I predict NOW that the 2016 GOP Nominee will be Jon Huntsman

[Taverner]

After this election, the heads of the GOP - the people who OWN the party - are going to take it centrist. Going full out bull-moose loony can only take you so far. And this election we've seen how far you can take flip-flopping.

So they are going to want a moderate, someone who's sane and someone who doesn't flip flip.

That's my prediction and I'm not just spouting off - I'm willing to put money where my mouth is.

So my bet is $5 that Huntsman is the GOP nom in 2016.

[Enrique]

1. the odds would be with them

what are the chances that two Mormons in a row would lose the election?

[louis-t]

2. Ha! Big spender. The loonies will never let that happen.

Heads of GOP, including rush, will have to convince their base.

[Taverner]

11. Rush is not going to be around much longer

That weight - that oxy - and the alcohol

Long term mixing scotch and oxy will kill you, eventually

[CBHagman]

92. We really don't know that.

I can't count the number of people with unhealthy lifestyles who just go on living and the seemingly healthy people who die prematurely, struck down by a heart attack or cancer. It's just the way things are.

Also, I'd rather see a shift in the country and in the media eliminating Limbaugh and making him persona non grata. In a just world the guy wouldn't be made a wealthy man by sitting on his butt and urging people to be their most hateful selves, but that's what the corporations pay for, damn them.

[JI7]

3. people who "own" the party are ones wh pushed Romney over Gingrich and Santorum

many people still wanted gingrich or santorum. them splitting votes helped Romney.

unless they change the Primary process huntsman doesn't have a chance .

also many of the right wingers are saying Romney's Loss is proof they need to move right.

[Taverner]

22. In the end, Romney had no positions

That's what killed him. You can cite all other things that he did, and Obama didn't do - or vice versa - and they are all true.

However, nothing keeps someone home from voting like a candidate who has no beliefs.

[Kahuna]

49. EXACTLY!!! And his "me too" debates where he moved so far to the center, he adapted

many of Obama's positions gave many voters no reason to change from Obama. Funny how the goppers were hi-fiving because he did that etch-a-sketch thingy so well.

[musical_soul]

37. Why would anybody want Gingrich?

A guy who criticizes same sex marriage as being untraditional while cheating on his wife? Really? Uh, no.

[jberryhill]

4. Bet taken

I'll take that bet, and am first in the thread to do so.

Marked for four years hence.

I'm a patient man.

[Taverner]

12. I'm willing to take my winnings in Dogfish Head brews...

90 min IPA...mmmmmmgood!

[jberryhill]

29. Deal

To clarify, if Hunstman is 2016 GOP nominee, you win. If not, I win.

1:1 your five bucks against the equivalent in a Dogfish IPA.

Done.

[liberalmuse]

5. Unless Republicans...

get the mental help they so desperately need, I'm predicting the same 'ol shit, with an even larger measure of batshit crazy thrown in. They're going to float Jeb out there. I don't think Americans will ever forget W, so that's a bust. I can't even make a bet on these crazies at this point.

[dae]

6. I don't think so, Boehner back to soso!

BTW, I don't gamble, I farmed for 20 years and got it out of my system.

[thelordofhell]

7. It's gonna be Jeb Bush or Chris Christie

Bobby Jindal will be the VP

[Honeycombe8]

20. Bingo! My guess, too. Except VP could be Rubio. Someone not totally anglo, tho. nt

[Taverner]

24. I think the Bush name is so toxic, even if Jeb Bush turned into Reagan he wouldn't win

Chris Christie - to be honest, I don't think he will run

I just don't see it

[stillwaiting]

55. Bushes don't have to win to become President. nt

[TrogL]

40. I'm thinking the same thing except I'm betting neither wants the job

I think they need a glad-hander for VP. I don't see Jindal working out.

[closeupready]

41. Jindal is a wonk, and has the charisma of a robot.

He won't be on a national ticket, IMO, any time soon.

[texshelters]

58. Agreed--Jeb and Jindal

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[gcomeau]

8. Would be if they were smart...

... but "they" are GOP primary voters. Let's keep that in mind shall we?

No, it won't be Huntsman.

Christie? Maybe if the aftermath of his saying nice thing about Obama blows over and it fades from the memory of the base enough... more likely Rubio or Jindal or someone else who isn't white because that's the depth of the GOP soul searching at this point.

"We got crushed in the minority vote... couldn't *possibly* be based on our policies... quick, nominate a brown person! We have one or two of those in the party right?"

[Taverner]

13. Even if everyone gets behind candidate x, if the high sheriffs don't want him, he won't win

Remember Ron Paul during the primaries?

Coming in a steady second, beating Romney in many states. BUt you would neverr know that watching TV.

I am not a Ron Paulbot, and think he is batshit crazy - but it is also true the man was ignored during the primaries.

[gcomeau]

17. The "high sheriffs" will never back a Huntsman...

...over a Rubio. They haven't done any deeper soul searching than the average GOPer that I can see.

[Taverner]

26. When Citibank's board decides who they will donate to, they don't make slap dash decisions

They donated to Romney because he is one of them. No one else was. No one else knows the predicament that the poor 1% are in but another 1%er.

[cali]

25. baloney. even the ptb in the party can't force a moderate down the throats

the radicalized repuke voting public.

Rubio, McConnell are much safer bets. Huntsman is a marginal figure in the party and he is neither beloved or supported by the ptb.

[Taverner]

27. So are we set for a bet?

You guys are going to have split the Lincoln if you win tho

[cali]

30. Sure. You're overestimating the repubs. I'm safe.

[Taverner]

42. Better start saving that $2.50 then

[oldhippydude]

36. i'm hoping that they will make the base form a third party..

American Values party or something smaltzy...

[Caroline-Vivienne]

9. Isn't he pro choice?

If so , no way.

I'll go with Rubio/pale-frail-male

[elleng]

10. COULD be, IF sanity were to prevail over that bunch,

and he could give any Dem candidate a run for her/his money.

[Honeycombe8]

14. No way. He just doesn't have the charisma to be #1. Besides,he's not that moderate.

He's pretty extreme in some of his views. He IS Mormon and very religious, isn't he? But I don't think anti-science totally.

But to run for #1, you gotta have "IT." That star quality. That's what leaders have. He just doesn't have it.

[FSogol]

15. They'll nominate VA Gov, Bob McDonnell.

A scary hardcore rw governor that can appear moderate.

[stillwaiting]

57. He's my Governor and he scares me the most out of any Republican.

On TV he really does appear likable. Very likable.

And, he holds extremely right wing economic and social views.

[brooklynite]

16. Have you ever met Jon Huntsman?

I have -- on the campaign trail in New Hampshire. It's not enough to be "centrist" on the issues; you need to be politically engaging, and Huntsman...ain't.

[Taverner]

18. That can be changed

Although Adlai Stevenson was coached - and it failed so who knows

[cali]

19. not a chance.

you don't exactly have the greatest record on predictions.

[Taverner]

31. Dude, I never claimed to...

My crystal ball has been in the shop since '05, and my ESP seems to be limited to just knowing what kind of donut a specific person would like

[BlueCaliDem]

21. If that happens, we might have a problem.

He even speaks to some DUers here, so can you imagine how he'll come across to Independents and "moderate" Democrats.

[Taverner]

34. That's why the Obama campaign considered him worst case scenario

Of course he'd (Huntsman) stab us all in the back as quick as possible and run off with the swear jar so...he would be dangerous for the USA

[BlueCaliDem]

74. True. Good thing the TeaBaggers aren't smart enough to realize it.

Huntsman is a Republican and he'll act like a Republican if he ever got a chance to make it to the WH. I don't care how "moderate" he appears on teevee, but fact remains, he's a Republican for a reason - he agrees with the Republican platform, and the Republican platform is disastrous for this country no matter how one slice and dices it.

[Warpy]

23. Nah, the plutocrats and the crazies are in a dance of death

Each is afraid to let go of the other while they claw each other to pieces.

The last thing that party is going to do is present a moderate. Everybody wants Paul Ryan at this point: he's corrupt, greasy, and religiously insane, the perfect package. He's about punishing all those "other" people, something every Republican grooves on until it hits them, too. Most of all, he's the Koch brothers' darling.

The religious nuts were shocked by being told to sit down, shut up, and do as they were told at the RNC this year. They won't be so obedient twice.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

32. the crazies are in a dance of death

I hope they keep it up...

[Lucinda]

28. I don't think that they are smart enough to choose Huntsman.

There is going to be a lot of infighting over the next few years in the GOP ...I'm not sure they will be at a place when wiser heads will prevail.

[Marr]

33. I think that's a very solid bet, considering the current field.

On the other hand, a lot will depend on the identity of the Democratic candidate. If it's another right-of-center Democrat, the odds of a Hunstman-sort of Republican are better, I should think. Obama's proven that there is no room to his right in a national election.

[Taverner]

38. Exactly. The GOP has nobody who is charismatic.

They have no "president-in-waiting"

The only reason Rubio is being tossed around is because some GOPpies are so short sighted that they think all they need would be a minority to win.

Jeb Bush has the most unfortunate name right now, and that will kill him.

Christie doesn't have it in him. My guess is he'll run an exploratory committee, and then not run.

Huntsman was the only name to come out of the primaries unscathed, and the GOP will want to bet on "sane" this next time around.

[AlinPA]

91. He worked as an ambassador in the Obama administration. That makes him a non-starter

with the looney base of the GOP.

[musical_soul]

35. I like Huntsman....

because he is more moderate.

The far right see him as a liberal though. I would love to see their reaction if he won the 2016 primaries.

[Taverner]

39. If he won....

The Mormons would vote
The Evangelicals would stay home
The Suits would vote
The Blue Collar repugs would be 50/50

We would have to find a way to keep the blue collar vote - although the GOP has been helping us A LOT in that department. See: Scott Walker.

[Turbineguy]

43. That's an awful lot

of evolution in just a few years!

[jeff47]

44. Not gonna happen

The "owners" may want to take it centrist, but the crazy are the ones who get to vote.

Huntsman won't be able to get through the primaries.

[madinmaryland]

45. Huntsman was in the Obama administration. That was the end of him last time and will be the end of

him again.

[struggle4progress]

46. I'll just predict another primary field filled with wackos and another moronic nominee

[Panasonic]

47. Then they'll have to go through YET another Mormon questions for Huntsman

no. I think it'll be someone else.

Not Jeb. Not Jindal. Not Christie. Someone else.

[julian09]

48. He would never win in Iowa, that is why he camped out in NH

The right controls the process from start. Sanitarium could try again, though the center doesn't want him.
That is what is wrong with primary and caucus system, early states are not representative of country or population.
They spend a year ahead of primaries kissing the rights ass.

[AlinPA]

50. RE: "the people who OWN the party -": The Teabaggers, Christian fundamentalists,

anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-black, anti-poor and all the anti-government GOP members OWN the GOP. They are also the heads of the GOP. Look for a nominee who appeals to the real party owners, e.g..Santorum, DeMint, Perry, Rand Paul, Bachmann and their ilk.

[RKP5637]

54. To me, the "new" GOP is comprised and run by the bucket of people you

mentioned. I am willing to bet not a small number in the GOP think they weren't RW enough with a liberal like Romney to them.

[RKP5637]

51. Could be if the GOP were sane. IMO too many loonies have now moved into the GOP. n/t

[graham4anything]

52. The odds would be greater President Hillary will pick him as VP or he is the next SOS

Jeb got the nomination in the bag. I would bet Mitt Romney's money on it.

[Still Sensible]

53. I'd have to take that bet

because I just can't see it happening. I believe Rmoney WAS the candidate of the "people who OWN the party." He was supposed to be the moderate, electable one (when compared to Gingrich, Bachmann, Santorum, et al). He was the guy that the plutocrats thought was most electable and they spent a lot of money getting him nominated.

Unfortunately for his campaign, all that money in the primaries--by itself--was not enough. He still had to join the wackadoodle circus and tie himself in knots pandering to the Limbaugh-loony faction, and the Beck-loony faction, and the Robertson-loony faction... in order to get enough primary votes. Whatever level of credibility Rmoney may have started with as a "moderate" or "centrist" was worthless after that primary process was over.

All that is to say that I don't believe the powers that be in the GOP can change enough of the landscape, nor the primary rules, etc. to not be in the same boat in 2016. Will they try to get a more electable, centrist candidate? No doubt. To be successful, they'll first have to beat back the wackadoodle argument that Mitt wasn't conservative enough.

In any event, even if they try the same strategy I can't believe it would be Huntsman. As opposed to Rmoney this cycle, I don't believe Huntsman could get enough of the fire-breathing lunatic vote in the GOP primaries to get the nomination.

[texshelters]

56. Let's hope not

Let's hope they go all in with Michelle Bachman.

They can even use my slogan: All in with Bachman.

or
Shoot for Newt!
Get into the Bush! (Jeb Bush is my real prediction)
Cain Can!
Get Misty for Christie!
Go, go with Marco!
God, Guns, Huckabee!
Why not try Ron Paul this Time!
You adore him, Rick Santorum!
Everyone likes BJ! (Bobby Jindal)
Rand, just Bland enough!
Cruise with Cruz!

And many more.

PTxS

[InsultComicDog]

59. nah

they'll double down on the crazy

[BlueMTexpat]

60. I predict NOW that the 2016 GOP nominee will NOT be Jon Huntsman.

My odds are better.

[HopeHoops]

61. Oh bullshit. The GOP has FAR more qualified, um, never mind.

[xfundy]

62. I predict they'll run a woman.

Is Phyllis Schlafly's schedule clear?

on the other hand, they may just nominate Satan himself. Enough with these pale imitations!

[davidn3600]

63. A ticket with him and Susana Martinez would be deadly

I think we lose that race.

Although Huntsman isn't someone I would really fear that much as a president. He's a conservative on many things but he follows common sense and isn't a radical.

[graham4anything]

76. Why? This is as lightweight as it gets vs. Hillary/Castro

And in what universe would the racist/sexist/homphobe/anti-semitic republicans nominate either another Morman or a female to start off with?

the repubs will nominate two white males. Like they always will do.

[southernyankeebelle]

64. No no they will go with Rubio, Ryan, Palin and maybe Bush and they will have learned nothing.

You can change the person but if you don't change the policy nothing changes.

[Taverner]

66. Palin? She's a national JOKE!

Yeah, we misunderestimated Boosh, but Palin? She can't even call in Alaska State Troopers to save her sorry, soggy ass....

[bluestate10]

67. Not to the republican base. The base is what deliver the nominee for that party.

[southernyankeebelle]

68. yes your right but remember to the extreme right they are wanting her more than anything.

[Taverner]

72. They are an Oral Minority

In the grand scheme of things, evangies are the EXCEPTION rather than the RULE

[elfin]

65. Nah, the Rethug climate will still be hostile to intelligence

Now if he switched to the Dems and presented a smart and a bit younger choice against Hill and Joe, he might just make it.

Have several Repug relatives who liked him a lot, but needed up with Obama at the polls due to the insanity on the social issues.

I would like Obama to name him SOS, and would hope he would take it.

So I like the guy, but possibly would not like him on other issues -- if I knew them. So be it.

[bluestate10]

69. I will take your bet. With the condition that WHEN you lose, you will come to Boston and eat raw

hamburger off the boots of John Harvard's statue, ala the unconfirmed rumor about a Yale mascot. Friends will get the burger on the boots and avoid Harvard cops. I love sure wins.

[Taverner]

73. No. I offered $5. That has to be split umong all of you.

Right now it's 50/50

2016 who knows what it will be

PM me when interested

[RBInMaine]

79. I have a great photo of me and my best friend at the John Harvard statue. That is one SHINY shoe.

[dlwickham]

70. I'll take that bet too

Huntsman is too sane to be the republican nominee

[wildbilln864]

71. jeb bush!

[aandegoons]

75. Isn't it required to be the second place guy from the last primary?

It certainly seems like that is the way it has been running for quite some time now.

[Midwestern Democrat]

77. Like others, I don't see it either. Huntsman frankly bombed as a candidate.

He was far too moderate for the GOP base, but he had other issues as well - he had little charisma and is strongly perceived as a silver spoon with a rich father bankrolling his political ambitions. He also doesn't seem to have much sense of how contrived a candidate can get before it becomes laughable - his decision not to have his campaign headquarters in his home state but to instead have multiple campaign "headquarters" in electorally important states impressed nobody.

[RBInMaine]

78. Your problem is that the "heads" are NOT the BASE controlled by Rush etc. who all HATE moderates.

[Eyes of the World]

80. You spelled "Jeb Bush" wrong

nt

[Warren DeMontague]

81. Nope. I predict more full out bull-moose loony, not less.

Huntsman believes in evolution, so he's out. No way.

[Warren Stupidity]

82. I'll tke that bet. Zero chance of winning.

[CanonRay]

83. He'll never get trhough their primaries.

[RomneyLies]

84. Jeb Bush already has the nomination all sewn up.

The Bush dynasty WILL NOT be denied.

[AlinPA]

88. Is he crazy enough for the teabaggers and Christian fundamentalists?

[NNN0LHI]

85. He recently took a job with Ford on the Board Of Directors

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35970

Doubt he is going to give that very cushy job up for another failed run in a GOP primary.

Don

[Nonhlanhla]

86. They don't nominate another Mormon for a while

They just ran a Mormon and the evangelicals swallowed it only because they hate the "great Satan Obama" so much. I don't see them going for another Mormon for a while. Plus Huntsman is too moderate and not all that charismatic. If they did run him, he could win. I'd be disappointed, but not in total despair if he did.

I see Jeb Bush as a possibility, although I have a feeling the country may not be up for another Bush for a while, even if Jeb is supposedly the "smart" one of the bunch. The though of another Bush presidency give me the creeps.

I don't think Jindal has a chance - he has the personality of an asparagus. And while the fundies will love that exorcism thing, it might creep out the rest of the country. But he's definitely going to run.

I think they're going to push for a Hispanic, because the only lesson they've learned from this election is that they need to do some window dressing that could make them look like a party of inclusiveness. So either Rubio in the no. 1 spot, or they're going to nominate one of their generic white guys and then get that Martinez woman (sorry, forgot her first name now) in for no. 2. I don't see her running for no. 1 yet - isn't she relatively new to the national scene (or did I just hear about her recently)? Rubio, on the other hand, is definitely planning to run.

I'm not Nate Silver, so these predictions mean nothing.

[quinnox]

87. that would be great, but I very much doubt

They will nominate him. I think the crazy right wingers will still be in control and nominate some one more extreme than Huntsman, who is a fine old school republican.

[TwilightGardener]

89. No, I don't think so. He's really not very well-liked in the GOP.

[WooWooWoo]

90. nope, they'll double down on crazy. they have to lose 3 elections in a row before they moderate