The 2016 Presidential Election Trainwreck

[Commando]

As much as I dislike Huntsman, Jr. personally, I think he would do pretty well against Hilary (and would do a good job, if elected)

What? I'm not sure he would do pretty well at all or do a good job if elected.

[Topper]

If FMCoug has become one and UVa is promoting Hillary he is also is guilty of heresy and must be a closet Ute fan. No self-respecting Coug fan voyrd foe Hillary.

[Commando]

I see where the Value Coalition or some name like that had Ted Cruz winning their straw poll for President.
I just can't get the mind set of the ultra conservatives and religious right sitting home and not voting instead of getting out and voting for Romney. Really, you would rather let Obama run the country to prove some kind point to the moderates in the party.

That's exactly what they'd do. Just like the Ron Paul supporters who refused to vote for Romney and then posted meme after meme on fb about Obama ruining the country-- as though saying I-told-you-so is some great source of validation they need since they can't win an election. Politics is for chumps.

[San Juan Sun]

Best decision I ever made was to stop caring about politics. Once Dayton didn't come through in 2012, I stopped watching news, reading poltical Internet, listening to radio, etc. I think you'll all agree that I'm a much nicer person because of it.

[I.J. Reilly]

Is Rand Paul going to run? I don't know much about him but he (at least at one point) seemed like a serious guy, relative to the clownshow that seems to be beginning rehearsals. Are any serious republican candidates making noises? I've also been hoping that the surveillance state becomes a big campaign issue, and I don't see that happening if Hillary and the pious dunces are all we get.

Yes, Rand Paul is going to run. See this recent article if you would like to know know more about him.

As far as serious Republicans go, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker are all very likely to run. Jeb Bush is somewhat less likely, though not improbable. I would put Mitt Romney at improbable but not impossible.

What is his ability to raise money? What do the polls show? Even if he loses the primary, how will that affect his standing within the party?

Rand Paul can raise money. See the article above. As far as polling goes, I think he polls well in Iowa, which is very important if he is to get far in a primary. Of course, his father also polled well in Iowa but that didn't quite get him far enough. As far as his standing in the party, with the old-guard business Republicans he isn't very well regarded but his appeal has always been a populist one, and he'll be running on that.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If FMCoug has become one and UVa is promoting Hillary he is also is guilty of heresy and must be a closet Ute fan. No self-respecting Coug fan voyrd foe Hillary.

I see. Topper humor.

[TripletDaddy]

Best decision I ever made was to stop caring about politics. Once Dayton didn't come through in 2012, I stopped watching news, reading poltical Internet, listening to radio, etc. I think you'll all agree that I'm a much nicer person because of it.

I disagree. You should really care about partisan politics. It makes a huge difference in our daily lives.

[beefytee]

There's a good chance I will vote for Hillary. I understand all the hate for Hillary but I don't agree with it. I don't think she is that far off from Mitt. I would describe both as pragmatists and I believe both would make good presidents.

[I.J. Reilly]

There's a good chance I will vote for Hillary. I understand all the hate for Hillary but I don't agree with it. I don't think she is that far off from Mitt. I would describe both as pragmatists and I believe both would make good presidents.

You are a closet Ute fan.

[woot]

Best decision I ever made was to stop caring about politics. Once Dayton didn't come through in 2012, I stopped watching news, reading poltical Internet, listening to radio, etc. I think you'll all agree that I'm a much nicer person because of it.

I've done the same. I kinda wish I could still care, but it brings out the worst in everyone. The arguments are basically never about the important issues but rather just boil down to mindless tribalism. It's been nice. I still voted in 2012 but probably won't this time.

[byu71]

There's a good chance I will vote for Hillary. I understand all the hate for Hillary but I don't agree with it. I don't think she is that far off from Mitt. I would describe both as pragmatists and I believe both would make good presidents.

I could tolerate her if I knew there was a Republican Senate and House. Bill Clinton became a very good President because of Republican control in Congress.

Hillary is a lib no doubt, just not a principled one like President Obama. In that way she is like Mitt. He is a conservative, just not a principled one. I like Presidents who are not principled in their ideologue.

[Jeff Lebowski]

So because there are extremists on both sides, you all are going to abandon participating in democracy? Oh brother.

[I.J. Reilly]

I've done the same. I kinda wish I could still care, but it brings out the worst in everyone. The arguments are basically never about the important issues but rather just boil down to mindless tribalism. It's been nice. I still voted in 2012 but probably won't this time.

I think there is some irony in men who think/write/talk so much about sports decrying politics b/c of tribalism. Perhaps there is only room in one's life for so much tribalism.

[San Juan Sun]

So because there are extremists on both sides, you all are going to abandon participating in democracy? Oh brother.

To whom are you referring?

[byu71]

So because there are extremists on both sides, you all are going to abandon participating in democracy? Oh brother.

Who is "you all"? If Cruz is the nominee, I would probably really hold my nose and vote for say Hillary.

Not voting is a form of participation in democracy. Isn't democracy allowing one to vote for one person or if one chooses vote for no one? The dictatorial countries are the ones with the very high voter participation rates.