Why is this Republican field so uninspiring?

[sg0508]

You have to admit, Republican, Democrat or Independent, this GOP field in what should be a ripe election is brutal.  Why are they so uninspiring?

My answers:

1) The party finally got what it wanted.  It stripped itself so badly of "unity" and flexibility to anyone outside the "conservative" bulls..t label that anyone fitting the label is a joke.  On the side, you have someone like Romney who was somewhat moderate, but of course the conservatives can't stand him.

2) Nobody wants a piece of Obama.  They know the speaking skills, the posturing and the media love and they see no chance for success.

3) Americans in general are just uninspired.  We got the "change" message in 2008, a lot of us bought into it and things may even be worse four years later.

4) Politicians tend to carry so much baggage today either from their past, including some kind of unethical behavior.

5) The perception of the GOP is so bad that many Americans just view the party as a bunch of religious freaks that don't understand the budget/job/economic issues because well, "pro life and anti-gay marriage" has to be covered in the "moral values" nonsense campaign.

Any others?

[Lincoln Republican]

With the exception of Romney, yes, the Republican field is uninspiring.

Gingrich though, does have a certain flair.

[President von Cat]

Even Romney is uninspiring, unless you are inspired by his ability to take every stance on every issue.

[BlondewithaBrain]

With the exception of Romney, yes, the Republican field is uninspiring.

Gingrich though, does have a certain flair.

Romney inspiring? you get excited by androids and a man who has no backbone to hold a position.

romeny only says what people want to hear not how he feels. he's a Mittbot

[© tweed]

same reason for the uninspiring GOP field in 1996 and Dem field in 2004: those with serious futures hold off from challenging a not obviously vulnerable incumbent.

[Middle-aged Europe]

same reason for the uninspiring GOP field in 1996 and Dem field in 2004: those with serious futures hold off from challenging a not obviously vulnerable incumbent.

Which makes the high frequency of successfully re-elected incumbent presidents a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Let's see...

A compulsive flopper with cyborg personality.

A big-time Senate loser best known as an internet meme related to poo.

A man with obvious mental issues.

A draft-dodging chickenhawk.

A walking gaffe machine.

A man with zero charisma running for GOP nomination with service under Obama in his resume.

A man who lost to both lizard and wizard.


Yes, pretty lame.

[pbrower2a]

Hard times with no easy, workable solutions?

People don't trust the politicians anymore. With approval ratings in the middle-to-high forties the President would look vulnerable -- but the others fare even worse. Just look at the approval ratings for Congress and many Governors.

We haven't seen any approval ratings for the President on a state-by-state basis since Christmas, or on governors or generic ballots for the House...

The President is in the position in which any economic improvement seals re-election.