So the run up for 2012 is fast approaching and I’ve been contemplating, who could beat Barack Obama? Right now, I’m not seeing anyone beating him. While I see many good candidates on the Republican side I just can’t see any being able to seriously beat Obama. Huckabee put it well on GMA, you cannot underestimate the incumbency: (1 minute mark)
“I think he is going to be tough to beat,” Huckabee said.
“This race is going to be like climbing a ladder pointing toward you because Barack Obama is going to start this race with a billion dollars. He’s going to have no primary opponent,” he said. “The Republicans are going to have a crowded field all elbowing their way under the basket for the layup. And it’s not going to be a layup. It’s going to be a tough shot.”
“I consider him a favorite, albeit a slight favorite,” said former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove. “Republicans underestimate President Obama at their own peril.”
The economy sucks, unemployment is sky high, and he is still polling in the upper 40%…and this is without any campaigning. So it’s going to be tough, and right now, at this very moment, I’m not seeing anyone who can beat him but two years is a long time away and much can happen.
A CNN poll released this week asked Americans whether they plan to vote for or against President Obama in 2012. The options were “probably vote for,” “probably not vote for,” “definitely vote for,” and “definitely not vote for.” The most popular answer was “definitely not vote for” – chosen by 35 percent of respondents. Only 25 percent say they’ll “definitely vote for” the president. 51 percent predict he will lose.
A Gallup poll also released this week might help explain why. Gallup asked respondents whether they approve or disapprove of President Obama’s performance in eight areas: health care, the economy, foreign affairs, dealing with Afghanistan, dealing with Egypt, taxes, energy policy, and the federal budget deficit. Of all of these areas, more than half of all Americans approve of President Obama’s performance on … none of them. In all eight areas, fewer than 50 percent approve of his performance.
The big undertaking will be that the Republican candidate will have to unite the establishment AND the Tea Party. That will get them the nomination.
Palin has been run through the ringer by the MSM and her negative name recognition is too high. While I would love to see her as President, and would vote for her, I think she can do much more behind the scenes than anyone else can. Christie says he isn’t running, Herman Cain…while an outstanding man has no name recognition. Same with Allen West, plus West needs more time to get his political chops.
So how about Huckabee? Mitch Daniels?
Romney? Maybe. Obama has gone out of his way to point out the major failing of Mitt Romney, his support of Socialized medicine:
In a moment that Mitt Romney’s future GOP opponents couldn’t have scripted better themselves, President Obama Monday issued a full-throated embrace of the former Massachusetts governor’s stance on health care.
“I know that many of you have asked for flexibility for your states under this law,” Obama said during a speech to a governors meeting at the White House. “In fact, I agree with Mitt Romney, who recently said he’s proud of what he accomplished on health care by giving states the power to determine their own health care solutions. He’s right.”
…In addition to Obama’s comments Monday, current Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a longtime Obama supporter, told ABC Sunday that “One of the best things [Romney] did was to be the coauthor of our health care reform, which has been a model for national health care reform.”
And earlier this month former top Obama advisor David Axelrod said of Romney, “We got some good ideas from him.”
These kinds of comments make me think they are a bit worried about him. But let’s say he does have a chance to beat Obama….do we, as Republicans, want him as our candidate?
He’s defended RomneyCare which is pretty much the same as ObamaCare. The base will not back that and if he flip-flops on RomneyCare then the same arguments against him in 2008 will resurface. He has a chance to beat Obama but I’m unsure if he can even get the nomination.
I’m partial to Paul Ryan at the moment. He is popular with voters and other members of Congress. Can they argue about his experience? Hmmm, chairman of the House Budget Committee PLUS he actually shows up to perform his duties. I think that would rank just fine against Obama’s complete lack of experience when he ran. But will he run?
Plenty of time left to shake things out but it’s going to be a difficult race….don’t kid yourself if you think this will be a cakewalk.
Who do you see beating Obama? Not who do you WANT to beat him, but who do you think actually can?
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