A look at the GOP contenders

On April 17, New Hampshire hosted a Republican Leadership Summit, which drew GOP presidential hopefuls and over 500 Republican activists. The horse-and-buggy show highlighted and defined the 2016 Republican field. Covering all 19 prospective candidates was a stretch, but I will share my insights on a few here.

{mosads}Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: My Wisconsin skeet-shooter friend Margaret claims Walker is a “good man.” Is that enough though to win the presidency? Billionaire election investor David Koch seems to think Walker will be the nominee. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) almost ruined the governor’s reputation by saying, “I don’t believe the president [Obama] loves America” at a Walker fundraiser. It was embarrassing that this kind of language found a home at Walker’s event.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: While Cruz has generated some interest from Tea Party members, some of his policies are questionable. The recent statements about arming soldiers on bases outside of security members are over the top. It goes directly to this paranoid attitude that has consumed some on the right, that President Obama wants to take away their guns. In Cruz’s need to appeal to gun-toting voters, he forgets the Ft. Hood, Texas shooting. He could capture a large number of Tea Party voters, but that is not enough to win the presidential election, let alone the Republican nomination.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: One of the most articulate of the potential candidates, Huckabee also has the advantage of already being a national figure on MSNBC. The former governor has an advantage of being approachable. However, Huckabee has stood out as comparing gay relationships to illegal drug abuse and for supporting a ban on adoption for same-sex couples.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal: Like most of the GOP’s small cadre of minorities, Jindal exists in an uncomfortable galaxy. This was evident in his famous 2009 response to Obama’s State of the Union. At home, Jindal has faced an tough time. He is also holding onto his opposition to gay marriage.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: Poor Rubio, being compared to Robin in the Batman dynamic duo. How could that be? Political operatives have pegged Rubio as a vice presidential pick for some time. Rubio is also a Florida International University professor who has a commonsense approach, with a heritage that will draw Latino voters. He must draw a larger audience and funding to be a serious presidential candidate.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina: The first woman to announce in the GOP field, Fiorina has a unique background as CEO of a large and well-known U.S. corporation. My sense is her social media is better than other candidates, because it has to break the glass ceiling. Her operation, the UP: Unlocking Potential Project, is active. Like Rubio, Fiorina could be caught in the vice presidential candidate fun bag. With Hillary Clinton running, the GOP will need to utilize Fiorina in some unique way.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul: The Tea Party king has got his followers calling him “President Paul.” Paul’s preacher approach was more theatrical and the Tea Party guys in the audience ate it up. Paul’s emphatic approach suggested that, as Americans, we have lost our rights. Rand’s libertarian streak has kept him more mainstream than other Republican candidates. It is too early to know if this translates into a national appeal.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: Will there be three? Bush, who has not announced, appeared in New Hampshire to keep appearances. A concern is that Bush’s White House would simply be packed by rehires from Bush II (his brother, President George W. Bush). And those former Bush staffers, like Dana Perino, are hitting the airwaves to remind everyone that they are still out there. Jeb Bush’s heavily funded super-PAC, Right to Rise, has a website with a closed-door approach. Where are the staff bios? I think it is very interesting that Bush has not yet made his splash into the 2016 race. Why not, as even Clinton has announced?

Texas Gov. Rick Perry: Perry has done an incredible job of shifting work to Texas. His efforts to make the Lone Star State more business-friendly has drawn companies from California (who will enjoy a better tax rate). The question is: Will Perry’s management style translate into national growth? Perry, who ran before, will also have to gain some additional partners to rise up as the nominee in this crowded field. Perry’s Opportunity and Freedom PAC has more meat than Bush’s PAC.

Mwine is an investigative journalist who covered the White House for Politics In Color and the National Examiner. He has appeared on Sirius XM Radio’s P.O.T.U.S. channel to discuss his White House observations. He advises attorneys, politicians and church leaders in crisis media and public relations. Mwine can be reached at politicsincolor@gmail.com.