My preferred candidates for GOP nomination (with user Poll)

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Just read a review of Nikki Haley’s weekend townhall with CNN. She said some encouraging things.

At the moment, these are the candidates I’d like to see get the GOP nomination, in order of preference:

  1. Tim Scott
  2. Mike Pence
  3. Nikki Haley
  4. Chris Christie
  5. Ron DeSantis

A certain former President is intentionally omitted from any position on my list.

For the poll question below, let’s assume all the above and other public figures have an equal chance of winning the nomination. So the question is not who is likely to win it, but who would you prefer to see win it.

Who's your top pick for GOP presidential nomination for 2024?

Donald Trump
0% (0 votes)
Mike Pence
17% (2 votes)
Ron DeSantis
50% (6 votes)
Nikki Haley
8% (1 vote)
Tim Scott
17% (2 votes)
Chris Christie
0% (0 votes)
Other
8% (1 vote)
Total votes: 12

Discussion

I like Scott’s attitude, his winsomeness, his interest in being persuasive, and his understanding of the role of compromise in getting things done legislatively. He seems Reaganesque in a lot of ways to me.

I have a fair amount of respect for Pence.

Nikki Haley… I’m not sure what to think, but it was encouraging to hear her recently characterize Jan 6 negatively and speak out on Trump’s congratulating of the Dark Lord in North Korea (though I would have put my own criticism of that much more strongly).

I’m not sure how serious Chris Christie is, but he’s not pulling punches on Trump, so kudos for that.

DeSantis… I just don’t trust him at this point. Trying to stay open minded.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

Almost any Republican candidate will beat Biden EXCEPT Trump.

Almost any Democrat candidate will beat Trump.

Each party has its solid base. The election will be decided by the moderates. As in the last election, many of them will vote against Trump because they find him to be a loud-mouthed jerk and the Democrats win. Or they stay home and the Democrats win a close election.

Trump has divided the Republican party to the point where, if he doesn't get the nomination, his massive ego will lead him to take his sycophants and go home.

"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan

Unfortunately, that sounds like a probable scenario. I’m still hoping and praying for a merciful surprise, though.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

A bit of perspective from Cal… https://calthomas.com/2023/06/two-more-enter-the-race/

For some reason it’s written in all caps…

IN A DIFFERENT POLITICAL WORLD, MIKE PENCE WOULD BE LEADING THE PACK. I HAVE KNOWN HIM SINCE HE WAS IN CONGRESS, AS GOVERNOR AND THEN VP. HE IS A ONCE-MARRIED, SOLID CHRISTIAN, AND A MAN OF INTEGRITY. HE PREVENTED TRUMP FROM MAKING SOME VERY BAD DECISIONS, LIKE INVITING THE TALIBAN TO CAMP DAVID CLOSE TO THE ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.