Presidential Pics

My Take on the Current GOP Candidates.

I watched my first GOP debate over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Here are my thoughts.

The Fox News Manufactured Candidate

There are a few people running that have no business on the national stage. The only reason they are running for president is because Fox news fluffed them up. They went onto O'Reilly, Beck and Hannity and complained about President Obama enough times that they became household names. It's a lot harder when you have to explain your policies instead of complain about someone elses.

Michelle Bachman - The poster child for a Fox News Generated candidate. Tough talk. No substance.

Herman Cain - I like this guy. He has some good ideas but his inexperience showed with the handling of the sexual harassment allegations against him. If he can't handle allegations, he can't handle a crisis in the executive office. He's been on Fox News enough that I consider him a manufactured candidate.

Rick Santorum - Somebody from Fox News probably told him he had a shot. He doesn't.

Notice I didn't say anything about their policies. I don't pay attention to the manufactured candidates. They will be going home soon.

The Only Non-Republican on the Stage

Ron Paul - He is not a Republican. He is a Libertarian. He has no business on the debate stage.

Why doesn't anyone ask Ron Paul why his suits never fit? I swear he looks like he's shrinking right into his suit jacket!

I have read some of Ron Paul's books. I do believe he has some great views on economics. That is his strength and I would love to see someone apply his ideas to our current economic troubles. The downside is that Ron Paul lacks any common sense when it comes to evil in the world and how to fight it. His views on foreign policy are not only irresponsible but dangerous to us and our allies. On foreign policy alone Ron Paul should not be considered a serious candidate for the executive office.

The Empty Shirts

I listen to these candidates and they are so disingenuous is makes me ill. Their intentional pandering. Their continual flip-flopping. I just don't take anything they say at face value.

Mit Romney - I used to like this guy. Four years ago I thought he had a great resume. He had a successful run in the private sector. He was a successful governor in Massachusetts. For a Republican governor to make headway in a Democrat state shows me the ability to work across the aisle. Four years later Romney has disappointed. He sounds to me like the age old snake oil salesman candidate. He debates for brownie points not answers to issues. His only concern is to say the right thing to the largest target audience. Not stick up for principles he believes in.

Rick Perry - I don't know the difference between what he says in a debate and what comes out of his mouth on the Bad Lip Reading video. I really do believe this guy wants so save the pretzels for the gas jets!

I almost put him in the Fox News Manufactured category. But his relentless pandering cause me to place him here.

Why Am I Here?

Who the heck is Jon Huntsman?

Why is this guy on the stage?

I know who he is. I just think this guy is a waste of time. I wish someone would have the courage to keep him off the debate schedule.

Bob's Pick for GOP Nominee

Newt Gingrich

I think Newt is the man for the right occasion. For years candidates have been running on the idea that they are Washington outsiders. They aren't part of the system. They get elected and they do more damage than good. I believe we need to elect someone who is a Washington insider. We need someone who knows the federal government inside and out. We need someone smart enough to look beyond ideology and see where government works and where it can be scaled back. We need someone who knows how to get things done while satisfying as many groups as possible.

We need someone who knows how to play the game and play it well. I believe Newt is this man.

I do have my reservations about him. Don't get me wrong. He's done things in the past that make me cringe. But for times such as this I believe he is the right man for the job.

I guarantee that if Newt is elected he will upset the Tea Party base and many conservatives. Of course he will. Newt isn't anti-government. Newt understands government can have a positive effect on people's lives. He also understands that there are certain things government shouldn't be doing. It's this balance and wisdom that I think America needs right now. We don't need any more ideologues who want to socialize America or scale the government back to when William McKinley was president.

This is my two cents. I know who I'm voting for in the primary.