Republican 2012

Kim Strassel of the WSJ writes about the Republican candidate for President in 2012. She talks about the expected candidates, and correctly discerns that no one is particularly excited yet.

It’s still early to handicap the race.  The first debate is soon, but it won’t say much. “There are miles to go before we sleep.” However, I do have some pointers for any would be candidate.

First, if you aren’t credible on budget issues forget running.  If anyone was paying attention to the last election, they know the path.  The problem is that it is very very difficult to transfer the wonkiness of the budget to a short sweet campaign bite that goes over the media noise and makes an impact with voters.

Second, if you want to highlight social issues and make it an integral part of your platform, save your money and stay home.  Gay marriage, abortion and other social issues are dividers, and salacious topics the main stream media will nail you to the cross on. It goes without saying that the Republicans will only nominate a pro life person, but to play to the middle, they should moderate by saying, “The genie is out of the bottle.  I will end all federal funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood and create an economic climate where people value life over abortion.  I encourage them to make that choice.”  That plays with independents, and is probably the most realistic for the country.

What really ticks people off is the size and scope of government.  Costs are spiraling out of control.  The Tea Party movement is a fiscal conservative movement.  The Republican can win if they find their inner Santelli.

Compare that to Obama’s, “Spread the wealth around.”, and you have the classic difference between what Tea Partiers want, and Obama wants.

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