Saturday Politics: The Totally Unofficial Pre-Primary HQ "Midterms" (and Steel Cage Death Match) [Y-not]

Good morning!

Are you ready to rumble?!

Today's thread is going to be a sort of "mid-term exam" of the politicians we've been tracking for the past eight months. I've resisted grading them as we go, because I think it's very difficult to do that without injecting my personal biases into it. Heck, even the CATO "scorecards" of governors seem highly subjective to me... and they're professionals.

But this week I'm going to tear off my mask and create a scorecard for the Magnificent Seven (Cruz, Haley, Jindal, Martinez, Pence, Perry, and Walker). And then I want you to do the same.

Here are the rules:

1. Each candidate must receive a grade for each category, even if that grade is 0.

2. The grades should be scored relative to these seven candidates, NOT against some conservative ideal.

3. The grading system is as follows: 1 = the best candidate of the seven on this issue/topic; 0 = an average candidate; -1 = the worst candidate on this issue/topic.

4. There can only be ONE candidate who receives a 1 and only ONE candidate who receives a -1 for each of these topics. In other words, your scoring should yield five candidates who get a 0 on any given issue.

5. A zero is NOT a bad score. It's merely an indication that the candidate (who was already pre-screened as being "acceptable" to most of the horde last Fall) is ok on this issue, but not the "best." Same thing with the -1 score; it merely indicates that when compared to the other six candidates, you think this person is the least-good. The +1 score indicates that you like this person's positions and record the best when compared to the other six candidates.

6. Be prepared to show your work.

7. In addition, you may pick two categories to "up weight" to indicate that they are of great importance to you and two categories of less importance to you to "down weight." You may use any criterion you like to decide what's important/unimportant to you.

Ready?

This is not scientific. There will be "hunches" and "feelings" that each of us draws upon. There's simply no way to avoid that. However, try if you can to actually refer to their records when you're assigning the scores. (I've provided links to the relevant Saturday Politics Threads below.)

What I found in going through this process is that the rankings it produced, although not necessarily exactly what I'd guessed they'd be, "made sense" to me in retrospect. I promise you that I did not come up with this system to try to produce a particular result. This is not about persuading anyone. It's about asking yourself to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each of these seven politicians as possible 2016 prospects. Try to be honest with yourself.

One last thing. I didn't turn this into a clickable poll, so you'll have to do this on paper (template provided below) or your own computer (I used Excel). The reason is that I think it's too easy for us to click the boxes next to the name of the candidate we favor and that produces a skewed result b/c it becomes about scoring so "your guy (or gal)" wins, rather than about really looking at their records relative to each other.

Here's my scorecard:

2016 prospects in alphabetical order scored against each other in the ten categories we've addressed thus far. Green shading indicates the two areas most important to me. Lavender shading indicates the two areas that are less important to me. The scores in these areas were weighted by a factor of 2 or 0.5, respectively, in the next table.

Here's my reasoning for the scores I gave the candidates:

CV (Resume)
Best = Nikki Haley's experiences as a CFO turned successful conservative governor could help unite Chamber of Commerce set with the base.
Worst = Scott Walker entered politics after only a couple of years in the "real world" and his political experience is limited to local and state politics in a fairly small, homogenous state.

Media Skills
Best = Bobby Jindal's communication skills impress me, whether it be stump speeches, interviews, and impromptu pressers. He is adept at staying on message, often quite forcefully and eloquently. Ted Cruz is a close second for me, although I do not particularly like his style in stump speeches.
Worst = Rick Perry has a pattern (even since 2012) of stating good positions in a bad way. The most recent example was his comparison of firearms regulations to drivers licensing, but there have been others.

Educational Policies (Common Core)
Best = Rick Perry rejected Common Core out of the gate. As an aside, his efforts working with the higher education professionals in his state received a great deal of praise, resulting in the so-called $10K degree. Not bad for an Aggie!
Worst = Susana Martinez appears to support Common Core.

Jobs and Wages
Best = Rick Perry: Texas, QED. All kidding aside, I think of the people we're considering, Perry did best to project the "happy warrior" image as he went around the country luring employers to his state. The proof is in the pudding... and his is delicious!
Worst = Susana Martinez: New Mexico. I think Governor Martinez has made some efforts to promote job growth, but she is up against a blue and now purple legislature, plus the nature of her state holds her back, I think.

Energy (fossil fuels and nuclear, ethanol)
Best = Bobby Jindal is from an energy producing state that has had to go toe to toe with the Obama administration. A good case could also be made for others, but I am giving Jindal credit for releasing a detailed energy plan last Fall that included a phase out of the RFS.
Worst = Mike Pence supported the ethanol mandate while he was running for governor. As a legislator, he was very pro-nuke, but I see little evidence he's been effective at promoting this policy, including in Indiana.

Fiscal Responsibility (Mike Pence's here)
Best = Governor Susana Martinez managed to earn the highest CATO score and NM was ranked well in "fiscal condition" by the Mercatus Center, despite the fact that she has a liberal legislature. I think arguments could be made for Governors Walker or Perry as well. Governor Pence inherited such a great situation from Daniels and yet still seems to be drifting toward some big spending programs, so I dinged him for that.
Worst = Bobby Jindal made some efforts early in his tenure to address budget issues, but he lost ground in recent years (see Mercatus Center's report). He is now trying to play catch up by slashing Louisiana's budget.

Taxes
Best = Mike Pence had a reputation as a tax-cutter when in Congress and Indiana has cut taxes under his governorship.
Worst = Scott Walker's state of Wisconsin ranks poorly in "tax climate" rankings. They are finally getting around to cutting taxes in his second term even though Wisconsin had a Republican legislature throughout most of Walker's time in office.

Labor Policies (Unions)
Best = Scott Walker: Throne of (Union) Skulls, QED.
Worst = Mike Pence seems to be the least-active of these seven in battling unions so that's why I ranked him lowest. I don't think he's particularly bad on this issue.

Medicaid
Best = Bobby Jindal opposes Medicaid expansion (as do several others). I gave him an edge in the rankings because he has done a lot of thinking about this and related issues, including earlier in his career.
Worst = Mike Pence appears to be on track to enact an Indiana version of Medicaid expansion, despite the conservative legislature he inherited.

Gun Rights
Best = Ted Cruz is an eloquent and accomplished defender of the Second Amendment on the national stage, including before the Supreme Court.
Worst = Although Rick Perry is by no means a "gun grabber," I think that his occasional inability to communicate clearly on gun issues is problematic.

As of right now, I think I could vote for any one of these seven Republicans -- certainly in the general election and probably even in the GOP primary. Pence would be the one over whom I'd have to hesitate the most in the primary. There's something about him that makes me nervous. However, I think Pence could be a strong candidate in a general election because of his experience and the strength of Indiana's economic rebound, so I'm loathe to toss him out of consideration. We'll see if I change my mind after we go through some other issues, like immigration and foreign policy.

The surprise for me is that as much as I would really like to run on Perry's record in Texas, when I forced myself to reflect honestly about his "media skills" (speeches, interviews, etc), I concluded that that's his Achilles heel (so much so that it even affected his score on gun rights). I know that he is widely acknowledged as being good with "retail politics," especially connecting with voters one on one, but he does have a tendency to not clearly say what he means, especially when thinking on his feet. I've concluded that although 2012's problems were partly owing to his surgery, his performance since then suggests there's a deeper issue at play. I do not think it disqualifies him. I would still (as of today) happily vote for him in the GOP primary. But it's a weakness I can't ignore.

I suppose I was also a little surprised that Martinez, who is far from a fire-brand conservative, out-performed Pence in my grading system. I am hesitant about Pence, but I did my best to not factor that into the grades I gave him. (Nor did I give Susana Martinez extra credit for having "lady parts.") Martinez has some "wrong positions" (such as on Common Core), but she still beat Pence in this exercise.

Here are their overall scores and letter "grades" that I assigned to them based on those scores:

2016 prospects arranged in order of their unweighted scores with letter grades assigned. Third column shows effect of applying weighting factors (described above) on each prospect's score. Under this scheme, Governor Walker moves above Governor Martinez, to 5th.

I tried one more grading scheme and allowed myself to upweight two issues/criteria and downweight two others based on the things I personally care most and least about. In my case, "media skills" and "jobs & wages" were each given a 2x weight and "education (Common Core)" and "gun rights" were given a 0.5 weight. Using those multipliers my candidate rankings remained fairly stable, with the exception of Martinez who dropped below Walker.

In summary, my top four GOP prospects are (in order): Jindal, Haley, Cruz, and Perry. As much as I would like to run on Perry's record in Texas, I find myself gravitating more toward Jindal, in large part because of his superior communication skills. Nikki Haley is a strong second choice (particularly given her lack of "negatives") -- I sure wish she would run.

OK, now it's YOUR turn! I've provided a blank score sheet to help you with this exercise:

How would you rank them and why?

Which of these ten topics/issues are the most important and which are the least important to you when assessing these candidates?

Posted by: Open Blogger at 08:33 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 OT, but what happened to DrewMs Twitter feed?

Posted by: SH at March 28, 2015 08:35 AM (sOR04)

2 Be back in a bit. I need to get some coffee...

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:36 AM (9BRsg)

3 Here are the rules"

"Rules"???

*looks around. Yep, still at AoS. Wonder's what "rules" are...*

Posted by: anon a mouse at March 28, 2015 08:40 AM (KnbYp)

4 gee long post.

Rules?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 08:42 AM (rDqRv)

5 Cruz. Take the fight to the enemy.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at March 28, 2015 08:42 AM (VXD8s)

6 Here's my new rule: Autocorrect needs to leave the M*****FVKINGAPOSTROPHES off of every word ending in s !!!

Ok, rant off. Sorry 'bout that.

Posted by: anon a mouse at March 28, 2015 08:43 AM (KnbYp)

7 Interesting but I have more pressing issues this morning. Like how to get paint on the ceiling and not everywhere else in the house.

I'll check back later to see what yall come up with.

Posted by: freaked at March 28, 2015 08:43 AM (JdEZJ)

8 Funny that Walker and Martinez both merit about the same rank.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 08:43 AM (ipqYf)

9 My pick is whoever would do the most damage betraying the conservative cause, because he'll win for sure.

Posted by: Xavier at March 28, 2015 08:44 AM (MB7G/)

10 Jindal/Haley?

vs. Warren?

That would have amusement possibilities.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 08:46 AM (MMC8r)

11 freaked: You're going to need a large gimbal and then find the rotational center of the house. If it's properly balanced you should be able to spin it by hand. Let gravity hold the paint down.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at March 28, 2015 08:46 AM (VXD8s)

12 Immigration?

Posted by: Frankly at March 28, 2015 08:47 AM (IDHsy)

13 Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 08:43 AM

Yes, although Walker moves above her when I apply the weighting factors.

I think it's interesting to note which two do not have negative scores in this system: Cruz and Haley. I really wish Haley would run, but I'm not optimistic.

Like I said, the results are not exactly what I would have expected. I would have thought that Perry would be higher given how much I *think* I care about having a long record in office and the success of his state.

None of this is really set in stone for me. For several of the categories I could easily have justified a different choice.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:48 AM (9BRsg)

14 Are you ready to rumble?!

Um, not really. I just barely got to the EMT (which wasn't that E, was it?) before it got stomped -- gotta go brew some coffee. But by Albus P Dumbolgore, then I'll be ready to rumble.

- to make a low, heavy, continuous sound or series of sounds
- to move along with a low, heavy, continuous sound
- to fight especially in the street

rmbl rmbl rmbl rmbl

h/t merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble

Posted by: mindful webworker - politics? already?? at March 28, 2015 08:49 AM (ZOlfu)

15 DrewM is off Twitter for now. Ace checked with him and confirmed that he is ok.

No immigration or foreign policy or other things yet b/c we have not covered them in these weekly issues threads.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:49 AM (9BRsg)

16 " I've provided a blank score sheet to help you with this exercise"

Ok, I wrote my numbers in with a pen on my screen. Now what do I do?

Posted by: Tami at March 28, 2015 08:50 AM (v0/PR)

17 Always a new one right after I post a comment on old one.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 08:51 AM (wlDny)

18 >>Like how to get paint on the ceiling and not everywhere else in the house.

Believe it or not, there's something called "ceiling paint." It's less drippy.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:51 AM (9BRsg)

19 The Walker score on taxes make no sense. The measure shouldn't be what's the states tax climate, but how did the tax climate and fiscal solvency (which is a leading indicator of future tax hikes) change.

He cut taxes and reduced spending and attacked structural deficits being caused by union contracts.

You don't have to give him a '1', but under your methodology, if someone moves a state from 10th to 15th, and someone else moves a state from 35th to 28th - the governor of the 28th state is doing a worse job.

Without any consideration of the financial straits coming in, how much the hands are tied by legislature / prior deals / state constitution, etc.

Makes no sense.

I am more impressed by moving a purple state up in tax climate that holding steady at a higher level in a red state.

By the way, Pence's work was all teed up by Mitch Daniels. He is not great in this area, and years of fiscal cutting by Daniels, a former CFO, is why Pence can do stupid stuff and still get away with it in the short run. The guy doesn't understand numbers, and will make bad decisions while talking "conservative sh--" like he is some kind of true fiscal con.

Walker isn't perfect, but to say he is the worst doesnt make sense.

Posted by: PrincetonAl at March 28, 2015 08:51 AM (McQGL)

20 I'm hungover right now and this is too complicated for me. I emailed Arec Baldwin though and hope to post his worksheet as soon as he gets back to me.

Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 28, 2015 08:51 AM (FCsIb)

21 I'm sorry, Vic!

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:52 AM (9BRsg)

22 "Like I said, the results are not exactly what I would have expected."

Oh, no, no issue with that. Great comparison.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 08:52 AM (ipqYf)

23 Arec says Haley and Walker got a 2, Perry got a 1 and everyone else is swimming in the Zero Sea.

Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 28, 2015 08:53 AM (FCsIb)

24 I added Kasich to my list and got a minus fourteen.

Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 28, 2015 08:54 AM (FCsIb)

25 Believe it or not, there's something called "ceiling paint." It's less drippy.

I've got a gallon of it right here staring me in the face, taunting me.

Posted by: freaked at March 28, 2015 08:54 AM (JdEZJ)

26 Walker did not have a purple state. He had a red legislature - both houses - except one term.

The tax climate rankings we looked at noted that they were going to cut taxes, but they hadn't taken affect yet. (They probably just did recently.) Spending that you reference goes under the fiscal responsibility score.

Pence had a long history in Congress of cutting taxes.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:54 AM (9BRsg)

27 One YEAR not one TERM. Need more coffee.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:54 AM (9BRsg)

28 "Ok, I wrote my numbers in with a pen on my screen. Now what do I do?"

Tami, is your mom there? Can we talk to her?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 08:55 AM (ipqYf)

29 i can't get this whiteout off my fingers

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 28, 2015 08:56 AM (Cq0oW)

30 Immigration is by several orders of magnitude the most important issue we face. If we keep importing third worlders you can forget about fiscal discipline, low taxes, gun rights...

Posted by: Emmett Milbarge at March 28, 2015 08:57 AM (nFdGS)

31 Walker does poorly because you left out a column for 'lamentations of their women.'

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 08:59 AM (MMC8r)

32 cuppa brown joy
http://is.gd/bRSpNR

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 28, 2015 09:00 AM (Cq0oW)

33 Immigration is by several orders of magnitude the most important issue we face.
---

Yes, it's very important to most of us here.

I started this last Fall... there were a lot of issues and backgrounders to cover since we also reviewed people who didn't make the horde's cut.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:01 AM (9BRsg)

34 "Immigration is by several orders of magnitude the most important issue we face."

I would agree. I like Walker but his strange equivocating on this issue gets me. It's like even he doesn't know how he feels about the issue and just says whatever sounds good on any given day.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:01 AM (ipqYf)

35 There's no Bush. I thought he already had it in the bag.

Posted by: ALH at March 28, 2015 09:02 AM (uiBHq)

36 I am supporting TC until the end. Just the way it is.

Scott Walker. Does have a lot of words that can be used against him. That is all it is though, words. When you look at his actions you need to look closely at how many things that were "not a priority" in words have happen.

Posted by: Lace Wig Emporium at March 28, 2015 09:03 AM (91eZY)

37 Jindal/Haley?

vs. Warren?

That would have amusement possibilities.
Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 08:46 AM (MMC8r)
---
DOT VS. FEATHER! Get ready to rumble!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 28, 2015 09:04 AM (KH1sk)

38 Off yesterdays sock

Posted by: Luap Nor's last brain cell at March 28, 2015 09:05 AM (91eZY)

39 Obviously, Mr. Open Blogger, you have 'way to much time on your hands which leads me to suspect that you have two cows, more than you need.

There will be a Central Committee meeting this afternoon, and there will be an investigation into how it is that you have accumulated so much wealth. The collective would like to meet with you this afternoon to discuss the redistribution of this hoard of wealth you have stolen from the village. We know where you live. There will be an accounting.

Posted by: Clone96 at March 28, 2015 09:05 AM (SKTg6)

40 >>I would agree. I like Walker but his strange equivocating on this issue gets me.

I was miffed about the ethanol thing, but I didn't ding him for it.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:05 AM (9BRsg)

41 The LiVs would vote for Jindal because they think he's Raj from The Big Bang Theory, so that's a plus.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 09:06 AM (MMC8r)

42 Jindal/Haley on the Subcontinental ticket would rock. Get some of Nikki's Sikh relatives for bodyguards and it would be Throne of Skulls quality.

Posted by: joncelli at March 28, 2015 09:06 AM (ENczY)

43 One silver lining in Obama's War in the Middle East... oil is going back up. If it stays there, that helps Jindal's budget woes.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:06 AM (9BRsg)

44 These games are too brainey for me. I'll wait for Brian Williams to tell me who to vote for.

Posted by: LIV at March 28, 2015 09:07 AM (5buP8)

45 Mmmm. Coffee.

MTF: "I'm hungover right now and this is too complicated for me...."

If only I had 'hungover' as an excuse.

(NOT criticizing the content - for which, thanks as ever, Y-Not - I just can't force my mind into those little grading boxes. Hard enough to work in these little gray boxes.)

I obviously have nothing to contribute. Entering lurk & learn mode, as usual.

Posted by: mindful webworker - politics? already?? at March 28, 2015 09:10 AM (ZOlfu)

46 >>Like how to get paint on the ceiling and not everywhere else in the house.

Believe it or not, there's something called "ceiling paint." It's less drippy.

They have a new (to me) ceiling paint that goes on pink, then slowly dries to white/grey. Helps to keep from missing that spot in the corner that will haunt you to the end of time. Oh, and, true ceiling white has grey in it to keep the glare down, FWIW.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:10 AM (5buP8)

47 I could have used a score sheet like this back in '08 when I voted for Huckabee in our primary...

Posted by: Spun and Murky at March 28, 2015 09:10 AM (4DCSq)

48 How did we get these Magnificent Seven?*

Has Haley even hinted she's running or is she just someone we like? Is Rubio permanently disqualified? And, um, Rand Paul?

* (My son and I tried to watch The Magnificent Seven and even though we're Steve McQueen fans and know Seven Samurai by heart we couldn't get 30 minutes into it).

Posted by: Bandersnatch at March 28, 2015 09:10 AM (1xUj/)

49 One silver lining in Obama's War in the Middle East... oil is going back up. If it stays there, that helps Jindal's budget woes.
========================

Not mine though. Low priced oil helps me.

Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 28, 2015 09:11 AM (FCsIb)

50 Uh, where's immigration?

Posted by: Jeanne of the Great White North at March 28, 2015 09:11 AM (LxF9E)

51 How would you rank them and why?

CV Haley +1; Media (probably too early to tell but Cruz +1 because he fights; Educ CRUZ +1, Jobs I like both Haley and Perry here but because TX doing so good give +1 to Perry, -1 to Pence because ACA; Energy +1 Perry but the rest are close except don't know about Pence; Fiscal +1 Haley, -1 Pence, Taxes +1 Haley don't know about the rest; Unions +1 Haley she has literally thrown them out of the State on multiple occasions and she made a rabid anti-union lawyer one of her advisors don't know about the rest; Medicade Cruz +1 -1 Pence; Guns I would say Haley and Perry are tied here but since TX has some strange gun control laws that I have not heard of him trying to roll back I'll give +1 to Haley. Overall score +5 Haley; Cruz +2; +2 Perry; -2 Pence; rest are 0

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:11 AM (wlDny)

52 Scott Walker speaks very softly. So far he has taken a very big stick and whacked the progtards of Wisconsin with it.

Hard

Posted by: Luap Nor's last brain cell at March 28, 2015 09:12 AM (91eZY)

53
Taxes
Best = Mike Pence had a reputation as a tax-cutter when in Congress and Indiana has cut taxes under his governorship.

Medicaid
Worst = Mike Pence appears to be on track to enact an Indiana version of Medicaid expansion, despite the conservative legislature he inherited.

These two are directly related. Pence, like a number of "fiscally conservative" Republican governors, is plugging his budget holes and "cutting" taxes with Federal short term Medicaid money. We've paying the Hoosier tab.

Pence gets no points -- and the gas face.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:12 AM (kdS6q)

54
Uh, where's immigration?
Posted by: Jeanne of the Great White North

The world wonders.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:14 AM (kdS6q)

55 How did we get these Magnificent Seven?*

Has Haley even hinted she's running or is she just someone we like? Is Rubio permanently disqualified? And, um, Rand Paul?

--

I did backgrounders on a large set of GOP "hopefuls" starting last Fall, including Paul, Rubio, Mitt, Palin, Huckabee, etc etc. Then I polled the horde. Our original set of top pollers included Trey Gowdy, but it was clear he isn't even being considered as VP prospect, so I replaced him with Pence, whose name had started to circulate.

Martinez and Haley polled decently and I wanted to continue assessing both of them b/c I'm interested in them (and we may see one of them as a VP pick). I think it's unlikely either will run, but I haven't given up hope yet. Candidates usually announce in the summer.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:15 AM (9BRsg)

56 "we couldn't get 30 minutes into it."

*Gasps. Recoils from computer*

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:16 AM (ipqYf)

57 >>Overall score +5 Haley; Cruz +2; +2 Perry; -2 Pence; rest are 0

Is there any way we can get Haley to run, Vic?!!

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:17 AM (9BRsg)

58 Nice work Y-Not. Not sure where you add in salesmanship which is a big plus.

All are good, I think Cruz and Perry are the best, but I have a hard time with Jindal. He is too intellectual for the LIVs, course he did get elected in LIV heaven, LA.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:18 AM (0FSuD)

59 My son and I tried to watch The Magnificent Seven and even though we're Steve McQueen fans and know Seven Samurai by heart we couldn't get 30 minutes into it

I like the music and the opening scene w/Brenner/McQueen, but it goes down hill when they get to the Mexican village. I expected the "bad" guy to start singing "Eye, eye, ye eye, I am the Frito Bandito!!"

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:18 AM (5buP8)

60 >>Not mine though. Low priced oil helps me.

Oh, yeah I know. Us too. But I'm trying to see the silver lining. It would be good if O'Bumbles inadvertently helped Jindal.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:19 AM (9BRsg)

61 >>Not sure where you add in salesmanship which is a big plus.

I guess that's sort of in the media slot.

There's also the "packaging" category that I didn't do, which Haley wins hands down imho.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:20 AM (9BRsg)

62 " course he did get elected in LIV heaven, LA."

The people of Louisiana thank you for the ringing endorsement of their state.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:20 AM (ipqYf)

63 57 Is there any way we can get Haley to run, Vic?!!

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:17 AM (9BRsg)

I don't think so, and I hope she refuses to take the VP warm spit job if offered. Like I said the other day, that should go to a RINO who is in the Senate if they have a Republican gov who will appoint a conservative in his place (or it is a deep red State).

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:21 AM (wlDny)

64 seen on weaselzippers this morning:

More generally, 26 percent of Americans now have a favorable view of Hillary Clinton, while 37 percent view her unfavorably; another third are undecided or don't have an opinion of her. As Clinton weighs a presidential bid, her favorable views are 12 points lower than they were in the fall of 2013, just months after leaving her position as secretary of state. Her unfavorable views have ticked up slightly, but the percentage that is undecided about her has risen eight points.

Posted by: mallfly at March 28, 2015 09:22 AM (qSIlh)

65 52 Scott Walker speaks very softly. So far he has taken a very big stick and whacked the progtards of Wisconsin with it.

AND he's doing it in a state that has a core of lefty sentiment that is not to be believed this side of Boulder CO. F*%ing Madison is bat-shit crazy. I'm seriously surprised some lefty goon hasn't (God forbid) taken a shot at him.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:22 AM (5buP8)

66 Like I said the other day, that should go to a RINO who is in the Senate if they have a Republican gov who will appoint a conservative in his place (or it is a deep red State).
---

Thank you for that ringing endorsement!

Posted by: Marco Rubio at March 28, 2015 09:23 AM (9BRsg)

67 I am not sure where all this love for Haily is coming from. SC Republicans are know to eat their dead, aka fight with each other.

Haily has some background that I don't think will pass a national campaign muster. I'll leave at that. She knows and that's why she's not going to run.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:24 AM (0FSuD)

68 I would give Cruz the advantage on education. Common core isn't the major issue. It is school choice. Removing common core would just make schools as bad as there were five years ago. School choice is the only way to greatly improve our schools

Posted by: Wambat at March 28, 2015 09:24 AM (ZT/7R)

69 66 Thank you for that ringing endorsement!

Posted by: Marco Rubio at March 28, 2015 09:23 AM (9BRsg)

I have not been impressed with your State's gov so you don't qualify bub.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:24 AM (wlDny)

70 Prediction.

Low vote turnout although the interest is there.

I wonder just how many people have Excel installed, let alone know how to use it.
Hint: I have Office 2013 installed, I still don't use many of its features because I never had the need to.

Posted by: Gmac- Pulling in feelers in preperation... at March 28, 2015 09:24 AM (74McK)

71 I have not been impressed with your State's gov so you don't qualify bub.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:24 AM (wlDny)

Let's not forget Rubio has that credit card scandal where he had repay state GOP for using their card.

Rubio is too slippery for me.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:27 AM (0FSuD)

72 "Haily has some background that I don't think will pass a national campaign muster."

I've heard this before. What she do?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:27 AM (ipqYf)

73 Another day on Pedophile Isle! Having a bloody mary & a ranch omelet then off to the beach. Hey y'all, it's time for a female POTUS! I treat women like crap then my wife gets elected. Ironic, huh? LOL!!!

Posted by: Bill in Chappaqua at March 28, 2015 09:28 AM (gwG9s)

74 I wonder just how many people have Excel installed, let alone know how to use it.
---

I was pretty sure if I made it a clickable poll most folks would gravitate toward the candidates they like already w/o "grading" them on each category. (I think I would, anyway.)

But if you print out this page, you could use the blank chart.

Or you could just rank them as you go and then tally.

Posted by: Marco Rubio at March 28, 2015 09:29 AM (9BRsg)

75 "Hint: I have Office 2013 installed"

No Excel here. Gnumeric.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:29 AM (ipqYf)

76 Annoying senator sock off.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:29 AM (9BRsg)

77 I've heard this before. What she do?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:27 AM (ipqYf)

Many things that are quite normal in SC, which is another country, on a national level I believe there would accusations of conflict of interest.

Too many very close deals in the state to explain how the place works.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:30 AM (0FSuD)

78 Of course, the entire concept of this poll misses the point. National elections aren't about issues or 'ratings.' They are about abstract concepts like communicating/connecting with the voters, and leadership potential as perceived by the voting populace. Unquantifiable concepts. The best candidate will be put forward based on an essay quiz, not a scorecard.

Posted by: manatee at March 28, 2015 09:30 AM (wcWEb)

79 I am not sure where all this love for Haily is coming from.

I know where my love for Hailey is coming from: she's hot. Seriously, she's a woman of color (which the left will dispute), attractive, and could hold her own w/any Demo-chick in debate. She could be way more frank (read: mean) than any guy could, cause, sexism.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:30 AM (5buP8)

80 It's a shame that some GOPers are threatening Haley because if you listen to or read her speeches she is very vocally anti-union.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:31 AM (9BRsg)

81 Ok, I wrote my numbers in with a pen on my screen. Now what do I do?

Posted by: Tami at March 28, 2015 08:50 AM (v0/PR)

Man I love this place.

Posted by: Golfman - We Have No Hill at March 28, 2015 09:31 AM (iVjJr)

82 @78

That was my point about salesmanship

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:31 AM (0FSuD)

83
Also missing, foreign policy -- and seem to recall everyone is ever so insistent this is going to be a "foreign policy election".

The omission fluffs the Governors, who don't typically deal with the issue and -- ummm -- unfluffs Senators who do.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:32 AM (kdS6q)

84
He is too intellectual for the LIVs, course he did get elected in LIV heaven, LA.

Ouch! That one's gonna leave a mark...

Posted by: Spun and Murky at March 28, 2015 09:32 AM (4DCSq)

85 >>Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:30 AM

So on "intangibles" I think Haley wins for the reasons you state as well as because she is eloquent, smart, and her husband was career military.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:33 AM (9BRsg)

86 One factor to consider in Walkers favor is that he has successfully run several effective recent campaigns. He has been fully "vetted" by the left, meaning the press hasn't found a way to smear him effectively. He has won his campaigns.

Romney was willing to govern as a conservative, as best he understood the term, and his obvious personal merit should have counted for a lot in his battle against the anti-Christ. But the public heard the negatives for the first time (the car elevator being my favorite) and the press was able to make that stuff stick. I don't think they can do that with Walker, and I think the tone-deaf eastern media will get very caught up in "he didn't graduate from college", not understanding that the rest of the country doesn't think that's a problem.

Haley, Pence, Martinez and Jindal aren't running. So, of the candidates who are running, Walker gets a plus one on press vetting and another on recent campaign success. Cruz is probably also in that basket.

Perry gets left behind, given his mess-up in the 2008 campaign. I think Perry needs to find an ostensibly non-political way to get in front of the public and change his image before he can be an effective candidate.

Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 28, 2015 09:33 AM (FCsIb)

87 Posted by: mallfly at March 28, 2015 09:22 AM (qSIlh)

So 23 percent are rabid lefties.

The 37 percent undecideds? LIV.

Posted by: Golfman - We Have No Hill at March 28, 2015 09:33 AM (iVjJr)

88 Also missing, foreign policy -- and seem to recall everyone is ever so insistent this is going to be a "foreign policy election".
---

This is a midterm on the issues we've covered so far.

The final exam will include that.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:33 AM (9BRsg)

89 When this contest goes the full distance and falls to the judges scorecards, we know that because the judges are on the payroll the split decision will go another Bush.

Jeb "El Nuevo Jefe" Bush!

Posted by: Fritz at March 28, 2015 09:33 AM (UzPAd)

90 81
Ok, I wrote my numbers in with a pen on my screen. Now what do I do?

Posted by: Tami at March 28, 2015 08:50 AM (v0/PR)

Take a picture of it with your I Phone, upload it to flicker, make a tiny and post the tiny url

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (0FSuD)

91 72
"Haily has some background that I don't think will pass a national campaign muster."

I've heard this before. What she do?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:27 AM (ipqYf)

I am not aware of any skeletons in her closet other than BS item from Will Folkes which I firmly believe is a lie.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (wlDny)

92 Dude,
It's saturday, man.

http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/oceanside-harbor-southern-california_4238/

Posted by: Zonker Harris at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (caWaJ)

93 All this is moot, because Fox had a poll they threw up yesterday that said Jeb was tied with Walker for frontrunner status in the R party. Since I haven't met one person that wants Jeb Bush, I'd have to throw caution to the wind and say it's pretty bogus. Fox sure is pushing him though. Nobody wants Jeb, except the media.

Posted by: Lady in Black at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (bZxNF)

94 OT, sitting here watching "How it's Made."

Surprising in this day and age how much is still done by hand in a factory.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:35 AM (ipqYf)

95 >>Haley, Pence, Martinez and Jindal aren't running.

I think Jindal is running. He's been very vocal, especially on foreign policy. He's going to decide in the next couple of months.

Pence has said he's considering it. I think he could emerge as a GOPe compromise pick if they give up on Jeb. I would certainly prefer Pence over Rubio, who I think is their other pick.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:35 AM (9BRsg)

96 Jindal's PAC:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/bobby-jindal-pac-2016-114777.html

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:36 AM (9BRsg)

97 I am not aware of any skeletons in her closet other than BS item from Will Folkes which I firmly believe is a lie.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (wlDny)

Oh it was a lie, no doubt about it. One word. Hospitals.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:36 AM (0FSuD)

98 You've done a very good job with this, and as a platform it's an interesting analytical tool.

And I hate to nitpick when you've clearly put a lot of time and thought into this, but I'm just naturally an asshole, so:

Including very minor candidates with no real shot, like Haley, Martinez, and Pence, while excluding major (but admittedly flawed) candidates like Paul and Rubio....nah dude. I understand excluding Jeb. But Paul and Rubio need to be here.

Excluding an issue like immigration -- this makes me feel as though you might have subconsciously chosen these categories with your end goal in mind. Of course, that's natural -- you included things that you considered important.

Any initial setup that results in Haley scoring higher than, and Martinez equaling, Scott Walker, is fatally flawed. And Jindal at the top (?!!) -- I think it's clear that you have not given enough weight here to electability.

Jindal is almost outright disqualified because he looks like Gilligan, from Gilligan's Island. Maybe that's racist; I don't know. It's certainly unfortunate, that looks matter. But there's no way he wins the general election -- no way. And this election is too important to gamble and nominate someone without presidential hair. Rick Perry's hair alone will get 60% of the LIV.

Cruz is a bit of an ugly bastard too, but I'm hoping he can fix it by growing a beard. If he grew a beard, I'd move him to the top of my list, ahead of Walker.

Posted by: Pastafarian at March 28, 2015 09:36 AM (pCf+a)

99 and I think the tone-deaf eastern media will get very caught up in "he didn't graduate from college",

Look, the press is gonna do what the press does: hate on the candidate w/an "R" next to their name. I think that the fact he hasn't graduated form the group-think machine is a FEATURE that can be exploited.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:38 AM (5buP8)

100 Mike Pence:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/mike-pence-2016-election-115386.html

Don't forget that with all his time on the Hill, Pence could line up support from GOPers quickly.

I agree that so far there's no sign for Martinez or Haley, but there's still some time before I'm going to give up (especially on Haley). And I want to know what Martinez is about if she's a VP pick.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:38 AM (9BRsg)

101 "Jeb "El Nuevo Jefe" Bush!"

Oh God....

Fox is GOPe country.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:38 AM (ipqYf)

102 Fox sure is pushing him though. Nobody wants Jeb, except the media.

Posted by: Lady in Black at March 28, 2015 09:34 AM (bZxNF)

Fox always pushes a RINO.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:39 AM (wlDny)

103 And Jindal at the top (?!!) -- I think it's clear that you have not given enough weight here to electability.
--

I don't know how to score electability aside from factoring someone's career (cv/resume) and their communication skills.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:39 AM (9BRsg)

104
I use a site titled on the issues.org for an initial position report.

They do a good job reporting on stances, and I've not found any bias displayed to date.

Great starting place to check if you are curious about ANY candidate.

Posted by: irongrampa at March 28, 2015 09:39 AM (jeCnD)

105 I don't know how to score electability aside from factoring someone's career (cv/resume) and their communication skills.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:39 AM (9BRsg)

Well don't forget Nikki's huge boobehs

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:41 AM (0FSuD)

106 Rubio against the pig tho looks like a pretty stark comparison. Even for low Infos!

Posted by: AnnaS at March 28, 2015 09:41 AM (P+I7L)

107 @98

It's just a sampling of some potential candidates of some of the issues. Not and "end all, be all."

Y puts a lot of effort into these things.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:42 AM (ipqYf)

108 >>Posted by: Pastafarian at March 28, 2015 09:36 AM

This is a tool for the horde to consider which (potl) candidates from a subset of GOPers that they found acceptable were the best. It's not really about the GOP primary. It's about the Conservative GOP primary.

I may do a follow up on Jeb, Rubio, and Rand on the issues we've covered so far to remind ourselves why we rejected them. Maybe.

I can tell you if we're talking about electability, I will NOT vote for Jeb or Rand, even in the general. I might be able to toss a vote at Rubio, not sure.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:42 AM (9BRsg)

109 103
And Jindal at the top (?!!) -- I think it's clear that you have not given enough weight here to electability.

--

I don't know how to score electability aside from factoring someone's career (cv/resume) and their communication skills.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:39 AM (9BRsg)

Besides "electability" has proven to be bullstuff. It is always used to push some RINO moderate who inevitably loses.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 09:42 AM (wlDny)

110 O/T

Anyone else notice Hill dropped email bombshell on a Friday afternoon?

NY Slime story? It's all a misunderstanding.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:43 AM (0FSuD)

111 Nip has nailed it. In the debate between ideological purity vs proven record of accomplishment, we can and should ALWAYS go with the best chest.

Haley 2016!

Posted by: manatee at March 28, 2015 09:43 AM (wcWEb)

112 Take a picture of it with your I Phone, upload it to flicker, make a tiny and post the tiny url
---

LOL! Make sure it's a "selfie!"

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:44 AM (9BRsg)

113 "Besides "electability" has proven to be bullstuff. It is always used to push some RINO moderate who inevitably loses."

Well, turns out McCain and Romney were electable but not electable "enough."

You just wait and see though. Jebbie is super electable enough.

Posted by: GOPe at March 28, 2015 09:45 AM (ipqYf)

114
Worst = Although Rick Perry is by no means a "gun grabber," I think that his occasional inability to communicate clearly on gun issues is problematic.

Gun grabber? Mayhaps not -- but he'll tug on 'em a bit.

His recent "privilege" debacle, which was no mistake of the moment since he later sent his flack out to double down on the statement, takes him off the list for "the 2nd is the 1st" maxamalists.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:46 AM (kdS6q)

115 I realize my grasp of the obvious is firm, but by wiping her server, didn't Hillary! just admit to committing a felony?

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:46 AM (5buP8)

116 I honestly don't get what the GOPe thinks they're playing at with Jeb. Maybe they thought he'd pull enough of the "so cons" that the rest of the conservative base wouldn't matter. Might have screwed them up with Cruz announcing so early and at Liberty.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:47 AM (9BRsg)

117 Lady in Black: "Since I haven't met one person that wants Jeb Bush, I'd have to throw caution to the wind and say it's pretty bogus...."

This reminds me of Regressives who say they don't know anybody who voted for George Bush (or who voted Republican). Just because they're not in your circle doesn't necessarily mean they aren't out there in droves.

I still can't wrap my mind around the reality that half the nation voted for Gore and again for Kerry, that they voted the vacuous jerk in twice, and that they would ever consider Hillary, much less Lieawatha or (gulp!) Kerry again.

There is no issue as relevant as the enfranchised ignorant in a full-blown democrazy.

Did I just declare that out loud? Sorry. Must be the coffee rumbling.

Posted by: mindful webworker - politics? already?? at March 28, 2015 09:48 AM (ZOlfu)

118 Those are your "magnificent 7" implying that these are a great pool of candidates for all to be compared? Are you fucking insane?

Posted by: Open Blogger is Nuts at March 28, 2015 09:48 AM (e9j1N)

119 115
I realize my grasp of the obvious is firm, but by wiping her server, didn't Hillary! just admit to committing a felony?

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 09:46 AM (5buP

I think so. Find someone in the DOJ to prosecute her.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:49 AM (0FSuD)

120 Is Rubio permanently disqualified?

Who?

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at March 28, 2015 09:49 AM (rwI+c)

121 Rick Perry, let's see Rick Perry, yeah, he's the Senator from Tennessee who painted a rock w/pictures of lynchings n'stuff, amIright?

Posted by: LIV at March 28, 2015 09:49 AM (5buP8)

122 "didn't Hillary! just admit to committing a felony?"

Yeah. But ain't nobody gonna do shit about it. She knows. They know it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:50 AM (ipqYf)

123 >>I think so. Find someone in the DOJ to prosecute her.

I'd start taking the GOP Senate seriously if they'd go out there now and say they're blocking Loretta Lynch.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:51 AM (9BRsg)

124 More O/T Rolling Stone in deep shit. There own investigation says they may be libel for libel.

http://tinyurl.com/p83qogg

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:52 AM (0FSuD)

125 "
I honestly don't get what the GOPe thinks they're playing at with Jeb."

I think they are still grubbing around for their "new base" and they keep searching for the squishy candidate that they think/hope can attract it.

It's fool's gold.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:53 AM (ipqYf)

126 I'd start taking the GOP Senate seriously if they'd go out there now and say they're blocking Loretta Lynch.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:51 AM (9BRsg)

Yesterday, someone mentioned that as the only qualifier for her confirmation.

Posted by: Golfman - We Have No Hill at March 28, 2015 09:53 AM (iVjJr)

127 So no "choose one" poll now that Cruz has entered the race?

Cruz is a yes. Walker is a maybe. Everyone else mentioned, even Jindal who I really like, needs to stay out of the fray and beg for the VP slot. Bush, Carson, Huckabee, Trump, Christie, and Paul can all foad.

Posted by: Achilles at March 28, 2015 09:53 AM (TpeIH)

128 In the debate between ideological purity vs proven record of accomplishment, we can and should ALWAYS go with the best chest.

Uh-oh

Posted by: GOPe Men Without Chests at March 28, 2015 09:53 AM (4nR9/)

129 It's fool's gold.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:53 AM (ipqYf)

Well ya know, there are alot of fools?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 09:54 AM (rDqRv)

130 Those are your "magnificent 7" implying that these
are a great pool of candidates for all to be compared? Are you fucking
insane?

Posted by: Open Blogger is Nuts at March 28, 2015 09:48 AM (e9j1N)

Not around much on Saturday mornings, are we?

Posted by: Golfman - We Have No Hill at March 28, 2015 09:54 AM (iVjJr)

131 NEW YORK, NY (CBS) -- Is Taylor Swift the world's greatest female leader?

Fortune magazine thinks so.

The publication released its second annual Top 50 World's Greatest Leaders, and the Berks County native is the first female on the list at number six.

Fortune credited the 25-year-old's shrewd social media branding for her placement on the list.

Others on the list include Apple CEO Tim Cook and Pope Francis.

President Obama did not make the cut.

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at March 28, 2015 09:55 AM (e8kgV)

132 Besides, there's no weighting on the issues. Good concept on the scorecard but piss poor grade on the execution. The electorate, let alone base, are "energized" by 3 issues max. You have a laundry list of issues. Try Again!

Posted by: Open blogger is nuts at March 28, 2015 09:55 AM (e9j1N)

133 Much appreciation to Y-not. Excellent basics for horde expansion. On immigration -- not one issue. First and foremost is Close the Border(s) -- foreign policy, homeland security, and immigration. Second -- stop H1b visas -- leftist scam of Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc. and all the other major corporate types who want a RINO. Third, deporting is probably not going to happen except for criminals, of which there are a huge number; citizenship should not be considered.

Posted by: pyromancer76 at March 28, 2015 09:55 AM (zR6DR)

134 Haley, Pence and Martinez won't run. If they do, non-starters.

Otherwise, it's Cruz no question. He'll fight the Left with cheerful audacity knowing what most everyone on the Right has forgotten or never learned that this is the secret to beating them.

Posted by: rrpjr at March 28, 2015 09:56 AM (s/yC1)

135 I'd start taking the GOP Senate seriously if they'd go out there now and say they're blocking Loretta Lynch.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:51 AM (9BRsg)

I have mixed feelings about blocking Lynch. Yes I hate her, but keeping her out, means at least for the time being keeping Holder. So I don't see the up side here, other than standing up to the libs, which is great, but I got this list here of better thing s to stand up to them about.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 09:56 AM (rDqRv)

136 Posted by: Pastafarian at March 28, 2015 09:36 AM (pCf+a)

This is specifically for the candidates that scored highest with the horde. And really if you're disqualifying Jindal for looks do not, for the love of Pete, extend that to the rest of the field or else you'll be excluding basically all the folks you think should have been included. Perry is handsome, even with his balding Rubio is good looking in the face, and Nikki Haley is an average looking at best as is Pence. The entire rest of the field look like goobers, and that includes GOPe favorite Jeb as well as Libertarian fave Rand. Hell, that includes Walker, who is pretty homely dude IMO regardless of his Throne of Skulls.

So really, I highly doubt you really want to go the looks route.

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 28, 2015 09:56 AM (KkVB6)

137 "Well ya know, there are alot of fools?"

Heh. Yeah.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 09:56 AM (ipqYf)

138 118
Those are your "magnificent 7" implying that these are a great pool of
candidates for all to be compared? Are you f***ing insane?

Posted by: Open Blogger is Nuts

No, but you're rude. Where's your post?

Posted by: pep at March 28, 2015 09:56 AM (4nR9/)

139
Also on topics, don't know why Energy made the short list. Not really a top of the fold issue. Local problem for Ethanol in Iowa or off-shore drilling in Louisiana, but not a major national political topic at the moment.

Social issues, hey remember when we used to care about those?, privacy, drugs and a number of other topics seem to get more voter attention now, especially for the single issue irredentialists.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:57 AM (kdS6q)

140 118 Open Blogger is nuts:

Huh?

I will agree with Y-not that this group of 7 is a tremendous group, and that I would gladly vote for any of them in the general, no matter who the Democrats run.

Any of these 7 are several orders of magnitude better than Romney, or McCain, or even GWB.

Posted by: Pastafarian at March 28, 2015 09:57 AM (pCf+a)

141 Posted by: pyromancer76 at March 28, 2015 09:55 AM (zR6DR)

Add teh ACA to it and you have a winning strategy. Both appeal to the Reagan democrats.

Posted by: Golfman - We Have No Hill at March 28, 2015 09:58 AM (iVjJr)

142 Three of the "Elite Eight" are in the ACC. Come on ND beat KY

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:58 AM (0FSuD)

143 Yeah, the immigration issue... I'm dreading doing that one. I will see about taking your suggestion and dividing it into chunks.

As in: they all blow chunks.

I think I can look at the candidates on things like drivers licenses, too.

Susana Martinez continues to block that in NM. I just saw something about that this week.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:59 AM (9BRsg)

144 I have mixed feelings about blocking Lynch. Yes I
hate her, but keeping her out, means at least for the time being keeping
Holder. So I don't see the up side here, other than standing up to the
libs, which is great, but I got this list here of better thing s to
stand up to them about.

Posted by: Nevergiveup

I doubt Lynch will do much less damage than Holder, and would get the usual grace period in which everyone pretends we don't know she's an ideologue and an Obama lackey. Everyone knows what Holder is, and IMO, every day he's there does damage to the Dems .

Posted by: pep at March 28, 2015 09:59 AM (4nR9/)

145 Pastafarian, seriously?!? No shit. My dog would be better in the oval vs any dem. Stay focused. Try not make leaps that aren't there.

Posted by: Open blogger is nuts at March 28, 2015 10:00 AM (e9j1N)

146 116 I honestly don't get what the GOPe thinks they're playing at with Jeb. Maybe they thought he'd pull enough of the "so cons" that the rest of the conservative base wouldn't matter. Might have screwed them up with Cruz announcing so early and at Liberty.
Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 09:47 AM (9BRsg)

It's moderate "Romney 2.0" minus the good looks and charm. Jeb was governor of my state for eight years. He did ONE good thing, and that was booster the hell out of the disaster prep here, which is greatly needed and appreciated. Everything else, and I mean every single thing he did here, was designed to enrich Jeb Bush. He is a crony. His education reforms, for example, were all designed to make him money. If you follow the money you will find that he was/is heavily invested monetarily in everything he advocates for.

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 28, 2015 10:00 AM (KkVB6)

147 >>Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 09:57 AM

I'll get to some of those.

I think Energy plays into peoples' concerns about the Economy, which consistently polls very high in exit polling since O'Bumbles got in.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:01 AM (9BRsg)

148 and Nikki Haley is an average looking at best
She's not stepping off the cover of Vogue, but seriosly, imagine a swimsuit competition between FaucaHontas, Moose-knuckle Clinton and Nikki Haley. I know who I'd vote for.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 10:01 AM (5buP8)

149 Three of the "Elite Eight" are in the ACC. Come on ND beat KY
Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 09:58 AM (0FSuD)

A) I am a big ACC Fan and always have been

B) I hate KY and the one and done culture. It has ruined not only College Basketball but also the NBA.

GO ND

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:01 AM (rDqRv)

150 what's up with drew?

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:01 AM (u8GsB)

151 " imagine a swimsuit competition between FaucaHontas, Moose-knuckle Clinton and Nikki Haley."

You left out Kiefer Sutherland.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 10:03 AM (ipqYf)

152 I mentioned this before, I've heard Jeb's stump speech at a fundraiser.

BORING. BORING. A third of the people left before he finished.

He has no chance. Another Bush is not getting the nomination, period.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:03 AM (0FSuD)

153 I would give Mike Pence a little bit more credit in the labor issue. Indiana did become a right-to-work state under him.

But that still places him below almost everyone else on the list, I think, due to his support for Medicaid expansion.

Posted by: chemjeff at March 28, 2015 10:04 AM (9GG/0)

154 On looks, I'd go:

Haley > Perry > Pence > the rest

Martinez isn't really unattractive, but she's a little dowdy.

Walker and Cruz are really funny-looking in the faces and both (even Cruz) give off typical middle aged white guy vibes.

Jindal edges Walker and Cruz for me in terms of his body, but he needs a really good tailor.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:04 AM (9BRsg)

155 I would give Mike Pence a little bit more credit in the labor issue. Indiana did become a right-to-work state under him.
--

Damn, I'm sorry I didn't credit him with that. I guess I thought that was Daniels' doing.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:05 AM (9BRsg)

156 GO ND

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:01 AM (rDqRv)

So the redneck and the lobster eating Jew are united! Go ND

The world is surely coming to an end

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:05 AM (0FSuD)

157 >>what's up with drew?

Ace said DrewM's taking a break... I think just from Twitter. Don't know specifically why, but Ace confirmed he's ok.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:06 AM (9BRsg)

158
I honestly don't get what the GOPe thinks they're playing at with Jeb.

They're trying to use a 'moderate' to block out any conservatives.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 10:06 AM (MMC8r)

159 Walker is my first choice (WI bias)
I'm surprised how high Cruz and Martinez got on my scores. I don't know enough about Haley and Pence.
I don't like Perry because of his friendliness with islam and Grover.
Jindal doesn't come off as strong enough but he scored well.

thanks Y- not

Posted by: bossy barbara at March 28, 2015 10:06 AM (l1zOH)

160 A Defense Department official says U.S. forces rescued two Saudi airmen after they ejected from an F-15 fighter jet over waters south of Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading airstrikes against Iran-allied Houthi rebels.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (rDqRv)

161 Open blogger is nuts, I might vote for your dog, but I don't think I'd vote for Jeb Bush in the general. I might stay home, I might vote 3rd party.

I'm trying to figure out why you don't consider this group of candidates to be magnificent. When have we had a better field from which to choose?

Posted by: Pastafarian at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (pCf+a)

162 oh maybe that was Mitch Daniels

Posted by: chemjeff at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (9GG/0)

163 Local problem for Ethanol
******

I know it's not an issue that gets a lot of play, but it is most definitely not a local issue. Nationally, we're subsidizing it, so you and I are paying those farmers to produce more food for non-food consumption. And in most states we're also legally required to purchase our fuel with ethanol blended in (which is an inferior product, BTW), so we're dinged on both ends of the production.

So while the LIVs aren't going to be paying too much attention to it, I most definitely is a national issue and it's one that is wasteful with our tax dollars in addition to getting us at the pump.

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (KkVB6)

164 Cruz has a pussy face that I want to punch every time I see him. Walker just looks like your average mid western moron.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (0FSuD)

165 oh yeah you are right, that was Mitch Daniels. my bad

Posted by: chemjeff at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (9GG/0)

166 Six Navy divers held captive for 17 days in Beirut, Lebanon, by jihadists in 1985 will be awarded the Prisoner of War Medal by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus at a private, late April ceremony in Washington, D.C.

All six, one of whom was murdered by the terrorists, are to be recognized for their sacrifice during the hijacking of Trans-World Airlines Flight 847, an act that shocked the world.

Steelworker Second Class (DV) Robert D. Stethem will posthumously receive the award. He was beaten by the hijackers and shot point blank in the temple, then his body was thrown onto the tarmac at Beirut International Airport. Stethem has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is named for him.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:08 AM (rDqRv)

167 Good thoughts for Drew.

If I did the politics every day and all day the way this crew does..I would need a break or it would break me.

Posted by: bossy barbara at March 28, 2015 10:08 AM (l1zOH)

168 He has no chance. Another Bush is not getting the nomination, period.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:03 AM (0FSuD)

We'll see about that.

Posted by: Iowa - SC w/ Nancyboy in the mix - NH Primaries at March 28, 2015 10:08 AM (iVjJr)

169 We're tanned, rested and ready!

Posted by: Mittens! - BobDole! 2016 at March 28, 2015 10:10 AM (9GG/0)

170 I see that this post is suffering from a complete brown-out.

That warms the cockles of my dark brown heart.

Posted by: Tushar at March 28, 2015 10:10 AM (09es5)

171 Ron Paul/Rand Paul 2016.

Because Fuck It, That's Why.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 28, 2015 10:10 AM (MMC8r)

172
I think Energy plays into peoples' concerns about the Economy
Posted by: Y-not

Then the issue is the economy, not energy as such.

Choosing a candidate is a sieving problem. The bigger deal killing issues come first. For some voters drugs* are a shibboleth, for others gay rights**, and if a candidate doesn't agree with the voter on that, the candidate's stance on coal gassification is meaningless.

*cough -- libertarians -- cough
**look at the grief Walker is getting on Liz the Wiz

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 10:11 AM (kdS6q)

173 A Defense Department official says U.S. forces
rescued two Saudi airmen after they ejected from an F-15 fighter jet
over waters south of Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading airstrikes
against Iran-allied Houthi rebels.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:07 AM (rDqRv)

Smart Power.
Is this what we are relegated to now? They touched on this on the podcast.

Posted by: Golfman at March 28, 2015 10:11 AM (iVjJr)

174 @168

Iowa and their stupid caucus will support Paul or the Huck. SC not going to give Jeb shit.

Walker was is SC two weeks ago. The fund raiser SOLD OUT. My lawyer tried to go and they said no. How do you sell out a fund raiser?

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:11 AM (0FSuD)

175 Nip,

I agree that Cruz has an interesting mug and how you want to straighten it out but I think he could grow on us. I lot of old presidents were down right homely and were great men.

Walker does look like an average Wisconsin Packer eat a brat Joe but that's okay with me. It appeals to a lot of Joe's.

Posted by: bossy barbara at March 28, 2015 10:11 AM (l1zOH)

176 if Rand Paul didn't suffer from the Luap Nor Craziness Gene, then I could see myself voting for him. But, alas.

Posted by: chemjeff at March 28, 2015 10:11 AM (9GG/0)

177 thanks y-not......i'm glad he's ok.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:12 AM (u8GsB)

178 Jindal edges Walker and Cruz for me in terms of his body, but he needs a really good tailor.

******

Even with a good tailor that's gonna be hard. My hubby is very skinny in the body, much like Jindal, and no matter how well tailored his suits are he always looks off in them. They're really just not designed for that kind of frame. Hubby looks best in a button down dress shirt, slacks, and tie, no jacket. If Jindal could get away with ditching the jacket in his position he'd look more put together.

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 28, 2015 10:13 AM (KkVB6)

179 Perry didn't have any room to maneuver as far as common core was concerned. He'd already spent a decade selling the state's school children to Pearson publishing.

Posted by: Pendejo at March 28, 2015 10:14 AM (qTajC)

180 On looks, I'd go:
Remember: Anne Coulter D/Q'd Rubio because he was too short.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at March 28, 2015 10:14 AM (5buP8)

181
Any look at a candidate (for me) involves his/her stance on the 2nd.

Anything less than total advocacy is a no go, this being my personal hill.

Posted by: irongrampa at March 28, 2015 10:15 AM (jeCnD)

182 I can see Walker/Cruz.

Walker - proven conservative leader in a blue/purple state

Cruz - attack dog that calls out libs on their BS lies

Posted by: chemjeff at March 28, 2015 10:15 AM (9GG/0)

183 @175

Yeah that's my take. I don't like Perry's new ghey glasses either. Bush up close is gangly. He about 6'4" and very awkward.

Also, Bush's Hispanic wife has porked up on him like an Italian mama who eats pasta everyday.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:16 AM (0FSuD)

184 I've provided a blank score sheet to help you with this exercise:

Hey! Did you get that from my server?

Posted by: Hillary! at March 28, 2015 10:16 AM (FcR7P)

185

rubio has a cute face and bad hair

my 18 yr old daughter said she couldn't vote for cruz because of his face......i told her this is why women shouldn't vote

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (u8GsB)

186 @182

I could go for that. Cruz is a pit bull and he off sets Walker's accountant calm. Walker/Perry works also.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (0FSuD)

187 i told her this is why women shouldn't vote

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (u8GsB)

Heh
and 18 year olds.

Posted by: Golfman at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (iVjJr)

188 i love perry's glasses!!! i don't like his shirt collars.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (u8GsB)

189
Remember: Anne Coulter D/Q'd Rubio because he was too short.
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin

That round-heeled slattern turned someone down?

Tres suprise.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 28, 2015 10:19 AM (kdS6q)

190 188
i love perry's glasses!!! i don't like his shirt collars.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 28, 2015 10:17 AM (u8GsB)

This proves focus shops work and he is looking for more women.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:19 AM (0FSuD)

191 Jindal edges Walker and Cruz for me in terms of his body, but he needs a really good tailor.

Good mom-jeans are really hard to find.

Posted by: Barack Hussein at March 28, 2015 10:19 AM (FcR7P)

192 Choosing a candidate is a sieving problem. The bigger deal killing issues come first. For some voters drugs* are a shibboleth, for others gay rights**, and if a candidate doesn't agree with the voter on that, the candidate's stance on coal gassification is meaningless.

^^^^^

This is both true and infuriating. Especially the last bit. One issue affects everyone and one affects less than 3% of the population (and really, even less than that when you look at the percentage of them that actually do get "married"). Which one is so sooooooper important it will get maximum play? Why the one that affects the sliver of the population. Silly! We can't be bothering average folks with talk of their power bills, much less how that 'on' switch works behind the wall!

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 28, 2015 10:19 AM (KkVB6)

193 "They're really just not designed for that kind of frame."

As a slender fellow I can feel his pain. Finding clothes that fit can be a hassle. When I buy slacks at Men's Warehouse the salesman calls BS when I tell him my waist and in-seam. Like I don't know what size pants I friggin' wear.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 10:20 AM (ipqYf)

194 Shit Perry might make a good President, after all, he discovered the North Pole

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:20 AM (rDqRv)

195 I was told there would be no math.

Posted by: I Work for Dick Jones at March 28, 2015 10:20 AM (ZMbDb)

196 The only reason Ladyboy is in the race is to make sure conservatives who can't win in Iowa and NH get blocked in SC as well. That would make them drop out because after SC there are a lot more blue States and Purple States.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 10:21 AM (wlDny)

197 One issue affects everyone and one affects less than 3% of the population

That's why immigration is my first and only litmus test. The downstream consequences will affect everyone, and not in a good way.

Posted by: pep at March 28, 2015 10:21 AM (4nR9/)

198 194
Shit Perry might make a good President, after all, he discovered the North Pole

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:20 AM (rDqRv

Yeah, but he will be a little "stiff" at the inauguration

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:22 AM (0FSuD)

199 This is looking Like a Late Career Sonny Liston Fight VS Clay.....
I see a lot of Bolo Punches.

Posted by: Kronk at March 28, 2015 10:22 AM (/WmRg)

200 A homework assignment? On a Saturday?

Posted by: rickl at March 28, 2015 10:23 AM (sdi6R)

201 200
A homework assignment? On a Saturday?

Posted by: rickl

Quitcher bitchin'. She didn't ask you to show your work with Common Core math, did she?

Posted by: pep at March 28, 2015 10:24 AM (4nR9/)

202 " after all, he discovered the North Pole"

Um......

Different guy.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 10:24 AM (ipqYf)

203 Vic, I don't think Leslie will get shit. The MB GOP hates him. Charleston, same way. He gets upstate and splits Columbia.

Walker wins SC.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:24 AM (0FSuD)

204 203
Vic, I don't think Leslie will get shit. The MB GOP hates him. Charleston, same way. He gets upstate and splits Columbia.

Walker wins SC.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 28, 2015 10:24 AM (0FSuD)

I can't see how he managed to win reelection. Everybody I know hates his ass. There has to be some shenanigans there. Like the time I voted in the Republican Primary and the guy sitting at the desk handing out tickets for the voting machine asked me if I was sure I wanted Republican ballot because the sherriff election for the primary was the election because there was no Republican running.

And I said, no I had no opinion of who got to be sheriff but I did want to vote against Graham.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 10:28 AM (wlDny)

205 weirddave up.......

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 10:28 AM (ipqYf)

206 >>Even with a good tailor that's gonna be hard.

Yeah.

I think they know there's a challenge there. Just last week there was a puff piece about Jindal's workout regimen. Reminded me of the stuff they did with Ryan to try to counter the geek reputation.

I think with a stylist you could up Jindal's looks a bit. I'd factor in things like the color of his shirts and ties to best complement his skin tone. And his shirt collars need to fit perfectly.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:28 AM (9BRsg)

207 nood

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 28, 2015 10:28 AM (wlDny)

208 Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 28, 2015 10:24 AM (ipqYf)

thus the "stiff" pun.

Posted by: Golfman at March 28, 2015 10:30 AM (iVjJr)

209 Oh, and, true ceiling white has grey in it to keep the glare down, FWIW.

I recently finished repainting entire house in a very pale pastel grey. Walls and ceiling all same color. Love it. Ceilings appear taller, rooms bigger. Whites in room like window treatments and lampshades 'pop' with brightness. Accents and plant appear to have extra color saturation.

As to topic: I want a tough Texan (Cruz or healthy Perry) because ObamaCare *has* to go. Texas has enacted good health care policies like tort reform.

Posted by: SE Pa Moron at March 28, 2015 10:33 AM (xQX/f)

210 Cruz can't win, and nobody knows that more than Cruz. He's there to push the party to the Right, and that's fine.

Perry is a longshot. 2012 really injured his brand. He has to string together a set of good debates to remove that stain and I'm not sure he can do that.

Pence is acceptable to the establishment. If he comes out as a border hawk and lays down a strong 2A position he might be acceptable to the base.

Jeb is going to fizzle. The money people are already pulling back.

Jindal, Martinez, and Rubio are running for VP whether they realize it or not.

Huck, Rand, and others are there to get their names in the spotlight and for no other reason.

Rubio might surprise us; I acknowledge that he is subjectively compelling but he is a dog's breakfast on the issues.

Posted by: joncelli at March 28, 2015 10:39 AM (ENczY)

211 Why do you say that about Jindal, joncelli?

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 10:42 AM (9BRsg)

212 Boy, the corgis sure don't hang around after being called, do they?

Posted by: mindful webworker - what th? at March 28, 2015 11:20 AM (ZOlfu)

213 Could somebody please start a "Draft Martinez" movement?

She would be a shoo-in for the White House.

Posted by: Kal at March 28, 2015 11:38 AM (VENOd)

214 Yeah, Kal, I'd certainly like to see her name floated, at least. It's frustrating to me that we have a couple of excellent women governors, but the GOPe only mentions Fiorina as a prospect. smdh at that.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 11:44 AM (9BRsg)

215 WTF? My head hurts.

This is a joke, right?

Posted by: LIV from hell at March 28, 2015 11:50 AM (1Y+hH)

216 70 I wonder just how many people have Excel installed, let alone know how to use it.

---------
Excel or MS Office are good, but for the ordinary home user, there are a couple of good, free options:

LibreOffice - default file format is not doc/docx and xls/xlsx, but that can be changed in preferences.

Kingsoft Office - Probably the closest to MS Office in terms of the user interface. Has spreadsheet, (Excel), word processor, (Word), and presentation, (Powerpoint).

Both are good, and there are probably other options. LO is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. KO is available for Windows and Android.

Posted by: jbarntt at March 28, 2015 11:54 AM (mjiRr)

217 Starting at the end and then explaining: Jindal #1 at +3; Perry #2 at +2; Walker and Haley tied for #3 at +1; Martinez and Pence tied for #5 at -1; Cruz #7 at -3.

Criteria: I give some weight to perception, e.g., Haley and Perry may be identical in their "gun" positions, but Perry will be seen as tougher as a result of image. Unfair? Life ain't fair. Deal with it. and I refuse to grade either way where I have no knowledge of a candidate's position. Finally, whatever the Horde says, it's silly to leave out Rubio and Christie, the best-known candidates, though I doubt either would win a vote here.

Category results: CV: Jindal is a two-term governor, a technocrat, and a policy wonk re healthcare. Beats out Perry, who has one more term as governor, and Walker, who has more results to put on his CV. Cruz has the weakest CV; AG and one-term Senator make him a typical politico with no executive experience. Media: Haley comes across great; Cruz seems whiny, though he is excellent in debate and in speeches. Education: Jindal has pulled his state up the most; Cruz has no track record at all on education. Jobs: Perry's state has created the most and has the perception of being a job creator. Most of the others have done well also, but Cruz loses because he has no claim to have created any. Energy: Jindal wins through his husbandry of the Louisiana industry, especially through the BP oil spill. Can't in good conscience pick a loser, they're all pretty good. Fiscal: Walker has executed the biggest and most public turnaround. Indiana is struggling. Taxes: Pence has been at it the longest. Martinez hasn't cut any as far as I know. Unions: Walker, obviously. Again, no losers in good conscience. Medicaid: Cruz wins, the loudest voice and fiercest critic. Pence loses for his expansion.
Guns: Hard to pick a winner here. Their positions are all good, but Perry is the only one I can see hefting a rifle Charlton Heston-style and saying Molon Labe. Walker loses because the gun control lobby identifies Wisconsin as the least worst when it comes to that. Not Walker's fault, but life ain't fair.

Frankly, the results don't stack up with my gut preferences -- as of now, my favorite is Walker, and Cruz is definitely not last -- but stats are stats.

Posted by: Zumkopf at March 28, 2015 12:34 PM (kAi2B)

218 >>"210 Cruz can't win, and nobody knows that more than Cruz."

Ridiculous.

Posted by: rrpjr at March 28, 2015 01:12 PM (s/yC1)

219 35 There's no BuLLshIT. I thought he already had it in the bag.
Posted by: ALH at March 28, 2015 09:02 AM (uiBHq)

FIFY

Posted by: And your little dog too! at March 28, 2015 01:14 PM (TqyFL)

220 Interesting, Zumpfkopf.

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 01:37 PM (KZBSl)

221 194 Shit Perry might make a good President, after all, he discovered the North Pole
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 28, 2015 10:20 AM (rDqRv)

And he opened up Japan for trade.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at March 28, 2015 01:39 PM (TqyFL)

222 (Taxes) Worst = Scott Walker's state of Wisconsin ranks poorly in "tax climate" rankings. They are finally getting around to cutting taxes in his second term even though Wisconsin had a Republican legislature throughout most of Walker's time in office.

I have to correct that record. The first Legislative term saw corporate income tax cuts, the second saw a collapsing and reduction in personal income tax rates from 5 to 4 (though only the rate of the Doyle-era ~~millionaire~~ hundred-fifty-thousandaire tax implemented in 2009 was reduced, not eliminated or otherwise altered), and both saw some property tax relief. The current Legislative term is focused on property tax relief.

Posted by: steveegg at March 28, 2015 02:47 PM (cL79m)

223 Some where
Over the rainbow
Beyond Clinton's lead
There has to be
A new set of choices
Or we might as well concede
Ce Ee Ede
Ce Ee Ede -
I see big states of blue
With patches of white
And the bright hopes of '14
Turning to blight
And I think to myself
What a fucking debacle

Posted by: Wax the Gunter Flog at March 28, 2015 02:53 PM (lqeGC)

224 somebody loves them some Bobby Jindal...

Posted by: Shoey at March 28, 2015 02:55 PM (vA94g)

225 steveegg

Maybe Walker has been digging out of the hole longer, but it must be a very deep hole indeed given how WI fared in tax climate reviews/rankings.

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/354421.php

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 03:01 PM (9BRsg)

226 Maybe Walker has been digging out of the hole longer, but it must be a very deep hole indeed given how WI fared in tax climate reviews/rankings.

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/354421.php

Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 03:01 PM (9BRsg)

Trust me - it is a very deep hole, both on the focused-on business tax climate and the not-focused-on personal tax climate. Less attention is paid by the Tax Foundation, or even the Wisconsin Taxpayers' Alliance, on the latter - the Tax Foundation's last personal tax rankings cover 2011, and the WTA's last rankings covers 2012.

Posted by: steveegg at March 28, 2015 03:15 PM (cL79m)

227 Wat u dienovereenkomstig nog zou mogen aankondigen. Een artikel betreffende deze stoellift.

Posted by: Teri at March 28, 2015 05:12 PM (AZ3yb)

228 Believe it or not, there's something called "ceiling paint." It's less drippy.
Posted by: Y-not at March 28, 2015 08:51 AM (9BRsg)

And ceiling wax. It's also a dessert topping!

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at March 28, 2015 08:02 PM (Y92Nd)

229 * (My son and I tried to watch The Magnificent Seven and even though we're Steve McQueen fans and know Seven Samurai by heart we couldn't get 30 minutes into it).
Posted by: Bandersnatch at March 28, 2015 09:10 AM (1xUj/)

I watched the Magnificent Seven in Bodrum with some Turkish friends, and we were boozing, smoking and laughing so loudly a neighbor called the cops on us. They thought we were having a party.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at March 28, 2015 08:08 PM (Y92Nd)

230 All that effort just to give Walker a C?

Why not give each one a score of 1 to 10 in every category? Then Walker gets a 9 on unions, 6 on hair, 8 on taking on national attack buzzsaw, 6 on delivering states we might lose otherwise, etc.

There may be no real "electability" ... or it is misused to prop up moderates. But there is real "inelectability" as with Carson ad libbing his goofy stuff. Cruz won some Christian vote, but some already say it was so "strong" as to harm him in the general.

Jindal won't be praised for his groovy ethnicity, he will be marginalized by it. I like him but the look is important.

The polls are right, Walker is best so far. But there is a lot of effort to trash Walker from those that want someone else.

Posted by: Illiniwek at March 28, 2015 08:33 PM (ZU84r)

231 My opinion? Feh! I think your "There Can Be Only One" methodology is really stupid, because you don't give any credit at all to people who might be damned near as good as your sole winner. And if three of the candidates came out in favor of (say) total firearms confiscation, two of them would receive scores of 0 and only one of -1. Better you should try approval voting, with +1, 0, and -1 for good, neutral, and bad.

For example, unless they've spectacularly screwed up, all of the governors should get +1 in the CV column, just because they have executive experience. Walker in particular should receive +1, because he not only governed successfully, he actually accomplished something important. And your opinion of Walker in the Taxes category is so bizarre, it's "not even wrong."

Posted by: Herp McDerp at March 29, 2015 04:34 AM (7QRNd)

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