THERE IS NO 2016 “IDEAL CANDIDATE” FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

…As good as Marco Rubio looks, there some big holes in his qualifications.

 

Even conservative political writers admit that there is no excellent GOP candidate to run against Hillary.

 

Ms. Jennifer Rubin is one of the more reasonable conservative writers for the Washington Post.  She recently wrote a Post article in trying to properly explain why many of the current Republicans, in their trying for the Republican nomination, are probably not qualified for achieving that ultimate goal.

 

In the article, Rubin stated that Donald Trump has issues for not running against Hillary because there are too many areas where he and Hillary agree.  That includes their attitude toward Iraq and Islamic fundamentalism.  Trump can’t even challenge Clinton on her age as he is older, and she can easily go after him on: immigration, women’s issues, and his lack of foreign-policy knowledge.

 

With Jeb Bush, even though he has never served in Washington, DC, the public still considers him another government insider and another familiar Bush face. He cannot play the generational card, and definitely shouldn’t try the Bush dynasty card. His lack of blue-collar credentials makes it impossible to criticize Clinton’s wealth, which she wasn’t born into as he was, nor can he say she is distant from the concerns that average Americans have today.

 

As to Marco Rubio, it initially appears he has it all over Hillary. Rubio has youth, a compelling family story, good foreign policy knowledge, personal charisma, and some innovative alternatives to the Hillary’s supposed liberal welfare state.  But Rubio’s lack of real accomplishments is glaring. In addition, his participation in the past government shutdown makes it hard to argue that Hillary would perpetuate government dysfunction. His opposition to a military strike to enforce the red line in Syria makes it harder to criticize Hillary’s support for dumping a military option for Syria.

 

Ms. Rubin goes on to suggest that there are few GOP political foils to pit against Hillary.

 

Rand Paul from Kentucky is a “perpetrator of gridlock and dysfunction”.  Ted Cruz of Texas is a super flip-flopper, as is Donald Trump.  Those with a lack of public service (Trump) or public or executive experience (Dr. Ben Carson) could probably be managed by Hillary in a well-executed debate.

 

Rubin then says the only way to go after Hillary is to avoid the GOP’s exposure on issues such as immigrants, minorities, women’s issues and the GOP’s “know-nothing-ism”. (At least Rubin admits that!)  But just avoiding those would take an enormous amount of real effort and pure luck by the Republicans.  Ms. Rubin follows this saying that those in the opposition to Clinton would also need to maximize on Clinton’s liabilities of ethics issues, her lack of overall accomplishments and foreign policy lack of foresight.  (Really?)

 

Finally, Ms. Rubin comments say that the GOP should offer the following as a candidate,  “An accomplished, ethical person with a strong foreign policy vision, a proven willingness to work with others and a welcoming spirit toward nontraditional GOP voters is likely the GOP’s best bet. There are a few GOP candidates who hit all or most of these. The GOP should rule out those who have none or virtually none.”

 

Now, when I read that I must totally agree that her suggestion is exactly what the Republicans should offer as an example of their candidate in 2016.

 

But I find it interesting that Ms. Rubin gives the reader no hint as to whom she would suggest as to who are the “few GOP candidates who hit all or most of these” qualities.

 

Ms. Rubin’s article just ends abruptly with this excellent suggestion and description of what the 2016 Republican candidate should look and sound like.

 

But is she suggesting that any of the current candidates such as John Kasich, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Lindsay Graham, Jim Gilmore, George Pataki, or Rick Santorum fits the bill?  If so, she isn’t hinting about which, if any of these candidates “hit the qualities”.

 

I guess if I were a conservative political writer today, I would also stop at the same point as Ms. Rubin did and just let the political waters seek their own levels.

 

But doing it this way really lets everyone know just how much into trouble and disarray the Republican Party is today.  Ms. Rubin knows she can’t suggest or promote any of the current potential nominees.  They all have too many issues that don’t fit within her description of the “ideal candidate”.

 

It is sad…..very sad.

 

Copyright G.Ater  2015