I haven’t heard much of the Republican debates and the number of potential nominees is growing. I’ll go over what I think about the top runners from the beginning of the race.
Michelle Bachmann is new to Congress and is one of two Republicans to sign the Family Leader’s Marriage Vow document which contains language saying a marriage is between a man and a woman. She strongly wants to reduce the deficit without consideration for jobs. Her potential nomination has dwindled with others coming into the race. And on October 29, 2011 Good Morning America (GMA) reported that a Tea Party leader asked her to drop out of race (earlier some of her campaign staffers quit) which she’s not planning on doing.
Mitt Romney has proven his ability to implement health care and keep his religious (Mormon) views out of politics. He was running a clean, unprejudiced campaign at least until Rick Perry came into the picture. On October 27th GMA reported that Mitt Romney’s popularity is rising in the states that will vote first: 40% in New Hampshire, 24% in Iowa, 25% in South Caroline and 30% in Florida. However, fellow Republicans feel he flip-flops on the issues and it’s coming back at him. For example in 1994 he was pro choice on the abortion issue and in 2011 he’s pro life. And on October 26th he wouldn’t take a position on an initiative by the Governor of Ohio and the next day he supports it 110%. This is the same problem he had when running against John McCain. On October 30, 2011 it was reported that Herman Cain edged out Mitt in an Iowa poll.
Texan Rick Perry according to Matthew Dowd, an ABC Consultant, is a guy that puts his boot on his opponent’s neck and doesn’t let off. I heard that in his efforts to make Texas financially stable he cut the firefighters’ budget by 75%; I’m reasonably sure that this was a reason that the wildfires took so long to put out. On October 25, 2011 Perry came up with a tax plan (Steve Forbes plan used in the 1996 election he lost) – 20% flat tax with the first $12,500 income deductible, mortgage interest and charitable contributions would be deductable for households earning under $500,000 and he’d eliminate all other loopholes. His plan would be optional – you could stay in the current plan if you want; I believe this would be an IRS nightmare. The more Perry talks the more he gets in trouble; he’s showing his prejudice against non Christians and Blacks. On October 29, 2011 it was reported that after a poor showing in recent debates, he will not be attending some upcoming debates; he is planning on attending at least 5 more debates.
Herman Cain is the pizza CEO with the 9/9/9 tax plan that I and everyone else attacked. Cain is said to be a pleasant man who ran for the Senate once and did not win. On October 22, 2011, it was announced that Cain is amending his 9/9/9 tax proposal to include no income tax for people living at or below the poverty line; he’s finally admitting that his plan is faulty. On October 25th, ABC News reported that people don’t like his policies (59%) but they like him (has 25% support/32% with Tea Party) in the polls. He has no political background and this is working in his favor. On October 28th, I heard Cain while speaking at a Texas dog track say “we can out vote the stupid people”. It sounds to me that the stupid people are the ones supporting him.
There’s not much attention given to Jon Huntsman (he’s worked for 3 Republican Presidents and for Obama). He feels there’s too much drama and theater in politics. There’s also Newt Gingrich who could be in the running if the other nominees keep picking on each other. Gingrich has been in politics for many years and I believe that he has contributed to the way the country is today. Heck, the Republicans don’t like their own candidates; the Bushes tried to get New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to run.
I don’t like that the Republicans deny responsibility for their part in the country’s credit rating being downgraded, have a strong position against working out a compromise that would be in the best interest of the country (not just the rich) and have many prejudices. I haven’t heard a single nominee say they’ll increase taxes on the rich and not one has come up with a viable Jobs Plan to improve our economy.
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