GOP 2012 Primary: Populists vs. Managers

National Journal:

As the 2012 Republican pre­sidential race begins to coalesce, the field is dividing between populists and managers.

The most prominent populists are former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. The leading manager is Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, although he could face competition from such current governors as Indiana's Mitch Daniels, Mississippi's Haley Barbour, and, conceivably, New Jersey's Chris Christie. Onetime House Speaker Newt Gingrich straddles both camps but leans toward the populist side. Outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a self-described "Sam's Club" Republican with an equable manner, also straddles the line but probably tilts toward the manager camp, as would Sen. John Thune of South Dakota if he ran. Conversely, if Texas Gov. Rick Perry reverses his decision and joins the race, he would enter as a full-throated populist.

Read the whole story: National Journal

Comments

[belcali]

03:32 PM on 12/28/2010

Well look it up---- Romney tied his dog to the roof of his overcrowded car and went on vacation with all of them. that is very cruel and the unforgivable to me.

[pup sydney]

12:37 AM on 12/20/2010

Somebody used to teach little girls how to keep their legs when sitting and wearing a skirt once.
Books of etiquette tell you how to old a glass properly.
May be somebody should tell Ms Palin the microphone is not a penis.

[prodemlib]

03:46 PM on 12/19/2010

didn't think it would happen this soon! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[panichead]

12:41 PM on 12/19/2010

If Sarah Palin won the presidency the press room for her press conferences would only have Britt Hume alone in the entire room since she is adverse to all other media.

[ReMarker]

12:28 PM on 12/19/2010

The 2012 Presidential election is one of very few Presidential elections the GOP does not have a "Presidential candidate in waiting". Consequently, we are getting no candidates, from the GOP, that can effectively represent the majority of Americans that are in the "political center".

The current bunch of Republican Presidential candidates are to far "right" of America's political center.

[Kache]

11:38 AM on 12/19/2010

I've already bought a block of prime seats for the 2012 Republican primary. They are balcony seats across from the press box with comparable view (video equipment allowance at extra charge). This promises to be the most "thrilling" event since Rome shut down the Colosseum complete with blood, gore, acts of cannibalism, and wild animals (similar to the kind of cocktail parties Clarence Thomas attends). If you want good seats, I have some for sale. Buy early, these prices will not last once the fur begins to fly.

For those 1) of more modest budgets 2) addicted to the pathology of politics 3) who are National Enquirer reporters 4) easily amused with cheap thrills, I have passes to the rehab centers outside the arena where losers will be carted off to. Video equipment allowed/encouraged.

For the more adventurous, I'm working on caddy positions with such greats as Mayhill Fowler and Shekar Sidarth (the Macaca Kid). Who knows, you too could accidentally be a part of history. To paraphrase Woody, 100% of the future is reserved for those who show up! Limited positions - apply early!!

DISCLAIMER: All sales contingent on Fox Nuz failing to hold the entire primary on Reality Island in the Caribbean.

[R U Sirius]

11:12 AM on 12/19/2010

Is it me, or does Mitt Dumbney look EXACTLY like Rick "Good Hair" Perry? I didn't know clones could also become robot zombies!!

[SeaShell226]

10:28 AM on 12/19/2010

I hope PAYlin does run so that she will be E X P O S E D for the non-thinker, divisive, vindictive, one liner, mean sprited person that she is.
.
Millions of folks are on to her and millions more will have their eyes opened... but the millions that are just like her will back her, nomatter what, off the cliff...
.
THanks mccain, for oprning Pandora's box and putting this raft upon our country... that you claimed to love so much!
Yeah, right...

[RKBA 2A]

09:52 AM on 12/19/2010

Sarah is now holding cards that make her a winner. Sarah folded the losing hand and cut her loses
to a minimum. Now David Letterman is making jokes about Obama's little girls.

[Bella Lee]

10:09 AM on 12/19/2010

Quitters can never be winners

[Belle Starr]

03:39 PM on 12/19/2010

It takes more to run the country than playing go fish.

[Hammerofthor]

09:47 AM on 12/19/2010

Pretty Sarah Palin is a populist princess with a powerful personality. The country doesn't need a manager. We need a leader.

[Bev Ashley]

12:24 PM on 12/19/2010

OH Thor are you still trying to get the attention of the WASILLA GORILLA? Put away your little weiner and find another hobby.

[lmab]

09:30 AM on 12/26/2010

That is really a rotten thing to say too. How many times have you been tlagged for abuse? You are really a nasty person.

[Redemption Song II]

09:18 AM on 12/19/2010

...Palin is the losing kind.

[RKBA 2A]

09:34 AM on 12/19/2010

jealousy's showing

[Redemption Song II]

09:38 AM on 12/19/2010

Labeling someone "jealous" for stating a fact? (Goodness, even you can do better...why don't you try?)

[IrisMozenter]

09:41 AM on 12/19/2010

No, I think Redemption in simply being honest.

[immortal]

06:36 PM on 12/19/2010

Keep the streak going! ({:

[kaptaintripps]

06:38 PM on 12/19/2010

...and stay awake, folks. Just please, stay awake. (Thanks, immortal.)

[marijam]

08:51 AM on 12/19/2010

Democrats aren't going to vote for Palin. Conservatives aren't going to vote for Romney. Obama will be reelected because there isn't anybody else that would appeal to both sides. Now that Obama has shown that he will do whatever the Republicans want him to do, he's their guy and the Democrats aren't going to vote for a conservative like Haley Barbour or Rick Perry.

[BeVeryAfraid]

08:16 AM on 12/19/2010

Do You Love Your Freedoms? Sarah Palin Has Citizen Kicked Out for T-Shirt

http://www.politicususa.com/en/sarah-palin-kicked-out

[haval2]

07:28 AM on 12/19/2010

All I want for Christmas is for these two faces to disappear from my screen each day.

[Rich Baska]

02:39 AM on 12/19/2010

Republicans are ripe for Palin. They always take things to the extreme when they feel "emboldened". Social Security "reform" will be their doom. They'll get hooked on it and ignore the polls. The tax cut issue has a new narrative as well. Republicans got called out on the generic version of "tax cuts". It's a bit more clarified now about which tax cuts are truly effective. It'll be even more clear by next year. And the spending issue? It's going to be child's play to expose the Republicans for wasting trillions on defense spending as they try to reignite a cold war with Russia. The START is criticized as weak for it's lack of spending. In a way, I hope it carries over into the next year as Republicans argue for more deficit spending to "strengthen" the START and fend off the "clear and present danger" the Russians represent. I read a blathering blog by Richard Grenell that was basically comical. The ol' Bushie is itching for a new "Cold War" just like Kyl and quite a few other Republicans. The GOPers are "primed" and feeling pretty invincible right now. Which reminds me of that Nixon landslide and the humiliating downfall...