Let me enter the murky and muddy waters of politics for a time. All I ask is for you to hear me out, just 5-10 minutes of your time. That's all. I promise I will bring up some good points, some needed dialog, and some insight. Fair enough? Okay, let's begin. Before I start, I want to say that I could have waited a month and written an article for the March publication, when the waters would have been somewhat settled... but that would have been too easy. Anybody can talk about something after the fact. I want to talk about it (I am writing this in January) before it happens. And of course, I'm talking about the primaries coming up, not the Super Bowl.
In the Democratic primary, you have two choices on the ballot, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Can Sanders beat Clinton? Possibly, but I don't think so. I want to concentrate on the Republican primaries, where there is definitely more action, and more than two choices on the ballot. Even though the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries start the nomination process in February (February 1st and 9th, respectively), and Nevada and South Carolina vote later in February, I don't think there will be a clear leader until Super Tuesday, March 1st, when 14 states vote on the same day. By the time Illinois voters make their choice on March 15, it will most likely have been decided already. Certainly by the time the Wisconsin primary rolls around on April 5, it will be settled, unless the two remaining are neck and neck.
Some (Trumpeters) will say that there is a clear candidate already in Donald Trump. Some (most evangelicals) will point to Ted Cruz. The Des Moines Register has endorsed Marco Rubio, writing, "We endorse him because he represents his party's best hope." Some are still standing by Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich and others. So who is going to rise up to take the nomination? Let's examine each one.
We'll start with Ben Carson. There are a lot of things I like about him, but he needed to take a firmer, or should I say louder, stand. I know that is not in his nature, but in order to have a chance of winning, a candidate MUST take a more aggressive stand during the time leading up to the primaries. That was Scott Walker's trouble as well. There is a time to be nice. But to resonate with voters, a candidate has to be bold, and at times, even brash. That is why Trump is resonating with many people, as are Cruz and Rubio to a certain extent. And that is why Jeb Bush is not. Bush seems to be the most presidential of the candidates, but he hasn't been bold or firm enough. Besides that, can another Bush win the general election?
Chris Christie can be a little brash at times, but his New Jersey mannerisms alienate many. John Kasich seems to be too rehearsed and not genuine enough. Trump, on the other hand, seems to be unrehearsed. His audacity has been refreshing to many, but along the way he has also offended many. A lot of issues needed to be voiced, and Trump was all too eager to voice them. But do we want a billionaire to be president? I say no. And especially not a billionaire with a big ego. Don't be fooled. Trump is not on your side... Trump is for Trump! And he is not going to win the nomination; I told you that a year ago. I would rather have someone with political experience than a billionaire. I'm sorry to all the Trumpeters.
That leaves two - Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Both have political experience, and, to a certain degree, have passionately expressed their views. Ted Cruz is older, but by less than six months. JFK was younger than either when he was sworn in as president. President Obama was nearly the same age. So who do I think will win? I would have to say that I am almost certain that the Carolina Panthers will win by two touchdowns. As far as the primaries go, it is too close to call. It seems that Rubio or Cruz will get the nomination, but watch out for the dark horse named Bush.
In the Democratic primary, you have two choices on the ballot, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Can Sanders beat Clinton? Possibly, but I don't think so. I want to concentrate on the Republican primaries, where there is definitely more action, and more than two choices on the ballot. Even though the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries start the nomination process in February (February 1st and 9th, respectively), and Nevada and South Carolina vote later in February, I don't think there will be a clear leader until Super Tuesday, March 1st, when 14 states vote on the same day. By the time Illinois voters make their choice on March 15, it will most likely have been decided already. Certainly by the time the Wisconsin primary rolls around on April 5, it will be settled, unless the two remaining are neck and neck.
Some (Trumpeters) will say that there is a clear candidate already in Donald Trump. Some (most evangelicals) will point to Ted Cruz. The Des Moines Register has endorsed Marco Rubio, writing, "We endorse him because he represents his party's best hope." Some are still standing by Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich and others. So who is going to rise up to take the nomination? Let's examine each one.
We'll start with Ben Carson. There are a lot of things I like about him, but he needed to take a firmer, or should I say louder, stand. I know that is not in his nature, but in order to have a chance of winning, a candidate MUST take a more aggressive stand during the time leading up to the primaries. That was Scott Walker's trouble as well. There is a time to be nice. But to resonate with voters, a candidate has to be bold, and at times, even brash. That is why Trump is resonating with many people, as are Cruz and Rubio to a certain extent. And that is why Jeb Bush is not. Bush seems to be the most presidential of the candidates, but he hasn't been bold or firm enough. Besides that, can another Bush win the general election?
Chris Christie can be a little brash at times, but his New Jersey mannerisms alienate many. John Kasich seems to be too rehearsed and not genuine enough. Trump, on the other hand, seems to be unrehearsed. His audacity has been refreshing to many, but along the way he has also offended many. A lot of issues needed to be voiced, and Trump was all too eager to voice them. But do we want a billionaire to be president? I say no. And especially not a billionaire with a big ego. Don't be fooled. Trump is not on your side... Trump is for Trump! And he is not going to win the nomination; I told you that a year ago. I would rather have someone with political experience than a billionaire. I'm sorry to all the Trumpeters.
That leaves two - Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Both have political experience, and, to a certain degree, have passionately expressed their views. Ted Cruz is older, but by less than six months. JFK was younger than either when he was sworn in as president. President Obama was nearly the same age. So who do I think will win? I would have to say that I am almost certain that the Carolina Panthers will win by two touchdowns. As far as the primaries go, it is too close to call. It seems that Rubio or Cruz will get the nomination, but watch out for the dark horse named Bush.
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