The Next Republican Presidenital Candiate (Part 2)

The following is part two of an extended series of posts that will analyze possible candidates for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. These posts will take a look and who is likely to win the Republican Presidential Nomination, not the general election. While 2012 may be long ahead, I will make these predication as practical and logical as possible. I will discuss the pros and cons of two potential candidates today, Florida Governor, Charlie Crist and former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney.

Charlie Crist

Charlie Crist is a very strong candiate and is definatly on the radar. He has a bi-partisan record which most voters, even party members like. Crist is also seen by the media as an intelligent person, and a very rational politician, he's also a good public speaker. He is also a very popular govonor, in a big state, the Flordia delegates would be in the bag for him. Crist is planning on running for Senate in 2010, and if he wins, he'll be able to say he has legislative and executive experience, something very few candidates have both of. Recently, Senator Mel Martinez of Flordia has announced that he will be resigning his position which means Crist gets to replace him. Crist could appoint himself, or someone he could easily beat in a primary next year and hopefully beat the Democratic nomination (most likely African American Congressmen Meek). However, like evry candiate, Crist does have some drawbacks. He is sort of a moderate, which in a presidential primary isn't the best thing. There are some serious rumors that Crist is a homosexual, which doesn't help in the Republican base, though these rumors are not necessarily true, I do think Crist's sexuality will be a factor in his potential presidential run, and the media will talk about it.

Mitt Romney

Romney is obviously a front runnner, many Republicans say that if he were the nominee rather than McCain, Barack Obama would not be president now. Romney is very popular among fiscal conservatives which is a great thing in a presidential primary. He also is an excellent fundraiser, and he has a lot of money himself, he should have no problems with money. He is an excellent debater, probably the best debater in the 2008 Presidential Primary debates, and a great speaker too. Romney has a few problems however. for starters, he's a Mormon, which for many Evangelical voters is a strong negative. In Iowa, Romney lost to Huckabee, even though he out spent him 20 to 1 (also don't forget, Mitt didn't get second to McCain, Huckabee did). I personally believe this was because he was a Mormon and many voters in the primary were uncomfortable with that which is a shame. Romney also did horribly in the South, which is a major problem. Of course, being a multi millionaire isn't something many voters can relate to, and he's beginning to get a little old.

Conclusion

Crist is an obvious front runner even if he doesn't become a Senator, defiantly keep an eye out on him. Romney might be the most overrated candiate of all, because although he's qualified and what not, him being a Mormon will haunt him forever. But I certainly wouldn't count out Romney (expect to possibly see him on the bottom of the ticket). Don't put your money on Romney, put it on Florida Governor Charlie Crist.