Smitty over at the Other McCain posted a list of 32 possible GOP candidates for president in 2016. All of these 32 possible candidate have been mentioned in passing at times as running, or possibily running in ’16. Some even are mentioned who wouldn’t run in 2016 but you never take a politician at their word. Smitty breaks it down almost perfectly:
Yes:
– Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas
– Nikki Haley, South Carolina governor
– Bobby Jindal, Louisiana governor
– Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor
– Mike Pence, Indiana governor
– Sen. Rand Paul, of Kentucky
– Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor
– Former Rep. Allen West, of Florida
– Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator
Maybe:
– John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations
– Ben Carson, author and neurosurgeon
– Rick Perry, Texas governor
– Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state
– Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida
– Sen. Rob Portman, of Ohio
– Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina
No:
– Sen. Kelly Ayotte, of New Hampshire
– Haley Barbour, former Mississippi governor
– Chris Christie, New Jersey governor
– Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor
– Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor
– Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor
– John Kasich, Ohio governor
– Former Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas
– Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota governor
– Brian Sandoval, Nevada governor
– Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota
I will vote Libertarian:
– Jeb Bush, former Florida governor
– Rep. Peter King, of New York
Special mentions:
– Herman Cain, a radio host–Health concerns
– Newt Gingrich, former House speaker–Be an advisor, sir.
– Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin–You soiled yourself on the budget deal.
For me, there is no way in hell I would vote Paul Ryan after he stabbed veterans in the back with his budget deal. I would vote for Susana Martinez or Mitch Daniels. Maybe Brian Sandoval too. The rest on this ‘no’ list would make vote libertarian like Jeb Bush or Peter King. Rick Perry or Rick Santorum wouldn’t exactly motivate me to vote either.