Yes, the Republicans could win in 2016, if they don't shoot themselves in the foot.
In a New York Times op-ed entitled "The Marco Rubio-Carly Fiorina Option," David Brooks writes:
"[The Republican] party will veer on a course midway between outsider and establishment. It will probably end up with some hybrid candidate — sharp of tongue, gifted in self-expression and yet still anchored in the world of reality.
That’s where Carly Fiorina and Marco Rubio come in. So far, Fiorina has looked like the most impressive candidate. She has a genius for creating signature moments. ('If you want to stump a Democrat, ask them to name an accomplishment of Mrs. Clinton’s.') But her spotty record at Hewlett-Packard probably means she can’t start at the top of the ticket.
Rubio is young and thus uncorrupted, and he is a genius at relating policy depth in a way that is personal. He has clarity of mind and can sum up a complex subject — Russia, the Middle East — in a way that is comprehensible but not oversimplified."
Rubio and Fiorina? A Hispanic and a woman, young, forthright, intelligent, and accomplished speakers? Yes, notwithstanding the ersatz refrigerator controversy floated by The Washington Post and the risible attempt by the Times to focus attention on the Rubio family's parking tickets, they would probably win against Hillary, Joe or Bernie, but it remains to be seen whether the Republicans are determined to take a leap of faith - off a cliff - with Donald.
it is the Carly-Marco ticket. Carly inspired every woman (except for one) in America on Wednesday night, topping off with this closing statement:
ReplyDelete"I think what this nation can be an must be can be symbolized by Lady Liberty and Lady Justice. Lady Liberty stands tall and strong. She is clear eyed and resolute. She doesn't shield her eyes from the realities of the world, but she faces outward into the world nevertheless as we always must, and she holds her torch high. Because she knows she is a beacon of hope in a very troubled world. And Lady Justice. Lady Justice holds a sword by her side because she is a fighter, a warrior for the values and the principles that have made this nation great. She holds a scale in her other hand, and with that scale she says all of us are equal in the eyes of God. And so all of us must be equal in the eyes of the government, powerful and powerless alike. And she wears a blindfold. And with that blindfold she is saying to us us that it must be true, it can be true, that in this country in this century it doesn't matter how you are, it doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter what you look like, it doesn't matter how you start, and it doesn't matter your circumstances. Here in this nation, every American's life must be filled with the possibilities that come from their God given gifts, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
[The Donald's exit ramp has now appeared - including the fake veteran's organization that endorsed him on the battleship USS Iowa...
the real hurdle for both Carly and Marco is the pushback from too many wanting a governor.
This is going to be a long fall season.]
I would also be delighted with Carly-Marco.
DeleteYes, many men, pundits and voters, also think of Carly as presidential.
DeleteMy take is how Carly won the women, starting with CNN's Dana Bash and Gloria Borger post-debate - the DNC must have called for oxygen tanks and whatever epi-pen they use when Identity Politics goes into shock..
a better assessment of Carly's everywoman-ing from Megan Garber at The Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/why-fiorina-won/405871/
apparently, via CNN, Hillary thinks her #1 accomplishment as SecState: “orchestrating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and putting together the coalition that led to international sanctions against Iran”
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/18/hillary-clinton-dismisses-attack-by-carly-fiorina-saying-she-is-proud-of-record
Pinnochio just woke up.
Still going to be a very long fall.
fwiw, The GOP has Governors Haley, Martinez, and Fallon for VP... deep bench.
signing off from the fever swamps of politicking :)