As long as I'm drawing lines in the sand, beyond which I will not compromise, here are three quick lists on the possible GOP candidates for President for 2012.  This is not meant to be comprehensive, nor will I give much commentary.  This is a simple reference for those who might care (all zero of my readers) where I stand.

Complete non-starters.  Those potential candidates that I will not even consider, and if nominated, I will sit out for:

• Mike Huckabee
• Newt Gingrich
• Mitt Romney

Candidates I will consider with an open mind.  There is no order of preference here:

• Sarah Palin
• Mike Pence
• Eric Cantor
• Tim Pawlenty

Candidates I generally like, but think are premature for 2012.  I would prefer that these folks keep doing what they're doing, but I would almost certainly vote for them if nominated:

• Marco Rubio
• Rand Paul
• Chris Christie

Special note one:  I really hope Sarah Palin doesn't run unless she bones up on her economics and shifts her focus to fiscal matters.  She's made some pleasant sounding noises in that general direction, but it's pretty clear she doesn't have much of a clue economically.  I think she's much better suited to a party leadership position, doing what she did so well this election.  Still, if she ends up as the nominee, I would almost certainly vote for her.

Special note two:  It was tempting to put Tim Pawlenty in the first list, based solely on the fact that the hacks at Powerline like him so much.  However, that would have been dishonest and unfair, so I guess I'll have to consider him, as galling as that might be.

Update:  I just realized Jim DeMint doesn't appear in any of these lists.  That's because I assume he's not going to run, as he's smart enough to know he's too socially conservative to have truly broad appeal.  That being said, even though I'm socially liberal, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if he gets nominated as he's just so damn strong fiscally.

Posted by: Hermit Dave at 05:38 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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