Musings on the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

I wouldn’t really say I’m partisan when it comes to politics but I love watching the game play out. So far as nearly everyone in Utah knows Mitt Romney is in the running for the republican nominee in 2012. But there are several other candidates running for Republican presidential nominee. I wanted to run through the current nominees and give you my take on how the game is going. Regardless of the economy, the Republicans are going to have a tough time capturing the presidency again. Incumbent presidents have only lost 3 times in the last 80 years. (Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford)

Other than Romney there are several other candidates. Here is the list of those candidates I best think could capture the nod. Early polling shows Romney and Bachmann at the top of the pack but there is still a long ways to go.

Mitt Romney-Former Massachusetts, Governor, Stake President, Assistant to the President

Strengths: a very successful businessman and venture capitalist and successful governor. Excellent track record for dealing with economic and financial difficulties.

Weaknesses: At times Romney can seem a little too bland or robotic. Also, the state health care plan he instituted in Massachusetts may seem too close to Obamacare.

Jon M. Huntsman – Former Utah Governor, US Diplomat to China, District and Zone Leader on his mission,

Strengths: An accomplished governor and diplomat. He’s a pretty moderate and could gain a lot of swing votes. I think he’s a stronger candidate in the general election but a weaker candidate in the primaries.

Weaknesses: He’s not so well known and his stance on civil unions could hold him back from capturing the Christian Right.

Michelle Bachmann – Minnesota Representative, head of Tea party Caucus

Strengths: Charismatic, and has captured the anti-establishment tea party fervor.

Weaknesses: She seems inexperienced, (she’s only a 3 term representative) and too radical to win a general election.

Newt Gingrich – Former Speaker of the House

Strengths: Seasoned and accomplished legislator

Weakness: After so many years in congress, and three marriages he also has a lot of skeletons in his closet. Plus his stance on medicare is going to make it difficult for him to win a lot of votes.

Rick Perry – Texas Governor

Strengths: Charismatic and excellent campaigner. Successful governor.

Weakness: He’s a Texas governor, it just seems too soon.

Tim Pawlently – Minnesota governor

Strengths: Excellent communicator and a good middle class back ground. Governors and Senators seem to always win the Presidency (another knock on Bachmann).

Weakness: He’s struggling to raise the soft and hard money to finance a campaign.