The Official POTUS Candidate Discussion Thread: 2016

[HoneyBadger]

It's hilarious looking at all the "polls" that have Bush or Christie leading, then when Drudge hosts a poll, the two of them combined have less than 6% of the total vote. In that same Drudge poll, guys like Cruz and Paul are way ahead with 13.8 and 12.6% respectively, but the media is outright ignoring them.

In this latest poll on Drudge, Scott Walker got almost 50% of the vote (I'm guessing this huge disparity is likely due to good organization of his internet base to go "vote" on Drudge's site... two weeks ago he had less than 5% in any poll). In any case, I've been hearing more about Walker lately... What does the gun community in general think of him?

[Aloha_Shooter]

I haven't seen anything on Walker specific to guns but I want the most conservative candidate that can win the general election. Holding rigidly to abstract principles only to let the Democrats lie, cheat, and steal their way to electoral victories has hurt us tremendously. Walker has already shown that he can win over the middle ground while holding pretty conservative positions even in a fairly liberal state and done it repeatedly. His candidacy and the recall attempt drained millions from the coffers of the Communists Socialists evil minions AFL-CIO and teachers' unions. For that reason alone, I'm willing to seriously consider him for the GOP nomination.

[TFOGGER]

Too bad we can't get someone like Trey Gowdy to consider a run. I think a lot of people on both sides would be refreshed by his no bullshit approach. Realistically, I think Walker has a shot in the general election. Dunno what his 2A stance is in general, but he signed CCW legislation into law in WI, after about a billion years of that state denying the right to self defense.

[wctriumph]

I told ya so! The media will push Bush and Christie on us and ignore the rest. We can't let the traitorous media make our choices, we have to be vocal and make OUR voices heard.


TEA

III

[Mtn.man]

Gov. Scott Walker – a favorite right now
Sen. Ted Cruz – as a senator, his chances decrease. Love the guy, perhaps a VP?
Gov. Rick Perry – we’ll have to see if he runs a better campaign this time
Sen. Rick Santorum – longshot. Establishment GOP still mad he stuck in the race against Romney so long. Would need early money and early wins.
Gov. Susana Martinez
Gov. Mike Pence would be a strong candidate
Gov. John Kasich would be a good president, but perhaps not a great candidate.
Rep. Trey Gowdy would be awesome. The GOP seems to have assigned him, however, to the role of Hillary smasher this time around.
Sen. Marco Rubio could be a good candidate, but another senator and they usually don’t get far.
Gov. Sarah Palin would be a good leader, not sure she wants to go through all of this again. She should announce early that she is not running to get rid of any rumors and release money that would have gone to her so it can help others.
Rep. Paul Ryannot running. A good choice.
Gov. Bobby Jindal should stay in the mix for now
Gov. Nikki Haley could be a good candidate.
Gov. Jeb Bush – This is the Karl Rove-Bush wing of the party that wants to join with democrats to destroy the Tea Party Conservatives. The last thing we need is another Bush… or another Clinton! He should drop out.
Sen. Rand Paul – His candidacy will not succeed. He says some things right and other things make it sound like he is an alien. He could leave now.
Dr. Benjamin Carson – This one will make some of my conservative pals mad. However, a big beef with Obama was that he had no experience doing anything. While Carson has plenty of brilliant medical experience, he has no experience in governing. We have seen the things that can go wrong with an inexperienced candidate and I’m just not sure the time is now for Dr. Carson. A good VP perhaps. He could announce he is willing to be the VP for a strong Conservative American candidate.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte – Probably not much chance. Not sure she needs to make an announcement.
Gov. Mary Fallin – A female Governor to challenge Hillary. From a strong Conservative state. It would be okay for her to run.
Gov. Mitt Romney not running. Thank you!
Gov. Sam Brownback
Rep. Peter King
Rep. J.C. Watts won’t be running, a good VP choice?
Lt. Col. & Rep. Allen West won’t be running, a good VP choice?
Donald Trump – he should skip the whole thing where he wastes our time pretending he might run if no one better shows up. He could stay out this time.
Gov Bob McDonnel may wish to run. Would likely not get far.
Gov Jan Brewer may have some ambition, but likely will not get far.
Sen Tim Scott – another senator with the stats against him.
Sen John Thune – (see Tim Scott)
Rep. Michele Bachmann won’t run and doesn’t want her husband trashed again by the lamestream press.
Rep. Newt Gingrich Please God, have Newt stay out of the race.
Gov. Mike Huckabee He wants it so bad. No one wants a guitar playing pretend-conservative. He should have kept his show on Fox. Also his health can’t be good with all of the weight he has put on. He should leave now.
Gov. Chris Christie is a democrat in the eyes of Conservative Americans. He would be John McCain with a foul mouth. He will run. He should not run. We won’t win if Christie gets the nom

http://viral.buzz/video-romneys-out-walkers-in-palin/

[Zundfolge]

I haven't seen anything on Walker specific to guns...

Only two entries for him on On The Issues vis a vis the 2A, but they're both pro gun so far. http://www.ontheissues.org/Scott_Walker.htm

So far so good for him ... whether he can win or not it's really too early to tell but he does have a positive track record. We shall see how he does.

As for guys like Cruz, Paul or Goudy ... honestly I'd rather we not have to drain our legislator talent to run for pres ... would rather see those guys keep fighting the good fight (honestly can you imagine what the world would look like with Cruz as Senate Majority Leader instead of President?).

[HoneyBadger]

Well, Rand is done...
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/rand-paul-vaccines-can-lead-mental-disorders-n298821

He says that parents should have some amount of freedom when it comes to vaccinating their children, (freedom is good, right?) and then he says:

I have heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines
Coming from a medical doctor? "Cases" indicates that he really believes them to be factual. Either way, political suicide. [facepalm]

[bogie]

Walker has held elected office since his early 20s. Not really what I'm looking for.

[HoneyBadger]

Only two entries for him on On The Issues vis a vis the 2A, but they're both pro gun so far. http://www.ontheissues.org/Scott_Walker.htm

So far so good for him ... whether he can win or not it's really too early to tell but he does have a positive track record. We shall see how he does.

Honestly, after reading this, my view of Walker is pretty favorable.

[Zundfolge]

Well, Rand is done...
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elec...orders-n298821 (http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/rand-paul-vaccines-can-lead-mental-disorders-n298821)
Jeebus ... and I though his dad was a nutter. [facepalm]

[Bailey Guns]

I'd say right now, I'm leaning towards Scott Walker. But, it's early. We'll see what he and some of the other candidates have to say in the coming months. I want someone who'll stand up to the democrats for a change. Walker has a history of doing that.

[Zundfolge]

I want someone who'll stand up to the democrats for a change. Walker has a history of doing that.

Agreed, he's someone who GENUINELY stands up to Democrats ... not pretends to like Krispy Kreme of Joisey.

[Mtn.man]

Hey, Crispy can and does stand up for carbs.

[hurley842002]

Every time I see crispy I think of the movie "Thinner".

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/03/87594a8e6bb4f53b10cea1281675f323.jpg

[Mtn.man]

Biggest Loser, literally.

[Bitter Clinger]

Lt. Col. Allen west please. At least put this guy in charge of defense.

I still like Rand, but no chance.

As long as it's not krispy or Bush.

More than likely, we will all have to hold our nose and vote for "not hillary"

[mindfold]

I'd say right now, I'm leaning towards Scott Walker. But, it's early. We'll see what he and some of the other candidates have to say in the coming months. I want someone who'll stand up to the democrats for a change. Walker has a history of doing that.

and having a Packer fan in the White House would be AWESOME! I can see it now, handing out cheeseheads to everyone during the State of the Union! I would watch that!

[SamuraiCO]

Walker is a fighter. He won three elections (ok two elections and a recall effort) in a deep blue state. Madison is the heart and soul of the progressive movement. He implemented conservative reforms, cut taxes balanced budget and went after the union negotiations of collective bargaining that just leads to goodies for the union bosses in favor of large political donations to the Dems who they are negotiating with. Remember the childish behavior of the Dem legislators leaving the state while the recall was going on so Walker and the R's could not discuss and vote on their proposals?

He has the blue print for winning.

[DavieD55]

Lt. Col. Allen west please. At least put this guy in charge of defense.

I still like Rand, but no chance.

As long as it's not krispy or Bush.

More than likely, we will all have to hold our nose and vote for "not hillary"

Exactly this ^

[sniper7]

If I get my name on the top of that list I will make things a whole lot better...well for most of us, not so much the leeches and liberals.

[def90]

Gary Johnson.. it's too bad that people still believe that they have to vote for one of the 2 parties..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBE7PSju-KE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFYmyUSwcCM

probably not a popular issue here but everyone has a right to self defense:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLwqeV5AQac

[Mtn.man]

And if you vote outside of the 2 parties, you still voted for 1 of them.

[TFOGGER]

And if you vote outside of the 2 parties, you still voted for 1 of them.

Another way to look at it: An avalanche starts with a single stone. If nobody initiates a change to get us out of this rut, the only possible outcomes for the country are tyranny (because the parties ARE united in that one goal), or revolution.

[Rucker61]

Another way to look at it: An avalanche starts with a single stone. If nobody initiates a change to get us out of this rut, the only possible outcomes for the country are tyranny (because the parties ARE united in that one goal), or revolution.

Here's another way to look at it. Single stones are moved all the time, but very rarely start avalanches.

[TFOGGER]

Here's another way to look at it. Single stones are moved all the time, but very rarely start avalanches.

I get it. And I have had to hold my nose in the voting booth on more than one occasion, to prevent the greater evil from advancing. That doesn't mean I have to like it, nor does that mean that seeking alternatives is a vain pursuit. Voting for the lesser of two evils is STILL voting for evil. Can you honestly say that a vote for a Republican candidate is a vote for the greater good of the Republic?

[sniper7]

And if you scrape a little snow off one of the two mountains, the other mountain ends up with more snow and wins.

[def90]

It's kind of sad that most of you would have happily voted for Romney who was responsible for more anti gun laws in his state than Obama has been, same with Bush 1 & 2, how much anti gun legislation and import rules were changed for the worse under both of them? GW said he would have extended the assault weapons ban in a heartbeat if it was sent to his desk. But they were all the lesser of two evils though right?

Minnesota voted for the goofball 3rd party guy years ago that only had 3% of the share just a week before the election. It's not impossible, all it takes is for people to break the cycle.

[Mtn.man]

Yeah it's worked so well in Boulder.

[def90]

Yeah it's worked so well in Boulder.

What does Boulder have to do with this?

[Bailey Guns]

It's kind of sad that most of you would have happily voted for Romney who was responsible for more anti gun laws in his state than Obama has been, same with Bush 1 & 2, how much anti gun legislation and import rules were changed for the worse under both of them? GW said he would have extended the assault weapons ban in a heartbeat if it was sent to his desk. But they were all the lesser of two evils though right?

Minnesota voted for the goofball 3rd party guy years ago that only had 3% of the share just a week before the election. It's not impossible, all it takes is for people to break the cycle.

You like Johnson? Vote for him. Knock yourself out. You can rail against Romney and those that voted for him all you want. Most of us understand he did what the people in his STATE wanted. That doesn't mean he would do the same as president. But if that makes you feel better about voting for someone who's going to get a WHOPPING 1% of the vote, good for you. And what, exactly, will Johnson accomplish with a democrat and/or republican congress?

The libertarian party is going nowhere in any significant way in the lifetimes of most everyone on this forum because the majority of people don't like the libertarian ideology. You might as well get used to it.

[Mtn.man]

Carl,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Breathe calmmmmmm, he doesn't consider that it is all about the $$$$$ and not about the principle or the purpose. we will all be dead dead dead before anything changes in America, but maybe America will fall before that as well.

[def90]

You like Johnson? Vote for him. Knock yourself out. You can rail against Romney and those that voted for him all you want. Most of us understand he did what the people in his STATE wanted. That doesn't mean he would do the same as president. But if that makes you feel better about voting for someone who's going to get a WHOPPING 1% of the vote, good for you. And what, exactly, will Johnson accomplish with a democrat and/or republican congress?

The libertarian party is going nowhere in any significant way in the lifetimes of most everyone on this forum because the majority of people don't like the libertarian ideology. You might as well get used to it.
Hmmm.. One guy went against the grain/public opinion and successfully opened up ccw to their state while the other trampled on the 2nd amendment.. But yeah, we all know that one guy wouldn't do that as president right? Lol... Keep living the dream..

[def90]

Gov. Scott Walker – a favorite right now
Sen. Ted Cruz – as a senator, his chances decrease. Love the guy, perhaps a VP?
Gov. Rick Perry – we’ll have to see if he runs a better campaign this time
Sen. Rick Santorum – longshot. Establishment GOP still mad he stuck in the race against Romney so long. Would need early money and early wins.
Gov. Susana Martinez
Gov. Mike Pence would be a strong candidate
Gov. John Kasich would be a good president, but perhaps not a great candidate.
Rep. Trey Gowdy would be awesome. The GOP seems to have assigned him, however, to the role of Hillary smasher this time around.
Sen. Marco Rubio could be a good candidate, but another senator and they usually don’t get far.
Gov. Sarah Palin would be a good leader, not sure she wants to go through all of this again. She should announce early that she is not running to get rid of any rumors and release money that would have gone to her so it can help others.
Rep. Paul Ryannot running. A good choice.
Gov. Bobby Jindal should stay in the mix for now
Gov. Nikki Haley could be a good candidate.
Gov. Jeb Bush – This is the Karl Rove-Bush wing of the party that wants to join with democrats to destroy the Tea Party Conservatives. The last thing we need is another Bush… or another Clinton! He should drop out.
Sen. Rand Paul – His candidacy will not succeed. He says some things right and other things make it sound like he is an alien. He could leave now.
Dr. Benjamin Carson – This one will make some of my conservative pals mad. However, a big beef with Obama was that he had no experience doing anything. While Carson has plenty of brilliant medical experience, he has no experience in governing. We have seen the things that can go wrong with an inexperienced candidate and I’m just not sure the time is now for Dr. Carson. A good VP perhaps. He could announce he is willing to be the VP for a strong Conservative American candidate.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte – Probably not much chance. Not sure she needs to make an announcement.
Gov. Mary Fallin – A female Governor to challenge Hillary. From a strong Conservative state. It would be okay for her to run.
Gov. Mitt Romney not running. Thank you!
Gov. Sam Brownback
Rep. Peter King
Rep. J.C. Watts won’t be running, a good VP choice?
Lt. Col. & Rep. Allen West won’t be running, a good VP choice?
Donald Trump – he should skip the whole thing where he wastes our time pretending he might run if no one better shows up. He could stay out this time.
Gov Bob McDonnel may wish to run. Would likely not get far.
Gov Jan Brewer may have some ambition, but likely will not get far.
Sen Tim Scott – another senator with the stats against him.
Sen John Thune – (see Tim Scott)
Rep. Michele Bachmann won’t run and doesn’t want her husband trashed again by the lamestream press.
Rep. Newt Gingrich Please God, have Newt stay out of the race.
Gov. Mike Huckabee He wants it so bad. No one wants a guitar playing pretend-conservative. He should have kept his show on Fox. Also his health can’t be good with all of the weight he has put on. He should leave now.
Gov. Chris Christie is a democrat in the eyes of Conservative Americans. He would be John McCain with a foul mouth. He will run. He should not run. We won’t win if Christie gets the nom

http://viral.buzz/video-romneys-out-walkers-in-palin/
Hasn't Carson put out anti gun/2nd amendment statements? I think that is an important issue to add to the list.

[Bailey Guns]

Hmmm.. One guy went against the grain/public opinion and successfully opened up ccw to their state while the other trampled on the 2nd amendment.. But yeah, we all know that one guy wouldn't do that as president right? Lol... Keep living the dream..

The truth of the matter is you, nor I, nor anyone else has a fickin' clue what Romney WOULD'VE done as president. Your speculation means nothing...except to you and those that hold your opinion. Where did gun control, at the federal level, get since Obama was elected? How many federal gun control laws were put in place under Obama even with a democrat house and senate for the first two years of his presidency? And you actually think a republican with a republican controlled congress is going to pass further gun control laws? And I'm the one "dreaming"? Whatever you say... BTW: that's not a defense of Obama and I know if he had his way there would be plenty of additional restrictions on guns. But there's only so much a president can do.

So I'll take my chances and "dream" a republican like Scott Walker (or some other conservative republican) will be elected president. You can dream about Johnson or some other libertarian/unicorn president. We'll have to wait and see which dream is more likely to come true. But when the libertarian loses, again (with only 1% or 2% of the vote), you can blame it on people like me who refuse to buy into their misguided philosophy.

[Bailey Guns]

And don't forget...Johnson was elected governor of NM as a republican.

[sniper7]

It really comes down to a giant douche or a turd sandwich.

[milwaukeeshaker]

+1


I get it. And I have had to hold my nose in the voting booth on more than one occasion, to prevent the greater evil from advancing. That doesn't mean I have to like it, nor does that mean that seeking alternatives is a vain pursuit. Voting for the lesser of two evils is STILL voting for evil. Can you honestly say that a vote for a Republican candidate is a vote for the greater good of the Republic?

[Bailey Guns]

I get it. And I have had to hold my nose in the voting booth on more than one occasion, to prevent the greater evil from advancing. That doesn't mean I have to like it, nor does that mean that seeking alternatives is a vain pursuit. Voting for the lesser of two evils is STILL voting for evil. Can you honestly say that a vote for a Republican candidate is a vote for the greater good of the Republic?

In the first place, I don't buy this "lesser of evils" arguments. I think that's a handy little platitude that gets thrown around way too often. The ISIS scumbags that burned the pilot are evil. I don't think Romney is evil. At all. Do you really think of Romney as evil? I think he was probably the most decent man to run for president in a long time...probably in my lifetime. Maybe we have a different definition of evil.

And, yes, I can honestly say that a vote for Romney was a vote for the greater good of our Republic. At least in my opinion. Do you not think we'd be not just a little, but far better off under a Romney presidency than another Obama presidency?

Wow...

[milwaukeeshaker]

Yeah, but not as good as a Ron Paul presidency.

[TFOGGER]

In the first place, I don't buy this "lesser of evils" arguments. I think that's a handy little platitude that gets thrown around way too often. The ISIS scumbags that burned the pilot are evil. I don't think Romney is evil. At all. Do you really think of Romney as evil? I think he was probably the most decent man to run for president in a long time...probably in my lifetime. Maybe we have a different definition of evil.

And, yes, I can honestly say that a vote for Romney was a vote for the greater good of our Republic. At least in my opinion. Do you not think we'd be not just a little, but far better off under a Romney presidency than another Obama presidency?

Wow...

I think Romney would have done less harm than Obozo. Probably. That's why I held my nose and voted for that schmuck. But that doesn't mean he was my preferred candidate. It simply meant that he was the least objectionable candidate that had a chance to win, in my opinion.

Regardless, this thread is not about the previous candidates, it's about trying to get the best possible candidate nominated that has the best chance of actually being elected, which means everyone is going to have to compromise some, or EVERYONE is going to lose.