In other news, Pawlenty is nowhere to be seen, but the #2 GOP candidate, according to the most recent Gallup poll, is once again Sarah Palin, and #3 is Ron Paul.
Huckabee on the ticket might just be enough to bring any one of the candidates to the top of the polls in the primaries. Which one does he choose?
Does he overcome his hate of the millionaire pro-gay Mormon if it means the highest likelihood of 4 years in the White House?
Or does he throw the election scene into chaos by backing the second most religious candidate out there – namely, Michelle Bachmann?
Or does he end up pressured by the establishment to back Pawlenty?
We’ll know soon, hopefully.[/quote]
After the so-called debate tonight, it appears that most candidates were just quoting speeches, not debating each other. Appears they agreed on most issues:
Eliminate corporate profit tax – Good idea, but need to make up revenue elsewhere, unless firms take money and hire like crazy, with 5% sustained GDP over 5 years which has never happened in modern times.
Cut capital gains tax – Great idea for the beltway, but may not be real popular with voters. Tough to convince voters that hedge fund billionaires will trickle their riches on jobs for masses. But I’m usually wrong, so it’s probably a winning issue.
Tort Reform – Ban punitive damages/class action lawsuits. Good bumper sticker, even if not accurate. CA has high health care costs even with strict limits on punitive suits.
Downsize/Close EPA, FEMA and other so-called job killing agencies – Is this necessary to compete with China? May be tough to convince voters that asbestos, PCB’s and cheap equivalents, would not return if 0% capital gains, no plaintiffs lawyers and no EPA.
Cut personal income tax – Who doesn’t want a tax cut? Winner. (Even though rates are pretty low already for modern times, so a small cut wouldn’t be super simulative)
Repeal Obamacare – Bumper sticker winner. This will be good excuse to put Romney(care) out of running. Romney actually believed the freedom of religion applied to national politicians? Of course, no politician will ever address massive health care inflation over last 20 years that is real job killer.
That leave Pawlenty as mainstream choice, but doesn’t excite base, so Bachmann is favorite? But then Perry may enter and Perry/Bachman for the win?
