GOP Field Grows
by Gary Bauer, Contributing Author: The burgeoning field of Republican presidential candidates is getting bigger. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum all appear ready to throw their hats into the ring.
Senator Graham will make foreign policy a top priority. He has scheduled a formal announcement for June 1. But yesterday the senator told CBS that he was considering running "because of what you see on television . . . because I think the world is falling apart."
Governor John Kasich has a populist style and a keen focus on balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility. He also comes from a "must-win" state for both parties.
Governor Bobby Jindal is well-known for his intellect. Jindal was a Rhodes Scholar who studied health care during his college years. He was appointed secretary of Louisiana's Health Department at the age of 24.
In recent weeks he has distinguished himself by standing firm on values issues. Referring to the recent controversy about religious freedom laws in some states, Jindal said, "America did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created America. . . . Government should never step in and tell Christians that they have to choose between making a living and their Christian values."
Senator Santorum ran a surprisingly strong race in 2012, finishing second to Mitt Romney. The Republican Party has a history of nominating previous second-place finishers. He is making an announcement next Wednesday.
By March 1st, the field will most likely be winnowed down to three or four candidates. In the meantime, this embarrassment of riches presents some practical problems. For example, how does the Republican Party or a news outlet host a presidential debate with a dozen or more people on the stage?
Some have suggested that candidates averaging less than 5% in the polls be excluded. But if you do that, you likely eliminate the only female candidate and several others who might gain traction with conservative voters. Perhaps there could be two nights of debates with each night featuring half of the candidates. Stay tuned!
-------------
Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families
Tags: Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, GOP Field Grows, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov, John Kasich, former Sen. Rick Santorum To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
Senator Graham will make foreign policy a top priority. He has scheduled a formal announcement for June 1. But yesterday the senator told CBS that he was considering running "because of what you see on television . . . because I think the world is falling apart."
Governor John Kasich has a populist style and a keen focus on balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility. He also comes from a "must-win" state for both parties.
Governor Bobby Jindal is well-known for his intellect. Jindal was a Rhodes Scholar who studied health care during his college years. He was appointed secretary of Louisiana's Health Department at the age of 24.
In recent weeks he has distinguished himself by standing firm on values issues. Referring to the recent controversy about religious freedom laws in some states, Jindal said, "America did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created America. . . . Government should never step in and tell Christians that they have to choose between making a living and their Christian values."
Senator Santorum ran a surprisingly strong race in 2012, finishing second to Mitt Romney. The Republican Party has a history of nominating previous second-place finishers. He is making an announcement next Wednesday.
By March 1st, the field will most likely be winnowed down to three or four candidates. In the meantime, this embarrassment of riches presents some practical problems. For example, how does the Republican Party or a news outlet host a presidential debate with a dozen or more people on the stage?
Some have suggested that candidates averaging less than 5% in the polls be excluded. But if you do that, you likely eliminate the only female candidate and several others who might gain traction with conservative voters. Perhaps there could be two nights of debates with each night featuring half of the candidates. Stay tuned!
-------------
Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families
Tags: Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, GOP Field Grows, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov, John Kasich, former Sen. Rick Santorum To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home