As if the Republicans weren't having a hard enough time getting candidates willing to step up to the plate and announce a presidential bid. Get in line, people, and see who gets to be the next Bob Dole.
I think that's unfair to Bob Dole. He's a war hero and a political moderate; the current primary crop isn't fit to kiss his boots.
But yes, in terms of electoral votes, that's what we're looking at. (Though I don't expect Obama to carry Arizona like Clinton in '96.)
Well, Trump might just keep on rolling, since he wins even if he loses.
People would still have to vote for him, though. That's not going to happen -- yes, he's ahead in the polls right now, but as The Daily Show pointed out last week, so was Giuliani four years ago and Cuomo in '92.
I don't see Trump or Palin having a shot at it. Gingrich is almost as unlikely. Romney's got the healthcare thing around his neck but he's the most Dole-like of the crop, in that Dole was seen as Democrat-lite. If the party decides they want someone to just look good while losing, they could do worse than Romney.
I still think Huckabee's running for the VP slot, not the top of the ticket. Pawlenty's another likely pick for the nom but he's too nice -- which, then again, might make him another good pick for someone to go down like Dole did.