Your Dream-Ticket for 2012

Trying my best, charliehall would love that first combination along with anonforthis‘s selection.

As to a Romney-Christie ticket. It sounds good. They are both moderates that will appeal to the center while Christie has the Tea Party activists on board. Romney has a long resume and with the economy being the prime issue in 2012, a businessman in his stature has nothing to lose. However, I doubt Christie can sit backstage; he needs to sit at the driver’s seat. Additionally, both are northeastern politicians and they would rather want to balance the ticket. Romney also has the issue of Romneycare he’d have to defend.

A23, many Republicans wish they stay on the ticket as is. It would probably be their best chance to take the White House back.

ronrsr, are you serious? Why would America elect an 80 year old to be president? And why would the Democrats nominate a looser as their candidate? It’s as if someone would suggest McCain on the GOP ticket!

Additionally, why would Hillary agree to be VP? If she has presidential aspirations she would seek the nomination (and would very likely win it), why would she be a back-seater with no political future (except if he dies in office)?

Ender, that’s actually an interesting choice. Marco Rubio, the upcoming star of the Republican Party, has the advantage of carrying Florida as well as getting much Hispanic support. He’s articulate, well-spoken and has a passionate story. A tough and effective speaker in the Florida House, Rubio would have more experience in 2012 than Obama had when he was elected president. Mike Pence, also a Tea-Party favorite, is one of the leaders in the Republican Congress and has been mentioned as a possible presidential contender. Pence also has the advantage of carrying Ohio, another important swing-state, given that his district borders the state.

The question here is: would the Americans want to do this celebrity thing over again? Would they be ready to elect another inexperienced leader and have a ticket with no executive experience? Additionally, although Rubio would probably be able to win the Republican nomination, does he have a good message and achieves high-marks in the Senate, he would probably opt for a more traditional candidate. Obama will likely try to paint him as a Tea-Party extremist and Pence as the veep would probably give Obama more fuel to his claims. I also think that Rubio, a freshman, would try to pick someone with more name-recognition than a Representative (as Obama did with Biden). Otherwise, I’m all for it. I just think I’d like my pick (to be disclosed soon) somewhat better.

As to your follow-up question: It really depends who the candidates are. If the independent is center-right, he’ll ruin it for the Republicans, and if he’s center-left, he will take more Democratic votes. If the Republican is a moderate and the Democrat is a liberal, the Democrat will most probably lose votes to the independent and vice-versa. I believe that in 2012 (with Obama on the Democratic ticket) and the election about the economy and anti-Obama, the Democrats will benefit from an independent (especially one like Bloomberg or Crist).

Is this all you’ve got? I myself have many dream-tickets I’d like to see. I’m about to disclose the one I’d really like to see, but I’d really like to see even one other member mentioning my candidate before.

ronsr, you’re getting better by the minute. Why would America elect a Jew-boy from Boro Park just because he refused to pitch on Yom Kippur? Are you a comedian?

ronsr, don’t get me started on Spitzer. We’re lucky he went down before getting into the Oval Office, he would’ve discredited all of us Jews.

A Woman outside bklyn, Thank You!

We all miss the “Dutch.” We would definitely appreciate his inspiration and heartfelt message in such tough times. He is truly missed and will be missed forever. I agree that it’s not that easy to fing another Gipper and Obama definitely isn’t one. Sarah Palin isn’t Reagan either, she has a lot to learn before she becomes one. However, I’d just like to remind you that in 1978 people around the country also searched for a Reagan. Ronny had just lost the Republican nomination and went into retirement. He was too old to run for the Oval Office and George Bush was perhaps the front-runner. Fortunately, Ronald Reagan jumped into the race, overcame the age issue and got to become the best president in modern history. We can also look back at the Great Society years after the defeat of Barry Goldwater and many Republicans. The Conservatives were devastated. They were declared dead forever. Nixon’s win was largely attributed to the bickering and infighting within the Democratic party. They needed someone that would make it “cool” to be Republican and initiate conservative policies. The retired two-term governor did just that after his political career was deemed over. I believe that just like Barry Goldwater’s conservative movement got us a Reagan, so too will the Tea Party movement generate a Reagan. It might be Marco Rubio or Chris Christie and it could even be someone that’s still under radar – but it will come.

Chris Christie

I don’t know why I didn’t give my take on Christie before. To put it frankly: I’m a huge fan of the Governor. The guts that he has to take on those corrupt government worker is remarkable. The courage he has to stop the spending-spree and get government working again is admiring. He understands that the cuts are painful and people feel it, he knows that it places his political capital at stake; yet, he knows that this is right and does it regardless. He also attracts moderates and Tea Partyers in addition to hailing from a blue state. He’s my man. But, I have my reservations.

First and foremost, and I’ll be quite frank and honest, he gotta lose weight! Now, I’m also overweight, but I’m not running for president. Yes, you heard it – the Americans will elect a black man for President rather than a fat man. You can figure that if Jon Corzine went for that cheap shot – it works. Now, I don’t know if others will make it an issue (and stoop down so low) but people, in an age of TV, will have an issue. The American public opinion (although obese) and the general styles today is to be ultra-skinny – obesity can and will turn off many.

Additionally, Chris might indeed be the Republican darling right now and his domination on YouTube proves it. However, things will change especially if he enters a primary. The attacks will begin coming in his direction and many will question his conservative credentials. He is a fiscal conservative (which should be the issue in 2012) but I’m sure many of his fans (including Rush Limbaugh etc.) will fail his litmus test on his social views. Don’t forget: He’s a northeasterner and he’s a moderate. Did all of you forget his primary against Steve Lonegan?!

Chris Christie is famous for his tough-talk and being blunt. That’s what the viral videos on YouTube are all about as he exemplifies the frustration throughout the country. However, in a national race it might not be so much of an asset. In rural America people aren’t used to New Jersey tough-talk. Some people might interpret his style for anger and an angry man can’t get elected (Paladino?!). It might play out well for him but it is a risk.

We must not forget that in 2012 Christie won’t have much to show the public. Of course people like me, who believe in fiscal conservatism, see his accomplishments but those skeptical will want to see the numbers. New Jersey was in such a bad state when Christie took office so it may take years to see his accomplishments. Christie knows it and that’s why he says he isn’t ready yet. New Jersey still needs alot of work. You can’t buitres Rome overnight and you definitely cannot fix a bankrupt state in four years. Even if everything would already be alright, the changes don’t happen overnight; it takes some time to see the results. This may be something he will have to address in the general.

I’m quite disappointed that no one mentioned my top-of-the-ticket yet. I know that he lacks name recognition, but so little?!

A Woman outside bklyn , I don’t see why Chris Christie should have more chances than, say, Mitt Romney (or even Paul Ryan) if the economy is the main issue. If you were referring to Bolton, I believe that anyone and everyone would win Bolton on domestic issues.

If there are clowns in the room you laugh; if there is an elephant in the room – you shut up!

Originally, I was planning to ignore suggestions such as Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan. They’re nothing more than laughingstocks and have no chance in winning the nomination. Their ages and philosophies will prevent that. However, I decided that it should be addressed. They are indeed the elephants in the room; nevertheless, I opted to make my position clear.

I’m a life-long registered Republican (born to Democrats though) and identify myself as conservative (politically). The reason for that is, because (aside from sharing philosophies) the Republican Party is home to the centrists. The Democratic Party includes mant extreme individuals that support radical socialism etc. while the GOP is more mainstream. A radical conservative will rather be part of the Libertarian, Reform or Conservative parties. The fact is that the Democrats nominated someone like George McGovern and the Republicans didn’t (and don’t tell me Barry Goldwater). Now, I know that Charlie Hall and other liberals will dispute my claims – the bi-partisan voting record websites support my claims. “Moderate” Democrats such as Barack Obama are more extreme than “radical” Republicans such as Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman. Take a look at their voting records. I believe that the GOP should stay on the middle path – the same path that Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan trotted down . Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan don’t fit this description and that’s why I don’t support them. Caring for the poor is important as well as the Government; we just have to know its limits and draw the line and not abolish it completely.

While I agree with them on some issues, I disagree with more. Fiscal policy is important, but with consideration. I’m also in support for a government that enforces morality and ethics. While I believe that the US should reduce its interference in foreign countries and stop sending our taxes abroad, I don’t think isolationism is the way to go. We ought to protect our allies in order to protect ourselves. Israel is our only ally in that region and should be well protected for our own good. I’d also vote for a pro-American president over a pro-Israel president, but I wouldn’t vote for an anti-Israeli president because that means anti-America. However, I do agree that we should refrain from using the term anti-Semite all too often.

I will talk about Palin in a thread for herself.

Cleverjewishpun,