Who will be the Republican Nominee for President (post Cain)

[Sheilbh]

I'm thinking he might have run to be the smartest guy on stage on national tv.

That's why he's doing some sort of interview with Trump.

I think we'll see a Huntsman surge story soon.  He's up to 11% in New Hampshire and I think he could start eating into Romney's vote there.  If the impression is that Romney's finished then why should anyone settle for him.

[Viking]

I'm thinking he might have run to be the smartest guy on stage on national tv.

That's why he's doing some sort of interview with Trump.

I think we'll see a Huntsman surge story soon.  He's up to 11% in New Hampshire and I think he could start eating into Romney's vote there.  If the impression is that Romney's finished then why should anyone settle for him.

And your suggestion is that those who were settling from Romney would settle for Huntsman?

[Habsburg]

I'm thinking he might have run to be the smartest guy on stage on national tv.

That's why he's doing some sort of interview with Trump.

I think we'll see a Huntsman surge story soon.  He's up to 11% in New Hampshire and I think he could start eating into Romney's vote there.  If the impression is that Romney's finished then why should anyone settle for him.

I wish, big Hunstman supporter.  He won't go anywhere.   

[Razgovory]

Yeah, Huntsman is non-starter.  To moderate and to Mormon. 

[Sheilbh]

And your suggestion is that those who were settling from Romney would settle for Huntsman?

I think that the independent moderate leaning voter in states like New Hampshire will possibly look at Romney just flailing and they'll say if we're going to go for a management consultant, relatively pragmatic, permatanned, wealthy Mormon Governor, then why not for the one who embraces that?  I think Romney could easily lose the 'moderate' vote.

I'd also note that the editor of Red State's tweeted that he's reconsidering Huntsman and has since written him up as actually pretty reliably conservative and anti-crony capitalist, all of which is true.  By contrast only 20-something percent of Republicans think Romney is a conservative.

I think Huntsman - whose campaign is run by the same people who ran John McCain's in 2000 - could get a surge.  What he's done is be moderate in tone and emphasise his McKinsey style pragmatic governorship which appeals to the sort of vote Romney should have locked down.  But at the same time Huntsman was a pragmatic governor who worked with Democrats in Utah, which makes him far more conservative than Romney - or probably several other candidates.  If he can draw attention to that record in his sensible, moderate tone then I think he can basically become what Romney was meant to be - and perhaps would have been had he had any core identity.

That may not happen, of course.  But the sense I get is that no-one really wants Romney, not even his base.  Huntsman seems to me the sort of candidate who could do well in New Hampshire and if Romney fades there's no-one else who can take on Newt/whoever else as tribune of the country club.

Edit:  Another example from just tonight.  Huntsman has had a go at Donald Trump moderating a Republican debate (seriously?) as 'business over substance' and said 'I'm not going to kiss his ring and I'm not going to kiss any other part of his anatomy' - admittedly I think this was because him and Ron Paul weren't invited by Donald Trump (Donald Trump!) because they weren't sufficiently serious candidates.

But I think that attitude could appeal to the sort of Republican who feels this has all got a bit close to a reality TV show.  Especially when compared with Romney who will leap through any hoop to get the nomination.

[Admiral Yi]

If Huntsman wants to be taken seriously he'll have to explain his wacky first name.

[fhdz]

If Huntsman wants to be taken seriously he'll have to explain his wacky first name.

Why, because no H?

[Admiral Yi]

Why, because no H?

Yup.

[Sheilbh]

If Huntsman wants to be taken seriously he'll have to explain his wacky first name.

[fhdz]

He's actually the best by far of the Republican crew. I love "To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy." Naturally, this will mean he cannot possibly get the nomination.

[fhdz]

Why, because no H?

Yup.

You've seen common Mormon first names, right? He lucked right the fuck out, IMO.

[Admiral Yi]

Speaking of magic pants, have the Osmonds said who they're endorsing yet?

[Sheilbh]

He's actually the best by far of the Republican crew. I love "To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy." Naturally, this will mean he cannot possibly get the nomination.

I think his 'did you hear what I just said? ... The President is Commander in Chief' line in one of the debates was very good and needed to be said.  I also think that if he does well that'll be seen as the turning point in his campaign.

[fhdz]

Speaking of magic pants, have the Osmonds said who they're endorsing yet?

With not one but two Mormons in the race, I bet they think they've died and gone to Kolob.

[Ideologue]

If Huntsman wants to be taken seriously he'll have to explain his wacky first name.

And what the fuck kind of name is "Mitt," anyway?