If not Christie who becomes the "Establishment Candidate" for the GOP?

[Kevin]

Not to pile on the guy but if Christie's Presidential ambitions are fatally damaged by "Bridgegate" who becomes the Republican establishment's choice for the nod.

I ask because there are many over viable alternatives to Christie on paper  such as Gov. John Kasich(OH), Gov. Susanna Martinez(NM), Gov. Brian Sandoval(NV) or Gov. Terry Branstad(IA). But none of these examples have the national stature or media profile that the man from Jersey has.

So my question is then who becomes the establishment alternative? If not Christie then who?

On a side note- ether way imo a Tea Party candidate such as Paul or Cruz will not win the Republican nomination unless they prove they can win the general election.

[Consciously Unconscious]

Jeb Bush seems like a candidate who could unite the establishment and the conservatives, so I think it could be him.

[RogueBeaver]

Walker would be it, though a more accurate label would be the fusion candidate.

[MATTROSE94]

Probably Scott Walker, as he has the potential to unify both the Tea-Party faction and the more establishment faction of the Republican Party.

[NHI]

I think Walker will rise temporarily, but ultimately will flounder and fail like Perry. I think Jeb Bush has the best shot if Christie falters. I think he can also unite both wings of the party.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Scott Walker!!!

[The Mikado]

Not to pile on the guy but if Christie's Presidential ambitions are fatally damaged by "Bridgegate" who becomes the Republican establishment's choice for the

I thought we were going with Bridgeghazi as the scandal term.

[bballrox4717]

I don't think Christie was ever the "Establishment Candidate." It's still Bush.

I think the invisible primary for establishment support is currently being fought between the two right now. Walker still seems more like a compromise candidate who could come forward if it becomes clear that both Christie and Bush are unelectable in a Republican primary. I'd love Ryan's chances to win the primary if he ran, but he doesn't seem interested at all and we'll know what he wants if he does get the Ways and Means chairmanship.

That being said, it would be an enormous mistake for the establishment to anoint Bush as its candidate and would be the most likely catalyst for a Rand Paul, Ted Cruz or even Huckabee to win the primary.

[Kevin]

Not to pile on the guy but if Christie's Presidential ambitions are fatally damaged by "Bridgegate" who becomes the Republican establishment's choice for the

I thought we were going with Bridgeghazi as the scandal term.

Oh we are? I  should have used that then since "Bridgeghazi" sounds like a cooler term!

[BaconBacon96]

Scott Walker is the unifying candidate, but Jeb Bush is still the Establishment Candidate. Always has been to me.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Jeb Bush seems like a candidate who could unite the establishment and the conservatives, so I think it could be him.

I agree. If he runs, then Jeb is without question the "Establishment" candidate. And along that line, running against Hillary is probably the best and easiest way for him to avoid taking damage from "dynasty" critics. (Although a Clinton vs. Bush national race will provide endless fodder for both comedians and critics of American "democracy".)

[Likely Voter]

This whole thing may push Bush into running as it opens up the race.  But if Bush and Christie are out then there may not be a clear establishment candidate, or at least until one of the others rises above the rest. The big money will wait on the sidelines to see who has the right stuff can can take on the Tea Party types.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

If not Walker, then I say Thune.

[Reaganfan]

Huckabee

[henster]

Walker obviously people keep talking scandals bringing him down but there's nothing no matter how far Dems have dig they haven't found anything good yet the only obstacle Walker is his re-election he needs to win like he did in 2010/2012 a narrow win would not be good for him. Walker is pretty much the establishment last great hope Jeb Bush or Kasich may run but their not winning the GOP is tired of those types. Honestly Cruz or Paul have a pretty good shot at the nomination considering how good Santorum & the others did.

[BaconBacon96]

Huckabee

Yeah no.

The social conservative is never the establishment candidate.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Sandoval is pro-choice.

So is Christie, IIRC.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Huckabee

Yeah no.

The social conservative is never the establishment candidate.

Yeah, Huck is more tea party material than establishment.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Huckabee

Yeah no.

The social conservative is never the establishment candidate.

Yeah, Huck is more tea party material than establishment.

Eh, Huckabee's pretty liberal on economic policy compared to the Tea Party.  I'd say he's a generic socon, so he doesn't really fit in either of those categories.

And no, Christie is not pro-choice.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Huckabee

Yeah no.

The social conservative is never the establishment candidate.

Yeah, Huck is more tea party material than establishment.

Eh, Huckabee's pretty liberal on economic policy compared to the Tea Party.  I'd say he's a generic socon, so he doesn't really fit in either of those categories.

And no, Christie is not pro-choice.

Makes sense on Huck.

I know Christie isn't exactly a staunch conservative, but I could have sworn i heard pro-choice.  I guess not.  I guess I need to read up more on my candidate of choice!

[henster]

Huckabee would be destroyed in a GE just play ads of him campaigning and defending Todd Akin and that's only one of many things you could attack him on.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Huckabee would be destroyed in a GE just play ads of him campaigning and defending Todd Akin and that's only one of many things you could attack him on.

Yes, I completely agree.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I could see Martinez as well, if Walker, Thune, or Bush don't run especially they would be pushing for her.

[Cobbler]

Probably Walker, though I still believe (maybe foolishly) that Huntsman could make a run at it. I really doubt Bush will run.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Probably Walker, though I still believe (maybe foolishly) that Huntsman could make a run at it. I really doubt Bush will run.

Agreed, Martinez is more likely to run than Bush.