national debate she still belongs among the favorites.
Summary As of 1/31/10
I can see Sarah Palin as a lot of things but President of the United States is not one of them. That goes for today, three years from now and beyond. She has proven to me, without question, that she is better suited for commenting on how something was done or should have been done. Sarah Palin making a critical decision, however, is a less palatable scenario.
Her quitting the governorship of Alaska seems, in hindsight, to have benefited the Palin’s and Sarah more that the citizens of Alaska. On the whole, she nor Barack Obama were qualified to be President when they were one and two on opposing tickets. The good thing is that Sarah Palin didn’t become the 47th Vice-President of the United States. Obviously, the bad thing is that Barack Hussein Obama became the 44 POTUS. Still, Sarah Palin presents herself as a likeable, attractive, 40-something conservative political voice.
4 Mitt Romney
If the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary were a horse race, one would expect Mitt Romney to be running among the pack not wanting to flaunt being the favorite. There is little else for him to do now aside from raising money. With most attention on former Governor Palin and Senator Brown, former Governor Romney is better off blending in.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Steve Hayes, Kirsten Powers and Charles Krauthammer view Mitt Romney as the front runner to be the Republican Nominee in 2012. The biggest problem with Mitt is that he couldn’t beat Barack Obama if the election were held today. The biggest upside to Mitt Romney is that his opponent’s poll numbers fall almost daily and time will only make the situation worse for the 44th Presidential Administration. Romney’s stock will rise inversely proportional to any health care reform bump Obama may hope to get later this year.
5 Newt Gingrich
The first week of February 2010 is a perfect example of the problems that Newt Gingrich will have in establishing Republican Presidential Nominee traction. He was in a commentary role major commentary role one or twice but nothing that rivaled Scott Brown being sworn in as a Senator or Sarah Palin Keynoting the Tea Party National Convention and dominating the tabloids with compelling spousal stories.
Newt Gingrich lacks what the top prospects have in abundance and that’s star-power. He’s not exciting and only presents well when sitting or at a podium. The first time he is seen walking across a stage or entering a venue looking jolly - his candidacy will be all but over on appearance alone.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich fairs about the way Bob Dole did against Bill Clinton.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If I wanted to take a course on American History, Newt Gingrich would certainly be an instructor I’d be interested in signing up for. If Newt Gingrich were the only candidate on the ballot against Barack Hussein Obama for the Presidency of the United States in 2012 - Newt Gingrich would certainly have my vote. That said, there are at least 5 Republican potential candidates for 2012 that will likely be ahead of Gingrich by the 2010 elections.
The problem with a Newt Gingrich candidacy is that his opponent would be an incumbent Barack Obama. The 18th Anniversary of the Contract With America will be celebrated in 2012 but who could give the architect of that movement good odds against the modern day Master Communicator.
6 Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee is a talk show host. This is a good role for him.
Head-to-head against Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee would lose badly.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Without pulling any punches, I can’t say that Mike Huckabee inspires me as a potential POTUS. He’s portly, somewhat jolly and reminds me more of Mr. Weatherbee from the Archie Comics than someone I’d like to see sitting across from Vladimir Putin, Gordon Brown or any world leader for that matter. Being brutally honest, I don’t believe the American People would vote to replace Barack Obama with Mike Huckabee. If the election were held today and Huckabee were the GOP nominee I would likely sit the 2012 Presidential Election out as would many others I imagine.
7 Tim Pawlenty (Gov. MN)
Last week, Governor Pawlenty was among the Honorable Mention but following a strong showing this week, he replaces Ron Paul as a more viable candidate to be listed among the Top 10.
2/2 tweet
Tim Pawlenty's quote "Ponzi Scheme on the Potomac" good enough 4 spot N the #ABBO 2012 Top 10 http://anybodybutbarackobama2012.blogspot.com/
Summary As of 1/31/10
Tim Pawlenty- Saw Governor Pawlenty on Fox several times this week and he pointed out several Obama Policy flaws that were easy to follow. He will undoubtedly crack the Top 10 in the coming weeks.
8 Rudy Giuliani
The Mayor is really not a part of the discussion about potential Republican Nominees. He may feel differently so for the time being he’ll hold this spot.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. What to make of you is quite a complexity. You’ll never be elected President and I might not be able to explain this assertion in 1,000 words but some things you just know if you know things. As a matter of fact, I see you not holding this 8th spot on the ABBO 2012 Top 10 for very long if beyond this initial January 31, 2010 posting.
9 Michael Bloomberg
Most noteworthy position is as an opponent of DOJ’s plan to try KSM in lower Manhattan. Amazing how tunes change when cost becomes an issue.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
Mr. Michael Bloomberg of Bloomberg Financial and Mayor of New York has a very attractive skill set for the Presidency. He is a money man and this is a money nation. With a gift for negotiation and an ability to assemble a National Security team and strategy, he could most certainly extrapolate everything in between.
As one of my two outsiders for the Presidency, Michael Bloomberg could be a factor in the 2012 race for the White House.
10 Robert Gates
Things didn’t go so well for Mr. Gates this week on Capital Hill. His comment about when - not whether - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would be repealed was correct by Senator John McCain.
Position may be better filled by more likely candidate.
Summary As of 1/31/10
To hear Barack Obama tell it, everything about the George W. Bush Presidency was a complete disaster save for one shining star - Robert Gates. The last two Presidents have seen fit to entrust the leadership of the Defense Department to him during the execution of two wars. That’s got to be a confirmation that if nothing else, Robert Gates is a man qualified to be President by modern standards.
As he is certainly not running for the Presidency in 2012, it is fitting that Robert Gates hold the tenth spot as my second outsider.
Honorable Mention:
Bobby Jindal- When the 2012 Presidential Nominee is decided, Bobby Jindal will still be no more than an Honorable Mention in this and every other relevant poll. It will take several years for folks to forget his response to Obama’s first address before Congress. He was less than inspiring and looked more like the maitre d’ at a fancy restaurant. He is also quite slight in appearance for the office of the Presidency.
x7 Ron Paul (R-TX)
Now that his son is getting more headlines than his dad, it’s time to exclude Ron Paul from the discussion.
Summary As of 1/31/10
If there ever comes a time that America is desperate enough to elect Ron Paul as POTUS, I’ll run myself. Can’t get the image out of my head of him sitting alone in a room on a folding chair in a cheap blue suit, even cheaper accessories and a pair of shoes I wouldn’t be seen plowing in. Pathetic. He must never be allowed to leave the United States as a lone representative of this country.
Appearance aside, his countenance is that of an uptight librarian; a bit of a nuisance to have to listen to. You know he’ll never be accepted by the masses though his message is well thought out. Some people and some messages are summarily dismissed because the source is so uninspiring whereas Barack Obama is the opposite - an inspiring source with a ridiculous message. Unfortunately in 2008, the masses went for the ridiculous message.
Regardless of the landscape in 2012, Ron Paul will be little more than a nuisance trying to be heard.
Paul Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Steve Hayes of the Weekly Standard (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Undoubtedly destined to the Top 10 in coming weeks. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Paul Ryan.
Jenny Ryan as an outside chance candidate per Kirsten Powers of the New York Post (1/29 Fox ‘Special Report’ with Brett Baer). Not on any radar that I monitor but that’s not to say she won’t become more prominent in the discussion at a later time.
General David Patreus as an outside chance candidate per Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post (1/29 on Fox’s ’Special Report’) because Patreus won’t be running against the sitting Commander in Chief and his boss. He is described as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2016. As of this 2/7/10 posting, still don’t know Jenny Ryan.
Someone that should have make this list did not and I am sure I’ll hear about it.
Check back on Sunday nights just after midnight for updates.
Follow me and the running commentary on twitter @ Solly_Forell or contact me directly at solly.forell@gmail.com.
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