The 2016 Pack

[Geee]

PJ Media:

We don’t know yet what issue will end up driving the autumn phase of the 2016 election. In 2008 a hectoring Obama thought it would always be Iraq — an issue that he had scrubbed from his website by mid-2008 when the surge had rendered his anti-war traction irrelevant.

 

Instead, the key moment was not the war, but the sudden Lehman Brothers meltdown — and the herky-jerky McCain reaction to it, coupled with Obama’s monotonous “Bush did it” blame-gaming of the crashing stock market. Before September 14, 2008, John McCain and Sarah Palin were consistently up over the supposedly transformational first African-American president by anywhere from 2 to 4 points; afterwards it was steadily downhill.

 

No one knows what will happen to the economy in the fall of 2016, much less what North Korea, Iran, Putin or ISIS will be doing. If nothing, Democrats benefit; if something, not so much. Obama last week reminded us of the rules of media and progressive politics for 2016: he announced that critics of his presidency were de facto unpatriotic — apparently in the same manner that as a presidential candidate in 2008 he slurred a sitting president as unpatriotic. No one even noticed.

 

2008 was the first orphaned election since 1952. When an incumbent president or vice president does not run, things are wide open, and often favor the out-party. Unless Joe Biden jumps in, 2016 could be another.

 

We have not elected a non-politician since 1952; sixty-four years is a long time and suggests why it is a wise tradition. So far even on their best days, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, and Donald Trump are no Gen. Eisenhowers. Maybe we aren’t overdue for someone new.

[Valin]

@Geee

 

 

We have not elected a non-politician since 1952; sixty-four years is a long time and suggests why it is a wise tradition. So far even on their best days, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, and Donald Trump are no Gen. Eisenhowers. Maybe we aren’t overdue for someone new.

 

 

While it is true that Dwight Eisenhower had never been elected to a political office, to say he wasn't a politician is a bit misleading. Anyone who had dealt with over his career.....Douglas Macarthur, Winston Churchill, Bernard Montgomery, George Patton jr, George C Marshall, & FDR and kept them all happy, or at least pulling in the same direction, needed some political skills...at a high order.

 

The office of President is (and always has been) a political office, and has always been held by a politician. Let me just add anyone who thinks George Washington wasn't a politician (of the highest caliber, and ambition) know's nothing about George Washington.

 

 

Christie: How can one so informed, energetic, bold, and glib so soon become so irksome?

 

Irksome? Not for me. That said I seriously doubt he'll win the nomination, but I for one am very glad he is running.

 

 

Graham: There is a reason for his candidacy, but no one has discovered it yet.

 

Why? GWOT is why he is running. He doesn't really expect to win, he's notr that dumb. No he's running to keep this on the table and make his voice heard.

 

 

Pataki: Is he running for secretary of Commerce?

 

Who? I would ask him the same question someone should ask Jeb..."Why Are You Running?"

 

 

Paul: Quirky smart, and a quirkier speaker — and always just a quirk away from scary.

 

Two Words destroy his campaign. Ron...Paul. Do us all and yourself a BIG favor....go back to KY and win reelection.